H.E. President George Weah Delivers Keynote Address at High-Level Partner Event of the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme

The event showcased the contribution the Joint Programme has made in supporting locally-led prevention, dialogue and peacebuilding efforts in a range of complex settings, including in the context of the COVID-19

pandemic. Niels and Stephen in their joint role were present with the President in the Cabinet Room as he delivered his keynote address. President Weah noted that with the assistance of the United Nations and its various institutions, Liberia has made significant strides in re-establishing security and democratic governance since the end of the civil conflict in 2003. He highlighted his profound gratitude  to the Joint UNDP-DPPA Program for its timely deployment of essential capacity in country, which is critical to sustaining our hard-won peace and advancing our development priorities, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that while building national capacities remains integral for conflict prevention and sustaining peace, it must also be a comprehensive and holistic process that goes beyond only building institutional and technical capacities. "Emphasis must also be placed on continued investment in strengthening the resilience of communities and societies, particularly at the local levels; which should include addressing the structural causes and triggers of conflict", President Weah said. 

Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Amina J. Mohammed welcomed participants in a video message, immediately followed by President Weah’s remarks. The President of São Tomé and Príncipe H.E. Mr. Carlos Vila Nova made remarks on support provided by the Joint Programme; UNDP Administrator Mr. Achim Steiner, DPPA Under-Secretary-General Ms. Rosemary A. DiCarlo reflected on cross-pillar collaboration to strengthen national conflict prevention capacities. UNDP Administrator committed to address and respond to emerging risks that our global community are facing.

The donor partners of the Programme, which include the European Union, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden (stressed women’s meaningful participation and increased focus on climate risks), Swizerland and the United Kingdom, also made statements. The Netherlands underlined importance of conflict prevention and role of PDAs.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Joint UNDP-DPPA Programme has become known as a strong example of collaboration across the Organization’s pillars to operationalize prevention. The Programme now deploys 110 Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs) in 67 countries as well as regional specialists in six regional offices working on cross-border cooperation and sub-regional approaches.