'Lack of funding holds back peacebuilding efforts'

Deputy UN Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has said peacebuilding remains at the core of UN activities in conflict-affected countries, but lack of funding continues to hold back UN peacebuilding efforts, media reported on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 2nd Annual Session of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Eliasson said that the lack of "sufficient and predictable funding for critical peacebuilding priorities" continues to hold back the UN's efforts, Xinhua news agency reported.

He urged the international community to do more to be effective in preventing the relapse into violence. Building institutions that form the backbone of sustainable peace can take a generation, he said.

Next week, the Advisory Group of Experts of the Peacebuilding Architecture review will present its report to the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict, and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda.

The Peacebuilding Commission plays a unique role in bringing together all of the relevant actors, including international donors, financial institutions, governments, troop contributing countries, marshalling resources and advising on and proposing integrated strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery and where appropriate, highlighting any gaps that threaten to undermine peace.