The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform Contributes to the First UN Peacebuilding Week in New York and Geneva

From 22 to 26 June 2026, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP) actively contributed to the inaugural UN Peacebuilding Week in New York, engaging in strategic discussions on strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing innovative approaches to sustaining peace.

Throughout the week, the Platform brought Geneva's expertise and multi-stakeholder perspective to two high-level side events, reinforcing the importance of connecting peacebuilding actors across institutions, regions, and thematic areas.

Strengthening connections across global peacebuilding hubs

On 24 June, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform co-organized the side event "Strengthening Inclusive Dialogue and Partnerships Across Peacebuilding Hubs", together with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York and the International Peace Institute (IPI).

The event explored how stronger collaboration between key multilateral peacebuilding hubs, including New York, Geneva, Addis Ababa and Vienna, can enhance the inclusivity, coherence and effectiveness of international peacebuilding efforts. As the 2025 Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture highlighted the need for greater system-wide coordination, participants examined practical ways to strengthen dialogue and partnerships across the United Nations system and beyond.

Dr. Peter Batchelor, Special Advisor to the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, delivered the scene-setting reflections and participated in the roundtable discussion, sharing insights on the strategic value of connecting diverse peacebuilding communities and fostering greater collaboration between policy and practice.

The discussion was moderated by Cyprien Fluzin, Policy Lead at the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, and brought together representatives from Permanent Missions, the United Nations, regional organizations, civil society and academia for an interactive exchange on advancing more inclusive and effective peacebuilding.

Advancing the role of decent work in sustaining peace

Also on 24 June, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform co-organised with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (UN-PBPSO), Switzerland and the International Security and Development Center (ISDC) the high-level panel "The Road Ahead: Sustaining Peace through Decent Work."

Marking ten years since the Joint ILO/UNDP/PBPSO/World Bank Statement on Jobs Aid Peace, the event reflected on how thinking and practice have evolved at the intersection of employment and peacebuilding. Discussions highlighted the growing recognition that decent work—encompassing rights at work, social dialogue, inclusion and social protection—is a critical contributor to conflict prevention, recovery and sustainable peace.

Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, facilitated the high-level panel, guiding discussions among senior representatives from the ILO, UNDP, Switzerland, Colombia and the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office on how stronger partnerships can translate evidence into more effective peacebuilding policies and practice.

For readers wishing to explore the discussions and key takeaways in greater detail, the International Labour Organization has published a dedicated news article, "Decent work: the foundation of lasting peace and preventing conflict," available here: Decent work: the foundation of lasting peace and preventing conflict.

Strengthening Geneva's contribution to global peacebuilding

The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform's participation in the first UN Peacebuilding Week reflects its continued commitment to connecting peacebuilding communities across regions and institutions, fostering policy dialogue, and promoting innovative, evidence-based approaches to sustaining peace.

By contributing to discussions on both multilateral cooperation and the role of decent work in peacebuilding, the Platform reaffirmed Geneva's unique role as a hub for peacebuilding expertise and international collaboration, helping bridge perspectives between headquarters, field operations, policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ambassador Gustavo Gallòn, from Colombia, who passed away on June 30th 2026. Ambassador Gallòn, a human right defender and peacebuilder, participated in many GPP events and was one of the high level panelists on June 24th at the ILO.