This Week in DPPAis a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security Council
Pedersen: "We need to find a genuine intra-Syrian political dialogue and a genuine process of Syrian political reform”
Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria, briefing the Security Council on 28 September, reported that an agreement on “methodology” is in place for a sixth session of the Constitutional Committee. He said that the Small Drafting Body will convene in Geneva as of 18 October, and the Co-Chairs will meet for the first time the day before to prepare the session. He also noted that the time to push for a political process is now, given that military front lines have been largely frozen for 18 months. Trust is clearly low, but common interests do exist, he said.
Full briefing to the Security Council here
Women’s participation and representation in political life is a precondition for lasting peace in Somalia, Deputy Secretary-General says
Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, briefed the Council on 28 September on her recent visit to Somalia to promote women’s participation in elections. Despite promises and stipulations in electoral agreements, she noted that there is real concern that the levels of women’s representation will decrease in the current elections to the House of the People. She emphasized that the 30 per cent quota is a crucial first step towards the equal representation of women in all sectors of life. “Somalis cannot move their country forward and build trust in institutions and elections without women’s equal participation. Inclusive elections will lay the foundations for a resilient, sustainable, inclusive country”, she added.
Full briefing to the Security Council here
Many Israelis and Palestinians remain committed to achieving two-State solution, Council hears
Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefing the Council on the most recent developments on the ground, said “we must re-energize efforts now to establish a legitimate political horizon that will end the occupation”. He said he felt encouraged that many Israelis and Palestinians remained committed to achieving a two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace despite the significant challenges. He urged the international community to support the civil society organizations that continue to work tirelessly to build trust and advance the prospects for peace.
Full briefing to the Security Council here
Afghanistan
UNAMA continues to call for unity to support human rights
Deborah Lyons, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), met on 26 September with former President Hamid Karzai. She stressed the UN is working hard to get humanitarian aid to Afghan people in need and highlighted that an inclusive government that can work with the region and wider world would much improve development prospects. On 27 September, Deputy Special Representative Matte Knudsen spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, calling for unity to support human rights, inclusive governance and economic development as well as provision of urgent humanitarian aid for millions of Afghans.
Central Asia
Online training on preventive diplomacy for youth
The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) completed on 30 September its fourth online training session for youth from Central Asia and Afghanistan in September. Speakers from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and UNRCCA shared their expertise and helped the participants understand the work of UNOCT and the implementation of its STRIVE Asia Project and regional work in the field of cyberspace counter-terrorism.
Lebanon
Special Coordinator discusses 2022 elections
Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka met on 29 September with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the opportunities for Lebanon to engage in real reforms following the formation of the government and Parliament’s legislative role. She stressed the importance of holding the 2022 elections on time. On 30 September, she also met with civil society representatives to discuss the elections preparations and the importance of making it an inclusive process, including for persons with disabilities, young voters, women and Lebanese abroad.
Yemen
Special Envoy meets Yemeni youth
Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy for Yemen, exchanged views with Yemeni youth on 29 September at an event organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Yemen. He stressed that the future of any country lies with the youth and that it is paramount to involve the new generation in building a sustainable peace. “Yemeni youth must be at the forefront in breaking the cycles of violence, polarization and violations of freedoms”, he added.
Iraq
UNAMI Deputy Head discusses elections with Ninewa civil society
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), visited on 29 September the Ninewa office of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to learn more about its preparation for the upcoming elections. IHEC Head Farhan Ali and his staff explained the status of biometric voter cards, accessibility to polling centres by internally displaced persons (IDP), minority inclusion and voters’ movements on Election Day. In Mosul, she met with Ninewa civil society groups who shared concerns about vote buying, voter intimidation and IDP voting. She assured them that UNAMI would continue to encourage Iraqi authorities to address such issues and help IHEC to ensure that Election Day will run smoothly. On the same day, UNAMI’s Human Rights Office together with the Office of Electoral Assistance organized an online session for the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights. 16 participants (6 women) joined the discussion on best practices of human rights as well as Election Day monitoring.
Learn more about UNAMI’s assistance here
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