2025 Peacebuilding Commission Ministerial-level Meeting

The Ministerial Level Meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission on Promoting Social Cohesion and Inclusive Governance to Foster Community Resilience and Sustainable Peace is called to order. Good morning, and I hope I was able to wake up everybody. Welcome all of you to this Ministerial Level Meeting to the Peacebuilding Commission I thank you all for your attendance here today. 2025 marks an important year for the Peacebuilding Commission as we just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Social cohesion and inclusive governance are two central elements of building and sustaining peace. Over the last two decades together, we have learned a lot from each other by sharing our experiences and we have supported each other in advancing our efforts to secure peace in our countries, despite rising levels of conflicts and geopolitical tensions. We are honored to be joined today by His Excellency, Mr. Kazim al-Araji, National Security Advisor of the Republic of Iraq. Her Excellency, Ms. Liina Waltunen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland. And His Excellency Mr. Justin Tautjens, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, who will provide the important national perspectives on the promotion of national cohesion and inclusive governance. I would also like to express my thanks to our civil society representative, Ms. Maimouna Ba, founder of the Mamam Sahelien Foundation for Peace and Solidarity, who will share with us grassroots perspectives on the topic of this ministerial PBC meeting. Finally, we also warmly welcome the presence of His Excellency, Mr. Koutnani Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary General, representing Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the outset, a short note to all delegations. We are honoured by the great interest in this meeting and would like to give all delegations a chance to speak. We therefore would like to remind you to keep your remarks to no more than three minutes, or preferably less. Thank you again for your presence at today's meeting. I will now proceed to the first item on our agenda, which are my opening remarks. Colleagues, chairing the Peacebuilding Commission has been a priority for Germany's engagement in the UN this year. 2025 has indeed been an exceptional year for this body. We are on our way to approaching the final negotiations of the quintessential review of the peacebuilding architecture facilitated by our colleagues from Egypt and Slovenia. In June, we marked the 20th anniversary of the Peacebuilding Commission, 20 years. That means two decades of supporting more than 30 countries in advancing the national peacebuilding priorities, two decades of connecting the UN system with its member states and civil society to prevent conflicts and foster sustainable peace. In those 20 years, we have learned that peacebuilding is most effective when it is rooted in local realities and when civil society is included. From empowering village committees in Mauritania to manage conflicts between herders and farmers in areas affected by climate change, to actively engage youth in reconciliation efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. From fostering trust between governments and civil society in Fiji, to empowering state institutions to prevent the spillover of violent extremism in northern Ghana. These diverse examples are some of the success stories of the last 20 years. Yet, this anniversary is not only a cause for celebration. It is also a moment of sober analysis, a moment to consider where we stand. We are meeting at a time of overlapping global crisis, when peace remains elusive or fragile in many regions. Divisions within our societies are exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, inequality, violent extremism, and climate change. And at the same time, the UN system itself is under strain. Member state priorities are shifting while resources are quickly decreasing. The UN as a whole, and the PBC in particular, must become more efficient, more effective, and better prepared for these challenges. Today's session provides an opportunity to take a closer look to how peacebuilding and prevention efforts can contribute to this by strengthening social cohesion and countering central conflict drivers such as violent extremism and climate change. During this discussion, I propose we keep the following three points in mind. Firstly, we need to advance the role of the peacebuilding architecture in the UN system. The PBC is a key bridge between the UN system, its member states, and civil society. But there are many more peacebuilding actors outside the UN system. Now, more than ever, the PBC, the Peacebuilding Fund, and the Peacebuilding Support Office need to be the hinge in the system connecting all peacebuilding efforts and actors at local, national, and international level, and that includes broadening the donor base. Secondly, We can only learn from each other if we share our experiences and best practices. I commend all Member States who have already presented their national peacebuilding and prevention strategies in the PBC, and I invite all Member States to do the same. Thirdly, to strengthen social cohesion, we should sharpen our focus on inclusion, a key for building and sustaining peace. Women and youth are not just beneficiaries of peacebuilding, they are central actors. Excellencies, Germany will remain a strong and reliable partner for peacebuilding and all member states engaging with the PBC. Conflicts and disagreements will always exist in our world. However, The Peacebuilding Commission has proven for 20 years that it can help states and societies find paths toward dialogue, strong institutions, and resilient societies. This anniversary is a call to renew our shared commitment to peace. Let us seize this moment to strengthen the peacebuilding architecture. to broaden our partnerships and to ensure that our collective work delivers concrete and lasting impact for the people we serve. Thank you. I now invite His Excellency, Mr. Kazim al-Araishi, National Security Advisor of the Republic of Iraq, to deliver his statement. Please.

Thank you very much. In the name of God, most compassionate, most merciful. Excellencies, distinguished ministers and delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me at the outset to express my thanks and appreciation to the presidency of the PBC on its invitation to partake in this very important ministerial meeting. I extend my thanks to the international community for efforts to sustain peace and stability in conflict-affected countries and in countries in post-conflict settings. I thank Germany for its laudable leadership and steering of this meeting and the efforts made to safeguard international peace and security. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this meeting is an important opportunity to take stock of our national experiences in peacebuilding and to share experiences and build a common ground to strengthen our ability to address rising conflicts and tensions. In this regard, Iraq wishes to take stock of its national experience and strengthening and promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance to foster community resilience and sustainable peace. Iraq has gone through the scourges of terrorism and violent extremism. ISIL has managed to occupy large swaths of our territories in 2014, and despite this cruel experience, this has become a turning point in Iraq's journey. whereby our efforts with the armed forces have been concerted and in cooperation with the international community and international partners to once again. lay the groundwork for governmental control over all of our territories. In this regard, we've implemented a number of comprehensive projects, namely for national reconciliation. This was done through dialogue with various components of society, including our the sheikhs of tribes, as well as various components of our society to ensure social cohesion and the return of displaced persons. Many have been allowed to return through the clearance of landmine, including the provision of services and the promotion of infrastructure. Women and youth were also empowered as an important component of peacebuilding efforts, thanks to projects aimed at strengthening their participation and decision-making. in addition to the spread of the culture of peace, including in our curricula and awareness-raising campaigns to address violent extremism and entrench tolerance. We've also enacted a number of legislations to support victims of terrorism, including the Act on Yazidi Survivors, in addition to legislation on education and social stability. We've also established a national strategy against violent extremism. Our governmental efforts continue, namely in supporting the reintegration of displaced persons in their homes through our institutions and through international partners and organizations working in Iraq. Peacebuilding committees have been established in seven Iraqi provinces, and they've had a major role in strengthening our resilience and allowing for the return of displaced persons, promoting social cohesion in areas that used to be under terrorist control to bring them back to life and normalcy. In this regard, we continue to work with the IOM on establishing the first Iraqi foundation on reform and the strengthening of cohesion and social coexistence. In this regard, we've announced the establishment of the Peace and Reform Institute. This has been a stepping stone for strengthening stability. We've also worked on anti-corruption with the participation of all components in the political process to prevent exclusion and ensure trust in the government. Our experience has shown that peacebuilding requires a marriage between social inclusion, the promotion of human rights, and reform in all sectors of society. This peacebuilding project must, in fact, be owned by all components of the Iraqi community. Peacebuilding is part and parcel of or should be based on social and economic development, including addressing the root causes of violent extremism and strengthening the education sector for a cohesive society. We are equally working on economic integration and our diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, including our cooperation with the United Nations to allow for exchange of expertise and to allow us to benefit from technical assistance. Our journey is a message for peace, which shows that peoples can overcome crises when international cooperation is ensured, including through financial assistance. We call upon the international community to strengthen support for sustainable for efforts for sustainable peace in countries and post-conflict settings to strengthen their national capabilities and allow for strengthened multilateralism, including through the Peacebuilding Commission. In conclusion, we wish to reiterate our steadfast commitment to working with you all to strengthen and promote social cohesion and inclusive governance as a stepping stone for more stable societies and a more sustainable peace which is based on justice and underpinned by development. We stand ready to share our national experience with you, and we are equally seeking to leverage opportunities to cooperate with you. And thank you very much.

Thank you very much. And I would like to hand over and give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Elina Rautioinen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland. Please, Elina.

Thank you, Johan. Excellencies, colleagues, it is a true pleasure to join this panel discussion on social cohesion and inclusive governance as path to resilience and peace. Indeed, it was very enlightening to hear of the experience of Iraq on peacebuilding. I would like to share with you some experiences of my country on this topic. For several years now, Finland has been ranked one of the most stable countries globally, and for eight years in a row, we have been also nominated as the happiest country in the world, sorry, Norway. This, however, has not always been the case. Our happiness did not materialize from thin air, and indeed, the same goes for the stability of our society. Just a little over 100 years ago, Finland was a poor nation with a long border and an unreliable neighbor, a rural developing country with small family farms and a large landless population. The average life expectancy was 46 years. Child mortality was among the highest in Europe. Only 5% of the population received more than a very basic education at school. Finland gained its independence in 1917. This important moment was overshadowed by deep divisions in our society, both politically and economically. Soon, Finland descended into a civil war. In a few months, 40,000 people died and many perished in the violent aftermath. Elements of foreign intervention were present on both sides. After the civil war, Finland remained divided and fragile. Moderates on both sides of the political aisle, however, understood that building unity through inclusion was an existential necessity. Inclusion entails that everyone has a stake in the society. An inclusive society recognizes the different but important roles that various stakeholders play, a vibrant civil society being one of them. Over the past century, Finland invested in what we believed in, people. Education to ensure that every child, irrespective of gender, economic background, or disability, has equal opportunities. healthcare and social safety nets for those in need. Democracy offers a basis for an inclusive society. Finland was the first country that granted women full political rights. Coalition governments have always been the general rule in Finland. Despite coalitions being short-lived in the early years following independence, political parties eventually learned to work together, understanding that no one can cling to power forever. The rule of law and strong, reliable institutions are the bedrock of trust in Finnish society. And indeed, we have aspired to build the entire society on trust. Trust in the government for making decisions that benefit the country and the people. Trust by the government in the people, their views and their capabilities. And trust among people. conducive to minimising crime, ridding society of corruption, and fostering prosperity and wellbeing for all. A strong and healthy economy is key to inclusion and stability. Jobs and entrepreneurship not only give people a stake in the society, but also create prosperity and revenue to cover public costs. After its civil war, Finland enacted the Tenant Farmer Act, which enabled tenant farmers to be freed from the power of landowners and allowed for broad land ownership with full property rights. Since then, everyone in Finland has a right to own property and to strive for economic success. A high level of trust enables all actors to rely on promises made and agreements signed. there is virtually no corruption as ranked by Transparency International. Our education policy was followed later by science policy and eventually now by innovation policy as an innovative and diverse economy is key to resilience and stability. Dear friends, Finland's resilience has been tested. During the Second World War, we lost approximately 10% of our territory and hundreds of thousands of citizens were internally displaced. The subsequent period of industrialization required the strong participation of women in the labor market, leading to many social innovations and natural gender equality. Today, our resilience is based on the whole of society approach, and all key stakeholders in Finland, Finnish society, including businesses and individuals, understand their role in safeguarding Finland's resilience and integrity. any country can slip and fall. Effective prevention necessitates adequate foresight. In Finland, the Parliament is one key stakeholder in foresight in the form of the Parliamentary Committee of the Future. I hope the story of Finland's path to stability and happiness illustrate two things. First, building peace is a comprehensive and continuous endeavor, not merely limited to immediate post-conflict situations. And second, Resilience is based on investing in people, in their inclusion, and the input from everyone in the society. I thank you.

