Interactive conference to mark the UNITAR Division for Peace Advisory Board side event
April 19th, 2024, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm CEST, blended format in Varembé Conference Centre (CCV) , 9-11 rue de Varembé, CH-1202 Geneva and online.
In July 2023, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres announced the release of a new policy brief with a “New Agenda for Peace”. 30 years after the original “Agenda for Peace”, this new roadmap sets a new tone in a starkly different world: “We are now at an inflexion point. The post-cold war period is over. A transition is underway to a new global order”. Signaling a pivotal moment, the New Agenda for Peace aims to assess how the UN can adjust to the new and fragmented international order that is emerging with deep divisions amongst major powers and new threats to global security. The time has come to raise the alarm and call the Member States to embrace a new vision for peace and security in a growing uncertain context.
Following the “Our Common Agenda" report warning of growing instability and the inadequacy of current systems to manage risks effectively, the New Agenda for Peace represents a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing contemporary conflicts, promoting sustainable peace, and fostering international cooperation. It reflects updated priorities and strategies in response to contemporary global challenges in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. It incorporates lessons learned from past conflicts and peacekeeping missions, as well as addresses emerging threats such as terrorism, climate change, and cybersecurity.
As emphasized by the Secretary-General, the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), endangering the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. If the situation remains unchanged, only 12 per cent of the SDGs will be attained, putting the 2030 Agenda and its ambitions for a sustainable future in peril. The persistence of violence and a series of threats of unprecedented nature are heavily weighing on the stability of the international system and global peace and security. A lack of trust, solidarity, and universality -UN’s core principles- prevents the Member States from cooperating efficiently which seriously undermines the collective security system.
The New Agenda for Peace underlines the urgency to reignite multilateralism and advocates for states to prioritize cooperation over competition. It emphasizes the centrality of international law and the\ Charter while urging Member States to take proactive measures to prevent conflicts and promote peace. The policy brief highlights the importance of placing people, particularly women and youth, at the forefront of peace processes, emphasizing their representation and participation. Additionally, it calls for the adoption of comprehensive and adaptable approaches to conflict resolution, paving the way for innovative strategies.
In light of these developments, UNITAR is convening a panel discussion to reflect on the five recommendations for action outlined in the New Agenda for Peace, aimed at enhancing multilateral action for peace:
- Prevention at the global level: addressing strategic risks and geopolitical divisions.
- Preventing conflict and violence and sustainable peace.
- Strengthening peace operations and addressing peace enforcement.
- Novel approaches to peace and potential domains of conflict.
- Strengthening international governance.
Recognizing that Member States are central to the implementation of the New Agenda, UNITAR acknowledges the significant challenges they may face in operationalizing these recommendations. The panel discussion will provide a platform to address key themes that demand immediate attention within the framework of the New Agenda for Peace. The discussion will thoroughly examine the recommendations through the lens of capacity development, aiming to provide actionable insights for the practical implementation of the New Agenda. This strategic focus will ensure that stakeholders are equipped with tangible strategies and initiatives to implement the Agenda effectively, thereby maximizing the potential for positive change in preparation for the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
Agenda – Advisory Board Side Event - Watch the Full Discussion
On April 19th, 2024, a joint face-to-face and virtual event was organized on the occasion of the annual side event of the UNITAR's Division for Peace's Advisory Board meeting. The event brought together actors working on peace and security to discuss possible ways for the Member States to implement the New Agenda for Peace from a capacity-building perspective. The discussion was aimed at the Division for Peace Advisory Board Members and the broader public to positively contribute to peace and implement Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) of the Agenda 2030.
Through an insightful exchange of perspectives and expertise, this 2-hour panel discussion elucidated how UNITAR's mandate can serve this purpose and contribute to the concrete application of the recommendations outlined in the policy brief to prepare the operationalization of the New Agenda for Peace by Member States and identify what capacity-building UNITAR can bring to help Member States to implement the key recommendations for action for a successful Summit of the Future.
Ultimately, all attendees and speakers were invited for a Q&A exchange to draw conclusions from their knowledge and experience to date and identify ways forward.
Themes
- Peace
- Capacity-building
- Peacekeeping
- Peacemaking
- Conflict prevention
- Security
- Multilateralism
- International law
- Global governance
- Cooperation
- Collective security
- Global threats
- Transition
- Summit of the Future
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Partnerships
Guest Speakers and Panellists
Moderator:
Ms. Annika Hilding Norberg, Head, Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, GCSP, and Member, Board of Directors, International Leadership Association
Keynote speaker:
Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, President of the Centre4S and former United Nations Special Envoy in Sudan, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi and Somalia and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA)
Panellists:
- Lieutenant General Jasbir Singh Lidder, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan and Former Force Commander of the United Nations Mission to the Sudan (UNMIS)
- Dr. Dolapo Fakuade, Programme Director for MSc Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management at School of Law and Social Sciences, University of Derby
- Mr. Adam Day, Director, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in Geneva
The event will be conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish and French
Programme
15h00 – 15h10: Opening remarks, Mr Nikhil Seth, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director
15h10 – 15h20: Opening and introductory remarks from the moderator, Ms. Annika Hilding Norberg
15h20 – 15h35: Brief remarks from the keynote speaker, Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, President of the Centre4S and former United Nations Special Envoy in Sudan, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi and Somalia and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA)
15h35 – 15h45: Brief remarks, General Jasbir Singh Lidder, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sudan and Former Force Commander of the United Nations Mission to the Sudan (UNMIS)
15h45 – 15h55: Brief remarks, Dr. Dolapo Fakuade, Programme Director for MSc Intelligence, Security and Disaster Management at School of Law and Social Sciences, University of Derby
15h55 – 16h05: Brief remarks, Mr. Adam Day, Director, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in Geneva
16h05 – 16h35: Panel discussion led by the moderator
16h35 – 16h50: Q&A with the audience, led by the moderator
16h50 – 16h55: Closing remarks by the moderator
16h55 – 17h00: Closing remarks, Mr Nikhil Seth, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director