UN agencies gather at Geneva Peace Week to evaluate peacebuilding progress, outline next steps

During a closed-door session at the Geneva Peace Week, UN agency representatives convened to discuss advancements and challenges in the Sustaining Peace Agenda, with a focus on insights from the Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR).

Geneva (ILO News) - The event, led by the ILO, brought together experts from UN entities including the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) of the of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), ILO, FAO, IOM, Interpeace, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO to assess progress made since 2016 and outline strategic goals for the future.

The event underscored a shared belief: peace extends beyond the absence of conflict-it requires nurturing environments where people can thrive socially, economically, and politically. Panellists agreed that collaboration across humanitarian, development, and peace sectors is critical to sustained peace efforts. ILO emphasized the role of decent work in preventing conflict, while WFP and FAO highlighted the links between food security, climate change, and conflict. Other agencies stressed localization, health interventions, and the inclusion of marginalized groups-such as women, youth, and displaced populations-as integral to effective peacebuilding.

Although challenges persist, participants noted substantial progress in weaving peacebuilding into their mandates. They voiced optimism about enhanced cooperation in areas like conflict sensitivity, cross-sector collaboration, and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, which aims to integrate peacebuilding into broader humanitarian and development efforts.

With the upcoming Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture in 2025, the discussion generated several clear recommendations to drive future peacebuilding efforts:

1. Prioritize social justice and a rights-based approach:
The PBAR should emphasize social justice, engaging both trade unions and the private sector to address inequalities and build sustainable peace.

2. Address interconnected conflict drivers:
Peacebuilding strategies must recognize the compounded effects of hunger, climate change, forced displacement, and resource scarcity.

3. Include local actors in peace efforts:
Local actors provide critical insights into the drivers of conflict and are key to creating sustainable solutions.

4. Ensure inclusive representation:
The inclusion of women, youth, and displaced communities is essential for comprehensive, effective peacebuilding.

5. Foster cross-sector collaboration through the HDP Nexus:
Leveraging partnerships among UN agencies, member states, and civil society will strengthen holistic peace efforts.

6. Promote conflict sensitivity and flexible financing:
Contextual analysis and adaptable funding are crucial for addressing evolving conflict dynamics.

These recommendations provide a strategic roadmap for advancing the Sustaining Peace Agenda. By integrating these insights into the PBAR, the UN and its partners, including the workers' and employers' organizations, can continue to address the roots of conflict, building toward a more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful global society.