New York, 16 october 2020
The award of this year’s Nobel Prize for Peace to the United Nations World Food Programme recognizes the right of all people to food, and our common quest to achieve zero hunger.
In a world of plenty, it is a grave affront that hundreds of millions go to bed hungry each night.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified food insecurity to a...
Immense relief and comfort are forthcoming for families awaiting their loved ones as Yemen’s warring parties have begun releasing prisoners and detainees on Thursday, in what the UN envoy there called, “an airlift of hope”.
Thank you, Itonde
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Let me begin by extending my thanks to you all for joining us for this discussion.
And I want to thank the Crisis Management Initiative, the Peace Research Institute Oslo, and the Governments of Finland and Norway for their support in presenting today’s dialogue, and for our long-standing partnership in delivering the UN’s High-Level Seminar on Gender and Inclusive Mediation Strategies.
Now, we’ve made a lot of progress since Security Council resolution 1325 was adopted 20 years ago, but we all know there is much more to be done. We need innovative and practical initiatives to achieve lasting change around the world.
To this end, the UN High-Level Seminar series has become a critical tool in our efforts to secure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes.
Since 2013, more than 250 senior envoys, mediators, negotiators, experts and civil society representatives have participated from all regions of the world, sharing experiences and challenges in advancing inclusion, and discussing practical ways to expand women’s participation.
The reasons for our specific and continuing focus on strengthening women’s participation could not be clearer.
First, making up half of humanity, women have a right to be at the table and have their voices heard.
And second, statistics show that peace agreements have a greater chance of longevity if women are at the table and their concerns are taken into account.
We have had some successes.
In Sudan, women were instrumental in the protests that led to the country’s transition to democratic governance. They must have a key role in Sudan’s future, and have this far been instrumental in ensuring gender responsive provisions in Sudan’s Constitutional Declaration.
In Colombia, activism by women’s groups during the 2012 peace talks saw women’s participation grow from one woman amongst 20 negotiators at the start of the process to women representing nearly one-third of delegates later on. Women’s participation led to the establishment of a landmark Gender Sub-Commission and to a final peace agreement regarded as an international standard for gender inclusion.
Yet, despite awareness of the importance of women’s inclusion in peacemaking, many of the challenges that women peacemakers have faced still persist.
Power politics, entrenched patriarchal attitudes and unequal social structures continue to impede women’s participation in peace processes as has shrinking civic and political space and inadequate financial support to women’s groups.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the persistent disconnect between women’s central role in frontline community work, brokering humanitarian access and serving as health workers, from national decision making on the response to the virus.
Bridging this gap and supporting women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peacemaking requires all of us to double our efforts.
The United Nations is committed to this objective. We must lead by example. The Secretary-General has appointed women to serve in 52 per cent of senior leadership posts in Special Political Missions, which my Department oversees.
We have strengthened our cooperation with regional women mediator networks.
And as COVID-19 has shifted much of our work online, we have supported women in navigating the transition of peacemaking efforts to digital platforms. We are also seeking to make the best use of digital capabilities to expand our outreach to women in remote and conflict-affected areas and to support the millions of young people, women and men, using the Internet to promote peace initiatives.
We also recognize that young women, who often begin and lead peace movements, face additional barriers to their political participation. This is why we have scaled up the Peacebuilding Fund’s Gender and Youth Promotion Initiative from $2.7 million in 2016 to $20.4 million in 2019.
These funds are being used for digital platforms in Libya to amplify women’s voices, and to build young women’s leadership and advocacy skills in the Caucasus and the Balkans. I welcome the presence today on the panel of such inspiring young women such as Emmily Koiti and Hajer Sharif.
In Syria, Iraq and Yemen the Special Envoys have used indirect inclusion mechanisms to overcome women’s exclusion and ensure their voices are heard. In Syria, the Women’s Advisory Board has been a springboard for women’s inclusion, with several members of the Board now serving as delegates to Syria’s Constitutional Committee.
And, of course, we need long-term strategic partnerships to both devise short-term fixes and drive long-term change. And it is in this context that our long-standing cooperation with CMI, PRIO and the Governments of Finland and Norway in delivering the UN High-Level Seminar is so important.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Realizing a world of sustainable peace requires that we all step up our efforts to harness the full potential of women in peacemaking – that we learn lessons from successful and inclusive peacemaking of yesterday and prepare for the new and emerging challenges of tomorrow.
Today’s dialogue is an important contribution to these efforts, and I look forward to an interesting discussion.
Thank you.
Enormous challenges remain on the road to lasting peace in Colombia, where despite ongoing attacks and stigmatization, the vast majority of former FARC-EP fighters who laid down their weapons under a 2016 peace agreement with the Government, remain engaged in the reintegration process, the head of the UN mission in the South American country says.
New York, 15 October 2020
Corruption is criminal, immoral and the ultimate betrayal of public trust.
It is even more damaging in times of crisis – as the world is experiencing now with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The response to the virus is creating new opportunities to exploit weak oversight and inadequate transparency, diverting funds away from people in their hour of...
