COVID-19
Central Asia – The impact of COVID-19 on preventing violent extremism and countering terrorism
UNRCCA, in partnership with the UN Counter Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), on 4 June convened regional online consultations with the Institutes of Strategic Studies and other state institutions of the Central Asian states to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on preventing violent extremism and countering terrorism. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, and Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas, took part in the online meeting. In her opening statement, Special Representative Natalia Gherman, pointed out that “while the world is focused on COVID-19, other challenges to peace and security have not disappeared. Issues related to violent extremism and terrorism could become even more pressing in the post-pandemic era, and we have to be prepared for different scenarios and preventive measures.”
Read more here
Colombia - The challenge of producing food during the pandemic
In La Variante's reintegration area in Tumaco-Nariño, southwestern Colombia, nearly 80 former combatants are growing pineapple, aloe, plantain, and lemon as part of their reintegration process. With the support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this group already has a marketing channel for plantain with a wellknown supermarket in the main city, Tumaco. Despite the pandemic, they continue to produce and managed to sell 400 kilos. "It is not easy, there is a lot of competition, and prices have dropped," says Ricardo, leader of the Reintegration Area. In light of the the restrictions necessitated by the pandemic, people in the reintegration process are receiving telephone support from the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, FAO, and the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization. This week they were preparing 200 kilos more of plantains for sale.
For more Information, contact us
Women's role essential for a global ceasefire
The head of UN Women and the Under-Secretaries-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations made a joint call this week to put women at the center of global ceasefire efforts. They said that the global COVID-19 pandemic is a wake-up call: the world cannot face conflict and a pandemic at the same time. Women everywhere are working against tremendous odds to bring about peace. “With women fully engaged, we will emerge stronger from the crisis,” they emphasized.
Watch the appeal here
Group of Friends of the Peacebuilding Fund discuss COVID-19
The first virtual meeting of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) took place on 3 June, convened by the Permanent Missions of Sweden and the United Kingdom. The participants reviewed the first quarter investments of the Fund and how PBF had adapted to a new layer of risk faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of this year, total contributions to PBF were USD 33.3 million, an increase from USD 7.2 million in 2019 and the Fund approved a total of USD 26.1 million, an increase from USD 1.5 million in 2019. The countries declared eligible for PBF by the Secretary-General in the first quarter of 2020 include Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Honduras. Marc-André Franche, Chief, Financing for Peacebuilding Branch, highlighted the Fund's role in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through support to five types of demands from the Resident Coordinators: Crisis management and communications; Inclusive and equitable response and recovery; Intercommunity social cohesion and border management; countering hate speech, stigmatization and addressing trauma; and the Secretary-General's Global Call for Ceasefire.
For more Information, contact us
PBC meeting on socio-economic response to COVID-19 in peacebuilding contexts
An ambassadorial-level Peacebuilding Commission meeting on 5 June highlighted the need to tailor the socio-economic response to COVID-19 in peacebuilding contexts. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination and Special Advisor to the UNDP Administrator, presented the peacebuilding aspects of the UN Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19. Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support noted PBF complementary contributions in guiding conflict-sensitive UN responses to COVID-19 at the country level. Representatives of civil society and the private sector presented examples of innovative local community and business solutions, which significantly contribute to the effectiveness of COVID- 19 response and recovery plans and need to be factored in when designing government policies and negotiating stimulus packages. The PBC reiterated its commitment to continue advocating for a coordinated, people-centered and conflict-sensitive global response, putting into practice the Secretary-General’s “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity” report. The Commission recognized how the crisis is helping to bring the UN system together and encouraged continuous collaboration between the development system and the peacebuilding architecture to more effectively assist societies in their efforts to foster social cohesion and community resilience during and after the pandemic. The Importance of ensuring complementarity between PBF and other central UN funds was underscored in this regard.
For more Information, contact us
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and its impact, please visit:
WHO website
UN coronavirus website
|
|
Security Council
New special political mission for Sudan
The Security Council approved a new special political mission for Sudan, the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), on 4 June. The mission will aim to assist Sudan in its transition, back up peace efforts and support the protection and promotion of human rights. “We're committed to helping make the country's democratic transition and development a success. Our planning to deploy the new mission continues, in consultation with authorities and partners,” Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said in a tweet.
More in UN News
Central Asia
Central Asia Launch of essay contest
The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) launched an essay contest for young people across Central Asia this week, named “Youth Voices from Central Asia – UN75 and Regional Peace and Security.” Young people are asked to think about the world they want to see in 25 years – the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations – and the ways that preventive diplomacy and regional peace and security can impact that vision. The contest is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 35 who are citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Afghanistan. Deadline: 31 July.
Read more here
Ruiz Massieu: the implementation of the peace agreement is an achievement of Colombia and for Colombia
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace on 4 June launched the System for Monitoring Risks and Preventing Violations to Human Rights in Colombia, a platform that will analyze news content and allegations of human rights violations against former combatants, social leaders, victims, members of law enforcement and human rights defenders. In a statement, Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that "the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Non-Repetition, seek to keep the victims at the center of the Agreement implementation. In this case, the Monitoring System's main objective is to protect the lives of those who participate in the peace process, peacebuilding, and to prevent even more victims in the country. The achievements of the Comprehensive System are achievements of the Peace Agreement implementation, and as we all know, the implementation of the Peace Agreement is an achievement of Colombia and for Colombia." The online event was chaired by the President of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Patricia Linares.
For more Information, contact us
Palestine
United Nations Forum on Palestine
The UN Palestinian Rights Committee held a United Nations Forum on “The Question of Palestine: Threats of Annexation and the Prospects for Peace” on 4 June. Three prominent speakers - Ms. Hanan Ashrawi, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and former member of the Palestinian team in the Middle East Peace Process; Mr. Yossi Beilin, Former Israeli Cabinet Minister and participant in the 1993 Oslo Accord negotiations; Mr. James Zogby, Founder and President of the Arab American Institute - spoke and answered questions from the audience. The event was moderated by Ambassador Neville Gertze of Namibia.
Watch the event here
Outreach
Electoral assistance in focus at meeting with member States
DPPA held another session of its new Talking Prevention information series on 3 June to provide an overview of the work of our Electoral Affairs Division and its collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Participants, including representatives of some 35 member States, heard about the implementation of electoral assistance in the field as well as support to country initiatives and cooperation with regional organizations. The meeting was also an opportunity to call for continued support for DPPA’s work.
Read more about electoral assistance here
Conflict-related sexual violence
Launch of handbook
Four UN entities and the Permanent Mission of Norway launched on 5 June the Handbook for United Nations Field Missions on Preventing and Responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). Building on the new United Nations policy on the issue adopted in January 2020, the Handbook aims to provide practical guidance to civilian, military and police components of Field Missions and increase their capacities to prevent and respond to CRSV. The Policy and Handbook were developed jointly by DPPA, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC). Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo took part in the meeting.
Watch the event here
|
