S/PV.7015Resumption1 Security Council

The President (spoke in Spanish): Before resuming my duties as President of the Council, I should like to make a brief statement in my national capacity. When I spoke earlier about the achievements of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), I forgot to mention the Santa Marta agreement, which was reached between President Santos Calderon and President Hugo Chavez Frias. Colombia and Venezuela were on the verge of an armed conflict, and it was the then Secretary-General of UNASUR, President Nestor Kirchner, who acted as mediator in achieving that agreement. That achievement was a very important one for me, and has both institutional and personal value. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I give the floor to the representative of Chile.

Mr. Moreno Charme (Chile) (spoke in Spanish): The Government of Chile commends Argentina's initiative to hold this open debate on cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in order to consider the maintenance of international peace and security from a regional perspective. I thank President Cristina Fernandez for this opportunity. The Latin America and the Caribbean region is a zone of peace. That has enabled us to cooperate in our pursuit of sustainable development as one of the pillars of stability. For us, meeting the needs of our peoples is, in essence, a collaborative effort for peace. That vision guides the Organization of American States, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The task that we face today is to pursue development through joint integration projects. The issue that brings us here today is of particular relevance to Chile, whose foreign policy is based on fundamental principles such as the sovereign equality of States; non-interference; the binding nature of, and respect for, international treaties; the defense of democracy and respect for human rights; the peaceful settlement of disputes; and international cooperation. Those principles, which are set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, constitute the basis of international coexistence and a guarantee of world peace and stability. Collective action is imperative in addressing traditional and emerging threats. Such action is strengthened by the involvement of regional and subregional organizations. That is Chile's interpretation of Chapter VIII of the Charter, and that understanding prompts us to promote effective multilateralism that is genuinely capable of incorporating the contributions of regional and subregional organizations to address crises or conflicts that may affect security and peace. Our country recognizes the importance of the inter-American system, which has provided our region with a set of instruments that constitute a fundamental political and legal heritage for governance in the hemisphere. That system should help foster linkages and coordination between the region and global spheres. We also wish to highlight the positive relationship between integration and security in the Latin American and South American region. The region has been enriched by the establishment of different regional and subregional bodies, which we understand to be the guided by the principles of solidarity, cooperation and the rule of international law. Regional agreements have produced a series of advances under the scope of security in the broadest sense ofthe term, such as the declarations ofpeace in the Andean region and the establishment of MERCOSUR and UNASUR. In that connection, Chile attaches importance to the adoption of democratic provisions, integration projects and confidence-building measures, which play an effective role in conflict-prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict processes. We would also like to underscore the role our countries are playing in the reconstruction of Haiti through the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, as well as the various forms of cooperation that support different regional and subregional mechanisms. We also wish to highlight the contribution that UNASUR has made in this area. That organization has drawn attention to the importance ofconsensus - as you mentioned in your statement, Madam President - as well as to transparency in military expenditures, the establishment of a peace zone in South America, the peaceful settlement ofdisputes and political cooperation. Those are factors that contribute effectively to the achievement of peace, and they are principles that we, the member States of UNOSUR, incorporated into the 2012 declaration of South America as a zone of peace. Peace and security in our region is one of the major drivers of integration, as well as a fundamental element in making progress along the path to development while also ensuring the appropriate inclusion of the region as a whole in the international arena. Collective action can be enhanced through the involvement of regional and subregional organizations, in particular in the areas of conflict-prevention, development and post-conflict situations. As I have already said, that is how we understand Chapter VIII of the Charter, inasmuch as we are a country that strongly promotes multilateralism and its rules. In conclusion, as the Secretary-General said himself here, the United Nations needs to continue to strengthen its links with regional organizations as a critical element of the Organization's work to achieve a better and more secure world for all.