UNSC meeting: UNSC Conflict prevention: A New Agenda for Peace

UN Security Council Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace

The UN Security Council convened a high-level open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, focusing on the implementation of the new Agenda for Peace. The session brought together representatives from member states, regional organizations, and civil society to discuss strategies for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Key themes emerged throughout the debate, including the importance of conflict prevention, national ownership of peace processes, inclusive approaches to peacebuilding, and the need for comprehensive, multidimensional strategies to address root causes of conflict.

Prioritizing Conflict Prevention

A significant emphasis was placed on the critical importance of conflict prevention as a cornerstone of international peace and security efforts. Many speakers, including representatives from Lithuania, France, and Mozambique, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of prevention compared to managing active conflicts. The United States noted that two billion people currently live in conflict-affected areas, underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.

Several countries, including Portugal and Switzerland, called for a shift in the UN’s focus from conflict management to prevention. The Netherlands emphasized the need for early warning systems and preventive diplomacy, with support for the UN Secretary-General’s good offices in mediation and facilitation.

The economic rationale for prevention was frequently cited, with Australia referencing a joint UN-World Bank report estimating that conflict prevention could save between $5 billion to $70 billion annually. Despite this, speakers like Germany noted a concerning trend of decreasing investments in peace efforts, calling for increased and sustainable financing for prevention initiatives.

National Ownership and Context-Specific Approaches

The debate emphasized the importance of national ownership in peacebuilding processes. South Africa, Nepal, and others stressed that conflict prevention and peacebuilding strategies should be nationally determined and context-specific. The Philippines highlighted its experience with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region as a model for nationally-led peacebuilding efforts.

However, this emphasis on national ownership was balanced with calls for international support. Bangladesh noted that while national efforts are crucial, they require international backing to be effective. The debate reflected a consensus that external actors should support, rather than impose, peacebuilding strategies.

Inclusive and People-Centered Approaches

Many speakers advocated for inclusive, people-centered approaches to peacebuilding. The importance of women’s participation in peace processes was a recurring theme, with countries like Ireland and Croatia emphasizing the need for gender-responsive peace processes. Youth engagement was also highlighted, with Poland and others noting the crucial role of young people in building sustainable peace.

The involvement of civil society and marginalized groups was stressed by several speakers. Guatemala emphasized the importance of including indigenous peoples in peace processes, while Denmark called for addressing the needs of vulnerable populations as part of comprehensive peacebuilding strategies.

Comprehensive Approaches to Address Root Causes

A consistent theme throughout the debate was the need for comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of conflict. Speakers like Brazil and China emphasized the interconnectedness of peace, development, and human rights. Many countries, including Ecuador and Turkey, stressed the importance of tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change as part of conflict prevention efforts.

The link between sustainable development and peace was frequently highlighted. Spain and others called for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a key component of conflict prevention. The African Union representative emphasized the mutually reinforcing relationship between peace and sustainable development.

Strengthening International Cooperation and Partnerships

The debate underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships between the UN, regional organizations, and other stakeholders. Many speakers, including Morocco and Indonesia, called for enhanced cooperation between the UN and regional bodies like the African Union. The role of international financial institutions in supporting peacebuilding efforts was also emphasized by several countries.

The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was frequently mentioned as a crucial platform for coordinating peacebuilding efforts. Countries like Canada and Liechtenstein advocated for strengthening the PBC’s advisory role to the Security Council. There were also calls for increased funding for the Peacebuilding Fund, with several countries supporting the use of assessed contributions to ensure sustainable financing.

Challenges and Future Directions

While the debate was largely focused on constructive approaches to peacebuilding, several challenges were also highlighted. The Russian Federation raised concerns about the effectiveness of universal approaches to conflict prevention, arguing for more tailored strategies. Some countries, including Myanmar and Georgia, highlighted ongoing conflicts and occupations as obstacles to peace in their regions.

Looking forward, many speakers emphasized the importance of upcoming events such as the Summit of the Future and the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review as opportunities to strengthen the international community’s approach to peace and security. There was a general call for renewed commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter in addressing global challenges.

In conclusion, the debate reflected a broad consensus on the importance of prioritizing conflict prevention, ensuring national ownership of peace processes, adopting inclusive and comprehensive approaches, and strengthening international partnerships. As the international community looks towards implementing the new Agenda for Peace, these principles are likely to guide future efforts in peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

President – Sierra Leone:
The 9,710th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is peace building and sustaining peace. The new agenda for peace addressing global, regional, and national aspects of conflict prevention. The agenda is adopted. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of Angola, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39 of the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting. Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. His Excellency, Mr. Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Ms. Hawa Samai, Executive Secretary, Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion. And Mr. Arnoux Descardes, Executive Director, Voluntary Purlue Development, the ATE. It is so decided. In accordance with Rule 39 of the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure, I also invite the following to participate in this meeting. His Excellency, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. And Mr. Habib Mayar, Deputy Secretary General of the G7 Plus. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S-2024-581, identical letters dated 30th, July, 2024, from the permanent representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations addressed to the second. Secretary General, and the President of the Council, transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. I now give the floor to Ms. Elizabeth Spehar.

Elizabeth Spehar – Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would first of all like to thank the Sierra Leone Presidency of the Security Council for organizing this high-level open debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, the new agenda for peace addressing global, regional, and national aspects of conflict prevention. Peace is the foundational goal of the United Nations. Building and sustaining peace is central to the work of this Council and the organization. And yet, the number of conflicts is at a decades-long high, inflicting unimaginable suffering, devastating economies, and robbing communities of their future. As outlined in the Secretary General’s policy brief on a new agenda for peace, prioritizing conflict prevention and peacebuilding can contribute to reversing these trends, provide people affected by violence with opportunities, and reduce the human and economic costs of war. A new agenda for peace provides member states with a roadmap to achieve this, predicated on rebuilding trust among countries, but also within each one of them, rooted in the principles of universality and solidarity. This morning, I’d like to briefly discuss how we could invest in three key areas outlined in a new agenda for peace to advance prevention and peacebuilding in fulfillment of the Charter goals, focusing on promoting and supporting voluntary, inclusive, nationally-owned and led prevention and peacebuilding efforts and strengthening national infrastructures for peace, secondly, ensuring coherence and a comprehensive approach to prevention and sustaining peace, and thirdly, strengthening critical partnerships and increasing available resources for prevention and peacebuilding. On promoting and supporting nationally-owned and led voluntary, inclusive prevention and peacebuilding efforts and strengthening national infrastructures for peace, I would recall that a new agenda for peace proposed a paradigm shift in prevention, based on two core principles. First, the idea that prevention should be universal, that no country is immune from the drivers of conflict and violence. Second, the recognition that our focus should be on national action and national priorities. The voluntary development of national strategies by member states could provide important political impetus to this new approach to prevention. Such strategies could help rally different national stakeholders, governments as well as civil society, around common priorities, helping to promote social cohesion and strengthen national infrastructures for peace. As a new agenda for peace outlined, developing and implementing voluntary national prevention strategies and peacebuilding approaches can be important foundations for prevention. and sustaining peace more broadly. In terms of how, while each case must be context-specific, successful examples have prioritized a people-centered approach to governance that focuses on equitable access to services and opportunities, strengthening the rule of law, and building strong state institutions that are responsive to people’s needs and aspirations. Effective national infrastructures for peace have entailed the development of institutions, processes, and policies, not only at the national but also at local levels, that foster political and social dialogue, enable early warning and early response to conflicts, and privilege consultation and consensus-building to resolve differences. The UN system, with its unique expertise, tools, and networks, stands ready to support member states in their prevention and peace-building endeavors. A new agenda for peace underscores national ownership as a guiding principle for effective national prevention and peace-building efforts. It also emphasizes the need to include diverse voices, needs, and participation of all segments of society, which can help make peace more sustainable. In the Central African Republic, for example, the Peacebuilding Fund has supported programs to strengthen women community mediators, helping to prevent conflict and sustain peace at the community level, in support of the country’s broader objectives of peace. Mr. President, on ensuring coherence and a comprehensive approach to prevention and sustaining peace, a new agenda for peace emphasizes the need to address not only the symptoms but the root causes of violence and conflict. The best way to prevent societies from descending into crisis is to ensure that they are resilient through investment in inclusive and sustainable development and inclusive governance. This is why a new agenda for peace calls for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and for tackling inequality, marginalization, and exclusion. Within the United Nations, the Secretary-General’s 2019 reforms laid the groundwork for a more cohesive development system and peace and security pillar, with peacebuilding entities such as the Peacebuilding Support Office helping to more closely link the pillar’s upstream prevention and conflict management and resolution mechanisms to the structural prevention work of the UNHCR. agencies, funds, and programs. The peace-building architecture has created important opportunities for humanitarians, development colleagues, and peace actors to work more closely together in complementarity, leveraging their comparative advantages to contribute to building a sustainable peace. In promoting a comprehensive approach to prevention and peace-building, a new agenda for peace has emphasized the necessity of addressing transnational and transboundary threats that can often impact and even derail national prevention efforts, including the adverse effects of climate change, transnational organized crime, and terrorism. On strengthening critical partnerships and making more resources available for prevention and peace-building, partnership with regional and sub-regional actors has continued to grow in importance and in scope, and indeed, the complexity of the conflict landscape requires us to seek and employ all available tools for prevention and peace-building. Regional arrangements are particularly rich in the array of mechanisms and processes available to address prevention and conflict challenges that can be effectively leveraged when there’s sufficient capacity and political will. The regular engagements between this Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, for example, and a similar partnership between the Peace-Building Commission and the AUPSC, complemented by increasing joint efforts and mutual support between the secretariats and the two systems, are promising, and more could be done in terms of concrete follow-up to the meetings and tracking the results of these important interactions. When discussing prevention and peace-building, political commitment and the right partnerships are key, but resourcing will also always be central. Funding peace-building is what translates commitment and strategies into impact on the ground. It’s worrying to see investments in peace and conflict prevention steadily decreasing while military spending is increasing worldwide. These investments now represent represent only a fraction of total official development assistance, 10% for OECD countries in 2023, which is a 15-year record low. At the same time, only last year, research showed that violence cost the world nearly 20 trillion US dollars, that is 13.5% of global GDP. At the intersection of partnership and financing, we also need to further explore the relationship between the UN and the IFIs, the International Financial Institutions, in the context of prevention and peace building. Such partnerships with all major international financial institutions, from the World Bank to the regional development banks, are needed to ensure that development investments contribute to lasting peace. We’ve come a long way in partnerships with the World Bank. We hope to see a robust replenishment of the International Development Association funds this year, including its fragility envelope, to allow this work to continue. Looking ahead, there are good practices from the UN-World Bank partnership in various conflict and post-conflict settings that could form the basis of a more systematic and strategic partnership. The expansion of regional multilateral development banks also presents new opportunities for collaboration with concessional resources in relevant settings that can be targeted to support sustainable peace efforts. Finally, we need to find more ways for private capital to invest in fragile and conflict-affected settings in a peace-positive manner, and the UN has been making some strides in this direction. Mr. President, prevention and peace building can break the cycle of violence and lay the foundations to ensure sustainable development is possible for all. The United Nations, with its unique tools, expertise and networks, can play a pivotal role to support prevention and peace-building efforts globally. Amidst increasing polarization, strengthening those tools are critical to achieving this mission. The Peacebuilding Commission has untapped potential to serve as a space for Member States to address structural, long-term efforts to prevent conflict and build peace. its strong focus on national ownership, as well as its mandate to address issues that lie at the intersection of peace and development, make the PBC the ideal body to support national prevention and peace-building strategies. For the PBC’s effectiveness to be enhanced, it is critical for this body to also develop a more strategic and systematic relationship with international financial institutions and regional development banks in order for financing instruments to be better aligned with national peace-building priorities. This would allow the Commission to fulfill a core mandate of helping to marshal resources for peace-building. There are upcoming milestones that can transform this political vision into tangible action and impact, such as the Pact for the Future, the 2024 Peace-Building Commission Ministerial Level Meeting and the 2025 Peace-Building Architecture Review. As members of this Council, you have a leading voice in these processes and fora, and in pushing us to move from the what of prevention and peace-building to the how of concrete implementation. I appeal to your leadership to ensure that we collectively seize these opportunities to respond to the challenges ahead. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank Ms. Spehar for her briefing. And I will give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Bankole Adeoye. Excellency, you are not audible. Thank you. Can I move on to the next part? So yes, let’s go to the next speaker. Okay. Now I give the floor to Ms. Hawa Samai.

Hawa Samai:
Mr. President. Mr. President, distinguished United Nations Security Council members, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the leadership of the current president of the United Nations Security Council for August 2004, whose dedication and effort have been instrumental in advancing the council’s peace-building and conflict prevention agenda. It is an honor to address the United Nations Security Council. Council today by sharing Sierra Leone’s remarkable journey from conflict to peace, from instability to stability, from underdevelopment to development, a story that stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of commitment, dialogue, and inclusive peacebuilding. Our experience underscores the importance of inclusive peacebuilding, inspiring us all to adapt similar approaches in our respective peacebuilding efforts. Sierra Leone stands as a remarkable example of a successful post-conflict transition, marking 22 years since the end of its brutal civil war in 2002. The nation’s progress, which has by far exceeded the prediction of everyone, including the international community, showcases the effectiveness of its peacebuilding effort and offers valuable best practices and lessons learned for other conflict-affected regions. These transformations, driven by a strong political will, societal commitment, and innovative peacebuilding strategies, demonstrate that even the most devastated nation can rise again through concerted efforts, including the valuable support of the international community. One of the fundamental pillars of Sierra Leone peacebuilding success has been the unwavering political will and commitment from all parties to dialogue. This dedication to attain conclusive dialogue creates a strong foundation for sustainable peace and reconciliation. Concretely, from the conclusion of the Abidjan Peace Accord to Lomé and Abuja Peace Agreement, the internal Bintoumeni Conferences, and the recent agreement for national unity, Sierra Leone has demonstrated a consistent commitment to dialogue, to resolve disputes and disagreements. Establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, that’s the TRC, in July 2002 was pivotal in this journey. Driven by civil society with significant leadership from women, the TRC played a critical role in identifying the root causes of the war and recommending comprehensive systemic reforms. The TRC October 2004 report emphasizes the need for structural changes and encouraged dialogue at all societal level, setting a clear path for Sierra Leone’s recovery. The TRC work was not just a procedural necessity but a deeply transformative process that heals the wounds of war through truth-telling, accountability and recommendations for systemic reforms. This transformative nature of the TRC works underscores the depth of the healing process and the resilience of the Sierra Leonean people. Women’s participation in this process was particularly noteworthy as it not only highlights the vital role of women and youth in peace-building but also empowered them, emphasizing the importance of inclusive approach to conflict resolution and conflict prevention. Implementing the TRC’s recommendation was instrumental in transforming Sierra Leone into a stable and peaceful nation. Key reforms included the establishment of the National Youth Commission which addresses the high number of ex-combatants among youth and children, and the creation of the Human Rights Commission. The National Commission for Social Action oversaw reparations, while the Anti-Corruption Commission tackled systematic corruption. The Office of the National Security was set up to coordinate national security along justice and security sector reforms that modernize the Sierra Leone police and military. Furthermore, establishing peace infrastructure and enacting significant legislations such as the Gender Equality and Empowerment Act and Women’s Empowerment Act, Child Rights Act, Domestic Violence Act, Anti-Corruption Act, and repelling of the death penalty, amongst others, were pivotal in fostering a just and equitable society. This effort accumulated in a public presidential apology to women for wartime atrocities, acknowledging their suffering, and committing to ongoing reforms. These legislative and institutional reforms were not mere formalities, but reflected a deep-seated commitment to create a society that respects human rights, promotes gender equality, and ensures justice and security for all its citizens. In 2020, Sierra Leone established the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, or Peace Commission for short, as part of broader efforts to prevent, manage, and mitigate conflict. This policy action forms part of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal 16, targets to bring peace and inclusive society, and also answers the call of the United Nation Secretary Generals in his new agenda for peace on conflict prevention at the national level. The commission’s unique leadership with a woman at its end and significant female representative among its staff and board of directors underscores the vital role of women in national peace building efforts. The Peace Commission three years strategic plan emphasizes a people-centered, community-owned, and driven approach, collaborating with local actors, including local and religious leaders, civil society, women, youth, and people with disability groups, and the security agencies. The establishment of the Peace Commission was a significant revolution in Sierra Leone’s peace building architecture and embodies the principle of the United Nations Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. The commission comprehensive and holistic approach aims to address the root cause of conflict and build sustainable peace through inclusivity participatory process. By engaging a wide range of local actors, the commission ensures that peace building efforts are grounded in realities and the needs of the communities. The Peace Commission have made significant stride in establishing district NGOs and CSO peace coalitions and early warning and response mechanism across all 16 districts in Sierra Leone. These initiatives include peace monitors and mediators with gender balance and inclusivity being a priority. The Commission have also set up an early warning and response situation room with a call center operated by young women. This system is both continental and regional as it’s integrated with the African Union and West African Network for Peace early warning and response systems. The Commission’s preventive diplomacy efforts have successfully resolved intra and inter-party disputes and other societal conflicts, showcasing the effectiveness of proactive management. Establishing these mechanisms is a testament to Sierra Leone’s commitment to proactive conflict prevention. In training peace monitors and mediators and creating early warning and response systems, the Peace Commission ensures that potential conflicts are identified and addressed before they escalate. This approach not only prevents violence but also builds communities’ capacity to manage conflict independently, fostering resilience, self-reliance and national cohesion. One crucial lesson from Sierra Leone’s experience is the importance of community-owned and driven conflict prevention, which help resolve conflict before they escalate. Capacity training is essential for permanent functioning of peace structures. A proactive post-conflict gendered and inclusive lens is vital for effective conflict prevention and staying apolitical is crucial for accessibility and trust among all key players. Networking with national and international partners have proven to be a significant strength. The government and donors must recognize and support national peace infrastructure. Effective communication is critical in the age of artificial intelligence and misinformation. Donors must invest more in research, communication, and dialogue as a crucial conflict prevention strategy. Sierra Leone’s experience underscores the importance of comprehensive, inclusive approach to peace building. The integration of gender perspective, the involvement of the youth, and the people with disability, and the emphasis on local ownership and participation are crucial elements that have contributed to the country’s success. These lessons are relevant for Sierra Leone and offers valuable insights for other post-conflict and conflict-prone countries. The United Nations are indispensable in ensuring that Sierra Leone enjoys lasting peace. Through its peace building mission, United Nations provided crucial security and stability during the immediate post-war period. The United Nations mission in Sierra Leone, deployed in 1999 to 2005, was instrumental for disarming combatants, facilitating the return of refugees, and supporting the government in restoring authority and building institutions. The United Nations continued support, including the implementation of the United Nations Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security have been and continue to be a key factor in Sierra Leone peace building success. The United Nations continue to support Sierra Leone through the Integrated Office of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in Sierra Leone. These missions focus on consolidating peace, supporting good governance, and promoting human rights and the rule of law. Additionally, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission has been actively engaged in Sierra Leone, providing financial and technical support to various peacebuilding initiatives, including the work of the Peace Commission. In conclusion, the political will and commitment to peace from the government are paramount for a successful peace process. Conflict prevention requires the thorough implementation of agreements and recommendations to avoid a relapse into violence. By sharing Sierra Leone’s journey and lessons learned, we can reinforce the critical element of effective peacebuilding and conflict prevention, highlighting the roles of the women and youth players in sustaining peace. Sierra Leone’s journey from conflict to peace offers a powerful narrative of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of inclusive peacebuilding. Based on its experiences, we are reminded that sustainable peace is achievable through collective efforts, strong political will, and a commitment to address the root causes of the conflict. Let Sierra Leone’s story inspire and guide our efforts to build a more peaceful and just world. Finally, I want to commend the Sierra Leone Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for reflecting deep commitment to peacebuilding. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank Ms. Samai for her briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mr. Bankole Ade-Oye.

Bankole Adeoye – African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security:
Thank you, Mr. President. The African Union views the new Agenda for Peace as a crucial master plan to recalibrate the global peace and security architecture, with greater emphasis on conflict prevention. This is in line with the United Nations SDGs, the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063, and the flagship project of silencing the guns, as well as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area for job creation and business promotion. At the heart of the African Union advocacy is the urgent need for a renewed multilateralism that reflects the interconnectedness of our global values, principles, solidarity, rich diversity, opportunities, and addressing common challenges. A multilevel governance system that prioritizes local, community, and national governance, as well as institutional resilience. Mr. President, the United Nations Security Council must therefore integrate the voices of all regions, particularly those from the global south, including Africa, to ensure that international peace and security is reconfigured to be inclusive and effective. I therefore wish, on behalf of the chairperson of the African Union Commission, to commend the UN Security General for his consistent advocacy for the compelling new global agenda on peace, and for Sierra Leone for putting this on the front burner. On democracy, elections, and governance, the African Union approach is driven by the nexus between peace. peace, security, governance, and development. Within this framework, we support African regional bodies, member states, through democratic consolidation, institutional building, and resilience and leveraging the conduct of inclusive, fair, peaceful elections. Member states continue to unpack and implement the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance. We also recently launched the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections, another critical contribution to enabling peaceful elections and therefore prevent conflict. Similarly, the African Union, in collaboration with the UNDP, jointly launched in 2023 the Africa Committee to Support Inclusive Transitions as a way to help build institutional capacity and facilitate the speedy return to constitutional order. All this in the framework of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture and its African Governance Architecture. In the context of the new Agenda for Peace, we also see the need for greater emphasis on security sector reform. The African Union Commission has centered its work in support of member states and regional communities through three pillars of direct assistance to member states and backing on SSR and providing production of knowledge tools and building human capacities, as well as dialogue and creating the necessary coordination platform. We have also developed a national DDR framework guidelines to assist in designing and building institutional capacity for countries in transition. Our goal with post-conflict reconstruction and development is centered around the newly revised post-conflict reconstruction and development policy that was adopted recently by our assembly. We have included youth inclusion, child protection, and environmental sustainability as avenues to sustain and advocate for peace building. Along with this, the African Union has launched an annual post-conflict reconstruction and development awareness week under the auspices of the African Union Peace and Security Council. The center, the peace reality center in Cairo is now fully operationalized and a working group has been set up by the African Union in promoting inter-departmental emphases on peace building. This is in conjunction with our sister organ, the African Union Development Agency, NEPAD. Excellencies, we continue to be guided in our peace building exercise with the championing provided by His Excellency President Abdelfattah el-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt. In addition to the January 31st of every year that has been designated, Africa Day for Peace and Reconciliation. We cannot achieve the requisite conflict prevention without sustainable finance. financing. It is for this reason that the African Union has recently operationalized the revitalized African Union Peace Fund, which now supports three windows of conflict prevention and mediation, institutional capacity where necessary, peace support operations. We continue to mobilize resources from member states, from the private sector to replenish the fund so that the African Union can also contribute to an African-owned and African-led sustainable funding of all its peace operations, particularly conflict prevention. It is necessary to also emphasize, Mr. President, that we are ensuring a knowledge and coordinated approach based on interface with our regional economic communities and mechanisms on the umbrella of the Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on early warning and conflict prevention. We have also engaged with the network of think tanks and a platform for civil society to continue to cover the critical areas of governance, peace, and security. Strategic partnerships with the United Nations and other global players will be beneficial to enhancing global solidarity and multilateralism. In conclusion, Mr. President, let me emphasize the following recommendations. The institutional capacity and resilience building of member states at local and border communities is critical while prioritizing national and traditional peace institutions. It is necessary to also invest in quality and accessible inclusive education for deprived communities in rural and urban areas. It is necessary for conflict prevention to create more opportunities in digitalization and, indeed, utilize the benefits of artificial intelligence and peace. structures in the training to support the youth and many affected by conflict. The take-off of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Center in Cairo is a game-changer and we believe that the African Union will continue to work in that center as a think and a do-thank. It is necessary as we work together to also emphasize that the respect of sovereignty and the heritage of member states in the dialogue of mobilizations and multilateralism will be of mutual solidarity and will include differentiated burden sharing. On this note, Excellencies, I want to assure you that the African Union remains committed to a new agenda for peace that is driven by a new architecture that prioritizes early warning, early response, and conflict prevention. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank His Excellency Mr. Adeoye for his briefing. And I will give the floor to Mr. Arnoux Descardes.