Thank you so much, dear Elina, for your remarks. And I would like to hand over to His Excellency Mr. Justin Katutchenko, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair, distinguished panelists, and esteemed delegates. Allow me to thank you, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany and Chair of Peacebuilding Commission, for the generous invitation to join this important ministerial-level meeting. It's a privilege to represent Papua New Guinea and discuss a matter of utmost significance, promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance as a pathway to foster community resilience and sustainability and peace. Distinguished delegates, each country has its own unique set of political, economic, and social problems, but the approach to address these issues should be tailored to Pacific circumstance for each country, and my country is no exception. Papua New Guinea is a large country in the Pacific region. Renowned for its unique culture and ethnic diversity, it is home to over 800 different languages and diverse cultural practices, which is both our strength and a challenge. While this diversity enriches our social fabric, it can also lead to misunderstandings and tension amongst various groups. To turn our differences into strengths, we must actively promote social cohesion, an endeavour that fosters mutual respect and understanding amongst individuals and communities. We recognise that our strength lies in our own unity. However, we also face challenge of ensuring that every voice is heard and that every community is included in the governance process. I want to inform the meeting that the current government is working closely with the respective institutions, provincial governments, and communities through its establishment development plans, such as Vision 2050, the fourth medium-term development plan, and sectoral plans to address such issues at the national level. However, we cannot tackle these challenges in isolation. And I want to recognize this forum, facilitated by the Peacebuilding Commission, for its roles to help us address these concerns at the national level, which have our full support, as our collaborative efforts are essential in strengthening the vital work of peacebuilding and sustaining peace across all levels. Distinguished delegates, the importance of national, regional, and global peace and security cannot be overstated. It is crucial for the development of and well-being of individual communities and nations. The Charter of the United Nations clearly recognizes The principle, and we understand, is at the core of the Peacebuilding Commission's mandate to assist countries in their transitions from conflict to peace and sustaining it. However, we acknowledge that many challenges are involved, which therefore require support from all stakeholders. Our own Bougainville peace process which the PBC previously had several sessions, has taught us the critical importance of peace and to achieve this through peace by peaceful means. This is a crucial agenda of the highest priority for my government. Plans have been advanced by the national government and the autonomous government of Bougainville to hold a national reconciliation ceremony aimed to further strengthen the hand of peace and to do further through peace by peaceful means. We must recognize that we cannot navigate these complexities in isolation. Therefore, my delegation wishes to take the opportunity to express our government's appreciation for the valued and constructive support from both Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund on our peacebuilding and sustainable peace efforts. We want to acknowledge with gratitude the recent Peacebuilding Fund visiting missions, successfully visiting Papua New Guinea last October, led by Peacebuilding Support Office neighborly supported by several PBC members and donor partners, including Australia, Norway, United States of America, and the Secretary General's representative. The direct engagement with key stakeholders in our Southern Highlands and Hela provinces, and also with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville government, represents and is an example, representatives, is an example of what we want to share today, as it highlights the relevance of the United Nations peacebuilding agenda, working constructively to support countries that need such support. The United Nation continues to provide technical assistance and facilitation to support the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. and the roadmap both parties have put in place. We welcome the support of the PBC and the UN as a whole on this important agenda. However, national ownership and leadership is very crucial. I am informed of the good work undertaken by the Peacebuilding Commission and therefore support the call to strengthen national ownership, leadership in peacebuilding efforts. Sustainability and long-term success heavily depends on local community involvement. We advocate for enhanced collaboration and coordination between national authorities and the UN system. working collaboratively rather than through parallel arrangements to ensure a unified response to the peace building and sustaining peace agenda. Distinguished delegates, in conclusion, my country also supports expanding the geographic focus on peace building commissions work, including at the regional level. This underscores PNG's commitment to work with the Peacebuilding Commission based on its useful engagement over the recent past in the Bougainville peace process. And Chair, be rest assured, Papua New Guinea remains committed to support the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. Together, we can bring together social cohesion, foster inclusive governance, and build resilient communities that will pave the way for everlasting peace. And I thank you.

Thank you very much, dear colleague, for your insightful remarks. And I now welcome Ms. Maimouna Bah, founder of the Mamam Sahelian Foundation for Peace and Solidarity, who is joining us virtually from Burkina Faso. So let's wait. Do we have-- ah, welcome, Ms. Barr. Can you hear us and perhaps also see us?

I have a few-- Oui, absolument.

Yes, do you hear me?

I hear you and I see you.

You have the floor, please. S'il vous plait.

Mr. Chairman, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ministers, it is a privilege to take the floor. before this committee as a citizen of Burkina Faso, as a chair of the administrative board of the Maman Sahelian Foundation for Peace and Solidarity, and the laureate of the Nansen Prize from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This is a prestigious prize which was granted to me. We are speaking today about social cohesion and resilience, and I wish to begin my statement by mentioning that in the Sahel, these words are not abstract concepts. These words are our life's mission as we face insecurity, divisions, and the climate crisis which is plaguing this part of the world. In this context, peace cannot be imported. Peace needs to be woven together by the communities themselves, and we are fully cognizant of this fact. You are aware of the fact that insecurity has forced more than 123 million people to flee throughout the world. More than 60% of these people are persons who are internally displaced from their own country, within their own countries. And in Central Sahel, where I come from, we have more than 3.4 million people forcibly displaced, and this is according to the HCR. Behind these figures, there are human beings. who should not be viewed as being passive burdens, I wish to tell you today that these people are builders of peace and actors of change in power. Investment in these people is not merely a question of humanity. This is an intelligent conflict prevention strategy, and for us this is a strategy of resilience. And in this context, the Mama Sahelian Foundation comes in with support from HCR. Our work is to transform vulnerability into dignity, and we do this through education and encouragement of young people to engage in communities through economic recovery and through the rekindling of hope via strategic initiatives. Excellencies, I wish to draw your attention to what we are experiencing on the ground as frontline actors. And this has to do with the tenuous success of our actions and our measures in light of the insufficient or at times complete absence of a humanitarian, global humanitarian response for the Sahel. I will share with you a very specific example. Abdul is an internally displaced adolescent who was forced to leave school. Our foundation found him, supported him, and sponsors him. And this year, Abdul has received a, a diploma, and This is an example of success, and it demonstrates that investment at the local level works. But the continuation of this education remains uncertain. At any at all times, success transforms into failure, and this is not due to terrorist attacks, but this is a consequence of simple precariousness. lack of means for the foundation and those of the displaced persons. And these displaced persons have insufficient means. Due to the lack of means, we see as frontline actors, we see entire families themselves tear themselves away from these areas where they are being hosted in order to return to those areas that they have fled, making themselves vulnerable to attacks by terrorist groups. And this undermines our efforts. Please listen to what I have to state today. The lack of support, the lack of financing for continuing people's education does not only ruin individual fates of people, this provides fertile breeding ground for terrorism. Each success that is not built upon, where there is a setback, leaves the door open to recruitment and relapse into conflict. For peace not to be ephemeral, for peace to be sustained, we need to build upon local initiatives, our local young people's organizations, women's organizations, these community-based hubs of action. They have the key to social cohesion because they reflect the will and confidence of communities, I see people and young people working assiduously, demonstrating their willingness. These organizations can only survive and have a lasting impact if they receive support. They should not be left to single-handedly combat the transnational threat. Chairman, Excellencies, the mission of my foundation can be boiled down to three key imperatives, and we call upon the Commission to act on these three pillars. Number one, there is a need to ensure that community-based organizations have follow-up. so that they can guarantee continuation of success, as was the case with Abdul, the student who I mentioned, and this hinges on more direct financing to the local level. Next is a need to improve coordination among local stakeholders. organizations of national of national organizations of young people, including humanitarian assistance, development assistance, and political strategies, for them not to work in silos, but for these efforts to be harmonized on the ground. And lastly, there is a need to carry out more effective and more efficient mobilization of resources and for there to be greater political attention, both at the national and international levels, to transform the approach to displacement and terrorism. As an advisory body, as a subsidiary body of the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, Excellencies, has the power to influence actions that will make a difference. We call upon you today to ensure that the success of local peacebuilders never again transforms into avoidable failures. Investments in the dignity of our populations who are affected by conflict is the only way to build a lasting peace. Thank you for your kind attention.

I thank you, madam.

For your remarks and for your participation and for sharing your grassroots perspectives, and we will have your three pillars always in mind in our further discussions. I now welcome His Excellency Mr. Kurtinet Rapp-Trae, Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary General, to deliver his statement on behalf of Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations. Please, you have the floor.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, let me thank His Excellency Dr. Johan Vareful Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission for giving me the floor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General. The theme of this high-level meeting, social cohesion and inclusive governance, lies at the core of the Pact for the Future adopted by Member States last year. It also represents a central pillar of the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. As the Secretary-General underlined in his most recent report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, persistent societal divisions and weak governance institutions remain key drivers of fragility and of violence. As we heard from Ms. Ba, these are not theoretical concerns. They are the everyday experiences of communities around the world. This is why strengthening social cohesion and fostering inclusive governance are concrete necessities. They are meant to build trust across communities, ensure accountable and inclusive institutions, and provide space for every group to participate meaningfully in shaping their society. Equally essential is the sustained support from the international community to these nationally owned efforts through multilateral cooperation, predictable, flexible financing, and long-term engagement. Mr. Chair, in the interest of time, please allow me to briefly address just two of the guiding questions of today's discussions. First, on the role of the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund. The Commission remains an indispensable platform to foster dialogue, build bridges, and encourage peacebuilding efforts at national and local levels to address tensions arising from political, ethnic, and regional differences. Complementing the Commission is the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund, which offers timely, catalytic, and flexible resources in support of nationally-led peacebuilding strategies that are often underfunded. Let me share three examples of how this complementarity works. In Sao Tome and Principe, the Commission's engagement created a platform among national authorities, the international community, and financial institutions grounded in a joint strategic assessment by the United Nations and the Economic Community of Central African States, ECAS. Responding swiftly to these priorities, the Peacebuilding Fund financed initiatives to strengthen access to justice, a cornerstone for inclusive governance. In Colombia, the visit of the Peacebuilding Commission in August underscored its political support to the implementation of the peace agreement. 11 years of Peacebuilding Fund investment have bolstered community resilience, restored social cohesion, and advanced inclusive governance through restorative justice initiatives and reintegration support for ex-combatants. In Chad, ahead of the forthcoming engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission to present its national strategy on social cohesion, the Fund has been financing support for the creation of infrastructure for peace at the national and provincial levels, helping to unlock additional resources from the World Bank's prevention and resilience allocation. Mr. Chair, let me now turn to the second question on how social cohesion and inclusive governance efforts can be linked with broader strategies to address climate risks, violent extremism, and transnational challenges. Evidence shows that where social bonds are strong, and governance is inclusive, communities are more resilient to shocks, whether these arise from competition over scarce natural resources, violent extremism, or cross-border criminal networks. For example, across the Sahel, climate change is increasing the risk of clashes between farmers and herders and aggravating tensions across ethnic groups. Efforts to build trust between groups and establish functional mechanisms to manage farmer-herder conflicts have been crucial to help prevent incidents that, in turn, can be instrumentalized to fuel broader conflict. In Central America, the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have established a tri-national coordination space to address the repatriation of returned populations and detect and address human trafficking. By prioritizing vulnerable populations and improving assistance and protection mechanisms, as well as ensuring integration within host communities, they are helping to reduce violence and rebuild trust. Mr. Chair, numerous examples have shown us that efforts to strengthen social cohesion and inclusive governance for peace must also pay attention to the women, peace, and security agenda. Equally important, and as we have heard from you, Mr. Chair, earlier, is involving youth. Young people in marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist and criminal groups. But, As the Secretary-General emphasized in his report on youth, peace and security, they can also be powerful agents of change. Mr. Chair, I would conclude by reaffirming the Secretary-General's unwavering commitment to peacebuilding as a cornerstone of the work of the United Nations. The challenges are immense, but so too is our collective responsibility and our collective capacity for action. The ongoing review of the peacebuilding architecture offers a timely opportunity to translate political commitments outlined in the Pact for the Future into concrete results. Let us seize it. I thank you.

