Plans to close the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by 31 October have been rendered impractical by the spread of COVID-19 and challenges envisioned around the June rainy season, the head of United Nations Peace Operations told the Security Council in a 24 April videoconference meeting, as delegates outlined their views on extending the drawdown beyond the current mandate.
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the Peacebuilding Commission’s virtual meeting on the implications of COVID-19 for peacebuilding and sustaining peace, in New York today:
About 6.5 million people in South Sudan – more than half the country’s population – could face acute food insecurity at the height of the May-to-July hunger season, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on the 2020 review of the peacebuilding architecture: “Effective support in UN transition contexts”, in New York today:
While nomadic herding has peacefully existed for centuries, the traditional practice is now facing increased pressure in West Africa and the Sahel region due to reduced land, scarce water, climate change and the proliferation of illegally armed groups, delegates told a joint meeting of the Economic and Social Council and Peacebuilding Commission today.
Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at the meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on the 2020 Review, in New York today:
The United Nations is paying greater attention to managing transitions during the drawdown and subsequent closure of its peace operations as they, if poorly handled, could reverse progress made, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council today.
The Peacebuilding Commission looks forward to a review of its work in 2020 by the General Assembly and the Security Council as an opportunity to take stock of progress made and to explore ways to strengthen the United Nations efforts in forging sustainable peace in places where conflict once reigned, the General Assembly heard today as it took up the Secretary-General’s annual reports on the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund.
Convening its first 2019 meeting, the Peacebuilding Commission today elected Guillermo Fernández de Soto Valderrama (Colombia) as Chair of its thirteenth session, while also adopting a work plan aimed at expanding the Commission’s work and building synergies both within and beyond the United Nations system.
The Security Council today encouraged the Peacebuilding Commission to present it with concise and targeted recommendations on efforts to sustain peace in specific situations, ahead of reviews of mandates of United Nations operations.
