S/PV.5776Resumption1 Security Council

The President: I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Benin and Thailand, in which they request to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the consideration of the item, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Zinsou (Benin) and Mr. Pramudwinai (Thailand) took the seats reservedfor them at the side of the Council Chamber. The President: I wish to remind all speakers, as I indicated this morning, to limit their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the texts in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. I now call on the representative of Angola.

Mr. Gaspar Martins (Angola): I would like to congratulate the Indonesian presidency for convening this important meeting and welcome with appreciation the insightful concept paper (8/2007/640, annex) circulated prior to this meeting. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for coming all the way from Jakarta to chair this important meeting today. Your presence honours us and enhances the value of the deliberations of the Council on the role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. As rightly mentioned in the concept paper, "Over the years, there has been a plethora of efforts in promotion of such an objective, including through the adoption of Security Council resolution 1631 (2005)" (ibid., para. 2). We fully share this vision of the situation, which now calls for concrete action in order to match the consensual recognition of the central role of regional and subregional organizations as instrumental mechanisms in the collective security system. Regarding the African continent, the Security Council has held special meetings and has adopted several presidential statements and resolutions, including recently holding a summit meeting dedicated to the African continent. The problems and possible solutions are therefore fully identified. Both the Security Council and the African Union recognize the importance of having an effective system of coordination between the United Nations, the African Union and subregional organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States, Economic Community of Central African States, the Southern African Development Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, the East African Community, the Arab Maghreb Union and others. We therefore welcome the steps taken towards the implementation of the 2005 World Summit Outcome decision on the 10-year process of sustained capacity- building support within the African Union strategic framework, as well as the reflection underway in the Department of Political Affairs on how to better liaise with the different regions, including by enhancing the presence of the United Nations on the ground through regional offices. Cooperation with local bodies, particularly in the field of police training for peacekeeping operations, should be stressed. In this connection, we reiterate our call to the donor community to assist the efforts under way on the continent. The initiative recently launched by Cameroon, the Ecole internationale des forces de securite to train police from African countries, is a good example. Africa has been the ground for useful experiences in peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding, including the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping operations, the deployment of multinational forces and the bluehelmeting of African regional and subregional forces such as in Burundi and C6te d'Ivoire. All those experiences have had an impact on the action of the United Nations, the reform of its bodies such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and the philosophy of the Organization in shaping a new vision of global security. 07-58467 The concept paper you have distributed, Mr. President, calls our attention to the important question of the innovative initiative consisting of a hybrid model being tested in Africa. While addressing the Fourth Committee, Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guehenno of the DPKO recalled the work being developed by his Department in establishing the initial operating capabilities of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. In this connection, the multidimensional presence in Chad and the Central African Republic - the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad - to be deployed by end of this year in close concert with the European Union would constitute a welcome development. It is our hope that those experiences will serve as catalysts for strategic partnerships with regional organizations in order to maximize their impact and increase the likelihood of successful peace and security outcomes. Important lessons should also be drawn with regard to the need for reducing the time between decision and implementation. Those two experiences will be decisive concerning the use of the model in future circumstances. Peacebuilding is also a question of great importance for the African continent, in view of the increasing number of countries in post-conflict situations. The experiences under way in Burundi and Sierra Leone point to the direction and to the need for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. One of the lessons drawn from the peacebuilding work in these countries and the presence of peacekeeping operations is the need to improve the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. The United Nations peacebuilding architecture should also take into account the efforts of the African Union in the establishment of a peacebuilding regional mechanism. By creating the Organization of the African Unity - which later became the African Union - and by establishing subregional bodies, the African continent recognized very early the importance of those institutions and has spared no effort to preserve them. Those bodies are therefore pivotal partners for the United Nations. This partnership requires, inter alia, adequate structures in the United Nations Secretariat, a fluid communication channel and the enhancement of the role of the mechanisms established by the Security Council, including the Security 07-58467 Council's Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa. Before I conclude, let me reiterate the view that clearly there is added value in strengthened and coordinated action between the Security Council and the regional and subregional organizations. The maintenance of peace and security is clearly better served if this coordination becomes more real and action-oriented. This debate today represents an important contribution towards reaching this urgent goal.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

Mrs. Aitimova (Kazakhstan): At the outset, I would like to express our gratitude to you, Mr. President, for organizing and presiding over this open debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. Kazakhstan fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Kyrgyz Republic on behalf of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Kazakhstan considers this important issue to be one of the main priorities of the Organization and the Security Council. In particular, the Security Council should encourage cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements to promote international peace and security, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. Resolution 1631 (2005) underlines the Security Council's commitment to taking appropriate steps to the further development of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations and recognizes the growing contribution by regional arrangements to the maintenance of international peace and security. We note with satisfaction that over the years, many efforts have been made to promote such objectives. There have been debates in the Security Council on conflict management and post-conflict stabilization processes and the role of regional organizations in peace and security. In previous presidential statements, closer cooperation with regional and subregional organizations on peace and security issues was supported, including the brokering of peace agreements in conflict situations. We welcome the growing role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and an enhanced international cooperation, while supporting the principle of multilateralism in addressing burning international issues. It is now obvious that in recent years, the international community has seen a rapid surge in peacekeeping missions, and this trend is likely to continue. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations currently directs 18 such operations across the world, comprising more than 130,000 troops, police and civilian personnel. We believe that peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the United Nations remain the most effective tool for preventing and settling various crises and for ensuring global and regional stability. In light of this, our country firmly supports United Nations peacekeeping efforts and the continued strengthening ofits capacity in this area. In a situation of escalating humanitarian crises and armed conflicts, as clearly demonstrated by the developments in Darfur, the United Nations and the Security Council should pay special attention to the possibility of broader participation by authoritative regional and subregional organizations in peacekeeping operations. That would allow a response to emerging threats in a more effective and timely manner. We believe it to be of great importance to establish closer cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations possessing real capacity to prevent conflicts and maintain peace. From this point of view, we encourage the Security Council to formulate coherent, common operational strategies and early, integrated mission planning in close cooperation with regional partners of the Organization. Regional and subregional entities are in a position to better understand local and regional conditions and have influence on the prevention or resolution of conflicts, and they contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in various parts of the world. In this context we are pleased that the United Nations engagement with regional organizations is growing. In particular, a number of regional organizations have already received observer status at the General Assembly, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. On behalf of 18 Member States, Kazakhstan has requested the General Assembly to grant observer status to the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building in Asia (CICA). We hope that the Assembly will support this proposal. I would like to note that CICA is an intergovernmental forum for dialogue, consultations, consensus-based decision-making and implementation involving issues of security in Asia. On the Asian continent, CICA is seen as a unique structure uniting the countries of the region in the task of strengthening mutual cooperation in order to stabilize and safeguard the region. At present, 18 countries of Asia and Europe participate in CICA as member States, with the United Nations as an observer organization. We strongly believe that the CICA platform for dialogue will continue to play an effective role as a collective mechanism for regional stability and security in Asia. My delegation considers it very useful to carry on our work to further enhance the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security within the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly. We hope that the broad views expressed by Member States today will serve to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements.

Mr. Garcia Moritan (Argentina) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month and to thank your delegation for convening this open debate. Due to the shared responsibilities and interrelated interests of their members, international organizations are in a privileged position to respond to regional challenges to international peace and security in an expeditious manner and with better knowledge of the local causes of conflicts. Those efforts must complement those of the United Nations, especially in areas where the given regional organization has comparative advantage, and the mission should be implemented with a high measure of cooperation with the United Nations. In our judgement, there are four situations where the United Nations and regional organizations may complement each other in conflict resolution: first, in the deployment of joint missions; secondly, when the United Nations can take responsibility for continuing a peacekeeping operation initiated by a regional organization; thirdly, when a regional organization can take the responsibility of continuing a peacekeeping operation initiated by the United Nations; and finally, when the United Nations can delegate the deployment of a peacekeeping operation to a regional organization when it considers this more efficient. In any event, as stipulated by the United Nations Charter, in all the above cases the maintenance of international peace and security is always the primary responsibility of the Security Council, as Chapter VIII of the Charter ensures that the Security Council has the ability to authorize regional organizations to implement coercive actions. At the same time, in all these cases, complementing funds and corresponding financing will always be required. In its presidential statement of 28 March, 2007 (S/PRST/2007/7) on the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, in particular the African Union, in the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council recalled that cooperation between the United Nations and the regional arrangements in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security were an integral part of collective security as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations and welcomed the Declaration on enhancing cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union. In this context, we are pleased with the initiative to give assistance to the African Union to increase its peacekeeping capacity with the objective of establishing a permanent African reserve force by 2010, as well as the initiatives of the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States or the Southern African Development Community to create reserve brigades for peacekeeping in their respective subregions. In the American region, the case of Haiti deserves mention as a model for cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS). We can say that the OAS has established a strategic association with the United Nations, facilitating the fulfilment of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti through the leadership and accumulated experience of the organization. The OAS has contributed its specific technical knowledge and has actively collaborated in the political dimension and, specifically, in the continuity of the electoral process. That has been fundamental for the organization of free and clean elections, from which the current democratic Haitian Government has sprung. Cooperation under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations provides enormous possibilities to optimize resources and stimulate the political will of the international community to achieve peace and security through an effective operational association between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. It is therefore desirable to promote formal and informal consultation mechanisms that will allow the United Nations and regional organizations to mutually enrich that interaction. We believe that when the universal Organization studies a specific conflict, prior to taking action on the ground, it should ideally have available to it the opinion and advice of the relevant regional organization and give that organization's point of view adequate consideration. In conclusion, we believe that greater decentralization in, and delegation of, peacekeeping operations to regional organizations, along with greater cooperation and coordination among those organizations and the Security Council, will not only alleviate the actual burden on United Nations peacekeeping, whose resources are at their limit, but, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, it could also enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions authorized by the Security Council. We therefore think it is important for there to be a balanced distribution of capacity and resources for all regions of the world, in order that the knowledge of regional organizations with regard to conflict situations may also be utilized. Systematic cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations that includes a clear distribution of functions and adequate capacities will increase the effectiveness of the international community to prevent conflicts. It would make possible a speedier response when a conflict arises and provide solutions for building lasting peace. Given the existing link between security, peace and development, we believe that the specialized knowledge of regional organizations, whose original mandates were to foment economic and commercial integration, may also be of value in ensuring the success of strategies aimed at economic growth and long-term stability.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

