Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Anna Evstigneeva at the annual session of the Peacebuilding Commission
Mr. President,
We would like to thank the President of the General Assembly Mr. Abdullah Shahid, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, the representative of the World Bank Group Ms. Soukeyna Kane, the representative of the Private Infrastructure Development Group Mr. Philip Valahu and the representative of the African Development Bank Group Mr. Yero Baldeh for their valuable remarks and insights.
Peacebuilding has firmly established itself as one of the key tools for effectively overcoming the consequences of conflicts, stabilizing post-conflict situations and preventing the resumption of destructive crises. In this regard, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) plays an important role both as an intergovernmental advisory body on peacebuilding issues and as a platform where its members can hear the views of a wide range of invited participants on issues on the PBC’s agenda. In this context, on the one hand, we understand what is the reason for the proposal, outlined in the report of the Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres "Our Common Agenda", to expand the role of the Commission in order to cover geographic and thematic contexts and address cross-cutting issues such as safety and security, climate change, health care, gender equality, development and human rights from the perspective of peacebuilding. On the other hand, we are convinced that the strength of the UN system lies in the principle of "the division of labor" between its main bodies, when each of them is in charge of its own task without interfering in each other's mandate, otherwise such mixing will only lead to duplication of work and the efficiency losses of the United Nations.
At the same time, we would like to draw attention to the existence of such flexible and prompt financial mechanism as the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). As an emergency financial assistance mechanism for the implementation of peacebuilding projects, it can be a key component to ensure consistency of efforts in case of increasing of coordination and complementarity between the PBC and the PBF. Closer cooperation will help to overcome the fragmentation of peacebuilding assistance, ensure that the goals and objectives of preserving peace, as specified by the member states, are taken into account, and will make the activities of the Fund itself transparent and truly catalytic.
Mr. President,
The process of restoring peace begins before the end of hostilities, therefore, it would be advisable to provide funds for early peacebuilding in the budgets of PKOs, which mandates include such tasks as promoting the strengthening of government institutions, security sector reform, implementing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program. During the drawdown of peacekeeping missions and transitions it is important to preserve and make effective use of the logistics, equipment and infrastructure remaining after the liquidation of PKOs, which may be transferred to the disposal of UN development agencies or the authorities of the host country. During the later stages of peacebuilding the role of UN Resident Coordinators increases in facilitating interaction between the UN development agencies in providing assistance to the states in meeting their socio-economic needs. At the same time, international efforts at all stages should be built around the priorities of the host states and should not involve imposing unsolicited assistance or ready-made recipes.
We would like to draw attention to the potential of regional organizations. It is the regional organizations, being better aware of the situation in their area of responsibility, that are able to make their unique contribution in terms of supporting national peacebuilding efforts.
Thank you for your attention.
