The ambassadors gathered to debate the way in which poverty, inequalities and underdevelopment feed conflicts and instability, at a time when hostilities increase and the demand for humanitarian aid increases as resources decrease.
Each dollar spent on prevention could save up to $ 103 in conflict costsAccording to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Critical sustainable development
Conflicts proliferate and last longer, said Mr. Guterres. At the same time, the global economy slows down and trade tensions increaseBecause aid budgets are reduced while military expenditure soar.
He warned that if the current trends are continuing, two thirds of the world in the world will live in countries affected by conflicts or fragile countries by the end of this decade.
“The message is clear,” he said. “The more a country is far from sustainable and inclusive development, The more it is close to instabilityand even conflict.
Secretary General António Guterres stimulates the meeting of the Security Council on poverty, underdevelopment and conflicts.
Give peace a chance (fighter)
The Secretary General stressed how the UN worked to advance the three pillars of peace, development and human rights.
These efforts began with its creation 80 years ago and continue today, “guided by the simple principle that prevention is the best remedy for instability and conflicts, and there is no better preventive measure than investing in development,” he said.
“Development gives peace a chance to fight. It is the first line of defense against conflicts. But at the moment, we are losing ground“He said, noting that” the drummer engine “.
World fails
Currently, two thirds of the targets under the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) are late 10 years after adoption.
“The world is below more than 4 dollars per year in resources that developing countries must keep these promises by 2030,” he added.
In addition, “developing countries are beaten and bruised by limited budgetary spaces, crushing debt burdens and arrow prices”.
Correct the “engine”
The secretary general underlined the Fourth conference on development for development, Which starts next week in Spain, as an important moment “to repair and strengthen this essential engine”.
He called for a renewal of commitments to ensure public and private finance for the most necessary areas, to provide urgent relief to countries responsible for debt and to reform obsolete global financial architecture.
The Council debate “could not be more premonitory,” said Kanni Wignaraja, the United Nations Development Program (Predict) General deputy secretary and regional director for Asia and the Pacific.
Break the cycle
Global human development has blocked as well as violent conflicts have reached levels that are not seen in eight decades, she said, before presenting three priorities to invest to help break the cycle, including the protection of household economies.
“In fragile environments, where peace and security have been broken, The development directed towards the local level becomes the first line of defense and survival of people. And the hope of recovery“She said.
“From these local economies – when the means of subsistence are restored, water and electricity flow again, women’s companies reopens, farmers can exchange food and basic finance allows local businesses to stay afloat – from this, comes the resources to strengthen broken capacities and resilience.”
Approach systemic imbalances
The president of the African Union Commission (AU), Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, recalled how the continent loses billions of dollars a year in conflict, which could be channeled in schools, hospitals, infrastructure and innovation.
He said that the international community must also recognize that poverty and underdevelopment are global challenges that require a global response.
“If we want to maintain international peace and security, We must approach systemic, economic, political and institutional imbalances – which continue to supply deprivation, exclusion and instability Through the regions, “he said.
In this regard, the AU called for increased support for the peace operations led by Africans, in particular those deployed in regions where poverty and underdevelopment are deeply rooted.
The critical junction requires collective action
The debate was summoned by Guyana, which holds the presidency of the rotation council this month.
The country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, pointed out that with the world “at a critical moment when the links between peace, security and development have never been more pronounced”, a collective and decisive action is necessary.
He warned against “the prioritization of political solutions only in conflicts where poverty and underdevelopment arise in a good place”, because the creation of conditions of socio-economic and well-being stability is also critical for peace.
Mr. Todd urged countries to solve problems such as lack of access to education, unemployment, exclusion and the greatest participation of women and young people.
“Currently, the world’s world population is the highest in history, most young people are concentrating in developing countries,” he said.
“So that we can exploit their full potential, they must have adequate economic opportunities and be involved in decision -making on peace and security.”
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
