Discurso do Representante Permanente, Embaixador Sérgio França Danese, no almoço de trabalho de alto nível sobre "Transições das Operações de Paz das Nações Unidas: Caminhos para uma paz sustentável" - 25 de fevereiro de 2026 (texto em inglês)

Statement by the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the High-level lunch event "Transitions of UN Peace Operations: Pathways toward sustainable peace"
February 25th, 2026

I thank the Permanent Mission of Austria, together with those of Denmark, Egypt, Liberia and Pakistan, for convening this timely discussion, which Brazil is proud to co-sponsor.

This is a timely opportunity to reflect on transitions of UN peace operations because those processes have become increasingly challenging and complex. Recent examples such as those of Mali and DRC illustrate that. Transitions are not merely technical exit strategies. They are political processes that shape the prospects for sustainable peace and the conditions for preventing the relapse into conflict.

This is why peacebuilding must be embedded in transitions from the very outset. Let’s start by reciting our litany: they must be firmly anchored in national ownership and nationally defined priorities. Transitions that are not grounded in inclusive national strategies risk leaving behind institutional gaps, unresolved grievances and security vacuums, when not outright national tragedies.

Peacebuilding is not a downstream activity, but a strategic investment from the beginning. Failure to invest early and adequately in peacebuilding can generate political and institutional fragilities. It can also produce renewed security risks, which are far more costly to address later. This is something that should have been enshrined as good common sense: promoting sustainable development and strong democratic institutions is far less costly and painful than waging wars and rebuilding peace.

The Peacebuilding Commission must have a pivotal role in transition and post-conflict contexts. The PBC offers a unique platform to provide sustained political accompaniment and support for countries on its agenda. The PBC can assist in bringing together national authorities, regional stakeholders, international financial institutions, and UN entities and the UN country teams. Its work is grounded on nationally defined priorities and ensures continuity of engagement beyond the drawdown or the transition of peace operations.

Equally important is the complementarity between the PBC and the Peacebuilding Fund. The PBF is a critical instrument to provide flexible and catalytic financial support. This is particularly relevant when addressing funding gaps that are most acute during transition phases. And the projects the PBF funds normally can become eligible for their expansion with the support of IFIs and MDBs.

As we talk about transitions, it is obvious that there has to be a close coordination between the Security Council and the PBC. Transitions cannot be successful if the five pillars of sustaining peace are not properly addressed. Political, development, and security tracks cannot evolve in isolation.

More systematic engagement between the PBC and the Security Council can help ensure that Council decisions are informed by peacebuilding perspectives and a focus on what matters: sustainable development, food security, institutional strengthening, human rights in all their dimensions, public security and an efficient judicial system. All this with a meaningful participation of women and youth and the local communities as committed stakeholders.

The systematic exchange of good practices and lessons learned should be valued.

This includes national prevention strategies and institution-building experiences. Sustaining peace requires investments on the security sector reform, justice and the rule of law, mediation, and inclusive governance.

Transitions should mark not the end of international engagement, but rather a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower national institutions and societies. Far from the stigma of “post-conflict,” there should be recognition of, and support for, nationally led efforts in peacebuilding.

Thank you.