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Mr. President,
We commend the Chair of the Peace-building Commission, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, for his statement and his contribution to the work of the Commission.
The Report before us provides a useful overview of the work of the Peace-building Commission during its 9th Session and we appreciate its action-oriented recommendations.
Mr. President,
Peace-building activities produce tangible results on ground. Improvement in the lives of ordinary people affected by conflict is a time-tested yard stick that we can and do use to evaluate this important work.
Pakistan has seen the result of the work undertaken by the Peace-building Commission first hand - both as a member of the Commission and as one of the top troop contributors to countries where much of this work takes place. This experience confirms our belief that strengthening the peace-building architecture and advancing the peace-building agenda are not just important but imperative.
The past year has been a seminal one for the PBC. Beginning with the work of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, we have all directed much effort to strengthen and improve UN Peacebuilding.
We felicitate the Co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Angola and Australia for steering the process that led to adoption of the resolution on the "Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture" earlier today. Simultaneous adoption of this resolution in the Security Council and the General Assembly successfully brings to an end this review process.
Now it is time for implementation. We should be able to see change on the ground, where it matters most, in the form of a strengthened and effective Peacebuilding mechanism.
Mr. President,
The resolution that we just adopted is based on two very important precepts: "sustainable peace" and "inclusivity." Lasting peace is possible only through prevention of conflict and addressing its root causes. And inclusivity is the lynchpin for sustaining peace. This requires close partnership with national stakeholders and respect for national priorities and policies. An enhanced role for women and youth is also critical and essential for success.
There are, as we all know, many silos in the UN system and different processes work independently on inter-related issues. We must strive to better utilize the work of the PBC. Enhancing its interaction and advisory role to the Principal Organs of the UN is therefore critical.
Mr. President,
One of the principal achievements of the Commission over the last couple of years was managing the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. PBC and its country specific configurations made a concerted endeavor to respond to the Peacebuilding-related aspects of the recovery effort. The Ebola crisis exposed challenges related to the consolidation of peace. PBC's nimbleness and flexibility in responding to Ebola brought about a more coherent response. These are important lessons to absorb.
Mr. President,
The report of the Secretary General on the Peacebuilding Fund, on the other hand, paints a grim picture of waning finances limiting the PBC's ability to match demand. This shortcoming has also been identified in the review process. Sufficient and predictable resources will be required to support early, high-risk Peacebuilding and to promote system-wide coherence.
The resolution also touches upon this aspect. PBC's focus on domestic resource mobilization is important, but enhancing international financial support and ensuring its predictability is critical.
Mr. President,
The Peacebuilding commission has a vital role in conflict prevention, post conflict peacebuilding and avoidance of relapse of conflict. Investment in equipping the PBC to match challenges is investing in the future. The review process that we have just completed should breathe new life into the PBC, making it more responsive and effective.
I thank you.