UN Sustaining Peace Agenda
The UN Sustaining Peace Agenda is a comprehensive concept and framework adopted by the United Nations (UN) to address the root causes of violent conflict and foster long-term peace and stability.[1] It encompasses activities aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation, and recurrence of conflict while promoting reconciliation, recovery, and sustainable development. The concept marks a paradigm shift from post-conflict peacebuilding to a preventive and inclusive approach to global peace efforts.[2][3][4]
Historical background
[edit]The concept of Sustaining Peace was formalized on April 27, 2016, when the UN General Assembly and Security Council adopted twin resolutions A/RES/70/262 and S/RES/2282.[5] These resolutions built on earlier peacebuilding frameworks, such as the 2007 UN Policy Committee decision, to address the limitations of traditional post-conflict interventions.[6] Sustaining Peace represents an ambitious agenda to enhance the UN's capacity to prevent conflict and support national governments in fostering lasting peace.[7]
Definition
[edit][8] Sustaining Peace is both a goal and a process, defined as:
- Preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation, and recurrence of violent conflict.
- Addressing root causes of conflict through inclusive political processes, rule of law, access to justice, and socio-economic development.
- Promoting reconciliation and building national capacities for recovery and resilience.
The concept applies at all stages of the conflict cycle—before, during, and after violent conflict—and integrates humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts.
Core principles
[edit]- Prevention-Oriented: Sustaining Peace focuses on proactive measures to address the drivers of conflict, such as systemic discrimination, exclusion, and marginalization.
- Inclusivity: It emphasizes the meaningful participation of all societal groups, particularly women, youth, and marginalized communities, in peace processes.[10]
- National Ownership: National governments and local stakeholders hold the primary responsibility for leading peacebuilding efforts.[10]
- Coherence and Integration: The approach calls for coordination across UN entities and alignment with global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Link to sustainable development goals
[edit]Sustaining Peace is closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 16+: promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice, and building accountable institutions. The concept also supports other SDGs, such as gender equality (SDG 5) and climate action (SDG 13), by addressing socio-economic and environmental drivers of conflict.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Secretary-General's remarks to the Peacebuilding Commission | PEACEBUILDING". www.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace". Security Council Report. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "twin resolutions A/RES/70/262 and S/RES/2282 - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "Sustaining Peace | PEACEBUILDING". www.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2282 (2016) on Review of United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". press.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "The Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace Agenda". www.daghammarskjold.se. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ Mwanza, Jean-Pierre Mfuni. Sustaining local peace infrastructures in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Thesis). Durban University of Technology.
- ^ "The Peacebuilding Commission's Strategic Action Plan on Youth and Peacebuilding | PEACEBUILDING". www.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "Five things to know about the New Agenda for Peace". UNDP. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ a b "Strengthening the Implementation of Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace | GPPAC". www.gppac.net. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "6. Sustaining peace and sustainable development in dangerous places | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
- ^ "Secretary-General's remarks to the General Assembly High-level Dialogue on 'Building sustainable peace for all: synergies between the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and sustaining peace' | United Nations Secretary-General". www.un.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.