Arnoux Descardes:
President, ladies and gentlemen, members of the Security Council, allow me, first of all, to congratulate the Republic of Sierra Leone on its presidency and also thank you for extending this invitation to me in my capacity as Executive Director of VDH, a Haitian civil society organization, working across the 10 geographical departments of the country, working with and for young people and women, and advocating for the participation of civil society. in Haitian public policy. I am particularly pleased to brief you once again, because after all, you remain attentive to the authentic testimony recounted by those directly involved and inspired by realities on the ground. I’m here, therefore, at your meeting to express my solidarity to the efforts that are underway to manage conflicts between peoples and to consolidate peace in a world that is rocked and under constant threat of war. Conflicts and wars give rise to mass migration with terrible consequences on human rights, culture shocks and harmony between peoples. Worse, conflicts and wars destroy capital, whether that be infrastructure capital, environmental capital, human capital or social capital. Our first springboard for action for peace is at the global level. Here, it’s a question of showing vigilance, dialogue and above all, collaboration between states with a view to building a peaceful civilization. Here, the United Nations remains essential and rightly placed to encourage states and also to create, propose, implement, oversee and evaluate a global peace agenda. This is a responsibility for the United Nations system. Different regional and sub-regional organizations are also strongly encouraged to develop programs and tools that could prevent in their respective regions any potential conflict, whatever type it may be, in order to guarantee peaceful coexistence between. peoples. The United Nations and regional organizations, as well as sub-regional organizations, must therefore stand side-by-side and promote this crucial peace agenda on the global level and regional level. Beyond the global, regional, and sub-regional levels, it’s also important to underscore actions that need to be taken on a local level in countries ravaged by violence and who struggle to re-establish peace. That’s the case of my country, Haiti, where the worsening security situation over the last few years is preventing the movement of people, goods and services and, as a consequence, is contributing to reducing the availability of food and thus aggravating food insecurity, which currently affects half of the population. And this is my country, bruised by an escalation of violence, has seen thousands of deaths and kidnappings. Indeed, violence and insecurity in 2023 caused more than 4,000 deaths and more than 3,000 kidnappings against ransoms. And in 2024, the violence intensified, particularly in the metropolitan zone and in the Artibonite department, where many people are killed and injured every day. Moreover, this mindless violence that Haiti has experienced has led to a large number of involuntary displaced people. Today, there are around 600,000 of them. These are families who are forced to flee their homes and their neighbourhoods, which has been subject to violence. And they then spread majoritarily across the south of the country, where 47% of them are, and in the west, where 37% of them are, to go and see. Seek shelter with host families or in rickety camps without sufficient sanitation, often built in public buildings, schools, or any other place that shelters them from the rain. The repercussions of violence that is battering Haiti affects all categories, but children and young people are particularly effective and run the risk of being severely traumatized if appropriate and early responses are not provided for. For women, these are some of the greatest victims of this violence which is manifested in various forms to humiliate these women, defile their bodies, and sacrifice their future. In the midst of all of these difficulties, Haiti wishes to begin a quest to reverse the trend of violence, re-establish institutional order through elections, and build lasting peace. Here, social, economic, and political actors have signed up to a new political agreement from the 3rd of April, which led to a two-pillar executive being created and also the implementation with various participation of different political camps, a question of a government to implement the different projects for transition. Moreover, Haitian civil society, both within Haiti and in the diaspora, is proposing a strategic framework for action for young people and women for a successful transition and have created the GATT, which is the Assistance Group for Transition, to provide non-partisan support to the two branches of the executive and facilitate participation of different stakeholders in a common quest for stabilisation in the country. Equally, efforts are underway by the government to strengthen law enforcement. enforcement at a time in parallel, the first contingents of the multinational security support mission have arrived in Haiti. At this stage, we strongly encourage the law enforcement and the multinational security support mission to continue their joint efforts to take consistent account of the urgent security needs of the Haitian people. Additionally, in light of the reality on the ground, it is also recommended that the peace agenda for Haiti should also be underpinned by, one, a community violence reduction program through national dialogue, an effective DDR program, which targets those responsible for the current violence. Three, a program to promote truth and justice. Four, a program for prevention and rehabilitation for those groups who are vulnerable to offers from armed gangs, i.e., young people, children, and women. And then finally, five, a program to manage the acute humanitarian crisis that Haiti is experiencing. To conclude, I wish to express gratitude for the active cooperation shown by multilateral and bilateral partners of Haiti, including regional and subregional organizations. In this connection, I particularly commend the efforts of the U.N. Office in Haiti, BINU, and the Organization of American States in Haiti. The support of these two organizations to the work, to the day-to-day work of civil society organizations to promote dialogue, participation, and good governance remains an excellent example of innovative partnerships in the implementation of the goals set forth in the new agenda for peace of the U.N. Secretary General. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Haitian actors who, despite their differences, enjoy active civic engagement and are inspired by the need to overcome divergences in a spirit of compromise and mutual understanding. Here, I’m thinking both of those whose voices already heard but also those from the most remote corners of the country who receive no recognition, but their work is a great source of balance. Bravo to you all, thank you very much.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank Mr. Descardes for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Excellencies, let me start by thanking the briefers, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, His Excellency, Mr. Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Security, Peace and Security, Ms. Hawa Samai, Executive Secretary, Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, and Mr. Arnoux Descardes, Executive Director, Voluntariat pour le développement de Haiti for their insightful briefings. I also thank the Peacebuilding Commission for the advisory note. As I focus my statement today on the key issues of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace, it remains fundamentally important to start by highlighting how inequality within and among states remains a major hindrance to peacebuilding effort and sustainable global, regional, and national conflict prevention. The United Nations Secretary General rightfully mentioned in his policy brief on the agenda for peace that I quote, inequalities and injustices within and among nations are giving rise to new grievances. They have sown distrust in the political, in the potential of multilateralism. solutions to improve lives and have amplified calls for new forms of isolationism.” These words have never been truer. At the global level, we are witnessing an alarming rise in conflict and instability, fuelled by a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, climate change, and the proliferation of weapons. Our world remains on fire from both national and international conflict. From civil conflict in Africa to conflict in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, we are faced today with complex situations that are more and more difficult for any individual state to resolve by themselves. The complex and multifaceted nature of the 21st century challenges and conflict warrant deliberate and multipronged solutions. A new agenda for peace calls for renewed multilateralism and a recommitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter. We must ensure that global institutions are adequately equipped to address these challenges with a focus on preventive diplomacy, robust peacekeeping, and sustained peacebuilding efforts. The twin Sustaining Peace Resolutions adopted in 2016 in both the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, Resolution 70262 and Resolution 2282, offered an opportunity for the United Nations system to rethink on how to prevent and address violent conflict in a more holistic and inclusive way, focused on addressing the root causes and using a three-pillar approach, that is, peace and security, development and human rights. The UN thus has the opportunity to modernize its prevention toolkit through initiatives like the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace. peace, the upcoming pact of the future, as well as the forthcoming peace-building architecture review. Excellencies, since the end of the major world wars, multilateralism has provided an effective means for addressing global, regional, and national conflict. Yet, today, we stand at a juncture that could either usher in a strengthened and revitalized resolve to build on those gains of multilateralism or move towards an untenable point of no return in which isolationist policies drive deeper wedges among states and peoples and hinder our ability to protect ourselves and each other from irreversible destruction. We must not be the generation in whose hands history will lay blame for a destroyed planet. We owe it to our children and their children to leave behind a legacy of growth and of hope in themselves and in each other. Therefore, it behooves our generation to find remedies to the challenges that affect mankind, to bring an end to the suffering that plagues billions of humans, to end poverty, diseases, and indeed, war. As Nelson Mandela aptly put it, while, I quote, we were expected to destroy one another collectively, we as a people must choose the path of negotiation, compromise, and peaceful settlement, end of quote. In this respect, the Secretary-General’s new agenda for peace provides blueprint for our generation to leave a successful legacy. The guiding principles of trust, solidarity, and universality must continue to guide us during these fragile times. Respect for human rights and international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and the pacific settlement of dispute must remain the focus. paramount. Diplomacy must be the bond with which we mend all disputes with prevention as the key watchword. We must promote national ownership of all strategies and actions which should be people-centered, prioritizing the voices of the young and women. Furthermore, it is paramount that we focus on uplifting the economies of the least developed countries by providing adequate and new opportunities for growth, fair lending schemes, as well as international trading opportunities that are more sustainable and better adapted to today’s global market. Excellencies, turning to the national level, and as we have heard from Ms. Awasemi, allow me to draw attention to the case of Sierra Leone, a country that offers valuable lessons in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, which ended in 2002, was marked by extreme violence, human rights abuses, and the collapse of state institutions. However, the nation’s remarkable recovery and sustained peace over the past two decades demonstrate the importance of national ownership and inclusive governance in conflict prevention. Sierra Leone’s experience, as highlighted by Ms. Samai, underscores the necessity of addressing the root causes of conflict, including economic marginalization, youth unemployment, and political exclusion. The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, known as the TRC, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone were pivotal in promoting transitional justice, reconciliation, and accountability. Additionally, the government focused on rebuilding institutions, promoting good governance, and fostering peace and national cohesion has been instrumental in preventing the reoccurrence of conflict. Sierra Leone has been implementing some of the 12 recommended actions in the new Agenda for Peace as appropriate, including but not limited to accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, shifting the prevention and sustaining peace paradigm and boosting preventive diplomacy in an era of divisions. The specific actions include expanding manufacturing and service industries and developing and improving the skill set of the youth, especially women, investing in technology and infrastructure as a key driver of sustainable development and promoting inclusivity, good governance, people-centered services, and accountability. Our vision is that through dialogue and engagement on this shared development plan, Sierra Leoneans will continue to choose peace and prosperity now and in the future. At the global level, Sierra Leone is contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security through inter alia its membership of the United Nations Security Council and by spotlighting peace building, sharing lessons learned in our peace building journey as a country. On the regional front, Sierra Leone has continued to play a leading role in fostering regional peace and stability. His Excellency, Dr. Gilles Maderbio, has prioritized strengthening regional cooperation, collaboration, and dialogue in addressing socioeconomic development, peace, and security through the Mano River Union, ECOWAS, and the African Union. Most recently, on 7th August 2024, President Gilles Maderbio undertook an official visit to Burkina Faso where the two leaders discussed matters related to political dialogue and regional cooperation to address regional challenges, including the security situation in Burkina Faso and the Sahel region. Peace and stability in the West African and Sahel region are of particular importance to Sierra Leone and we have also continued to be actively engaged on this matter in the Security Council. Excellencies, the global landscape shows that one-size-fits-all approaches are ineffective in addressing diverse conflict scenarios. More localized and context-specific strategies are needed to tackle the unique root causes of conflict in different regions and countries. Additionally, to effectively prevent conflict and crisis, it is imperative to invest in early reaction and response mechanisms that address the root causes of violence and instability. This involves proactive and innovative measures that tackle socioeconomic inequalities, political exclusion, and human rights abuses before they escalate into larger conflict. At a time when the UN system is shaping the future of peace, operations, and special political missions, it is crucial to advocate for a cross-pillar approach that integrates human rights and actions to address root causes of the core of these processes. This approach should ensure that lessons from past failures are incorporated into future strategies for sustaining peace in conflict-affected and post-conflict situations. In closing, Excellencies, as we strive to build a more peaceful and secure world, it is incumbent upon the Council to translate the principles of the new Agenda for Peace into concrete actions on the ground. By prioritizing conflict prevention at the national, regional, and global levels, we can significantly enhance our ability to prevent future conflict, protect civilians, and build lasting peace. I thank you. I resume my function as President of the Council. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Japan.

Japan:
Thank you, Mr. President. I warmly welcome Minister Kabba to this Council. I thank ASG, ASPR, Mr. Adeoye, Ms. Samai, and Ms. Descardes for their insightful briefings. The world can avoid the human tragedy and devastating consequences of conflicts when we are able to prevent them from erupting, from escalating and spreading if they do occur, and from recurring once they have ended. This approach is highly cost-effective, considering the political and socioeconomic and financial costs of conflicts. Based on the firm belief the Security Council has a vital role to play in preventing conflict and its recurrence, Japan held an open debate during our Council Presidency in March on the theme of promoting conflict prevention, empowering all actors, including women and youth. Therefore, we strongly welcome Sierra Leone’s initiative to hold this open debate. Today, I would like to make the following three points. First, the approaches to conflict prevention must be context-specific and nationally-led. Properly planned transitions that best fit the national context will be more likely to prevent a relapse into conflict, especially in cases where UN peace operations are being reconfigured or withdrawn. Nationally-led early warning mechanisms can detect and respond to signs of conflict before events escalate. In implementing such preventive approaches, countries should identify root causes of conflict and sources of resilience with their national ownership at all levels. Second, institution building is crucial for people to feel protected and be empowered to effectively address context-specific challenges. Social institutions can ensure a secure political environment based on the rule of law, provide basic socioeconomic services, and foster development. In a society equipped with such institutions, all individuals, including women and youth, will have the opportunity to unleash their full potential and not only participate in but actively initiate prevention efforts by contributing their abilities to help national institutions. When a national government and local communities cooperate on the ground, ground to build institutional capacity, mutual trust between the government and the people can be strengthened, which in turn can cultivate social cohesion and resilience to advance sustainable peace. Third, we, the international community, should support nationally-led prevention efforts by promoting a whole-of-UN approach, including a Security Council. In the open debate in March, many Member States encouraged the Council to incorporate a prevention perspective into its work, including decision-making processes and products such as mandates of peace missions. In this vein, the Peacebuilding Commission, PBC, is well-suited to provide the Council with advice on prevention issues, drawing on relevant experiences of not only different UN bodies, but also Member States, as demonstrated when Kenya, Norway, and Timor-Leste presented their national prevention measures at the PBC in March. While it is widely known that any Member States can request meetings in the PBC, here I would like to emphasize that the Council itself can also advise the PBC on establishing its agenda. Additionally, the Council should encourage its peace operations to fully cooperate and synergize with UN country teams to efficiently support the national prevention efforts of host states. Furthermore, we, the Member States, should collectively renew our commitment to implementing comprehensive approach, nexus approach, securing human security at the Summit of the Future next month, as well as the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. I would like to close by recalling that on the occasion of Japan’s open debate in March, 67 countries convened at the press stakeout to voice their commitment to promoting conflict prevention. I reaffirm here Japan’s continued belief in pursuing this objective together with the Council members and the Member States. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Japan for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Guyana.

Guayana:
Thank you, Mr. President. I take this opportunity to welcome you, Minister Kabba, to New York and to thank Sierra Leone for convening today’s open debate. I also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. Guyana aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of Guyana. representative of St. Kitts and Nevis on behalf of CARICOM. Mr. President, it was Martin Luther King, Jr. who once said that, and I quote, through peace is not merely the absence of tensions, it is the presence of justice. Guyana fully embraces this statement as the mere absence of conflict without setting conditions to prevent it from arising in the first place or to ensure that grievances are effectively addressed, provides no guarantee for sustained peace. Despite commendable strides, significant gaps remain in our approach to conflict prevention. The new agenda for peace calls for boosting preventive diplomacy and action. To do this, we must first acknowledge that conflict prevention is the most effective way of building and maintaining peace. This council should not just be the emergency room of the world to react when conflicts arise, even though that is critical. Logically, the council’s mandate for the maintenance of peace and security dictates that prevention is also a central part of its work. We must therefore set aside the political discomfort surrounding prevention and conflict risk prediction and utilize early warning systems to identify risk factors and mitigation measures. By investing in localized and context-specific early warning systems, we can better recognize the potential flashpoints and address building and address budding or existing grievances before they escalate and erupt into violence. The bottom line is that we cannot continue to ignore the high human and economic cost of failing to prevent conflicts. As ASG Spehar reminded, this cost in terms of humanitarian aid alone is staggering. OCHA has estimated that over 48 billion U.S. dollars will be needed in 2024 to assist over 186 million people due to conflicts. climate emergencies, and economic challenges which in many instances intersect. A large portion of this cost is because of conflicts. At the same time, the gap between need and commitment stands at $36 billion and is likely to widen as conflicts increase across the globe. But while humanitarian aid continues to decline, military spending is increasing. Against this background, I will emphasize three points. First, Guyana underscores the need for a strategic approach based on partnerships at all levels, bringing together governments, international agencies, the private sector, and civil society to address the deficits in development, which is at the root of the great majority of conflicts. Development is prevention. While mindful that states are responsible for preventing conflicts, capacities and resources are not equitably distributed across the world. Therefore, national efforts must be bolstered by regional and international collaboration. Access to development finance is critical. The UN, through its agencies, funds, and programs, must also prioritize prevention efforts and provide support through context-specific capacity building and resource mobilization initiatives. Secondly, we must ensure that our approaches are comprehensive and tackle both traditional and contemporary drivers of conflict. These are often interlinked and stem from socioeconomic inequalities, political exclusion, and the impacts of climate change, among others. Climate change increasingly acts as a threat multiplier, which exacerbates competition over scarce resources, leading to tensions and conflicts. Our efforts must therefore include robust international cooperation to integrate climate resilience into peace-building strategies where extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and altered agriculture patterns present an existing or potential source of conflict. Food security is another pressing issue in this context. As we have witnessed time and again, severe disruptions in food supplies due to climate-related disasters, conflict and economic instability are also key drivers of hunger and food scarcity, which fuel discontent and violence. Strengthening local capacities and investing in resilient agricultural systems globally would help to build the foundation for long-lasting peace by ensuring that communities have the means to produce their own food. In all of these contexts, access to justice is critical. Providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels contribute to peaceful and stable societies. Mr. President, a third point that I would like to emphasize is that the Peacebuilding Commission is well-positioned to serve as a bridge for the Security Council as it considers conflict situations or where countries are transitioning from conflict. The PBC has a rich body of expertise from which to draw in transforming the conditions that generate violent conflict. They can provide strategic guidance on specific country situations. We urge the PBC and Security Council to explore options for maximizing the PBC’s advisory role and strengthening prevention and peacebuilding. Similarly, the enhanced use of data analytics for more evidence-based approaches must become the new norm at all levels to expand support for prevention and peacebuilding and to drive innovation and impact. By expanding the toolkits available to UN agencies, we can better decrease the risk of conflict and crisis. Mr. President, in closing, looking ahead to the summit of the future and the adoption of the pact for the future, we must act with urgency and determination to build a world where peace is sustainable because the conditions for conflict no longer prevail. We must also remind ourselves that prevention is an integral part of our collective effort to maintain international peace and security and, thus, does not fall away. outside the ambit of the Security Council’s mandate. Let us work together, united in our commitment to prevent conflicts before they ignite, and to build a future of lasting peace for all. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Guyana for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Algeria.

Algeria:
Mr. President, I want to thank you for chairing our debate. We are also grateful to Sierra Leone for bringing back the subject of peacebuilding and conflict prevention to this chamber. I also thank ASG Sefar and Commissioner Bankole for their briefings. And we were listening with particular attention to the analysis and idea shared by Ms. Hawa Samai and Mr. Arnoux Descardes. Mr. President, with the proliferation of violent conflicts and threat to international peace and security, it is more than ever necessary to pay greater attention to conflict prevention. In this regard, the Secretary General of the UN, in his new Agenda for Peace, offers a timely and comprehensive blueprint for navigating today’s complex challenges. In the clarion call for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, grounded on the principle of international law, sustainable development and human rights. I would like in this context to touch on three points. First, strengthening governance and the rule of law. The foundation of stable and prosperous societies lies in effective governance and the firm adherence to the rule of law. While many countries, particularly those in post-conflict settings, have made commendable strides in these areas, significant challenges persist. Constitutional reform, judicial independence, and the fight against illicit financial flow have been instrumental in enhancing accountability and transparency. To realize the potential of good governance, we must strengthen institutional capacity, ensuring that state institutions are well-equipped to deliver essential services efficiently and equitably. Second, enhancing security and judiciary sector reform. Effective security and judiciary sector reform is essential to lay the foundation for sustainable peace and stability. However, progress in these domains has been lacking consistency with varying degrees of success in different countries. region. Therefore, it is essential to create conducive conditions for the success of security sector reform processes, particularly from a political perspective, by learning from other successful cases. With great importance for the success of SSR processes, DDR programs represent the heart of peace effort and the endeavor of building trust between actors and conflict parties. Nevertheless, DDR programs are faced with important challenges, particularly in terms of resources and funding. Thus, scaled up support from the international community to this effort is necessary. The central aim in this regard is to put in place professional security forces as a concrete expression of state building, while ensuring that these forces operate in accordance with relevant human rights compliance frameworks. Third, fostering partnership. Comprehensive approaches in terms of peace building by the UN cannot be considered as such, I mean comprehensive, if not undertaken in coordination with regional mechanisms, national institutions, and relevant actors. Yes, the relation with the host authorities are an essential component of the endeavor toward developing a peace building strategy in order to make sure that it reflects the national priorities. and embolden the principle of national ownership. Also, there is a need to strengthen cooperation with regional organizations on the basis of comparative advantages to respond to the need on the ground. Understanding the annual consultation between the UN Peacebuilding Commission and the African Union Peace and Security Council could be, should be, a concrete entry point to align the priorities and coordinate the effort between the AU and the UN on this important chapter. Mr. President, in conclusion and in this context, we shall start by strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission due to its unique bridging power and capability, which has not yet been harnessed to its full potential. As a member of the PBC, Algeria reiterates its support to this organ. We should take the opportunity of the review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture next year to finally strengthen and empower the Peacebuilding Commission. I thank you. I thank the representative of Algeria for their statement.

President – Sierra Leone:
I now give the floor to the representative of Switzerland.

Switzerland:
Mr. President, I would like to thank you for organizing this debate, and I’d like to thank our speakers also for their contributions. There is no glory in prevention. History remembers too often conflicts and their outcomes. Monuments to victory abound, while avoided wars and diffused violence barely catch our attention. Yet it would be more useful to build statues to the heroes who prevented or overcame conflicts, to the facilitators and mediators who saved the lives of thousands of civilians and averted humanitarian disasters. In this respect, we welcome the fact that Sierra Leone has focused on the lessons learned from its own recent history. We also welcome the fact that this debate is being held against the backdrop of the new Agenda for Peace, which calls on us to make prevention a political priority and to develop national prevention strategies. In this respect, we are proud to have been able to join forces as part of the initiative for the successive presidencies of August, September and October for joint action for the new Agenda for Peace launched a few moments ago. President, your country’s lessons are valuable, but it would be wrong to believe that prevention only concerns states that have suffered or are at risk of suffering armed conflict, whereas violent extremism and even intrastate and interpersonal violence must be confronted by everyone. A recent study carried out as part of the Halving Global Violence initiative by the Pathfinders Group showed that the economic costs of violence, including in Switzerland, are considerable. Prevention, as explained by the new Agenda for Peace, needs to be tackled at a local and national level while drawing on exchanges of experience between different countries. Allow me to contribute five observations to this debate. Firstly, prevention depends on confidence in security, justice, and the guarantee of freedom. These are national responsibilities anchored in international conventions and commitments. Such confidence is a powerful antidote to violence. The human rights affirmed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more than 75 years ago also have a preventive objective. Secondly, it is important to diffuse our political apprehensions regarding the notion of prevention and let ourselves be guided by the facts. Recent evidence-based studies from different national contexts identify key elements for national prevention strategies. These elements range from measures to ensure the security and independence of the judiciary, to initiatives to strengthen tolerance, solidarity and inclusion, including trust in institutions and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Thirdly, prevention is effective if it emanates from the local level. Switzerland recognises this by delegating many powers to the regional and local level and by encouraging, for example, civil society initiatives to combat extremism, violence and marginalisation. We can also share our experiences and offer mutual support. In Benin, for example, Switzerland supports the presidential initiative to prevent the spread of armed extremist groups. There is a holistic approach in place by the government investing in urban planning and economic incentives to improve the living conditions of the population in the north and prevent their recruitment by extremist groups. This is just one example of a number of national projects that deserve our support, even though they are far removed from the conflicts that attract the attention of our Council, which all too often has to deal with acute crisis situations. Fourthly, the Peace Building Commission is ideally suited to sharing experiences on national prevention. Thanks to its collective expertise, it can support countries that wish to do so in their peace building processes. We welcome also its advice, which is not only valuable to us in the context of this meeting, but it can also guide us in our future work. In addition, thanks to the Peace Building Fund, the UN has a flexible instrument that can serve as a catalyst for investors with greater resources, such as the International Finance Fund. Finally, this Council must fully assume its role in prevention. On the one hand, it must better use the instruments under Chapter 6, which enable it to make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Secondly, regional missions that it mandates, such as those in West Africa and the Sahel, Central Africa and Central Asia, must be able to support governments at their request in identifying increased risks of conflict and reducing them in the long term. President, as the Sierra Leonean author Manratta Kamara so aptly put it, we cannot change the past, but we can choose to create a new future. With the summit of the future only a few weeks away, this open debate serves as a clear call for an ambitious pact on prevention. Let us seize this opportunity. Thank you very much.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Switzerland for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of France.

France:
Thank you, Mr. President, Mr. Minister. I’d like to thank the Assistant Secretary General, Madame Spehar, and the Commissioner for Peace and Security,and the Commissioner for Peace and Security in the African Union, and Madame Samai and Mr. Descardes for their very complete briefings. I would also like to thank Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate on a key topic for rethinking collective securities. In this regard, France would like to commend the work of the Secretary General through the new Agenda for Peace with a view to the summit of the future. We now have an opportunity to reflect collectively on the future of UN tools to work towards international peace and security. This collective work should start with a reflection about the causes of crises, focusing on that, and how we can nip them in the bud. This requires an investment in all sectors, especially in rebuilding the rule of law, education, health care, protecting the climate or biodiversity. France would also like to emphasize the full, equal, and significant role of women’s participation in peacekeeping. crucial to include specific provisions to reduce poverty, create jobs, and support vulnerable communities in the strategies of development, all of which are key in the area of prevention. In the event of a crisis, the international community must be positioned to be able to respond appropriately to each context. France is fully committed to adapting these tools through its support for conflict and crisis prevention for peacekeeping and reform. And peacekeeping operations remain very important and precious tools, the models of which are many and are in the context of a close dialogue with host countries. Peace operations support strengthening host states and their capacity-building in the area of security forces. And political missions of the UN also support the political process. This response also involves complementary initiatives reflecting adoption of Resolution 2719 on African peace operations and working with them in a clearer context to work together with the African Union. Finally, Mr. President, post-conflict situations must be benefiting from international support, and this is the whole meaning of the Peacebuilding Commission and its fund, which, with their many activities over the last 40 years – 40 countries over the last 15 years, France is one of the major contributors to the fund and is very pleased it’s been able to benefit from ongoing financing. This will allow us to better accompany transition context. For the multiple response to work for collective security, we need to mobilize all necessary actors, first at the national level. Civil society is very important, as well as the political power. At the regional level, we see many examples of cooperation. I’m thinking specifically of the efforts of the South African development community efforts in the eastern part of the DRC. And then internationally, of course, the UN system as a whole needs to continue to play a role as a driving force with the support of member states. Full cooperation with UN funds and programs and development banks on the ground in this regard is key. France will continue to support peacebuilding. Together, we can work to effectively prevent conflicts. Thank you.

United Kingdom:
President, I’m grateful to Sierra Leone for convening this important meeting. And I thank ASG Spehar, AU Commissioner Bankole, Ms. Samai, and Mr. Descardes for their briefing today. President, in 2016, the Sustaining Peace Framework underlined the importance of shared responsibility to address conflict. And seven years later, the Secretary-General’s new Agenda for Peace called for strengthened international foresight, nationally-owned prevention approaches, and an all-of-system approach to tackling conflict. Faced with the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, we must work together, now more than ever, to act on these principles. So I will make three points. First, conflict prevention should be at the forefront of our approach to reduce the cost of conflict to human lives and development gains. The United Kingdom encourages the use of national prevention approaches to address drivers of conflict and strengthen national infrastructures for peace. Such approaches should strive to be locally rooted, inclusive, human rights-based, and sensitive. Embedding localized early warning mechanisms also helps identify risks and respond quickly, including on global issues such as climate change. Second, it is clear that underdevelopment can drive conflict, and conflict undermines development. Breaking this cycle is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The UK is committed to development partnerships founded on mutual respect that support countries’ national efforts to reduce poverty and instability. To deliver, the UN system needs to work as one. This means mutually reinforcing humanitarian ties. development, and peace and security efforts. For example, security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration efforts promote stability, strengthen governance, and the rule of law, and prevent the recurrence of violence, enabling peace and development to flourish. And Mr. Samai’s briefing brought out clearly how Sierra Leone in so many ways has been a good model of post-conflict peace building. Finally, the Summit of the Future offers an opportunity to reinvigorate our efforts. This includes maximizing cooperation between the multiple actors – states, regional organizations, and the UN – involved in mediation efforts. The promotion of women’s full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation in inclusive peace processes is indispensable. And it also includes strengthening existing fora, such as the Peacebuilding Commission, to provide a constructive and UN-system-wide space to support peacebuilding efforts. The 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review will be the next important step. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representatives of the United Kingdom for their statement. And I will give the floor to the representative of the United States.