Mr. Rosselli (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Sir, and your country, Indonesia, on your presidency of the Security Council. I would especially like to thank you, Mr. Minister, for your presence in New York to preside over this meeting. Before I turn to the topic that has brought us together today, I would like to make a few brief comments on the open debates of the Security Council. I assume that the purpose of open debates is to allow the members of the Security Council to hear the views and opinions of the other delegations to the United Nations that are not members of this body. I am concerned because this is not the first time that I have come to make a statement in the Security Council that I have observed a phenomenon repeating itself time and again. A sort of migration from the Council usually occurs 90 minutes after a meeting begins, with the principal members of the Secretariat and Permanent Representatives gradually leaving the Chamber. Moreover, at this very moment I notice that only the President and another head of Mission are the only Permanent Representatives seated at the table. Apparently, there are other more important things attracting the attention of our colleagues. It is a shame that this meeting has been scheduled at the same time as those other activities. I therefore hope that this is not considered as a second-class exercise or a meeting just for show. As far as the working methods of the Security Council are concerned - a phrase that is referred to continuously in this House * this is one that should be reformed thoroughly. With regard to the issue before the Council, my delegation would like to offer the following comments. We are going to approach this matter from a different point of view than in the past, when doctrinaire debates were held during the cold war with regard to the application of coercive measures and corresponding interpretations of the application of Articles 41, 42, 51, 52 and 53 of the Charter. In current international practice, the participation of regional organizations is part of the Organization's overall framework, bringing to it the best capabilities of the various regions in rebuilding and strengthening States affected by conflict. It is therefore appropriate that we continue a debate in the Security Council as to the function of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. In the debate that took place in March, we focused our comments on the possibility that regional organizations could assume greater responsibility in the area of military operations. We also expressed our doubts about the desirability of moving towards the regionalization of peacekeeping operations and the need to fully respect certain traditional principles of peacekeeping operations, especially those of impartiality and the need for the composition of a force to reflect the widest possible geographical representation. On this occasion, I should like to take up the issue of the role of regional organizations once they are already involved in peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks. It is in that area that we can appreciate the great potential regional organizations hold for cooperation with United Nation-led processes. We believe that there is clearly value to arguments calling for greater participation for regional organizations in the areas of peace and security and, more specifically, in post- conflict reconstruction and development. It is at the regional level that the consequences of a conflict are most immediately felt. States in the region of a conflict are in the best position to understand the situation in its cultural context. It is also the States of the region that have the most information. With regard to the States of Latin America and the Caribbean, we have the contemporary example of countries of the region and the Organization of American States (OAS) joining in the peacemaking efforts of the United Nations in Haiti. Those countries provided military contingents. Above all, however, working through the OAS - they brought to bear their experiences in post-conflict reconstruction in various areas, including in the areas of humanitarian assistance, the strengthening of democratic State institutions, medical and economic assistance and development aid. I do not want to exhaustively enumerate the activities of the OAS in the field, but its support is essential and invaluable for States participating in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. However, I should mention its electoral support aimed at Haiti's establishment of a permanent electoral commission; its support in strengthening institutions; the process to update Haiti's civil registry; its support in strengthening Haiti's judicial system, in particular through the Justice Studies Center of the Americas and the Inter-American Juridical Committee; its promotion of tourism and trade; its support for activities to generate employment and improve the economy; its assistance in the area of management training and coordination of foreign aid; its support for the Government of Haiti in formulating development policies in coordination with the United Nations, the Caribbean Community and other institutions; and the implementation of OAS resolutions aimed at increasing cooperation with Haiti with a view to operationalize the National Drug Observatory through technical and scientific capacity-building. I should also underscore the steps being taken by the OAS with international financial institutions, and in particular the role of the Inter-American Development Bank. Those institutions closely support the development priorities of the Government of Haiti by providing financial assistance for programmes intended to create jobs, promote education and rehabilitate the environment. They also support health policy in various areas.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

Mr. Shinyo (Japan): Allow me, first, to join other speakers in thanking you, Mr. President, for your initiative to convene this meeting with representatives from many regional and subregional organizations. Through the strengthening of the capacities of regional and subregional organizations and the experience accumulated between the United Nations and those organizations beginning in the late 1990s, the United Nations relationship with regional and subregional organizations has produced significant developments on the ground. It is my hope that the discussion today will build on past open debates in the Security Council and lead to concrete steps towards the further enhancement of such cooperation. I would like to begin with the issue of conflict prevention. Conflict prevention requires continuous efforts, and thus it is often difficult to discern clear signs of success. In such circumstances, the role of regional and subregional organizations is crucial in complementing the work of the Council and supporting the good offices of the Secretary-General. Those organizations closely monitor a situation on an ongoing basis and practice active preventive diplomacy based on a strong interest in and deep knowledge of the particular region. A well-known example of such cooperation is the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) field missions and groups such as the OSCE Minsk Group. Japan is counting on regional organizations and initiatives to increase their role in mediation and preventive diplomacy in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It is essential in that field to institutionalize the cooperation between regional organizations and the Secretariat through frequent communications, information sharing - including in those areas where there is no United Nations presence - and the establishment of a closer working relationship among the field offices. In that context, we welcome the fact that some organizations recently have developed memorandums of understanding and declarations with the United Nations, and hope that such arrangements will also help to eliminate administrative obstacles to further cooperation. The contribution of regional organizations such as the African Union, the European Union and NATO in the field of peacekeeping has been outstanding. There can be no doubt about the importance of the role of regional organizations in that area. Once a threat to the peace and security of a region has emerged, the ability of regional organizations to deploy capable troops swiftly and at the right time, at the request of the Security Council and through consultation with the United Nations, is a great asset for the Council, as well as for the international community at large, in responding effectively to a crisis. We welcome the variety brought to the modality of engagement by regional organizations, such as the deployment of police forces and military or police advisors to support security sector reform. I would like to mention one related issue. With regard to the currently pressing issue of the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the Japanese delegation strongly hopes for the acceleration of the preparations and believes that further cooperation among the various actors, including the Government of the Sudan, is important to that end. The United Nations and the international community must make active use of those efforts by regional and subregional organizations and support them to the maximum extent. The true exercise of ownership consists in regional organizations' having the ability to sustain their own activities. The international community must render assistance by promoting the decision-making and operational capacity-building of those organizations. In that context, the African Union secretariat's efforts to enhance its capacity, with the support of the United Nations Secretariat, are welcomed. Japan believes that the sharing of knowledge and experiences among organizations is useful and should therefore be promoted among regional organizations. We encourage, in that regard, advancing the institutionalization of cooperation not only with the United Nations, but also among regional and subregional organizations themselves. As regards support for the peacekeeping operations conducted by regional organizations, in principle every organization should be responsible for its own costs. When the United Nations examines the possibility of offering financial support, the Council should consider the advisability and modality of support on a case-by-case basis, taking into account whether such support would be consistent with the principles that govern United Nations peacekeeping operations, while making an effort to obtain the views of major States that are not members of the Council - in particular, major financial contributors - so as to ensure transparency. In addition, once a peacekeeping operation has been deployed, the same rules and standards for its management as those in place at the United Nations should be strictly applied. Peacebuilding is another area in which Japan believes regional and subregional organizations can make a contribution. Peacebuilding requires a holistic and integrated approach and the participation of all the stakeholders in the process. The Peacebuilding Commission was established precisely to ensure such an approach. It should be noted that the Commission is a unique and open organization, insofar as it includes regional and subregional organizations as members in its country-specific meetings, as well as member States selected from among various groups. As the Chair for the second year of the Commission's work, Japan encourages regional organizations to contribute to a more effective response on the part of the international community by providing their knowledge and assessment to the Commission, where appropriate. In that context, I am pleased by the decision of the Commission to invite the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to the country-specific meeting on Burundi, and welcome its active participation in the work of the Commission. We also welcome the language related to the Peacebuilding Commission that is incorporated in today's presidential statement. Allow me also to touch briefly on the issue of counter-terrorism. That is an area in which regional and subregional organizations can also play an important role by implementing the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. In Asia, the framework of regional cooperation, with the Association of South-East Asian Nations at its centre, is enhancing its efforts in that field, and Japan has been actively supporting those efforts. The Government of Japan has always paid close attention to the root causes of conflicts and taken an approach that respects regional ownership, as well as making financial contributions through the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, the United Nations Democracy Fund and the Peacebuilding Fund. We have been promoting peace consolidation in Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process, which included the TICAD Conference on Consolidation of Peace at Addis Ababa in February 2006. We will hold the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in May next year, followed by the G8 Hokkaido Toyako summit in July. Japan intends to continuously present the challenges in Africa as a priority area and to further enhance its cooperation with Africa. In addition to those initiatives, we intend to continue to extend bilateral and multilateral assistance in such areas as the collection of small arms; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and the response to landmines, as well as to provide support to the African Union and subregional organizations in Africa for capacity-building. We will also continue our consideration of the possibility of offering further assistance to strengthen the peacekeeping capacity of Africa. Through those endeavours, Japan will remain actively engaged in the issue of conflict prevention and resolution.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Guinea.

Mr. Sow (Guinea) (spoke in French): My delegation is pleased to see you, Sir, presiding over the work of the Security Council this month. I also congratulate you on having organized this important public debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. Guinea welcomes this wholesome initiative, which attests to the renewed and growing interest in strengthening the ways and means for such organizations fully to honour their commitment, which has become crucial, to promoting the prevention and settlement of conflicts and the maintenance and building of peace around the world. While endorsing the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Angola on behalf of the African Union, I shall focus in my own on the critical challenges to and opportunities for the international community in promoting peace, security, stability and development in the subregion of the Mano River basin. The situation in that highly sensitive region, which is considered to be the source of instability in West Africa, has undoubtedly witnessed important progress, reflected in particular in the building of peace and democratization in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the relaunching of the peace and reconciliation process in Cote d'Ivoire, and the strengthening of national dialogue and the restoration of conditions of good governance and economic growth in Guinea. While welcoming that progress, which augurs well for the future of the subregion, we should not let our guard down. Further progress is still necessary to eradicate forever the fundamental factors behind instability, to prevent a recurrence of conflict and crisis, to ensure the viability of States and to build a lasting peace. Indeed, after 15 years of armed violence, the States and peoples of the Mano River region are today at a turning point in their history. They need to individually and collectively meet the immense challenges of political, economic and social reconstruction, the establishment of a lawful State that respects human rights and the settlement of transboundary issues, including human and drug trafficking, terrorism and the traffic in firearms. In that context, we must welcome the recent encouraging prospects for reactivating the Mano River Union and for resuming an ongoing dialogue at all levels among its member States. The Mano River Union, which on 3 October 2007 commemorated 34 years of existence, is working to be at the very heart of the subregion's transformation. The member States are committed, in that respect, to reactivating the secretariat of the Union and revitalizing its operational mechanisms, particularly the 15th Protocol to the Mano River Union Declaration, which addresses community issues of defence, security, justice, territorial administration and foreign affairs. The countries of the Mano River basin are also seeking to strengthen their transboundary cooperation in order to better address the interlinked issues of peace, security and integrated economic development in the subregion. Therefore, on the initiative of Guinea, a draft pact on good-neighbourly relations, stability and solidarity was submitted in November 2006 to the member countries of the Mano River Union, to which it had been proposed to add Cote d'Ivoire. The draft pact is an important confidence-building measure, which should become effective and operational as soon as it is adopted. We must encourage and support the initiatives of the Mano River Union aimed at carrying out institutional reforms promoting closer subregional integration among its countries and ensuring greater effectiveness in the settlement of transboundary problems. Building the capacity of civil society groups that are working to promote, beyond their borders, a culture of non-violence and peace is a vital task. Volunteer organizations such as the Mano River Women's Peace Network, the Mano River Union Youth Parliament and the Action Group of Religious Faiths, which have played a major role in the restoration of peace, need to be involved in all phases of programmes of action. The adoption of a truly regional viewpoint to advance the peace agenda is necessary to prevent a recurrence of conflict. Priorities that are clearly fixed by member States need to be supported by United Nations entities, donors and all relevant stakeholders. Guinea welcomes the success of the Peacebuilding Commission in dealing with countries emerging from conflict. We encourage the Commission to continue to fulfil its mandate with the same rigour and effectiveness, while expanding its action to include all other involved countries. We also believe that it is equally important for the international community to provide the necessary support to neighbouring countries weakened by the serious effects of conflict on their borders. We should also further affirm the role of the Peacebuilding Commission as the body for coordination between the United Nations system and regional and subregional organizations, as suggested by the President of the Security Council in his statement of 28 March 2007 (S/PRST/2007/7). In conclusion, allow me to reiterate my delegation's conviction that this meeting of the Security Council will undoubtedly contribute to identifying specific and promising paths for action, enabling us to strengthen the role of regional and subregional organizations in promoting peace, stability and development in Africa and around the world.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia.

Mr. Martirosyan (Armenia): I would like to express my appreciation to the Indonesian presidency of the Council for initiating this open debate and to personally thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to share my views on this pivotal subject. Shortly after the foundation of the United Nations, international developments led to the creation of various regional initiatives and organizations. It became obvious that the international community needed a number of organizations to address the challenges of differing natures arising in different regions and in a variety of spheres. Those organizations have been instrumental in handling regional problems and settling local disputes. In that regard, I fully share the opinion expressed by the representative of the European Union. Indeed, the regional organizations are closer to the facts on the ground and possess a storehouse of historical experience and unique perceptions that sometimes overshadow realities; they often have greater motivation to tackle explosive problems quickly and effectively. I would like to speak about two regional organizations in particular. Established shortly after the United Nations, the Council of Europe has made a tremendous contribution to regional stability through the promotion of democracy and the rule of law. Its activities have been instrumental, especially for the new democracies that emerged after the cold war. The focus of the Council of Europe on remedying the socioeconomic and political conditions that exacerbate conflicts is truly a valuable long-term contribution. In that same sense, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) also plays a central role in creating conditions that will provide security in our region, by requiring commitments from participating States and utilizing mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution. The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe is among the OSCE tools providing for an effective and unique set of arms control mechanisms. The complete observance of the agreed arrangements by the countries of the South Caucasus is a sine qua non for the maintenance of stability and peace in our region, where, regrettably, the resumption of hostilities is indeed still possible. We believe that the organization should pay special attention to - and watchfully consider - all violations of the ceilings established for conventional weapons in the South Caucasus. However, it is the fundamental OSCE principle of consensus that distinguishes it from other international forums. The comparative advantage of the OSCE over other international bodies lies in its consensus-based decision-making mechanism. We strongly believe that only consensus among the concerned parties leads to genuine, willing compromise and guarantees lasting solutions to seemingly intractable disputes. Past experience clearly illustrates that imposed settlements are not only ineffective but also fragile and unable to withstand the test of time. The very existence of various international organizations dealing with conflict resolution proves that uniform approaches and one-size-fits-all solutions to address different disputes are hardly realistic. Therefore, we believe that since every conflict has its prehistory and its peculiarities, it is important that regional organizations - or those with appropriate mandates, with acquired institutional memory and with an understanding of the specifics of the history and evolution of a conflict - be allowed to tackle comprehensive solutions that will last, instead of offering philosophical, well-meaning remedies, which at best result in a loss of time, and at worst, in a loss of life and hope.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

