The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

USD 439 mn pledged for UN peace fund, far short of goal

27 January 2021, MVT 15:15
(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 24, 2019 the United Nations logo is seen at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. - Four European members of the UN Security Council said April 28, 2020 that sanctions on Venezuela have had no impact on medical aid to the Latin American country, following a closed-door videoconference. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)
27 January 2021, MVT 15:15

Over three dozen nations have pledged or contributed over USD 439 million to help secure peace in conflict-stricken states, the United Nations said Tuesday, a sum that falls far short of the hoped-for USD 1.5 billion.

Member states met via videoconference, committing to "the importance of investing in peace," according to a UN statement.

"Including funds received for 2020, 39 Member States have contributed or pledged over USD 439 million for peacebuilding in support of the Fund's 2020-2024 Strategy," the statement said.

"The goal is to mobilize USD 1.5 billion over five years between 2020 and 2024," said Marc-Andre Franche, the head of the Financing for the Peacebuilding Fund, which was created in 2006.

The fund has financed operations in 51 countries -- including in the Sahel, Central Asia, Central America and the Balkans -- over the last three years for a total of USD 356 million.

In that cycle, 34 countries contributed money, but 60 percent of the total came from just Germany, Sweden and Britain, according to Franche.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that his country is looking toward contributing at least 50 million euros ($60.8 million) in the next two years.

French Ambassador to the UN Nicolas de Riviere said his nation would quadruple their contribution to reach USD 4.5 million.

United Nations, United States | AFP

Share this story

Related Stories

Discuss

MORE ON WORLD