United States:
Thank you, Mr. President. As you have heard from all of our interventions this morning, your convening today’s open debate on peacebuilding and the new agenda is very much appreciated. I also want to thank ASG Spehar, Commissioner Adeoye, and our two civil society briefers, Mr. Samai and Mr. Descardes, for your very informative briefings. Every week, this Council meets to discuss efforts to end the world’s worst conflicts. But it’s far less common that we discuss efforts to prevent conflict from ever starting. And that is why this debate is so welcome, and it is so critical. Today, roughly two billion people live in conflict-affected areas. Two billion people. That’s one quarter of humanity. We heard just today from Mr. Descartes descriptions of over 4,000 deaths in Haiti alone. Our charge must be to stop even one more person from experiencing the hell that is war. The good news is this, we know how to create conditions that foster peace. We also know what effective conflict prevention looks like. Now we just need to make these strategies real, especially in countries most vulnerable to conflict. And today, I will lay out five ways we can do that. First, we must move beyond words and invest in prevention. Prevention requires long-term, comprehensive, and inclusive approaches. It requires political will, effective partnerships, sustainable resources, and national ownership. The development of national prevention strategies has been shown to help tackle drivers of conflict and strengthen national infrastructure for peace. And as the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace makes clear, conflict prevention saves lives and safeguards development gains. None of this work is easy, but when diverse stakeholders, including women and youth, are at the table, peace is possible. And with broad input and support, prevention strategies can reinforce state institutions, promote the rule of law, strengthen civil society, and build greater tolerance and social cohesion. And again, as we heard today from Ms. Spehar, who reminded us, these efforts must be people-centered as well. Second, peace development and humanitarian efforts are mutually dependent and reinforcing. And the humanitarian development-peace nexus approach appropriately recognizes the importance of complementary and coordinated efforts. Since its inception in 2004, the Joint UNDP-DPPA Program on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention has served as a model program in cross-pillar collaboration. We must continue to build on this work. Third, Member States should continue to learn from each other on conflict prevention, including national prevention strategies. I want to specifically recognize Sierra Leone’s engagement with the UN Peacebuilding Architecture over the years and the opportunity to learn from its peacebuilding success. Sierra Leone has made significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening post-war institutions. institutions, and in addressing some of the immediate needs of its people and war victims, including through the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Peacebuilding Fund’s support to Sierra Leone has included a strong focus on land conflict, cross-border and borderland communities, vulnerabilities, and women and youth empowerment and participation. Another example of this valuable work, the UN Peacebuilding Commission. The Commission, under the leadership of Brazil as chair this year and Croatia last year, continues to serve as the important forum for exchanges on lessons learned in peacebuilding, as recent engagements with Liberia, Colombia, Kenya, Guatemala, Norway, and Timor-Leste have clearly demonstrated. Fourth, in order to be effective, conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts must be inclusive. When women, youth, and other underrepresented voices can participate fully, equally, and meaningfully in political and public life, policies and implementation are more likely to reflect the needs of all of society, and there are lasting and sustainable outcomes for all, as we heard from Ms. Semayes describing Sierra Leone’s success. Fifth, next month’s Summit of the Future and the subsequent 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review, are prime examples to strengthen peacebuilding efforts, including in conflict prevention and mediation. The summit is a chance for member states to recommit to the UN Charter, to making key reforms so this institution is more representative and more fit for purpose. The pact for the future negotiations have already built on important recommendations in the new Agenda for Peace, and have been characterized by strong and committed cross-regional support for strengthening the tools the UN has to sustain peace. For the Architecture Review, we should build on the previous review processes to advance the Peacebuilding Commission’s advisory, bridging, and convening roles so that we can expand its impact and foster more consistent dialogue with regional organizations and financial institutions. And we should strive for even more ambitious and structured collaboration between the Peacebuilding Commission and the principal organs of the UN. In parallel, the United States remains committed to the UN’s conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts through our 10-year plan for four priority countries, namely Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, and Papua New Guinea, as well as the coastal West Africa region. As we work to implement the U.S. strategy to prevent conflict and promote stability, the strategy and the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security complement UN efforts. Colleagues, too often it can feel as if war is inevitable, especially in countries where there is widespread insecurity and inequity. But I refuse to accept that inevitability, because I know that conflict prevention measures work. I’ve seen them in action. But I also know that this work requires investment and it requires persistence, that it requires all members of society being at the table, that it requires the support of this very Council. For our part, the United States will continue to stand behind UN initiatives to further inclusive conflict prevention, mediation, and peace efforts, and I urge every single member state to do exactly the same. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of the United States for their statement. And I will give the floor to the representative of China.

China:
Thank you, President. President, I thank Sierra Leone for the initiative of organizing this signature event on the theme of conflict prevention. I thank Foreign Minister Khabar for presiding over this meeting. I thank ASG Speha, Commissioner Adeoye and the briefer from the civil society. The international situation is now undergoing profound and complex evolution. Some regions are facing intensifying turmoil with a serious spillover effect, which underscores even more the importance of conflict prevention. We need to enhance the effectiveness and the relevance of conflict prevention and address both the symptoms and underlying issues, in particular by tackling the root causes of conflict and strive to translate the international community’s shared vision for peace into effective action to realize lasting peace. I would like to make the following points first. Development should be prioritized. Poverty and underdevelopment are major sources of conflict. Conflict prevention must take up as foundational tasks poverty reduction and development. It is important for post-conflict countries and countries in special situations alike to leverage their own resource endowments and comparative advantages to tap the momentum and potential for sustainable economic development so as to embark on the fast track to development. To maintain a stable economic growth and keep creating jobs and wealth constitute the very foundation for realizing long-term national peace and security. Second, the government should take the lead. Effective governance is indispensable for a country to maintain long-term stability and achieve sustainable economic and social development as countries differ in their national conditions. It is important that they should independently explore a development path that suits their own conditions, improve their governance systems and enhance their governance capacity. The government should play its role in making up for the shortcomings of market inequality. mechanism, investing more in infrastructure, education, health, among others, to enhance people’s sense of benefit, hereby solidifying public buy-in of government policies and actions. Third, we must promote social inclusion. Only through inclusive development can we build the foundation of lasting peace. It is important to ensure that the well-being and interests of all people are taken into account as a starting point for the purpose of rational allocation of social resources and enhancing access to public services so that all ethnicities and social groupings can equally participate in and benefit from development, while the special needs of vulnerable groups and conditions of areas with development difficulties are properly addressed. We must see to it that the human rights of women, youth and other groups are safeguarded in the context of development with the right to life and the right to development being put front and center in our work, while other human rights being promoted and safeguarded in a balanced manner. President, effective conflict prevention requires favorable external conditions. The United Nations should ensure that it plays its role in conflict prevention and increases input in the area of development. The UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions should pay attention to the needs of the countries concerned and do more practical work conducive to promoting their economic growth and sustainable development. Regional and sub-regional organizations should work to enhance political trust among countries in the region and promote regional cooperation. We should build an open and non-discriminatory international economic and trade environment so that more developing countries can participate in economic, scientific and technological cooperation and share the dividends of development. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to promote the reform of the international financial architecture so that it can better meet the needs of the developing countries in such areas as financing for development, climate change and capacity building. hold international justice, oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and oppose unilateralism and hegemony. Here I wish to emphasize that the indiscriminate imposition of illegal unilateral sanctions by some countries in violation of the UN Charter and international law not only exacerbate the economic and social plight of the countries targeted, but also sow the seeds for new conflicts and instability. We urge these countries to immediately lift all unilateral sanctions. President, as a permanent member of the Security Council and an important member of the Global South, China, along with realizing its own development, has always taken as its responsibility to support the Global South in achieving lasting peace and a sustainable development. In 2015, President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of the China United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, which has so far carried out about 150 projects, providing important support for the UN in promoting the sustainable development agenda and maintaining international peace and security, among which Juncao Technology is one of the priority projects carried out under the trust fund. Based on the widely adapted herbaceous plants, this technology helps farmers to rapidly invest in higher value-added industries, such as mushrooms and animal husbandry. So far, this technology has been promoted and adopted in 107 countries around the globe, bringing hope for tackling problems of poverty, food security, and employment. The inventor of Juncao Technology is Professor Lin Zhansi, who is 82 years old this year. He has been engaged in research for more than 50 years and can still be seen traveling around the world to personally engage in research and development and promotion. Two weeks ago… Also, I traveled together with senior UN Secretary officials and Professor Lin to Rwanda and Tanzania. In the Mwanga district in the southern province of Rwanda, I met a young man named Ning Anbo, who transformed his life through using the Juncao technology. Unable to find a job after college, Ning Anbo came across a training course on Juncao technology organized by China UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. In just five years, Ning Anbo went from being an unemployed young man to a farmer who now employs about 30 people and produces a wide range of products including food, animal feed, and fertilizer. He proudly told me, I quote, Juncao technology has not only changed my life, but has also made me a champion in my village to help others out of poverty. Thanks to it, I am now able to take care of dozens of families’ livelihood on my own. A string of fungus or a blade of grass, though tiny and small, is loaded with significance. It symbolizes the successful practices explored by the Chinese people in the cause of poverty reduction and eradication, and epitomizes China’s practical actions to support the realization of sustainable development in the global south. China is ready to work with the international community to help more developing countries realize independent development to usher in the dawn of peace in more regions and to continue to build the foundation of global peace and stability. Thank you, President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of China for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Malta.

Malta:
Thank you, Excellency, for organizing this important open debate. And I also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. Mr. President, as the Secretary General outlined in his new agenda for peace, conflict prevention requires an urgent shift in approach, by which all States recognize prevention and sustaining peace as overarching goals that all commit to achieve. Facing an increasing number of crises, the multilateral system must offer its extensive support. This includes capacity-building capabilities for the development of national prevention strategies and tackling the root causes of conflict, more sustainable and predictable financing to peace-building efforts, particularly through the peace-building funds, is urgently needed. Regrettably, the PBF continues to face financing shortfalls. A recommitment to voluntary contributions by Member States would help close these gaps and would be a direct investment in sustainable peace. We also recognize the crucial role of the Peace-Building Commission in supporting peace-building priorities. The PBC is well-placed to spot emerging threats and earn warning signs that can be conveyed to the Security Council. We also welcome the Commission’s active support for the YPS agenda. This includes through the publication of the Strategic Action Plan on Youth and Peace-Building. The PBC can promote common analysis among UN missions and assist the orderly withdrawal of UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Malta supports the development of comprehensive national prevention strategies in which security, sustainable development, human rights, and gender equality are mutually reinforcing. Effective prevention requires an understanding of the gender dynamics of the causes and consequences of conflict. Gender-responsive disarmament and arms control measures are vital in preventing conflict-related sexual violence. The unchecked proliferation and misuse of weapons significantly exacerbate gender-based violence. By investing in gender-responsive constitutional, judicial, legislative, and electoral reforms, we can help overcome obstacles to women’s participation and other structural gender inequalities. qualities. Financing for women’s peace-building organizations and giving priority to sexual and gender-based violence prevention also fosters sustainable peace. The hard-won progress in supporting women’s leadership in conflict prevention, resolution, and peace-building must not be lost during transitions. Consistent with Resolution 2594, transition planning must ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and the inclusion of youth. Comprehensive gender analysis and technical gender expertise must be included throughout the transition process. Mr. President, Malta stresses the importance of strengthening climate security risk analysis within peace-building efforts. Through the joint pledges on climate, peace, and security, we remain committed in ensuring a comprehensive approach to peace and security. The multilateral system must be used to support developing nations bearing the brunt of climate change. Innovative solutions towards climate adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and capacity-building must be sought while keeping the distinct protection needs of populations in mind. In conclusion, Mr. President, despite the Council’s attentions on peace-building and prevention, the number of global crises appear ever-growing. The first anniversary of the New Agenda for Peace should make us reflect on the implementation of its recommendations leading up to the summit of the future and the 2025 review of the peace-building architecture. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Malta for their statement. And I will give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Russian Federation:
Thank you, President. We welcome your in-person participation today, Minister, in the Council’s open debate on conflict prevention. We’d also like to thank all of the briefers. day for their assessments that they’ve shared with us. Conflict prevention, of course, is one of the main areas of work of the Security Council under the UN Charter, with which it maintains international peace and security. But unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world, and on conflict prevention there is a significant backlog at the Security Council. So far, there are a lot fewer success stories than there are failures. We continue to believe that effective prevention of conflicts should be underpinned by the need to take into account national priorities and the unique nature of each individual case. The new agenda for peace points towards this too. We don’t support everything in it, far from it, but we do share the conclusion that an important factor of effective conflict prevention is, indeed, national responsibility of states who themselves are addressing questions of well-being and security of their own citizens. Who knows better about the needs of their societies and the risks that they face than the national authorities themselves? Thus, the government of each sovereign state should independently decide about the need for some measures or strategies or others for conflict prevention, or to prevent violence or tackle the negative consequences and overcome any other relevant challenges in a given context. We also believe that national level strategies on conflict prevention and prevention of violence chime best with the national interests of states when they’re based on their priorities and correspond to the principles of national responsibility. They shouldn’t have to conform to the interests of foreign donors. At the same time, the idea of developing this type of strategies in and of itself is not a new one in many countries. This type of domestic national practice has long existed. though often going by different names. However, it’s important to understand that as such, the universal approach to conflict prevention as is presented in the new agenda for peace does not exist, nor does a universal solutions applicable to any crisis. This is also recognized by the Secretary General in his policy brief, where it is noted that decisions applied can be selective and burdened with double standards. President, perhaps someone won’t like what I’m about to say, but we are used to telling the truth. Despite the fact that all countries are equal faced with the problem of the threat of conflict and violence, some states initially have put themselves above others and are ready to lecture others, but in no way abide criticism towards them. This is also one of the problems of prevention today. While some try to divide the world into teachers and pupils, the breeding ground for new conflicts will only grow. And if you add to this the historic injustice towards developing countries, primarily in Africa, that has still not been redressed, it’s clear that countries of the Global South have it much harder, both in questions of prevention and also in addressing the consequences of conflict and crises. Despite the fact that the area of colonialism is thought to be consigned to history, our world today still has a large number of ways of preserving and deepening the dependence of some states who have suffered from the colonial ego. In a bid to preserve their ebbing hegemony, former colonial capitals and their allies don’t bulk at anything to dominate the world, carefully trying to impede the creation of a just, multipolar world. This also includes the strengthening of the commodity-based nature of developing economies. Harsh. cabal-like programs of the IMF and then this provokes a brain drain. All of this leads to reinforcing economic underdevelopment, poverty and political instability in developing countries. And these factors are an ideal fertile ground for conflict. Rather than development assistance on the scale and type that the Global South needs, these self-proclaimed masters of the world prefer to provide weapons to hotspots in much greater quantities, steal and also living on other people’s troubles, also stealing resources and appropriating others’ assets. And those who stand up to this kind of injustice can expect unilateral sanctions and unlawful restrictive measures. So in these circumstances, what kind of prevention can we even be talking about? We’re also at a time when the nascent conflicts are often so obvious that it’s harder not to notice a looming problematic situation than it is to sound the alarm about it. However, many members of the Security Council prefer to demonstrate selective deafness and blindness and then blame anyone for another conflict apart from themselves. You don’t need to look far, for examples. Was it really not obvious what would come of the unchecked expansion of NATO to the east and the violation of basic agreements and principles that had put an end to the Cold War, alongside ignoring the interests of Russia and factors that threaten its security and also the selective approach to human rights and freedoms and the blatant double standards? This, for many years, created a volatile mixture which, sooner or later, was going to explode. And we all understood this. The detonator of the armed conflict in Europe was the anti-constitutional coup in Ukraine in 2014, which its Western backers… prepared at length, ardently supported, and they did everything they could to ignore the non-compliance by the nationalist regime of the basic principles of good neighborliness on the basis of international peace, and did not even notice its ugly, near-nasty, and Russophobic characteristics. Their last chance to avoid a crisis and return the situation to a non-conflictual track were the Security Council-approved Minsk Agreements, which the Kiev regime and the West deliberately ignored. How many times have we raised this question and this topic as a whole at the Security Council and the General Assembly? We warned what it was brought with. And how many times have Western countries in this room called black, white, and avoided an honest conversation? At the end of the day, we have what we have. And those who did not want to see the obvious now hold forth, including in this room today, about the importance of prevention. And they try everything in their power to stop the formation of a just, Europe-wide system of indivisible security for all, pitting it against their own egotistical interests and hegemonic aspirations. And in parallel, they also artificially stoke the situation in the Middle East and East Asia, promoting block approaches and not seeking to find solutions in the spirit of respective interests of all key players. And who will we then blame that prevention didn’t work? Our Western colleagues clearly understand what this can lead to. However, they pretend they don’t grasp the obvious cause of peace, stability, and justice for equality for all of those who, to use the expression from Joseph Burrell, live in the jungle surrounding their own beautiful garden. To preserve their own domination and continue to exploit the rest of the world is much more important to them than any efforts to prevent conflict. So what are we really talking then about today? What global, regional, and national aspects of prevention and we’ll be talking about in these circumstances. Colleagues, we can only talk about real prevention when a more just world order is more clearly defined and when all countries in the world can enjoy equal circumstances for development and building their own states. Let’s work towards this together. Thank you for your attention.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Slovenia.

Slovenia:
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank Sierra Leone for convening this meeting, and I would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable contributions. Mr. President, this is a very timely and important topic. It is our strong belief that we need to strengthen our efforts on conflict prevention. And for this reason, Slovenia joined Sierra Leone and Switzerland in the joint action for the new agenda for peace by the trio of Security Council presidencies, which was launched this morning. Mr. President, the United Nations has a key role in paving the path from war to peace. However, the highest number of ongoing violent conflicts and record-high numbers of casualties among civilians should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to strengthen its efforts in preventing conflicts rather than merely focusing on their mitigation. Inclusive peace-building that prevents the reoccurrence of violence and builds resilient societies is essential to sustaining peace. Early warning and early action remain key for timely action to prevent an immense human suffering, spare entire generations from the burden of conflict, and ensure that development is not hindered or set back. It is worth repeating, in terms of human, developmental, and environmental loss, there is no better option than prevention of conflict. The Security Council should do more to prevent the escalation of threats into armed conflict and to strive for their peaceful resolutions. Full respect of and compliance with the UN Charter and international law, including international human rights law, is key. Effective prevention requires comprehensive and tailor-made approaches that reflect the needs and views of the population on the ground. It should tackle the root causes and drivers of conflict and violence. No one is better placed to identify these risks than people living and working in affected communities. Meaningful engagement with the civil society, which is usually the first to notice any worrying changes and processes, has proved to be key. This has also been highlighted by the Secretary General in the new Agenda for Peace. We, therefore, need to invest in national prevention capacities with the inclusion of the whole of society and formulate national strategies for prevention. Mr. President, on this basis, I would like to make the following three points. Firstly, no crisis or conflict can be successfully resolved without inclusion. Gender-equitable communities are resilient, inclusive, and peaceful. Removing all barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment brings us more effective institutions. It is an investment in women and girls, and it enhances their participation in all spheres of private and political life. Women bear the burden of conflict and can be one of the main drivers of prevention. In post-conflict settings, women must fully, equally, meaningfully, and safely participate at all levels and stages of peace, security, and peace-building processes and operations. Similarly, it is important to promote the meaningful participation of youth in these efforts, as they are the generation who will profit the most from peace and stability. It is therefore imperative to implement fully the women’s peace and security as well as the youth’s peace and security agendas. Secondly, today climate change is clearly recognized as a multiplier of threats to international peace and security as it increases the vulnerability of societies and exacerbates the potential of conflicts, in particular intra- and intercommunal conflicts. Improving governance capacity to sustainably and effectively manage and control national resources should be viewed as an investment in conflict prevention and a critical element of peace-building. This is why Slovenia strongly supports the recommendation from the New Agenda for Peace to strengthen the UN’s system capacity through joint regional hubs on climate, peace, and security, helping accelerate progress and technical support on this agenda. Thirdly, the Council can and must act through Chapter 6 of the UN Charter and make better use of the tools at its disposal for the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Council also needs to make full use of the Peacebuilding Commission as an advisory body as well as a hub to convene national authorities and actors, UN bodies, regional organizations, international financial institutions, and other stakeholders to discuss and promote nationally-led prevention. Mr. President, let me conclude by saying that in the era of new and more complex threats, prevention of conflict is essential, providing for stability, resilience, and sustainable development in fragile societies. In this light, the Pact of the Future and the review of the peace-building architecture in 2025 present an opportunity to advance prevention and peace-building for sustainable peace. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Slovenia for their statement. And I will give the floor to the representative of Mozambique.

Mozambique:
Mr. President, Mr. Minister, Mozambique welcomes Your Excellency to New York to preside over this session of the Security Council. We commend the presidents of Sierra Leone for selecting a timely and most relevant theme for today’s debate. This takes place amid ongoing challenges to prevent and de-escalate conflicts around the world. We wish to express our deep gratitude for the insightful briefings by the Assistant Secretary General for Peace-Building Support, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, His Excellency Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion of Sierra Leone, Ms. Hawa Samai, and Mr. Arnaud Descardes, Executive Director of Voluntaria Purla Development IT. Mr. President, as we navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to conflict prevention is crucial if you want to build a peaceful community of nations. Conflicts, whether those that are armed in nature or civil unrest or prolonged political crisis, have profound and far-reaching political crisis or far-reaching consequences on peoples and nations. They undermine development, destabilize entire regions, fracture the social fabric, and cause immense human suffering, as so well described by Ms. Speier at this session. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Asia, including Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Myanmar, in Africa, that include the Great Lakes region, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Libya, and Europe, Ukraine, and Kosovo, to name a few, are some of the bleak examples. We can be certain, a posteriori, that had those conflicts been prevented, countless lives could have been saved and the international community would not be bearing the heavy burden of addressing the resulting dire consequences, including the humanitarian crisis. Preventing conflicts is, therefore, the basis of conflict resolution, far desirable than dealing with their tragic consequences. The 2018 joint UN-World Bank report titled Pathways to Peace, hardly underscored this point. It estimated that conflict prevention could save between $5 billion to $70 billion annually. The report also noted that every dollar invested in prevention and peace building could reduce conflict costs over time. As former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Gawi articulated in his seminal 1992 document, An Agenda for Peace, at the end of the Cold War, with prevention, he said, the aim must be, and I quote, to seek to identify at the earliest possible stages situations that could produce conflict and to try, through diplomacy, to remove the sources of danger before violence results. An Agenda for Peace was a foresighted document. It laid the foundation for present-day peace building efforts. It recognized the importance of understanding conflict, early warning, and preventive diplomacy. It also advocated the use of development assistance to avoid the state’s fragility because, as we are now aware, fragility of status invites conflict. That vision of a united nation that acts early and decisively to address the situations that could lead to conflict remains highly relevant in our day’s anarchic world. In that context, a new Agenda for Peace of July 2023, outlined by Secretary General António Guterres, is an extremely important piece of reflection and action. It deepens. and expounders in times of world turmoil, our vision and understanding of prevention as pillar to our collective security. The new Agenda for Peace reminds us that prevention must be a political priority to all states, that conflict can be avoided because, and I quote here, war is always a choice, to resort to arms instead of dialogue, question instead of negotiation, imposition instead of persuasion, end of quote. Central to our new Agenda for Peace is the call for a surge in diplomacy for peace to ensure that political solutions remain the primary option for resolving disputes. This includes reviewing all the tools that comprise the United Nations’ peace architecture and better integrating prevention and risk assessment across UN decision-making processes. More importantly, a new Agenda for Peace is an urgent call and a reminder for the need to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and respect for international law on essential basis for a better understanding among the nations. Mr. President, this is an approach that Mozambique embraces wholeheartedly. Our experience and our current domestic efforts with conflict resolution, reconciliation, international unity, peace-building, and even peacemaking and peacekeeping provide valuable lessons for the importance of prevention in our own country and within the broader African context. Our internal conflict tied to a long war of destabilization following our victorious liberation struggle left deep scars in our social and political fabric. But it also laid the groundwork for an arduous peace process from which we can draw useful lessons domestically, at the continental level, and even beyond. The Maputo peace process that culminated in the 2019 Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement is a testament to the importance of national leadership, local ownership, persistent dialogue, and sustained international support in conflict resolution. It has also demonstrated that preventing conflicts, addressing their root causes, and avoiding a relapse into conflict remain a high priority and responsibility of states. During Mozambique’s Security Council presidency in March 2023, His Excellency Mr. Felipe Jacinto Nunez, President of the Republic of Mozambique, highlighted before the Peace-Building Commission meeting our experience of integrating resilience-building international development strategies, particularly in the northern province affected by terrorism. UNLIC’s experience, therefore, vindicates the premises of a new agenda for peace by underscoring the need for conflict prevention strategies that are deeply rooted in local realities while supported by regional and global institutions. In this context, Africa’s diverse conflict dynamics require tailored approaches that recognize the unique challenges and opportunities within each context. Our continental approach, underpinned by the principle of African solutions for African problems, correctly emphasizes the need to act early and decisively on emerging issues. To conclude, Mr. President, Mozambique wishes to express our strong support to the Secretary General and to the Peacebuilding Commission in the implementation of the new agenda for peace, particularly in supporting member states in conflict resolution and conflict prevention. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Mozambique for their statement. And I will give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

Ecuador:
Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. I’d like to thank Sierra Leone for providing us with an opportunity to address a central theme in peacebuilding and prevention as the best way of guaranteeing lasting peace. I’d also like to thank the briefers for their very worthwhile reflections. My delegation appreciates and takes note of the advisory note of the Peacebuilding Commission to the Security Council received at this time. Throughout the last 30 years, the United Nations have had peace agencies with recommendations that address, generally speaking, the need for a consistent and comprehensive approach to activities relating to security development with respect to human rights, the strengthening of the rule of law, as prerequisite conditions in order to fashion peaceful and fair societies. The Secretary General’s new peace agenda underscores investment in prevention as being chronically undervalued. And this is why it’s no coincidence that currently there is a proliferation of conflicts around the world, breaches of the democratic constitutional order on all continents, as well as a re-ignition of conflicts which are a global – geopolitical in nature. The violence around the world can also be explained when we consider the results reflected in the report on the SDGs for 2024, where we see that only 17 percent of the targets for the Agenda 2030 have seen any progress. In other words, of the 169 targets that measure achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 135 are nowhere near being fulfilled. As a result, the premise that peace and development strengthen each other are not really practically applicable here. Peacebuilding requires long-term responses, but it also requires immediate results that restore the people’s confidence. And in that regard, prevention is the best way to maintain peace, taking into account the needs of the people in an inclusive manner. Effective prevention requires a comprehensive approach, political determination, including a social compact within countries, lasting partnerships, sustainable resources. But it especially requires national ownership in order to craft strategies for prevention that are adapted to the national reality. That’s why, Mr. President, there’s no peace without development, nor is there peace without justice. And that’s why accountability through the establishment of strong institutions is crucial for sustainable development. But more, in many cases, regional organizations and sub-regional organizations are the most ideal partners for effective cooperation, which is complementary in this area and in many others. The elimination of root causes of conflicts is crucial in order to build peace. A people that have basic services, education, opportunities, and jobs is less inclined to choose the path of violence or crime, and why not, say, transnational organized crime? Therefore, the fight against poverty, inequality, and exclusion should be a priority and the main challenge for democratic societies. Colleagues, in this context, and especially when we see what’s happening in my region, we see the importance of inclusive elections that are free and transparent for peace-building and peace-sustaining. That is why it’s important to recall what Kofi Annan said in his speech called the New World Disorder in 2014. He stated that we should not give the impression that the street is an alternative. to elections. And that’s why the democratic and peaceful transition of power and transit leader with democracy with all of its faults is still the best alternative and better than reverting to autocracy. Accompaniment of financial, international, and regional institutions is vital in order to eliminate the deep-seated causes of conflict and to put prevention at the very center of the strategy, which is in line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Peacebuilding Commission promotes these partnerships in a consistent manner and carries a proactive message based on the support that can be provided to post-conflict or conflict situation countries. It is based on the needs, and it heavily stresses preventive diplomacy and mediation. And that’s why the contributions of the PBC must be strengthened. Finally, the pact of the future, currently under negotiation and the overhaul of the United Nations peacebuilding and peacekeeping architecture that we will be addressing in 2025, opened the way to the UN’s shouldering its responsibilities and the Security Council shouldering its responsibilities for peace, sustainable development, and human rights. Never were the words of Guccio Scali more important – and already they were quoted this morning – when he presented the first peace agenda in 1992, and he referred to the need for reform to fulfill our responsibilities, and he said, and I quote in English, increase if the United Nations is to keep ahead of the acceleration of history that characterizes this age. We must be guided not by precedence alone, however wise this may be, but by the needs of the future and by the shape and contents that we wish to give it. Muchas gracias. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Ecuador for their statement. And I’ll give the floor. to the representative of Korea.