Thank you very much indeed, Mr. Rattray. I thank you for your insightful remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General. And I now move to the speakers list as inscribed for this session. invite members to deliver their remarks guided by the objectives contained with a concept note and by any other comments and concerns that you may wish to address. As I mentioned at the outset, I kindly remind all delegations to make their remarks in three minutes or less to allow for all participating Member States to have the opportunity to make a statement. And I would like to strongly encourage delegations to submit their statements to e-statements@un.org. This will help facilitate the timely conduct of our meeting and support the work of our translators. I will start by giving the floor now to Kenya, followed by Japan, And the first speaker now is His Excellency Dr. Musyala Mudavadi on behalf of Kenya. Please, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance remains central in addressing conflicts both at their root causes and their manifestations. Sustaining peace also depends on safeguarding the integrity of social institutions for the common good. It is therefore a distinct honor to engage in this timely critical discussion, the urgent need to embed social cohesion and inclusive governance at the heart of peace building efforts. The Peace Building Commission and the Peace Building Fund remain indispensable mechanisms in this pursuit. Kenya's continued membership and contribution have confirmed our conviction that both platforms uniquely offer localized and international frameworks that bridge grassroots priorities for global peace building strategies. Kenya's peace building priorities are informed by our national history, constitution, and dual identity as both a frontline state combating terrorism and violent extremism and a recognized peace builder within the region. I will highlight four areas that have strengthened our state building policies, consolidated our national cohesion, and offer recommendations to the PBC's role in reinforcing such efforts. First, on national and community-led initiatives, Kenya's peacebuilding architecture and strategy emphasize a bottom-up and lateral approach that integrates diverse demographics and the principle of indivisibility of peace. Kenya's key initiatives include the National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management, the Peace Building Conflict Resolution and National Cohesion and Integration Commission. Second, on inclusive governance, Kenya's 2010 Constitution stands as a model of inclusive governance, advancing devolution of power, enhanced national participation in decision making, equitable public resource allocation, communal empowerment of women and youth, localized dialogue forums, and peaceful mechanisms for dispute resolution. Third, on addressing transnational challenges, climate risks, violent extremism, arms trafficking, money laundering are among the transnational threats that increasingly disrupt community resilience and social cohesion. Such threats require collaborative security strategies that are locally attuned to build trust, rehabilitate and reintegrate and reconcile parties. Kenya's national strategy to counter violent extremism was developed through inclusive consultations involving county governments, faith leaders, civil society, and affected communities. Kenya has further developed inclusive climate resilience and adaptation plans, including the National Climate Change Response Strategy and the National Adaptation Plan, aimed at sustaining livelihoods and reducing community vulnerabilities where climate change has proved to be a conflict multiplier. Fourth, on investing in prevention of conflict, sustaining peace necessitates a shift from reacting to conflicts to focusing on addressing the root causes, including unemployment, marginalization, socioeconomic inequalities, all these being deficits that extremists exploit. Embedding prevention in national and multilateral peace strategies and prioritization of resilient institutions must therefore remain key. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the PBC is well positioned to convene diverse stakeholders offer platform for sharing best and pragmatic peace building practices, advocate for sustainable, predictable financing and holistic programs that address the cause of conflict and reinforce community resilience and champion homegrown solutions including the AU regional peace and development frameworks. It is our hope that the ongoing peace building architecture review, intergovernmental process and implementation of the recommendations of the New Agenda for Peace will prioritize the core elements that promote social cohesion, inclusive governance, and community resilience, because ultimately, lasting peace is built by and for people. Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed. I will now give the floor to Japan, followed by the Kingdom of Netherlands. Please. Takeshi Ibayashi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to express our appreciation for your leadership in convening today's ministerial meeting and steering this year's activities of the Peacebuilding Commission. There has never been a time when action for peacebuilding and sustaining peace has been more urgently needed. In order to prevent and resolve today's increasingly complex conflicts and address the emerging risk factors that drive them, it is imperative to adopt an integrated approach that bridges the humanitarian, development, and peace fields. From this perspective, the utmost importance on the PBC, where stakeholders within and outside the United Nations collaborate to advance conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace in a comprehensive manner. Mr. Chair, in order to prevent conflict and foster sustainable peace, I believe a human-centered approach is essential. Through inclusive efforts that leave no one behind, we can strengthen social cohesion and build a foundation for lasting peace. For example, Japan is collaborating with international organizations to support the Sahel region by strengthening food security and improving access to basic services. In addition, Japan is promoting the inclusion of women and youth in local government institutions, thereby contributing to the development of resilient communities. Mr. Chair, the role of the PBC should play in intensifying peace-building effort is becoming increasingly significant. For the PBC to more effectively fulfill its advisory, bridging, and convening roles, I would like to highlight the following three points. First, is strengthening the PBC's coordination with the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the Economic and Social Council. This is essential for the PBC to perform at its best, both within and outside the United Nations. As an informal facilitator, Japan worked to enhance relations with the Security Council last year. and has been working to bolster the relationship with the General Assembly this year. Second is advancing cooperation with peace-building actors on the ground. To improve the quality of its advice, the PBC must leverage the insight of UN country teams, civil society, and other actors familiar with local circumstances. Finally, promoting financing. The PBC serves as an effective platform for countries receiving support from the Peacebuilding Fund to showcase their achievements and secure further support. This year, as a vice chair of the PBC, Japan is advancing cooperation with the Asian Development Bank and will continue to support collaboration between the PBC and international financial institutions. Mr. Chair, through this year's Peacebuilding Architecture Review, Japan will work in partnership with many member states that seek peace to unite our efforts. I would like to conclude by reaffirming Japan's strong commitment to peace building. I thank you very much.

Thank you so much. I would now like to hand over to the Kingdom of Netherlands, followed by the Kingdom of Morocco. Please, David.

Thank you, Chair, and dear colleagues. The Peacebuilding Commission is driven by the belief that fragile, newly attained peace must be safeguarded. And the Commission's creation in 2005 addressed a gap in the UN's peacebuilding efforts, leading then President of the UN General Assembly, Jan Eliasson, to describe it as a historic moment. And since its inception, the Commission has undoubtedly had a positive impact in various regions around the world. However, The current global landscape presents a sobering reality. We are faced with significantly more conflicts than in 2005, including recurring ones, and a quarter of the world population is living in conflict-affected areas. Meanwhile, resources dedicated to peace and conflict prevention have dropped to the second lowest level since 2004. And these developments I find deeply worrying. As the Peacebuilding Commission approaches its 20th anniversary, the time has come for a new historic moment, marking a shift towards greater impact and efficiency. In this regard, it's important to emphasize that lasting peace must be built from within, by the people on the ground. So the Kingdom of the Netherlands encourages Member States to put the needs, experiences and ideas of local communities at the heart of their national prevention and peacebuilding efforts. In addition, More attention needs to be paid to mental health and psychosocial support, as conflict leaves not only visible scars, but also invisible ones. It is essential to repair the social fabric torn apart by violence. This requires integrating mental health and psychosocial support into programming, budgeting, and peacebuilding mandates. Finally, we must do more to connect peace, security, and development efforts. So it's more important than ever that we strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission's bridging role. As a proud member of the Commission and a leading donor to the Peacebuilding Fund, the Netherlands will continue to invest in the UN peacebuilding architecture. But to achieve more coherence and efficiency, reforms are essential. The Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the UN80 initiative offer key opportunities to drive this reform forward, and we have to ensure that their reforms succeed. Achieving peace and security is not only in the interest of the millions of people suffering daily from violence and conflict, it is really and truly in all of our interest. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you so much, Excellencies, dear colleagues. I will now suspend the meeting temporarily to hand over the chair to my Deputy State Secretary, Bernhard Kortsch. The session is suspended.

The session is reassumed. Good morning to everyone. Great honor to be here. I start giving the floor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Her Excellency, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapi.

Gracias.

Thank you, Chair, ministers, excellencies, distinguished members of the Commission and those in attendance. Thinking about social cohesion and inclusive governance as pillars for preventing conflicts and for the building of a lasting peace, is more than necessary right now. We know, thanks to our own experience, that war and divisions emerge there wherever there are historic inequalities, exclusion and a lack of access to land and to resources, social justice and political participation. When these gaps widen, social confidence and trust breaks down and we see fertile conditions for violence. Therefore, building peace means transforming the root causes of conflicts and ensuring opportunities for a decent life, recognizing the victims, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting changes for equity. Social cohesion is something that must not just be a declaration without actions and programs to back it up. It should be the link that enables us to prevent new cycles of violence and that provides stability to societies. Colombia's experience with the 2016 peace agreement recalls and reminds us that even the longest conflicts can eventually be turned into reconciliation. The implementation of this agreement has strengthened social cohesion, comprehensively addressing the root causes of conflict, such as inequality, exclusion, and the lack of agrarian reform. The comprehensive rural reform has enabled land to be handed over formally to landless peasant farmers. and the inclusion of marginalised communities in a precarious situation, and we have also recognised peasantry as rights holders. It has also transformed living conditions in the countryside, has strengthened trust in institutions and has demonstrated that closing gaps is a tangible way of building trust and confidence in peace. However, this lesson is much bigger than a lesson just for Colombia, because many countries also face similar challenges. The threat of violence and the impact of climate change are impacting livelihoods and social tensions derived from inequality and exclusion. In these contexts, social inclusion and inclusive governance are very powerful tools. for resisting fragmentation and avoiding conflicts from reemerging. In this endeavor, the role of the United Nations and the PBC has been invaluable. The PBC is not only supporting national processes, but it is also connecting us with experience, facilitating mutual learning, and providing a space where governments, civil society, and international partners can find collective solutions. Excellencies, the lesson learned is clear. Peace is not built in silos. We require time to establish policies, to enable financing, and to adopt a shared commitment from the international community. in order to achieve it. And Colombia today reaffirms its preparedness to share our experience, because we're convinced that peace is not only the goal of a single country, but rather a collective cause that brings all us together as a nation. humanity. Thank you very much.

- of Colombia for her important remarks. I give the floor now to His Excellency Mauro Luiz de Carvalho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, followed by Bangladesh.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Brazil welcomes this third consecutive meeting during the high-level week, and we hope it becomes a lasting practice.

For two decades, the PBC has been a key platform supporting conflict-affected countries in overcoming instability and building peace. It assists states seeking support with conflict prevention, strengthening national institutions, and social cohesion.

It addresses areas such as education, sustainable development, transitional justice, human rights, public security, and elections. Unlike the Security Council, the Commission operates on a voluntary basis, guided by the principle of national ownership. It seeks to engage local communities, the private sector, and civil society, alongside government officials, to provide a comprehensive overview of dynamics and that fosters stability and social cohesion. This inclusive approach ensures that peace-building priorities are understood, supported, and locally owned. History shows that reckless international interventions unleash chaos and create a breeding ground for conflict and terrorism. Iraq, Libya, and Syria illustrate that restoring the social fabric and achieving social cohesion is only possible through nationally led processes supported by the international community. Over the last year, meetings with The Gambia, Colombia, Saint Thomas Prince, and Mauritania have demonstrated.

The value of this approach. Each country.

Presented its priorities, and requested tailored support for the PBC and the Peacebuilding Fund. Mr. Chair, the role of women must also be emphasized as part of efforts towards reconciliation and long-term stability. Brazil attaches particular importance to the women, peace, and security agenda, supporting that women play an active role.

Including in decision-making at all stages of peacebuilding, peace agreements, and development programs to the benefit of entire communities.

Mr. Chair, looking ahead.