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Mr. Patriota (Brazil) (spoke in Spanish): I have the honour to convey to you, Madam President, the fraternal greetings of President Dilma Rousseff. The Brazilian Government wishes every success to the Argentine presidency of the Council for the month of August. I also welcome the statements made by representatives on behalf of the various regional and subregional organizations, in particular those on behalf of the Union of South America Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). You, Madam President, made my task easier by referring to the interception of communications and acts of espionage. Such practices violate sovereignty, harm relations between nations and constitute a violation of human rights, in particular the right to privacy and the right of our citizens to information. In that respect, you have complied with the decision of the States parties of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) who met in Montevideo last month. Yesterday, the Foreign Ministers of MERCOSUR conveyed to the Secretary-General the position of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela with respect to, and in compliance with, that decision. The matter will also be placed before various United Nations bodies, in accordance with the decision and the document circulated under the symbol A/67/946. This is a very serious issue with a profound impact on the international system. Brazil is coordinating with countries that share similar concerns for the benefit of an international order that respects human rights and the sovereignty of States. I welcome the timely statement made on 12 July by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay: "surveillance [programmes] without adequate safeguards to protect the right to privacy actually risk impacting negatively on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms". Pillay also mentioned article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 17 and 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which established, respectively, that "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence", and that "Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks". Brazil also associates itself with the repeated appeals by Ms. Pillay in various forums that efforts to combat terrorism must necessarily respect human rights and international humanitarian law. Her position was incorporated into the decision of the Heads of State of MERCOSUR as well as the presidential statement (S/PRST/2013/12) adopted by the Council this morning. I would like to welcome for the timely initiative of the Argentine Republic to hold this open debate, which involves various dimensions on the coordination between regional and subregional organizations and the United Nations. Pursuant to Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, that coordination already takes place throughout the world, in different forms and to various degrees, including in regions characterized by peace, democracy and cooperation, such as South America. In that context, UNASUR has significantly contributed to the promotion of the ideals and purposes of the United Nations. The South American Defence Council establishes an innovative mechanism for coordination and cooperation among South American countries in matters of peace and security, including through greater transparency on military expenditures. In addition, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the countries of Latin American have decisively supported the efforts of the United Nations for the stabilization of Haiti, the only country in the Americas where a United Nations peacekeeping mission is currently deployed. CELAC constitutes a new mechanism for political coordination and integration that brings together the 33 countries of South America, Central America and the Caribbean. One of its main goals is to consolidate Latin America and the Caribbean as a region of dialogue, cooperation, integration and peace. In that context, it is worth recalling the unequivocal support of CELAC for the legitimate claim of the Argentine Republic for sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. The member States of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic have supported a South Atlantic free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. We are thereby attempting to bring closer together the two sides of the South Atlantic as regions free of nuclear weapons thanks to the Pelindaba Treaty in Africa and the Treaty of Tlatelolco in Latin America and the Caribbean. We encourage other regions to associate themselves to the agenda and look forward to the convening of a conference for the establishment, in the shortest possible term, of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. (spoke in English) Chapter VIII of the Charter teaches us that, before resorting to the Security Council, Member States must make an effort to attempt to settle disputes peacefully by means of regional arrangements, agencies or mechanisms. No issue is more sensitive in the articulation between regional and United Nations multilateral spheres than the question of the imposition of sanctions and the use of force. Even in the recent past, we have seen the occurrence of unilateral interventions, which are incompatible with an international order based on peace, cooperation, solidarity and respect for international law. It is with that in mind that in the new world order being created, Brazil has defended the establishment of a multipolarity based on cooperation, devoid of unilateralism or exceptionalism, an order that favours the improvement of multilateralism and aims at searching for peaceful solutions to the challenges faced by the Council, based on international law. Mention should be made of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in this context, a defense alliance that does not seem to frame its activities clearly under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and that has made use of concepts and strategies that raise problematic and sensitive issues in terms of the articulation between the regional level and the United Nations system. We are concerned that, historically, leaders of NATO and member countries have considered that the organization does not necessarily require explicit authorization from the Security Council to resort to coercion. We are also concerned that NATO has loosely interpreted mandates for action aimed at promoting international peace and security authorized by the Security Council. As Brazil has maintained, including through the Brazilian concept note on "responsibility while protecting" (S/2011/701, annex), the Security Council should avail itself of the institutional means of monitoring the adequate fulfilment of its mandates. We are