Korea:
Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I’d like to extend my special thanks to Sierra Leone for hosting today’s meeting on this very important topic. I also would like to thank Assistant Secretary General Speer, Commissioner Adeode, Executive Secretary Samai, and Executive Director Dave Scott for sharing their insight. The Republic of Korea aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by Mexico on behalf of the Human Rights Conflict Prevention Caucus. Now, I’d like to deliver the following statement in my national capacity. Conflict prevention and sustaining peace is a timely subject ahead of the Summit of the Future and then 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. In particular, the 2015 Peacebuilding Architecture Review was a significant milestone. With the concept of sustaining peace, the focus on post-conflict reconstruction has shifted to a comprehensive approach that encompasses conflict prevention. Building on the achievement over the past decade, we must capitalize on this opportunity, and I’d like to make three points in this regard. First, national ownership should be at the core of the conflict prevention and sustaining peace. The Secretary General has rightly shifted the focus of the conflict prevention paradigm towards national ownership. Nationally-led conflict prevention involves not only government priorities, but also the views of all segments of society, including women, youth, and those who are most adversarially affected. Such inclusive, nationally-led prevention strategies stands a greater chance of success alongside the strong support. of the local constituencies as well as the international community. Second, the UN must work more closely with the multi-stakeholders outside of the organization, which have a deep understanding of regional complexities and local dynamics. Cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations is crucial in ensuring effectiveness and continuity in peace building. We welcome closer cooperation between the UN and AU, as well as support to regional efforts, including through the financing of AU-mandated peace support operations authorized by the Security Council. Regional and international financial institutions also play a crucial role in assisting countries in achieving sustaining peace. Studies show that economic growth significantly contributes to lowering the likelihood of conflict. As such, the UN should systemize and expand partnership with the financial institutions to provide more comprehensive support to countries striving to avert conflict or their relapse. This brings me to my third point on the need to enhance coordination among various stakeholders based on the humanitarian development peace nexus, a role in which the UN should take the lead. Overcoming silos and promoting close coordination have been a persistent focus for decades. We have seen some notable successes, such as reinvigorating the UN Resident Coordinator System, the deployment of the Peace and Development Advisors, and UNDP-DPPA joint program on strengthening national capacity in conflict prevention. However, it is widely agreed that more can. should be done. Sierra Leone is one of the prime examples in all those aspects. Based on the successful cases, we should further strengthen the UN’s capability in assisting national conflict prevention and peace-building efforts. This includes strengthening the PBC and enhancing its cooperation with other UN bodies, including the Security Council and with various stakeholders. Mr. President, the Republic of Korea hosted the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation in Seoul last May to contribute to the peace-building architecture review next year. As a member of the PBC and major contributor to the PBF and multiyear appeal, we will continue constructively engage in discussion to make the peace-building architecture stronger and more effective. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of the Republic of Korea for their statement. I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The flashing light on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Brazil:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Brazil commend Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate. I thank the briefers for their insightful remarks. Brazil has traditionally supported the idea that prevention is a key element of a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace. This idea is present in the new Agenda for Peace and we hope will be incorporated in the pact for the future. By addressing conflict prevention, the international community can recommit to the founding principles and purposes of the UN Charter as well as its Chapter VI. Conflicts are not inevitable or self-fulfilling prophecies. They can and should be avoided. We must encourage and promote the shift to the prevention paradigm. Prevention not only saves lives, but at the end it’s much more cost-effective than deploying peace operations and engaging in post-conflict recovery. In order to escape the logic of reaction and mitigation, we should be able to invest in early warning mechanisms, preventive diplomacy, mediation, and other tools we already have at our disposal. countries have their own challenges and resources, it is crucial to find ways to support conflict prevention based on their respective priorities and specificities. The culture of prevention should be fostered locally, nationally, and regionally as we manage to support concrete challenges and give voice to those affected by specific risks. We should strengthen international cooperation and leverage diplomatic tools to address the many different causes of conflict, including extreme poverty and inequality, food insecurity, systematic violations of human rights, weak state institutions, and instability. International financial institutions, regional organizations, and development banks also play a crucial role in conflict prevention and resolution. Collaborative regional efforts are essential for sustainable peace. The United Nations as a whole and the IFIs and regional development banks must help countries that seriously engage in peacebuilding and conflict prevention strategies under the umbrella of the Peacebuilding Commission. At the national level, the involvement of civil society, grassroots organizations, indigenous groups, and local leaders and communities in conflict prevention is paramount to develop tailored strategies that address specific national challenges. Peace cannot be achieved without addressing the concerns of the people directly affected, especially women and youth. This inclusive approach strengthens the fabric of society and fosters a sense of ownership and resilience. A plurality of perspectives provides a broader perception of risks and helps indicate where investments are necessary. Mr. President, the implementation of prevention strategies and approaches must be adequately resourced. Access to adequate financial means is key to their successful implementation. Investing in education, infrastructure, and governance, for example, under a robust conflict prevention strategy has the potential to yield long-term benefits for global peace and security. The recommendations of the new Agenda for Peace, the Summit of the Future, and next year’s Peacebuilding Architecture Review can compose a vision to redefine our approach to conflict prevention. Brazil stands ready to collaborate with all member states to create a more resilient, inclusive, and proactive framework for peace. I would like to take note of the written advice provided by the Peacebuilding Commission to this session, which reflects on this body’s role on prevention as an indispensable part of sustaining peace efforts. And finally, I would like to remind all members that Brazil, as chair of the PBC, will be holding a PBC ministerial meeting on the 26th of September on the subject of the Peacebuilding Architecture Review. Thank you very much.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Brazil for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh:
Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of states belonging to the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, YC, in my capacity as the acting chair of the group. Mr. President, permit me to express our appreciation to the Republic of Sierra Leone for convening this open debate on this very important topic. I also commend the briefers for their very useful and robust perspectives on the issue under discussion. The theme of this open debate properly aligns with the YC principles of promoting unity and solidarity among its member states. The priority objective is born out of the understanding that peace, security, and development can be more enduring and sustainable when built on a solid foundation of socio-cultural and economic relations existing among the people of YC member states. It also underscores YC’s overarching vision of upholding the lofty Islamic values of peace, compassion, tolerance, justice, and human dignity for the promotion of sustainable development, progress, and prosperity within its member states and on the global plane. Based on these time-honored principles, the member states of the YC have continued to identify with the objectives and principles of the United Nations on all issues bearing on the maintenance of world peace, security, and sustainable development, especially the sacrosanct principle of the pacific settlement of disputes. This partnership has become more pronounced on the various political, economic, and socio-cultural issues on the agenda of the United Nations. and indeed the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. President, while we acknowledge the bold initiatives of the United Nations in the area of peace-building and development-oriented conflict prevention, we have continued to draw attention to such major conflicts in our region that have posed a serious threat to world peace, stability, and sustainable development. For most of this crisis is the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and the ongoing war in Gaza, which has continued to defy a decisive global action, despite the heavy toll of human and material losses inflicted on the innocent civilian population of the occupied Palestine. The YC considers the failure of this highest world body to bring about an immediate halt to the long humanitarian disaster in Palestine as a serious and unfortunate setback to its preeminent role of promoting world peace and security. Accordingly, in line with the United Nations model, the YC’s strategies for conflict prevention management resolution have been holistic and comprehensive. This is manifest in the various policy frameworks and institutional arrangements put in place for promoting sustainable peace and socioeconomic development among the peoples of the YC region. In addressing the nexus between conflict and development, the various YC specialized institutions are providing development support for national institutions in the YC member states. These institutions operate in such fields as science and technology and innovation, food security, and education and research, arts, sports, and culture, and trade and development. This includes other dedicated institutions with respective focuses on multilateral development, banking and finance, women empowerment, and youth development. Mr. President, in furtherance of their commitments to the sustainable development goals and within the framework of the proposed pact for the future, the YC member states have put in place policy instruments aimed at facilitating intra-YC action. and international collaboration with the United Nations on peace-building issues, such as counterterrorism measures, disarmament, and nuclear nonproliferation, anti-corruption, prevention of transnational crimes, drug trafficking, and illicit financial flows, among others. Furthermore, it is heartwarming that YC member states that both contributors and beneficiaries towards the peace operations and peace-building initiatives with the United Nations, which have contributed immensely in supporting the conflict resolution, post-conflict rehabilitation, and humanitarian response actions in conflict-affected countries. This is in addition to the collaborative role of the Islamic Development Bank Group in support of fragility and post-conflict rehabilitation in some YC member states. It is also noteworthy that the YC Triangular Cooperation Program has provided needed capacity-building support and resource endowments for least-developed countries and fragile states within the YC under the respective dedicated poverty elevation funds, namely the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, the Islamic Solidarity Fund, and YC Trust Fund for Afghanistan. In addition to the foregoing, the YC regional programs in Africa and Central Asia have been designed to accord priority to targeted intervention on the relevant programs within the Sustainable Development Goals, including areas as microfinance, vocational training, and food security, with emphasis of water resilience in countries with highest incidences of water stress. In the domain of promoting inter-religious tolerance, the YC underscores the importance of the implementation of United Nations Genocide Resolution, which designates 15th March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, including measures to combat Islamophobia. On its part, the YC has continued to adopt resolutions condemning all acts of violence on the basis of religion or belief with the objective of promoting interfaith harmony, preserve diversity, tolerance, and mutual respect. between the Islamic world and global communities. These measures are aimed at stemming the tide of provocative acts, which has led, in the recent past, to clashes among adherents of different religion beliefs. Finally, we are convinced that the foregoing measures would contribute to the positive outcome of this debate through the various best practices for conflict prevention, management, and resolution. I thank you for your kind attention, and Mr. President, now I’d like to deliver a short statement in my national capacity. Mr. President, the fundamental premise of the new agenda for peace is prevention. We believe prevention efforts must aim to address and eliminate all factors that lead to deprivation, discrimination, and exclusion, and they must involve all members of the society. While prevention is essentially a nationally-led process, effective implementation of the preventive measures requires support and cooperation of all partners. Allow me to share a few points. First, conflict prevention measures are often ingrained in existing national policies in various forms, including national development policies. What is important is to develop capacity at the national and local levels to implement those measures in a coordinated and integrated manner so that the underlying drivers of conflict and violence can be eliminated and peace and development can be sustained. Second, the national efforts to prevent conflict must be backed by international institutions. In this regard, the role of UN entities, especially those supporting the member states on the ground, including the Peacebuilding Commission, are critical. Through its experience and expertise in supporting national peacebuilding efforts, the PBC can continue to guide the UN and the member states themselves in their national efforts to prevent conflict. Third, the role of regional organizations in dispute resolution and conflict prevention is critical. We have seen successful regional efforts to build. to build, keep, and sustain peace in regions including Africa, including in Africa. We are also encouraged by the commitment of ASEAN in supporting efforts to end conflicts in Myanmar by facilitating constructive dialogue among all parties. As a neighboring country bordering Myanmar, Bangladesh has long been affected by the consequences of their internal conflicts and their policies of persecution of minorities such as Rohingya, leading to their recurrent forced displacement into Bangladesh. We believe stronger and more accountable regional initiatives could complement the efforts of the international community, including of the Security Council, in building peace in Myanmar. Fourth, enhanced investment in youth, peace, and security agenda is critical in our efforts to chart a safe and prosperous future for all. Young people have the power to challenge the systemic problems of the society and bring revolutionary changes in the system. Our productive energy can be utilized to eliminate poverty and exclusion and build peaceful societies. Mr. President, in Bangladesh, we have seen in the recent time a revolution led by the young people, many of whom made supreme sacrifices to establish their right to be heard and to be included in the affairs of the state. Our new interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus, is youth inclusive and aims to build a country that is free from discrimination, which is the most effective investment in prevention. As our head of government, Dr. Yunus said, the task is huge, but doable, with the support of the people and the international community. I thank you, Mr. President, and all.

President – Sierra Leone:
And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Egypt:
Thank you very much, Mr. President. We thank Sierra Leone for convening today’s timely open debate, and we thank all the distinguished briefers for their invaluable inputs. to pay tribute to the late Secretary-General of the UN, Boutrous Ghali, who was the first to officially introduce his landmark report, an Agenda for Peace. He considered peacebuilding an essential complementary phase of response to conflicts, which aims at strengthening and solidifying peace in order to avoid a relapse into conflict. This paradigm shift was further echoed by the current SG, Antonio Guterres, by issuing the new Agenda for Peace that recognizes the need for a peace continuum based on a better understanding of the underlying drivers of conflict and prioritization of investing in prevention and peacebuilding. Accordingly, allow me to share the following points. First, Egypt praises the SG’s focus within the new Agenda for Peace on the need for peace continuum that prioritizes investment in prevention. For this to happen, we underscore the imperative of a paradigm shift from crisis management to a comprehensive, coherent, and adequately resourced approach across the peace and development continuum. Secondly, the Agenda includes several positive elements that are aligned with Egypt’s position, particularly when it comes to partnership with regional and sub-regional actors, and stresses the importance of securing predictable resource to regional peace support operations, which was reflected in the adoption of the landmark Security Council decision 2719 for financing of AU-led peace PCOs, that we look forward to agreeing on the modalities of its implementation in the near future. Thirdly, in the same vein, we affirm the importance of enhancing the partnership between the UN and the AU, including through the AUPSC, in addition to the AU post-conflict center in Cairo after its full operationalization, and Egypt is ready to play its bridging role in this regard under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah. Fatah al-Sisi, President of Egypt, and the Leader of Post-Conflict Reconstruction at the AU. Four, it is commendable that the new Agenda for Peace recognizes the need for investing in prevention and expanding the PBC role, especially its convening, bridging, and advisory roles, as well as the provision of adequate, predictable, and sustained financing for peace building, which should strive to achieve progress on all financing streams. We reaffirm the centrality of peace building efforts to the work of the UN throughout the peace continuum, while ensuring the national ownership in our prevention efforts. Five, in this regard, Egypt would like to share its concern over the too little progress on sustained financing for prevention and peace building. It is important that we seriously consider supporting peace building options in light of the current international challenges in which financial allocations for programmatic activities of peace building are very low. We therefore call upon all Member States to engage constructively in the consideration of options related to assessed contributions, including the Peace Building Fund, in which we have made a great achievement through our GA resolution last year to support the PBF with $50 million from the assessed contributions. We are glad that we are about to conclude the relevant update of the terms of reference of the PBF to ensure the smooth implementation of that landmark decision. Six, it is important to strengthen the interdependence between peacekeeping and peace building activities in a way that contributes to addressing the root causes of armed conflicts and strengthen the peace, security, and development systems. Seven, it is important to enhance youth and women’s role in peace building and post-conflict. The empowerment of women and the inclusion of youth in various fields must be translated into executive power. policies to overcome the economic, social, and security challenges. Last but not least, we cannot ignore in this context that respecting the rule of law, in addition to exercising the right to self-determination of people under foreign occupation, are indispensable to preserving and promoting peace and security in all aspects, and they will contribute towards ensuring the validity of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN and the principles and norms of international law. I do thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
Thank the representative of Egypt for their statement. And now I’ll give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Indonesia:
Thank you, Mr. President. I thank Sierra Leone for convening this meeting, and I also thank all the briefers for their insights. This open debate is timely as we prepare for next year’s Peacebuilding Architecture Review. The brutal reality of conflict is claiming more lives than ever, with a 70 percent surge in civilian deaths in 2023, the highest number of conflict-related deaths in three decades. At a time when peace is becoming more elusive, we need to ask ourselves, have we really given peace a chance? Have we done enough to invest in peace? And is the current multilateral system still fit for purpose? These questions should guide us in our quest to improve the peacebuilding architecture, an architecture that not only prevents the relapse of conflicts, but also lays the foundation for sustainable peace and development, an architecture based on partnership and solidarity, human dignity, prevention, and reconciliation. In this context, allow me to highlight three points. First, peacebuilding must be homegrown. National ownership is the bedrock of any successful peacebuilding strategy. It also allows relevant national stakeholders to take a holistic approach in addressing the root causes of conflict. This includes strategies from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction. The UN could also play a key role in this. crucial role in supporting countries by promoting partnership and providing resources and expertise. Second, strengthening regional collaboration to sustain peace. The hard-won lessons learned in one region can serve as a guide for others. We therefore welcome regional dialogue in preparation of the Peacebuilding Architecture Review so that we can tap into the potential of regional organizations in shaping peace, including as the first responders to provide support to peace and as an instrument to prevent the relapse of conflicts. In our region, ASEAN has a wealth of experience to share. Third, unlocking the potential of collaborative partnerships amongst relevant stakeholders. Global peacebuilding efforts require concerted efforts across all UN agencies. Backed by robust partnership and international financial institutions for the necessary funding and support, Peacebuilding Commission must be effectively geared to promote coherence of actions. This will ensure that all peacebuilding efforts contribute to the country’s long-term development and break the cycle of conflict. Mr. President, a strong peacebuilding architecture will contribute to strengthening multilateral system as a whole, particularly in bringing peace and development to all countries as outlined in the new Agenda for Peace. Rest assured of Indonesia’s commitment towards this goal. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
And now I give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Turkey:
Thank you, Mr. President. We thank Sierra Leone for organizing this timely debate. Peacebuilding has evolved into a crucial pillar for both conflict prevention and post-conflict recovery. We welcome the efforts of the UN Secretary General to further integrate peacebuilding into the UN system through the humanitarian development peace nexus. Our Common Agenda Report has been instrumental in establishing peacebuilding as central to the UN’s future role in ensuring global peace and stability. It’s evident that national ownership and robust partnerships extending beyond the United Nations are critical to achieving success and sustainability. No single organization can effectively address the ongoing challenges alone. Therefore, a strengthened partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations, as envisaged in Chapter 8 of the UN Charter, is indispensable. A significant portion of the Council’s Agenda is dedicated to addressing the peace and security challenges in Africa. We’re pleased to observe that deepening the partnership between the African Union and the UN. In case of Libya, our primary objective remains achieving a sustainable political solution while preserving the stability, territorial integrity, and security of the region. and the unity of the country. To this end, we encourage Libyan stakeholders to engage in a solid and constructive dialogue between the East and West. It is vital that the international community acts in unity and supports this effort. Mr. President, the ongoing situation in Gaza remains a grave concern. This unspeakable humanitarian crisis continues to escalate with devastating impacts on civilians, particularly women and children. The cycle of violence underscores the urgent need for immediate ceasefire and political solution based on the two-state vision. We call on international community to intensify efforts to achieve a sustainable and just peace in the region. Mr. President, terrorist groups and entities thrive in conflict zones. They’re among the principal factors that exacerbate conflicts, utilizing these areas to recruit and train members, acquire weapons, and finance their activities. Effective control over the transfer of small and light weapons and minimizing the risk of diversion of terrorist groups are critical for conflict prevention. States that first respond to this bear the primary responsibility in this regard. The recent erosion of international arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation of frameworks coupled with ongoing conflicts in various regions creates an environment conductive to attempts by terrorist organizations to acquire conventional and more sophisticated weaponry. Mr. President, when addressing the topic of preventing conflicts and sustaining peace, we must not overlook the root causes of conflicts, which often lie in poverty, inequality, discrimination, and severe violation of human rights. Alarming trends of racism and hate speech, particularly based on race and religion, are on the rise in certain regions. Given that many conflicts are taking place in Turkey’s wider neighborhood, peaceful conflict resolution and mediation are priorities of Turkish foreign policy. As the co-chair of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Turkey continues to actively engage in mediation efforts to prevent conflicts and sustain peace. Furthermore, Turkey is a member of the Group of Friends of Sustaining Peace, underlying our belief that inclusion of all relevant stakeholders is key to prevention. We also support efforts to provide the peace-building architecture with adequate financial resources. The peace-building fund has achieved significant results and continues to play an important catalytic role. Mr. President, today we need is multilateralism. That is open and constructive interaction, new ideas and diverse perspectives that can produce tangible solutions. It is in this context that we welcome the Secretary General’s call for working on new agenda for peace. We believe that his recommendations, including rebuilding trust among nations, deploying tools for the pacific settlement of disputes, and boosting preventive diplomacy through innovative use of multilateral instruments, merit special attention. We also look forward to summits of the future as an opportunity to mend eroded trust and renew our commitment to multilateralism. In conclusion, Mr. President, we once again call on the international community to demonstrate solidarity and political will so that we can work effectively to sustain peace and create a world where future generations are spared from the scourge of war. As a longstanding contributor to the peace building, Turkey stands ready to continue to do its part. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Turkey for their statement. And now I’ll give the floor to the representative of Austria.

Austria:
Thank you, Mr. President. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let me extend my gratitude to Sierra Leone for convening this important high-level open debate. Austria aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the EU, and we thank the briefers for their remarks. The Secretary General, in his new agenda for peace, has been very clear. We must invest more in prevention. As the Secretary General rightly noted, prevention saves lives and safeguards development gains. Austria fully supports this. Investing in prevention and peace building is a shared responsibility and a duty we must all embrace. As a way to contribute to prevention and peace building, the Austrian foreign ministry has set up a mediation facility four years ago and has undertaken various international mediation projects under this umbrella. The cornerstones of our approach to prevention is fourfold – inclusivity, tailored solutions, synergy, and partnerships. Firstly, Austria advocates for a more inclusive approach to conflict prevention and peace building based on the full and effective promotion and protection of human rights. Conflict prevention is about constructing just and inclusive societies, the bedrock for sustainable peace. This means forging peace through open societies where the full, effective, and meaningful engagement of women and youth is not just encouraged, but ensured. This is enshrined in the landmark WPS Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, the YPS Security Council Resolution 2250, and their respective subsequent resolutions. Austria increased its multi-year funding to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund from 5 million to 9.7 million euros through to 2025. We also commend the active engagement of peace and development advisors. Similarly, Austria believes that true effectiveness in conflict prevention and peace building must be rooted in national, local, and community-led interventions. The active involvement of civil society supported through mechanisms like the Peace Building Fund is essential. Secondly, prevention concerns all of us. Just like human rights are universal, all countries need to do their share to build peaceful societies. It is therefore crucial that the Pact for the Future emphasizes and strengthens the role of the Peace Building Commission, highlighting the universality of prevention and the importance of national prevention strategies. Thirdly, in tackling today’s complex conflicts, we must accept that no single solution fits all scenarios. Peace building must adopt a holistic approach, recognizing its connections to issues such as climate change, the lack of the rule of law, poverty, and socio-economic factors. As such, effective conflict prevention and peace building has to address the humanitarian, development and peace nexus and the climate and security nexus. That is why Austria recently joined the UN Climate and Security Mechanism. We believe that the Security Council must do better at integrating climate security, socio-economic factors, and human rights into its work stream and resolutions. Hence, system-wide coherence is crucial. The Security Council must strengthen its links with other intergovernmental bodies of the UN, particularly the Peace Building Commission and the ECOSOC. Furthermore, we should deepen our collaboration with other UN entities such as UNDP, UNEP, and the Human Rights Council on issues related to peace and security. We hope to see these points being addressed in the upcoming 2025 Peace Building Architecture Review. Conflict prevention and peacebuilding require strong partnerships. The UN must foster even stronger cooperation with regional organizations to better build regional and comprehensive prevention strategies. In this regard, we hope that the UN, member states, and regional organizations will intensify their partnerships in the future. The Pact for the Future should serve as the key platform to outline concrete and innovative strategies to enhance cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, including through an annual meeting with regional organizations convened by the Secretary General. To conclude, let me emphasize that Austria will continue to be a strong supporter in ramping up our efforts in preventing conflicts, fostering effective disarmament and arms regulation, and building peaceful, inclusive societies. As a candidate for the UN Security Council for the period 2027-28, we will gear up our efforts in working alongside partners in achieving peace and prosperity for all. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Austria for their statement. There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend the meeting until 3 p.m. This meeting is suspended. The 9,710th meeting of the Security Council is resumed. I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The flashing light on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Greece:
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me to congratulate you for selecting the important topic of peacebuilding and sustaining peace for your presence in this high-level open debate session, a landmark event to the work of the Security Council of this month. I also thank our distinguished briefers for their substantive contributions to today’s discussion. Peacebuilding standards the crossroads of efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, to invest in building national institutions and bridges, divides between communities. All these critical objectives are part of the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace initiative, which Greece has supported since its outset and considered it a significant step towards further enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations in view also of the forthcoming summit of the future next September. I wish to highlight today the contribution of peacebuilding tools in the increased sustainability of national institutions, one of the pillars of conflict prevention. Peacebuilding provides a roadmark in tools to not only build effective institutions, but also in strengthening them in order to be able to sustain themselves. This is especially important in a time and a world of multifaceted security challenges that unfortunately lead to the loss of legitimacy and accountability. Strong institutions are capable in guaranteeing social adjusting, protecting human rights and safeguarding state cohesion, parameters that best ensure achieving sustainable and longstanding peace and prevent the occurrence of the failed state phenomenon. Another dimension that ought to be taken into consideration is the fact that conflict prevention, being essentially a cooperative approach, ensures that our actions are not only coordinated, but also more effective and sustainable. It is within synergies, whether on a global, regional, sub-regional or bilateral level, that we find the strength to address the multifaceted nature of modern conflicts, regardless of whether they arise from political, economic or environmental pressures. In this regard, I would like to refer to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, The Africa We Want, which shares a very useful blueprint to this endeavor. Mr. President, Greece acknowledges the importance for the international community of achieving a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention, aiming in enhancing the humanitarian development peace nexus, investing in the individual by advancing their skills and informing their experiences, provide the essential foundations upon which a sustainable peace architecture should be designed. To this end, we welcome the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission in advancing these priorities and commend its new initiative and forward-looking agenda, as described in its latest report on its 17th session. As an up-and-coming elected member of our Security Council, I would like to assure you that my country will strive to contribute to this issue, to add its own voice throughout its tenure, and contribute to our common objectives and endeavors for greater conflict prevention results globally. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Greece for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Philippines.

