Briefing Security Council, Chair of Peacebuilding Commission Underlines New Focus on Reviewing Working Methods to Enhance Efficiency, Flexibility
Building upon the progress it had made in 2016, the Peacebuilding Commission would now seek to review its working methods to enhance efficiency and flexibility, the Security Council heard today in its regular briefing on the intergovernmental advisory body’s work.
Cho Tae-Yul (Republic of Korea), Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, recalled that the body had made noteworthy advancements in the implementation of the resolutions on the review of the peacebuilding architecture. In 2017, it would seek to build upon those achievements.
In that regard, he said, the Commission had been making an effort to use its convening role to mobilize deeper commitment and partnership between the United Nations, the countries of the Sahel and other international and regional partners, with a view to advance the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. On 6 March, he convened a meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission that was attended by numerous high-level officials. He had also recently attended the meeting of the Ministerial Coordination Platform for the Sahel in Chad, which would allow him to identify opportunities for the Commission to support the countries of the Sahel towards development and stability.
Through the relevant resolutions, he recalled, the Commission had been requested to consider reviewing its working methods, and, in that context, it had met to discuss the peacebuilding priorities of the Gambia, following developments on the ground and important regional initiatives in support of the political transition in that country. In the meeting, the Permanent Representative of the Gambia provided the perspective of the Government, while the Commission provided a platform to discuss international and regional support. Further, on 7 June, the Commission convened a meeting on the situation of the Solomon Islands in advance of the withdrawal of the Regional Assistance Mission to that country. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the Commission to demonstrate its unique value as a partnership forum for States to engage with the international community on challenges in peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
A number of priorities would occupy the Commission’s work in its eleventh session, including partnerships and cooperation with relevant stakeholders, both within and outside the United Nations, he continued. The Commission would examine all available opportunities to strengthen its collaboration with international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and with regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union. Within the United Nations, there needed to be further exploration of ways to improve the quality of advice provided to the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. There were opportunities for the Commission to prove that, through its convening role, it could provide solid and comprehensive advice to the principle bodies of the United Nations.
He said that the resolutions on the review of the peacebuilding architecture recognized the importance of the Commission promoting an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding and to bringing continued international attention to sustaining peace. The Commission had demonstrated that by bringing different parts of the United Nations system together in one forum, it could produce better, more integrated and coherent work in the countries concerned. The Commission had adopted its gender strategy in 2016, which was now being integrated into its work, while the advisory body would also continue to consider ways to respond in a rapid and effective manner to requests for advice and support.
Macharia Kamau (Kenya), former Chair, United Nations Peacebuilding Commission, noted its diversified engagement and flexibility in response to Member State requests. The Commission’s value rested in its ability to make full use of its diverse membership to reinforce its bridging role. Throughout its tenth session, the Commission had also made progress in building stronger relations with key partners, he said, allowing it to identify opportunities to strengthen its collaboration with Member States, civil society and, where relevant, private sector actors.
Emphasizing that peacebuilding required predictable and sustained resources, he said that the Commission in 2016 had pursued its efforts to strengthen synergies with the Peacebuilding Fund, including an October 2016 meeting in Kyrgyzstan on financing for peacebuilding. Following the General Assembly and Security Council resolutions in April 2016, the Commission reviewed its rules of procedure and working methods in order to enhance its advisory role, including by aligning its work plan to relevant Council meetings. He said he was confident that the Commission would keep evolving into an even more dynamic and important platform for engaging on challenges and opportunities to build and sustain peace.
Cristina Carrión (Uruguay) said closer contact between the Commission and the Council must be seen as a priority, with more frequent contacts and more interactive dialogues like the one that would take place today. She also welcomed the Commission’s attention to the gender perspective.
The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and concluded at 10:28 a.m.