Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 5007th (Resumption 1) meeting, 20 July 2004, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in stabilization processes"] — S/PRST/2004/27 | UN Mandate Registry
Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 5007th (Resumption 1) Meeting, 20 July 2004, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Cooperation Between the United Nations and Regional Organizations in Stabilization Processes"]
At the 5007th meeting of the Security Council, held on 20 July 2004, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in stabilization processes”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:
“The Security Council met on 20 July 2004 to consider ‘Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional Organizations in Stabilization Processes’. Members recalled that Articles 52 and 53 of the United Nations Charter set forth the contribution of regional organizations to the settlement of disputes, as well as the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations.
“The Security Council recalls its invitation of January 1993 to regional organizations to improve coordination with the United Nations, the Declaration of the General Assembly of December 1994 on the enhancement of cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements or agencies, and its meeting on ‘The Security Council and Regional Organizations: Facing the New Challenges to International Peace and Security’ held on 11 April 2003 under the Mexican presidency of the Council.
“On 20 July, members expressed their views on the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and acknowledged the important role that can be played by the latter in the prevention, resolution and management of conflicts, including by addressing their root-causes.
“The statements emphasized that the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and that effectively addressing the numerous conflict situations confronting the international community would require an increased level of cooperation with regional organizations, where appropriate.
“Member States and heads of regional organizations participating in the meeting stressed their interest in enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. They also considered that regular dialogue on specific issues between the Council and regional organizations would bring significant added value in this respect.
“It was stressed that common and coordinated efforts undertaken by the United Nations and regional organizations in stabilization processes should be based on complementarity and their comparative advantages, making full use of their experience, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the relevant Statutes of the regional organizations.
“The statements reiterated the importance of a coherent approach to stabilization processes through improved cooperation and collaboration, including increased and timely exchange of information between United Nations and regional organizations, in accordance with the provisions of Article 54 of the United Nations Charter.
“The Security Council welcomes the ongoing practice of high-level meetings of the Secretary-General with regional organizations and the consensus reached over modalities of cooperation in conflict prevention and principles of cooperation in peace-building. It invites the Secretary-General to give consideration to the relevant views expressed in this debate in preparation of the next high-level meeting and to keep the Council informed as appropriate.
“The Security Council invites regional organizations to take necessary steps to increase collaboration with the United Nations in order to maximize efficiency in stabilization processes and also encourages enhanced cooperation and coordination among regional and subregional organizations themselves, in particular through exchange of information and sharing experience and best practices.
“The Security Council invites all Members of the United Nations to contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of regional and subregional organizations in all parts of the world including through the provision of human, technical and financial assistance.
“The Council invites all members of the United Nations, and other parts of the United Nations system with relevant experience and expertise to contribute to this process.”
