75 years of UN peacebuilding: Federal Councillor Amherd pays working visit to New York
Bern, 25.05.2023 - The head of the DDPS, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd will mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers and Switzerland assuming the chair of the UN Security Council by paying a working visit to the UN in New York on 25 and 26 May. Ms Amherd will chair a meeting of the Security Council on peace and security in Africa. She will also hold bilateral talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other UN representatives, and attend events organised by the UN to mark the 75th anniversary of the oldest UN peacekeeping mission (UNTSO).
The oldest UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), which is responsible for maintaining the ceasefire in the Middle East, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In 2021, Major General Patrick Gauchat was appointed head of UNTSO, the first time a Swiss officer had taken command of a UN peacekeeping mission. Federal Councillor Amherd's working visit will focus on Switzerland's role in peacebuilding and the important work of the 100,000 UN peacekeepers who are deployed around the world under difficult conditions to pre-vent conflicts, protect the civilian population and facilitate political solutions.
Against this background, the head of the DDPS will chair a session of the UN Security Council that will address the funding of peace missions in Africa.
Bilateral talks on military peacebuilding operations
Ms Amherd will hold bilateral talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss current and planned military peacebuilding operations.
She will join the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix in opening the ‘Inside Out’ photo exhibition that marks the 75th anniversary of peacebuilding, and take part in a panel on the future of UN peace misssions.
Role of women in conflict prevention
Finally, the head of the DDPS will meet with UN Under-Secretary-General Sima Bahous of UN Women to exchange views on the role of women in conflict prevention and peace processes. Switzerland advocates an active role for women, particularly in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 ‘Women Peace and Security’. Switzerland is currently implementing its fourth National Action Plan of the same name.
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