A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.

Voices of Afghan people "must be included in the political pathway", SRSG Otunbayeva tells Security Council

On 10 March, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva told the Council that “the de facto authorities have so far treated the Afghan state’s international obligations selectively, rejecting some on the basis they allegedly impinge on the country’s sovereignty or violate their traditions." She went on to caution that "these international obligations affect not only the possibility of progress along the political pathway but, most crucially, the well-being of Afghanistan’s entire population, whose voices must be included in the political pathway." In addition, significant restrictions on women continued, and UNAMA was closely observing the Taliban’s enforcement of its Law on the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue. “The law demonstrates the de facto authorities’ prioritization of ideology over international obligations,” she said.

PBC Ambassadorial-Level first Annual Interactive Strategic Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund 

On 12 March, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) held its first interactive strategic dialogue with DPPA/PBSO, providing a forward-looking platform to discuss the role of the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). This meeting marked a key opportunity for PBC members to engage with DPPA/PBSO on the Fund’s strategic direction, operational modalities, and future priorities. Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Elizabeth Spehar provided Commission members with an overview of the PBF’s functioning, including how allocations are determined, the criteria for country eligibility, and the Fund’s main financing channels. She also outlined thematic and geographic priorities for 2025 and offered a preview of the planned utilization of assessed contributions in 2026. Commission members also heard first-hand experiences of engaging with the PBF from two Member States, represented by their Permanent Representatives to the United Nations: Ericq Pierre (Haiti) and Issa Konfourou (Mali). Additionally, the UN Resident Coordinator in Mali, Khassim Diagne, joined online to contribute to the discussion. As envisioned in General Assembly resolution 78/257, this dialogue enabled Commission members to provide strategic advice to the Secretariat on the use of the PBF, reinforcing the Fund’s role as a critical instrument for sustaining peace and responding to evolving peacebuilding needs. 

ASG Spehar attends 56th special session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States

This week, ASG Spehar traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent the Secretary-General at the 56th special session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), during which Albert Ramdin, Foreign Minister of Suriname, was elected as OAS Secretary-General by acclamation. ASG Spehar conveyed the UN’s congratulations to Secretary-General-elect Ramdin, who is the first representative of a Caribbean country to hold this position, and expressed the UN’s continued interest in structured dialogue and collaboration, including on youth, peace, and security. While in Washington, D.C., ASG Spehar also met with the World Bank Executive Directors from Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden, and the World Bank Senior Director for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV), to discuss opportunities for deepening collaboration on peacebuilding in light of the World Bank’s new FCV Strategy in 2025.

Advancing youth engagement in mediation and peace processes

On 10 March, DPPA/PBSO co-sponsored a hybrid expert-level consultation for the second progress study on youth, peace and security (YPS), under the title: “ Practical Steps to Making Progress on Youth, Peace and Security: Connecting Track 3 and Track 1 Negotiations for Sustainable Peace”. The event provided a space for international experts within civil society, the UN and Member States to share their experiences engaging youth in mediation and peace processes, outlining good practices and lessons learned. The participants shared realistic perspectives on the opportunities and barriers to the engagement of youth in peace processes and identified creative solutions for more inclusive models of youth participation in peace processes. The findings of the discussion will inform the second progress study, as well as outline opportunities for global policy action in 2025.

Young women’s perspectives on the Peacebuilding Architecture Review and youth, peace and security

On 11 March on the margins of CSW 69, DPPA/PBSO, together with UN Women, UNFPA, United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY), Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), and GPPAC co-sponsored a closed-door dialogue for young women peacebuilders to discuss their priorities for the Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR) and the Second Progress Study on YPS. Roselyn Akombe , Chief of the Peacebuilding Partnership and Strategy Branch of PBSO provided an overview of main takeaways from the discussions, relevance of young women's voices in peacebuilding, and the next steps for PBAR and YPS Second Progress Study.

UNRCCA participates in UN Conference on national and regional counter-terrorism strategies

On 12-13 March, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) took part in the Conference on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies in Malta. The Conference was jointly organized by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in partnership with the Government of Malta. UNRCCA representatives shared their experiences in assisting the Central Asian states in developing the Joint Plan of Action for the Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in the region. UNRCCA also briefed on its engagement in supporting development and implementation of national counter-terrorism strategies in different Central Asian states.

Special Envoy Xia meets with national leaders of Great Lakes region

On 10 March, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Huang Xia met with national leaders from across the region to discuss the ongoing security crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Xia met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss conflict de-escalation and the implementation of Resolution 2773 (2025) which calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They also spoke about efforts to advance the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes.

Iraq and UN discuss formation of Environment and Climate Change Advisory Group

This week, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Ghulam Isaczai met with the Iraqi Minister for Environment Hallo Al-Askari to discuss the formation of the Environmental and Climate Change Advisory Group to address pressing environmental challenges, including air pollution in major Iraqi cities. The Advisory Group will serve as a platform for coordinating national and international efforts, identifying environmental priorities, and enhancing global partnerships.  The meeting was attended by representatives from various UN organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), as well as a representative from the World Bank and other senior officials from the Ministry of Environment. The Environment and Climate Change Advisory Group will include national international experts, academics from Iraqi universities and research institutes, youth representatives, as well as representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Environment, and other relevant institutions from both the public and private sectors.

Verification Mission in Colombia celebrates International Women's Day

This week, to mark International Women's Day, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia joined the campaign "For women and girls in ALL their diversity: Rights, equality and empowerment." The Mission reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of gender equality and the recognition of women's leadership in peacebuilding. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that progress in fully guaranteeing the rights of women and girls in Colombia, stressing that gender equality must be a daily reality and not a distant goal.Through cultural activities, entrepreneurship fairs and spaces for dialogue in various cities across the country, peace signatories and Indigenous and Afro-descendant women shared their visions on the effective exercise of their rights, the challenges to overcome structural barriers and strategies to strengthen their role in the consolidation of inclusive and sustainable peace.

Peace signatories celebrate the opening of first educational institution in the TATR La Fila, in Icononzo, Tolima

On 10 March, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia went to Icononzo, Tolima, in the TATR of La Fila, to participate in the inauguration of a school in the Territorial Space for children of the signatories of the Peace Agreement. The event brought together the residents of the TATR, neighbouring communities, and local and regional government authorities. The school currently has students from pre-school level to third grade and, when the fourth and fifth-grade children arrive, there will be over 60 students enrolled. With the establishment of this school, children of the peace signatories will no longer have to travel outside of their territory to receive classes. Governor of Tolima Adriana Magali Matiz, Mayor of Icononzo Hugo Nelson Jimenez Quinche, and parents of the students all agreed that the opening of the school marked an important milestone for the region.

Next Week

On 21 March, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process ad interim Sigrid Kaag will brief the Security Council.