New York, 27 January 2023 (TDI): The United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed warned the Security Council that peacebuilding is of utmost importance to the UN.
However, peace is under grave threat because people are facing a sense of insecurity and alienation almost in every country.
Violent Conflicts
The world is facing numerous violent conflicts since World War II. There is a quarter of humanity lives in war zones. That is generating grave crises such as worsening poverty, increasing food insecurity, and denying millions access to education and healthcare.
These crises are restraining the ability of people to fulfill their potential and contribution to society. Conflict and poverty are deeply intertwined.
Obstacles Abound
The conflict-impacted countries were lagging on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) even before COVID-19. Approximately 80 percent of the world’s extremely poor are living in fragile and conflict-prone and conflict-affected areas.
The pandemic only aggravated the already critical situation. For instance, the Ukrainian War not only devastated the life of the Ukrainian people but also created food, energy, and a global financial crisis.
UN Deputy Secretary-General said that the SDGs 2030 Agenda is off track progress-wise. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 200 million people have fallen into poverty. Additionally, 820 million people are facing hunger.
Similarly, the rights of women and girls are in jeopardy, the global financial system is failing developing countries. Economies are not serving citizens. These challenges are a threat to peaceful coexistence.
Dangerous Consequences
The issues in development are creating grievances, cleavages, corroding institutions, and allowing hostility to flourish.
Furthermore, the world is facing a severe threat of climate crisis. There is a loss of biodiversity and pollution that is threatening the existence of human life on earth.
These destructive forces are driving wedges in our societies, eroding social cohesion and igniting instability, said Mohammed.
Lasting Peace
Mohammed urged the Council that, peace must be built on “a bedrock of inclusive, sustainable development”. She called for sustainable development in securing peace now, and in the future.
Prevention of conflict and the peacebuilding process needs to be the core agenda. The New Agenda for Peace initiated by the UN would provide an opportunity to articulate a shared vision for how Member States can come together to address these challenges.
This will identify national prevention and peacebuilding priorities. Also, channel the international community’s support to nationally-owned violence reduction. She further said that all the member states are exposed to potential risks.
Thus, all governments must be prepared to take substantial measures to address violence and grievances. Inclusiveness is the key to the social, political, and economic strength of every country.
That would lead to greater public support, enhanced legitimacy, and strengthened social resilience. Provision, protection, and preservation of human rights are pivotal in the New Agenda.
Exclusion of Women and the Young
In private and government organizations, women remain in lower hierarchies where they have no inclusion in the decision-making process.
In state organizations, military spending keeps on growing rather than investing in human resources, especially in developing states.
UN and other world organizations must vow to ensure gender equality and halt the erosion of women’s rights. This is essential for sustainable peace.
Regarding the role of youth, she stressed that they are crucial in promoting peace, security, and stability, and pushed for dedicated regional and national frameworks for youth engagement in peacebuilding.
Furthermore, she urged the Council to host an annual debate on youth, peace, and security, as a platform to engage with youth-led civil society and young peacebuilders.
Peacebuilding
The Peacebuilding Commission must make integrative mechanisms to ensure prevention and a peacebuilding approach in its work.
Investments in peacebuilding would advance sustainable peace globally. The 2022 General Assembly resolution on Financing for Peacebuilding is essential for constructing societal resilience.
Peacebuilding Fund is the UN’s leading instrument to invest in peacebuilding and prevention. “We cannot allow crises – of which there are many – to divert funding away from these core efforts”, she concluded.
Addressing Multifaceted Challenges
Peacebuilding Commission Chair, Muhammad Abdul Muhith, said regarding growing obstacles to sustaining peace, that it was “imperative” for the ability of individuals, societies, and nations to be enhanced, to meet “challenges specific to our times”.
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