Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, recently addressed the United Nations Security Council’s high-level debate on the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace. Launched in July 2023, this policy brief outlines how conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts can help reverse the trend towards violence while reducing the human and economic costs of war.
During the meeting, convened by Sierra Leone, the Council president for August, Spehar emphasized the importance of prevention and peacebuilding in breaking the cycle of violence and laying the foundations for sustainable development for all. The discussion took place against the backdrop of a global rise in conflict, highlighting the urgency of investing in strategies to promote peace and prevent violence.
Spehar outlined three key areas where investment can advance these goals: supporting national voluntary peacebuilding efforts, ensuring coherence in prevention strategies, and strengthening partnerships and resources. In terms of supporting national efforts, she underscored the importance of national ownership as a guiding principle for effective prevention and peacebuilding. She also stressed the need to include diverse voices and ensure the participation of all segments of society to make peace more sustainable. As an example, she mentioned the UN Peacebuilding Fund’s support for programs in the Central African Republic that strengthen women community mediators, contributing to conflict prevention and peace sustainability at the community level.
The second area for investment involves ensuring coherence and a comprehensive approach to prevention and sustaining peace. Spehar emphasized the need to address the root causes of violence and conflict, not just the symptoms. She highlighted the importance of investing in inclusive and sustainable development and governance to prevent societies from descending into crisis. This aligns with the New Agenda for Peace’s call to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and address issues of inequality, marginalization, and exclusion.
In terms of partnerships and resources, Spehar stressed the importance of strengthening critical partnerships and ensuring the availability of resources for prevention and peacebuilding efforts. She noted the growing importance and scope of partnerships with regional and sub-regional actors, such as the UN Security Council’s engagement with the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the partnership between the UN Peacebuilding Commission and the AUPSC. While these partnerships are promising, Spehar highlighted the need for concrete follow-up and tracking of results from these engagements.
However, Spehar also expressed concern about the decrease in investments in peace and conflict prevention, juxtaposed with the steady rise in military spending. This trend is worrying, as it indicates a lack of prioritization of peaceful solutions to conflicts and underscores the need for increased support for prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
In conclusion, Spehar’s address to the Security Council highlighted the critical importance of investing in prevention and peacebuilding to break the cycle of violence and pave the way for sustainable development. By supporting national efforts, ensuring coherence in prevention strategies, and strengthening partnerships and resources, the international community can work towards a more peaceful and secure world for all.