Philippines:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, the Philippines welcomes this timely debate on peacebuilding and conflict prevention as part of the new Agenda for Peace. We also look forward to the Summit of the Future in September and the 2025 review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture as important steps in strengthening and updating the UN Toolbox for Prevention of Conflict and its recurrence with women, peace, and security, and youth peace and security perspectives as highlighted by the Secretary General in the new Agenda for Peace. As a nation championing peacebuilding and sustaining peace, our success in Bagsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in the Southern Philippines is the centerpiece of our experience in building peace and forging new paths of cooperation through political solutions and inclusive peacebuilding. For decades, conflict in the Southern Philippines stemmed from historical injustices against the Moro people. Through years of negotiations, we achieved a comprehensive peace agreement in 2014 that addressed the root causes by establishing a new autonomous region with meaningful self-governance. The passage of the Bagsamoro Organic Law in 2018 and the establishment of the BARMM in 2019 were pivotal milestones. The political track was complemented by a normalization process to decommission combatants and transform conflict-affected areas. In the first year, the BARMM accomplished several major feats, including forming a transitional government, drafting a regional budget, and overseeing the decommissioning of thousands of fighters. These early successes demonstrate the dividends of peace. The normalization track involves comprehensive socioeconomic development programs for former combatants and their communities. This includes social protection, capacity building, livelihood support, and infrastructure development. By addressing the needs of affected populations, we aim to sustain peace and prevent conflict relapse. Women contributed greatly to the success of the BARMM. They were negotiators, researchers, educators, and community organizers. We forged the BARMM across more than half a century of fighting between warring factions and clansmen. Peace is indeed possible, and patience pays. They are the best way forward with the least hurt and loss. Compassionate strategy lays the strongest foundation for lasting peace after bitter conflict. There is no fresh reason to look back in anger. Our experience highlights key elements for successful conflict prevention and peacebuilding. First, inclusive political processes that address root causes of conflict. Second, complementary security and development tracks. Third, socioeconomic programs to support transition of former combatants. Fourth, building trust between parties through consistent engagement. And fifth, international support for capacity building and development. The gains in Mindanao are encouraging, but not irreversible. Challenges remain, including coalition building in the new government and the presence of smaller militant groups. Sustained commitment from all stakeholders is crucial. As we implement the peace agreement, we are already seeing improved security, increased investments, and new opportunities in the Bangsamoro region. Peace has brought prosperity within reach for millions of Filipinos. The Philippine experience offers lessons for addressing protracted conflicts. One, patient, persistent dialogue can overcome decades of mistrust. Two, political solutions must be paired with concrete socioeconomic benefits. Three, normalization of former combatants is a long-term, multifaceted process. Four, building inclusive governance takes time and sustained effort. We encourage the Security Council to prioritize comprehensive, context-specific approaches to conflict prevention. This includes supporting inclusive political processes involving in socioeconomic development and sustaining long-term peace-building efforts. The Security Council must advance the enabling participation of all actors in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts through collaboration between the peacekeeping and political missions, while bringing the mandates of other UN agencies and beyond. These efforts must translate into early warnings of potential conflicts, concrete preventive actions, and transition plans for peace. peace operations ahead of their withdrawals. The new agenda for peace should emphasize holistic strategies that addresses root causes while delivering tangible peace dividends. It should also recognize the critical role of regional organizations and neighboring countries in facilitating dialogue and supporting implementation. As partner, pathfinder, and peacemaker, the Philippines is ready to bring our experiences and insights to the Security Council as a non-permanent member candidate for the period 2027 to 2028 to demonstrate a focused and effective approach to peace and security challenges as we collectively work towards a more peaceful and prosperous world. This is our commitment to inclusive, intergenerational, and lasting peace. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of the Philippines for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

Guatemala:
Mr. President, we thank Sierra Leone for convening this important open debate. And we thank the Assistant Secretary-General Espejar and the briefers for their invaluable contributions and tireless efforts in this field. The Republic of Guatemala firmly believes that peacebuilding must be grounded in a participative and inclusive democracy. Achieving that goal involves effectively tackling challenges to democracy and development. And a cornerstone of these efforts is involving all stakeholders, promoting local ownership, collectively pinpointing problems, and building sustainable solutions to them on the basis of consensus and the unfettered respect for human rights. Moreover, we recognize the pivotal role played by women in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and conflict resolution. We also recognize the differentiated impact that armed conflicts have on women and girls. An inclusive peace and democratic governance are fundamental pillars of sustainable development and comprehensive global peace. As such, the empowerment of all actors, including women, indigenous peoples, and young people is vital if we are to incorporate unique and invaluable perspectives into negotiations, because doing so will allow us to have a proper understanding of the roots of conflicts and get an idea of the real needs of communities affected. We agree with everything that was said in the concept note regarding the need to prioritize the implementation of preventive measures in order to address the root causes of conflicts, instead of rather mitigating the effects of consequences and the most patent. among them. Preventing conflicts not only makes it possible to avoid human tragedy and the devastating impact of conflicts, also it’s more financially prudent if we consider the political, socioeconomic, and financial costs required. This council must incorporate a prevention and peace-building approach into its decisions and mandates, including into peace operations. The Republic of Guatemala will remain, and remains indeed, committed to creating a safer and more just world for all. Our participation in peacekeeping operations of this organization has proven that peace-building is more viable if we see multilateral initiatives which allow us to find a peaceful solution to conflict based on dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy. It is vital that we work to strengthen multilateralism with the goal of ensuring that the United Nations is able to address new challenges that are threatening international peace and security. Consequently, we reiterate our support for the new agenda for peace. This agenda tackles key issues which must be tackled in the summit of the future as a necessary step towards the promotion of international peace and security. Moreover, the Security Council must benefit from greater interaction with members of the UN and with other organs of the organization, including the Human Rights Council. We continue to staunchly support the PBC and its integrated approach and the role that those can play. Guatemala will continue to promote preventive diplomacy, as well as early warning systems, the responsibility to protect general, complete, verifiable, irreversible, transparent disarmament within clearly established time frames, as well as mediation. All of these are means to prevent conflicts. Thank you. Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Guatemala for their statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Germany:
Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to start by congratulating Sierra Leone on a strong and remarkable Security Council presidency and also for organizing this timely open debate today. Mr. President, Germany shares the Secretary General’s assessment in the new agenda for peace. We urgently need to enhance the existing UN toolbox if we want to be successful in tackling the challenges that we all collectively face. And peace building is one such critically important tool. To strengthen it, it is our conviction we must pay particular attention to the following three aspects. First, we need to ensure an integrated approach to conflict resolution and prevention. This, in turn, needs to be supported by adequate funding. The UN’s peace-building architecture, including the PBC and the PBF, plays a critical role as it provides both political support and flexible, targeted funding to address the root causes of conflict. Germany is proud to be the largest long-term donor to the peace-building fund, and we are equally proud to have spearheaded initiatives on innovative financing for peace. I would also like to note that the building and the sustaining of peace requires strong local and national ownership, backed by the international community. We therefore welcome the PBC’s written advice on today’s debate, and we would like to see the link between the PBC and the Security Council further strengthened. Second, we need to step up our efforts to address the climate crisis, which is a key risk to global peace and stability. We strongly support the climate security mechanism. It is our conviction that this mechanism is critical in mainstreaming climate peace and security within the UN system. And third and finally, conflict prevention and sustaining peace are only possible with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups. Peace processes and national prevention plans have to be designed in a gender-responsive manner to ensure that the specific needs of women and girls are properly met, so that they can develop their full potential as powerful agents of change. And this is why Germany supports initiatives such as the African Women’s Leaders Network. Mr. President, allow me to conclude with a short comment on the summit of the future. As co-facilitator together with Namibia, we are very much encouraged by the substantive input on peace building prevention that member states have provided consistently throughout the negotiations. We firmly believe that the pact has the potential to deliver effective action on governance reforms in the area of international peace and security, provided that we all pull together. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Germany for your statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein:
Thank you, Mr. President. Today’s debate takes place at a time with the most conflicts worldwide since 1945. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Israel’s large-scale bombardment of Gaza, and a range of further situations, including Sudan, Syria, and Myanmar, have caused widespread civilian harm and violated international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. Peace building and sustaining peace must undoubtedly be at the center of this very organization and our common efforts. Mr. President, the right of peoples to self-determination is a cornerstone of the UN Charter and a basis for the full enjoyment of all human rights. At the same time, its full respect is an important but regrettably often neglected component for the prevention of conflict. Liechtenstein has long noted the significant proportion of conflicts that are triggered when communities, including minority groups, call for states to be more responsive to the demands for a greater the degree of internal self-determination. Consequently, a better understanding of the relationship between self-determination and conflict can assist in building sustainable peace. Liechtenstein’s Handbook on Self-Determination and Conflict Prevention and Resolution has brought new insights, and we stand ready to further engage with member states and all other interested parties on its application. The UN Charter is also clear on the use of force between states, and it deplored the varying global trend of its illegal use by some states instead of embracing the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes. The illegal use of force must be prevented, and accountability for violations thereof must be ensured, in particular, through the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. In this regard, Liechtenstein welcomes today’s ratification by Ukraine of the Rome Statute and its crime of aggression amendments. Mr. President, conflict prevention and resolution can only be successful and sustainable when they are fully inclusive. There is clear evidence that inclusion of women in peace talks increases the probability of lasting peace agreements, and women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation across all peacekeeping operations improves mandate delivery. The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, therefore, must feature across all agendas and country situations, and the empowerment of women as agents of change must be a priority. Mr. President, the inclusion of gender and youth perspectives is also an integral part of the Peacebuilding Commission that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. The new Agenda for Peace calls for elevating the work of the PBC, which plays an essential bridging function in the increasingly frequent situations where peacekeeping operations are discontinued or scaled down. Liechtenstein has strongly supported this path and has suggested that the Security Council agrees to receive and consider written advice from the PBC where appropriate on a regular basis. The Pact for the Future presents an opportune moment to further the design of the future of peace operations based on new needs and models. The PBC and Peacebuilding Fund have also addressed crucial issues of transitional justice, and we encourage further engagement by the PBC on transitional justice as a standalone topic. Accountability and transitional justice are key components for conflict prevention and sustainable peace. In this context, Liechtenstein reiterates the crucial nexus between peace and security and justice, and especially the relationship between the Council and the International Criminal Court, including the former’s responsibility of relevant referrals to the ICC in line with our common efforts for just peace. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Liechtenstein for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Latvia:
Mr. President, Latvia welcomes. this open debate on peacebuilding and I highly value Sierra Leone’s leadership by facilitating inclusive discussion on this important topic. We also thank the briefers for their valuable insight. As stated in the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace, instability, violence, and the potential for conflict are not restricted to only a few states. Indeed, peace can never be taken for granted in any country or region. In order to turn the rising tide of conflict and instability across the globe, the international community must work together towards a more comprehensive approach to peacebuilding. It should be grounded in the fundamental principles of rule of law and accountability, which are the cornerstone of peace and development. In our view, the new agenda for peace offers important elements which could form such an approach. The ongoing negotiations on the Pact for the Future provide unique opportunity for the UN member states to reflect on these elements and chart the path towards their implementation. So let us offer a few reflections in this regard. First, Latvia joins Sierra Leone and other states in support of promoting nationally-led prevention strategies. They can be a valuable instrument for states to mobilize national institutions towards implementation of peacebuilding and prevention goals. We expect that the Pact for the Future, and in particular, the upcoming Peacebuilding Architecture Review, will provide further guidance for the Peacebuilding Commission to assist states in developing such strategies. Second, successful prevention efforts require inclusive approach, ensuring full participation of women. While often bearing the brunt of the conflict, women and girls are frequently sidelined in the peacebuilding and prevention processes. To counter this, Latvia has been actively contributing to shaping global policies regarding gender equality, including in the Executive Board of UN Women and the Bureau of Commission of the Status of Women, as well as by advocating for Women, Peace and Security Agenda. We are also implementing practical projects in Africa and Central Asia and elsewhere aimed at facilitating women’s participation in business. and governance. Third, it is important to address the disruptive impact of illicit small arms and light weapons on sustainable development. And we commend the Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030 initiative. It serves as an example of regional leadership aimed at addressing both security and development aspects in conflict prevention. And it is important to continue seeking ways for the UN system to better support such regional efforts. In this regard, we welcome the results of the recent Review Conference of Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, where we served as Vice-Chair. The outcome document highlights the need to address illicit small arms issues through the development lens, preparing ground for further work on this matter during the next review cycle. Mr. President, Latvia will continue to advocate peacebuilding and prevention agenda both in words and in deeds, including through continuous voluntary financial support to the UN Peacebuilding Fund and participating in U.S. peacekeeping missions, namely UNIFIL and UNTSO. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Latvia for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Mexico:
Thank you, Mr. President. I am delivering these remarks on behalf of the Human Rights Conflict Prevention Caucus New York, co-chaired by Germany and Switzerland and its members – Albania, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Gabon, Guatemala, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. One month ahead of the Summit of the Future, the world is suffering from multiple humanitarian crises and armed conflicts, as well as by disregard for the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions. We thank you. Sierra Leone for providing this opportunity to discuss possible solutions under the theme of conflict prevention and extend our gratitude to the briefers for their contributions. As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, the caucus strongly supports the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace. It contains a powerful prescription and remedy reminding us that peacebuilding and sustaining peace can only be achieved with an inclusive approach that integrates sustainable development, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance practices. The caucus would like to mention three areas that require concrete action. First, governance. Peace and security are built on the pillars of equality, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance with strong institutions. Weak governance structures undermine efforts to create or maintain peace and security. As evidence has shown, when individuals are denied their rights and freedoms, the likelihood of unrest and violence increases. The caucus therefore prioritizes the protection of human rights, strongly condemns any violations, and underscores the importance of accountability for such violations. Second, treatment without prevention is unsustainable. Conflict prevention requires targeted conflict management and peacebuilding efforts, but these must be done hand-in-hand with broader efforts to address drivers of conflict. Sustainable development is a vital part of building resilience to violence, helping to mitigate the risk that economic and social inequalities, including gender inequality, poverty and hunger, unemployment, and lack of access to essential services might contribute to social instability and conflict. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is therefore paramount to leading towards peace and stability. Third, the caucus stresses the importance of the participation of women and marginalized groups in early warning, prevention, and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace building, and peacekeeping. The promotion of women’s full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation in inclusive peace processes in national, regional, and global frameworks is indispensable for lasting and sustainable peace and security. Mr. President, in the new Agenda for Peace, the Secretary-General calls upon all Member States to prioritize conflict prevention and sustain the commitment to peace and security. We fully support this call and encourage all Member States to take collective action to this end and build on the recommendations contained in the policy brief. We must strengthen our collaboration to create and develop a framework that not only addresses immediate peace and security concerns, but also lays the foundation to long-term stability and sustainable development. In particular, we urge all Member States to invest in national prevention approaches which are inclusive, locally rooted, conflict-sensitive, and place human rights at their core. An inclusive dialogue is needed that encompasses all stakeholders, including women, on national, regional, and global levels. We must strengthen the Peace-Building Commission, which plays a crucial role in addressing the roots of conflict, as well as the lessons learned. linkages between promoting peace and development. The caucus supports greater consideration of human rights in the work of the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, including through appropriate briefings, which is essential for both early action and rapid response mechanisms. Let me end by calling upon all United Nations Member States to make the most of the upcoming Summit of the Future, and use this opportunity to place conflict prevention and human rights at the forefront of peace efforts. Let us join ranks to strengthen resilience and comprehensively address root causes of conflict, violence, and insecurity, including by accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. President, I will now change to Spanish, if I may, to speak on behalf of my country, Mexico. Mexico has promoted public security strategies tied to development, addressing the issue we’re discussing in a comprehensive approach, adopting a human security focus. We have inter-institutional coordination in order to promote a culture of peace and to rebuild our social fabric. We are looking to usher in effective governance for communities in vulnerable situations and conflict-affected communities. We have a joined-up governance approach there. Mr. President, we are convinced that disarmament is the key to achieving sustainable peace. Our region, Latin America and the Caribbean, has been a pioneer in eradicating nuclear weapons since the entry into force of the Treaty of Tlatelolco in 1969. Moreover, we support the proposal to prioritize preventive diplomacy, including mediation. In 2023, Mexico, together with another 10 countries in the region, established the Ibero-American Women Mediators Network in order to promote the participation of women mediators in peace processes. also support the UN Peacebuilding Commission being given a key role in the new Agenda for Peace. We underscore the importance of strengthening the preventive role played by the PBC in the upcoming Peacebuilding Architecture Review. My country will continue to promote an approach whereby the primary organs of the United Nations work in an interconnected fashion so that we can optimize their presence in the world, not only when it comes to preventing armed conflict, but also in order to tackle and prevent natural disasters, epidemics, and pandemics. Thank you very much.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Mexico for their statement. I once again wish to remind all speakers to kindly limit their statements to not more than three minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The flashing lights on the microphone will prompt speakers to bring their remarks to a close after three minutes. I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

South Africa:
Mr. President, we would like to thank Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace with specific focus on conflict prevention. As a country that has experienced transition, South Africa believes that conflict can be avoided and peace can be sustained through nationally determined and context-specific peacebuilding and policies aimed at continued sustenance of peace. The Peacebuilding Commission remains a good, convening, and advisory platform to support countries emerging from conflict in their often difficult journeys to sustained peace. The success of the Peacebuilding Commission remains its flexibility. to ensure that countries drive their own peace-building priorities. As we are aware, peace-building must be adaptive and context-specific for it to hold lasting results. It is for this reason that we would caution against attempts to impose inorganic peace-building models on countries. South Africa firmly supports the broader prevention agenda, which finds some traction in the Peace-Building Commission. However, we believe that conflict prevention is broader than the support provided by the PBC, as this means something different for each unique country context. Mr. President, we note that national prevention strategies are not a new approach. Many countries, including South Africa, have no single comprehensive violence and conflict prevention strategy, but various sectoral strategies and policies based on national priorities that together can be considered as a prevention framework. We also recognize that national prevention strategies may provide umbrella approaches towards improving some forms of conflict, while countries may also create different approaches towards conflict prevention. It’s for this reason that we called for the Secretary-General to report on different prevention approaches in the draft of the Pact for the Future. This broad overview would provide the United Nations with a good foundation on how it can support existing prevention strategies or approaches in each specific context. Critically, at its core, conflict prevention relates to the expansion of the impact of development to a point that violence, in particular violent conflict over scarce resources, become redundant. We thus firmly support the idea of development-focused conflict prevention with attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, a vital component of this approach. To support impactful development in developing countries, we need to fully back initiatives such as innovative financing for peace building, international tax regulations or structures, debt restructuring and debt swaps, prevent illicit financial flows, especially from Africa, and insist on the broader reform of the international financial architecture. In 2024, we cannot truly separate the domestic from the international, as these are inextricably linked in both conflict and development trajectories. A new agenda for peace cannot afford to ignore such political dynamics in conflict prevention if it were to make a meaningful difference. Mr. President, the Peacebuilding Fund remains a critical source of financing for peace building. However, the fund remains constrained by limited voluntary donations, which should be used primarily for countries emerging from conflict until the fund is enhanced by assessed contributions as per General Assembly Resolution 78257. South Africa would further like to see greater involvement of fund recipients in PBC meetings. This would provide a better perspective in terms of peace building impact, which could further improve the advisories of the PBC. In conclusion, Mr. President, peace building and sustaining peace must be addressed through a variety of initiatives at domestic, regional and international level. These should be the collective responsibility of all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of South Africa for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Poland.

Poland:
Mr. President, we are grateful to CILON for organizing today’s meeting and affording us the opportunity to exchange views on the most effective approach to developing conflict prevention mechanisms. and addressing threats to peace from the global, regional, and national institutional perspectives. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union. Mr. President, we fully support the UN Secretary-General’s new Agenda for Peace and its emphasis on conflict prevention. Regional organizations are crucial partners in addressing root causes of conflicts due to their proximity to the hotspots. Enhanced cooperation between the UN, regional, and relevant international organizations is essential for effective conflict prevention, peace enforcement, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. Poland greatly appreciates the PBC’s contributions to supporting peacebuilding activities in the world’s most vulnerable regions, including through the PBF. We are proud to be a member of the Commission, and we have actively contributed to its peace efforts in conflict-affected countries by sharing our knowledge and experience. During our tenure, we have advocated for building state and societal resilience, inclusive peace processes, and strengthening the rule of law. Mr. President, we are strongly devoted to achieving the Agenda 2030 goals of poverty reduction and social cohesion. Addressing the root causes of instability, such as economic inequality and social exclusion, is essential for building sustainable peace and prosperity. It underscores the importance of building state and societal resilience as a cornerstone of this effort, emphasizing the crucial roles of women and youth as agents of change and contributors to peacebuilding. By preparing for and effectively responding to external and internal shocks, we can mitigate risks and create more stable environments. In line with this commitment, we are actively engaged in the ECOSOC to advance the resilience building initiatives globally. To complement the global efforts, we are implementing domestic policies to enhance living standards and job creation. A key strategy in this regard involves strengthening our public employment services to improve job placement efficiency, reduce job surge times, and ultimately increase employment and access to high-quality work. We are eager to share our best practices in job creation and good governance, as these are fundamental to fostering economic stability, social harmony, and long-term peacebuilding efforts. To conclude, Poland is committed to working closely with the international community to address the complex challenges facing us today. By prioritizing conflict prevention, promoting sustainable development, and building resilient societies, we can foster a culture of peacebuilding and security. And I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Poland for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

Croatia:
Mr. President, Croatia aligns itself with the statement by the European Union, and I would like to add some remarks in my national capacity. I would also like to thank the briefers for sharing their valuable insights. Also, Mr. President, thank you for organizing this timely and important debate as we approach the summit of the future, where conflict prevention will be discussed. We believe that this meeting can provide valuable inputs for our heads of state and government. Conflict increasingly plagues societies worldwide, and its repercussions are far-reaching. Thus, addressing this complex issue requires… requires determination within a multifaceted approach. Investing in conflict prevention and identifying root causes of conflict is imperative as a long-term strategy to avoid the devastating human, economic, social, environmental, and other costs of conflict. At the global level, we need to strengthen multilateral cooperation with the UN at its center. Successful prevention and resolution of conflicts requires us to recognize the interconnectedness of issues such as climate change, manifold inequalities, economic instability, violent extremism and terrorism, to name just a few, as potential conflict drivers. At the same time, promoting international norms and standards, sharing best practices and lessons learned, is indispensable for improving capacities for conflict prevention. Here, the Peacebuilding Commission is optimally positioned to play a pivotal role in this regard as a collaborative platform connecting all three pillars of the United Nations. At the regional level, we need to support the establishment and strengthening of regional organizations and cooperation frameworks related to conflict prevention, including early warning mechanisms and cross-border cooperation, as well as links between global and regional levels. Here again, the Peacebuilding Commission serves as a good example due to its established body of work, expertise, and experience in cooperation with diverse partners, and organizing of annual meetings, such as with the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. Establishment of a sustainable peace network could also be considered to further strengthen global and regional cooperation. At the national level, good governance, rule of law, democratic institutions, transparency, and accountability tools are essential. Implementation of inclusivity and social justice-oriented reforms, development of national conflict prevention strategies, engaging women and youth, as well as other relevant stakeholders in conflict prevention are fundamental building blocks for any sustainable peace building and prevention of conflict. The Peacebuilding Commission has already had several meetings with countries presenting their national strategies for prevention and sustainability. maintaining peace, and can be further strengthened in this regard. To conclude, we strongly believe that the following concepts are essential for conflict prevention. Preventive diplomacy to address underlying tensions and prevent conflicts from escalating. Early warning and early response to timely address conditions and emerging crisis. Conflict analysis and national prevention strategies to identify both root causes of conflict, as well as the efficiency of implementation measures. And finally, capacity building of government officials, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representatives of Croatia for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates:
Mr. President, I would like to begin by thanking His Excellency Timothy Cabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone for convening this important meeting. I also appreciate the valuable statements by the briefers. Mr. President, as we focus on finding solutions to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, and focus on finding solutions to the escalating crises around us, we cannot overlook the importance of addressing the root causes that lead to the outbreak of conflicts in the first place. According to the comprehensive approach to sustaining peace, we must undertake practical efforts, including preventive diplomacy, to prevent and resolve conflicts, support recovery in post-conflict situations, and prevent resurgence of conflicts. This council should also use the tools available to it to achieve these goals in close coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission. This must include in terms of peace building, promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence within societies and prevent and counter hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, which too frequently provide the fuel for conflict. Likewise, challenges such as food insecurity and forced displacement, which cause conflicts and crises, can be avoided by taking early actions to mitigate the effects of climate change and coordinate and expand international efforts in this regard. This would ensure that our efforts are not limited to addressing and managing the effects of climate change only, but also include preventive measures. In this regard, my country believes that effective peace building requires focusing on the following three areas. First, peace building requires strengthening the rule of law. This will demand developing policing strategies, especially in those countries suffering from deteriorating security conditions. These strategies must focus on enabling countries to use advanced technology in police work, including early warning systems, training law enforcement forces according to the best practices. The UAE prioritizes capacity building by supporting relevant initiatives, including the 2024 UN Chiefs of Police Summit and the annual performance management workshop for UN police chiefs in Abu Dhabi. Second, we must invest in good governance based on the rule of law. Strong institutions are the pillars of a country’s stability. Therefore, it is important for countries which have outstanding experience in government development and providing excellent services to their people. They should be able to share their expertise and best practices with other countries, especially through exchange programs. Since 2018, implementing a program through which we contributed to supporting about 35 countries, including seven countries in conflict and post-conflict situations, to stay abreast of global trends and seize opportunities for development. Thirdly, women must be able to participate fully, equally, and meaningfully at all levels in work and development sectors, including in the security sector. This has been the rationale for the UAE providing training to women cadets from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in close cooperation with the UN Women. And the hosting of the Global Workshop on Women, Peace, and Security in Police Peacekeeping that my country will be hosting this December. With many successful examples of women playing important roles in peace-building mediation and conflict prevention, including in the Central African Republic, we can still achieve more if we dedicate our collective efforts to this end. In conclusion, Mr. President, peacemaking requires first and foremost respect for humanity and commitment to international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. As we are inching closer to the summit of the future next month, and with the vision of the new Agenda for Peace in mind, the international community has a unique opportunity to renew its commitment towards peace-building and integrating it in multilateralism to ensure a better tomorrow for current and future generations. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of United Arab Emirates for their statement. I continue to encourage speakers to keep to the three-minute time limit, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Maldives.

