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). They were joined by the EEAS Deputy Political Director/ Managing Director for Multilateral Relations, Martin Bille Hermann.
The Strategic Committee marks a new phase in the EU-UN 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. The Strategic Committee also discussed the future of UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions, and 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.
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.
The EU-UN Strategic Committee on Peace and Security will meet annually.