Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join you today, and I would like to begin by warmly thanking Somalia, in its capacity as President of the Security Council, for convening this Arria-formula meeting and for the invitation extended to the Peacebuilding Commission. Bringing together Member States, and peacebuilding practitioners around the theme of advancing new paradigms for peacebuilding is both timely and commendable, particularly in light of the increasingly complex and protracted nature of conflicts worldwide.

I would also like to acknowledge the briefers of the meeting today and very much look forward to their interventions. I’m convinced that their reflections, grounded in experience and evidence from diverse contexts, will provide a compelling reminder that peacebuilding is an integral part in our joint endeavor to foster sustainable peace.

At the core of today’s discussion lies a critical message: peace and security efforts must be integrated and inclusive from the outset. Too often, peacebuilding considerations are treated as an add-on, introduced only after conflict has escalated or agreements have been signed. Experience shows, however, that integrating peacebuilding principles early in the peace process—such as national ownership, inclusion, accountability, and institutional trust, as well as the participation of youth and the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women —significantly strengthens the legitimacy and durability of political settlements. Such integrated approaches are not optional; they are essential if we are to address the root causes of conflict and prevent its recurrence.

In this regard, strengthened collaboration between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council is indispensable. The advisory function of the PBC vis-à-vis the Security Council and the bridging role of the Commission help to provide peacebuilding perspectives and fosters continuity across the peace processes—from prevention of lapse and relapse into conflict, conflict resolution and sustaining peace. Enhanced interaction between our two bodies can help translate analysis into coherent action, better incorporate peacebuilding priorities into mandates, and ensure that the voices of national and local stakeholders are better reflected in Council deliberations and outcomes.

Sustaining peace deserves particular emphasis. As the 2025 review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture has emphasized, investing in conflict prevention is a highly cost-effective solution and results in saving lives, stabilizing economies and reducing the need for costly military responses.

As Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, I remain convinced that forums such as this Arria meeting are important to advance shared understanding and to identify practical entry points to operationalize these principles and inform deliberations and decisions across the UN peace and security architecture. I look forward to continued collaboration with the Security Council, Somalia’s presidency, and all stakeholders present today, as we collectively strive to build more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable pathways to peace.

Thank you.