Ministerial-level meeting of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)

Check Against Delivery

Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished briefers, everyone,

These years we are confronted with existential global challenges. The achievement of the SDG’s is lagging severely behind. Peacebuilding and prevention efforts are often overlooked as we discuss how to best address these challenges. Yet they can transform societies away from spirals of inequality and conflict and build the path towards rights and development.

To give peacebuilding and prevention the prominence they need, we must invest in strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission.

At a time when there is an evident need for reform the global governance structures, including the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission provides a platform for constructive dialogue and equal partnership. This is something to celebrate and to build upon. I believe we can jointly take steps to make the Commission even more relevant and fulfill its strong potential. Let me suggest four ways to do this.

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First, we should commit to rally around the Secretary General’s New Agenda for Peace and his concrete proposals for expanding the UN’s peacebuilding mandate. The role of the Commission is key.

I welcome and support the Secretary General’s recommendations to strengthen the formalization of the Commission’s advisory and convening powers; to mobilize financing through the Commission for national and regional prevention strategies and to further operationalize these recommendations in the 2025 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture. 

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Second, we should commit to integrating responses. A peacebuilding problem is often a humanitarian problem, a development problem and a climate problem. When climate change and conflict cause loss of livelihoods, displacement, and drops in education and health, all these challenges must be met together.  As the informal coordinator between the PBC and ECOSOC, Denmark is committed to stronger integration between peace and development.

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Third, we should commit to inclusive peace. The PBC must continue to strengthen the full, equal, meaningful participation of women, youth and civil society. It pays off adding seats to the table, also in peacebuilding efforts. Peace is only sustainable when it is inclusive. 

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Finally, increased, consistent funding for peacebuilding is critical to all of these things. Denmark therefore strongly supports the idea of providing assessed contributions to UNs Peacebuilding Fund

Thank you.