Maldives:
Thank you, Mr. President. I thank Sierra Leone in their capacity as the president of the council for this month for organizing this open debate. If peace-building and sustaining peace are the outcomes we want, the effective means through which they can be achieved is conflict prevention. On this, it is ensured the modalities of the means must then be geared towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Because how can we dream of peace, let alone sustainable peace within the barriers of poverty? How can we dream of de-escalation of conflict within the conditions of hunger? How can we dream of local and international cooperation if inequalities within and among countries persist? If the United Nations want us to dream, the resources and finances must be mobilized to make prosperity and sustained development a lived reality. There is no doubt that conflict stems from fragile political and social structures. In order to strengthen these structures, policies and aid must be geared towards raising the productive capacity of states. Such policies and aid must not be implemented through a one-show-fits-all model. They must factor in all local contexts and the root causes of political upheaval that leads to conflict within a country or region. They must also factor in the local needs that should be met first to build peace and later to sustain it. This is the key to effective conflict prevention. The Maldives has always promulgated the importance of good governance. The current administration, in efforts to bridge the government and citizen nexus, launched the Citizens Voice portal, a police submission mechanism through which citizens can bring their concerns directly to the President. The administration has also held three public sessions with the President and Cabinet Ministers from January to April this year to engage in a dialogue with citizens and answer questions relating to the public policy. Tangible social benefits resulting from enhanced productive capacity is also an area of prominence, essential for countries like the Maldives and other small island developed states to maintain political stability and also to put individuals in vulnerable conditions which subject them to violence. To that end, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Seeds envisages a legacy through building resilient economies that goes hand in hand with peace-building and subsequent achievement of sustaining peace. We are hopeful that these concepts are also mirrored in the outcome documents of the Summit of Future. International cooperation and understanding on any shared global issues is pivotal. There is a local idiom, equilademius vani novani. It literally means if you pull just one end to it, it won’t tighten. But it deepens meaning is that if a particular circumstance requires collaboration, if only one party is engaged in it, then it will not reap any results. To this end, conflict-preventing and pursuit of peace necessitates collaboration. And without the support of developed countries with the resources to invest in productive capacities that will aid in the achievement of the SDGs, the multiple effect of conflict prevention will never materialize. Today, as we speak about concerns effort in promoting global peace and security, we must focus on the most prominent issues at hand. In this regard, we must understand and address the gaps in the multilateral system that have led to the failure of developing peace in the Middle East. We must take enhanced measures to put an immediate end to the genocide that has been committed by Israel in Palestine. We must seek a two-state solution to this conflict through the establishment of an independent sovereign state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital in line with the pre-1967 borders. Before concluding, let me reiterate the commitment of the Maldives to engage with the Council in all its mechanisms, focusing on conflict prevention and the pursuit of peace within the UN Framework. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Maldives for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Nepal.

Nepal:
Mr. President, at the outset, I would like to thank you for organizing this high-level open debate. Mr. President, today we stand at a crossroads in our pursuit of global peace and security. We face a multitude of challenges in our efforts to build and sustain peace, from geopolitical tensions and rising conflicts to economic disparities and social unrest. Traditional approaches to responding to conflicts are no longer sufficient. As recognized in the new Agenda for Peace, we need a paradigm shift towards prevention with special attention to sustainable peacebuilding strategies at all stages of the conflict cycle, before, during, and post-conflict situations. In this context, let me highlight a few points today. First, we must focus on preventive diplomacy, early warning systems, and prompt actions. We need to focus on the whole-of-system approach, utilize appropriate tools, and mobilize resources while responding to early signs of conflicts. Nepal sincerely believes that Secretary General’s good offices can play a crucial role in mediations, facilitations, and meaningful dialogues to prevent conflict and secure peace by bringing all political actors together and nurturing trust and collaborations among them. Second, drawing from its own experience with peacebuilding, Nepal stretches the need to ensure a nationally-owned, nationally-led, and nationally-driven peace process and peacebuilding efforts for its legitimacy and effectiveness. Third, addressing the root causes of the conflict is a must. Considering the mutually reinforcing relationship between peace and sustainable development, we need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDG targets. As SDG targets are severely off-track, we need to… renewed commitment, solidarity, financing, and actions to take this development’s goal back on track with due priority and urgency. Fourth, we must ensure that all voices, including those of marginalized and vulnerable communities, are heard and taken into consideration in political process, in governance, and in decision-making. We stress that the meaningful participations of women, youth, and ethnic and religious minorities is vital to building a resilient governance, architectures, and institutions. Fifth, a stronger partnership and collaborations with institutions and organizations, including international financial institutions, the United Nations, regional organizations, and private sectors are crucial. These partnerships are important in identifying and addressing early warning signs of conflicts and promoting inclusive development. Similarly, robust regional partnerships are vital in addressing shared challenges, such as cross-border terrorism, organized crimes, and migration. Sixth, we emphasize regular dialogues and robust cooperations among the UN systems, Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, and PBC to further unleash tools for prevention and peacebuilding, recognizing the humanitarian, peace, and development nexus. We are looking forward to the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review to integrate prevention systematically. Lastly, as the largest troops and police-contributing country, Nepal emphasizes on a smooth and sustainable withdrawal of peacekeeping operations so that peace gains could be preserved and promoted. To conclude, Mr. President, for peacebuilding and sustaining peace, we need a comprehensive approach, promoting inclusive dialogue, ensuring sustainable development, and addressing the root causes of conflicts such as poverty, inequality, and exclusion. It is incumbent upon us to support the countries in need with adequate resources, capacities, and technologies. Let’s reaffirm our commitment to create a world where conflicts are prevented before they begin, and where peace and stability are not just aspirations, but realities for all. As a post-conflict country, Nepal stands ready to share its experience and lesson learned in building and sustaining peace and preventing potential conflicts. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Nepal for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Pakistan:
I thank you, Mr. President. It’s a pleasure to see you preside over the Council. I extend my gratitude to Sierra Leone for convening this important and timely discussion. We extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Professor David Francis, Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, for chairing this debate. We also thank the Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support, the Commissioner for Political and Peace and Security, and other speakers for their insightful interventions. Mr. President, it is said that all politics is local. So is building and sustaining peace and security. We value the concept of nationally-led violence prevention strategies outlined in the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace. The success stories of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, for example, in Cyril León, owed much to an enlightened approach to building trust and inclusion at the community and national level. In Pakistan’s experience, too, fighting terrorism on our border regions was successful due to the support, assistance, and participation of local communities. Pakistan’s updated National Action Plan to Combat Terrorism, which we call the Azam-e-Istigham or Resolve, relies on working with local communities to exclude and eliminate violence and violent extremism and terrorism. The provision of security and basic needs and services is essential to build social cohesion, trust, and success against the forces of violence, crime, and terrorism. However, Mr. President, such national strategies for conflict prevention are necessary but not sufficient to address the complex crises which we face in Africa and elsewhere. The proliferation of most of these conflicts has been caused by both indigenous and exogenous factors that must be understood and addressed. The root causes of these conflicts range from the legacies of colonialism, internal struggles for scarce food, water, and pastures, external competition for precious national resources, efforts at regional or global hegemony, and interventions designed to suppress the struggle of peoples to reclaim their own political and economic destinies. The consequences of foreign occupation are nowhere as clear as in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and in Pakistan. Palestine. It is the clear responsibility of the Security Council to end Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Mr. President, national strategies for conflict prevention can be successful but only if these are accompanied by other regional and international measures to address some of the main causes of conflicts, poverty, unemployment, injustice, exploitation of national resources, external intervention. Unfortunately, international strategies to address these root causes of terrorism, violent extremism, and criminal activity have been either absent, inadequate, or proved counterproductive. For instance, the countries of the Sahel and other conflict zones require massive economic and financial support to overcome poverty and destitution, which is a cause of conflict. Yet, despite promises, international solidarity has been in short supply. This was vividly illustrated during the COVID pandemic. Most of the countries in conflict zones are also in dire debt distress, yet only four have succeeded in securing partial and not so very generous restructuring of their debts. On the contrary, when conflicts have erupted, the response has often been to impose sanctions, which mostly punish the poor and exacerbate the drivers of conflict. Or the response is to resort to some form of intervention, which is mostly counterproductive. Mr. President, what is required is a comprehensive and integrated strategy, which offers regional and international support to national efforts for conflict prevention and dispute resolution. Such a strategy must include economic and financial support to the states in distress, to create employment and generate trust and hope, capacity building to enable governments to provide the basic services needed by local populations, and end to external exploitation, which fuels violence and terrorism, good faith efforts at resolution of conflicts at the local and regional levels, regional and international support for security and counterterrorism operations, and a review of ill-considered sanctions that mostly punish common people. Mr. President, we trust that this timely debate in the Council will inspire new thinking to build effective approaches to preventing conflicts, resolving disputes, and building peace in the numerous countries that are in conflict today. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representatives of Pakistan for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Morocco:
Mr. President, first of all, allow me to congratulate you on holding this important debate and to welcome the distinguished participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and all of the briefers. Morocco reiterates its full support for the new Agenda for Peace, which confirms the urgent need to strengthen multilateral efforts and to work for peace in a complex and tumultuous international context. concrete recommendations that can help us find solutions to our common challenges and to new and emerging threats. Morocco’s commitment to peace, tolerance, and international security takes the form of the implementation of several initiatives at the national, regional, and international levels in the context of a comprehensive, multidimensional, and targeted approach. In this context, my delegation would like to refer to the following elements. Firstly, Morocco’s role in initiating several UN documents that enshrine interreligious and intercultural dialogue and which prohibit and criminalize hate speech, such as Resolutions 73-328, and 77-318, and 75-309, which declares the 18th of June each year to be the International Day Against Hate Speech. In this context, we should also recall the speech by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI at the 15th Conference of the OIC Summit on the 4th of May this year, in which His Majesty underscored, and I quote, we are therefore very seriously concerned by the rise in speech inciting hatred, which is causing more and more victims. This scourge, by feeding the cycle of violence and instability, constitutes a serious threat to peace and security in many regions of the world. His Majesty also affirmed that this resolution, and I quote, will allow us to make a substantial leap forward in terms of combating the phenomenas of extremism and hate speech, end quote. Secondly, Morocco very early became aware of the peace, security, and human development nexus. Here, Morocco has implemented several initiatives placing human development at the heart of its national strategies, including through the National Human Development Initiative, the third phase of which enjoys financing to the tune of 18 billion dirham over five years, focusing on driving human capital, combating social inclusion and poverty, and the promotion of economic inclusion of young people. Morocco also considers that education is a fundamental and key element when it comes to ensuring the development and maintaining of a culture of peace, and in order to combat discrimination and violent extremism. The Moroccan education system imparts, at a very young age, the virtues of openness, cultural and religious diversity, and the promotion of. Thirdly, Morocco makes a consistent contribution to peacekeeping operations. The kingdom is one of the most longstanding and significant contributors of troops to Africa and the world. More than 75,000 members of the Royal Armed Forces have been deployed in the context of 15 UN peacekeeping operations on every continent since 1960. Fourth, Morocco is very aware of the contribution of women as a key source of early warning when it comes to tensions in social relations, their awareness of threats to their personal, family, and community’s security and safety, their interpretation of extremism in local speech, and their role in mediation. The kingdom of Morocco is actively participating in a number of initiatives focusing in Ta’alia on the promotion of mediation and the formation of moshidat. Gender equality is the foundation of a just, peaceful, equal society. In this context, His Majesty the King Mohammed VI underscored, and I quote, this issue undoubtedly requires a global renewal through a deep-rooted transformation of archaic mindsets and collective awareness, end quote. And lastly, fifthly, Morocco is actively participating in promoting multilateralism based on peace, stability, solidarity, international cooperation, mutual respect, and sustainable development at the global and continental levels as fundamental principles in its constructive and fruitful relations, including in the context of robust and effective South-South cooperation. In this context, Morocco is of the view that the summit of the future will be a vital opportunity to consolidate our joint commitments, to bolster confidence in global priorities, and to support good governance that is able to find multilateral solutions for a better future. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Morocco for the statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Bulgaria aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union, and I would like to highlight some additional points. At the outset, let me express our appreciation to Sierra Leone for convening this momentous high-level open debate. I would also like to thank the briefers for their insightful presentations and assessments of the trends on the ground. This debate is held in a critical moment. The Secretary General’s proposal for a new agenda for peace has given new impetus to our efforts to boost collective security by putting prevention at its center. The preparations for the Summit of the Future are in their final phase. The upcoming Peacebuilding Architecture Review in 2025 will provide an opportunity to further improve the work of the United Nations on peacebuilding, and the UN General Assembly answered the growing peacebuilding demand by introducing assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund. Building upon our commitment to strengthen multilateralism amidst extremely concerning global conflict trends, I would like to offer a few observations on how to increase the effectiveness of prevention efforts with specific emphasis on implementation and impact on the ground, taking into account our experience as presidency of ECOSOC and our membership in the Peacebuilding Commission in 2022-2023. The two dedicated meetings, the ECOSOC Special Meeting, Unleashing the Transformative Power of SDG 16, Improving Governance and Reducing Corruption, held in May 2023, and the joint meeting of ECOSOC and the PBC, The Importance of the SDGs in Linking Peace and Development on the Ground in June 2023, further highlighted the interlinkages between prevention, development, and security, and provided ideas on how to make prevention more effective by operationalizing national, regional, and global frameworks and initiatives. The following elements stood out as essential if we are to build effective prevention strategies. For peacebuilding processes to lead to lasting peace and sustainable development, they must be anchored in nationally owned and led efforts, and better supported by the UN Common Country Analysis and the Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. Second, inclusivity is key in identifying and advancing national peacebuilding priorities. Therefore, listening to and taking into account the voices and perspectives of local partners on the ground should be further strengthened. Third, the well-established linkages between peace, development, and human rights substantiate both the need for a comprehensive approach to support countries in addressing the root cause of peace and development, and the need for a comprehensive approach to support countries causes of conflict, as well as the need for better coordination of the work of the UN entities and their development partners on the ground. Fourth, making better use of the work of existing UN bodies and better coordination is of critical importance. The resident coordinators, the operational activities segment for development, and the humanitarian affairs segment of ECOSOL Cancer as platforms for breaking down the siloed nature of the UN system and the resulting inefficiencies. Optimizing the cooperation on the ground between agencies, funds, and programs to better support the national peacebuilding priorities will result in greater alignment between the UN and the international financial institutions. Finally, with an increased interest from countries and regions to engage with the Peacebuilding Commission, there is a growing recognition of the Commission’s important role and the new Agenda for Peace provides an opportunity, including for this Council, to further strengthen the advisory, bridging, and convening roles of the Commission and enhance the impact of its work. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Bulgaria for their statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan:
Mr. President, I thank the presidency of Sierra Leone for convening this important debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, focusing on conflict prevention strategies at the national and regional levels. Kazakhstan believes that prevention and sustaining peace is a fundamental aspiration of humanity. It’s the most effective way to address conflicts and their devastating consequences. In our increasingly interconnected world, marked by both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges, the imperative to cultivate peace has never been more urgent. The UN Secretary-General’s new Agenda for Peace provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening conflict prevention. We believe that its effective implementation requires integrated and concerted efforts at all levels. At the national level, prevention studies should be anchored in inclusive participation, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. It is imperative to create an environment where all citizens feel empowered and have a stake in the future of their country. Addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination, is also critical. but therefore implementing large-scale democratic reforms aimed at enhancing human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and building an economically stable, socially just state, a new Kazakhstan based on the principle of leaving no one behind. At the regional level, we must strengthen cooperation and coordination mechanisms to identify and address emerging threats. Regional organizations play a crucial role in promoting dialogue, confidence-building measures, and preventive diplomacy. We also need to explore innovative ideas to turbocharge the implementation of the SDGs. New approaches to regional coordination, interconnection, and coherence are needed to streamline the work of the UN. In this vein, we have proposed to establish a UN Regional Center on Sustainable Development for Central Asian Afghanistan in our southern capital, Almaty. Generating the political will, resources, and capacities to support these efforts is essential. We call on all member states to prioritize conflict prevention in their national agendas and allocate adequate resources for this purpose. The UN system, including the Peacebuilding Commission that has a unique mandate to support our collective efforts to develop and implement preventive strategies, should play a vital role in providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to countries and regions. Peacekeeping operations also remain an important tool for sustaining peace. Kazakhstan has been consistently expanding its contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations. We fully endorse the Secretary General’s initiative on action for peacekeeping. On national peacekeeping training, our national peacekeeping training centers, such as KASCENT, the Demining Center, and the Military Medicine Center of Excellence, with their UN-recognized courses, will continue to provide training to women and men, civilian and military experts from the region. Currently, there are almost 150 Kazakhstani servicemen in UN missions. We are ready to further expand our contribution by sending specialized military units and military equipment to multiple UN peacekeeping operations. This open debate provides a valuable opportunity to contribute to the ongoing negotiations on the pact for the future. the inclusion of strong language on conflict prevention in the outcome document. This should emphasize the importance of early warning, preventive diplomacy, and the need to address the root causes of conflict. In conclusion, Kazakhstan is committed to working with all member states to advance the agenda of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. We believe that by focusing on prevention, we can create a more peaceful and prosperous world for all. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Kazakhstan for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Italy.

Italy:
Thank you, Mr. President, also for convening today’s open debate. Italy aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity. One year ago, the new agenda for peace sent a clear message. When it comes to peacebuilding and sustaining peace, member states must find common ground, even in challenging times like the ones we are witnessing today. One year later, the ongoing dramatic crisis confirmed how true this message was. As the cost of conflict becomes more and more unbearable, it is time to shift the paradigm to a conflict prevention approach grounded on universal values such as human rights and the rule of law, while remaining fully respectful of national ownership. Mr. President, the path toward conflict prevention, however, is neither simple nor direct. It needs political will, solidarity, and accountability. Solidarity among countries, based on the guiding principle of leaving no one behind, recognizing that the lack of development is a main driver of conflict, violence, and insecurity, and thus the need to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals. And accountability of countries, as a result of a social pact between governments and their communities. There are liberties to safeguard, human rights to uphold. hold, gender and youth empowerment to achieve, and the rule of law to abide by. Not only domestically, but also internationally. Any time a country violates international law, it becomes itself a driver of conflict and insecurity, hampering development. The universal commitment enshrined in the UN Charter, including the respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, cannot be questioned. For solidarity and accountability, prevention and national ownership must therefore go hand in hand. For all these reasons, Italy fully supports the vision of the new Agenda for Peace, a bottom-up, widespread system of conflict prevention based on the development of national strategies that are anchored in human rights and the rule of law. National prevention strategies should leverage the role of regional organizations and receive effective and concrete support from the United Nations, in full respect of the principles of solidarity, complementarity, and national ownership. When it comes to conflict prevention, the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, and regional organizations must be on the same page. And regional organizations should be involved in the decision-making process that leads to the adoption of relevant resolutions. As an excellent step in the right direction, let me mention the recent decision to extend a permanent invitation to the African Union to the Peacebuilding Commission meetings. This is a decision that Italy has been advocating for and that we welcome with great satisfaction. The African Union’s participation in the PPC meetings is consistent with the PPC goals and will bring the added value of a key actor. Finally, Mr. President, Italy considers conflict prevention a pillar of the new Agenda for Peace and of the summit of the future, as well as a guiding principle of the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, with the Peacebuilding Commission at its center. As we approach the final stages of negotiations, let’s make the development of national prevention strategies developed in full respect of the principle of national ownership a concrete deliverable of the pact for the future. Thank you.

Netherlands:
Mr. President, I would like to begin by expressing my country’s sincere gratitude to Sierra Leone for organizing today’s important debate, and thank all the briefers. This debate enables us to learn from each other’s best practices and share our national perspectives on conflict prevention, also in the context of the UN Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace. National ownership and leadership are key to effectively address the complexity of the issues at hand. All states, we believe, need to invest in addressing the root causes of conflict. I will explain. First, in order to prevent conflicts from escalating and to sustain peace, we have to focus on strengthening the social contract between people, communities, and authorities. National and interpersonal trust can be built when we put people’s security, needs, experiences, and ideas for solutions at the very center of all of our efforts. We also refer to this as the people-centered approach, and this approach includes equal access to justice and integrating physical protection, mental health, and psychosocial support into our conflict prevention efforts. Second, we all need a functioning legal order that adheres to the rule of law, as this allows us to address grievances and injustices in a peaceful and effective way. When issues are left unaddressed or the road to justice is blocked, people may seek redress through violent means, and displacement and irregular migration can emerge. Third, the Kingdom of the Netherlands believes that integrating a psychosocial lens in prevention and peacebuilding efforts will mitigate the impact of conflict, particularly since a psychosocial lens contributes to building trust and resilience at the individual and local community levels. We therefore welcome the increased attention for the psychosocial aspects of peacebuilding, especially by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. As a donor of this fund, my country has, for example, supported projects by WHO, UNICEF, and the IOM. These projects improve psychosocial support and mental health care for young people affected by conflict in Somalia. Fourthly, and lastly, as an incoming member of the Peacebuilding Commission for the years 2025-2026, the Kingdom of the Netherlands looks forward to fostering cooperation and bridging the gap between people and authorities. We strongly believe that it is vital to put people’s needs and aspirations at the very forefront of all of our efforts. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Thailand.

