Supporting the reimagining of new frameworks for peace: Financing of AU PSOs and the New Agenda for Peace
The search for new ideas and approaches to address insecurity has increasingly become more dire as the world grapples with the multiple crises threatening global and regional peace and stability. ISS/TfP contributed to consultations around two major processes by the United Nations aimed to revitalise global and regional collective security instruments.
ISS actively contributed to discussions around the financing of African peace support operations. Along with other think tanks based in Addis Ababa, ISS participated in the consultations on the development of UNSG’s Report on UN financing to AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs). ISS also submitted a written contribution to the team developing the UNSG’s report. Following the release of the UNSG’s report, ISS provided inputs to the background document for the AU PSC ministerial meeting on the UNSG’s report. ISS also published an ISS Today to disseminate knowledge on this topical matter and generate debate on sustainable financing of the AU’s peace efforts. In addition, responding to a request from the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa of the UN Secretariat, ISS briefed African members of the UNSC (A3) on 23 June 2023. The briefing focused on recent developments around the policy discussions on UN financing of AU PSOs. ISS outlined the current state of the debate and highlighted required measures towards a framework UNSC resolution on UN financing of AU PSO, including a concerted African diplomacy at the UN by the A3. The organisers affirmed that the briefing helped further the A3 effort to amplify Africa’s voice and present a unified consensus point in the anticipated UNSC debate in September/October 2023. They recognised the ISS contribution as follows.
“On behalf of the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UN-OSAA), we would like to express our appreciation to you for your participation in today’s Closed Conversation with the A3.”
“Your perspectives on the relationship between climate change and conflict and on the issue of reliable financing for peace operations in Africa were stimulating and well-received by the A3 political coordinators. Ultimately, your views and inputs are helping to promote new narratives on Africa’s sustainable and inclusive development.”
Likewise, ISS contributed to developing the UNSG’s New Agenda for Peace. The ISS contribution is a direct response to the request of the UN Secretariat inviting CSOs and think tanks to share their views, priorities and potential recommendations for a “New Agenda for Peace” in the lead-up to the upcoming Summit of the Future. ISS produced four knowledge products and participated in policy discussions on the New Agenda for Peace. ISS submitted a written contribution offering several recommendations for consideration of the UN inter-departmental team developing the New Agenda for Peace. The ISS paper addressed two critical aspects of the New Agenda for Peace: Investing in prevention and peacebuilding and supporting regional prevention from an African perspective. ISS received recognition for the quality of its contributions and for sharing perspectives from Africa. Particularly, the Interdepartmental Team for the New Agenda for Peace acknowledged the ISS contribution as one of the institutions whose names would be included on the New Agenda for Peace website as follows:
“We would like to thank you for your valuable input and engagement in the development of the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace. We received over 100 submissions to the open call for written inputs and are also grateful for the insights shared and discussed in diverse workshops and meetings.”
