14 - 20 November 2020
This Week in DPPAis a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security Council
Mladenov: The international community must act swiftly to provide the necessary resources for UNRWA
Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov on 18 November updated the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East. “We meet today as Palestinians and Israelis continue their efforts to prevent and control the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. After weeks of declining numbers, however, active cases are again on the rise,” he said. The Special Coordinator was particularly worried about the situation for Palestinian refugees, urging the international community to “act swiftly and provide the necessary resources for UNRWA to continue delivering its vital services, helping prevent serious risks to stability that the region simply cannot afford.”
Read his full remarks here
Read more in UN News
Williams: “Libyans are coming together for the sake of Libya”
Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams on 19 November briefed the Council on the situation in Libya. “After many years of oppression, division, chaos, misery and conflict, Libyans are coming together for the sake of Libya, for the sake of their children and grandchildren, to chart a Libyan vision for the way forward that has the opportunity to preserve the country’s unity and reassert its sovereignty,” she said, speaking about the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF). "Libyans deserve, if not the support, then at least the non-interference of the main international actors as they seek to forge a sovereign political path forward for future Libyan generations,” Ms. Williams concluded.
Read her full remarks here
Read more in UN News
Djibouti
Special Envoy visits Djibouti
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, travelled to Djibouti from 11 to 15 November. He met with the President of Djibouti, the Executive Secretary of IGAD as well as members of the diplomatic community, including representatives from the EU, US, France, Germany and Japan. During his engagements, the Special Envoy briefed on and discussed political developments in the Horn of Africa region. The Special Envoy is mandated to support IGAD in promoting peace and security in the Horn of Africa, enhancing sub-regional capacities for conflict prevention and mediation and addressing cross-cutting issues.
Libya
Conclusion of the first round of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF)
The first round of the LPDF concluded in Tunis on 15 November. Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams thanked the 75 Libyan personalities who form the LPDF for their national spirit and their expressed desire to forge an inclusive solution to the longstanding Libyan crisis. The women participating in the Dialogue Forum issued a statement declaring their adherence to principles including that the representation of women should be no less than 30%.
Read more here
Republic of the Congo
Special Representative visits Congo
François Louncény Fall, Special Representative and Head of UNOCA, visited the Republic of the Congo this week. On 18 November, he met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso, with whom he discussed the political and socio-economic context in the country before the 2021 presidential election. They also discussed the situation in Central Africa, as Mr. Sassou Nguesso is about to assume the presidency of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC).
Afghanistan
Meeting on the Afghan Peace Negotiations
Afghan Peace Negotiations represent a historic milestone and offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring the conflict to an end, said participants at a gathering in Faizabad on 16 November. Organized by the Provincial Peace and Mediation Network with support from UNAMA, more than 40 participants—mostly religious leaders—voiced their backing to the peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban taking place in Qatar.
Read more here
Radio listeners make case for women’s inclusion in peace talks
Listeners to a series of radio programmes in the country’s east responded by making a strong case for women’s participation and inclusion in the Afghan Peace Negotiations. Across Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan provinces, listeners argued that peace negotiations that exclude women are likely to fail.
Read more here
Iraq
Special Representative meets with President and Prime Minister
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative and Head of UNAMI, met with President Barham Salih on 14 November and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on 15 November to discuss the political and security situation, preparations for early elections, and the fight against ISIL cells.
Colombia
Tree-planting in Quibdó
Former FARC-EP combatants and community representatives participated in a tree-planting activity on 18 November sponsored by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia and UNDP. One hundred trees were planted in Quibdó, Chocó, to protect water sources for a collective fish reintegration project.
Mediation Support
New report on challenges and opportunities to local mediation
DPPA’s Mediation Support Unit launched on 17 November a new report on UN support to local mediation and approaches. The report summarizes early insights and discusses opportunities and challenges.
Read more here
Peacebuilding
Interview with the Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea
Gianluca Rampolla spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on UN peacebuilding efforts in Papua New Guinea.
Watch here
Annual meeting between the Peacebuilding Commission and ECOSOC
The annual ECOSOC and PBC joint meeting on 19 November focused on fostering global solidarity and conflict-sensitive responses to COVID-19. Member States stressed inclusive responses, multilateralism, human rights, and financing for peacebuilding.
Read more here
Next Week
Security Council
James Swan will brief on Somalia (23 Nov), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Iraq (24 Nov), and Geir Pedersen on Syria (25 Nov).
Updated programme of work
The Work of Peace
Virtual exhibit
Check out our virtual exhibit: The Work of Peace, highlighting the UN’s role in preventive diplomacy, mediation, and elections over the past 75 years.
Enter here
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