Thailand:
Mr. President, allow me to first of all express our thanks and gratitude to you for convening this very timely and relevant debate against all the the backdrop of growing conflicts across the globe. We would also like to stress our thanks to all the briefers for their summaries and insight. Thailand welcomes the Secretary General’s initiative on a new agenda for peace. It is crucial that we make progress on conflict prevention and peacebuilding. I wish to take this opportunity to highlight the following points. First and foremost, let’s address all the root causes of conflicts, including socioeconomic disparity and marginalization, poverty, inequality within and among countries, and division around the world. And the key to help prevent those to happen is for us to speed up efforts towards achieving the SDGs, in particular in areas of people empowerment, education, health care provision, work, and inclusive participation in decision making at all levels. Secondly, conflict prevention requires inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing fundamental inequalities. We need to place an emphasis on empowerment and participation of all peoples in the peace conundrum. Thailand supports the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. As recognized in the Security Council Resolution 1325, armed conflicts do impact women. And therefore, women have the role and contributions in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. All forms of violence against women and girls must be eliminated. And on the other hand, and education and equal opportunities in decision-making are essential to empower our women. And in addressing economic and social issues, young people can play a vital role through their unique ability in promoting a culture of peace, interfaith, intercultural dialogue. As well as bridging different groups and generations. And thirdly, countries in the affected region must be engaged in identifying pathways for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We support a new agenda for peace in its call for stronger partnerships between the UN and regional organizations. For our region, Southeast Asia, through our norm-building, community-building efforts and practical policy based on our shared interests, ASEAN has made progress on preventive diplomacy and conflict prevention. Thailand strongly believes that a reformed Security Council must reflect a broader regional representation, cross-regional balance and greater representation of developing countries. And lastly, policies to prevent conflict must be driven by domestic stakeholders and guided by respective national interests and priorities. Thailand believes that it is essential to provide financial and technical support from stakeholders for conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities. Thailand’s efforts are guided by our principles of the sufficiency economy philosophy which aligns closely with the SDGs. Through Thailand’s International Cooperation Agency and through our peacekeeping operations in Europe, UN missions, Thailand integrates a people-centered approach in its technical cooperation and capacity-building programs for countries affected by conflicts. These programs aim to respond to the needs of the local communities in such areas as agriculture, water, and land management. Mr. President, the summit of the future is just around the corner. This will be a great opportunity for us to work on conflict prevention through a new agenda for peace. It is a chance for us to demonstrate the strength and depth of our efforts through diplomacy and dialogue in overcoming differences and hostilities. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Thailand for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Denmark:
Mr. President, I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries – Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Denmark. We thank Sierra Leone for organizing this important open debate and extend our gratitude to the briefers for sharing their insights on strengthening conflict prevention efforts. Today we are one month away from the summit of the future – a watershed moment which will test our ability to reinvigorate multilateralism. I will share three points. First, prevention and sustainable peace are best achieved through whole-of-society approaches based on collaboration between authorities and civil society at all levels. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. National ownership ensures that conflict prevention measures are tailored to the unique political, social, and economic context of each country in order to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness. The Nordic countries recognize the importance of effective national and regional prevention strategies, as well as the need for adequate, predictable, and sustained financing for peacebuilding. Second, investing in local infrastructures for peace and strengthening local institutions is key. Effective, accountable, and inclusive local governance has proven important for the management of conflicts, protection of human rights, and addressing root causes of conflict. As outlined in the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace, the UN has a role in supporting national capacities for prevention and peace. Third, ending violent conflict and sustaining peace will always depend on tackling exclusion. Inclusive, sustainable development is a cornerstone of conflict prevention. This includes access to basic services and decent jobs, in particular for marginalized groups, protection of civic space, women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in decision-making, and young persons’ participation in peacebuilding and political processes. This Council may bring attention to inclusive peace approaches and work towards accelerated implementation of women, peace, and security, and youth peace and security agendas. Excellencies, the Nordic countries support the principles outlined in the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace. Throughout our engagements, the Nordics work towards ensuring that views and opinions of all countries are heard, not least those countries affected by conflict. We also support strengthening the advisory role of the Peacebuilding Commission to this Council through regular engagement and advice. In conclusion, the Summit of the Future in September is an opportunity to come together to signal our commitment to reform global governance, deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthen conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts at all levels. We cannot afford to fail. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Denmark for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Portugal:
Mr. President, thank you. Portugal’s stance in foreign affairs has always been guided by the need to invest in preventive diplomacy, a principle that also steers the work of the United Nations. Therefore, Portugal would like to commend Sierra Leone for convening this open and important debate. A serious commitment to conflict prevention is essential, and to this end, the implementation of the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace is urgently needed to strengthen the capacity to anticipate and adapt to new risks, with greater investment in prevention and peacebuilding, and increased attention to all forms of violence. Portugal would like to underline the following five points. First, shifting the UN’s focus from conflict management to conflict prevention must be at the core of the United Nations peacebuilding efforts. This would allow us to break down silos at the heart of the UN system and foster greater coherence and integration between the three pillars of the United Nations. Portugal fully supports the recommendations put forward in the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace policy brief, namely to create a mechanism within the PBC to mobilize political and financial support for the implementation of the national and regional strategies for conflict prevention, and to formalize the Commission’s relationship with IFIs and regional development banks to align financing instruments with national priorities. Secondly, the PBC has a privileged convening role in addressing contemporary threats to international peace and security. Recent engagements with the PBC, such as the Gambia, have proven that peacebuilding works. Its results are even more evident when there is strong political will at national level and a fully inclusive approach that guarantees the participation of women, youth of vulnerable groups, of victims of past conflicts and human rights violations, overall of representatives of civil society. Moreover, the PBC has encouraged an all-inclusive approach to peace by deepening the cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, namely the African Union, and encouraging the implementation of the women and youth peace and security agendas. Thirdly, peacebuilding and sustaining peace are increasingly important in the context of transitions and drawdowns of UN traditional presences on the ground. Conventional peacekeeping, albeit still one of the best UN tools to address violence and widespread conflicts, lacks the adaptability and comprehensiveness needed to tackle the root causes and the aftermath of those conflicts. So these strategies must therefore become integrated components of the mandates of peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Fourth, in line with the new Agenda for Peace, preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding depend on adequate, predictable, and sustained financing, including through domestic resources, voluntary and assessed contributions from Member States, in particular to the Peacebuilding Fund. While welcoming the consensus reached on the use of assessed contributions for the PBF, additional steps are needed, and Portugal has raised its voluntary contributions to both the DPPA and the PBF. Fifth and lastly, without sustainable development and human rights, there is no peace or security. So prevention and peacebuilding are both conditions and consequences of the implementation of the SDGs. Chairman, I would like to conclude by underlining that prevention is the backbone of the UN. Even though the concept is firmly embedded in the United Nations Charter, the Summit of the Future offers the perfect opportunity for the international community to come together and renew its commitments to a comprehensive approach to peace and security, and to make prevention the indispensable approach to address the multiplying issues that we all are facing. And this Council is central to that approach. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Portugal for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of India.

India:
Thank you, Mr. President. Let me begin by congratulating Sierra Leone for the historic presidency of the Security Council. I also would like to thank Sierra Leone for organizing this open debate and brief us for their insights. Mr. President, we are living in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy a sustained level of peace, security, and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. Conflict settings in recent times have also become more complex and uncertain, particularly in parts of Africa and West Asia. Terrorists, armed militia, organized criminal groups with external support, and misuse of emerging technologies are also having profound impact on conflict dynamics. Thus, we need to recognize that conflict prevention is complex, multidimensional, and it calls for a holistic approach, a comprehensive approach focusing not just on the political process but on sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, is therefore inevitable. Resolution, reconciliation, recovery, and reconstruction are also critical aspects of prevention strategies. In this context, let me offer following observations for consideration. India recognizes the primacy of national governments and authorities in identifying and driving priorities, strategies, and activities for sustaining peace. What is needed is to work closely with member states in line with their national requirement and needs rather than advocate prescriptions and solutions from outside. As the world’s largest democracy, we are convinced that representative and inclusive government structures will help stabilize peace, safeguard fundamental rights, protect rule of law. Equitable development is also a key component for building and sustaining peace. A strong and effective partnership between UN with regional organizations is a prerequisite, particularly in the context of Africa. Given the fact that nearly 70 percent of Chapter 7 mandate resolutions are on Africa, Africa’s continued denial of representation in the permanent category of membership is a blot on the collective credibility of this Council. India has always supported the Rizwilweni Consensus and called for permanent African representation in an expanded Council. Those who continue to deny expansion of permanent category and Africa’s rightful place in it must be called out. Terrorism is a global threat, not only to peace and security, but also to development. No global prevention mechanism can be complete without a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism. We reiterate the urgent need for a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. The prevention paradigm cannot ignore the resources needed for socioeconomic development. The governing architecture of the international financial institutions require structural changes with more representation from the Global South. Similarly, realization of unkept promises such as climate finance is needed. Mr. President, India has always played an important role in both peacekeeping and peacebuilding. We have engaged in peacebuilding through extensive development partnership with countries in the Global South. The cumulative value of India’s developmental projects now exceeds US$40 billion, encompassing soft loans, grants, and capacity-building training programs. I would like to particularly highlight the India-UN Development Partnership Fund as a testament to India’s India’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and global development. Mr. President, at the third Voice of the Global South virtual summit hosted recently by India on 17 August, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi proposed a comprehensive global development compact on behalf of India. The foundation of this compact will be based on India’s development journey and experiences of development partnership. This is a testimony to India’s close partnership with the Global South. Finally, we draw on our experience of both peacekeeping and peacebuilding to caution that conflict prevention is best left to bodies mandated and configured to do so. Assuming such a role without any deliberation and preparation on the issue is a recipe for failure. Before I conclude, Mr. President, we earlier heard a delegation repeating again its falsehood about my country. I will not dignify this falsehood with a response in the interest of time. Such remarks deserve nothing but contemptuous dismissal. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of India for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Chile.

Chile:
Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I thank the Republic of Sierra Leone for the opportunity that they’ve given us to participate in this open debate. We congratulate them on their stewardship. We also thank member states for the statements made. They have called us to continue working on conflict prevention. We know that the current geopolitical landscape is markedly different from that which we knew a few years ago. Today, the international arena is much more fragmented in nature. At the same time, it is interdependent on many fronts linked to development. Against this backdrop, it is paramount to strengthen our relationship with our neighbors. strengthen our multilateral initiatives on the basis of political will focused on prevention. All member states must do this. It is only by adopting this approach and by remaining true to our conviction that we must maintain a peaceful climate that we will avoid new tensions and possible sources of conflict which jeopardize international peace and security. Conflict prevention and peace building are crucial tasks of this Council. As such, we must garner greater understanding of the central causes of conflicts in all their fulsomeness. We must attach equal importance to all factors involved in conflicts, be these political, socio-economic, financial or human, to name but a few. States are convened here to forge a culture of genuine peace in harmony with sustainable development and respect for human rights. This endeavour requires the commitment of this Council, and it requires the Council to work in a coordinated fashion with other UN bodies such as ECOSOC, the G8, among others. But, as the Secretary-General has indicated, it requires first and foremost that we look beyond our individual interests, in view of the fact that the well-being and future of humankind depend on the solidarity and the tacit agreements that we might reach in terms of how to achieve this common goal. Achieving the goals contained in the new agenda for peace requires that our institutions implement prevention programmes as a cornerstone of their work. The strategies in these programmes need to be aligned with work to strengthen inter-institutional partnerships and building trust between states and civil societies. Where this last point is concerned, we need to strengthen human security and safety in all its facets in order to respond to crises. We need to institutionalise local peace initiatives and encourage community participation in the implementation of ceasefires. We also need to foster inclusive dialogue, foster strategic communication to prevent disinformation and hate speech, and, in the long term, we need to promote governments and institutions which are more receptive and inclusive. Violence perpetrated by criminal gangs and by terrorists should not be tolerated. groups in the context of conflicts imperils the security of all people in the areas affected, but it increasingly, specifically, increases the level of risk for specific groups such as women, young people and girls. Consequently, it is vital to continue efforts to empower women and young people as agents of peace in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. That agenda champions the full, equal, effective and meaningful participation of women in peace processes, as well as in processes to prevent and resolve conflicts, and in peace-building efforts. Mr President, the quest for peace and the establishment of a coordinated governance system to maintain peace over time was the driving force which prevailed in 1945 in order to bring states together under a framework of global governance. It was that framework which allowed us to be here today, debating issues such as this one. Keeping the values of multilateralism alive will depend on our collective ability to promote dialogue and solve conflicts with a spirit of understanding and cooperation. As we have indicated on several occasions, the challenges we are facing today can only be tackled with greater cooperation and will on the part of governments, because even though conflicts and their causes have become more complex and difficult to resolve, the only viable path towards peace is commitment to peace and the restoration of dialogue. The Summit of the Future, which will take place in September, stands as the ideal arena to debate issues and agree on multilateral solutions which our states require today. We hope that the dialogue in the Summit of the Future will feed into the new agenda for peace and will meet desires for more peaceful and resilient societies. Without effective dialogue between parties to conflicts, our discussions will appear mere hot air and we will be unable to achieve tangible actions. At the same time, tensions will continue unabated and this will undermine hopes of civilians and will jeopardise global security. The challenge of maintaining and promoting prevention and a culture of peace is a challenge which we cannot abandon. There is an overwhelming need to ensure that there is greater openness to dialogue among all of us. We cannot lose sight of the need for collective well-being, particularly the well-being of boys and girls, that will inherit the present that all of us are building today. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Chile for their statement. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

Stavros Lambrinidis:
Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states, the candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, be Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, as well as Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement. Mr. President, we want to thank Sierra Leone and you personally for organizing this extremely timely open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace. In the past couple of years, we have seen tremendous support among Member States for the Conflict Prevention Agenda. This open debate has already been an opportunity to capitalize on this momentum. Since 1945, a core purpose of our business here at the United Nations has been, quote, to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, unquote. In spite of conflict prevention being one of the purposes and the principles of the UN Charter, we see, however, a trend of conflict on the rise and a lack of priority given to investment in prevention. The Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace set out to correct that and to bring conflict prevention back to center stage. The summit of the future should signal a political commitment to prevent conflict and build peace. The 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review should translate that political commitment to concrete action, building on proposals such as the National Prevention Strategies. Mr. President, some say that they worry that conflict prevention is, quote, unquote, intrusive. This is a myth that must be dispelled, as the Secretary General points out in his new Agenda for Peace. In fact, conflict prevention strengthens the resilience and cohesion of societies. Those societies that have the political will to work systematically on preventing conflict will see that it pays off. In fact, it already has. They’ve already seen it. The cost of conflict in terms of human suffering and financial loss is enormous. or losses far exceeds that of prevention. Countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Timor-Leste, and Colombia that have been through bloody internal strife know this all too well. They are now among those working the hardest on sustaining peace. We should all follow their example. The need for conflict prevention is universal. In the last few years, we have seen countries from all regions and with varying levels of development including Kenya, Norway, and Mauritania come forward to showcase their national conflict prevention efforts in the Peacebuilding Commission. We very much welcome this development and want to see a more systematic approach to national prevention strategies. While remaining voluntary, we think all countries should be encouraged to develop such strategies or plans and the UN should provide support to those who need it. The UN country teams, peace operations, the Peacebuilding Fund, and specific instruments such as the Peace and Development Advisors can be instrumental in this respect. Now, of course, prevention has so many aspects to it. We have to tackle the root causes of conflict, whether poverty, unemployment, climate change, lack of access to basic services, lack of trust in institutions and respect for human rights and the rule of law. We may need to use early warning systems to reduce the risk of cross-border conflict. We may need mediation or confidence-building measures at the grassroots level or at the highest international level. Most of all, we need the political will and the courage to acknowledge that prevention is necessary and worth investing in. This is not Kumbaya. This will save lives, if we do it right. Mr. President, at the upcoming Summit of the Future, We will pledge our joint commitment to preventing conflict and building resilient and sustained peace. Let us embrace the Secretary General’s call for countries to develop national prevention strategies. This is our chance to make a difference for a more peaceful future. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank His Excellency, Mr.Lambrinidis, for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Australia.

Australia:
Mr. President, we thank Sierra Leone for convening today’s critical discussion. We note that in 2006, Sierra Leone was one of the very first member states to bring its peacebuilding vision to the newly created UN Peacebuilding Commission. Australia commends the work of the UN’s peacebuilding architecture. But with global conflict at some of the highest levels in history and with humanitarian responses underfunded across the globe, we know we must do more, especially on conflict prevention. The UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review presents a critical opportunity to enhance our peacebuilding tools and approaches. The Secretary General’s new agenda for peace recommends member states and regional organizations develop prevention strategies. Prevention strategies can help strengthen local and state institutions, promote the rule of law, and enhance inclusivity, equality, and social cohesion. These are issues that affect all states and regions, regardless of size, wealth, or level of development. Australia is no exception, with our ongoing effort to promote respect for the rights and traditions of our Indigenous people just one example. We applaud the PBC for its groundbreaking meeting in March 2024, when Kenya, Norway, and Timor-Leste voluntarily presented their national prevention strategies to PBC members. Australia looks forward to taking up a seat on the PBC next year. We have been active in the UN’s peacebuilding agenda since its inception and continue to be a major donor to the Peacebuilding Fund and UNDPPA. We look forward to working with all member states to support conflict prevention and sustaining peace as a priority for our PBC term. We will also draw on our experience in peacebuilding and sustaining peace in our own region, and we will champion an inclusive approach to peacebuilding. As we prepare for the Summit of the Future and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, we must reaffirm our commitment to peacebuilding and conflict prevention to support efforts that promote dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusive governance. We hope the Pact for the Future will offer a clear call from our leaders to support this agenda. By doing so, we can achieve a more peaceful and prosperous future for us all. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Australia for their statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Ireland.

Ireland:
President, Ireland commends Sierra Leone for organizing this debate, for their work in sharing their own experience of conflict and the path to peace, as well as their broader advocacy, including on the importance of permanent African representation on the Security Council. Ireland aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and adds the following. Today’s debate on building and sustaining peace is a welcome opportunity to reflect on how we as the international community can better work together on prevention, particularly in fragile or at-risk situations. Multiple crises across the globe and an upsurge in violent conflict and devastating humanitarian need highlight how pressing it is that we do so. And so our thanks to the distinguished briefers for their insightful reflections. President, today Ireland would like to highlight three priorities for our collective work on conflict prevention. First, root causes and drivers of conflict. Addressing root causes means investing in people, especially women, youth, and minorities. It means ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in political and economic decision-making. And it means working together to foster inclusive, resilient societies where the rights of all are respected. We know that conflicts have their universal truths, but they also have their specificities. The Secretary-General’s new Agenda for Peace recognizes this and calls for national strategies to address the different enablers of violence and conflict in societies. We support that call. We further call on the Secretary-General to strengthen preventive diplomacy and use all the tools at his disposal as set out in the new Agenda for Peace. Warning and response are also key, particularly when situations are deteriorating. We must utilize the tools at our collective disclosal in a coordinated way, and local communities and civil society must be at the center of any response. Another key priority is the importance of early and integrated transitions planning. The hard-won gains of peace need to be fostered and protected to prevent fragile and at-risk societies from slipping back into conflict. The legacy and contributions of the men and women who serve on our behalf on the ground as blue helmets in fragile and insecure environments must be protected. We call for the full implementation of Resolution 2594, the development and adoption of which was led by Ireland during our recent council term, to ensure that as a UN peace operation draws down, it does so in a way that reinforces peace-building objectives. Multiple recent decisions to shrink or close peacekeeping and special political missions with accelerated timelines and without adequate transition planning is concerning. Further, the UN has an important role to play during transitions at both political and operational levels to ensure that countries have the commitment and capacity to assume full responsibility for security and protection of civilians. And a broader process of engagement must be part of transition planning to ensure that any follow-up UN presence is sufficiently resourced and calibrated to engage in peace-building. This leads to our third priority regarding that of Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. While the Security Council has the primary role under the Charter to maintain international peace and security and must fulfill its responsibilities, other parts of the UN must also be engaged to play a stronger and more proactive role in peace-building. In fully applying the peace-building architecture at our disposal, we should adopt a longer-term perspective, incorporating potential risks, including those relating to climate change and emerging technologies. The Council should deepen engagement with the PBC and make better use of its advice, including on preventive diplomacy. And the Resident Coordinator System should also support greater engagement with UN peace-building architecture, including the PBC and the Peacebuilding Fund. Adequate, predictable, and sustained funding for peace-building remains critical. Ireland is proud to be among the top contributors to the Peacebuilding Fund. We welcome the decision to partially fund it through assessed contributions and believe this should be further expanded. President, to conclude, many peace processes, including our own, have been sustained by lasting support from the international community. We speak from experience when we say that peace is not a one-off event, but rather a process that requires constant nurturing and support. As we prepare for the Summit of the Future and the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review, we have an opportunity to chart a way forward to enhance comprehensive approaches to building and sustaining peace. Ireland stands ready to engage constructively and collaboratively with all member states and other stakeholders in that regard. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Ireland for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Vietnam. Mr. President, I thank Sierra Leone for convening this open debate. Vietnam values the Secretary-General’s vision for renewed international efforts toward international peace and security based on international law as reflected in the New Agenda for Peace, which underpins the principles of trust, solidarity, and universality. The Summit of the Future should be an important opportunity for member states to reaffirm their broad support for diplomacy, trust-building, peace, conflict settlement, as well as the centrality of the UN Charter. international action in this domain. Mr. President, in today’s volatile world characterized by increasing uncertainties and complexities, challenges to peace range from geopolitical to socio-economic factors, while also exacerbated by climate-related adversities. Addressing such multidimensional and involving threats requires a comprehensive approach. It is ever more critical that security and development, as well as other drivers of conflicts, be addressed in an integrated manner. In this vein, I wish to highlight the following points. First, to build and sustain peace, the UN must take a holistic and coherent approach, harnessing the strengths and synergies of its main organs, especially the coordination between the Security Council and other key bodies. The concerted and well-coordinated peace-building strategy, including a strengthened nexus between humanitarian aid, development, and peace, can play a significant role in conflict prevention. In this regard, we welcome the Peace-Building Commission’s advisory and bridging role that helps bring together all relevant actors, including international financial institutions and regional and sub-regional organizations. Second, to further enhance its effectiveness in addressing conflicts at all stages, from prevention to settlement to post-conflict peace-building, the Security Council must make the best use of available tools, including preventive diplomacy, trust-building, mediation and reconciliation, and promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence. The Council responds while complying with the basic principles of the international law and the UN Charter. It needs to also take into account the unique circumstances of each conflict situation and must complement but not supplant the essential role of the country concerned. Third, efforts and measures to build and sustain peace should be people-centered, with priority given to addressing the root causes of conflicts. civilians, and safeguarding their well-being and livelihood. Investing in people through education and providing them with economic opportunities can help reduce the likelihood of resulting to violence. Women and youth participation should be encouraged and integrated in national as well as international peace-building efforts to ensure adopted solutions are inclusive, comprehensive, and sustainable. It is imperative to emphasize the importance of preventive measures and robust early warning systems to effectively address potential risks before they escalate into a full-blown crisis. Mr. President, Vietnam puts a high premium on addressing the threat to peace early and from afar with a prime focus on socio-economic development, promoting national unity and

Viet Nam:
solidarity as well as international cooperation in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Finally, I take this opportunity to reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to engaging constructively in bilateral and multilateral efforts to sustain peace and prevent conflict. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Vietnam for their statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia:
Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your presidency of the Council this month. We thank you for holding this very important debate on addressing global, regional, and national aspects of conflict prevention. We have all witnessed in the recent times a significant increase in international conflicts that threaten international peace and security. This has become of high importance and require the attention of the international community as a whole, particularly as it requires the unifying and strengthening of international efforts to address the root causes of potential conflicts in order to mitigate their damages and repercussions internationally and control them before they escalate. In this regard, we support the efforts of the UN Secretary General to realize international peace and security through his policy brief on the status of the new Agenda for Peace that aims at renewing efforts in order to agree. more effective measures to achieve collective security and take more effective steps to manage emerging risks and conflicts. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, the current challenges of our world require the international community to be open to the main pillars of the new Agenda for Peace because it aims at enhancing the multilateral system and ensure its effectiveness and resilience to support the efforts of the UN to settle conflicts through peaceful and diplomatic means. Ultimately, this will enhance the role of preventive diplomacy and invigorate neutrality and mediation in resolving conflicts and addressing risks that undermine international peace and security, taking into consideration the respect and the need to respect the sovereignty and independence of states. Mr. President, Saudi Arabia made all efforts to contribute to enhancing international peace and security regionally and globally. We have played pivotal and historic roles in resolving international conflicts over the past years alongside the UN. For example, we continue our efforts to end the conflict in Yemen in cooperation with Oman and the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy to Yemen, Mr. Hans Grunderberg. We also sponsor the mediation efforts, the current efforts, to end the conflict in Sudan alongside the U.S., UAE, and Egypt in cooperation and coordination with the Secretary-General’s special envoy, Ramthane M’Amra. The Kingdom has played an important role in facilitating a prisoners’ exchange between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and we continue to play several roles in conflict prevention within the framework of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In conclusion, Mr. President, as we hold this debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, the unprecedented Israeli aggression unfortunately continues against civilians in Gaza Strip for more than 10 months. This has diminished the chances of peace, undermined international efforts calling for peace, and entrenched distrust in the multilateral international system. In this regard, we reaffirm our firm position regarding the Palestinian question, our full support to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in line with international resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and in a manner that guarantees to the Palestinian people the right to establish their independent state on the 4th of June 1967 borders with its capital, East Jerusalem. We condemn all unilateral measures and aggressions against individuals and properties by the Israeli occupation forces. These should stop fully and immediately. We call upon the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and implement its resolutions regarding the ceasefire in Gaza Strip and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Cambodia.

