ACCORD participated in a consultative meeting organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the UN Department of Political Affairs’ Peacebuilding Support Office. The meeting took place in a hybrid format with delegates also present at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chaired by H.E. Mr. Ivan Šimonović, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to the African Union, the meeting featured the Deputy Chairs of the PBC and Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General-Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
The meeting aimed to foster meaningful interaction between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Think Tanks across Africa with the Peacebuilding Commission delegation. The dialogue created space to exchange insights, best practices, and experiences in peacebuilding, specifically focusing on Youth, Peace, and Security and Women, Peace and Security agendas. The meeting also sought to evaluate existing practices and establish avenues for enhanced cooperation between the PBC, the UN, and the African civil society community.
Various CSOs representing diverse regions attended the dialogue both physically and virtually. These organizations shared valuable experiences and addressed challenges related to community engagement and issues surrounding access to finance. Participants emphasized the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to conflicts, considering ideology and diversity management for effective resolution. Participants underscored the need for the international community to prioritize conflict prevention over management, recognizing the growing financial and technical challenges associated with the latter.
The meeting served as a platform for deepening understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by civil society actors at the local level, with the overarching goal of enhancing peacebuilding interventions at both country and regional levels. The proceedings shared during the meeting aligns with ACCORD’s strategic objective of strengthening multi-dimensional stakeholders to effectively address complex conflicts.
The insights gained from this dialogue will significantly contribute to the upcoming annual UN-Civil Society dialogue taking place in New York City, in which ACCORD will also participate.