Mr. de Palacio Espafia (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would sincerely like to thank the presidency of Indonesia for this new opportunity given to my country to address the United Nations Security Council. Spain is the Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for 2007. I would also like to associate myself with the statement made this morning by the representative of Portugal on behalf of the presidency of the European Union. As Council members may recall, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, Mr. Moratinos Cuyaube, had the opportunity of speaking before the Security Council in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE on 28 September 2007, to inform the Council about the activities of the Organization during 2007. The OSCE, recognized as a regional organization under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, is the most inclusive security organization in Europe and the largest regional security organization anywhere in the world. It plays a significant role in support of the Security Council, which retains the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The OSCE is well suited to play this role. Based on its ample membership, its concept of multidimensional and cooperative security, its well developed toolbox and its comprehensive body of norms and commitments, the OSCE is an indispensable forum for political and security dialogue. On a weekly basis, through meetings in Vienna of the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Cooperation, 56 participating States from North America, Europe and Eurasia come together to discuss issues of mutual interest in the politico-military, economic and human dimensions of security. Thanks to its network of 19 missions in the field in 17 countries and the professional work of its secretariat and institutions, the OSCE provides assistance to its participating States on a broad range of issues, such as border management and security, policing, combating terrorism, fighting trafficking in human beings, protecting national minorities, advancing democratization and human rights, elections monitoring, ensuring media freedom, and promoting economic development and environmental protection. Over the years, the OSCE has contributed greatly to the efforts of the United Nations in conflict prevention and resolution, and peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations, as well as the settlement of unresolved conflicts within its geographical area of responsibility. In Georgia, the OSCE mission works to defuse tension, promote negotiations, build confidence and sustain reconstruction efforts in the zone of the Georgia-Ossetia conflict. The mission also works to support the United Nations-led peace process in the Georgia-Abkhaz conflict, striving to foster a climate of understanding and promote dialogue when incidents do occur, as in the case of the missile incident of 6 August, and to find ways of avoiding future crises. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group remain committed to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, although their efforts have not yet resulted in the desired breakthrough. The OSCE mission to Moldova continues to facilitate consultations aimed at a sustainable political settlement of the Transdnistrian conflict. In parallel, it works to support the advancement of human rights and democratic institutions. A recent visit to Moldova by Foreign Minister Moratinos in his capacity as OSCE Chairman- in-Office has triggered positive developments on both sides of the Dniestr River. During follow-up consultations to be held in Madrid on 13 November, Mr. Moratinos will seek to build upon this progress. In Kosovo, the OSCE mission works as an integral part of the United Nations mission in the framework of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), taking the lead in the areas of human rights and of capacity- and institution-building. While we support the efforts of the Security Council and the European Union-United States-Russia troika to help facilitate a just and lasting solution that advances the stability of the region, our own mission is neutral, aimed at improving the implementation of standards without regard to the eventual shape of a political settlement. This work remains vital to all of Kosovo's citizens and will, we hope, not be lost in the current politically charged climate. Furthermore, the OSCE actively supports the implementation of Security Council resolutions, in particular in the areas of combating terrorism and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Our organization also facilitates the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. The OSCE remains strongly committed to continue providing assistance to the activities of the Security Council and to strengthening cooperation with the United Nations. In March 2006, OSCE member States reiterated this readiness by adopting a Declaration on Cooperation with the United Nations, responding to the call by the United Nations for strengthened cooperation with regional organizations, as expressed in Security Council resolution 1631 (2005). In this spirit, the OSCE acknowledges the great value of the annual thematic debates between the Security Council and regional organizations. These debates offer a unique venue for the exchange of views, information and experience-sharing, as well as for exploring possibilities for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. In the same vein, the OSCE very much welcomes regular high-level meetings between the United Nations Secretary-General and regional organizations. We particularly appreciate the good practice of inviting the OSCE Chairman-in-Offlce to deliver an annual address to the Security Council. We hope this will become a well established tradition to help the Security Council to familiarize itself with the priorities and activities of the OSCE. Annual United Nations- OSCE staff-level meetings, as well as regular participation of the United Nations representatives at the OSCE regional heads of mission meetings, are also very useful additional tools for turning political commitment into practical cooperation between the OSCE and the United Nations, in seeking to reach our common goal of strengthened international peace and security. Each regional organization possesses its own unique expertise, based on the mandates and tools at its disposal. As such, each regional organization acts as an invaluable partner to the United Nations and this Security Council. Taking advantage of this opportunity, with several other regional organizations gathered around this table, I would also like to reaffirm the OSCE's commitment to continue enhancing dialogue with our 11 Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Cooperation. In addition, acknowledging the potential spill-over of security threats between adjacent regions, our organization stands ready further to exchange experiences and expertise with other regional organizations, such as the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Indeed, by strengthening dialogue and seeking greater synergy, the United Nations and regional organizations can widen the range of instruments to be utilized in the common effort of strengthening international peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Viet Nam.

Mr. Hoang Chi Trung (Viet Nam): On behalf of the delegation of Viet Nam, I would like to congratulate you and your country, Indonesia, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. We warmly welcome your initiative to hold a debate on this important topic and highly appreciate your substantive concept paper on the topic. I am confident that, under your skilful leadership, this meeting will arrive at a very successful conclusion. At a time when the contemporary world faces a wide array of interconnected, transnational and transregional threats, the international community has increasingly recognized the pivotal role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. My delegation wishes to recall that Chapter VIII of the Charter, while reaffirming the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity in the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, underlines the importance of pacific settlement of local disputes through regional arrangements. As also noted in the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1), the multidimensional nature of the challenges facing the Organization calls for a multidisciplinary approach involving multiple actors at both the diagnostic and the treatment phases of crises and thus opens up new venues for interaction and for contributions by regional players to collective security. It should be underscored that by resolution 1631 (2005) the Council resolves to expand the involvement of regional organizations in the work of the Council and to encourage their proper contributions to conflict prevention and peacekeeping operations of the United Nations. At the same time, multifaceted cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and the means to develop such cooperation have been substantially reflected in various resolutions and reports adopted by the General Assembly. On the implementation front, we are convinced that geographic proximity and close historical and cultural ties among their members give regional organizations the advantage in better understanding the root causes of regional conflicts and in finding peaceful solutions to those problems. Recent experiences in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Balkans underscore the growing importance of regional organizations as partners of the United Nations in the prevention, management and settlement of conflicts as well as in peacebuilding and stabilization processes. Resources from regional players also strengthen global action to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the illegal circulation of small arms and light weapons, to combat the drug trade and organized crime and to resolve other destabilizing cross-border issues. While it is true that not all regional organizations work in the same manner and that regional perspectives should be respected, Viet Nam recognizes certain areas in which the contributions of regional organizations to international peace and security can be further elaborated and strengthened. Based upon their unique experience within their own sphere of action and their rich knowledge of local cultural conditions, regional organizations should further concentrate on preventive diplomacy, early warning mechanisms, institution- building and the promotion of development and well- being. Regional organizations should be encouraged to assume a key role in providing information from the field and in helping to formulate the peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies of the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and other organs. In the field, for example, the expertise and resources of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of American States, the League of Arab States, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the African Union and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), among others, have made commendable contributions to peacekeeping operations and post-conflict reconstruction activities of the United Nations. Equally important, possible modalities of partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations must be further explored and expanded on the basis of equality and mutual reinforcement, taking into account the differing characteristics of regional organizations in terms of membership, resource availability and institutional capacity, as well as the uniqueness of each conflict situation. Regional organizations, particularly those in Africa, should be able to count on political, financial and logistical support from the United Nations in actions they initiate to resolve conflicts in their regions. On the same note, regional organizations should maintain closer contacts with the Security Council in order to provide the Council with timely and comprehensive updates on their undertakings. In that connection, Viet Nam welcomes the important contribution towards achieving these goals made through the Secretary-General's regular high-level meetings with the leadership of regional organizations and looks forward to his upcoming report offering specific proposals on how the United Nations can better support arrangements for further cooperation and coordination with regional organizations under Chapter VIII of the Charter. Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN has concluded many initiatives which significantly contribute to peace, security and stability in the region. Those include the declaration of a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in South-East Asia, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Declaration of ASEAN Concord, the Treaty on the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone and the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, as well as regional actions undertaken in cooperation with the United Nations with regard to Timor-Leste and Myanmar. The establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN+3 process - ASEAN plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea - have helped expand regional capacity in dealing with some traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including counter-terrorism and combating transnational crime. ASEAN has also attached great importance to fostering consultations, exchanging experiences and best practices with other regional and subregional organizations in Asia, Europe and Latin America and promoting multilateral endeavours for peace, stability and development. My country notes with satisfaction that ASEAN has very recently been granted observer status in the General Assembly and has signed an ASEAN-United Nations cooperation agreement. We believe that there is great potential for expanding cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN. It is also our sincere hope that the multifaceted relationship between the two organizations will continue to achieve steady progress in all areas of common interest and concern.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of the Solomon Islands.

