Background Paper: Developing a Strategy for Early Peacebuilding: Priorities, Sequencing and Delivery of Rule of Law and Security-related Activities by UN Peacekeeping Operations

Over the past two decades, there has been a recognition that peacekeeping alone cannot bring about sustainable peace in complex, post-conflict situations unless accompanied by peacebuilding efforts aimed at preventing the recurrence of violence. The needs in the immediate aftermath of conflict are great while the capacities, both national and international, are limited; it is thus critical that the early peacebuilding efforts of UN peacekeeping operations be based on a coherent strategy and clear priorities that maximize resources.

This background paper is authored by Fatemeh Ziai for the Challenges Annual Forum 2009 that Pakistan hosted on the theme ’A New Horizon for Peace Operations Partnerships – What are the next steps?’ in cooperation with Sweden.