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DPPA annual donor meeting shines spotlight on “booster effect” of Multi-Year Appeal
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On March 28, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) held its annual donor meeting with Member States at United Nations headquarters. In her introductory remarks, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo emphasized that the voluntary contributions made by Member States to the Multi-Year Appeal fund the Department’s vital work in many areas, including mediation processes; electoral support; women, peace and security; innovation, and climate security. It also allows DPPA “to act quickly and efficiently to help Member States respond to brewing tensions,” she said, while its Rapid Response window offers timely support to address sudden or escalating crises.
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Secretary-General's envoy for Mozambique briefs Security Council in open debate on “Silencing the Guns” in Africa
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On 30 March, the Security Council held an open debate on Peace and Security in Africa, with a focus on the impact of development policies in implementing the “Silencing the Guns” initiative. Mirko Manzoni, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Mozambique, spoke about the success of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation between the Government of Mozambique and the Renamo group, highlighting the importance of national ownership, trust-building, flexibility, and a human-centered process. “Silencing the guns and embracing dialogue is becoming a Mozambican way of doing things, and this is essential for lasting peace,” he said.
His full remarks here
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The Peacebuilding Commission held its first meeting on Mozambique on 29 March to discuss the implementation of the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation. The President of the Mozambique highlighted national ownership, mutual trust, and dialogue as key success factors in the peace process. The Personal Envoy for Mozambique stressed the importance of fostering trust to create a culture of dialogue between the parties. He also affirmed that Mozambique’s process has been unique in the continuity provided by the mediation process through to the implementation stages, with the same actors involved along the way. For Mirko Manzoni, “Mozambique’s case shows that a human centred process that keeps people at the heart of the process ultimately pays off in sustainable peace dividends”. The Commission commended the success of the Maputo Accord and welcomed the gender-sensitive approach adopted throughout the process, particularly in Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration efforts. Member States, however, expressed concern about remaining peacebuilding challenges in the Cabo Delgado province and called for strengthened international support to counter violent extremism.
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On 28 March, the Chair of the Liberia Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, H.E. Ms. Anna Karin Eneström, visited Washington D.C to meet with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. They discussed support for peacebuilding in Liberia, including economic situation, peaceful elections, national reconciliation, and empowerment of women and youth. The importance of tailored approaches, structural reforms, diversification of revenues, addressing root causes of conflicts, enhancing resilience and building and sustaining peace was highlighted. The IMF and the World Bank representatives recognized the UN-IFI collaboration on the ground, such as through joint analysis.
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Special Coordinator for Lebanon discusses obstacles to reform with media and NGOs
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Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka held a roundtable exchange with senior media editors in Lebanon this week to discuss the current crisis and future prospects for the country. The discussions focused on rebuilding trust in state institutions and identifying obstacles to reforms. Wronecka also met with local NGO Save Lebanon to discuss the disruption of public services and resultant humanitarian needs. The meetings were part of Wronecka's ongoing consultations with stakeholders in Lebanon.
Iraq
DSRSG Cordone visits Diyala Governorate
On a visit to Baqubah, Diyala Governorate in Iraq on 29 March, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance, Claudio Cordone, held separate meetings with Governor Muthanna Al-Tamimi, Police Chief Major-General Alaa al Zubaidi, and the Operations Chief of Staff Brigadier-General Anwar al-Zuhairi. DSRSG Cordone also met with civil society representatives. Discussions focused on security and public services in Diyala Governorate as well as the forthcoming provincial elections.
UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance publishes new report on supporting elections in the age of misinformation and disinformation
Misinformation and disinformation can undermine public trust in elections and the electoral process, and can even influence the outcome of elections. It is thus important for electoral management bodies to timely act to combat misinformation and disinformation in order to protect the integrity of elections with proper strategies. A new report published by the UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance (OEA) highlights support to the Iraq Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in combating misinformation and disinformation in the context of the 2021 Council of Representatives elections. The report aims to document the support of OEA to IHEC and provide insights that may be useful for other electoral management bodies facing similar challenges.
Iraq’s accession to UN Water Convention opens new opportunities to strengthen transboundary water cooperation in the Middle East
On 24 March, the Republic of Iraq made history as the first country in the Middle East to join the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (known as the UN Water Convention). It becomes the 49th Party to this unique international legal and intergovernmental framework, which aims to ensure the sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation across borders. United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Iraq, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai, emphasized that “Water must be shared at all levels: globally; regionally; between countries; and between men and women at the community level. It must be a source of cooperation rather than conflict. The Water Convention is an additional asset for Iraq to improve the management of its shared water resources for future prosperity, sustainable development and peace.”
Learn more here
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Special Envoy for Great Lakes region holds retreat to address challenges
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The Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes held a retreat from 19-21 March in Diani, Kenya, and discussed the deteriorating political and security situation in the region, the evolving role of the UN, and a changing donor funding landscape. It also explored innovative ways to address the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including by supporting the revitalization of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and enhancing confidence-building measures through the Special Envoy’s good offices. The retreat resulted in a clearer understanding of the office's mandate, work values, and priorities.
Read more here
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West Africa and the Sahel
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UNOWAS Acting Head visits Mauritania to discuss partnership and security
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The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and Acting Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Giovanie Biha, visited Mauritania from 27-29 March. The DSRSG met with various government officials and civil society organizations to discuss the partnership between Mauritania and the United Nations, the national and regional situation (including the upcoming elections), and support for the G5 Sahel to advance peace and development. On Sunday, she will travel to Monrovia, Liberia, to participate in the signing ceremony of the “Farmington River Declaration 2023,” a commitment by political candidates to ensure peaceful elections in October.
Read more here
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Libyan military leaders meet for first time in a decade
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On 26 March, the 5+5 Joint Military Committee met in Tripoli, Libya, with eastern, western and southern military and security commanders, under the auspices of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Abdoulaye Bathily. This is the first such meeting inside Libya in a decade. The meeting was convened to follow up on the commitments made during a March meeting in Tunisia to discuss the creation of conducive conditions for upcoming elections later this year. Special Representative Bathily called on all leaders in the east, west and south to support peace consolidation in Libya.
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Special Representative Abarry visits Cameroon to discuss humanitarian situation, development, peace
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Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) Abdou Abarry visited Cameroon from 27 – 30 March. He met with the UN Resident Coordinator Matthias Z. Naab and the Country Team to stress the importance of “delivering as one” to support national efforts in humanitarian action, development, and peace. On 30 March, Abarry met with President Paul Biya to convey the UN’s appreciation for the country's contribution to peace and security, as well as its hosting of refugees. He also discussed the situation in the country with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella.
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UNRCCA holds online workshops for Central Asian states and Afghanistan
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The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) held four online workshops in March 2023, attended by 36 representatives from Central Asian states and Afghanistan. Topics covered in the workshops included multilateral cooperation and the Water, Peace and Security agenda. Participants also learned about the UN Youth 2030 Strategy, which aims to improve the lives of young people. The workshops included practical exercises and updates on current global events, such as the UN 2023 Water Conference and World Water Day 2023. Representatives of the PDA alumni network also attended and presented an action plan for 2023.
Read more here
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Former combatants in Mesetas, Meta, remain committed to peace
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The UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied the installation of the Unified Command Post in the former Territorial Space for Training and Reincorporation (TATR) in Mesetas, Meta department, on 29 March. President Gustavo Petro, other officials and former combatants attended the event , where institutional responses were agreed upon regarding the security situation of close to 200 former combatants and their families who had received threats to leave the TATR. Special Representative of the Secretary-General Carlos Ruiz Massieu praised the former combatants’ resilience and the government’s commitment to peace.
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DPPA and UNDP discuss peacebuilding, human rights and development integration
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On March 31, DPPA and UNDP held an event titled "Rightsizing Peace in the HDP Nexus" with over 200 participants including Member States, civil society, and donors. Participated by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support of DPPA Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Crisis Bureau Asako Okai, the panelists discussed strengthening the centrality of peace at the country level and in global frameworks through platforms, such as the Peacebuilding Commission, and integrated planning and funding. Integrating human rights in the nexus, conflict sensitive and data driven analysis, and documenting impact were raised by many as critical. The event also emphasized inclusive solutions at all levels, national leadership, and learning from countries that have successfully implemented peacebuilding and prevention through national institutions.
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