Statement by Ms. Rabab Fatima at the 10th Anniversary of the UN Peace and Development Fund

Ambassador Fu Cong, 

Excellencies, 

Chef de Cabinet Courtney Rattray, and Chair of the Steering Committee of the UN Peace and Development Fund 

Distinguished Colleagues, 

I am pleased to join you to mark this important milestone - a decade of the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund.

At the outset, I wish to express my appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for establishing this Fund and fostering strong partnership with the United Nations system, beneficiary countries, and all our partners, whose collective efforts have translated resources into meaningful and lasting results.

 This year has been historic for multilateralism and development cooperation. In July, the international community concluded the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development with a clear call to scale up financing for sustainable development and to honor our pledge of leaving no one behind.  

And last month, we successfully convened the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which adopted the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs - a ten-year blueprint to advance connectivity, trade, and resilience. 

And in just a few days, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations - a solemn reminder of our collective responsibility to uphold peace, prosperity, and progress for all people.

Since its establishment, the Fund has invested 200 million dollars in more than 200 projects across 100 countries strengthening the vital nexus between peace and development. These initiatives have supported conflict prevention, disarmament, counterterrorism, food security, health and sanitation, and sustainable development.

For the countries that my Office supports, the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States - this Fund has played an especially critical role. 

These countries face structural vulnerabilities: limited productive capacities, geographical isolation, fragile economies, and acute exposure to climate and external shocks. The Fund has provided timely support to strengthen resilience, build institutions, and create new opportunities.

OHRLLS has partnered with the Fund in several impactful projects, including:

•   Expanding sustainable energy in LDCs and advancing SDG 7.
•   Enhancing transport connectivity in LLDCs, including under the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
•   Supporting export diversification strategies for LDCs to build trade resilience and implement the Doha Programme of Action.
•   Facilitating digital trade in LLDCs by measuring transport costs and harnessing digital solutions.
•   Supporting sustainable graduation in LDCs.
•   Promoting digital transformation in Asian LDCs LLDCs, and SIDS. 
 
These projects are helping vulnerable countries implement their Programmes of Action and translate global commitments into tangible national results.

Excellencies,

The achievements of the past decade demonstrate that the Fund delivers meaningful results. But the challenges we face today - climate change, economic instability, debt vulnerabilities, and geopolitical tensions – demand even greater support and partnership. For vulnerable countries, many of these challenges are not distant risks, but existential threats.

Looking ahead, three priorities can guide the Fund’s future:

1.  Inclusivity and national ownership – by anchoring projects aligned with the priorities of beneficiary countries, and focusing on those most at risk.

2.  Resilience and innovation - harnessing new solutions to address global shocks and enhance preparedness, including climate change and pandemics.

3.  Synergy and partnership - strengthening system-wide cooperation and building multi-stakeholder alliances to amplify impact and coherence.

Excellencies,

The UN Peace and Development Trust Fund is a demonstration of solidarity and shared responsibility. 

My Office will continue to support its work in advancing peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS - and for our shared future.

Let us build on this decade of commitment to shape an even more transformative and impactful decade ahead.

Thank you.