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Building strong institutions in fragile and conflict-affected settings: In support of the 2024 ECOSOC cycle, the CEPA working group examined the mutually reinforcing relationship between poverty and conflict, which originated in, and was often reinforced by, poor governance, weak institutions and deficient public financial management. In particular, the working group provided policy advice on achieving sound public financial management in fragile and conflict-affected settings to eradicate poverty in all its forms.
Background
Over the years, the Committee has been elaborating on how to build strong institutions for sustainable development in fragile and conflict-affected countries while promoting effective governance for sustainable development. The aim is to provide recommendations on how to foster peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and provide access to justice for all as envisaged in Sustainable Development Goal 16. The Committee's discussions are also aimed at contributing to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.
CEPA observations and insights
- Sound public financial management in fragile and conflict-affected countries to accelerate poverty eradication
At its 23rd session, the Committee underscored that strengthening public financial management frameworks in fragile and conflict-affected countries to accelerate poverty eradication in all its forms could help rebuild public trust and manage long-term financial stressors so that short-term and medium-term gains in peacebuilding and sustainable development could be secured and deepened. Sounder public financial management practices and improved capacities, including greater budget credibility, while difficult to implement in such settings, were essential to prevent socioeconomic tensions from reaching a tipping point, while targeting multidimensional poverty and preventing more people from falling into poverty.
- Linking environmental management and peacebuilding in conflict-affected countries
At its 22nd session, the Committee noted that fragile and conflict-affected countries were particularly affected by the impacts of climate change, which amplified already existing drivers of conflict, such as extreme poverty and lack of access to basic services. There was therefore value in linking institution-building and environmental management in the context of peacebuilding in conflict-affected countries. The Committee suggested enhancing policy approaches to environmental peacebuilding through different measures, including a better analysis of underlying causes and mechanisms; coordinated thinking on policy through an environmental peacebuilding approach; adoption of a climate-sensitive lens; greater weight in environmental peacebuilding efforts given to the needs and challenges of vulnerable groups; enhanced international environmental collaboration and support; and strengthened efforts to apply the principles of effective governance for sustainable development.
- Addressing tensions between political and developmental objectives
At its 21st session, the Committee noted that public administration played an important role in developing integrated approaches to long-term development objectives in countries emerging from conflict and in addressing critical security issues. Progress in creating strong institutions for sustainable development in conflict-affected settings was, however, often hampered by the emphasis on short-term security needs, political interests, and external dependency, paired with multiple other challenges, which undermined future State-building efforts, reinforced inequalities, and prolonged the impact of conflict on local communities. Sustaining peace depended on the long-term engagement of all stakeholders in institution-building that was consistent with local norms and political realities, acknowledging that each society was different, as were the root causes of conflict in each situation. Recommended measures included bottom-up approaches addressing the root causes of conflict, the strengthening of tax collection systems, increased risk assessment and conflict prevention measures.
- Promoting an inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
At its 20th session, the Committee observed that the pandemic was likely to exacerbate existing challenges in conflict-affected countries and increase pressure on already struggling institutions. The proactive leadership of governments was key to the recovery from the pandemic and the development of vaccines should be free of political considerations. Efforts were also needed to address sexual and gender-based violence which had increased due to the pandemic. Clear, verified information backed up by evidence was essential to overcoming challenges related to fake news and mistrust of government. Local leaders and civil society organizations on the ground remained critical partners both in terms of peacebuilding and aiding vaccination programmes that relied on trust and legitimacy. Partnerships at the global level and support in peacebuilding and financial aid from the international community continued to be critical in the recovery process from the pandemic in conflict-affected countries.
What action does ECOSOC recommend?
ECOSOC welcomes the continuing work of the Committee on building strong institutions for sustainable development in fragile and conflict-affected countries, notes that peacebuilding and sustaining peace depend on long-term engagement in institution-building involving all stakeholders that is consistent with local norms and political realities, and looks forward to the Committee’s further engagement in promoting effective governance for sustainable development in such situations and its contribution to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission (ECOSOC resolution 2022/9, para. 13).
- Expert papers on this topic (2016-present)
Sound public financial management in fragile and conflict-affected settings to eradicate poverty in all its forms (E/C.16/2024/8, 1 February 2024)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishBuilding strong institutions to link the environment and peacebuilding in conflict-affected countries (E/C.16/2023/8, 19 January 2023)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishInstitutions and state-building in conflict-affected settings: the case of Afghanistan (E/C.16/2022/4, 24 January 2022)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishBuilding strong institutions for sustainable development in conflict-affected countries (E/C.16/2021/6, 27 January 2021)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishRe-establishment of credible governance and public administration institutions and systems after conflict (E/C.16/2020/5, 7 January 2020)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishBuilding institutions to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and provide access to justice for all (E/C.16/2019/5, 24 January 2019)
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish