EU Statement – UN Security Council: Development Policies in the Implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative

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EU Statement - UN Security Council: Development Policies in the Implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative

29.03.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

30 March 2023, New York - Statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Olof Skoog, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on "Peace and security in Africa: The impact of development policies in the implementation of the Silencing the Guns initiative"

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Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Türkiye, North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, the potential candidate country Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

I want to thank Mozambique for hosting this open debate on a topic that we often return to and which remains one of the core concerns for us here at the United Nations: how to invest in sustainable development to foster peace and security. We all know that in order to silence the guns, we must create prosperous, resilient and inclusive societies where no one is left behind. This is why we must retain a laser focus on achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Mr President,

I would like to focus on two aspects in this rich discussion: (1) the importance of investing in sustainable development to address the root causes of conflict and (2) the need to promote greater connectivity and integration across the African continent to improve access to basic services and economic opportunities. On both topics, the EU is delivering on its commitments in close coordination with the African Union and its members. And through both strands of work, we are supporting the achievement of Africa's own Agenda 2063.

Mr President,

With almost half of all terrorism-related deaths globally occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the region has emerged as the new global epicentre of violent extremist activity. Supporting initiatives to prevent radicalisation and the spread of violent extremism, particularly among young people, is key. For the effective implementation of these initiatives, it is crucial to understand the motives for joining terrorist organizations, be it political, religious, economic or by coercion. The UNDP study on "Journey to Extremism" demonstrates that to silence the guns, we have to break the vicious circle of poverty and exclusion. One example where the EU is providing such support is Mozambique: Here, together with UNDP, UNFPA and local authorities in the project "ResiNorte - Resilience for the North", we are enhancing social cohesion and reinforcing peace and stability through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

Another example is through the updated EU Sahel Strategy that focusses on the need to strengthen governance and provide basic services to the population as crucial factors in stabilizing the region. Limited state presence and public services can lead to a sense of isolation or neglect, which can result in mistrust between population groups and public authorities and increase the risk of conflict. The EU is addressing these issues by supporting mediation efforts between local communities and security forces in Kenya and by training security forces in protection of civilians and engagement with local communities in Nigeria.In our experience, the inclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups, is particularly crucial for such efforts to be successful.

We know that investments in prevention and peacebuilding can have a positive rate of return at 16:1. This means that every US$1 invested in peacebuilding could save $16 on the cost of conflict and violence. The international community must make this sensitive investment and direct resources towards addressing the root causes of conflict. We encourage all UN member states to find consensus soon within the Fifth Committee in order to ensure the implementation of UNGA resolution 76/305 on Financing for Peacebuilding. More broadly I want to reiterate the EU's commitment to continue to support African-led Peace Support Operations, including by making urgent progress in the ongoing discussions to use UN assessed contributions for operations authorised by the Security Council.

Mr President,

A regional approach is crucial. The EU is in itself an example of how greater connectivity and integration have fostered peace across our own continent. And we stand ready to support African regional integration too. The EU has recently adopted a renewed Great Lakes regional Strategy. We are committed to supporting the countries in that region in moving from tensions to trust and from trafficking of natural resources to trade and sustainable development. To this end, we will contribute to improved natural resources management, cross-border cooperation and cross-border infrastructure.

The EU is Africa's closest partner. Together with our27 Member States, as Team Europe, we are the largest provider of ODA, the largest investor in Africa and Africa's number one trade partner. Through the Global Gateway investment package, the EU is mobilizing at least EUR 150 billion by 2027 in sectors such as transport, education, health, energy and digitalization. Part of the Global Gateway is to support Africa's regional integration process, for example through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Another area is climate adaptation where the EU is supporting the African Union Great Green Wall Initiative to combat the effects of climate change. The investments will bring people closer together through eleven strategic transport corridors that will facilitate trade but will also bring people closer to services, education, healthcare and economic opportunities. These investments are fully in line with the SDGs and they create resilience in societies, ultimately contributing to silencing the guns. In all these investments, we underline the importance of accountability, transparency and conflict sensitivity.

Finally, Mr President,

We must not forget that the 2030 Agenda is indivisible. Peace and security go hand in hand with sustainable development, human rights and gender equality. That is why progress in achieving the SDGs is key, in setting us on the path towards Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030. We thank again the Mozambican presidency for taking the initiative of today's meeting and reiterate our strongest support to investing in sustainable development to foster peace and security in Africa.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.