EU-UN: Joint Press Release Inaugural EU-UN Strategic Committee on Peace and Security

The European Union-United Nations Strategic Committee on Peace and Security held its inaugural meeting on 3 March 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting was co-chaired by Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; and Charles Fries, the Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defence of the European External Action Service (EEAS), joined by Martin Bille Hermann, Deputy Political Director / Managing Director for Multilateral Relations of the EEAS.

The Strategic Committee marks a new phase in the UN-EU Strategic Partnership on Peace and Security, following the endorsement of the Joint Priorities for 2025-2028. It reflects the commitment of the European Union to deepen support for the United Nations in addressing the full spectrum of peace and security challenges.

The delegations exchanged views on the evolving global peace and security landscape, reaffirming their strong support for the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and for a rules-based international order anchored in international law. Discussions focused on key crisis contexts, including in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.

The Strategic Committee also discussed the future of UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions, in the context of the ongoing UN80 reform. They also discussed the future orientation of EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations.

The European Union and the United Nations welcomed the recent rollover of the Framework Agreement on the provision of mutual support, which will continue to facilitate operational cooperation between EU CSDP missions and operations and UN peace operations.

In order to strengthen follow-up to the Joint Priorities for 2025-2028, the co-chairs endorsed the establishment of a dedicated staff-to-staff mechanism to track implementation and further enhance coordination at working level.

Looking ahead, the EU and the UN agreed to place particular emphasis over the coming year on their cooperation on transitions; the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda; climate, peace and security; strategic planning as well as conflict prevention and peacebuilding, including support to national prevention strategies. The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to support the UN Secretary-General and engaging with partners in driving forward UN reform through the UN80 initiative, towards a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive UN, capable of delivering effectively across the three pillars.

The UN-EU Strategic Committee on Peace and Security will meet annually.