$2 mn to UN Peace-building Commission from India

New Delhi, Jun 23: India has decided to make an initial commitment of

New Delhi, Jun 23: India has decided to make an initial commitment of $2 million to the Peace-Building Fund proposed to be set up under the newly-established Peace-Building Commission (PBC) at the United Nations, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said today.

India had welcomed the proposal contained in the 2005 World Summit Document to establish a Peace-building Commission at the UN as an inter-governmental advisory body to help countries in the process of post-conflict peace-building, recovery, reconstruction and development.

As part of its composite engagement with other member states on issues related to the UN reform, India has been constructively involved in discussions to set up and operationalise the PBC.

While the PBC was established in December, 2005, the process of forming its Organisational Committee was completed in May, 2006.

The UN Secretary General has scheduled the first meeting of the Organisational Committee at the UN in New York today.

India has been selected as a member of the Organisational Committee of the PBC under the category of the top five providers of military personnel and civilian police to the UN peace-keeping operations.

India is among the longest serving and largest troop contributors to UN peace-keeping activities. More than 85,000 Indian troops, military observers and civilian police officers have participated in 42 out of the 60 peace-keeping missions established since the inception of the UN.

As many as 116 Indian soldiers were killed while serving in UN peace-keeping operations and have been awarded the Dag Hammarksjold Medals.

The pokesman said that besides continuing its active contribution to the UN peace-keeping operations, India also attaches high importance to the issues related to peace-building, on which the PBC will be rendering advice and assistance at the request of prospective recipient countries.

India looks forward to making positive contribution to PBC's functioning, especially in areas of capacity building.

UNI

million to the Peace-Building Fund proposed to be set up under the newly-established Peace-Building Commission (PBC) at the United Nations, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said today.

India had welcomed the proposal contained in the 2005 World Summit Document to establish a Peace-building Commission at the UN as an inter-governmental advisory body to help countries in the process of post-conflict peace-building, recovery, reconstruction and development.

As part of its composite engagement with other member states on issues related to the UN reform, India has been constructively involved in discussions to set up and operationalise the PBC.

While the PBC was established in December, 2005, the process of forming its Organisational Committee was completed in May, 2006.

The UN Secretary General has scheduled the first meeting of the Organisational Committee at the UN in New York today.

India has been selected as a member of the Organisational Committee of the PBC under the category of the top five providers of military personnel and civilian police to the UN peace-keeping operations.

India is among the longest serving and largest troop contributors to UN peace-keeping activities. More than 85,000 Indian troops, military observers and civilian police officers have participated in 42 out of the 60 peace-keeping missions established since the inception of the UN.

As many as 116 Indian soldiers were killed while serving in UN peace-keeping operations and have been awarded the Dag Hammarksjold Medals.

The pokesman said that besides continuing its active contribution to the UN peace-keeping operations, India also attaches high importance to the issues related to peace-building, on which the PBC will be rendering advice and assistance at the request of prospective recipient countries.

India looks forward to making positive contribution to PBC's functioning, especially in areas of capacity building.

UNI