S/PV.3961 Security Council

The Security Council will now resume 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 authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council recalls the open debate held at its 3954th meeting on 16 December 1998 and on 23 December 1998 on The maintenance of peace and security and post-conflict peace-building'. It recalls also the report of the Secretary-General of 13 April 1998 on The causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa', which was submitted to the Security Council (S/1998/318) and to the General Assembly (A/52/871), as well as the report of the Secretary-General of 27 August 1998 on the work of the Organization submitted to the fifty-third session of the General Assembly (A/53/1). In this context, it welcomes the recommendations of the Secretary- General concerning the role of the Security Council in the aftermath of conflict, in particular in ensuring a smooth transition from peacekeeping to post-conflict peace-building. The Council recalls further the statement of its President (S/25696) of 30 April 1993 on the Secretary-General’s report entitled An Agenda for Peace', including the subject of post- conflict peace-building. “The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security. It stresses the need to prevent the resurgence or escalation of conflict. The Council recognizes the importance of the post-conflict peace-building efforts of the United Nations to this end in all regions of the world and with due involvement of all United Nations bodies. In particular, it welcomes the role played by the Secretary-General in this field. It recognizes the “The Security Council recalls the statement of its President (S/PRST/1998/29) of 24 September 1998, which affirmed that the quest for peace in Africa requires a comprehensive, concerted and determined approach, encompassing the eradication of poverty, the promotion of democracy, sustainable development and respect for human rights, as well as conflict prevention and resolution, including peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. The Council underlines that efforts to ensure lasting solutions to conflicts require sustained political will and a long-term approach in the decision-making of the United Nations, including by the Council itself. It affirms its commitment to the principles of the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States in conducting peace-building activities, and the need for States to comply with their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law. “The Security Council underlines that economic rehabilitation and reconstruction often constitute the major tasks facing societies emerging from conflict and that significant international assistance becomes indispensable to promote sustainable development in such cases. In that context, it recalls that Article 65 of the Charter of the United Nations provides that the Economic and Social Council may furnish information to the Security Council and shall assist the Security Council upon its request. “The Security Council, conscious of the emphasis placed by the Secretary-General on the issue of post-conflict peace-building, in particular in the context of the reform of the United Nations, encourages him to explore the possibility of establishing post-conflict peace-building structures as part of efforts by the United Nations system to achieve a lasting peaceful solution to conflicts, including in order to ensure a smooth transition from peacekeeping to peace-building and lasting peace. “The Security Council recognizes the value of including, as appropriate, peace-building elements in the mandates of peacekeeping operations. It agrees with the Secretary-General that relevant post-conflict “The Security Council also requests the Secretary-General to make recommendations to the appropriate United Nations bodies concerning the transitional period to the post-conflict peace-building phase when recommending the final drawdown of a peacekeeping operation. “The Security Council recognizes the need for close cooperation and dialogue between the bodies of the United Nations system, in particular those directly concerned in the field of post-conflict peace-building, in accordance with their respective responsibilities and expresses its willingness to consider ways to improve “The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1998/38. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.