1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka
PEACEBUILDING BOARD
Monday 21 May 2018
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sri Lanka

2. AGENDA Opening remarks Update on the Office of Missing Persons
Update on the Peacebuilding Priority Plan Review
Oversight Committees and progress update on Women & Youth project
AGENDA

3. UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SESSION
The HRC was chaired by the Deputy High Commissioner
Mr. Pablo de Greiff, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-recurrence, gave his presentation based on his observations during his visit to Sri Lanka in October 2017
The High Commissioner appreciated the Government’s engagement with OHCHR
In his reports since 2015, was encouraged by the improvement of the general human rights situation
Concerned by lack of progress on TJ commitments, accountability and reforms
Inter-ethnic tensions/violence, particularly when accompanied by hate speech and agitation through social media.
Concerned about continuing allegations of torture and surveillance, and lack of progress in confidence building measures such as land release and repeal of PTA
UPDATE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SESSION

4. UPDATE ON THE OFFICE OF MISSING PERSONS
UN is in dialogue with OMP and is providing technical assistance through the PBF to facilitate OMP processes
UN providing support through provision of 3 senior consultants in the thematic areas of psychosocial support , legal affairs and communications
UN is also supporting with 5 UN Volunteers for the above thematic areas – commencing duties end May
UPDATE ON THE OFFICE OF MISSING PERSONS

5. PEACEBUILDING PRIORITY PLAN REVIEW
The PPP review was initiated by the UN Resident Coordinator in February
Met with a range of stakeholders including government, civil society representatives, peacebuilding board members, development partners, military representatives, including Presidents and PM’s office, MFA, SCRM and the line ministries working on reconciliation. Also met with representatives of the DRC.
Process was delayed due to the passing of the UN Resident Coordinator.
Draft report ready outlining proposed adjustments to PPP strategic priorities matrix.
PEACEBUILDING PRIORITY PLAN REVIEW

6. PEACEBUILDING PRIORITY PLAN REVIEW
Key Lessons
Communication: Improve lateral and vertical communication and engagement
Better connecting with local context: Broaden the spectrum of international engagement e.g. judge from Japan
Improving Government delivery: building coordination/implementation capacity through secondment of consultants and UN Volunteers
Target and outcomes: Reconsider ambitious timelines that lack vertical consenses; peacebuilding progress can be assessed on social behavior, not just programmatic outcomes
PEACEBUILDING PRIORITY PLAN REVIEW

7. OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES AND PROGRESS UPDATE ON WOMEN & YOUTH PROJECT
First Oversight Committee meeting on the Women & Youth project held on May 15th
Project workplans shared with Oversight Committee by UNFPA, UNWomen and UN Volunteers
Way forward for Oversight Committee:
The Committee to meet with UN Project Staff every 8 weeks
Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will co-chair the Committee with SCRM
The designated officer nominated by the Peacebuilding Board should be the standing participant of the Committee to ensure continuity.
A representative from the Ministry of Youth should be nominated for the Committee.
Field trip for the Committee in the 2nd or 3rd week of August.
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES AND PROGRESS UPDATE ON WOMEN & YOUTH PROJECT

8. Process for adoption of PPP review findings (evaluability exercise and potential HQ visit)
Oversight Committees: meetings for Transitional Justice and Reconciliations projects to be organized in June
PBF Gender Promotion Initiative: ILO/WFP EMPOWER project
ADDITIONAL UPDATES