Khiari: An end to the military's campaign of violence and political repression is vital for Myanmar

On 4 April, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari told the Security Council that the expansion of armed conflict throughout Myanmar had deprived communities of their basic needs, as well as their access to essential services. He went on to underline that amid reports of indiscriminate aerial bombardments by the Myanmar Armed Forces and artillery shelling by various parties, the civilian toll kept rising. In Rakhine State, fighting between the military and the Arakan Army had reached an unprecedented level of violence. “Any solution to the current crisis requires conditions that permit the people of Myanmar to exercise their human rights freely and peacefully,” Khiari said, emphasizing that “an end to the military’s campaign of violence and political repression is a vital step.”  

Special Coordinator for Lebanon discusses the role of academia in fostering a culture of peace

This week, Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka held a round of meetings with Lebanese academics on their role in inspiring Lebanese authorities and political parties in reinforcing state institutions and promoting a culture of peace. In her separate meetings with Joe Bahout of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, Karim Bitar of the University Saint Joseph and Imad Salameh of the Lebanese American University, Wronecka discussed how to prevent state weakness from giving rise to further radicalization. During a visit to La Sagesse University, the Special Coordinator met with the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations Professor Antonios Abou Kasm and a group of students. She congratulated them on the organization of a recent conference on Resolution 1701.

Special Coordinator highlights need to end Presidential vacuum in Lebanon

Special Coordinator Wronecka met this week with Lebanon’s Deputy Parliament Speaker, Elias Bou-Saab. They discussed the critical role of parliament in moving forward with the election of a President and ensuring the full functionality of state institutions in the service of the people. She also met with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros El-Rahi (pictured). She underscored the need for a greater sense of urgency in approaching the presidential election, in order to preserve Lebanon’s constitutional foundations and democratic practices.

Peacebuilding Fund carries out portfolio evaluations for the Gambia, Chad and El Salvador

The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) recognizes that high-quality evaluations are essential for evidence-based decision-making, learning and accountability. The PBF commissions independent evaluations for each country portfolio nearing the end of eligibility to the Fund, including most recently in the Gambia, Chad and El Salvador. The Gambia portfolio evaluation found that PBF's support provided the foundations for political dialogue at the national and community levels, and also supported the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission as well as the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. In Chad, PBF-funded projects enabled the establishment of the Commission for the Verification of Illegal Detentions, while PBF’s support also contributed to the economic empowerment of women and youth among displaced populations. PBF-funded reintegration opportunities for returnees in El Salvador contributed to changing negative stereotypes within communities, and assisted returnees with gaining greater confidence in themselves and in their future.

Youth advance YPS and WPS agendas in Western Balkans

From 26 to 27 March, a group of 26 youth (including 20 women) from across the Western Balkans gathered in Tirana for a two-day workshop to discuss ideas for advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth Peace and Security (YPS) agendas at the regional and local levels. The activists, youth council members and representatives of regional youth civil society organizations prioritized increased youth representation, stronger regional networking opportunities and additional capacity building. United Nations agencies supporting this initiative through the Peacebuilding Fund pledged to follow up with the participants on their immediate priorities and to help develop ideas on how the ongoing PBF project can support them. As part of the PBF-supported Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality an Trust project implemented jointly by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the workshop helped empower youth to build networks to overcome divisions and create an inclusive and peaceful future.

SRSG Hennis-Plasschaert meets with top Kurdistan Region officials

On 2 and 3 April, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met separately in Erbil with Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Region President, Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Qubad Talabani, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, and Masoud Barzani (pictured), the president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. They discussed the political situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Baghdad-Erbil relations and the forthcoming Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.

Verification Mission joins Colombian women in National Participation Committee meeting

On 5 April, in Bogotá, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied more than 150 women from all over the country at a meeting of the National Participation Committee, held in the framework of the Dialogue Table between the Government of Colombia and the ELN. "Women contribute their valuable experiences and knowledge to constructing peace in Colombia," said Devanna de la Puente, Gender Advisor to the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, adding that "the Mission has a firm commitment to continue accompanying them in this process for an inclusive and participatory process." Over the course of the two-day meeting, women will provide input for the methodology of civil society participation in the dialogue process with the ELN.

Addressing the link between climate, peace and security

This week, in our online magazine "Politically Speaking," we look at how DPPA is integrating climate and environmental considerations in its work and the role of Climate, Peace and Security Advisors in special political missions. With climate change multiplying risks, especially in areas more vulnerable to conflict, climate action needs to become an integral part of preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts.

Next Week

On 9 April, the Security Council will hold a briefing on Colombia.