Mr. Beck (Solomon Islands): First of all my delegation would like to sincerely congratulate you, Sir, and your delegation on your assumption of the presidency of the Council and to thank you for convening an open debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. This is consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter - as has been said by previous speakers- and recognizes the role of regional and subregional security arrangements in preserving international peace. The changing international climate, with shifts by the bigger Powers in the international system, has had an impact upon and has redefined all security mechanisms globally, at both the regional and the international levels. My delegation is pleased that the presidency has taken the initiative in reaching out to the wider membership to discuss this important issue. This debate allows us not only to review but to appraise how secure the world has become with the contributions from regional and subregional mechanisms. It further permits us to draw the Council's attention to some of the challenges confronting subregional and regional mechanisms in preserving international peace and security and to see how these can best be addressed, given the role and purpose of the Council. In saying that, my delegation recognizes that different regions have their own particularities and realities. One of the glaring gaps my delegation has identified on the issue is the lack of observance of Article 54 of the Charter. The Article underlines the requirement that the Council be kept fully informed on all activities under regional and subregional arrangements in the maintenance of international peace. At the moment, some regions have received more attention than others. This presents an institutional gap that could be accommodated within the working methods of the Council by having periodic reports presented to the Council, by the Secretariat and the States concerned, on all regional and subregional security mechanisms. That could be done on a six- monthly basis or quarterly. The 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/ 1) also supports that proposal and calls for a formalized agreement between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations and involvement of such organizations in the work of the Security Council. This is in addition to strengthening United Nations and regional and subregional cooperation in the economic, social and cultural fields. In other words there needs to be some movement beyond the holding of biannual consultations between regional organizations and the Secretary-General. On this note, if there is a draft memorandum of understanding, Solomon Islands will be happy to take this through its regional process in trying to formalize relations with the United Nations. Solomon Islands is a post-conflict country and particularly welcomes this occasion as a recipient of an ongoing subregional security arrangement. This occasion presents an opportunity to put the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands on the Council's radar screen with its successes and challenges. The maintenance of international peace and security at the regional level is a financially expensive exercise and is, therefore, driven by those with resources. The subregion my delegation hails from has, within its membership, two industrialized members among many small island developing States. This has allowed for a active regional cooperation mechanism. The issue with regional mechanisms is that, if they are not properly managed or are unbalanced in their approach, regional organizations could address symptoms rather than the causes of conflicts. Differences could occur between the recipient State and the regional organization. It is important that the regional organizations working to maintain regional stability do so in strong partnership with the recipient country while being flexible regarding the changing security, economic and social climate. It must be a partnership and must take a participatory form, so as to ensure that the ownership and leadership of the peace and nation-building processes are country-led and country-driven. Decisions to use public, as well as quiet diplomacy, are also important. The absence of such a balance will expose the receiving State to the dangers of slipping back into a conflict situation. Security and development are two sides of the same coin and can only instil real peace if applied simultaneously. The economic and development needs of the country tend to be overlooked, with the issues of the rule of law, democracy and governance receiving more emphasis in the cooperative effort. Solomon Islands, a least developed country, is off track in terms of meeting its Millennium Development Goals and is in a vulnerable position, as its development needs are not receiving the necessary attention. In this regard, enhanced cooperation between regional organizations and the United Nations is crucial in order to address the concerns of all parties, ensuring that security and development cooperation remains on track. This is based on the understanding that, in many of today's conflicts, regional organizations have gone further into countries than our multilateral institution would have and have, therefore, accumulated acquired both positive and negative experiences. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, led by Australia and strongly supported by New Zealand and my fellow Pacific Islands small island developing States, is in its fourth year in the Solomon Islands. It comprises military, police and civil-servant support, all rolled into one. It has been successful in its mission; however, like anything new, it has its strengths and weaknesses and faces certain challenges. Regional mechanisms, being external actors, do face challenges in aligning their efforts with the national, political and economic realities they seek to support and need to be refined and adapted to the changing climates in which they operate. It is in this spirit, this past month at the annual Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, it was noted that the Solomon Islands had decided to review the 2003 Facilitation of International Assistance Act. The review will seek to increase the partnership between the receiving State, Solomon Islands and the Regional Mission. Solomon Islands would like to see a strengthened United Nations Security Council mechanism, so as to ensure that no problem issues are allowed to aggravate but will be confronted with international attention, where necessary. After all, the centrality of the Security Council must be preserved and protected.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

Mr. Skinner-Klee (Guatemala) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank the delegation of Indonesia for having organized this open debate, which allows the countries that are not members of the Council to express our points of view on this very important topic. I would also like to thank that same delegation for the very clear reference document that was distributed to all of the delegations. It is also an honour and a privilege to see our friend, Hassan Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, presiding over this meeting. We are aware of the fact that the more complex the challenges of our globalized world, the more crucial it is to have the partnership and pooling of efforts between our respective organizations in order to achieve a security that is authentically collective, effective and equitable for all. The maintenance of international peace is the most powerful and practical proof of our commitment to collective security. The association in this area between the United Nations and regional organizations has become crucial for the success of our common efforts. The partnership between the United Nations and the regional organizations is today stronger than it was during the early 1990s. Many of the very regional and subregional organizations are much more robust, and, therefore, interaction with them is more intensive, substantial and significant. In recent years, political and operational cooperation has included, to mention a few examples: cooperation with the hybrid peacekeeping operation with the African Union in Darfur, with the European Union in support of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, continued partnerships with Economic Community of West African States, and cooperation with NATO in Afghanistan and Kosovo and with the Organization of American States in Haiti. Those are a few examples of the range of policies and operational activities that have been carried out in recent years. Therefore, we think that the United Nations today already has a better idea of the scope, magnitude, advantages and disadvantages of this cooperation. Thus, the knowledge of given situations is improving, thanks to the political contributions of regional actors. Their military and peacekeeping capabilities have made it possible to respond more rapidly, when a crisis breaks out, as well as during decisive moments. Their resources are crucial for peacebuilding in the post-conflict stage. Nonetheless, despite these definitely positive events, for this relationship to be more substantive and effective, we still have to resolve many outstanding problems. As we have said in previous debates, although Chapter VIII of the Charter refers to regional arrangements and bodies and establishes its functional relationship with the Security Council, there is nothing said about the constitutional relationship of such arrangements with the Security Council. We think it crucial that there be greater clarity on a series of questions, which would facilitate the creation of a global and regional mechanism for peace and security, agreed to by the Security Council as well as by regional organizations, as recommended by the former Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his report of July 2006. In the Western Hemisphere, an example of successful cooperation has been the case of Haiti, where the Organization of American States has established a valuable strategic partnership with the United Nations. This has facilitated the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), whose main military and civilian component is Latin American, thanks to the leadership and experience acquired in the preparation of Haiti's elections. The heads of State and Government of the member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) have pointed out the importance for the whole region of the democratic process in Haiti. They have since urged MINUSTAH, in its continuing presence, to consolidate that process and offered their assistance to it. It is important for regional and subregional authorities to develop their own mechanisms. In the subregional sphere, the member countries of SICA and Mexico are working on a Mexican and Central American security strategy, which, from a comprehensive perspective, seeks to guide the coordinated security actions adopted by the countries of the region into their respective legal frameworks. The specific objectives of this strategy are: harmonization of the different efforts in the region in the area of security so as to achieve better results; facilitating coordination, the exchange of information and experience between the various operational agencies and authorities in the region so as to more effectively combat regional crime; and identifying and managing the financial needs, in addition to the resource and training needs, required by security institutions. In short, combating organized crime and drug trafficking, strengthening information exchange mechanisms and combating the illegal arms trade and terrorism are priority areas in the strategy. With regard to the final point - relating to peacekeeping - in paragraph 14 of the concept paper for this debate (S/2007/640, annex), we believe, first of all, that a single hybrid model cannot always be applicable to all conflicts and regions. Past experience has shown us that conflicts must be assessed and managed on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, we believe that this issue should also be discussed in depth within the framework of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. Today, more than ever before, regional organizations must play a crucial role not only in conflict prevention and resolution, but also in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The geographic proximity of their members and the close historical and cultural ties among them give regional organizations comparative advantages in better understanding the root causes of regional conflicts, and thus in finding peaceful solutions to those problems. As for how we can encourage broader participation by regional organizations in United Nations peacekeeping efforts, we propose that, when they are on a special Security Council mission, Council members try to meet with representatives of regional organizations. Furthermore, provision should be made for representatives of regional organizations to inform the Security Council about their activities. The Peacebuilding Commission now plays a key role in the United Nations system in defining peacebuilding strategies for countries emerging from conflict and in improving coordination. Close collaboration with regional organizations and the participation of civil society in peacebuilding will be important contributions to the Commission's success. In conclusion, I should like to express our full support for all efforts to enhance the capacity of regional and other organizations. If the United Nations and its Member States really want to develop an effective partnership, they should promote the capacities of such organizations by providing them with technical, financial and human assistance.

The President: I now call on the representative of Norway.

