UN reaffirms commitment to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to reconciliation, ASG Jenča tells Security Council

On 30 April, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča briefed the Council on Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting the March decision by the European Council to open accession negotiations based on the European Commission’s assessment of progress made on key legislative and judiciary reforms. “The European project has become a unique chance for the continent to bridge divides and shape a stable and prosperous future despite ongoing challenges,” he said. However, there had also been concerning developments, with the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide sharing concerns about repeated threats of secessionism, the promotion of hate speech, the denial of genocide and the glorification of war criminals who were convicted by local and international courts. The ASG underscored that the UN was “committed to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in its path towards reconciliation, peacebuilding and sustainable development.”

Impact and evaluation in East Darfur, Sudan: Insights from the inaugural Peacebuilding Impact Hub event

The Peacebuilding Impact Hub hosted its inaugural event on 29 April with the launch of the Report of the Impact Evaluation for Sudan, which reviewed a portfolio of projects funded by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in East Darfur, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Through rigorous data collection and analysis, the Impact evaluation demonstrated significant peacebuilding gains, including a reduction in land conflicts and an increase in school enrollment, in areas where projects had been implemented versus areas where they had not. The event was opened by Richard Arbeiter, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada, and Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support. The launch was followed by a one-and-a-half day training on Impact Evaluations facilitated by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), International Security and Development Center (ISDC) and the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), attended by UN AFPs and Member States. The report is available here and the brief available here.

DSRSG Isaczai participates in 4th Baghdad International Water Conference

At the 4th Baghdad International Water Conference held in Baghdad from 27-29 April, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Ghulam Isaczai highlighted the significant progress made by Iraq's accession to Water Convention. He also underlined UN support through joint initiatives including the UN-Water Task Force and the Environment and Climate Change Policy Advisory Group towards sustainable water management.  

UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance holds training on cybersecurity issues

This week, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Office of Electoral Assistance organized a training session in Baghdad to enhance the knowledge and understanding of security and administrative staff at the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) regarding cybersecurity issues. The training focused on the risks associated with cybersecurity and provided useful tools for prevention and protection.

UNAMI Human Rights Office organizes training on violence and harassment against women in the workplace

On 30 April, the UNAMI Human Rights Office organized a training on “Violence and harassment against women in the world of work” for staff members of the Women Affairs Department in Kirkuk governorate. Participants received a brief on Iraqi and international legislation on the issue, and discussed how to identify cases of violence and harassment in the workplace and their impact. They were encouraged to develop measures to make the workplace a safe space for women.

In Colombia, communities work together to create Café Patía, a coffee for peace

This week, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia helped launch “Café Patía” on the national market. Colombia’s peace signatories and the communities from the south of the Department of Cauca worked together to produce a high-quality, environmentally friendly coffee. The initiative aims to help achieve economic reintegration in the region. The coffee is produced by the Cooperativa Integral de Mujeres y Hombres Constructores de Paz ‘Coopatía’, with the support of the UN Verification Mission and the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalisation (ARN).

Foundation for widowed women victims of conflict gathers for annual assembly in Colombia

In Villavicencio, the Verification Mission supported the annual assembly of the Fundación Sin Olvidos, which brings together widowed women peace signatories and victims of the conflict from various country departments. The Fundación Sin Olvidos was created in 2020 and is led by Luz Marina Giraldo, a peace signatory from the department of Meta, eastern Colombia. The assembly elected committees to address issues raised by victims, as well as to work on issues related to gender, disability, development and sustainability in the departments of Putumayo, Caquetá, and Huila.

Next Week

On 7 May, the Council will be briefed on Sudan/South Sudan.