Statement by Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon,Permanent Representative of Pakistan, in the open debate of the Security Council on “Post-conflict peace-building”

  1. Mr. President,I congratulate you on Uganda’s assumption of stewardship of the Security Council this month. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this discussion on the report of the Secretary General on peace-building in the immediate aftermath of conflict (A/63/881).
  2. We thank the Secretary General for his report, which contains an objective analysis of the challenges and opportunities of post-conflict peace-building. While the challenges addressed in the report may not be new, the value added of this report is the fresh perspective and the impetus it could provide on the ways and means of addressing these challenges in a more timely and effective manner. Drawing on past experiences, a closer review of ground realities and expectations, and an extensive process of consultations, the report outlines an agenda that can guide and better inform our collective action in forging more coherent, efficient and predictable responses to the peace-building needs of countries emerging from conflict.
  3. While the report’s focus is on the initial two-year period after conflict, it is good to note that it addresses a wide range of policy issues and practical tools in a manner which retains the broader and long-term perspective of peace-building. But since there is a proven risk of relapse of conflict within the first five years, it is important for the international community to devote particular attention to doing things right in the immediate aftermath of conflict. It is true that the challenges are immense in this period. But so are the hopes and aspirations of the people affected by conflict, who are determined to seize the opportunity of peace and to turn a new page for a better, more secure and prosperous future. It is these people who have the greatest interest and the highest stakes in building peace. It is therefore only logical that they have the full leadership and ownership of this process.
  4. However, since the countries emerging from conflict are faced with complex and fragile situations and most often lack the capacities and resources to overcome the challenges on their own, it is incumbent on the international community to help them lay the foundations for sustainable peace and development. This partnership is at the heart of successful peace-building. [It comes as no surprise that the report of the Secretary General is structured around these central pillars of national ownership with good governance, honest and sincere purpose, and international partnership]. With sufficient resources and the will to understand not dominate.
  5. Mr. President, today peace-building is an established component of the comprehensive approach to conflict-prevention and resolution. It is a direct manifestation of the inter-linkage between peace and development. The general principles of effective peace-building are well recognized. As the Secretary General has observed, it entails a common strategic vision based on clearly defined and agreed national priorities, and a coherent and concerted action backed with required capacity and resources aligned with that strategy. We believe that in order to succeed, this endeavour must be people centric, responsive to their specific needs and circumstances and designed to reinforce their confidence in and support for the peace process. The central objectives – of establishing security, promoting inclusive political processes and reconciliation, delivering early tangible peace dividends, and building national capacities for governance, economic recovery and development – should all be sensitive to this human dimension of peace-building.
  6. While there is a fair degree of convergence on principles and objectives of peace-building, the main challenge is to translate it fully into practice. The true test of the Secretary General’s report would be in implementation of its recommendations. This requires, above all, the political will and commitment not only of the national actors but also the international partners to stand behind and implement a common strategy. While the latter need to demonstrate more understanding and flexibility to align their support with the national priorities and to eliminate the conditionalities, the former on their part also need to inculcate the required responsibility and values of governance that correspond to the ownership, and infuse confidence among the partners. The Secretary General is right in saying that investment in national capacity building should be part of the entry rather than the exit strategy. Priority should be on identifying, tapping and harnessing the civilian capacities available nationally, before resorting to regional or international expertise as required. In this regard, I would like to remind my colleague what Mr. Brahimi said in this Council’s debate of 20 May 2008, (quote) “We should have as many international staff as we need to get the job done, but not one single staff member more than that. Our goal in the mission, individually and collectively, should be from the outset to work ourselves out of a job”. (unquote)
  7. The most ominous of gaps, however is in funding and resources. The various recommendations contained in the report aimed at generating rapid, flexible and predictable funding would require cooperation and support of the member states particularly the donors, as well as enhanced collaboration with the International Financial Institutions, who would need to show more operational flexibility in their assistance programs for countries emerging from conflict considering their plight and special circumstances. From the point of view of enhancing national ownership and capacity, it will also be important that most of the funding is provided through government channels. But, it would make a lot of sense to devote attention, from the outset, to mobilizing the internal resources, especially through better management and exploitation of natural resources for the benefit of the country and its people.
  8. Peace-building is a complex undertaking involving parallel and coordinated efforts on security, political, humanitarian and development fronts. The United Nations, with its wide ranging mechanisms, capacity and expertise is well placed to coordinate and lead the international action in this field, of course with the support of other partners particularly the World Bank. We welcome the commitment of the Secretary General to improve the peace-building efforts of the United Nations. The Peace-building Commission, with its unique composition and specific mandate holds a pivotal role in these efforts. Strengthening of the Commission and utilizing its full potential is therefore essential in advancing UN’s peace-building objectives. For effective responses in the immediate aftermath of conflict, it would make more sense if the Peace-building Commission were engaged from the outset of UN’s involvement, particularly where integrated peacekeeping missions are deployed. The Commission also has a critical role to play in the follow-up of the Secretary General’s report. A fuller implementation of the report would also entail the engagement and contribution of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.
  9. Mr. President, the success of the peace-building efforts is to be gauged eventually by the tangible benefits and results on ground. We hope that this debate, which to us is part of the process that already started in the Peace-building Commission last week, will contribute to that same objective which is at the heart of the Secretary General’s report.

Thank you.