The ongoing peacebuilding architecture review offers an opportunity to strengthen the Commission, the Fund.

And the Support Office, and improve coordination with UN country teams, resident coordinators, and agencies on the ground. Dialogue with international financial institutions should be strengthened so their programs are coherent with peacebuilding efforts. Mr. Chair, Brazil highlights the need for resources. The surge in military spending contrasts sharply with the underinvestment in health, education, sustainable development, institution building, and food security, the very foundations of peace. This imbalance must be addressed if we are to build stability and prosperity instead of fueling reckless military escalations.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil and will now give the floor to Mr. Tuhid Hossain, Honorable Foreign Advisor of Bangladesh, followed by Uganda.

Thank you, Chair. Mr. Chair, Bangladesh stands firmly committed to the principles of the UN Charter, including the peaceful settlement of disputes and the maintenance of international peace and security. These commitments are deeply rooted in our own constitution, which envisions Bangladesh making its active and committed contribution to international peace and security architecture under the UN. We continue to promote a culture of peace and advance the women, peace, and security agenda. We are therefore pleased to see the Commission's first ever annual strategic dialogue with the Peacebuilding Fund under the new terms of reference, and the General Assembly's historic decision to allocate assessed contributions to the Fund. These are milestones that strengthen our shared capacity to respond to peacebuilding needs in conflict zones with predictability and purpose. Yet, peacebuilding continues to suffer disproportionately from the overall funding gap. That is why Bangladesh has consistently supported efforts to secure sustainable financing for the Peacebuilding Fund. Even amidst national austerity, we have pledged contributions reflecting our political commitment to sustaining global peace. Bangladesh attaches high priority to national ownership in peacebuilding. Efforts must be led and owned by the affected country, but they also require sustained international support and resources. In today's interconnected world, insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere. This is why we value the PBC as an inclusive platform that bridges governments, civil society, and partners in pursuit of sustaining peace. Bangladesh sustained this commitment during our chairmanship of the PBC and continues to do so as a current member. Excellency, allow me to share two examples. In the Central African Republic, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have worked with national authorities to establish the Tuadere Community Clinic. bringing critical healthcare to conflict-affected communities, and have extended medical scholarships to Central African students. At home, Bangladesh continues to host 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar. Our Honorable Chief Advisor has outlined a seven-point manifesto before international stakeholders towards a peaceful, secure, and stable Myanmar for the Rohingyas and all other ethnic communities. We believe durable peace in Myanmar will require reconciliation among all ethnic groups. We hope this call will be discussed in detail at the upcoming high-level conference on 30 September with the objective of reaching a sustainable resolution of the crisis. As we expect the 2025 review of the peacebuilding architecture, Bangladesh believes the review must be forward-looking with emphasis on field-level implementation and impact. Above all, it must ensure adequate and sustained financing so that those who build peace on the ground can do so with security, dignity, and effectiveness. Bangladesh remains steadfast in advancing the cause of peace through our peacekeepers in the field, our support for the Peacebuilding Fund, and, as we all agree, our conviction that inclusive governance and social cohesion are the foundation of lasting peace and stability. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much. I give now the floor to His Excellency, the Honorable J.J. Odonga Abubaker, followed by Egypt.

Thank you, Your Excellency, Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. Social cohesion and inclusive governance are interconnected as they create opportunities vital for building and sustaining peace. but if ignored, could be a major driver of mistrust, division, and violence. Uganda supports comprehensive approaches that address the root causes and structural drivers of conflict. Deliberate establishment of socioeconomic programs aimed at economically empowering vulnerable people, especially the women and the youth, and integrating them into productive activities. In addition, building social cohesion requires promoting common values, democratic principles, and correct ideology, which fosters a sense of collective belonging, interest, and mutual understanding across different groups instead of parochial politics of identity and sectarianism. Promoting and strengthening Interfaith dialogues is vital for building harmony, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among the various faiths. Extremists have thrived on the differences between faith, especially Christians and Muslims, to radicalize and recruit young men and people into armed conflicts. Fostering community resilience and sustainable peace also requires strengthening regional cooperation between states and the pursuit of harmonized regional policies that enhance mutual exploitation of economic opportunities and resources, facilitating free cross-border movement of goods and services, development of cross-border infrastructure, and other regional integration projects to nurture community bonds for regional prosperity. No single country can succeed on its own. Therefore, we support inter-regional cooperation to develop policies that align the efforts of different regional groups and promote public awareness and dialogue to mitigate violent extremism. We urge all Member States to strengthen cross-border security cooperation, information and intelligence gathering, and collaborative regional responses and international partnerships in order to mitigate the spread of extremism. The strengthening enforcement capacities, including but not limited to building strong and inclusive professional armies equipped with the correct ideology of nonsectarianism, is key to protecting and defending sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security for sustainable peace, stability, and development. As I conclude, Uganda recognizes the importance of investing in social cohesion and inclusive governance as key to addressing the root causes and structural drivers of conflict. Advancing national peacebuilding processes and conflict prevention requires promoting common human values, democratic principles, and equal economic opportunities. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of Uganda. I will now give the floor to His Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt, followed by Pakistan.

Thank you, Chair. At the.

Outset, I wish to congratulate Germany for assuming this role, heading up the PBC. Germany can certainly count on the full support of Egypt in its role. Chairman, the fact is that our world today is experiencing an increase in conflicts, and it's necessary to address the root causes of these conflicts in a comprehensive manner that would enable to strike a balance between all stakeholders and between the national priorities of all nations. especially when it comes to the economic and social needs of the countries in order to guarantee peace, stability, and conflict prevention. In this regard, I wish to zoom in to focus on some important projects for Egypt when it comes to peacebuilding, in particular at a time today when Egypt is co-facilitating the role of the peace provision for 2025, and that is something that will improve the work of the UN in peacebuilding. I'm talking about the peacebuilding review. And it's a measure that will address the root causes of these conflicts. We require a comprehensive strategy. that respects national ownership and that will strengthen the capacity of national institutions, first of all. Secondly, it is necessary to recall that GA resolution 2578, that enabled us to allocate budget resources to the Peacebuilding Fund, is an historic step forward. Nevertheless, we still need to do more to fully implement this resolution. In light of the international challenges we face, it's necessary to ramp up multi-partite diplomacy, in particular through more cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations, as well as with the private sector and financial institutions. My country underscores the need to strengthen UN cooperation with the World Bank and with the African Development Bank, but also with the African Union. My country is playing an active role in with the leadership of the President of the Republic, in particular when it comes to conflicts in Africa. My country is host to an EU, rather an AU, an African Union center coordinating these different projects. Fourth, it's necessary to improve the role of the commission adopting a more comprehensive approach. And in order to do this, we need women, youth, and local communities to be able to fully participate at each and every step of the peacebuilding process. When it comes now to peacekeeping, the blue helmets, this is an important matter that requires our attention, especially when drafting mandates, the mandates for the peacekeeping missions. Next, it's necessary for strategies within the UN and outside the UN in order to guarantee financing It's necessary for the PBC to coordinate with the Security Council and the General Assembly. We also need to find the means to collaborate more closely with ECOSOC. By way of conclusion, in light of the Pact for the Future, as well as the desired results from the Peacebuilding Review 2025, we need to find the foundations. that rationalize the different aspects of peace building in order to overcome challenges we face in terms of lasting peace and to address the root causes of conflicts. This is a way of entrenching international peace and security. Thank you very much, Chairman.

I thank the representative of Egypt and will now give the floor to His Excellency Qayyum, Ministry of Defense of Pakistan, followed by Australia.

Thank you. I thank you for convening this timely meeting on an issue that lies at the heart of sustainable peace, social cohesion and inclusive governance. There are no abstract concepts. They determine whether fragile societies fracture into conflict or heal towards durable peace. Pakistan's perspective is shared by our longstanding role in UN peacekeeping operations. As one of the largest troop contributors, we know from experience that peacekeeping creates space, but it is peacebuilding that sustains peace, reconciliation, institution building and socio-economic recovery are indispensable to prevent relapse. This is why we advocate peace continuum, where prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding are seamlessly linked. Peacebuilding must address root causes of conflict: poverty, inequality, marginalization and unresolved disputes. Sustainable peace cannot be externally imposed without addressing the underlying issues. The strategies must be nationally owned and locally led, with international support that is respectful and responsive to the priorities of the countries concerned. PACSAM believes that way forward rests on three elements. First, national ownership. Peacebuilding must be guided by nationally defined priorities supported by the international community. Second, inclusive governance. Institutions must reflect and empower all communities, especially women and youth, who are vital agents of cohesion. Third, coherence. Peacekeeping transitions must be accompanied by scaled-up peacebuilding support to avoid reversals. Fourth, perhaps most important, predictable financing. The Peacebuilding Fund has demonstrated catalytic impact, but its resources remain far below needs. Pakistan supports adequate, predictable, and sustained financing to ensure that small-scale projects can be scaled into sustainable recovery. We commend the PBC's role as the bridge between UN's peace and development pillars and as a platform that elevates national perspectives. It must continue to bring together national authorities, civil society, IFIs, and regional organizations to promote context-specific strategies. Mr. Chairman, in today's fractured world, strengthening the bonds of trust between citizens and their institutions is imperative. Pakistan remains committed to working with all partners in advancing a peace-building architecture which can sustain peace, is inclusive, adequately resourced, and responsible to ground realities. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan and will now give the floor to the Honourable Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, followed by Rwanda.

Thank you, Chair, and I thank you for Germany's stewardship of the Peacebuilding Commission during what has been a profoundly challenging time. More conflict now than at any time since the Second World War. Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, Gaza. Global conflict prevention architecture is failing us. And whilst peace requires great powers to behave responsibly, The work of building peace cannot be left just to the major powers. So this is why Australia has joined the Peacebuilding Commission for the first time in 15 years and is pushing for ambition in the Peacebuilding Architecture Review. We are advocating for a focus on inclusion, on conflict prevention, on early warning and early action. We need to get better at stopping conflicts before they start and before they escalate. Australia has also tripled our contribution to the UN Peacebuilding Fund as a top 10 donor, and over the past year we have worked with a cross-regional group of countries to develop a new declaration for the protection of humanitarian personnel to protect those who protect others. More than 100 countries have already joined this declaration. I thank those who have, and I urge all to do so. Australia is also determined to play our part in promoting social cohesion and inclusion. We are supporting the development of policy guidance for national prevention strategies as a starting point for countries to recognise risk factors for violence and to put in place prevention strategies. We are proudly a pluralist nation. Australia welcomes different races, different faiths, different views. One in two of us is either born overseas or has a parent born overseas. But we are united by our respect in each other's humanity and for each other's right to live in peace. We recognise that our social cohesion must be built and must be actively fostered. It demands inclusion and it demands us taking a stand against hate. We have been shaken by hate crimes in our country this past year and we will always act to support and strengthen our social cohesion. including strengthening our domestic laws and working with local communities, and in the online space, working to address terrorist and violent extremist material and activity. Colleagues, we often speak about the gift of peace. Peace is not a gift and it is never a given, but it is a prerequisite for our prosperity, our shared prosperity and our shared development. So we are a willing partner to all who wish to build and sustain peace. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Australia and will now give the floor to Rwanda, the Right Honourable, the Ambassador Oliver J. P. Nduhugirije, followed by Algeria.

