UN Peacebuilding Fund Reaches $1bn Amid Major Shortfall

In Mozambique, a community-led group is leading efforts to build peace by resisting the recruitment of youth by extremist organisations.

The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund on Wednesday announced a major milestone, having approved more than $1 billion in support for global peacebuilding and conflict-prevention initiatives since 2020.

The multi-donor trust fund is the UN’s primary instrument for supporting countries emerging from – or at risk of – violent conflict. It works alongside the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Support Office.

The announcement came as the Security Council and the General Assembly adopted twin resolutions backing the UN’s peacebuilding architecture, offering a blueprint to strengthen its impact.

‘Quantum leap’

At a press briefing in New York, Peacebuilding Support chief Elizabeth Spehar and Macharia Kamau, Chair of the Fund's Advisory Group, said the $1 billion milestone reflects the Secretary-General’s call for a “quantum leap” in financing.

Despite the achievement, the Fund still faces a $500 million shortfall towards its $1.5 billion target for the 2020–2026 period, limiting its ability to meet rising demand from Member States.

The Fund currently supports more than 50 countries, three-quarters of them in Africa.

Joint resolve

Earlier on Wednesday, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the UN’s peacebuilding efforts, followed shortly by the General Assembly's adoption of the same text. This coordinated action — first undertaken in 2005 — reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to preventing conflict and building sustainable peace.

The resolution highlights the need for development, human rights, and peace and security to work together to deliver meaningful results.

Ms Spehar said the timing of the votes and the $1 billion milestone was “very significant.”