- UN chief suggests new approach in building resilience of communities
Fragility is the key element of practically all of the protracted conflicts going on in the world today, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the opening session of spring meetings of the World Bank here in the American capital.
Taking part in an event entitled, Financing for Peace: Innovations to Tackle Fragility, he said that partnerships and helping to build national capacities were essential. “This means strengthening states, strengthening institutions, strengthening civil societies [and] combining the peace and security approach with the inclusive and sustainable development approach and with human rights,” he said.
In his remarks at the panel discussion, the UN chief noted that the traditional forms of development aid are not enough and said that new approaches that create the conditions for investments in building resilience of communities and addressing fragility, is needed. He also praised the World Bank for the innovations it has already in place in countries like Jordan and Lebanon, to help them cope with the refugee crisis in the region.
“In my opinion, this is essential and, [given the scale of needs] should also include the private sector,” he said, adding that it is essential to find ways to divert the massive use of resources in managing crises to what is necessary to do to prevent them and to build the capacity of societies to solve their own problems.
Prior to attending the panel discussion, Secretary-General Guterres met with top US leaders, including President Donald Trump and National Security Adviser General Henry McMaster at the White House. According to UN chief’s spokesperson, Guterres and Trump had constructive discussion on cooperation between the US and the UN and agreed to meet again in the near future.
