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Issues Paper REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON POST-CONFLICT PEACEBUILDING AND EARLY RECOVERY Preparedfor an informal meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission Organizational Committee, United Nations New York, 19 November 2008
I. Background:

On 20 Mav 2008. the Securitv Council held an oven debate on Post-conflict peacebuilding. The meeting recognized that in the immediate aftermath of conflict; affected countries face daunting challenges which the United Nations and the international community have not always been able to assist in addressing. In the Presidential statement issued at the close of the meeting, the Council invited the Secretary-General "to provide advice within twelve months to the relevant UN organs on how best to take forward these issues within the UN system and, taking into consideration the views of the Peacebuilding Commission, how to co-ordinate peacebuilding activities and encourage the mobilization and most effective use of resources for urgent peacebuilding needs." The Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) has been assigned the responsibility of preparing the Secretary-General's report. The report will be based on extensive consultation within the UN system and among government officials from countries that have recently emerged from conflict.

11. Process and timetable:
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A team to prepare the report has been assembled in PBSO; Consultations with PBC will begin this month and continue throughout the process; * Wide consultations will be conducted with Member States, UN entities, regional and multi-lateral entities, and other actors; Small groups of UN staff and others will work on practical proposals for action in each area; Draft report will be subject to extensive consultation in Feb 2009, before finalization end March 2009; . Review of the report by the Security Council, as well as GA and ECOSOC.

111. Issues to be addressed in the Report:
Challenges in post conflict settings: What needs to be done in each country situation? Country specific, holistic approach combining the political, security, humanitarian, early recovery and long-term development needs. Need to prioritize, based on assessment with national partners as soon as possible. Need for a common UN approach, with clear roles and World Bank playing a larger role earlier.

National ownership of peacebuilding effort is critical to sustainable peace. How best can the UN and international community enhance national capacity? What has worked? Review of country experiences to build on what works. Balance between the need for speed delivering the peace dividend and carefully laying strong foundations for sustainable peace and development. Must do both. Need for greater involvement and partnership with regional entities. How to make UN System support to a comprehensive and coherent approach more effective?

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Getting the leadership and support strategy right; Getting the funding faster; Early focus on building national capacity; Getting the 'right' footprint, with national and regional capacity playing much bigger role.