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the launch of ground-breaking discussions on Wednesday, over the disputed maritime border between Lebanon and Israel in the eastern Mediterranean, following a framework agreement between the two nations at the beginning of the month.
UN agencies in Myanmar have expressed ‘sadness’ and ‘shock’ over the killing of two boys, allegedly used as human shields by security forces in the country’s northern Rakhine province, earlier this month.
Mogadishu – On the third anniversary of the 14 October 2017 suicide bombing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, the United Nations today paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the horrific attack and reaffirmed the world body’s solidarity with all Somalis.
“Together with Somalis, the United Nations family is focused on the future and on continuing to build on progress towards...
Even as they confront the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Africa’s Great Lakes Region continue to improve political, security and economic cooperation in line with a 2013 Framework agreement, UN Special Envoy Huang Xia told the Security Council on Tuesday.
New York, 13 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to the importance of strengthening disaster risk reduction.
Many countries are facing multiple crises simultaneously.
We will see more of this.
Extreme weather events have risen dramatically over the past two decades.
...The UN’s work in promoting dialogue between Arabic and Kurdish groups in Iraq is just one example of how human rights personnel are playing a critical role at the Organization’s peace operations around the world.
New York, 12 October 2020
The systems that bring food to our tables have a profound impact on our economies, our health and the environment.
Food systems are one of the main reasons we are failing to stay within our planet’s ecological boundaries.
But they can also be the key to tackling the climate crisis, addressing soaring...
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed agreement on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone following talks held in Russia on Friday.
An agreement between Iraq’s Federal and the Kurdish Regional governments on Friday paves the way for reconstruction in the north of the country, in what the UN has called “a first and important step in the right direction”.
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Secretary-General, it is my pleasure to introduce his eighth report on “Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions”. I am also pleased to be joined today by my colleague Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, whose department plays a critical role in supporting special political missions.
From the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Finland and Mexico for their leadership as facilitators of this agenda item, as well as for their steadfast support of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and our special political missions.
I also want to express my gratitude to all Member States for their engagement on this agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
This year’s report comes against the background of one of the most serious crises in the history of the United Nations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare global fragilities. It has upended lives, overwhelming the health system, and livelihoods, unleashing a devastating socio-economic crisis that worsens poverty and marginalization.
As the Secretary-General has stressed, the pandemic also has profound implications for international peace and security. Trust in public institutions has deteriorated where responses to COVID-19 are perceived as failing. Existing inequalities and vulnerabilities have been exacerbated. New human rights challenges have emerged. And fragile peace processes risk being derailed by the crisis.
This combination of risks is dangerous and has increased the potential for instability and violence. It threatens to reverse the hard-earned gains for peace that we have achieved over the last few years, and it underscores the magnitude of the challenge of conflict prevention before us.
The seriousness of the pandemic and its consequences require an urgent and collective response. Special political missions are playing their part in this effort. While ensuring the continuity of critical operations and core mandates, they are supporting host countries in their response to the virus, protecting our personnel and assisting vulnerable communities.
COVID-19 has, of course, impacted the work of SPMs. Their operational capacities have been limited due to measures taken to limit the spread of the virus. Travel restrictions have, in some contexts, made it considerably more difficult for missions to support dialogue and carry out preventive diplomacy and peacemaking.
But SPMs are working to mitigate these challenges. They are increasingly relying on new approaches, including greater use of technology. Digital tools have enabled them to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, from government counterparts to civil society groups, including women’s organizations. An example is the large-scale online discussion organized by the Special Envoy for Yemen in June, which gathered over 500 Yemenis – a third of whom were women – to discuss opportunities and challenges for peace in the country.
At the same time, current restrictions also underline the value of direct engagement on the most sensitive issues. In recent months, while taking the necessary health precautions, SPMs were able to initiate critical in-person activities. In September, talks held in Geneva were instrumental for an agreement between the Yemeni parties on the exchange and release of over 1,000 prisoners. The Special Envoy for Syria facilitated the Third Meeting of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva in late August. And in Sudan, the UN deployed an advance team to Khartoum to continue the preparations for the deployment of our newest mission: the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan.
The pandemic has forced many countries to consider if and how to proceed with planned elections. In some cases, lack of consensus among political parties regarding a way forward has increased tensions, especially in situations where the legitimacy of the process was already contested. We have advised the need for consensus on such matters, and SPMs with an electoral assistance mandate provide advice on mitigation measures to enable electoral activities to continue.
Mr. Chairman,
Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, on 23 March, the Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire.
He urged conflict parties to stop the fighting in order to create conditions for the delivery of aid and to open up space for diplomacy.
The Secretary-General’s call has been widely endorsed by Member States from across the world, as well as by the Security Council. Regional partners, civil society and religious leaders have added their voices to the call.
SPMs are playing a key role in operationalizing the Secretary-General’s appeal.
In Yemen, the Special Envoy is in dialogue with the parties to build trust and move towards a ceasefire and a resumption of the political process. In Afghanistan, the Special Representative is engaging in support of the launch of Afghanistan Peace Negotiations. And in Libya, the Acting Special Representative continues to engage with all national, regional and international stakeholders to advance the UN-facilitated intra-Libyan political, security and economic dialogue in the framework of the Berlin process.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to highlight a few of the thematic issues discussed in the Secretary-General’s report.
