Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), at the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme High-level Partner Event - June 24th, 2024

Mister Chair,

Thank you for the invitation to contribute as chair of the PBC to this important discussion. I acknowledge the valuable work carried out by the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme and by the Peace and Development Advisors.

The Commission has much to benefit from the action-oriented analysis from the United Nations system, elaborated by its personnel acting in the field. The briefings provided by Resident Coordinators, Humanitarian Coordinators, or Resident Representatives provide important inputs on what are the effective demands and the options for engagement.  Their approach help to feed into the mandated work of the PBC as a forum dedicated to supporting conflict-affected nations and regions, aligned with their priorities. They also help in the building and implementation of national capacities on  peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

As the Commission implements its 2024 Programme of Work, it remains committed to reinforcing the principle of national ownership and bolstering country-specific responses, with an emphasis on delivering tangible peace,  dividends on the ground and sharing good practices and successful experiences. The collaborative efforts of the Joint Programme, alongside the Peacebuilding Fund and other available mechanisms, are instrumental in this endeavor. The Joint Programme also stands poised to strengthen the capacities of diverse stakeholders, including local peacebuilding entities.

In preparing this year’s Program of Work, consultations with representatives from engaged countries and regions have highlighted the imperative of promoting and supporting inclusive peacebuilding approaches, particularly by empowering women and youth peacebuilders and giving real attention to root causes and drivers of conflicts. The importance of investing in  conflict prevention, resolution, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, based on national priorities and ownership, has also been constantly highlighted.  The PBC meeting on national prevention strategies of Kenya, Norway, and Timor-Leste, last March, provides a valuable example on how this discussion has evolved positively.

It is timely that the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme brings its focus on building and strengthening national capacities for conflict prevention. As many countries continue to seek the Commission's assistance in mobilizing support for peacebuilding challenges - notably in institutional building, rule of law, transitional justice, and security sector reform -, they may be considered from the perspective of prevention and sustaining peace. This is particularly important especially in the context of the discussions on the Pact for the Future and the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review.  The Commission's role lies in fostering coherent support from multiple partners in response to such demands, while also supporting innovative and context-specific peacebuilding initiatives in line with the national priorities.

The PBC stands as the sole intergovernmental body that has adopted gender and youth action plans for peacebuilding. We advocate for global endeavors aimed at empowering women and young peacebuilders. Therefore, we continue to encourage the Joint Programme and all relevant UN entities to incorporate those dimensions in their analyses. This commitment is reflected in our advisories to the General Assembly and the Security Council, which have supported gender perspectives in peacebuilding.

Finally, I hope that this session can provide further information on the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme and how the PBC can continue to collaborate with it, especially through the inputs provided by the Peace and Development Advisors.

Thank you.