Mr. Lavald (Norway): Norway supports the Security Council in its efforts to promote closer and more comprehensive cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We are actively engaged in such efforts through the United Nations, as well as through many regional and subregional organizations. Particular mention should be made of the African Union (AU), which has taken on increasing responsibility for peace and security on the African continent. To encourage more comprehensive engagement on the part of regional organizations, we must replace old habits and institutional protectionism with an open and flexible approach adapted to the particular situation at hand. Our experience with the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) in Darfur, where the European Union (EU) and NATO provide crucial support to the AU, shows just how important that is. One lesson learned from AMIS is that cooperation in the field paves the way for strengthened mutual engagement. The EU is on its way to Chad and the Central African Republic to provide military support to the United Nations operation there. NATO has signalled its willingness to provide strategic airlift capabilities in support of the AU mission in Somalia. NATO will also favourably consider a request to assist the AU in building peacekeeping capacity. Such cooperation builds confidence and makes more comprehensive engagement possible. Right now, the United Nations and the AU are engaged in a joint endeavour to establish one of the largest United Nations peace operations ever: the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The political process led to the establishment of the Hybrid Operation, thus ensuring its predominantly African character. The hybrid model of UNAMID provides a new model for cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. Much is expected of the hybrid model. Its success will be measured by its impact on the ground and by its ability to make efficient cooperation possible between the United Nations and the AU. While it is too early to assess the hybrid model, our experiences with UNAMID will enable us to develop and improve cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. UNAMID's success will depend not only on the cooperation between the United Nations and the AU within the mission, but also on UNAMID's relations with the United Nations Mission in the Sudan and with the new mission that is to be established in Chad and the Central African Republic. UNAMID is more than just a joint peacekeeping operation; it joins the efforts and experiences of two organizations under Mr. Rodolphe Adada, Joint United Nations-African Union Special Representative for Darfur. For both organizations, that may prove to be a strength as well as a challenge. The United Nations has institutional experience with peacekeeping operations, while the AU has regional anchoring and is still in the process of establishing its peace-operation capacities. I would like to commend the AU for its efforts to develop peacekeeping capacity, while at the same time taking on very demanding operational responsibilities both in Darfur and in Somalia. Norway will continue to assist the AU in developing the civilian dimension of the African standby force through the Training for Peace programme, which trains African police and civilian experts for African peace-support missions. If any operation is to succeed, there must be a clear chain of command. The United Nations and the AU must work together. The United Nations-African Union joint coordination and support mechanism in Addis Ababa will have a key function in that regard. These organizational complexities are just part of the setting. Ultimately, UNAMID's success will hinge upon the outcome of the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the rebel groups. In that regard, it is probably an advantage that those talks are being led jointly by the United Nations and the AU. Norway stands ready to support both the United Nations and the AU in their important endeavour. We are prepared to contribute both military and police personnel to UNAMID. We are already contributing financial and human resources to the Darfur peace talks. UNAMID's ability to fulfil its mandate - and to provide security for civilians and to protect humanitarian operations - will shape future cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Malaysia.

Mr. Ali (Malaysia): Allow me, first of all, to congratulate you, Mr. Minister, and Indonesia on your country's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of November. We are pleased to see you preside over this principal organ of the United Nations, which has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. We also wish to express our appreciation to you for convening this open debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We believe that that is a most relevant topic for discussion by the Council, in the light of the many challenges confronting various regions and the role that regional and subregional organizations could play in maintaining peace and security in those regions. Indeed, regional and subregional organizations could contribute constructively to the work of the Security Council in ensuring the prevalence of peace and security in particular regions, particularly in light of the ever-increasing demands placed upon the resources of the United Nations and the complexities of global politics. We share the view of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, that "regional action as a matter of decentralization, delegation and cooperation with United Nations efforts could not only lighten the burden on the Council but also contribute to a deeper sense of participation, consensus and democratization in international affairs". (S/24111, para. 64) It is evident that the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of peace and security through the peaceful settlement of disputes is recognized by the United Nations, pursuant to Chapter VIII of its Charter. We are beginning to witness an increased role played by regional organizations such as the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in countries facing conflict in their respective regions. Without prejudice to the capability and effectiveness of the United Nations, regional arrangements should be seen as a complement to the Organization's mediation and conflict resolution approaches, as regional and subregional organizations generally have a better understanding of the interplay of local and regional dynamics. The countries of South-East Asia, including Malaysia, are familiar with the effectiveness of regional arrangements in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security. Although founded initially as a regional grouping focusing on economic, social and cultural cooperation, ASEAN has progressively evolved towards achieving regional solidarity and that has contributed to peace and stability in the region. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, to which all ASEAN members adhere, enshrines the principles of mutual respect for one another's sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of intraregional disputes and effective cooperation among its signatories. It states that ASEAN political and security dialogue and cooperation should aim to promote regional peace and stability by enhancing regional resilience, and that this resilience shall be achieved through cooperation in all fields among its member States. Through political dialogue and confidence- building, ASEAN has well managed the occasional bilateral tensions and conflicts among its members. Malaysia maintains the importance of adhering to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, particularly in the context of inter-State relations. The so-called constructive intervention policy advocated by some, involving loud criticism, adversarial posturing and grandstanding, would only bring more harm than good to the promotion of neighbourly relations. We are in favour of engaging other countries in the region in a dialogue on peace and security and in implementing confidence-building measures. In this regard, the ASEAN Regional Forum has served as a useful basis for gathering all concerned parties in the region through a process of dialogue on issues related to regional peace and security. The objectives of the ARF are to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern and to contribute to efforts towards confidence building and preventive diplomacy. Too often, the international community still takes a reactionary and knee-jerk approach and is preoccupied with the symptoms and consequences of conflicts rather than addressing their root causes. Learning from the lessons of other regional conflicts, ASEAN has taken a more proactive and preventive approach by investing seriously in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. As conflicts are more often than not sparked by competition for limited economic resources, ASEAN's approach towards subregional peace and security has been one of cooperation in the economic, social and cultural fields for the mutual benefit of all of its members. The peace, security and stability that ASEAN has helped to maintain in South- East Asia have been conducive to development, creating a political environment where rapid and sustained economic growth has become possible. Economic development in turn has brought about social progress and human development in the region. Malaysia believes that a strong and successful ASEAN is not only an economic necessity but also a strategic imperative. A prosperous, consolidated and stable ASEAN, at peace with itself and with its immediate neighbours, provides the best guarantee for the security of the entire South-East and East Asian regions. Malaysia will continue to push for the strengthening of ASEAN as a regional grouping. We believe that the existence of ASEAN has encouraged patterns of behaviour that reduce risks to security by enhancing bilateral relations and by fostering habits of open dialogue on political and security matters. In conclusion, Malaysia wishes to reaffirm our belief that regional and subregional organizations have an important role to play in the maintenance of peace and security at the regional level, and that they complement the work of the United Nations.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Singapore, who will speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Mr. Menon (Singapore): I am making this statement of the 10 Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Let me add that we are extremely pleased to see a fellow ASEAN member presiding over the Security Council. The end of the cold war marked the end of an era where global conflicts were seen through the prism of only two lenses. Today, we live in a more complex and interconnected world, where there are many new actors on the international stage and more variables and alignments to consider. While the threat of global war has receded, smaller conflicts that are often asymmetric, low-intensity and diffuse have proliferated. It has become a messier world. This situation presents new challenges to global peace and security. Obviously, the United Nations and the major Powers have a crucial role to play. But in a globalized world, regional cooperation can also play a key role. Indeed, even the Charter of the United Nations recognizes the role that regional arrangements can play in helping the United Nations to achieve its objectives. All over the world today, regional initiatives are proliferating. Some are modest in their objectives, providing forums to meet and consult. Others are more ambitious. They discuss security or create free trade areas. They foster joint efforts against problems like drug trafficking and terrorism. Many of these regional initiatives are open and inclusive and should be encouraged to remain that way. Those which are superfluous will gradually wither away. International organizations like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Environment Programme should work with those that remain, strengthening their capabilities and encouraging mutual learning. At their best, these regional initiatives create a habit of cooperation and reduce misunderstanding. ASEAN has played this role. The year 2007 is special because it marks 40 years of unity. ASEAN has come a long way since it was established by the Bangkok Declaration of 1967. Against the backdrop of the cold war, and with regional disputes still fresh in memory, ASEAN began with the modest aim of keeping the peace in South-East Asia. It was a mechanism for member countries to manage common threats, while balancing internal sensitivities and conflicts. In short, ASEAN was born out of the strategic imperatives of its times. With the end of the cold war, peace returned to Indochina and ASEAN gradually expanded to include the newer member States of Viet Nam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, to become a community of ten. ASEAN has been working to establish a norm of cooperation and dialogue among its members. Economic cooperation was always a key point. In 1992, ASEAN decided to establish a free trade area in stages. We have largely achieved that goal with respect to trade in goods. For investments and services, we still have some way to go. But there is the will to press on and transform ASEAN into one economic space. Four years ago, when the leaders of ASEAN met in Indonesia, they took a major decision to establish an ASEAN community by 2020 with three main areas as its pillars - security, economic and socio-cultural. Earlier this year, the leaders further agreed to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN community by 2015. To create such a community, an ASEAN charter will be signed later this month in Singapore to provide a legal framework document for the further strengthening of ASEAN. It will help remake ASEAN into a more effective, cohesive and rules-based organization, through, for instance, establishing provisions for dispute settlement by independent panels. Blueprints for each of the three pillars of the ASEAN community will also map out concrete initiatives, targets and timelines to achieve this goal. The first such blueprint - for the economic pillar- will be adopted later this month. ASEAN has also been active in engaging the external environment. For ASEAN to prosper, we have always recognized the importance of maintaining good relations with all the major Powers in the region. ASEAN has dialogue partnerships with the United States, the European Union, Russia, China, Japan, Korea, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. ASEAN has been playing a bridging role of sorts. It is the driving force behind the creation of such key regional groupings as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit. The ARF is the main security forum in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together 27 participating countries and entities including ASEAN, the United States, the European Union, Russia, China and India. Through its many confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy activities, the ARF has contributed to the stability and security in the region. Economically, ASEAN has negotiated, or is in the process of negotiating, free trade agreements with China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand and with the EU, and a closer economic partnership with the Unites States. We have a simple strategy, which is to give all of them a strong stake in our regional stability, unity and development. Strategically, some of the most important sea lanes pass through ASEAN waters. About a third of global trade, half of the global oil trade and 80 per cent of the oil bound for China and Japan pass through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Through the ASEAN-plus groupings and the East Asia Summit, which includes Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand, we are creating a new architecture of peaceful cooperative development in the larger East Asia. The East Asia Summit process is maturing into an important regional forum that is progressing beyond dialogue into concrete cooperation. Let me stress that, while ASEAN is not big enough to be a major global player, it plays a significant role in holding Asia together and keeping it open to the rest of the world. ASEAN is outward- looking and inclusive, and through its various external linkages seeks to engage all who have a stake in the region's future. ASEAN is a work in process. Like other regions in the world, we face many problems: economic development, terrorism, drug trafficking, environmental degradation, maritime security, ethnic and religious divisions and avian flu, among others. However, what each of us in ASEAN has come to appreciate is that, without ASEAN, each of these problems would be much harder to solve. And ASEAN alone cannot solve any of them. We have to work with other countries and with international organizations like the United Nations. We are grateful for their assistance, their partnership and their cooperation.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Honduras.

Mr. Romero-Martinez (Honduras) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation, Sir, joins others in congratulating your delegation on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and, today, on having organized this important debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. The delegation of Honduras attaches great importance to this topic, whose discussion will strengthen the activities of the Organization. Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter establishes the parameters for cooperation and recognizes the existence of agreements with regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action, provided that such arrangements or agencies and their activities are consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations. In its resolution 1631 (2005), the Security Council clearly stated its determination to take appropriate steps to further the development of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, consistent with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Furthermore, it invited regional and subregional organizations that have a capacity for conflict prevention or peacekeeping to place such capacities in the framework of the United Nations Standby Arrangements System. And, in its presidential statement of 28 March (S/PRST/2007/7), the Council wisely recognized that regional organizations are well positioned to understand the root causes of many conflicts closer to home and to influence the prevention or resolution, owing to their knowledge of the region. My delegation acknowledges the progress that has been made in this area and firmly believes that strengthening these contacts, meetings and efforts will benefit international peace and security. In our region, this has yielded positive results, demonstrating that interaction among all actors promotes a climate of trust and cooperation, leading to the possible resolution of conflicts. We appreciate the role played by the European Union in Europe and other regions, the African Union in Africa, the League of Arab States in the Middle East, the Organization of American States in the Americas and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Asia. We can certainly add subregional actors as well, such as the Central American Integration System, which contribute to the creation of a climate of integration and collective cooperation. My delegation believes that appropriate breadth in our objectives and a more active inclusion of non-governmental organizations and of civil society are necessary. We view type of debate as imperative. It allows us to reassess the role of our Organization and, above all, as the Charter tells us, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. We thank you very much, Mr. President, for this initiative.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Benin.

Mr. Ehouzou (Benin) (spoke in French): On behalf of the Benin delegation, Mr. Minister, allow me to offer you my heartfelt congratulations on Indonesia's assumption of the presidency of the Security Council and to welcome your initiative to convene this public debate. Your presence among us and your personal contribution enhance the level of this debate. I would also like to pay a well-deserved tribute to the delegation of Ghana, which held the presidency of the Security Council in October. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the Republic of Angola on behalf of the African Group. The theme of this public debate is extremely relevant. Regional and subregional organizations have a major role to play in the collective security system established by the United Nations Charter. Here, the provisions of Chapter VIII are explicit. In that regard, remarkable progress has been made in the process of restructuring mechanism for conflict prevention and settlement in Africa. The international community, which, through the Security Council, has the core responsibility for world peace and security, can rely upon a continent-wide machinery that continues to be honed through the establishment and articulation of mechanisms which are often established spontaneously, but which have become relevant within the integration process embodied by the African Union and by its development programme, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). This trend towards pooling energies and resources is part of the Charter vision for a collective security system that harmoniously encompasses the regional and international levels. We welcome the recognition of the importance of the capacities of regional and subregional organizations, particularly with respect to the establishment of mechanisms and rules of conduct that make it possible to better manage critical situations through more effective action on the ground based on a rapid response to warning signs in order to contain the tensions and the risks of rapid escalation, while benefiting from complementarities. This evolution calls for a review of the doctrine of peacekeeping operations as it has been understood until now. The international community has had to make up for the absence or weakness of intervention capacities at the regional level. Henceforth, the primary responsibility of the Security Council for international peace and security will need to be carried out with the involvement of existing local capacities, through standby force arrangements, and this was clearly reaffirmed in Security Council resolution 1631 and was stipulated by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU). In that connection, the establishment of hybrid operations represents a transitional phase prior to setting up fully operational regional capacities. In that regard, the international community has a duty to strengthen the process of setting up regional capacities in order to fully delegate its operational responsibilities to regions while maintaining the overall authority to mandate operations, so as to avoid fragmentation of the rules governing the exercise of that authority. It is therefore important that the United Nations follows the processes under way very closely to ensure that they are carried out in strict compliance with the Charter and that they can produce synergies to meet the challenges confronting regions in the maintenance of international peace and security, especially with regard to the root causes of conflict, and to mobilize human resources and the means necessary to ensure the functioning of regional mechanisms as an integral part of the collective system of security. Having said that, development is another name for peace - something that is especially true for the African continent. From that point of view, support for regional and subregional organizations should also be aimed at promoting their mission of economic integration. Thus they could increase their contribution to sustainable development in countries where they are active. That entails providing assistance in establishing major agglomerations of States that are capable of mobilizing efforts to ensure prosperity based on economics of scale, as well as full inclusion of individuals and State bodies set up to bring an end to widespread poverty among entire groups of the population who have been plunged into extreme poverty by the distortions of the global economic system. In that connection, my delegation calls for better cooperation between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, so as to ensure greater effectiveness in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts through existing mechanisms or those to be established. Regional and subregional organizations must assume their full place in the system of collective security established by the Charter, without encroaching upon or diminishing the primary responsibilities of the Security Council. We must continually differentiate between the Council's decision-making power to define mandates and exercise oversight over their implementation, on the one hand, and the greatest possible operational capacities that regional organizations are able to assume, on the other. The goal is to ensure greater effectiveness by the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. That goal should be pursued through a holistic approach that encompasses all aspects with a specific impact on that area. The full integration of regional mechanisms should include better structuring of the global economy, in order to provide all countries with an opportunity to achieve peaceful development within an international system that operates in the interests of humankind and for the betterment of its capacities.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Thailand.

Mr. Pramudwinai (Thailand): Regional cooperation has always been at the heart of Thailand's foreign policy. That is why we take pleasure today in joining this open debate of the Security Council on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We wish to congratulate Indonesia, a fellow family member in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on its assumption of the presidency of the Council and for initiating and organizing this vital and timely debate. We would also like to associate ourselves with the statements made earlier by my other ASEAN colleagues, including of course the representative of Singapore, who spoke in that country's capacity as Chair ofASEAN. The founders of the United Nations foresaw the indispensable role of regional and subregional organizations in the pursuit of the purposes and principles of multilateralism that are enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. That wisdom is clearly reflected in Chapter VIII of the Charter. We hold that wisdom to be more pertinent than ever in this increasingly complex and interdependent world. Thailand has consistently advocated for closer regional integration in South-East Asia for decades, starting with an arrangement such as the former Association of South-East Asia, which later evolved into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Since its establishment, in 1967, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, ASEAN has been a cornerstone of Thai foreign policy, and will continue to be so in the future. It is on the basis of being a founding member of ASEAN, and out of a sense of ownership in that organization, that my delegation would like to share with the Council its views in four areas, with ASEAN as its focus. First, regionalism can turn enmity into amity by managing differences and emphasizing commonalities. That is most evident in South Asia. Before the establishment of ASEAN, in 1967, South Asia was a zone of disputes and conflicts. Today, South Asia has transformed itself into a zone of relative peace and stability. With that peace and stability, South Asia has emerged as one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The peace, stability and prosperity that all of us in the region cherish would not be possible without ASEAN as an anchor and a common framework for working together. Thailand believes that ASEAN has a lot to offer to the international community, not least its working methods and its gradual institution-building processes. For example, the ASEAN culture of sincere consultation and consensus-making - the so-called ASEAN way - has been instrumental in ensuring the collective growth and cohesiveness of all its diverse members. ASEAN's approach towards the subject of peace and security is most notable. While the United Nations prides itself of its 60 years without a great war, ASEAN is also proud of its 40 years of the absence of major conflicts among its members. As a confidence-building process, ASEAN members have been strong practitioners of a comprehensive security that does not focus solely on the military aspect of security but emphasizes common challenges in the area of economic cooperation. Through closer economic linkages comes the realization of a common stake in joint prosperity, which ultimately underpins common peace and security. Secondly, for each regional organization to flourish and be sustainable, it is vital that a sense of community is cultivated and nurtured among its members. It is in this spirit that Thailand has been a strong advocate of the ASEAN community-building process. We believe that it is important for ASEAN members to spare no effort to develop a sense of community and a "we" and "us" feeling in the region - a mutual sentiment that will propel the region to look to the future together as one community. In that conviction, we are pleased that the 10 members of the ASEAN family, including Thailand, will celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the organization by adopting the ASEAN Charter, which will pave the way for a closer and stronger ASEAN with a great advantage. By signing the Charter, every ASEAN member will be committed to transforming the organization into a rules-based organization based on the three pillars of the ASEAN security community, the ASEAN economic community and the ASEAN socio- economic community, thus taking a vital step forward in the regional integration process. Thailand strongly believes that a stronger ASEAN will be an effective partner of the international community in the pursuit of international peace and security. Thirdly, no region is an island onto itself in this interconnected world. ASEAN therefore needs to engage and work with other regional partners on the basis of mutual benefits. It is upon that realization that Thailand has consistently supported an outward- looking ASEAN through such initiatives as ASEAN+3, the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN post- ministerial conferences and the East Asia Summit. Through that network of regional cooperative arrangements, ASEAN has successfully played a central role in managing regional differences in the larger Asia-Pacific peace and stability architecture, and has been instrumental in cultivating a culture of dialogue and consensus among its diverse players. But the horizon of ASEAN is not limited to Asia and the Pacific. In this interconnected world, many problems are transnational in nature and require concerted efforts not only within each region, but also between regions. As peace and security could well be augmented through cross-regional cooperation, Thailand has been a staunch supporter of interregional efforts. We have played a central role in establishing the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, which to date is the only Asia-wide cooperative framework. Thailand, along with our fellow ASEAN members, has also been actively participating in the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation and has been promoting closer cooperation between ASEAN and the African Union, and between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council, for example. All those cooperative arrangements, when put together, constitute building blocks for the stronger and more effective multilateralism that the United Nations embodies. Fourthly, greater capacity is needed to ensure that each and every regional arrangement can bring out its best potential. The United Nations has a vital role to play in that regard. Thailand would also like to see the United Nations placing greater emphasis on encouraging and strengthening those burgeoning subregional, regional and cross-regional building blocks. There is much that each region can learn from the others and there is much that, together, cross- regional efforts could contribute to the enhancement of peace and stability in respective regions. As an observer to the United Nations, ASEAN has made clear our intention to bring our cooperation with the United Nations to a higher level. As a founding member of the ASEAN family, Thailand is cognizant of the collective responsibility of the family and the common challenges it is facing in the integration process in this interdependent world. Like all other regional organizations, there is no other way for ASEAN to head but up. A strong, healthy and united ASEAN, with the firm determination to strive forward and a reasonably profound optimism, is essential to the maintenance of peace and security not only in the region, but also in the world at large.

The President: I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Azerbaijan, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the consideration of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the consideration without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Mammadov (Azerbaijan), took a seat at the Council table. The President: I call on the representative of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Mammadov (Azerbaijan): I would like to express my delegation's appreciation to the delegation of Indonesia and Foreign Minister Wirayuda for convening today's open debate on the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. United Nations cooperation with regional and subregional organizations has recently increased significantly. The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the European Union's contribution to the protection of civilians in Chad and the Central African Republic, the activities of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in Myanmar, the role of the Economic Community of West African States in elections in West Africa, NATO in Afghanistan and Kosovo, the Organization of American States' support for the electoral process in Haiti, and regular consultations with the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the League of Arab States, as well as with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union, on European security are examples of such broad and comprehensive cooperation. The Secretary-General stated in today's meeting that the United Nations is committed to helping build up the capacities of regional and subregional organizations to undertake conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacekeeping tasks in their respective regions. That approach would reinforce and mutually complement the activities of the United Nations and regional organizations, in particular the OSCE, in maintaining international peace and security, consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter. With that in mind, and with the aim of giving new impetus to the peace process and facilitate the final settlement of certain conflicts on the OSCE agenda, the United Nations may and should consider those conflicts. That is not to say that we seek a substitute for the peace process; rather, we seek to provide encouragement and support for the ongoing mediation efforts conducted by the OSCE. We believe that the consideration of those conflicts by the United Nations and its General Assembly will have a positive impact on the existing negotiations and reveal the determination of the international community, in particular the United Nations, to continue to take practical steps to settle those conflicts. Any settlement will have to be based on the norms and principles of international law. Another OSCE dimension that needs to be mentioned here is the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty. As a result of occupation, some parts of our State territory are beyond the Government's control, which has led to the establishment of so-called black holes, where a significant amount of CFE Treaty- limited conventional armaments has been deployed and cannot be accounted for under the Treaty. That is in gross violation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, to our great concern. All of those problems reconfirm that there is still room for an expansion and deepening of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. We are ready to contribute, within our capacities, to that process.

The President: 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 reaffirms its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. "The Security Council recognizes the important role of regional and subregional organizations in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations as well as its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1625 (2005) and 1631 (2005), and previous relevant presidential statements on cooperation with regional and subregional organizations. "The Security Council emphasizes that the growing contribution made by regional and subregional organizations in cooperation with the United Nations can usefully support the work of the Organization in maintaining international peace and security, and stresses in this regard that such contribution should be made in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. "The Security Council further recognizes that regional and subregional organizations are well positioned to understand the root causes of many conflicts and other security challenges close to home and to influence their prevention or resolution, owing to their knowledge of the region. "The Security Council recalls its determination to take appropriate steps to further the development of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. It welcomes recent developments with regard to the cooperation between the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union. "The Security Council, while maintaining the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, encourages regional and subregional organizations to strengthen and increase cooperation among them, including to enhance their respective capacity, in the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council underlines the importance of the United Nations political support and technical expertise in this regard. "The Security Council encourages regional cooperation, including through the involvement of regional and subregional organizations in the peaceful settlement of disputes, and intends to consult closely with them whenever appropriate on their role in future peacekeeping operations as well as political and integrated missions authorized by the Security Council. "The Security Council stresses the need to develop effective partnership between the Council and regional and subregional organizations in order to enable early response to disputes and emerging crises. "The Security Council underlines the importance of exploring the potential and existing capacities of regional and subregional organizations in the field of peace and security, covering, inter alia, the spectrum of conflict prevention, confidence-building, conflict resolution, peacemaking, peacekeeping, and post- conflict peacebuilding, and welcomes regional dialogue and the promotion of shared norms as well as common regional approaches to the settlement of disputes and other issues relating to peace and security. "The Security Council stresses the potential role of regional and subregional organizations in addressing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and the need to take into account in the peacekeeping operations' mandates, where appropriate, the regional instruments enabling States to identify and trace illegal small arms and light weapons. "The Security Council welcomes the efforts undertaken by its subsidiary bodies with responsibilities in counter-terrorism to foster cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, notes with appreciation the efforts made by an increasing number of regional and subregional organizations in countering terrorism and urges all relevant regional and subregional organizations to enhance the effectiveness of their counter-terrorism efforts within their respective mandates and in accordance with international law, including with a view to develop their capacity to help Member States in their efforts to tackle the threats to international peace and security posed by acts of terrorism. "The Security Council recognizes the importance of promoting the identification and further development of modalities which enhance the contribution of regional and subregional organizations to the work of the Council in maintaining international peace and security in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. For that purpose, the Council deems it useful to consider further strengthening its interaction and cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The Council recognizes the Peacebuilding Commission, in its area of competence, as a forum for coordination in the 26 the area of post-conflict between the United Nations system and regional and subregional organizations, in accordance with its resolution 1645 (2005) and General Assembly resolution 60/ 180. "The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to include in his report pursuant to its presidential statement of 28 March 2007 (S/PRST/2007/7) a recommendation on practical ways and means to increase and strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. "The Security Council invites all Member States to contribute more actively to the strengthening of the capacity of regional and subregional organizations in all parts of the world, in issues relating to the maintenance of international peace and security." This statement will be issued as a document of Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2007/42. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 5.30 pm. 07-58467