The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will co-host the UN Peacebuilding Fund (Fund) Replenishment Conference in January 2021.
The conference aims to support the UN Secretary General’s funding appeal for the Fund, securing predictable and sustained commitments for the duration of its strategy (2020-24).
Ensuring that the fund is well-capitalized will enable the international community to better undertake the crucial work of conflict prevention and peacebuilding, while bringing into focus the urgent need for gender responsiveness. The Fund’s nimble approach and adaptability underpinned its response to the unique needs of fragile states during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 conference will be co-hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Canada, and other Fund leaders to be identified at a later date.
Quotes
“The UN Peacebuilding Fund responds to the world’s complex and urgent risks of conflict. This crucial Fund will strengthen the ability of the international community to prevent conflict and build lasting peace. Today, and for the months and years to come, the work of the Fund will continue to bridge gaps between peacebuilding efforts and international development, recognizing that there cannot be peace without equal participation and empowerment.”
– François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
- The Fund is a UN multi-partner fund that provides fast, flexible, and risk-tolerant financing to help prevent conflict, with a major focus on gender equality and women and youth engagement.
- The Fund plays an essential role in the UN Comprehensive Response to COVID-19 by working to enhance countries’ crisis management, strengthen social cohesion and equitable economic recovery, counter hate speech and stigmatization, and protect human rights.
- Canada has contributed C$86M to the Fund since its inception in 2006, making Canada consistently among the top 10 donors to the fund.
- Canada’s support to the Fund includes activities that directly contribute to post-conflict stabilization and strengthen the capacity of governments, national/local institutions and transitional or other relevant authorities.
- As the 2020 Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Canada has advocated for sustained and predictable resources to be dedicated to countries’ peacebuilding priorities.