concerned as well that NATO has been searching to establish partnerships out of its area, far beyond the North Atlantic, including in regions of peace, democracy and social inclusion, and that rule out the presence of weapons of mass destruction in their territories. It would be extremely grave for the future of the articulation between regional and global efforts at promoting peace, as prescribed by the United Nations, if groups of countries started to unilaterally define their sphere of action beyond the territory of their own members. I would like to underline the important cooperation that exists today between the United Nations and the African Union. Through its refined Peace and Security Architecture, the African Union has contributed to satisfactorily preventing and solving tensions and conflicts in the African continent, as in the recent cases of the Sudan and Somalia. Brazil defends African solutions to African problems. In that spirit, President Dilma Rousseff participated at Addis Ababa in the fiftieth anniversary of the African Union, thereby reaffirming the Brazilian commitment to strengthen our partnerships with the African continent. Brazil welcomes the political commitment of the Secretary-General and of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and neighbouring countries to the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. We are confident that, under the leadership of Brazilian General Carlos Alberto Santos Cruz, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will play its role in the protection of civilians. The military component, however, should be seen as a tool in support of a political strategy, and, as Special Envoy Mary Robinson has mentioned, as one part of a comprehensive approach that embraces security and development. In the case of Guinea-Bissau, we welcome the emphasis that the Security Council has placed on the importance that stakeholders involved in mediation efforts speak with one voice. The international community must avoid any possible discrepancy between the positions of regional and subregional groups that are closer to a conflict or a specific situation and the positions of other geographically broader entities. The harmonization of messages and positions between the regional and the multilateral strengthen international efforts towards peace. Conversely, discrepancies weaken our peace efforts. The Brazilian Government remains deeply concerned about the Violence in Syria and strongly supports the work of United Nations-League of Arab States Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi. His efforts should provide a synthesis of the possibilities for an articulation of the regional and multilateral levels in international relations. We cannot help but take careful note of the words of the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry of the Human Rights Council, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to the General Assembly on 29 July, when he stated "There is no military solution to this conflict" and that "Those who supply arms to the various warring parties are not creating the ground for victory but rather the illusion of victory". Mr. Pinheiro also highlighted that that was "a dangerous and irresponsible illusion, as it allows the war to unfurl endlessly before us" and "it opens the door to further immense human suffering and the possible conflagration of an entire region". As reiterated on several occasions, including at the Council on 23 July, Brazil supports the holding of, and is ready to contribute to, a new Geneva conference as soon as possible, so as to promote an inclusive, Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that corresponds to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. Brazil considers it fundamental to reverse the impasse and paralysis that have characterized the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. It is a regrettable situation in which neither regional organizations nor the United Nations, as a multilateral organization, have reached tangible results. The plurilateral mechanism that is professedly responsible for the issue - the Quartet - has been inoperative. I reiterate that the Brazilian Government considers it fundamental that the Security Council fully assume its responsibilities and refrain from outsourcing its role to third parties, unless that can translate into measurable results for the promotion of peace. In that context, the Brazilian Government supports the mediation efforts carried out by United States Secretary of State John Kerry and notes with satisfaction the announcement of the resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, with the objective of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement in nine months, which shall culminate in the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. We welcome Israel's decision to free 104 Palestinians from its prisons and hope that the gesture will contribute to the much- awaited realization of a two-State solution on the basis of the 1967 borders. Finally, allow me once more to welcome the Argentine initiative of promoting this debate. Opportunities to discuss topics directly related to the core mandate of the Security Council are important, not only to contribute to the constant updating of the political guidance and working methods of the Council, but also because they allow us to underline the importance of basing our efforts for the promotion of peace on the strict observance of the Charter and of Council resolutions. They also bring to the fore the need to permanently improve our coordination aimed at the construction of a Council attuned to contemporary reality, including as concerns its composition. In that connection, Brazil would like to highlight the paragraph of the presidential statement it adopted today, according to which, "The Council further encourages enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the regional and subregional organizations and arrangements to foster a global dialogue for the promotion of tolerance and peace, to promote better understanding across countries, cultures and civilizations".

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

Mr. Choquehuanca Cespedes (Plurinational State of Bolivia) (spoke in Spanish): Today is 6 August, the day that my country celebrates its independence. I should like to welcome the struggle, the rebellion and the resistance of my people, who for centuries did not give up and will never give up peace and harmony. Today Bolivia is experiencing a revolutionary process that is sustained by democracy and the conscience of the people. Here in the twenty-first century, we feel that it is anachronistic to maintain the categories of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. After 68 years, it is clear that some of these so-called super-Powers were and still are the causes of conflicts and wars in different parts of the world. Preserving peace is not and will not be the result of the existence of international policemen, but rather as a result of the promotion of social justice, equity, complementarity, solidarity and respect between States. Latin America is an emerging zone ofpeace thanks to the desire of its leaders to write its history without oversight from other Powers. While NATO organizes interventions in South America, the Union of South American Nations has averted coups and conflicts of various kinds. The existence of two categories violates the principle of the equality of rights among States, whether large or small, as established by the Charter of the United Nations. In the twenty-first century, the existence of monarchistic practices within the United Nations is unacceptable. Those who claim to be promoters and defenders of democracy in the world must be the first to set an example and must respect the basic principles of democracy within the United Nations. So long as we fail to discuss these substantive issues, international peace and security will not be guaranteed no matter how many cooperation programmes we have. The day will come when all States Member of the United Nations exercise their rights and participate in equal conditions - in other words, when there is true democracy in the United Nations. So long as the veto exists, we will not have a true democratization of the United Nations. We will have first-class and second- class nations. All Members of the United Nations must be equal in all its bodies. We must achieve the equality of rights of large and small nations enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The Security Council's action has not been participatory. We require a Security Council that is transparent, democratic and flexible; that acts with authority; but above all, that is open to the vigilance of all of the Members of the United Nations. In important matters, the General Assembly must have the power to review and to take a stand on issues and not simply leave it in the hands of the Security Council. Transforming the Security Council and the comprehensive transformation of the United Nations are critical to enabling us to tackle the various crises that have begun to merge and that affect the important issues facing humankind and the planet, such as energy, finance, food and climate change. Before concluding, I should like to express our rejection and condemnation of the practice of espionage on the part of the United States. I should also like to express the grief and indignation of my people and my Government over the act of aggression experienced by President Evo Morales Ayma, which has been described by the international community as offensive, humiliating, discriminatory, colonialistic, unfriendly, and a violation of human rights and international standards. Given the grave nature of these facts, we ask the United Nations to clarify these events and to take measures to guarantee human rights and international law so that no one will have to suffer such violations again.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Mr. Jana Milano (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I should like to convey to the members of the Council and all those present at this debate the greetings ofthe President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros. He asked me in particular to convey to you, President Cristina, his pleasure at seeing you assuming with dignity and courage this very important global responsibility. In Venezuela, we are sure that all of Latin America and the Caribbean are deeply proud of you. President Maduro reiterates before the United Nations his firm commitment to continuing to fly the banner of peace, social justice, cooperation and the self-determination of peoples, bearing in mind the historic legacy of Commander President Hugo Chavez Frias, leader of the Bolivarian revolution. Today, we join in the pleasure of the Bolivian people on its national holiday, and recall the commemoration of the 200 years of the triumphant entry of the liberator Simon Bolivar into the town of Caracas after having carried out a successful campaign that began in December of 1812 in New Granada. We must always remember that, when united, we South Americans will achieve independence, and united we are achieving independence, equality and democracy for our peoples. On behalf of the States members of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), we congratulate you, Madam President, and the people of Argentina on assuming the presidency of the Security Council, entrusted with maintaining international peace and security. Today in the Latin American and Caribbean region, there are no conflicts between countries that would endanger global or regional peace. On the contrary, we have seen more and more initiatives of regional and subregional integration that promote dialogue and trust among peoples and prevent and avoid conflicts between States through innovative mechanisms. We continue to strengthen our democratic systems, creating the conditions in every country and the entire bloc to build a culture of peace. