Romania takes over, first-ever, presidency of Peacebuilding Commission within UN

Romania is taking over on Wednesday, for one year, the presidency of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) within the United Nations, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) informs in a press release sent to AGERPRES. 

The leadership of the Commission will be assured, according to procedural rules, by Romania's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Ion Jinga. Romania was elected in 2017 as member of the Peacebuilding Commission and has actually taken office as of 1 January 2018. 

"Romania's participation in the Peacebuilding Commission, the decision to run for office, as well as obtaining the position of president reflects the national objective of diversifying our country's contribution to the UN demarches in international peace and security domains, being for the first time since the establishment of the Commission (in 2005) when such an important task is incumbent on our country," the quoted source shows. 

Furthermore, taking over the presidency of the Peacebuilding Commission highlights, on the one hand, Romania's significant contribution, in time, to the UN peace-keeping operations and, on the other hand, the faith in Romania's capacity to manage the Commission's activity along the lines of peace-keeping, reconstruction and development of states in post-conflict situation, MAE points out. 

The Peacebuilding Commission is a UN body which gives recommendations to the Security Council, General Assembly and United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in situations of utmost importance regarding peace-keeping. 

It was created in 2005, starting from the conclusion that states in post-conflict situations need the international community's assistance, through the UN, for a return to normality and economic, social and institutional recovery. 

The Commission's activities are conducted both at the UN's seat in New York, through debates among elected members (in areas such as analysis, planning, assessment on the UN architecture in peace-keeping, financial and administrative aspects) and in the field, by carrying out projects and operational activities. 

The Commission's presidency is annual and it is ensured through the geographical rotation principle. The projects conducted in the countries in which PBC is present are funded through the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), drawing its resources from voluntary contributions of the UN member states.