SC - Debate on Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security
Statement by Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations
New York, 13 January 2010
It was with profound grief that we have learned of the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti last night. We are deeply moved by the tragic losses both among the Haitian people and the UN presence on the island. Let me extend our deepest condolences to the government and the people of Haiti and to the families of those who lost their lives in the service of the UN and the overall presence in Haiti. My Government is actively involved in emergency efforts within the EU and we are also considering how best to make a useful national contribution.
I would like to thank the Chinese Presidency for organizing today’s debate and the PRST before us, which builds on the work started with resolution SC resolution 1631 (2005). Let me equally thank the Secretary-General and the representatives of the regional organizations for their statements. Austria aligns herself with the statement made by the delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.
The Security Council has repeatedly reaffirmed the role of regional and sub-regional organizations in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter. In the light of the challenges of our century, it is clear that the UN cannot operate in isolation in maintaining international peace and security but needs to be complemented by regional organizations, with their understanding of conflicts and their root causes and their capacity to respond. In many cases regional ownership is key to the success of the peacekeeping efforts of the international community and active involvement of regional and subregional organizations is the means to ensure this regional ownership.
As pointed out by the Secretary-General, the challenges for effective cooperation lie in ensuring a clear division of labor and distribution of roles and tasks between the UN and regional organizations, and in enhancing regional organizations’ capacities and ownership in the area of peace and security.
With its Common Security and Defence Policy, the European Union can make an important contribution in the field of peace and security and has developed significant capacities for conflict prevention and conflict resolution. The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon last month and the creation of the office of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will allow the EU to speak with an even stronger and more unified voice to its partners. The EU’s commitment to support the UN and the Security Council in its responses to threats to international peace and security is translated in the Union’s support to all current UN peacekeeping operations. As the example of EUFOR Chad has shown, the EU can also play a useful bridging role in crisis theatres until the UN and/or regional organizations of the region in question are ready to take over.
Let me also commend the important work carried out by the OSCE under the Kazakh Chairmanship in Office, whose election observation and field missions operative in Participating States cooperate closely with UN agencies and missions. We are pleased that UN representatives will be invited to the address the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna this year. We are also very pleased with the personal interest of the Secretary-General in the cooperation with the OSCE.
The Joint Declaration on EU-UN cooperation in Crisis Management signed in 2003, established a joint consultative mechanism and has proven to be a useful instrument for enhancing the partnership between the two organizations. Desk-to-desk consultations on conflict prevention between the UN and the EU could be increased and – as models of dialogue – be expanded to other organizations. In this context, we also welcome the Council’s intention to hold informal interactive dialogues with regional and subregional organizations.
The challenges of today’s UN peacekeeping operations, including the ever increasing demands for UN deployments, highlight the need for increased cooperation and capacity-building of regional organizations. Enhanced regional capabilities for peacekeeping and conflict prevention are a prerequisite for strengthening regional ownership and responsibility for crisis management. We commend the respective efforts already undertaken by regional and subregional organizations.
Austria fully supports a stronger role for regional and subregional actors such as the African Union, ECOWAS and SADC in conflict prevention and resolution. Since 2003, the EU has made a significant contribution, through the African Peace Facility, to the strengthening of the AU’s ability to engage in peacekeeping operations on the African continent. We welcome the proposals contained in the Prodi report and in the subsequent report of the Secretary-General on support to AU peacekeeping operations as a valuable contribution to strengthening of the AU’s peacekeeping capacities and to enhance the development of an effective UN-AU partnership.
Stand-by arrangements are of particular relevance in the area of peacebuilding. By linking or coordinating UN rosters of experts with those of regional organizations, such as the EU, we can increase the pool of available expertise. Furthermore, for the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, close collaboration with regional and sub-regional organizations is crucial. In addition, training activities need to be intensified to meet the rising demand for qualified civilian personnel in peace operations. The Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution has been conducting regular training programs for several years on civilian peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Many of its participants are now serving in missions of regional organizations, including the AU and the OSCE.
I would also like to point out the important role regional and subregional organizations are playing in implementing Security Council resolutions of a thematic nature. SC Resolution 1894 on the protection of civilians explicitly stresses the importance of consultation and cooperation between the UN and regional organizations to improve the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Consultation and Cooperation is also needed to improve women’s participation in peace processes and to ensure the protection of children affected by armed conflict, as well as in combating impunity, corruption, terrorism and organized crime. All of these issues should form an integral part of the cooperation and capacity-building efforts between the UN and regional and subregional organizations, as well as among regional organizations themselves.
Finally, better exchange and sharing of best practices and lessons learned on all of the issues mentioned will be crucial, both between the UN and regional and subregional organizations as well as among regional organizations themselves. One of the lessons learned from the EU’s civilian and military operations is that missions become more effective through the mainstreaming of human rights and gender aspects. Regional organizations will also be in a position to make a significant contribution to the successful preparations for the 10th anniversary of SC resolution 1325 later this year.
