Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, 29 Jan. 2021, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Cooperation Between the United Nations and Regional and Subregional Organizations in Maintaining International Peace and Security"]

S/PRST/2021/2View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 9 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, published in 2021.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Arab Countries Cooperation Between Organizations Middle East Situation Regional Security

What’s in this document?

17 paragraphs

On 29 January 2021, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”, in accordance with the procedure agreed in light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and set out in S/2020/372, the President of the Security Council issued the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

“The Security Council recalls all its previous resolutions and presidential statements on this agenda item.

“The Security Council recognizes and further encourages efforts by the League of Arab States and its member States to contribute to collective endeavours to settle conflicts in the Arab region by peaceful means, while reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Countries and to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

“The Security Council expresses its appreciation for the briefings of Under Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, on 18 January 2021, and reiterates that cooperation with regional and sub-regional organisations in matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security, and consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter, is significant to improve collective security.

“The Security Council welcomes the strong cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and reiterates its intention to consider further steps to promote closer cooperation between the two Organisations in the fields of conflict early warning, prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, sustaining peace, addressing root causes of conflicts, and counter-terrorism, as well as in other areas of common interest; and to promote the coherence and effectiveness of their efforts.

“The Security Council takes note of the outcome of general meetings on the cooperation between the Secretariats of the United Nations and the League of Arab States and their specialized agencies. The Council looks forward to the fifteenth general cooperation meeting between the United Nations and the League, to be held in Geneva in December 2021, to advance a biennial framework that encompasses activities in various areas, including peace and security.

“The Security Council recognizes the efforts undertaken by both Organisations and the commitment of their Secretaries-Generals in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the conflict-affected contexts, and reiterates its demand, in line with resolution 2532 (2020), for a general and immediate cessation of hostilities and a humanitarian pause in all conflict situations on its agenda, including in the Arab region.

“The Security Council further stresses the urgent need for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts to prevent the escalation of tensions, encourage multilateral dialogue, advance the political settlement of disputes and promote just and lasting peace in all conflict situations in the region.

“Cognizant of the dire humanitarian consequences of conflicts, the Security Council emphasizes the urgent need for the funding of the humanitarian response in the Arab region.

“The Security Council welcomes the efforts of the League of Arab States to implement resolution 1325 (2000) and relevant subsequent resolutions, including through the development of a Regional Action Plan for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), and encourages the United Nations and the Arab League to further promote the implementation of the WPS and the Youth, Peace, and Security agendas.

“The Security Council supports the holding of an annual briefing by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, to further promote the cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security, especially at the regional level, and consider ways to improve collective security.

“The Security Council encourages, in the same spirit, the holding of an annual informal meeting between its members and the members of the Council of the League of Arab States; and whenever possible, an informal meeting between its members and Representatives of the Arab Summit Troika and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, on the margins of the General Assembly high level segment.

“The Security Council emphasizes the importance of intensifying the coordination between the League of Arab States and the United Nations Special Envoys and Representatives, including through the arrangement of periodic meetings, with a view to reaching a more comprehensive understanding of different crisis situations in the region, and developing effective solutions through joint action where appropriate.

“The Security Council reiterates the importance of trilateral cooperation and coordination between the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States on cross-regional peace and security issues, as well as with other relevant regional organizations on situations of common interest.

“The Security Council welcomes the opening of the United Nations Liaison Office to the League of Arab States in Cairo in June 2019, and encourages the United Nations Secretariat and the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States to promote its role toward strengthening cooperation between the two Organisations. The Security Council looks forward to filling the vacancy in the leadership of the Office at the earliest opportunity, and notes the importance of strengthening its strategic framework and institutional structure.

“The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to report, as appropriate, on further ways of strengthening institutional relations and cooperation between the two organisations, especially in peace and security sector, with a view to receiving the first report, in advance of the next Council meeting under this agenda item.”

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