Excellencies, distinguished colleagues—This marks the second time that the PBC convenes on São Tomé and Príncipe, following the inaugural meeting in January of last year.It is my honor to welcome and introduce H.E. Mr. Carlos Vila Nova, the President of São Tomé and Príncipe, who is representing his Government here with us today. President Vila Nova, thank you for coming all the way to New York to present the progress that your country has made in regard to its peacebuilding and prevention efforts to the Peacebuilding Commission. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the São Toméan people on the upcoming 12 July, which will mark the fiftieth Independence Day of your country. By strengthening democracy, São Tomé and Príncipe has shown great resilience and strength on its path into the future as a relatively new nation. São Tomé and Príncipe has demonstrated commendable dedication to peacebuilding, particularly through its comprehensive approach to reforming and professionalizing its justice and security sectors. Following the violent events of November 2022, which the government characterized as an attempted coup d’état, the nation has taken significant steps to address its institutional fragility and enhance social cohesion. The joint assessment mission conducted by the United Nations and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in April 2023 laid the groundwork for these efforts, providing a multitude of recommendations to bolster the justice and security sectors. In response to these recommendations, São Tomé and Príncipe has developed a robust Conflict Prevention Strategy for 2025-2029. This strategy, formally adopted just last week, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, promoting security sector reform, and ensuring fair and impartial access to justice for all citizens. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of building an inclusive national vision of the rule of law, with active participation from civil society, women, and young people. We look forward to learning more from H.E. President Vila Nova, who will brief on key elements on this newly developed strategy. The Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund have played a crucial role in supporting São Tomé and Príncipe’s peacebuilding priorities. To recall, the first meeting came on the heels of the joint UN-ECCAS strategic assessment on the justice and security sectors in São Tomé and Príncipe. The PBC was able to offer valuable political and resource-mobilization support, which led to a PBF allocation, a Resource Mobilization Plan, and to a process that has now culminated in the Government’s adoption of a Conflict Prevention Strategy. I commend the PBC for this constructive engagement, in particular the able stewardship of my predecessor as Chair, H.E. Mr. Sergio Danese of Brazil.Today’s meeting provides an opportunity for São Tomé and Príncipe to present the progress achieved since our first PBC meeting in January 2024. It is a chance to highlight existing gaps and challenges, and to present strategic areas in need of further support. As we reflect on the progress made, it is essential to recognize the PBC’s role as a platform for fostering the exchange of national prevention strategies. The experiences and lessons learned from São Tomé and Príncipe’s journey can provide valuable insights for other nations facing similar challenges. By sharing best practices and innovative approaches, we can collectively enhance our efforts to prevent conflict and build sustainable peace. I am particularly pleased that this is the first time that a Government presents a national prevention strategy at the PBC—following adoption of the Pact for the Future last September—which encourages Member States to consider developing these kinds of strategies.Before I hand the floor over to the President, let me also acknowledge our other briefers who are joining us online: H.E. Mr. Gilberto Verissimo, the President of the ECCAS Commission; Mr. Abdou Abarry, the SRSG for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA; Mr. Pietro Toigo, Country Manager for São Tomé and Príncipe at the African Development Bank; and a civil society representative, Ms. Quina Bragança, who is President of the Women Lawyers’ Organization. Also joining us online is Mr. Eric Overvest, the UN Resident Coordinator in São Tomé; and Mr. Sandro Trigueiros from the World Bank. They are available to answer any questions from Member States that may be relevant to them.And as usual, of course, we are joined here in person by Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, who will deliver remarks after Member States and invitees.Mr. President, you have the floor.São Tomé and Príncipe © GermanyUN