Mr. Chair, I thank you for convening this discussion and to the briefers for their valuable insights. We meet at a time when inequality, exclusion, and mistrust are eroding the foundations of peace. To reverse this trend, we must put social cohesion and inclusive governance at the center of peacebuilding. As we will soon celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Peacebuilding Commission, we commend the tremendous work it has achieved, and we believe that its work deserves more recognition. We also believe that peace building is a central part of the peace and security architecture as it is the best prevention to future conflicts. Indeed, we all know that most of the conflicts that we have now today, we are relapse of previously unsettled conflict due to the lack of an effective peace building mechanism which didn't address the root causes of the conflict. And many speakers today address this issue of underlying causes that need to be addressed. Mr. Chair, resilient communities are those where trust is rebuilt, grievances are addressed, and all citizens see themselves as stakeholders in shaping their future. Rwanda's own history underscores this truth. After the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, we chose reconciliation, unity, and community-based approaches to heal divisions. Initiatives such as Umuganda, which is community-based services, gacaca, with a traditional jurisdiction, and the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission show that dialogue Accountability and shared responsibility can rebuild trust and strengthen resilience. Inclusive governance has equally been central to our transformation. By ensuring participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups, Rwanda has strengthened institutions and created a shared sense of ownership in our national journey. Mr. Chair, drawing from this experience, allow me to highlight three recommendations. First, prioritize local ownership. Peacebuilding succeeds when communities are central, not peripheral, to decision-making. Second, invest in inclusive institutions. Equity, participation, and accountability must guide governance at all levels. Third, sustain international support. Partners and multilateral institutions should reinforce national and community initiatives that promote reconciliation, dialogue, and trust. In conclusion, social cohesion and the inclusive governance are not abstract ideas. They are practical foundations for sustainable peace and resilience. It is our collective duty to nurture them. so that future generations inherit societies built on trust, justice, and shared purpose.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Rwanda and will now give the floor to His Excellency Abdelhak Saad, Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security of Algeria, followed by Gambia.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, honorable delegates, I wish to thank Germany for convening this very important meeting on promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance to foster community resilience and sustainable peace. Allow me to highlight three important, concise points. Social cohesion is a strategic necessity. This is my first point. Division inside our societies are root causes of conflicts. These root causes may lead to the erosion of our societies, to violence, and a threat to precarious peace. Therefore, strengthening social cohesion is of utmost importance, as it enhances solidarity and ensures resilience in the face of shocks. There are various lessons that we've learned from international experiences. The implementation of the sustainable development strategies, including the empowerment of women and youth, eradication of poverty, and the tackling of inequality is of utmost importance to sustainable peace, namely when addressing vulnerabilities to climate change and violent extremism. Third and finally, the role of the peacebuilding community The PBC and the PBF, the Peace Building Fund, are fundamental. The PBC is a platform for expertise exchange. The PBF, on the other hand, provides decisive financing to address the root causes of division which paves the way for sustainable peace. To make headway, we must ensure that our efforts on social cohesion are not operating in silos, but are based on comprehensive and wide-scale policies to address complex challenges such as violent extremism. And as a current member in the PBC and the Security Council, Algeria has left no stone unturned to work with other member states to ensure that we build a strong foundation for sustainable peace and countries on the agenda of these two very important entities. Thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the representative of Algeria and give now the floor to His Excellency Zeinul Mondou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Gambia.

Thank you. Your Excellency, Chairperson, Excellencies, Heads of Delegations, esteemed colleagues, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the government and the people of the Republic of the Gambia, I thank you for this opportunity to renew our joint commitment to building and sustaining peace. Across many regions in the globe, Volatility and fragility are eroding social cohesion. The Gambia welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting at a key moment for our collective efforts. This offers a unique opportunity to bring us all together to reflect, reconnect for greater synergy in addressing, promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance to foster community resilience and sustainable peace and renewed our shared commitment to human progress. Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the Gambia is convinced of the necessity and the need for a holistic approach that strengthen both the Peacebuilding Commission, Peacebuilding Funds, and priorities prevention as a crucial component. The interventions we have heard distill the evidence that, from our ambition to effectively invest in strengthening social cohesion for violence prevention, we need to enhance the cohesion and coherence of international efforts in support of national governments and their people. As we work on identifying ways to weave our social cohesion into national prevention and peacebuilding strategies, the Gambel calls for enhanced role in proactive addressing the underlying causes and drivers of conflict, and by mobilizing political and financial support for national government, sustaining peace and peacebuilding efforts. Equally important in this process of strengthening and peacebuilding commission is more systematic and active engagement with the Peacebuilding Fund, as well as with donors and financial institutions, in particular multilateral development banks. Excellencies, Sustaining peace will only be realized through commitment and as well an inclusive national ownership that considers the need of the most marginalized, including women, young people, minorities, and people with disability. That is why the Gambia reiterates the need to enhance the relationship between United Nations and African Union in maintaining peace and financing peace-building efforts and advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development. Excellencies, we are now bound by common responsibilities to ensure that sustainable and inclusive development, deeply rooted in respect for all human priorities, economic, social, and cultural, civil, and political, is the world's best preventive tools against violence and conflict, against instability. It is crucial for the global community to come together to ensure that peacebuilding focuses on inclusive governance and social accountability. In closing, this is a platform to extend appreciation to the entire UN team, including the peacekeepers who dedicated their lives to promoting peace, security, and development, and human well-being worldwide. In promoting strategic and complementary engage between the UN peacebuilding architecture and regional arrangement in peacebuilding, your work driven by a commitment to building tomorrow is essential. I thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the representative of the Gambia and will now give the floor to His Excellency Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Of Tunisia. I say.

Mr. Chair, I wish to highlight the importance of this meeting, namely in finding collective solutions to ensure international peace and security. And we hope that this space will constitute an opportunity to discuss methods of work that are constructive and that we can follow to enhance the work of the PBC in 2026 amid unprecedented challenges where we witness rising conflicts, conflicts as well as socioeconomic and environmental challenges which undermine the stability of societies and their resilience. Mr. Chair, peacebuilding operations have or peacekeeping operations have managed to sustain stability worldwide. However, we face various risks today that undermine peace and stability everywhere. The African continent, especially, to which we belong, is witnessing an increase in conflicts and various rising vulnerabilities, which have led to a complex humanitarian situation rendering this continent a continent where we continuously face health and security crises. On this continent, we constantly face the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. Therefore, social cohesion and inclusive governments are of utmost importance to pave the way for just and sustainable peace. This requires the alignment of peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes with these requirements. Building sustainable peace does not only require the deployment of forces, however, the need to address the root causes, such as exclusion, inequality, the lack of good governance, and injustice. The protection of civilians is one of the most important requirements to ensure the success of peacekeeping operations. and to enhance our capacity to build societal resilience. And this is a more the moral duty of the United Nations. It is a sine qua non condition for trust of communities and to hold negotiations, provide humanitarian assistance, and ensure reconstruction. In this regard, the declaration that was adopted during the International Conference on the Role of Peacekeeping Operations and the Protection of Civilians during Peacekeeping Operations, which was held in my country, in Tunis, on the 10th and 11th of July 2025, highlighted the centrality of protecting civilians during peacekeeping operations. And this has brought about tangible commitments and engagements, namely in the enhancement of military operations and their alignment with humanitarian needs and the need to counter hate speech and misleading information, in addition to cooperation with international organizations such as the African Union, and further coordination between civil society organizations and military establishments. This can further enhance peacekeeping operations, to allow us to honor our commitment in peacekeeping operations that will become more flexible, more agile, and more effective. We are committed to strengthening or we have, since the '60s, been committed to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations at the United Nations, and we stand ready to continue to contribute to the safeguarding of international peace and security as we are part of various efforts to rid the world of the scourge of war and conflict. We stand ready to contribute to efforts to avert conflicts everywhere across the world, and may the peace and blessings of God be upon you.

I thank you, representative of Tunisia, and will now give the floor to His Excellency Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, followed by Slovenia.

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, ministers, heads of delegation, Mali welcomes the efforts undertaken by the PBC to ensure the adoption of the to adapt the peacebuilding architecture to reflect current shifting threats punctuated by terrorism, organized crime, and cybercrime, among other challenges. I wish to note that the Government of Mali has a willingness to contribute to global consideration about peace, and I wish to reiterate my country's contribution to matters related to Security Council reform to make the Security Council more representative, to make it better positioned to address the multipronged challenges linked to international peace and security. Mali welcomes the ongoing visible international solidarity, the PBC. is perfectly encapsulates the robust partnership with the United Nations and member states who are extricating themselves from crisis. We have benefited from this dynamic action, which since 2014 has been supporting our government's efforts towards stabilization and recovery. The 2019 to 2024 cycle has been reflected in financing for 20 projects with an overall envelope of $54 million U.S. Results have been achieved, and this demonstrates the relevance of its implementation and the positive impact on local populations in areas afflicted by instability. I wish to applaud the Malian PBF team for the remarkable work that has been done, as well as the Commission for choosing Mali to enjoy predictable financing under the regular United Nations budget. In order to keep up the constructive course, we are planning to inscribe Mali into a new cycle beginning of 2026. In this regard, we stress the needs for the alignment of all financing with the Malian national development vision, which is enshrined in national policy documents and strategies. In the same vein, the recent adoption of the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation reflects a national ownership of the peace process, and this calls for stepped-up cooperation with all partners seeking to invest on the basis of respect for our country's sovereignty, our strategic choices, and as engaged in by the authorities. I wish to reiterate our willingness to work towards enhancement of virtuous multilateralism, which places the population at the heart of its efforts. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your contribution, says the Chairman.

Her Excellency Melita Gabric, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, followed by South Sudan.

Excellencies, allow me at the outset to thank the briefers for their insightful reports. Conflicts today are at their highest level in decades. They are increasingly protracted and complex, shaped by interconnected risks and drivers such as climate change, violent extremism, economic insecurity, and political instability. This means that the demand for peacebuilding is at all times high. With the adoption of the Pact for the Future, we reaffirmed our collective commitment to advancing peace. It was not easy to get to this commitment, and now we have the challenge to put these commitments into action. The creation of the UN peacebuilding architecture marked a turning point. It recognized that lasting peace is not only about ending conflicts. It's about building trust, advancing sustainable development, upholding human rights, and ensuring justice. It is about fostering social cohesion, inclusive governance, and resilient societies that reduce the risk of future crises through nationally led and owned strategies. The Peacebuilding Commission has been central to advancing this vision. From Sierra Leone to Colombia, to Gambia, and the Central African Republic, the UN peacebuilding architecture has shown the transformative power of partnerships in helping societies move from fragility to resilience and from conflict to sustainable peace. At the heart of peacebuilding are people. Lasting peace requires strengthening social cohesion, addressing grievances, and empowering women. as we now know, beyond any doubt, that there is no sustainable peace without a meaningful inclusion and participation of women in peace processes. To achieve this, we need sustained political will and adequate resources. The UN peacebuilding architecture is key in catalyzing support to countries striving for stability and peace. Slovenia remains committed to its work, including through regular voluntary contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund and by facilitating this year's Peacebuilding Architecture Review. Mr. President, Excellencies, as we seek to revitalize the UN to meet today's challenges, conflict prevention and peacebuilding must stay at the heart of its work. We must move beyond reacting to crises and adopt a forward-looking, nationally owned approach, one that lays foundation for inclusive governance, resilient communities, and sustainable peace. In conclusion, we need to renew our political will and shared commitment to a better future for all, one in which no one is left behind and where peace is not merely an aspiration, but a lived reality. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Slovenia, and I will now give floor to His Excellency, Stephan Pakual, Minister of Peacebuilding of South Sudan.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to begin by thanking today's briefers for sharing their experiences and insight, which are invaluable as we collectively actively seek to advance peacebuilding and social cohesion. I also wish to express our deep gratitude to all the funders of the Peacebuilding Fund, with special thanks to Germany and Finland for their steadfast support. Your investment is an important international contribution to peacekeeping and peacebuilding in South Sudan. South Sudan is a young nation still on a journey, grappling with challenges of forging unity in our rich, multicultural society, working to develop a governance system that truly serve all our people. We are making progress, but we continue to face significant frugalities and division. As we look forward With the planned withdrawal of UNMISS, the important peace building and inclusive governance become even more critical. Our institution remain fragile and our communities is still vulnerable to the risk of relapse back into conflicts. We are also aware that climate change is compounding our challenges, more frequent floods, and drought are disrupting livelihood, fueling displacement and increasing tension among the communities. Addressing the climate-related risk must be an integral part of our peacebuilding strategy. We commend the Peacebuilding Fund for its vital investment in South Sudan, particularly in programs that promote women peace and security, and youth leading peace agenda. These initiatives are empowering women and young people to be agent of reconciliations and positive change and are helping to build bridges across our diverse communities. Let us be clear, investing in peace is far less costly than investing in war. The dividend of peace are measured not only in stability, but in the hope and opportunity it brings to our people. We urge the United Nations and the international community not to abandon South Sudan at this critical juncture. With your continued support, we are committed to working tirelessly to become a peace-building success story, a nation where diversity is the source of its strength and where every citizen can contribute to peace-building and prosperous future. Thank you very much.

