Goff calls for peacebuilding commission

Phil Goff

The United Nations urgently needs a new mechanism to assist countries emerging from violent conflict, Foreign Minister Phil Goff told the United Nations Security Council today.

Mr Goff addressed an open meeting of the Council chaired by Danish Foreign Minister Dr Per Stig Moller. Other speakers included World Bank President James Wolfensohn and UN Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette.

"At present over fifty per cent of conflicts revert to violence within five years of peace agreements but the UN is ill equipped to provide the necessary assistance once the 'peacekeeping phase' is over," Mr Goff said.

"I believe a Peacebuilding Commission, as proposed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, would provide a much-needed forum to ensure that sustained support can be given to countries emerging from violent conflict."

Mr Goff said he told the Council that New Zealand's experience in Solomon Islands, East Timor, Bougainville and Afghanistan had shown that successful peacebuilding required a sustained and multi-dimensional approach involving aid, security, support for civil society, justice and human rights.

"The Peacebuilding Commission proposal is designed to ensure that international assistance continues once peacekeepers leave. The international community needs to ensure that the difficult transition from peacekeeping to development is fully supported.

"Peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development should not be treated as separate activities. I argued strongly that UN members need to give the Peacebuilding Commission their full support."