Cambodia:
Mr. President, Excellency, distinguished delegates, to begin, I would like to extend my profound gratitude to you, Mr. President, for convening this crucial open debate on a new agenda for peace addressing global, regional, and national aspects of conflict prevention. This topic has reminded us that it is high time for us to mobilize our efforts to focus on sustaining peace and preventing conflicts. Mr. President, the threat to global peace is growing increasingly complex, extending beyond national conflicts to include challenges such as climate change, economic disparity, and new emerging technologies. In light of this, Cambodia fully supports the new agenda for peace which underscores the critical roles of preventive diplomacy, dialogues, and international cooperation in securing more stable and peaceful worlds. Cambodia’s journey from conflict to peace provides a unique perspective on challenges and complexities of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. We have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of war and instability, and we speak today with… with a deep understanding of the human cause of conflicts. Thus, we stand ready to share our experiences and lesson learned with other nations facing similar challenges. Mr. President, at the regional level, we firmly believe that regional organization, particularly ASEAN, the African Union, and the European Union play a crucial role in preventing and resolving conflicts. Cambodia reaffirmed its dedication to the ASEAN Charter and the principle of peace, full coexistence, mutual respect, and non-interference. With its rich diversity, the ASEAN region offers unique challenges and significant opportunity for peace-building and progress. In this regard, Cambodia is committed to collaborating with our neighbors and partners to strengthen stability, security across Southeast Asia and worldwide. We will continue actively participating in regional initiatives that foster dialogues, build trust, and enhance cooperation. Nationally, government has a duty to create policies that foster social justice, drive economic development, and uphold human dignity. In this connection, Cambodia has made significant progress in rebuilding its society, institution, economic, after decades of conflict. This progress is reinforced by the Royal Government of Cambodia Pantagonal Strategy Phase I, which aims to promote inclusive economic growth, ensure social equity, enhance the quality of life for all citizens, and strengthen governance and maintain peace and stability to achieve our goal of making Cambodia a high income nation by 2050. As we approach the summit of the future, Cambodia is fully committed to supporting the Pact for the Future, recognize it as a vital framework for strengthening multilateralism, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that the benefits of peace reach all corners of the globe. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Cambodia’s unwavering commitment to the principle of the United Nations and the cause of international peace and security. Cambodia urges all nations to renew their dedication to peace, cooperation, and mutual respect to address the root cause and overcome challenges we face today and in the future. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Cambodia for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste:
Thank you. for giving me the floor, Mr. President, and also thank you for convening this open debate on peace building and sustaining peace. Mr. President, in the face of sporadic and uncontrolled violence in many parts of the world and regression in respect for the rule of law and the UN Charter at the global stage, the task of keeping and sustaining peace demands innovative approaches. If we, as members of the United Nations, truly aspire to a world where future generations can thrive and live in peace, we must explore and embrace these alternatives. Small actions matter wherever they occur. When they contribute to peace, even within a single community, they can gradually prevent conflict and send positive ripple across the globe. I would like to begin by sharing the experience of my country, Timor-Leste, a small island state that restored independence in 2002 after a long period of colonization, occupation, and external forces. Beyond addressing the challenges of its colonial past, Timor-Leste faced the critical task of building and sustaining its own internal peace after independence. Timor-Leste has made significant strides in peace building and sustaining peace since restoring its independence in 2002. The integration of reconciliation and peace initiatives in overall government programs and development strategies has been crucial in addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting stability. Timor-Leste’s journey from 2010 onwards has been focusing on conflict prevention. As an independent nation with limited resources, lacking modern infrastructure, addressing issues such as unemployment and underemployment, and providing basic needs and services to its people has been essential. The establishment of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission, TRRC, played a pivotal role in addressing past human rights violations and fostering national reconciliation. The TRRC’s effort to document abuses, provide reparations of the victims, and promote dialogue have been instrumental in healing the nation’s wounds and building a foundation for lasting peace. In addition, TRRC also took the initiative to reconcile with each neighboring country through the Commission of Truth and Friendship to jointly address shortcomings and chart a path forward. Unemployment and underemployment have been significant challenges for TRRC. To address these issues, the government has designed programs to create decent work opportunities and reduce work deficits. Initiatives such as vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and job creation programs have been implemented to enhance the employability of youth and marginalized groups. TRRC has also worked closely with Australia, South Korea, and Japan to send TRRC labor to these countries under specific labor schemes to enable them to both work and acquire income, as well as learn new skills to enable them to be self-sufficient when returning home. These efforts have not only provided economic opportunities, but also contributed to social stability and reducing the risk of conflict arising from economic grievances. As we all know, there can be no peace without development and no development without peace. Mr. President, while recognizing that the Timor-Leste experience cannot automatically be replicated in other contexts, yet the achievement in peacebuilding after a valuable success story for other countries. As one of the founding members of the Group of 7+, currently chaired by Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste has shared its experiences and lesson learned with other member states of the group. In conclusion, to sustain its success, Timor-Leste will continue to prioritize peace-building and development efforts. This includes maintaining a focus on conflict prevention, creating economic opportunity, and ensuring the provision of basic needs and services, moreover, fostering regional cooperation, leveraging South-South cooperation can enhance Timor-Leste’s resilience and ability to address emerging challenges. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Timor-Leste for their statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe:
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important session. I thank all the briefers for their profound insights. Peace remains an elusive promise for many, so said the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in the policy brief, New Agenda for Peace. This poignant situation does not only persist, but is worsening, as is evidenced by the current conflicts in various parts of the world, hence the importance and timeliness of the theme for this high-level debate. Mr. President, let me then proceed by taking the mantra, Peace Begins With Me, Peace Begins With You, and Peace Begins With All Of Us, and matching it to village wisdom, which posits that we should move in concentric circles in our pursuit of peace, a favorite proverb that is shared in many African languages goes, when the heart is at peace, the body is healthy. This highlights the interconnectedness of peace within oneself, within the family, the community, the country, and ultimately the world. I will therefore address the theme from the national, regional, and global perspectives. At the national level, we should prioritize addressing social, economic, and political drivers of conflict. In Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Emerson Mnangagwa engages in consultative governance addressing inequality and fostering reconciliation and social cohesion among diverse communities. By investing in education, employment opportunities, social services, and establishing independent institutions to support democracy, entrench human rights, and promote accountability, the Government of Zimbabwe builds resilience against potential conflict. These initiatives also facilitate equitable and balanced development. In fervor of sharing its own experiences and making a contribution to a more just and peaceful world, Zimbabwe has put forward its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028. Mr. President, at the level of our sub-region, the Southern African Development Community, of which Zimbabwe is the current chair, we have mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. The Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation has as its objectives conflict prevention, management, and resolution. Regionally, the African Union is spearheading a number of initiatives on conflict prevention and resolution that contribute to stability. Nevertheless, all of this is clearly not enough, hence the ongoing conflicts in Africa. Our institutions need to be underpinned by adequate financial resources, provision of technical assistance, and the supporting of local efforts to build resilient communities, free of negative external interference. In the end, it is much cheaper to invest in prevention than resolving raging conflicts. By embracing the principles and approaches outlined in the new Agenda for Peace, we can take proactive steps to address national, regional, and global aspects of conflict prevention. Honoring and respecting the right to self-determination is a crucial aspect of this. As stated by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, more than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together, and that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations. In conclusion, addressing conflict prevention at the national, regional, and global levels requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation. I thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representatives of Zimbabwe for their statement. And I give the floor to the representative of Spain.

Spain:
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I thank you for organizing this open debate. It allows us to think about how to strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms to tackle the new threats to global peace from a regional and national perspective. Spain defends investment in prevention using a holistic approach, an approach which includes the respect for human rights as a buttress of sustainable development and peacekeeping. The Spanish strategy of humanitarian diplomacy establishes conflict prevention and resolution as one of its fundamental goals. With the strategy as its framework, Spain is seeking to address the causes which produce conflicts and seeking to foster inclusive dialogue processes in order to contribute to forming more democratic and peaceful societies, ones which respect the rule of law and human rights. My country also promotes peace and stability, and it is committed to promoting peace and stability. I thank the representatives of Spain for their statement. And I’d like to give you two concrete examples of how we do that. One is our participation in the Ibero-American Women Mediators Network, which was established in Madrid in June 2023. More recently, we had a seminar, attended a seminar, on women, peace, and security in Yemen, on Yemen. Women, peace, and security in Yemen, organized in Madrid. It enjoyed the participation of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen. As part of preventive diplomacy, which Spain champions, we firmly support the work of the Alliance of Civilizations and its work in promoting cultural diversity, religious pluralism, and mutual respect in order to build and strengthen inclusive societies. Mr. President, regional organizations play a crucial role in strengthening prevention mechanisms. With that in mind, one of Spain’s priorities is strengthening international African organizations, the African Union in general, and ECOWAS in particular. This view is one we hold because we have special links of neighborliness and interdependence with Western Africa and Sahel. These are two regions to which my country pays particular attention. In 2023, Spain announced a pledge of 50 million to the African Union and 20 million to the African Union Development Agency, NEPAD. Our annual contribution to ECOWAS has reached 4 million euros in recent years. Spain is establishing a national strategy for Africa. This seeks to renew and strengthen our close ties with the continent. As part of that strategy, Spain will remain committed to promoting prevention mechanisms by supporting peace processes as well as demobilization processes. We will champion the inclusion of development and good governance in European policies for peace and security in Africa, and we will support stabilization policies, which include the provision of public services from health to education, security, and justice. Lastly, going back to the United Nations context, I’d like to indicate that the Pact for the Future provides us with an opportunity to strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms to tackle global threats in line with the new agenda for peace. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Spain for their statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Malaysia.

Malaysia:
Thank you, Mr. President. Malaysia thanks Sierra Leon, the president of the Security Council, for organizing today’s open debate and the briefers for their invaluable insights. Our delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Bangladesh on behalf of DOIC. The topic of this debate is both timely and crucial as we navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world fraught with numerous challenges that threaten global peace and security. In this context, the Secretary-General’s new agenda for peace remains a relevant reference. Mr. President, the pursuit of peace is a shared responsibility, underpinned by collaboration, creativity, and a deep commitment to our shared humanity. In this spirit, Malaysia’s national policy, guided by the Malaysian Madani principles, embodies the values of inclusivity and participatory governance. It acknowledges that enduring peace can only be achieved when all segments of society are empowered to contribute to the nation’s development. The principles of Malaysian Madani are rooted in the belief that a harmonious and equitable society is the foundation of lasting peace. Through democratic values and the rule of law, we aim to create an environment where every citizen has equal opportunities to contribute to the nation’s progress, thereby fostering their stake in its peace and stability. By nurturing social cohesion, we strive to build a resilient and thriving society that can seize opportunities and cultivate a sense of ownership for the future. Mr. President, as a member of ASEAN, Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment to regional peace and stability through our active engagements, both within the regional body and with its dialogue partners. This longstanding commitment is rooted in our recognition that shared prosperity is deeply intertwined with collective security, and in fact, will strengthen it. In this regard, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ARF, has successfully facilitated constructive discussions and practical cooperation between ASEAN and ARF participants on political and security issues of mutual concern. This platform enables us to tackle emerging challenges and seize new opportunities, emphasizing that our regional architecture must be supported by strong institutions and a steadfast commitment to mitigating threats to regional stability and security. Malaysia also firmly believes that a strong partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations is essential for global peace and security. We greatly value the ongoing cooperation between the UN and key regional partners, such as ASEAN and the OIC. This not only enhances our collective impact, but also promotes a more integrated and effective approach to tackling the complex security, economic, and social challenges of today. Mr. President, in this era of unprecedented change, we must all heed the call for strengthening international frameworks and cooperation with unwavering commitment and collective resolve. Malaysia will do so and continue to contribute constructively in international efforts towards fostering dialogue and cooperation, which are the bedrock of peace and security. Thank you. I thank the representative of Malaysia for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Lithuania. Thank you, Mr. President.

Lithuania:
I would like to extend our congratulations to Sierra Leone for its successful presidency of Security Council this month. We appreciate this opportunity to discuss today the challenges to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. As highlighted in our concept note, we are now witnessing an alarming global uptick in violent crimes. In fact, we are also confronted with a multifaceted crisis that threatens to undermine the very foundations of international peace and security. The ability of UN to effectively respond is being tested like never before. Russia’s war on aggression against Ukraine represents a blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and Russia’s own commitment. Such actions are incompatible with its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council, and Russia continues to block any meaningful action on stopping and reversing the illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine. The repercussions of Russia’s war on aggression extend far beyond the European continent. The ripple effects are felt across the globe, particularly in areas of food, energy security, and environment. Moreover, Russia’s involvement in destabilizing actions through mercenary groups in Africa and Syria further complicates efforts to maintain international peace and security. These actions often occur in blatant disregard for international humanitarian law, further exacerbating the suffering of innocent civilians. Mr. President, Lithuania supports the vision laid out by the Secretary General. the new Agenda for Peace. It contains key elements necessary to advance global peace and security, including the reaffirmation of our commitment to the UN Charter and the international law. Investing in prevention is critical, and the Pact for the Future offers a timely opportunity to advance in this direction. The peace that we envisage can be pursued only alongside sustainable development and human rights, as it is stated in the Secretary General’s new Agenda for Peace. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, together with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, provides a robust framework for addressing the root causes of the conflict and promoting a culture of peace. Ensuring gender equality and the full realization of human rights of women and girls, facilitating their empowerment and leadership, and enhancing meaningful participation in all aspects of society are essential prerequisites for sustaining peace. The Agendas on Women, Peace, and Security, Youth, Peace, and Security, and Children and Armed Conflict must be fully implemented if we are to achieve these objectives. And we cannot speak of peace without addressing the need for justice. Impunity for the crimes, especially in conflict situations, as well as ineffective rule of law institutions, erode trust and hinder the path to lasting peace. During its presidency of the Security Council, Lithuania, years ago, organized an open debate that emphasized the importance of police activities within U.S. peacekeeping operations and special political missions in this domain. We call for a renewed focus on these efforts, including training police forces and reinforcing UN missions with a specialized police expertise. As we look ahead, it is imperative that we further strengthen the links between peacebuilding and peacekeeping. This is particularly important in transition contexts, where early strategic planning and preparation are key to ensuring smooth and coordinating handovers that pave the way for sustainable peace. The UN is indeed well-placed to assist in preparation of nationally debt prevention strategies, and we are grateful to Sierra Leone for highlighting this aspect in the concept note. Mr. President, UN peacekeeping missions continue to play a critical role in creating the conditions necessary for peace, including through monitoring and reporting on human rights violations and breaches of international law. These missions must be equipped to respond to emerging challenges such as climate change, emergence of non-state actors, rise of transnational crime, instrumentalization of migration, use of artificial intelligence in warfare, and the erosion of support within host nations. The implementation of the recommendations and action for peacekeeping initiatives in line with the new agenda for the peace is essential to addressing these challenges effectively. Finally, particular attention must be given to threats caused by misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. As the Secretary General notes, these threats are rampant on social media platforms and are deadly in volatile societal and political contexts. The summit of the future should address these threats, and as a follow-up, we should develop concrete guidelines and the steps to combat them. Mr. President, in conclusion, allow me to reiterate my appreciation for your leadership in convening this timely debate. I look forward to the next steps in implementing the Secretary General’s recommendation contained in the new agenda for peace. My thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Lithuania for their statement. And I’ll give the floor to the representative of Myanmar.

Myanmar:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I wish to thank you and the Presidency of Sierra Leone for convening this high-level open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace. I am also thankful to the briefers for their comprehensive statements. As aggressions, conflicts, wars, and a series of interlocking threats continue to swell in numerous parts of the globe, our world today has been unprecedentedly and increasingly endangered in multiple forms. Myanmar views the upcoming SOTF as an important opportunity and venue for the international community to agree on multilateral solutions and fill in gaps for various agendas ranging from peace to sustainable development. Mr. President, my country, Myanmar, is currently undergoing a revolution to end the military dictatorship. and to build a further democratic union in Myanmar. I wish to stress that astonishing experiences have taught us completely understand the intensity of violent conflicts, ignited by the illegal military coup and the hunter’s continued atrocity and its severe consequences. We are therefore cognizant of the price of sustainable peace and development more than ever. I wish to highlight the following points. First, there is a critical rollback in the hard-earned progresses achieved during the tenure of the elected civilian government. Second, peace, security and development can hardly be afforded in Myanmar due to the military hunters’ continued disregard of the rule of law, violations of international law and perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Third, as a result of the military hunters’ atrocities, the number of displacements and refugees has reached 3.2 million and 18.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Large number of children and youth have lost their rights to education and health. Venerable groups, including women and girls as well as Rohingya, have been facing numerous forms of violence by the hunter forces. Humanitarian operations remain challenging. Fourth, incidents of trafficking and transnational organized crimes, including online crimes, are alarmingly growing and it has impact on the neighboring countries and beyond. And finally, the economic and social outlook of the country is becoming extremely dire. Yet, Mr. President, we regret that the despite calls of Myanmar people for effective action and support have been repeatedly ignored. We witness that the absence of concrete actions from the international community have extended the unlawful military coup and hunters’ license to commit their international crimes. Throughout this lengthy period, sadly, our people, especially women, girls and youth, are bearing the brunt of the perpetrating hunters’ atrocities and international crimes. Nevertheless, Myanmar people have been endeavoring their best at the national level to establish. sustainable peace in the country through their efforts for ending their military dictatorship, which is the root causes of the conflict. The NUG, EROs, NGOs, CSOs, and all relevant actors on the ground have been working together to achieve our ultimate goal of building a fairer democratic union. Thus, we are committed to endure anti-peace and justice prevail in Myanmar. Clearly, no one else knows the real situation of Myanmar better than the people of Myanmar do. No one else wants Myanmar to be a peaceful, stable, and prosperous state more than we do. While welcoming any support of all interested member states to find a sustainable solution to our crisis, we urge them to listen attentively and seriously to the people of Myanmar and respect our aspirations sincerely. It is critically important that all initiatives to resolve the crisis must be in line with the people’s wishes and for a sustainable solution. What the people of Myanmar desperately need now is an immediate and decisive action from the international community. Only through a concerted and coordinated effort from the international community to isolate the military hunters and cut it off from all support, including the flow of arms and weapons, jet fuel many to the military hunters, will Myanmar return its path toward democracy and create a peaceful and stable environment. In this regard, the role of the UN, especially the UN Security Council, remains vital. I urge you to act now. Thank you, Mr. President.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Myanmar for their statement, and I’ll give the floor to the representative of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan:
Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, I would like to thank the delegation of Sierra Leone for having convened this important and timely open debate. Mr. President, effectively addressing the threats to peace and security considered in the Secretary General’s policy brief on a new agenda for peace necessitates strengthened multilateralism through which all states, in particular developing countries, can participate equally in global decision-making. Respect for the basic principles such as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in domestic affairs is crucial for preventing conflicts, restoring and maintaining peace, and promoting sustainable economic and social development. This imperative acquires particular importance in our part of the world. The liberation by Azerbaijan of its territories from the 30-year Armenian occupation, the end of the conflict, and the restoration of my country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, created conditions conducive to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Ongoing diplomatic efforts inspire hope for sustainable and lasting peace based on the fundamental norms of interstate relations. At the same time, adherence to these norms must be ensured not by mere words and declarations, but by practical steps in good faith, including in the first place, a legally grounded action at the national level in Armenia to root out the territorial claims enshrined in its constitution and laws that have underpinned the aggression against Azerbaijan in the past and are the main obstacle to normalizing relations today. Progress in advancing the peace agenda also requires preventing the attempts to draw new dividing lines in the South Caucasus, militarize the region, and turn it into a hotbed of geopolitical rivalry and confrontation. It is also important to address the harm caused by hate and lies, as well as to end impunity for the most serious crimes. Stronger solidarity is essential with countries that are overcoming the severe consequences of conflict, rebuilding devastated cities, rehabilitating their destroyed environment and biodiversity and helping displaced people return to their homes in safety and dignity. Of a particular note in this regard, the scale and gravity of the landmine threat in Azerbaijan necessitate urgent, continued, and adequate international support to our demining efforts. Five more people have become mine victims in my country this month alone, bringing the number of casualties from landmines and other explosive remnants of war in the post-conflict period to 377 in less than four years, of whom 69 were killed and 308 suffered horrific injuries. More than half of them are civilians. In total, since the early 1990s, the number of mine victims in Azerbaijan has reached 3,456, including 358 children and 38 women. Mr. President, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate Azerbaijan’s strong commitment and determination to continue its consistent and result-oriented efforts towards promoting conflict prevention, justice, and accountability. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Azerbaijan for their statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Habib Mayar, Deputy General Secretary of the G7 Plus.

Habib Mayar:
Mr. President, ambassadors, and distinguished delegates, thank you for the opportunity to share the recommendations on behalf of the G7 Plus, the only intergovernmental organization dedicated to representing and supporting countries and people from across the regions that are affected by conflict and facing vulnerabilities. We are united by a vision of pursuing peace, resilience, and stability founded on the principle of national ownership through collective advocacy and peer learning. The G7 Plus is currently chaired by Sierra Leone, with its headquarters in Dili, Timor-Leste. Allow us to share three reflections based on G7 Plus collective experiences and the aspirations of our citizens concerning sustaining peace and preventing conflict. First, we recognize, consistent with the UN and the World Bank Pathways to Peace report, the profound impact societal grievances play in sowing the seeds of conflict and instability, especially in countries confronted with years of socioeconomic challenges such as inequalities and injustice. Often unhealed, these grievances are usually inherited from previous conflicts, entrenching intergenerational divisions that have become… become the bedrock for successive violence. Therefore, we see a decisive role for reconciliation, national truth-finding, and inclusive dialogue for peace. G7-plus members, countries like Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone, and other countries like Rwanda and South Africa, to name a few, have successfully followed such a trajectory. We are fully aware that such an approach could be undermined by two factors. One, external support for the pursuit of peacemaking and peace-building is often not context-specific. To ensure this support is tailored to the diverse context and avoids one-size-fits-all approaches, we have been in partnership talks with PBC and PBSO to identify a list of good practices that draw on decades of experiences among our member countries. We invite Council members to partner with us to same ends. Two, we encourage all member states to unequivocally support national inclusive peacemaking, peace-building, and reconciliation, and at the same time, know when to show mutual restraint to allow these activities to take place without external interference. Experience from my own country, Afghanistan, is a vivid example of how efforts to foster national consensus for peace have often been thwarted by regional and global powers creating an environment of distrust. In current climate of intensified geopolitical tensions, the Security Council must remember that its charter-based mandate demands team-mindedness and rejects geopolitical self-interest. It, therefore, must find a way to foster a norm of collective restraint to prevent proxy wars or frozen conflicts. Our second reflection is that every society and country have institutions, capacities, and potential for conflict prevention to ensure its social and national cohesion as well as its sovereignty. International efforts too often bypass these institutions in local capacities, and instead of strengthening existing national and local systems, deliver aid through external processes and piecemeal projects. This approach undercuts the ability of countries to build cohesion, invest in state-building activities, and deliver inclusive social and economic services for their populations. However well-intended these efforts might be, they do not always help to overcome the conditions of grievances and instability that fuel future conflict. Lastly, we cannot overstate the importance of international laws and regulations that are meant to protect the basic rights of people of the UN to obtain peace, dignity, freedom, and prosperity. We see no clear pathway to sustainable peace or conflict prevention without respect and consideration for these shared rules and norms. Multilateral cooperation is indispensable to respect these standards and treaties. Since increasing geopolitical-geoeconomic fragmentation hinders the realization of these norms, we see an urgent need for inclusive multilateralism. This includes making reforms within the UN, especially the Security Council and the General Assembly, to ensure greater voice and inclusivity for the non-Western world, and Africa in particular. Reflections and inspiration on the reforms and future of the UN can be sought in new research and publications such as a recently authored book, Liberating the United Nations by Esteemed Colleagues Hans von Sponek and Professor Richard. Looking forward, we extend our hand to the Council members that it co-hosts a working retreat with the G7 Plus to better appreciate the situation of conflicts on the front line of vulnerabilities and conflict, and to explore how the Council can constructively engage with these countries to sustain peace. peace, and prevent future conflicts. Mr. President, the challenges we face are immense, but so too is our collective potential. Let us commit to the future where peace is not just a possibility, but a shared reality achieved through cooperation, respect for international norms, and the genuine inclusion of all voices. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank Mr. Mayar for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Georgia.

Georgia:
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Excellencies, at the outset, let me express our gratitude to the presidency of Sierra Leone for today’s debate. Georgia aligned itself with a statement by the European Union, and I would like to make some additional comments in my national capacity. Peace and security, along with human rights and development, are the main pillars of the work of the United Nations. While the governments have primary responsibility for peacebuilding and sustaining peace, the United Nations system can do more to build more peaceful and resilient societies. However, nearly eight decades after the founding of the United Nations, we are still working to achieve peace in many parts of the world, including in my own region. While Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s continued illegal occupation of two integral regions of Georgia are causing enormous human suffering, with wider implications on global security and sustainable development, Russia’s destructive behavior in the region has been further reflected in hampering the conflict prevention and resolution processes, including terminating international missions and blocking international security monitoring mechanisms on the ground. Moreover, Russia has also refused to allow international security mechanisms established pursuant to the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement on the ground, namely the European Union monitoring mission. Notwithstanding, the above-mentioned harsh reality, Georgia remains committed to do its utmost to show care and ensure humanitarian relief for those conflict-affected people who have been carrying the heavy burden of the grave consequences of Russia’s illegal occupation. As the Secretary General has emphasized in a new Agenda for Peace, conflict prevention should be implemented at three levels. First, at the international level. To protect ourselves from the initiation and escalation of violent conflict between countries. In this context, the UN Security Council has a special role to play in addressing important issues such as preventing new conflicts and ensuring the resolution of existing ones, in accordance with the UN Charter, taking into account the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states within their internationally recognized borders. Without going into details, here let me stress on the importance of reforming the Council and in particular reiterate our position on limiting the use of the veto. Second, the importance of stronger regional organizations needs to be taken into account. As it is noted in the new Agenda for Peace, regional organizations are crucial to prevention. They have a special role in conflict prevention, post-conflict recovery, reconstruction, and development, as they are better equipped for dealing with the peculiar challenges characterized by regional and sub-regional contexts. Enhanced coordination between regional organizations and the United Nations can serve as a cornerstone for developing a peaceful and secure world. And third, the Secretary General recommends that all states invest in national prevention capacities that include the whole community and develop national prevention strategies. A new Agenda for Peace places inclusion at the center of prevention. It focuses on how women’s full, meaningful, and effective participation is closely connected to our preventive efforts. At the national level, the Government… of Georgia is carrying out several activities to promote meaningful participation of women, such as regular dialogue with the conflict-affected women and youth, and the CSO representatives, working on women’s rights. We make all efforts to ensure that the needs and priorities of women IDPs and conflict-affected women are integrated and raised at the negotiation formats, particularly at the Geneva international discussions and incident prevention and response mechanisms. In conclusion, let me emphasize that a holistic approach to peace and development will help us connect the dots and better implement efforts which will bring us closer to peaceful and inclusive societies. I thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Georgia for their statement, and I give the floor to the representative of Canada.

Canada:
Mr. President, Canada applauds you for convening this open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, the new agenda for peace addressing global, regional, and national aspects of conflict prevention, and we thank the briefers for their informative presentations. The topic of prevention falls squarely in the lap of the UN Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, and Sierra Leone is a pioneering example of the peacebuilding progress a country can make when working with UN partners. In 2006, Sierra Leone was one of the very first member states to bring its peacebuilding vision to the newly created UN Peacebuilding Commission. And from 2009 to 2020, Canada had the distinct privilege of chairing the PBC country configuration for Sierra Leone. The end of the country configuration in December 2020 did not end Sierra Leone’s engagement with the PBC, but transformed it, and it continues to this day. Canada and Sierra Leone have been long-time co-chairs of the International Dialogue on Peace, Peacebuilding, and Statebuilding. Launched in 2008, the Dialogue brings together countries affected by conflict and fragility, development partners, and civil society to promote nationally-led peace. led peace-building efforts. Canada applauds the PBC for its groundbreaking meeting in March 2024, when Kenya, Norway, and Timor-Leste voluntarily presented their national prevention strategies to PBC members. Canada is proud to have recently contributed $2.5 million to the UNDP-DPPA joint program for strengthening national capacities for conflict prevention. This flagship prevention program has deployed more than 100 peace and development advisors to over 60 UN member states to develop and implement national prevention strategies and other capacities for preventive action. Indeed, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the successful program by UNDP and DPPA, with Canada’s support at inception, a two-decade record of the positive impact of investing in structural prevention. We therefore welcome the Secretary General’s new agenda for peace, which underscores the crucial importance of investing in prevention and calls for the establishment of prevention and peace-building strategies at the national level. We hope that next month’s Pact for the Future will include a clear call from our leaders to strengthen the role of the Peace-Building Commission in coordinating international support for national prevention and peace-building strategies and investment in those strategies. The review of the UN’s peace-building architecture for 2025 gives all the UN member states an opportunity to address this strengthened role, which in our view should make the commission a frontline forum, allowing member states to present their prevention strategies and to mobilize the support needed to implement them. Mobilizing and maintaining political and financial support for UNDP and DPPA is a key part of the UN’s mission to promote peace and development. The UN has been a key partner in the development of the Peace-Building Commission. and has been one of the fundamental roles of the Commission. And during the last two decades, we have seen the challenge, which is quite rightly noted in the New Agenda for Peace, represented by this support that donors and national authorities attach too little importance to. The Peacebuilding Fund is a key tool for filling financing gaps and for mobilizing support, and we ask that the Fund’s use be more closely linked to the Commission’s coordination role. We would like to take this opportunity to echo the call for heightened international support for the Fund, which constitutes an essential element in the UN’s prevention and peacebuilding architecture. Thank you.

President – Sierra Leone:
I thank the representative of Canada for their statement. There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend the meeting until tomorrow, 3 p.m. The meeting is suspended. Thank you.