Joint Nordic Statement at the UNGA Annual Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace

Check Against Delivery

Chairs, excellencies, distinguished briefers

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries – Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark – only a few months away from the Summit of the Future – a moment in time to reinvigorate multilateralism and strengthen the UN’s ability to deliver on its mandate. The UN Peacebuilding Architecture, including the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund, plays a critical role in this, supporting opportunities for peace through nationally owned and locally driven initiatives.

As we negotiate the Pact for the Future and have embarked on the review process of the Peacebuilding Architecture, the Nordics continuously stand ready to listen to the views and opinions of the most fragile and conflict-affected states in order to keep their needs at the center of the process.

It is clear, that the demand for the UN’s support in this area continues to be high. We see that when the demand for support through the Peacebuilding Fund outpaces available resources, and when new countries come to the Peacebuilding Commission to discuss national peacebuilding priorities.

Going forward the Nordics would have the following five recommendations:

• First. Invest in peace: It is crucial that we ensure adequate, predictable and sustained peacebuilding financing, not least via the Peacebuilding Fund, which continues to be in need of substantial voluntary contributions. Every penny invested in prevention, saves many dollars in conflict management.
• Second. Prioritize prevention: To sustain peace and avoid further escalation and crises we must prioritize prevention. The UN is well placed to support national capacities for peace and prevention strategies.
• Third. Partner with civil society: For peace to be sustainable it must be locally owned and anchored. CSO participation and the CSO-UN dialogue on peacebuilding is key.
• Fourth. Foster inclusion: Promote women’s full, equal and meaningful participation, including by having women representatives in the deliberations of the Peacebuilding Commission; accelerate the implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda; and ensure that the Peacebuilding Architecture review is based on the voices of affected people and countries. 
• Fifth. Enhance coherent approaches: Further leverage the potential of the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund in transition settings, environmental peacebuilding and climate justice and in bringing the UN system together.

Excellencies,

It is not an easy time to build peace and prevent violent conflict. Therefore, it is important that we jointly act. Multilateralism with the UN at its core is key. The Nordics see the important results of the Peacebuilding Fund and Commission and stand ready to collaborate on strengthening the Peacebuilding Architecture further.

Thank you.