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Ban calls for more coherent UN efforts to help States emerging from conflict

Ban calls for more coherent UN efforts to help States emerging from conflict

The United Nations must streamline its presence in countries emerging from conflict so that it is better placed to help them make progress on the political, security, developmental or human rights fronts and not lapse back into war or chaos, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Peacebuilding Commission today.

Speaking to the closing meeting of the Commission’s second session, Mr. Ban said “a UN system-wide culture of coordination and coherence” was necessary to ensure that efforts to support struggling States are more integrated and effective.

“It is in this way that the UN can provide effective leadership for global efforts in response to post-conflict situations,” he said, stressing that the UN’s Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) can play a crucial role in this endeavour.

Mr. Ban said it was important that the international community invest generously in national capacities to ensure that peace becomes sustainable.

“Viable States require local institutions capable of delivering basic services and providing security, justice and political stability.”

The Secretary-General said he backed the approach to streamline the Commission’s methodologies so that it can support a large number of countries than it does currently.

The 31-member body, set up at the end of 2005, has four countries on its agenda: Burundi, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and, as of earlier this month, the Central African Republic (CAR). It is tasked with marshalling resources from around the world and providing strategic advice to post-conflict countries.