Thank you, Madame Chair, and heartfelt congratulations on your election.

I would also like to congratulate the previous Chair, Ambassador Abdelkhalek, who, together with the Vice Chairs and Configuration Chairs, and in collaboration with all members of the PBC and representatives of the countries who engage with the Commission, delivered a rich and impactful 2021 Program of Work. 

The success of the PBC lies in the relationships of trust that have been developed over the years between the countries that engage with the Commission and its members. DPPA/PBSO is honored to continue supporting this collaborative approach.

2022 brings new opportunities but also challenges for the work of the Commission. All of us as in DPPA/PBSO are looking forward to supporting Ambassador Fatima’s leading role, alongside the new Vice-Chairs and continuing Configuration Chairs, as the Commission gets ready to take on these challenges. Increasing extremist militant attacks and political instability observed in different parts of the world risk reversing gains that the Commission has been supporting for years. The situation calls for recalibrated action and more effective support. At the same time, the economic impacts from COVID-19 exacerbate inequality and increase polarization in most contexts where the PBC engages. Recent studies indicate that the erosion of social cohesion is the global risk that has intensified the most since the start of the global pandemic, followed by livelihood crises and climate action failure. The pandemic’s devastating consequences are clear. But so should be the opportunity to rebuild societies and systems that are fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable. In this respect, there are many positive examples that inspire us, including work that grass-root women and youth-led organizations shared with the PBC last year.

With these in mind, we are excited to build on good practices and lessons learned in carrying forward the Commission’s activities. In doing so, we are being guided by the Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda and have identified seven interconnected areas for follow-up action by the PBC:

1. Greater focus on impact. This requires not only bringing more action-oriented analysis to the attention of the PBC, but also ensuring commensurate attention from the Commission’s delegates at the highest level. Ambassador Fatima updated us on ongoing consultations in preparation of 2022 engagements. I would like to emphasize that continuous focus on results on the ground is key to expanding the Commission’s work in more settings, and this expansion will in turn allow the Commission to pursue the cross-cutting issues of security, climate change, health, gender equality, development, and human rights that the Secretary-General called for in his report on Our Common Agenda. Encouraging more participation of countries eligible to the Peacebuilding Fund will also help us learn more about strategies and results.

2. Continuing emphasis on inclusivity. The fact that 65 percent of the Commission’s briefers in 2021 represented national and local institutions, proves its commitment to promoting inclusive approaches in support of national peacebuilding initiatives and peace processes. The significant increases in civil society and private sector participation, including women and young peacebuilders, are impressive, and we are committed to supporting the continuation of this good practice.

3. Sustained attention on UN coherence. DPPA/PBSO will continue bringing to your attention cross-pillar analysis, with a focus on those voices from the field that are leading UN efforts in support of national peacebuilding priorities [SRSG, DSRSG, RCs/HCs, RRs, etc.] This includes continuing emphasis on synergy with the PBF, which has proven successful in enhancing UN coherence. We have received positive feedback from many of you on our updates about the PBF portfolio, assessments and evaluations. We will keep this practice up, benefiting from results associated with the Fund’s record-high investments in 2021 and the ambitious objectives set in its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.

4. More effective partnerships with regional organizations and international financial institutions, building on suggestions made during past AUPSC/PBC consultative meetings and on UN system’s successful initiatives, such as those supported by the UN-World Bank Humanitarian-Development-Peacebuilding and Partnership facility.    

5. More effective advocacy for peacebuilding financing. This is strongly linked with all the previous points, since results cannot be achieved without adequate resources for peacebuilding. As Madame Chair noted, negotiations are about to begin regarding the Commission’s advice to the General Assembly on peacebuilding financing. In DPPA/PBSO, we will continue to support efforts, including the Commission’s advocacy, to ensure adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding - a key priority for the Secretary-General and DPPA leadership.       

6. Improved bridging and advisory role. 2021 registered the highest number of submissions (39) to other intergovernmental bodies and peacebuilding fora. Impressive as this is, we will continue to support the Commission’s initiatives to improve the quality and timeliness of its submissions, including more regular advice to the Security Council on Mission mandate renewals. This is something that DPPA/PBSO cannot pursue alone, and we are pleased to see ongoing conversations among Member States on ways of sharing the responsibility.

7. More emphasis on accountability. In DPPA/PBSO, we are committed to supporting the Commission in keeping track of its results and good practices. This was the thinking behind the development of action plans to guide the Commission’s work in support of women and young peacebuilders. We will continue to bring regular progress reports to its attention. We have made a tremendous effort in the last couple of years to bring data and evidence-based reports to the attention of the Commission, and we are committed to furthering this work, resources permitting.

We look forward to supporting more PBC results.   

Thank you.