United Nations pursuing policies that guarantee gender parity & women leadership

Remarks by The Secretary-General António Guterres at the Security Council on open debate on Integrating Effective Resilience-Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Peace.

Secretary- General António Guterres today (3 Nov) said, in a world that is “transforming at breakneck speed,” peacebuilding gains on the African continent and elsewhere “are reversing.”

Guterres, addressing a Security Council Open Debate on Integrating Effective Resilience-Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Peace, said, “we must keep pace to keep peace” and ensure “a sharper focus on preventing and building resilience.”

The Secretary-General said, “our peace operations must be empowered and equipped to play a greater role in sustaining peace at all stages of conflict, and in all its dimensions. And that requires committed, inclusive national ownership that considers the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, young people, and minorities.”

Above all, he said, “development and respect for all human rights – economic, social, cultural, civil, and political – are the world’s best preventive tools against violent conflict and instability.”

Guterres said, “we must bolster the leadership of women and youth in shaping the future of their countries and ensure they benefit from peace and development gains,” adding that “the contributions of women peacekeepers and local women networks are pivotal to building community resilience and ensuring that women’s concerns are front and centre in conflict prevention and resolution efforts.”