Grading the United Nations: 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review Consultation with Local Women Peacebuilders

This summary note provides an overview of the perspectives of local women peacebuilders on the effectiveness and impact of the UN System and the donor community in advancing peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the field level. The perspectives were shared by local women peacebuilders participating at ICAN’s 10th Annual Forum titled ‘Peacebuilding in a Time of Pessimism’.
 

The key issues raised during the consultation include:

• Despite the growing recognition of the need to localise peacebuilding action for impact, common understanding is required about what localisation means.
• The UN should move away from excessive bureaucracy and excessive reliance on a business approach.
• Financing for peacebuilding requires structural change towards quality financing.
• The accountability for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda is required.
• The understanding of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture needs to extend beyond New York-based entities.
• Locally-led networks should be supported in policy and practice on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.