The United States expressed gratitude to Ambassador Danese for organizing a meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission focused on Guinea-Bissau. Appreciation was also extended to Mr. Carlos Pinto Pereira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of Guinea-Bissau, along with Ms. Freeman, Ms. Boutin, and Ms. Cabral dos Santos Indeque for their contributions.
The statement highlighted that Guinea-Bissau was among the first nations to actively engage with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and has maintained this relationship for nearly two decades. The U.S. supports efforts by Guinea-Bissau and the Peacebuilding Fund in political dialogue, combating drugs and transnational crime, and promoting human rights.
A call was made for stakeholders to set a date for presidential and legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau promptly. There is anticipation for an upcoming visit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as noted in the December Heads of State Final Communique.
Regional organizations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) were commended for their peacebuilding initiatives across West Africa.
Guinea-Bissau's commitment to improving development cooperation with entities like the UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank was acknowledged. Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations such as the Citizens’ Convention are seen as beneficial due to their expertise in health, youth employment, inclusion, and human rights.
In conclusion, there is a collective urging from stakeholders for further governance improvements in transparency and economic diversification within Guinea-Bissau to foster growth and peace.