Foreign Affairs Committee hears from expert witnesses on conflict reduction at the UNSC
The Foreign Affairs Committee continues its inquiry into how the UK can use its penholder role at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to reduce global conflict, holding an evidence session with expert witnesses.
As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the UK acts as a penholder for a number of countries and the thematic, cross-cutting “Women, Peace and Security” file, amongst others. As a penholder, the UK is expected to take the lead in drafting resolutions in relation to conflict, for countries such as Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Meeting details
In this session, Members will hear from Martin Griffiths, former Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs at the UN, and Richard Gowan, Director, UN and Multilateral Diplomacy, International Crisis Group.
According to the Global Peace Index, only 4% of conflicts in the last decade were resolved through a peace agreement. This session is likely to ask whether peace settlements remain fit for purpose. The Committee is likely to discuss whether the UK’s penholder status is symbolic, or whether it delivers tangible benefits.