Statement delivered by Ambassador Inigo Lambertini, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, at the Peacebuilding Commission Meeting – Country-specific Configuration: Guinea-Bissau —
Thank you Chair, for convening this timely meeting, which takes place at a critical juncture in the history of Guinea-Bissau.
At the outset, I would like to thank all the briefers for their extensive presentations. They were really useful in helping us having a better understanding of the situation on the ground.
Mr. Chair,
with the appointment of Aristide Gomes as Prime Minister and the announcement of his new Government, the country seems to have entered a new phase. Under the framework of the Conakry agreement, which continues to serve as the only viable solution for achieving a sustainable and durable peace, the legislative elections scheduled for November 2018 will hopefully represent another important achievement for Guinea-Bissau.
Italy believes that it is crucial to keep the momentum going. In order to do so, the PBC should continue to play its positive role in sustaining the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau. In this regard, we encourage inclusiveness in all the programs and projects financed by the Peacebuilding Fund. We deem it crucial to emphasize the role of women as peacemakers and mediators, and encourage the engagement of youth in political activism, especially in the run-up to elections.
Mr. Chair,
allow me to touch upon the importance of the regional dimension. I would like to express our appreciation for the remarkable efforts by ECOWAS, under the leadership of its Chairperson (Togolese President Gnassingbé), which contributed to the recent achievements in Guinea-Bissau.
The full engagement of sub-regional organizations and the countries of the region proves to be, once again, an incredible asset in building peace and development. We therefore hope that ECOWAS will continue to follow closely the situation in Bissau, in close coordination with the UN, the AU and other relevant partners.
The preparation of the upcoming legislative elections requires a concerted support by the International Community, in which the PBC should play its part. In this regard, I’m pleased to announce that we have decided to give our contribution to the UNDP electoral assistance program.
Thank you, Chair.
