India has decided to make an initial commitment of US $ 2 million to the Peacebuilding Fund proposed to be set up under the newly established Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) at the United Nations.

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

3. As a part of its composite engagement with other member states on issues related to the reform of the United Nations, 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 Organizational Committee was completed in May, 2006. The UN Secretary General has scheduled the first meeting of the Organizational Committee at the UN in New York today.

4. India has been selected as a member of the Organizational Committee of the PBC under the category of the top five providers of military personnel and civilian police to the UN peacekeeping operations.

5. India is among the longest serving and largest troop contributors to UN’s peacekeeping activities. More than 85,000 Indian troops, military observers and civilian police officers have participated in 42 out of the 60 peacekeeping missions established since the inception of the UN. 116 Indian soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice while serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and have been awarded the Dag Hammarksjold Medals.

6. Besides continuing its active contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations, India also attaches high importance to the issues related to peacebuilding, on which the Peacebuilding Commission 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.

New Delhi,

June 23, 2006

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