Dear Minister, thank you very much. I will now give the floor to His Excellency Andreas Kravik, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, followed by Panama.

Thank you. Thank you very much, and let me start by thanking Germany for organizing this very timely meeting. The current moment in history demonstrates with frightening clarity how vital it is to invest in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Norway has invested heavily in social cohesion, building a universal welfare state that ensures everyone a social safety net, access to quality education, and equal opportunities to get ahead in society. Doing so counteracts the resentments and hostilities systematic exclusion generates. It is conflict prevention in practice. So too globally, the UN peacebuilding architecture represents a unique approach to peace based on national ownership, collaboration rather than intervention, linking targeted development initiatives on the ground to peace. It enjoys broad cross-regional support. The ongoing peacebuilding architecture review is an important opportunity to recommit to the principles of peacebuilding. It is also an opportunity to develop the agenda further by supporting nationally owned prevention strategies and broadening the scope for peacebuilding efforts, including how Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund can assist countries as they transition from conflict to peace. We are also excited to see how the UN80 reform process can contribute to even stronger synergies between the UN's peace making, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts, and more broadly, between peace, development, humanitarian efforts, and human rights. For all of us who believe in international law and multilateralism, I think it's imperative now that we coalesce around this importance of ensuring that the UN is equipped to facilitate global solutions to global problems as we continue to try to remedy some of the crises that we're seeing and the conflicts that are still ongoing. Norway remains steadfast as one of the largest contributors to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, and we are committed to continuing our active engagement in this Commission. We are also hard at work to integrate peace-building dimensions into all our efforts pertaining to peace and development. And with that, I thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of Norway and will now give the floor to His Excellency Carlos Arturo Hoyos Boyd, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, followed by India.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished ministers. We thank the Federal Republic of Germany for organizing this meeting and all the speakers who preceded me. Dear colleagues, trust building is essential to ensuring coexistence and global peace. However, it has been left on the margins of global discussions while trends towards military rearmament and extremist narratives fueled by citizens' fears, dominate forums and public opinions. In a world of such polarization and uncertainty, perhaps there is nothing more important than returning to dialogue on how to focus on recovering our shared humanity. In Panama and Latin America, we suffer daily from the consequences of neglecting this crisis of trust. However, this is a global problem. Distrust among citizens and towards democratic institutions creates a vicious cycle that breeds despair and extremism, the result of which, among many others, includes the rise of organized crime. This, in turn, creates fertile ground for further forced displacement and increases discrimination and xenophobia, further dividing our communities and countries. All of this is exacerbated by climate change and the use of AI as a political weapon with impunity. That is why it's necessary to build new alliances to continue building trust among all. As members of the PBC, we participated in the Peace Architecture Review and the Berlin Ministerial Conference. These dialogues demonstrated the need to build trust through peace education, including more women, young people, civil society, and indigenous people in decision making. They are the ones who will sustain peace over time. Ministers, the road to peace can be long, but with a genuine willing to compromise and inclusiveness, peace may arrive. Colombia, although its process has not been easy, is a Latin American example of inclusiveness. We also thank Finland and Papua New Guinea for their leadership in gender and climate change, and all countries here investing in peacebuilding. We also recognize Iraq's effort to rebuild social cohesion, even after years of fighting extremism and foreign intervention, and now facing a historic crisis due to water shortages in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. There, where human civilization and agriculture once began, we believe hope remains. Ministers and colleagues, today, 80 years after the birth of this institution, we cannot forget one thing, which is our shared humanity and dignity. Only in this way can we face together the common challenges that threaten our existence. Let us reclaim civic spaces where anyone, regardless of religion, gender, or social class, can come together and build peace. In this way, we will strengthen community cohesion and, in turn, ensure sustainable socioeconomic development. Only by listening to each other and sharing with people who are different from us will we consolidate peace together. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Panama. We will now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. C.V. George, Vice Minister of India, followed by Uruguay.

Mr. Chair, let me begin by thanking Honorable Foreign Minister of Germany and the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission for convening this timely meeting. especially in the context of the ongoing review of the Peacebuilding Architecture 2025. India's approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding is guided by our civilizational ethos of the world is one family that find manifestation in our collective endeavor of moving forward to achieve peace, prosperity, and progress for all. In the realm of peacebuilding, we have been a steadfast partner through demand-driven development partnerships across the global south. Our developmental assistance projects, cumulatively valued over 40 billion U.S. dollars, comprise grants, concessional loans, and capacity building, helping countries rebuild institutions and develop resilience. Today, peacebuilding faces severe challenges with the declining finances and rising conflicts. Countries in conflict settings require adequate space-time, and resources from the international community to develop resilient governance institutions that are transparent, accountable, and inclusive. We believe that resilient governance institutions, by leveraging people-centric technological advances, such as digital public infrastructure that enables safe, inclusive, and interoperable public services for citizens and businesses, can enhance accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in public service delivery. These efforts in turn foster trust among citizens and promote social cohesion and sustainable peace. Mr. Chair, against this backdrop, I would like to offer the following six points. One, peacebuilding must remain demand-driven, guided by national ownership and priorities of the host governments. The 2025 PBAR should focus on ensuring adequate support from international community to address the long-term socioeconomic development needs and priorities of the host country. Rebuilding institutions is necessary in countries emerging from conflict to consolidate peace and avoid a relapse. Two, preparation and presentation of national peacebuilding strategy should remain voluntary. We encourage developed countries to lead by example on this front. Three, no conditionalities in terms of preparation or presentation of national peacebuilding and prevention strategies be introduced in 2025 PBIR to avail financial support from Peacebuilding Fund or IFIs. Four, resident coordinators can play a significant role in strengthening strategic coherence. and extending adequate support to host governments on their national peacebuilding priorities. Five, PBC's partnership with regional and sub-regional organizations should be further deepened, leveraging their contextual strengths and local solutions to achieve sustainable peacebuilding outcomes. Finally, enhancing support for the women Peace and Security, WPS, Youth, Peace and Security, YPS, and Children and Armed Conflict agendas to advance national priorities holds the promise of building and sustaining peace. In conclusion, Chair, we reaffirm our commitment to continue engaging constructively with our partners to strengthen PBC's effectiveness and impact. I thank you.

I thank the representative of India and will now give the floor to His Excellency, Ambassador Martin Vidal, Vice Minister of Uruguay, followed by Russia.

Thank you very much, Chairman. Uruguay welcomes the organization of this ministerial debate on the 20th anniversary of the PBC. the conviction that guides our international actions, that there can be no lasting peace without development, nor sustainable development without peace. The PPC is the right forum to bring this conviction and translate it into concrete commitments, upholding international law, bringing states together as well as UN bodies, financial institutions and civil society around priorities defined by the countries and led by their leadership. An important question for us is how to strengthen social cohesion in order to prevent violence and avoid setbacks. Experience shows that strengthening policies with a territorial approach, providing quality services to the population that makes them able to participate through representation rules, binding ones, this requires representative institutions that are accountable with verifiable data and the ability to complain, and also with safe, egalitarian, and meaningful participation of women and youth, not only as the beneficiaries of policies, but also as the designers and implementers of these policies. In this framework, the PBC and the Peacebuilding Fund can provide added value supporting intercommunity cohesion in areas affected by displacement and violence in an agile way, enabling reconciliation and reintegration, as well as encouraging formal livelihoods, attention to youth, women, and minorities, strengthening territorial equity, and the building of institutions, and upholding the rule of law. What's more, it's necessary and possible to articulate this with climate challenges and violent extremism by integrating early warning systems, because, Mr. Chairman, this is another way of helping to build peace. Management of water, cross-border cooperation when it comes to dealing with illicit substances is also important with the necessary follow-up. Uruguay underscores the importance of including dimensions on peacebuilding within the mandate of peacebuilding missions as an essential step towards the building of more resilient and inclusive societies. transforming the positive impact of the personnel deployed into lasting actions during and after transition periods. We propose, therefore, moving forward to identify different operational guidance on social cohesion as good practices, metrics, and recommended institutional actions in order to identify windows of financing for the PBF aligned with these objectives in order to put them to test with the necessary public backing and synergy with the support of multilateral international benefit, uh, development banks, Uruguay reiterates its focus on human dignity, equity, and sustainable development. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Uruguay, and I will now give the floor to His Excellency Sergey Vereshchagin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, distinguished colleagues. Eighty years ago, when the Charter of the United Nations was adopted, the founding fathers strove to put together such a system of checks and balances that would be able to shield the world from the horrors of a new global conflict. However, armed conflicts have not evaporated, although they have are now located have become localized at the state and regional level. Each of these conflicts has its own specific root causes, and only by addressing these root causes is it possible to achieve a meaningful, sustained resolution. The main responsibility for resolving crisis situations and achieving post-conflict recovery is borne by the affected states themselves. National governments need to seek political, diplomatic ways to extricate themselves from crises, to determine peacebuilding priorities, and to take decisions on the need or bringing in international assistance. The core principles for peacekeeping are enshrined in Security Council resolutions 1645 and 2282. which established the Peacebuilding Commission. This is a unique intergovernmental consultative body where all interested players have an opportunity to exchange views and to put forward collective recommendations to address situations in any given country. Many states who have been affected by crises, especially states in Africa, remain affected by the consequences of their colonialist past as a result of these tragic events. The natural historic process of state building was disrupted. The artificial borders were drawn up, and many peoples were divided or were put together in state bodies. In this way, the colonialist past is Africa's common root cause of conflict. The development of the situation in the Sahel-Sahara region clearly attests to the perniciousness of a reckless intervention in domestic affairs of states, first and foremost in Libya. and attempts to resolve matters through economic and political pressure. It is no coincidence that members of the Alliance of Sahel States, who are at the frontline in counterterrorism, have drawn lessons from the history of reliance on external donors and are now emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation among themselves and to focus on the interests of their own population. Turning to Iraq. We cannot but note the success of the Iraqi government in buttressing its sovereignty, normalizing civilian life, and ensuring economic and social recovery. The measures that have been adopted by the government have helped to achieve remarkable reduction in terrorist activity. We hope that all national political forces will continue to demonstrate a responsible approach and strive to resolve disputes purely through wide-ranging dialogue for the benefit of all population groups. In light of this year's Peacebuilding Architecture Review, we should like to assure you that the Russian delegation will proactively fully participate in work on the draft resolution. This document needs to be constructive in nature and needs to fully take into account the approaches of all Member States. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of Russia and give now the floor to His Excellency Leon Kaku Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad of Cote d'Ivoire.

