This Week in DPPA: 28 January - 3 February

Security Council

On 2 February, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert briefed the Security Council. She reported a sense of hope that confirmation of Iraq’s new Government will provide an opportunity to structurally address the many pressing issues facing the country and its people. She also spoke of urgency for Iraq’s political class to seize the brief window of opportunity, and to finally lift the country out of recurring cycles of instability and fragility.   

Myanmar

1 February marked two years since the Myanmar military’s takeover of the civilian Government. In a statement, Secretary-General António Guterres said he continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and to support their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful and just society and the protection of all communities, including the Rohingya. Noeleen Heyzer, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, reiterated the SG’s concern regarding the military’s intention to hold elections and called on international community’s unified stance on elections, as well as on humanitarian aid and civilian protection.

Iraq

On 2 February, Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met in Baghdad with the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani. The discussion focused on the political situation in Iraq and the region, with an emphasis on Baghdad-Erbil relations and the Kurdistan Region elections.

On 1 February, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq Ghulam Isaczai, held the first strategic dialogue and coordination meeting between the United Nations in Iraq and The World Bank in Iraq. They reached agreements on joint advocacy and action to address the impacts of climate change, including water shortages, as well as durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. On 2 February, Isaczai met with the Iraq Minister of Migration and Displacement, Evan Faiq Jabru. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to support the government's efforts in finding and implementing durable solutions for internally displaced persons.

Mozambique

This week, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mirko Manzoni, and the Senior Political Advisor Neha Sanghrajka, met with the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and her delegation in Maputo. The meeting focused on sharing lessons learned in mediation, broader peacebuilding efforts and the stabilization of conflict-affected areas. The Ambassador remarked upon the unique nature of the peace process in Mozambique and commended the ongoing disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process.

Lebanon

Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka met with foreign ambassadors this week to discuss how the international community can best support Lebanon, including in its preparations for the municipal elections that are expected to take place in May. The Special Coordinator met with the Representative of the European Union and of several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan.  

On 2 February, Special Coordinator Wronecka visited two UNICEF-supported projects in south Lebanon that help promote community building. She said the water reservoir project was an example of how improving access to services can enhance cooperation between communities. She then met with youth volunteers trained by UNICEF and Movement Social in Sidon who offer children the chance for a better future by developing their talents and skills.   

Colombia

For the first time in Cumaribo, the largest town in Colombia, young people from seven Departments played football together to foster peace and reconciliation. Participants included former combatants, victims of the conflict, and representatives of indigenous communities. The Minister of Sport, Maria Isabel Urrutia (who is also an Olympic gold medalist) inaugurated the event. The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia led the closing ceremony. 

On 2 February in Villavicencio, Meta, the Unit for the Search for Persons Deemed as Missing (UBDP) presented its report on the first five years of management as part of the integral system for peace. According to the report, the UBDP, has made progress regarding 104,602 Colombians who are missing in the context of the armed conflict. Speaking at the event, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, acknowledged the work of Luz Marina Monzón as Director of the UBDP and reiterated the support of the United Nations.  

On 31 January, DPPA formally opened its “Diplomacy for Peace" exhibit at UN Headquarters. Opening the exhibit, UN Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, underscored the critical role of Special Political Missions (SPMs) in supporting complex political transitions peace processes. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and head of DPPA Rosemary DiCarlo also stressed the importance of the work of SPMs in monitoring existing and potential peace and security threats. “We ask a lot of what are, essentially, relatively modest presences. We want to show what they have achieved and how much more they can do,” she said. 

Read in Politically Speaking 

Peacebuilding

On 30 January, the Peacebuilding Commission convened an Ambassadorial-level meeting on peacebuilding in the New Agenda for Peace. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Commission. Member States expressed their support for the development of the New Agenda for Peace as an opportunity to advance a coherent, comprehensive, and holistic approach to peacebuilding. 

The Mid-Term review of the Peacebuilding Fund’s (PBF) Strategy 2020-24 found that the priorities identified by the PBF in its Strategy remain relevant. It recognizes PBF’s role as a UN convenor, including through its innovative Strategic Results Frameworks, as well as its regional and cross-border work. A set of recommendations to further the second half of the Strategy include a continued focus on gender and youth empowerment and civil society engagement, and building on demonstrated good results in UN mission transition settings. 

The Commission convened a high-level meeting on peacebuilding in South Sudan.  During the meeting, members echoed the recommendations made by the Chairs following their recent visit to South Sudan to promote an inclusive and timely implementation of the transitional roadmap, including the 35 per cent threshold of women’s participation in political process and institutions, as well as the holding of elections in 2024. 

On 2 February, during a formal meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Commission elected Croatia as Chair and Bangladesh and Germany as its Vice-Chairs. It also adopted its annual report for 2022, which highlighted its most significant achievements of the year. Notably, the Commission convened 27 meetings, including its first on Timor-Leste, South Sudan and Central Asia.  It also increased the number of times it submitted its advice to the Security Council (17 compared to 9 in the previous session), which testifies to a growing recognition of the advisory role of the Commission.  

Watch video statements of the new Chair and the former Chair.  

Next Week

The Security Council will discuss Ukraine on 6 February and Threats to international peace and security on 8 February.

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