Statement of Canada to the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on enhancing African capacities in the areas of Peace and Security, 19 July 2017

Mister/Madame President, first let me thank China for organizing this Open Debate on enhancing African capacities in the areas of peace and security.

Despite much progress, violent conflict and insecurity continue to undermine progress toward sustainable development in many parts of Africa. We have committed to partnering with Africans to support African-led efforts to address peace and security challenges on the continent, and in this regard there is more work to be done.

Canada’s new Feminist International Assistance Policy emphasizes the importance of working with African governments to ensure women are active participants in shaping political solutions to violent conflict, promoting women’s increased and meaningful participation in peace operations, protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls, and to preventing and responding to sexual violence – including sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated by peacekeepers. When women and girls play full and meaningful roles in society, states are more peaceful and resilient.  We need to support African partners in advancing holistic approaches to addressing drivers of conflict, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls.

It is also critical that we do more to strengthen partnerships between the UN system, individual Member States, and African regional organizations and their Member States. For example, supporting new or expanded innovative training initiatives for African countries – which provide significant numbers of troops and police to peacekeeping missions- could serve to enhance the effectiveness of both African-led and UN efforts to promote peace and security on the continent, as could greater sharing of analysis and lessons learned. Recognizing this, as Host of the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial, Canada will be convening countries to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of UN peace operations.  We also commend the new Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhancing Partnerships on Peace and Security to further our coordinate efforts.

Finally, we must promote efforts to enhance the viability of AU peace operations as a cornerstone of African leadership. In this regard, Canada calls on all states to support the efforts of the AU to increase African resource mobilization to fund the operations and programs of the African Union Commission, including in the area of peace and security. For our part, Canada will keep an open mind and looks forward to dialogue on the modalities available to ensure successful AU peace operations.

By collaborating on advancing the women, peace, and security agenda, more robust partnerships, and facilitating greater self-sufficiency, we can help our African partners realize their vision of a more peaceful and prosperous Africa. We look forward to continue working with our African and international partners in this endeavour.

Thank you.