Thank you, Chairman. My delegation is delighted to participate in this important ministerial meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission. And Cote d'Ivoire is aware of the fundamental support role to upholding peace and stability across the world that this body plays, not only thanks to the close cooperation that we have had with this body, but also because we will remember recently in 2018 and 2019, when we were a member of the Security Council. I wish also to underscore really how relevant the theme that we're dealing with and experience has shown that social cohesion, inclusive governance and the resilience of communities and building lasting peace are for and that they're intrinsically linked concepts. Indeed through solid interpersonal relations and vision of common well-being and equality as well as trust in national institutions promoting social cohesion this creates societies that are more able to build a peaceful future and makes them also more resilient inclusive governance strengthens social cohesion and enables the emergence of a sense of belonging and a collective commitment by encouraging participation of all citizens. These dynamics also are a true driving force and a cornerstone to build a strong peace that is accepted by everyone. This interaction is also verified in the processes of building and building a lasting peace in Cote d'Ivoire, the government has implemented different strategies and initiatives that illustrate this, and these are focused around the fight against poverty and social vulnerability, the promotion of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic governance, national reconciliation and political dialogue, seeking to create a peaceful social climate, raising awareness among the population as to a culture of peace, dialogue, and tolerance, strengthening the participation of women and youth as to the consolidation of peace, and decision-making processes. What's more, due to the fragilities that we see in the West African region linked to security challenges, instability, risks of cross-border and intercommunity tensions, a regional dynamic, and we are looking at better understanding and anticipating risks and strengthening confidence and trust and collaboration with neighbouring countries. These actions are engaged in through governmental bodies and their central administrations, in particular the Ministry for Social Cohesion, Solidarity and Fighting Poverty, tasked with the implementation of the policy to reduce inequalities and to improve access to basic social services. An observatory for solidarity and social cohesion has also been set up as a institution that monitors and provides warnings. Similarly, local mechanisms geared towards the prevention and settlement of conflicts do exist, in particular the peace committees and the committees for awareness raising and oversight. Civil society organizations as well as local actors, including traditional chiefs and religious leaders, are also intervening in the process, playing an important role. The Ivorian government intends to continue its coordination with all of these partners, in particular the PBC. Thank you for your kind attention.

I thank you, representative of Cote d'Ivoire, and will now give the floor to His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Kulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, followed by Austria.

Sayid Ra'is.

Mr. Chair, your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Qatar expresses its gratitude to you for successfully holding this important ministerial meeting. We welcome the latest Secretary-General report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace. We thank the briefers for their valuable interventions. Mr. Chair, the State of Qatar is making tireless efforts to enhance social cohesion and inclusive governance through national development strategies and societal initiatives and international efforts. The main framework for all these efforts is the National Vision 2030, which is implemented through different national initiatives. Domestic initiatives aim to improving the quality of life, enhancing social cohesion and ensuring diversity in society. Social development, we believe, is based on a secure, just society based on high ethical values. The third national strategy, 2024-2030, sets goals related to social cohesion. That includes increasing the participation of women in leading positions by 30% and advancing innovative solutions to social challenges. As for our international efforts, we believe that enhancing social cohesion is based on inclusiveness and trust. This is a necessity, not only a goal. This approach increases the possibility to resist shocks and reduces opportunities used by extremists to dismantle societies. Important organizations in Qatar are making tireless efforts to fund initiatives that foster social cohesion. These initiatives address the root causes of conflicts to achieve just and durable peace. This is a sine qua non to achieve sustainable solutions to conflicts and to ensure regional and international stability. In this context, we stress the need to find a just settlement to the question of Palestine based on the two-state solutions as indicated by the New York Declaration emanating from the high level conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution last July. Qatar is hosting the second World Social Summit in 2025. It will be held in Doha in November. It is one of the most important events of this year. We're confident that this conference will provide a unique opportunity to mobilize support at the international level to address the urgent and complex challenges, to increase the resilience of societies, and to support international efforts to achieve sustainable peace. In conclusion, the state of Qatar is firmly committed to enhancing social cohesion and inclusive governments as two main pillars necessary for the development of societies, enhancing sustainable peace in the world. We believe the PBC is playing a vital role in this regard. I thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Chair, rather.

I thank the representative of Qatar and give now the floor to Her Excellency Hanna Liko, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, followed by Burkina Faso.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the heart of every peaceful society lies trust. Trust among citizens, trust in institutions, and trust that differences can be resolved through dialogue rather than violence. Where trust exists, communities show remarkable resilience even in the face of crisis. Without it, fragility and polarization take root. Strengthening social cohesion and inclusive governance is not an abstract goal, but a concrete necessity for preventing conflict and sustaining peace everywhere. It is also a call to action for all of us gathered here today. I would like to highlight three aspects in this regard. First, inclusive participation. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the voices of those who are too often marginalized. especially women and youth. The full, equal and meaningful participation in decision-making strengthens legitimacy, ensures that peace agreements reflect the needs of communities and contributes to reconciliation. Austria is firmly committed to advancing the women, peace and security agenda and to promoting the participation of youth as positive agents of change. Second, addressing the risks of climate change. Examples have shown how climate-induced livelihood disruptions can heighten communal tensions and be exploited by extremist groups. It is therefore essential to integrate climate adaptation and natural resource management into peacebuilding strategies. Austria stands ready to support efforts such as the work of the climate security mechanism that link environmental sustainability with conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We are doing so actively right now as co-chair of the Climate Security Mechanism Joint Steering Committee. Third, predictable financing for peacebuilding. The Peacebuilding Fund has proven its value by supporting national and local initiatives that build trust, whether through community reconciliation, youth empowerment, or inclusive governance. We commend the Fund's work that has been essential to stabilization and recovery and are honored to have contributed 1 million euro over the past two years. Austria will continue to advocate for more sustainable and adequate financing for the PBF and for peacebuilding activities more broadly. Austria firmly believes that social cohesion is not a byproduct of peace, it is its foundation. We will therefore remain a strong supporter of the Commission's efforts to strengthen inclusive governance, promote reconciliation, and foster community resilience. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Austria and will now give the floor to His Excellency Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkina Be Abroad of Burkina Faso.

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Burkina Faso, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations for this meeting dedicated to social cohesion and inclusive governance. Both are key for enhancing community-based resilience and building lasting peace. For nearly a decade, my country has been encountering numerous challenges and threats to terrorism, mass displacement of people, the consequences of climate change. These are challenges which have undermined our social fabric and imperiled our country's economy. And but our people are firmly convinced that it is important for them to take ownership of the destiny. More than 1 million IDPs managed to return to their homes in 2025, thanks to international solidarity and thanks to the patriotic commitment of the sons and daughters who have mobilized significant resources. This momentum demonstrates the dedication and sacrifice of our people, their commitment to building peace. We applaud the support from the PBF. Since 2017, the PBF has been supporting significant initiatives to boost community-based resilience and to bring in young people and women in peace and governance initiatives. A recent statement of Maram Bouimena, the founder of the Women for Dignity in Sahel, is a clear demonstration of this. Local voices are necessary for sustainable solutions. Chairman, to enhance the benefits, there's a need to finance direct and flexible financing specifically for countries of the Alliance of Sahel States. There is a need to invest in domestic local solutions by investments in local economies and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. Three, the promotion of inclusive governance, which is respectful of the sovereignty of states and open to the meaningful participation of marginalized communities, women, and young people. Fourth, the adoption of an integrated approach which brings together social cohesion, climate adaptation, and prevention of violent extremism. Ladies and gentlemen, Burkina Faso, alongside fraternal countries Mali and Niger, we remain committed to transforming these challenges into opportunities. We are committed building a lasting peace based on social cohesion, based on justice, based on shared prosperity. Burkina Faso is open to building equitable partnerships, with respect for our choices and with a value being placed on local initiatives. We think that lasting solutions are those which take into account the will of the people themselves. Thank you.

Thank you, representative of Burkina Faso, and give the floor to His Excellency Armanata Nasir, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, followed by the Philippines.

Thank you, Chair. This year's Peacebuilding Architecture Review presents an opportunity to reflect on its effectiveness and renew our collective commitment to sustaining peace. Indonesia's own history shows that peacebuilding is not a single act, but a continuous process of fostering social cohesion and inclusivity. Cultivating trust between communities has been the foundation of our resilience, and today's theme could not be more relevant. To this end, allow me to highlight four points. First, lasting peace requires inclusive dialogue. As a diverse nation, Indonesia has learned that dialogue across communities and faith is a source of strength. Foreseeing this challenge, our founding father enshrined "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" or "Unity in Diversity" as a guiding principle. more than just a slogan, this is a way of life. Reconciliation in Aceh and nationwide interfaith dialogue platforms shows how inclusion prevents tension and builds resilience. The UN could further strengthen such platform to encourage understanding among societies. Second, inclusive government is vital. Since our reform process in 1998, decentralization has enabled broader participation and ensured local government can address grievances directly. Also important is empowering women and youth is central to our nationwide action plan on countering violent extremism, strengthening communities against radicalization. Third, the Peacebuilding Commission and Fund must play a stronger role. The Commission should provide space for inclusive dialogue, while the Fund ensures timely support for reconciliation, governance, and empowerment. Strong political and financial support is essential to sustain peace. Finally, peacebuilding must adopt a broader challenge. Social cohesion efforts should integrate strategies addressing climate risk, violent extremism, and transnational pressure. Our disaster recovery experiences shows how solidarity across communities can reinforce resilience and trust in institution. Chair, Indonesia will remain a steadfast partner in the peacebuilding architecture review. Together, let us ensure this architecture is not only fit for purpose, but it fits for the future, delivering tangible resilience for communities worldwide. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Indonesia for his remarks and will now give the floor to Her Excellency, Helen de la Vega, Vice Minister of the Philippines, followed by CARICOM.

Excellencies, Peace is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, and we take pride in our history of forging pathways to peace through inclusive dialogue, consensus building, and participatory approaches to community development. The decades-long peace process in the Philippine South was crowned with success with the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, in 2019. Building and sustaining peace is deeply intertwined with our development policy, which underscores preventing violence through creating opportunities for people. The Philippine development plan pursues an inclusive, transparent, people-centered, and human rights-based peace and security policy. In this spirit, the Philippines supports the ongoing peacebuilding architecture review to help strengthen our peacebuilding tools. This includes assessing the effectiveness, coherence, and impact of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund, and the Peacebuilding Support Office. Inclusive participation in peace processes and peacebuilding through the Women, Peace, and Security and the Youth, Peace, and Security agendas sustains and legitimizes peacebuilding efforts. Any peace-building architecture should be fit for purpose, cohesive and agile enough to effectively respond to conflicts and their root causes in a rapidly evolving global security landscape. Experience has taught the Philippines the value of country-led and country-owned solutions to address gaps, enhance collective responses to terrorism, and mobilize international support. The localization of peace through building national capacities and implementing results-oriented approaches, enhanced through international support, are vital in conflict prevention and peace-building efforts. Excellencies, we stand in solidarity with regions that continue to suffer from the specter of terrorism. The rise of violent extremism is compounded by external interventions, geopolitical competition, pastoral conflict, and other systemic drivers. As a trusted partner and a committed peacemaker, the Philippines firmly advocates for international collaboration underpinned by a rules-based order. We should strengthen multilateralism for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. We remain steadfast in our work toward narrowing development gaps, upholding the interlinked nature of the sustainable development goals, and empowering people in vulnerable situations, such as the youth, women, older persons, and migrants. As Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. stated, and I quote, "Peace is more than the cessation of hostilities. It is about the creation of a social order that values human dignity, improves lives, and promotes progress." Peace is totally achieved not when the sound of gunfire has ended, it is when the clamor for better lives have been met. The Philippines remains committed to engaging with partners at the national, regional and international levels to strengthen our cooperation in preventing and combating terrorism in all its forms. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of the Philippines for her remarks and will now give the floor to Her Excellency Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary General for Foreign and Community Relations of CARICOM, followed by Serbia.