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, PetroCaribe and MERCOSUR, which I am proud to represent here, are among those regional integration initiatives that, in a very short time, have made major achievements in sustaining peace and preserving democracy in our region. Peace cannot be achieved in the world without social justice and without eradicating once and for all hunger, poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and the wide technological divides - in other words, without guaranteeing to all the resources necessary for their full development in equal conditions. Nor can we achieve peace without guaranteeing the effective participation of citizens in political matters and in controlling their own destinies - in other words, without the entrenchment of democratic systems as a way of guaranteeing a social state of law and justice. It is in these aspects where the Latin American and Caribbean integration has made progress, showing that we can identify joint formulas to achieve the well-being of our peoples in democracy. In particular, we note that MERCOSUR has gone from being a commercial agreement to being a very important social mechanism, creating common institutions endowed with the human and material resources to work in these areas. Furthermore, MERCOSUR's commitment to democracy has been clear throughout its existence. The instruments, declarations, decisions and resolutions of MERCOSUR have sought democracy and peace in the region, including by preventing coups and other attempts to frustrate the democratic will of our peoples, promoted by fascistic movements represented by political and economic leaders that are found particularly in media corporations. These movements attack democratic Governments and peoples that have chosen the path of independence, social inclusion and the grass- roots democratization of our societies. These groups and movements, which ignore election results and democratic institutions and promote political violence, pose the greatest threat to political stability in our region. The timely and firm action of MERCOSUR, along with other regional and subregional organizations, managed to stop attempted coups in Paraguay in 1996 and 1999, thereby guaranteeing democratic order. Similarly, in 2006 and 2007, MERCOSUR condemned and took action to prevent attempts to divide Bolivia as a way of weakening the democratic Government of President Evo Morales. Likewise, the Foreign Ministers of the countries members of MERCOSUR condemned the attempted coup against President Rafael Correa in Ecuador on 30 September 2010, joining with other regional blocs to issue ajoint warning to the world and prevent that crime from taking place. Although it could not be prevented, MERCOSUR acted decisively in the parliamentary coup against President Fernando Lugo of Paraguay in June 2012. On that occasion, the Foreign Ministers of MERCOSUR and UNASUR travelled to Asuncion with the intention of starting a dialogue and preventing the interruption of the constitutional order. That was not achieved, and the bloc had to temporarily suspend the Republic of Paraguay until its political institutional and democratic situation was normalized through the holding of elections. More recently, MERCOSUR issued a timely appeal for respect for the popular will and democratic institutions of my country, Venezuela, following rejection by the defeated candidate of the results of the elections on 15 April and his call to violence. We stress that MERCOSUR has been able to circumvent these situations with peaceful and democratic mechanisms, without economic blockades, military intervention, indiscriminate bombing or armed intervention of any kind. We believe that the only way to defeat Violence is with greater democracy and peaceful means. MERCOSUR has also participated in issues that affect international peace and security, such as the coup in Honduras against President Zelaya, and, inter alia, the situations in the Middle East, the Korean peninsula and the Balkan peninsula when it was engulfed in conflict. MERCOSUR has also created its own institutions in order to deepen and preserve democracy, including the MERCOSUR Center for the Promotion of the Rule of Law and the MERCOSUR Democracy Observatory, among others. MERCOSUR reiterates its support for United Nations reform, including that of the Security Council, with a View to giving greater legitimacy to its composition and decision-making process in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, among them the sovereign equality of States. The words of President Hugo Chavez Frias before the General Assembly during the closing meeting of the Millennium Summit on 8 September 2000 remain valid today. It is an appeal to continue working earnestly to achieve the democratization of the Security Council. Commander Chavez proposed "that democratization of the Security Council be faced and achieved. But it must be done because if it is not, many said we could lose the credibility of the message and the debate on democracy and equality, which is spoken of frequently in these forums. This is so necessary in order to effect change in the world." (A/55/PV8, p. 37) In the opinion of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, unfortunately, in recent times we have been concerned to see that, on the contrary, some countries have continued to assert their political, military and economic power and distorted the very essence of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. They have gone so far as to use the Security Council as a platform to encourage armed interventions against sovereign States and peoples with a View to promoting the poorly named regime change, in contravention of all principles of international law. We reject ongoing colonial situations that undermine the maintenance of international peace and security, such as the violation of Argentinian sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands. In this sense, the States members of MERCOSUR reassert their full support for the sovereign rights of the Republic of Argentina over this island territory. Similarly, we continue to condemn and call for an end to the criminal economic blockade against the honourable and brotherly Republic of Cuba, as well as compliance with relevant United Nations resolutions. Furthermore, as a major contribution to achieving peace in the Middle East, in particular the question of Palestine, the Council must address as soon as possible the legitimate request of the State of Palestine to be admitted as a full-fledged Member of the United Nations. As Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and as Pro-Tempore President of MERCOSUR, I take this opportunity to reiterate our firm condemnation of the insult to the office of the President ofthe Plurinational State of Bolivia, President Evo Morales, when some European Governments did not permit the overflight or landing of the aircraft transporting him. That was not only a hostile, unfounded, discriminatory and arbitrary action, but also a flagrant violation