Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 6360th Meeting, 16 July 2010, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Optimizing the Use of Preventive Diplomacy Tools: Prospects and Challenges in Africa"]

S/PRST/2010/14View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 100 Maintenance of international peace and security, published in 2010.

What subjects does this mandate have?

16 subjects

Accountability Africa Disarmament Dispute Settlement Human Rights Peacebuilding Post-Conflict Reconstruction Preventive Diplomacy Reconciliation Regional Cooperation Regional Security Resources Mobilization Rule of Law Security Sector Reform Social Integration War Prevention

What’s in this document?

14 paragraphs

At the 6360th meeting of the Security Council, held on 16 July 2010, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Maintenance of international peace and security: Optimizing the use of preventive diplomacy tools: Prospects and challenges in Africa”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The Council recalls articles 33 and 34 of the Charter and reaffirms its commitment to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and the promotion of necessary preventive action in response to disputes or situations, the continuation of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security.

“The Security Council recalls that the prevention of conflict remains a primary responsibility of Member States. As such, actions undertaken within the framework of conflict prevention by United Nations entities must be designed to support and complement, as appropriate, the conflict prevention roles of national Governments.

“The Security Council notes that, consistent with its functions in relation to international peace and security, it seeks to remain engaged in all stages of the conflict cycle and in exploring ways of preventing the escalation of disputes into armed conflict or a relapse into armed conflict and the Council recalls that, in accordance with articles 99 and 35 of the Charter, the Secretary General or any Member State may bring to the attention of the Council any matter which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security.

“The Security Council recalls that early warning, preventive diplomacy, preventive deployment, mediation, practical disarmament measures and post-conflict peacebuilding are interdependent and complementary components of a comprehensive conflict prevention strategy. The Council notes the importance of creating and maintaining peace through inclusive dialogue, reconciliation and re-integration.

“The Security Council reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding, and reiterates its call to increase the equal participation, representation and full involvement of women in preventive diplomacy efforts and all related decision-making processes with regard to conflict resolution and peacebuilding in line with resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), and 1889 (2009).

“The Security Council recognizes the importance of a comprehensive strategy comprising operational and structural measures for prevention of armed conflict, and encourages the development of measures to address the root-causes of conflicts in order to ensure sustainable peace. The Council reaffirms the central role of the United Nations in this regard.

“The Security Council recalls its previous Presidential Statements concerning the various factors and causes that play a role in inciting, worsening or prolonging conflicts in Africa, and in particular the factors and causes that have been highlighted and addressed by the Council. The Council also notes that especially in the context of Africa, implementation of effective security sector reform programs, strengthening of human rights and the rule of law, protection of civilians, ensuring accountability, meaningful progress in sustainable economic development and poverty eradication, support for elections and the building of democratic institutions and effective control of small arms inter alia, have become important elements of conflict prevention.

“The Security Council also recognizes the increased material, human and financial resources required by peacekeeping operations over the last decade. Accordingly, the Council acknowledges the potential benefits and efficiencies that could be achieved through an integrated approach to preventive diplomacy efforts similar to the approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding methods, which underscores the inter-relationship between political, security, development, human rights and rule of law activities.

“The Security Council encourages the development of peaceful settlement of local disputes through regional arrangements in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter and reiterates its support for the efforts of regional and sub-regional organizations in particular, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) as regards conflict prevention. The Council acknowledges the need for closer and more operational co-operation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations in Africa to build national and regional capacities in relation to the preventive diplomacy tools of mediation, information gathering and analysis, early warning, prevention, peacemaking, and in this context the Security Council recognizes the important role regional UN offices, such as UNOWA, can play and stresses the valuable contribution of mediation capacities such as the Council of Elders, the Panel of the Wise and good offices of the Secretary General and his special envoys, and of regional and sub-regional organizations, to ensuring the coherence, synergy and collective effectiveness of their efforts.

“The Security Council underlines the importance of continually engaging the potential and existing capacities and capabilities of the UN Secretariat, regional and sub-regional organizations as well as national governments in preventive diplomacy efforts including mediation, and welcomes the promotion of regional approaches to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

“The Security Council further reiterates its support for the work of the Peacebuilding Commission (the Commission) and recognizes the need for greater co-ordination with the Commission. The Council further recognizes the need for greater coherence with all relevant UN entities in relation to the most effective use of preventive diplomacy tools at their disposal. The Council recognizes the important role of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Offices in supporting national efforts to prevent conflicts and in addressing cross-border threats. The Council also recognizes the value the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa continues to add to the process of embedding preventive diplomacy practices into the Organization’s conflict management architecture. In this connection, the Security Council recalls the role of the Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide in matters relating to the prevention and resolution of conflict. The Council emphasizes the need for the full engagement of all relevant actors, including civil society, to sustain the momentum and perspective for a meaningful preventive diplomacy framework.

“The Security Council recognizes the importance of enhancing efforts, including coordination among relevant bilateral and multilateral donors, to ensure predictable, coherent and timely financial support to optimize the use of preventive diplomacy tools, including mediation, throughout the conflict cycle.

“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to submit, within twelve months of the adoption of this statement, a report making recommendations on how best to optimize the use of preventive diplomacy tools within the United Nations system and in co-operation with regional and sub-regional organizations and other actors.”

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