The case for a board of peace and sustainable security, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The UN commemorates its 80th anniversary amid concerns that the UN Security Council (UNSC) struggles to sustain peace despite reacting to conflict.
• A proposal suggests creating a 'Board of Peace and Sustainable Security' within the UN to provide structured political engagement during and after conflicts.
• The proposed board would reinforce nationally-led dialogue, accompany peace agreement implementation, and coordinate regional diplomatic initiatives.
• Membership would consist of a rotating group of about two dozen states elected by the UN General Assembly, ensuring regional distribution and balance.
• The board aims to align UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies with achievable political outcomes without challenging UNSC authority.

Detailed Insights:

• The UNSC's episodic structure and lack of sustained political engagement contribute to unresolved conflicts and faltering peace agreements.
• The proposed board would fill the institutional void by maintaining political accompaniment, tracking commitments, and preventing institutional memory loss.
• Sustainable security is a key concept, linking security to political reality through governance, inclusion, and responsible leadership, respecting sovereignty.
• The board's credibility depends on representative membership, with regional organizations participating to shape peace, and agenda items introduced by member states or the UN Secretary-General.
• Functional reform, strengthening the UN's ability to act using existing powers under the Charter, is both possible and urgent, making the board a practical step.
• The board would work in coordination with the UN Secretary-General and the UNSC, subsuming the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).

Key Concepts Involved:

• UN Security Council (UNSC): The UN's principal organ for maintaining international peace and security.
• Sustainable Security: An approach linking security to long-term political stability through governance, development, and regional cooperation.
• Peacebuilding Commission (PBC): A UN intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict.