We stand ready to consider a further evolution of the Partnership and the G7’s relationship with the ACTs, in light of the developments in the MENA Region. We commit to exploring with the ACT countries the best means for supporting them and we remain open to possible cooperation with other initiatives focusing on the Mediterranean. UN, PEACE AND SECURITY We welcome the UN Secretary-General’s calls for reform within the UN system, which will help the organization to become more efficient, transparent, accountable and coordinated across its pillars, in order to tackle effectively the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We also welcome the UN Secretary General’s call to enhance the UN’s role in sustaining peace through a holistic and comprehensive approach aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflicts. We recognize that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development builds on that understanding by taking an integrated approach, and by including Goal 16 on achieving peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice and building accountable institutions. Therefore, we welcome the commitment of the UN Secretary General to make the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals a priority. We are committed to strengthening the impact and effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations and peace-building activities by improving leadership, increasing accountability, expanding the pool of capable forces through appropriate training of personnel, and enhancing integrated planning, with a focus on ensuring that UN peacekeeping missions are better able to provide the appropriate international response for the circumstances, and that they are properly designed for the tasks they are mandated to perform. We also reaffirm our commitment to address the gaps in peacekeepers’ equipment. We reiterate the vital role that UN peacekeeping operations can play in protecting civilians. We will also work to enhance and diversify the UN’s conflict prevention and mediation capabilities. We therefore support the ongoing reforms of the UN’s peace and security architecture. On peacekeeping, these include the drive for better planning of Peacekeeping operations, encouraging further pledges and achieving the highest standard of performance, while also taking into account the reviews of the peacebuilding architecture and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Success in the prevention and management of conflicts depends also in part on human and financial resources availability and we Joint Communiqué | G7 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING 27