Morocco says it will prioritise peaceful consensus to tackle the world’s myriad crises as the kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale is unanimously elected as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2026.
Hilale’s election comes amid an international environment marked by a proliferation of crises and a decline in multilateral consensus.
The selection of Morocco is presented as a recognition of its unwavering commitment to international peace and stability, following initiatives led by King Mohammed VI.
According to the United Nations, this trust is based in particular on Morocco’s long-standing involvement in peacekeeping operations, as well as its active role in preventive diplomacy, mediation, and South-South cooperation.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Hilale outlined the priorities of the Moroccan presidency, which will be centered on an approach that places regional expertise and national ownership at the heart of peacebuilding processes. “Our presidency will draw on the experiences of each region,” he emphasised, citing African expertise in peacebuilding, the transitional justice processes developed in Latin America, and Asian traditions of community dialogue and consensus-building.
The Moroccan diplomat painted an alarming picture of the international situation, describing it as “an unprecedented peace crisis.”
According to him, more than 130 armed conflicts are currently being witnessed worldwide, double the number from fifteen years ago.
“Behind these figures, two billion people live under the daily threat of violence, 305 million of whom depend on emergency humanitarian assistance for their survival,” he told the commission members.
The Moroccan presidency will coincide with the celebration, next June, of the first “Peacebuilding Week,” established by the UN General Assembly. This initiative aims to raise international awareness of the challenges of sustainable peace, promote the sharing of best practices among regions, and mobilise the necessary political attention and financial resources.
The inaugural session was marked by the reading of a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and by the participation of the President of the General Assembly, alongside members of the Commission’s Organizing Committee.
Established in 2005 by the General Assembly and the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission is a
key advisory body within the UN system.
Composed of 31 members, including the permanent members of the Security Council, major financial contributors, and large troop-contributing countries, it aims to strengthen the coherence of international action in support of countries emerging from conflict.
MK/AK/ac/fss/as/APA