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Remarks by Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, at the high-level event on ‘Championing a new approach to peacebuilding’
29 September 2015
Honorable Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
Let me begin by thanking Sweden, the International Peace Institute and the Dag Hammarskjold Foundation for taking the lead in bringing us together here today.
Ladies and Gentlemen, just yesterday, at the Peacekeeping operations Summit which I participated in, a host of countries made commitments to strengthen the UN’s capacity to fulfil its role in that important area. Today, I am delighted to join you to discuss actions in the deeply connected area of peacebuilding. For while peacekeeping can indeed help bring about an end to violent confrontation, sustaining peace is of course equally important.
The long-term approach required to build and maintain the peace was vividly illustrated only two weeks ago, when Mozambique some 22 years after an end to civil war, was finally declared free of land mines – an achievement to be celebrated.
Statements so far from some of the “Champions for a New Approach to Peacebuilding” have demonstrated that national experiences offer valuable lessons about the complexities and uncertainties of building and sustaining peace, and about the ever-present risk of relapse. We heard how national ownership remains a key factor – how solutions must be anchored in the local context. It is clear also that to secure resilient and more sustainable outcomes, solutions must be rooted in inclusive political processes that are based on the rule of law and respect for universal human rights.
The United Nations – as one of the few external actors often present before, during and after conflict and instability – remains a central actor in global efforts to support peacebuilding. But as we have also heard – and as was pointed out very clearly in the report of the Advisory Group of Experts – the continued fragmentation of the UN system, from a policy and operations perspective but also from a financial one, has become a significant draw on the ability of the UN to engage efficiently and effectively in this area.
This year, however, we have an excellent opportunity to address some of this fragmentation and further advance the UN’s overall approach to sustaining peace. The three central review processes under way – on the UN’s peace operations, on the peacebuilding architecture, and on women, peace and security – are at various stages of advancement today but it is critical that these three reviews move forward in a complementary manner, consistent with each other.
On 10 and 11 May 2016, therefore, I will organize a high-level thematic debate to identify synergies and strengthen coherence between them. This debate can serve as a platform for Member States, regional organizations, academia and civil society to translate the linkages into comprehensive policy and operational answers to some of the challenges we face today.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the last few days at the UN and the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in particular, has filled me with great hope and anticipation for the year ahead. As President of the General Assembly for the 70th session, I am personally committed to advancing the efficient and effective engagement by this organization in peace and security matters and I will do my utmost to live up to the expectations and hopes that I have heard expressed here today.
I thank you.