Chair and distinguished delegates, it's an honor to address the Peacebuilding Commission on the subject of promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance to foster community resilience and sustainable peace. And allow me, Chair, to endorse much of what has been said before, and particularly what was just said by the Philippines. The Caribbean community has a proud history of promoting international peace and security. an effort anchored by our region's declaration as a zone of peace in 2014. This framework is not a mere aspiration. It is a commitment to the international rule of law that has successfully sustained our region for decades and is a testament to the very principles we are discussing today. The work of this commission in supporting democratic processes and institutions is most important and more important than ever. particularly in a world where trust in democratic institutions is eroding. This trend is particularly alarming in the Caribbean, where recent UNDP data reveals an alarming decline in support for democracy and a high distrust in government amongst youth from the age of 16 to 25. This vulnerability makes our society susceptible to corrosive influences, including gang culture, which directly threatens the social cohesion and inclusive governance essential for sustainable peace. CARICOM's priorities align directly with those of the Peacebuilding Commission. We are focused on building community resilience and strengthening the national institutions essential for sustainable peace. To move forward effectively, we need a deeper analysis to better understand this evolution of distrust. By working together, we can develop strategies to reinforce our institutions and empower our communities, thereby protecting the democratic foundations that have sustained our region. Chair, this brings me to the most pressing peacebuilding challenge in our region, the unprecedented and deepening multidimensional crisis in Haiti. This is not only a national problem, but a regional one, with far-reaching social and security impacts. The breakdown of social cohesion and the collapse of inclusive governance have created a vacuum filled by armed gangs whose coordinated attacks have brought the state to the brink of collapse. But they remain strong. These groups have seized control of an estimated 90% of the capital, looting critical infrastructure, hospitals, and humanitarian aid sites. This violence has not only led to the displacement of 1.3 million people and acute food insecurity for nearly 50% of the population, but it has also fueled a cycle of retaliatory violence by self-defense groups, further fragmenting society. An important mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council for the return to constitutional government is the holding of elections, which will remain elusive if security conditions cannot provide a safe environment for voters. Despite efforts of the Multinational Security Support Mission and the Haitian National Police, the security situation remains dire. The mission has been severely understaffed, underfunded, and under-equipped. On the humanitarian front, the Haitian Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is a dismal 12% funded, making it the least funded humanitarian response in the world. CARICOM, despite its limited resources, has consistently provided good offices and international advocacy. The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group has facilitated dialogue with Haitian stakeholders. the Transitional Presidential Council, and the international partners regarding the governance process and security issues. CARICOM leaders have also played an important role through international advocacy for urgent and necessary international action and resources to address the deepening crisis. We welcome the recent renewed consultations at the UN Security Council and the proposed gang suppression force, as well as the OAS-initiated, Haiti-led roadmap for stability and peace with regional and international support. Peacebuilding, as we know, requires more than just security. It means addressing the root causes of violence, strengthening the rule of law, and rooting out corrupt practices. Successful initiatives such as voluntary disarmament programs and social development projects can help rebuild the social fabric. Chair, social cohesion remains a key component of our deep belief in CARICOM in retaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and we welcome these and future opportunities to engage with the Peacebuilding Commission. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of CARICOM for her remarks and give now the floor to Her Excellency, Ms. Nirvana Jovanovic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, followed by the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honor to address you today on a topic that stands at the very heart of sustainable peace and international cooperation, promoting social cohesion and inclusive governance as the foundation of the resilient communities. In times of profound global uncertainty, our societies face overlapping challenges, geopolitical tensions, climate change, migration, inequality, and polarization. Each of these pressures can test the social fabric of our communities. But history teaches that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of trust, fairness, and shared belonging. Social cohesion is the glue that binds diverse individuals into a united society. It requires inclusive governance because when communities feel heard, represented, and respected, they become more resilient in the face of the crisis. We have seen that when governments prioritize dialogue, transparency, and participation, they build trust not only between citizens and institutions, but also among communities that may once have been divided. From a national perspective, Serbia attaches great importance to strengthening social cohesion and fostering inclusive governance. Building on the lessons of our own history, we remain committed to dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation both within our society and in the wider region of the Western Balkans. We firmly believe that sustainable peace can only be achieved when all communities feel safe, represented, and respected. By promoting equal opportunities, protecting minority and engaging in constructive regional cooperation, Serbia contributes actively to regional stability, resilience, and lasting peace. At the same time, fostering social cohesion is not a task for governments alone. It requires strong international cooperation and joint efforts at the global level. No country can address these challenges in isolation. By strengthening multilateralism, sharing best practices, and supporting one another through international frameworks, we create the conditions in which inclusivity, stability, and peace can truly take root and endure. Excellencies, as we look ahead, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to a peace not only as a distant aspiration, but as a daily practice rooted in justice, inclusivity, and human dignity. Only together we can build resilient societies capable of withstanding the challenges of today and tomorrow. Let us choose cooperation over division, inclusion over exclusion, and peace over conflict. This is the responsibility we owe to our people and to future generations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Serbia and give now the floor to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Baroness Jenny Chapman, Ministry of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Kingdom, followed by Cambodia.

Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom values the work of the Peace Building Commission and welcomes today's discussion. And thank you to today's briefers who have gone before me. Instability is rising and there are more conflicts than at any time since the middle of the last century. This hits the poorest and the most vulnerable hardest. The economic impact was $19 trillion last year alone, and we have to face up to reality. There are three things that we must do now. First, we must renew our approach to peacebuilding. The Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review offer the best chance that we have to reshape how the UN supports countries in crisis. We need clearer links between decisions in New York and action on the ground. We need UN agencies working together. We need resident coordinators empowered to lead, all in support of governance that builds trust, resilience, and the meaningful and safe participation of women. Second, we all know we must do more to prevent conflict before it starts. For our part, the UK is investing in early warning systems and strategies for prevention led by local communities, empowering women and tackling the causes of extremism. And we must make national prevention central to how the UN sustains peace as well. So today, I'm pleased to announce the UK's voluntary contribution of over $7 million to the UN Peacebuilding Fund this year. And third, we need stronger partnerships to maximise impact. That includes the Peacebuilding Commission bringing together different parts of the UN and regional groups like the African Union. We also need the UN and international financial institutions to bring together political leadership and financial expertise. Finally, I want to restate that this urgent work cannot wait. We all know we have to do a better job to reverse the trend of rising conflict around the world. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom and give now the floor to His Excellency Parit Khan, Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia, followed by the European Union.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, I'd also allow me to express Cambodia's deep appreciations to the leadership of Germany as this year's chair of Peacebuilding Commission for convening this important discussion on advancing social cohesions as a cornerstone of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Cambodia align with the recognition in Secretary General recent report that division, whether political, ethnic, religious, or regional, remain among the most persistent driver of fragility and conflict. Where trust between people and institution is absent, grievance deepen, polarization grow, and society become vulnerable to manipulation by extremist actor. Mr. Chairman, in this connection, allow me to share Cambodian perspective on how social cohesion is built resilience is enhanced, and peace is maintained. First, reconciliation and inclusive governance are indispensable. Cambodian post-conflict recovery demonstrates this clearly. Our win-win policy, launched in the late 1990s, brought an end to three decades of civil conflict without further bloodshed. By guaranteeing security, safety, prosperity, and dignity for all factions upon reintegration. This policy restored trust, promoted national reconciliation, and laid a durable foundation for peace. Second, justice and accountability are fundamental to healing. With the strong support of the United Nations, the Extraordinary Chamber in the Court of Cambodia, ECCC, delivered a measure of justice to victims of the genocidal regime. This process, though difficult, was vital in addressing trauma, reinforcing national reconciliation, and strengthening the legitimacy of our institution. Third, peace can only be sustained through the inclusive development. Good government must be rooted in dignity and equal opportunity. Cambodia has pursued policy to ensure that women, youth, and indigenous people are represented across government structure and empowered in public life. At the same time, Expanding access to justice, social protection, and rural development, higher education and quality, and deliver tangible peace and deliver to our people. In closing, Cambodia's journey show that even the most fractured society can rebuild when reconciliation is prioritized, governance is inclusive, and partnership are strong. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to working with our partner in this commission to promote social cohesion, strengthen resilience, and advance future founded on harmony, solidarity, and sustainable peace. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the representative of Cambodia. I was informed that Olaf Schuck from the European Union has already left the room, so I give the floor to His Excellency Christopher Cutia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta as last speaker.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, strengthening social cohesion is fundamental to prevent violent conflict and sustaining peace. Around the world, we see how inclusive policies, resilient communities and responsive institutions can help societies overcome division and build lasting stability. From Malta's perspective, Experience has shown that investing in inclusive education, empowering local communities, and fostering intercultural dialogue are effective ways to prevent polarisation. And this is also in view of the phenomenon of a large expatriate community of particularly people coming from India and Italy to work in Malta. Community-led initiatives supported by strong and transparent institutions help to build trust and ensure that no one feels left behind. Inclusive governance is equally vital. In Malta, accessible institutions, empowered municipalities, and a strong legal framework that guarantees equality before the law help address grievances and reduce marginalization. By ensuring transparency, subsidiarity, protecting minority rights, and encouraging dialogue, we can reinforce the bond between communities and institutions. Amidst the current turbulent times, The Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund have a critical role to play in a number of different political contexts. They can promote dialogue, strengthen national institutions, and support reconciliation efforts that are rooted in local ownership. The PBF, in particular, provides catalytic support to community-based initiatives, while the PBC ensures sustained international engagement and mobilization of resources over time. In this regard, the current review of the peacebuilding architecture is therefore a key opportunity to ensure that both the PBC and the PBF are equipped to respond effectively to evolving peacebuilding needs. Malta supports a forward-looking review that enhances inclusivity, strengthens partnerships, and secures adequate, predictable financing. Finally, we must recognize that social cohesion cannot be pursued in isolation. Climate risks, violent extremism, and transnational challenges are deeply interconnected with peace and stability. Malta advocates for integrated approaches that are climate-sensitive, youth-centered, and responsive to today's global realities. By addressing these challenges together, we can renew trust, strengthen resilience, and ensure that peacebuilding efforts are both inclusive and sustainable. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Looking at the time and bearing in mind that we will need to conclude at 1:00 p.m. sharp, we will not be able to accommodate any further speakers. We encourage delegations who are unable to speak to share their statements with e-delegates so they may be included in the deliberations. Before concluding today's meeting, I would like to thank all of you, dear colleagues, for your valuable insights and contributions to today's discussion. In particular, I would like to thank our briefers for sharing the expertise and the national perspective with all of us. This is what the PBC is all about. Let me highlight some key takeaways from my point of view. First, we have seen that fostering social cohesion is an integral part of peacebuilding and sustaining peace. and crucial to ensure that peace is not imposed upon, but built from within societies. Second, the cooperation and collaboration between the United Nations, governments, and civil society organizations is instrumental for successful peacebuilding efforts. The Peacebuilding Commission, with its convening function, can play a hinge role, bringing stakeholders together, but also pooling resources and knowledge. Third, financing for peacebuilding remains one of the central challenges for peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Broadening the donor base of the Peacebuilding Fund and connecting the Peacebuilding Commission and the Fund through the interactive strategic dialogue, which we introduced this year, is an important step. Likewise, we need to continue building links along the humanitarian development peace nexus such as to the World Bank and other international financial institutions. Let me finish by emphasizing once again that the ongoing peacebuilding architecture review provides an important opportunity to ensure the peacebuilding architecture can fulfill its important mandate effectively. Let us all use this opportunity to collectively strengthen the peacebuilding architecture, ensuring that peacebuilding activities here in New York accompany meaningful action on the ground and support national peace building and conflict prevention efforts. I thank you. The session is now adjourned.