S/PV.3178 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorised to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council has continued its examination of the Secretary-General's report entitled 'An Agenda for Peace' (S/24111). "The Security Council welcomes the observations contained in 'An Agenda for Peace' concerning the guestion of humanitarian assistance and its relationship to peacemaking, peace-keeping and peace-building, in particular those contained in paragraphs 29, 40 and 56 to 59. It notes that in some particular circumstances there may be a close relationship between acute needs for humanitarian assistance and threats to international peace and security. "In this respect, the Security Council notes the Secretary-General's assessment that the impartial provision of humanitarian assistance could be of critical importance in preventive diplomacy. "Recalling its statement on fact-finding in connection with 'An Agenda for Peace' (S/24872), the Council recognises the importance of humanitarian concerns in conflict situations, and thus recommends that the humanitarian dimension should be incorporated in the planning and dispatching of fact-finding missions. It also recognizes the need to include this aspect in connection with information-gathering and analysis, and encourages Member States concerned to provide the Secretary-General and the Governments concerned with relevant humanitarian information. "The Security Council notes with concern the incidence of humanitarian crises, including mass displacements of population, becoming or aggravating threats to international peace and security. In this connection, it is important to include humanitarian considerations and indicators within the context of early-warning information capacities as referred to in paragraphs 26 and 27 oE an 'Agenda for Peace'. The COUnCil emphasizes the role of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in coordinating the activities of the various agencies and functional OffiCeS of the United Nations. It believes that this capacity should be utilieed systematically at a pre-emergency phase to facilitate planning for action to assist governments in averting crises that could affect international peace and security. "The Security Council notes the on-going and constructive collaboration between the United Nations and various regional arrangements and organizations, within their respective areas of competence, in identifying and addressing humanitarian emergencies, in order to solve crises in a manner appropriate to each specific Situation. The Council also notes the important role which is being played by non-governmental organizations, in close cooperation with the United Nations, in the provision of humanitarian assistance in emergency situations around the world. The Council commends this cooperation and invites the Secretary-General to further explore ways in which this cooperation can be advanced in order to enhance the capacity of the United Nations to prevent and respond to emergency situations. "The Council expresses concern about the increased incidence of deliberate obstruction of delivery of humanitarian relief and violence against humanitarian personnel, as well as misappropriation of humanitarian assistance, in many parts of the world, in particular in the former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Somalia vrhere the Council has called for secure access to affected populations for the purpose of providing humanitarian assistance. The Council stresses the need for adequate protection of personnel involved in humanitarian operations, in accordance with relevant norms and principles Of international law. The Council believes that this matter requires urgent attention. "The Security Council believes that humanitarian assistance should help establish the basis for enhanced stability through rehabilitation and development. The Council thus notes the importance of adequate planning in the provision of humanitarian assistance in order to improve prospects for rapid improvement of the humanitarian situation. It also notes, however, that humanitarian considerations may become or continue to be relevant during periods in which the results of peacemaking and peace-keeping efforts are beginning to be consolidated. The Council thus recognizes the importance of ensuring a smooth transition from relief t0 development, and notes that the provision of coordinated humanitarian assistance is among the basic peace-building tools available to the Secretary-General. In particular, it fully endorses the Secretary-General's observations in paragraph 58 of ‘An Agenda for Peace' regarding the problem of land mines, and invites him to address this a6 a matter of special concern. "The Security Council intends to continue its consideration of the Secretary-General's report, as indicated in the President's statement Of 29 October 1992 (S/24728)." The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage Of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meetina rose at 7.40 p.m.