KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 21
Nepal has been elected a member of the Peacebuilding Commission at the 56th plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly for a tenure of two years. The membership will be effective from January 1.
According to a press statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations yesterday, the election of Nepal to the PBC will provide an opportunity to enhance the country's visibility in the world arena as a peacebuilder and peace contributor.
Alongside Nepal, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, and Rwanda were also elected from the category of Troop and Police Contributors to UN Missions. Among the top ten Troop and Police Contributing Countries, five were elected to serve the PBC.
Nepal has been contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security through its unceasing participation in UN peacekeeping operations since 1958. Currently, Nepal stands as the third largest Troop and Police Contributor to UN Peacekeeping. "With its experience of peacekeeping for over six decades, Nepal will contribute to extend support to the PBC via implementation of the peacebuilding dimension.
Nepal's own experience of a uniquely successful homegrown national peace process will greatly help her in contributing to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission," says the statement.
Earlier, Nepal had served at the PBC in 2009-10, 2011-15, and 2019- 20 as a member of the Organisational Committee. Nepal also served as Chair of the Working Group on Lessons Learned from the Peacebuilding Commission in 2010.
According to the statement, a 31-member body, the PBC was established in 2005 with a mandate to support peace efforts in conflict-affected countries, including their reconstruction and institution-building by promoting an integrated, strategic, and coherent approach across the system. The PBC also provides advisory services to the UN General Assembly and Security Council on matters of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
A version of this article appears in the print on December 22, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