First, the work of SPMs in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, and the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), the landmark resolution which recognized the importance of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
Special political missions have made their women, peace and security commitments a priority.
In Syria, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General facilitated agreements between the parties securing close to 30 per cent membership of women in the Constitutional Committee.
In Colombia, the Verification Mission has engaged actively in the implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Safeguards for Women Leaders and has promoted activities with women former combatants and candidates of the FARC party.
Much remains to be done to translate grassroots women’s leadership, which we see in abundance, into high-level positions of political power and influence.
The women, peace and security agenda has become even more critical against the background of COVID-19, which exacerbated gender inequalities and increased gender-based and domestic violence. SPMs are supporting Member States in creating new pathways for the meaningful participation of women, including in the responses to the pandemic.
Second, peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
Through their integrated work with UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators, SPMs are playing a key role to support the implementation of nationally-owned peacebuilding priorities and the 2030 Agenda.
The Peacebuilding Fund has been instrumental in supporting these efforts. In 2019, the PBF directed 12 per cent of its investment to countries where SPMs are located. In Haiti, the Fund is now supporting key priorities agreed with the government, including community violence reduction, access to justice, and electoral violence prevention. In Burundi, the PBF is supporting local conflict prevention and resolution efforts and enhancing youth and women’s participation in decision-making.
I am grateful for the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission on the work of SPMs, particularly in bringing its perspectives and views as part of its advisory role to the Security Council. The Commission’s engagement on the mandate reviews of our missions in Burundi, Guinea Bissau, and West Africa and the Sahel has been particularly appreciated.
Third, the youth, peace and security agenda.
In line with the important framework established by the General Assembly and the Security Council, SPMs are working to increase the inclusive representation of youth for the prevention and resolution of conflict, as well as in peacebuilding.
In Somalia, for example, we have continued to engage young women and men to promote their active political participation in the constitutional review, national reconciliation and elections. In Iraq, UNAMI has organized a series of workshops bringing together young people from 14 Governorates to discuss issues such as conflict prevention and inclusion.
Mr. Chairman,
The Secretary-General’s report has highlighted the critical contributions that SPMs make to advancing peace.
Working closely with a wide range of partners – including regional and subregional organizations – SPMs have helped Member States promote political solutions and address emerging challenges.
Their effectiveness, however, depends on the support from Member States. And we are very grateful for the support we receive from all of you. SPMs are a manifestation of the power of effective multilateralism – of our ability to come together to provide support to complex and fragile political processes and to help build sustainable peace.
In closing, I would like to pay a special tribute to the United Nations personnel serving in special political missions, working under challenging conditions – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – to advance the promise of the Charter.
Thank you.
New York, 10 October 2020
Around the world, nearly 1 billion people live with a mental disorder. Every 40 seconds, someone dies from suicide. And depression is now recognized as a leading cause of illness and disability among children and adolescents.
All of this was true, even before COVID-19. We are now seeing the consequences of the pandemic on people’s mental well-being, and...
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilLa Lime: Key aspects of the elector process in Haiti must be addressed Great LakesSpecial Envoy visits several countries to discuss matters of peace, security and development
LibyaHigh-level event on Libya
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YemenPatients return home to Yemen after medical treatment in Jordan New CaledoniaSelf-determination referendum
ColombiaIn Chocó, reintegration strengthens community processes
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ROME – The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme (WFP) is a humbling, moving...
ROME – The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme (WFP) is a humbling, moving recognition of the work of WFP staff who lay their lives...
Amid escalating hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appealed on Friday for an urgent ceasefire and for greater protection to be given to those caught up in the violence.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which provides lifesaving food assistance to millions across the world – often in extremely dangerous and hard-to-access conditions – has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which provides lifesaving food assistance to millions across the world – often in extremely dangerous and hard-to-access conditions – has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
Mali’s transitional President has appointed a new Prime Minister, the UN’s top official in the West African country told the UN Security Council on Thursday, detailing the significant events which has ushered in a new political era, since the 18 August coup d’état.
Armed conflict has a disproportionate impact on women and girls – a key reason why women’s “full, equal and meaningful participation” in UN peacekeeping is such a priority, the Secretary-General said on Thursday.
New York, 9 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, testing us all.
Throughout these difficult times, I have found inspiration in the essential workers who have kept our communities and societies running smoothly in extremely difficult circumstances.
I offer my sincere thanks to the world’s postal workers who have...
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has strongly condemned an attack, on the night of 4 October, targeting a convoy carrying internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso, in which 25 people were killed.
New York, 8 October 2020
Excellencies, colleagues and friends,
Today, I have the honor of meeting – albeit remotely – four formidable women leaders who strive for peace in their regions and countries.
Thank you for joining us as we mark both the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and 20 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution...
Given the history of intercommunal violence in Guinea, two high-level UN Officials voiced concern on Tuesday over the risk of “incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence” as the country gears up for elections on 18 October.