of the precepts of international law. Similarly, we reject the actions of global espionage carried out by the Government of the United States, which undermine the sovereignty of States and which we have become familiar through the revelations of the former security contractor, Edward Snowden. Given the seriousness of these reports of computer espionage on a global scale, recognized by the Secretary- General of the International Telecommunication Union himself, the United Nations must initiate a broad multilateral discussion that would make it possible to design agreements to safeguard the sovereignty and security of States in the light of such illegal practices. MERCOSUR has begun action to promote a discussion on this matter so that we can open an appropriate investigation within the United Nations and punish and condemn this violation of international law. We reiterate our condemnation of actions that could undermine the power of States to fully implement the right of humanitarian asylum. In this respect, we reject any attempt to pressure, harass or criminalize a State or third party over the sovereign decision of any nation to grant asylum, which is enshrined in all international conventions. Likewise, we express our solidarity with the Governments of Bolivia and Nicaragua, which, like Venezuela, have offered asylum to Mr. Snowden, as expressed by the Heads of State of MERCOSUR in the decision concerning the universal recognition of the right of political asylum, issued in Montevideo on 12 July. These three matters were discussed yesterday with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in compliance with the mandate of the Presidents of MERCOSUR, at his meeting with the Foreign Ministers of our organization seeking due treatment from United Nations bodies. Lastly, MERCOSUR reaffirms its commitment to the common cause of international peace and security guided by shared values in building a pluripolar system that is free of hegemony and contributes to strengthening a multicentric and inclusive world with unlimited respect for international law.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

Mr. Almagro (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to begin by congratulating President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the delegation of Argentina on assuming the presidency of the Security Council and on having convened this high-level open debate aimed at strengthening our understanding of the role of regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security and incorporating new regional and subregional actors that reflect the dynamics of sociopolitical realities throughout all regions of our planet. Uruguay also welcomes the presence of the representatives of regional and subregional organizations, in particular from Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Common Market of the South, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and the Organization of American States, and our dear friends from the League of Arab States. Notwithstanding the responsibility that the Charter of the United Nations Charter entrusts to the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security, regional and subregional entities make a clear and ineluctable contribution to preventing, resolving or minimizing most of the situations that threaten global peace. The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone is a contribution of our countries to protecting our region from military adventurism. It has opened a path to cooperation, completely changing the logic in the South Atlantic with respect to the North Atlantic, which has its defence mechanisms and its military alliances. This strategy, which has been strengthened politically by the importance attached to it by such organizations as the African Union and UNASUR, to which our countries belong in our respective regions, is also strengthened by the greater interaction achieved through the Africa- South America summit that took place in Abuja, Margarita Island, and Equatorial Guinea. These entities recognize the Zone as a fundamental instrument for promoting peace, security and cooperation among our countries. The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone embodies a commitment to the essential values of peaceful coexistence, democracy and respect for human rights. For our countries, these are fundamental and undeniable principles. The Zone is an initiative of international scope, and we manage it in strict respect for the purposes and principles of the United Nations, including the sovereignty and legal equality of States and the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. As current Chairman of the Zone, I note some of the fundamental provisions of our Montevideo Declaration. Our meeting in that city helped to reiterate our commitment to the consolidation of the South Atlantic as a zone of peace and cooperation free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. We urge other States to recognize it as such. We know that the very existence ofweapons ofmass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons, remains a serious threat to humankind, creating tension and mistrust among peoples. We believe that progress in the multilateral agenda, especially concerning compliance with disarmament obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, must be a high priority for Member States. The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone countries clearly recall the 1994 declaration of the Zone on the denuclearization of the South Atlantic, adopted at the third ministerial meeting. We are therefore doing all we can to ban and prevent in our respective territories and territorial waters the use, manufacture, production, acquisition, reception, storage and deployment of all nuclear weapons, as well as any direct or indirect attempt to encourage any of these activities in the South Atlantic. In that regard, we urge the international community to respect the Zone's status. In addition to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, which are currently in force, we urge the international community to fully respect the denuclearized status of our Zone. Our countries are unfailingly committed to disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the three pillars of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We also understand the importance of preventive diplomacy, mediation and good offices, and the establishment, maintenance and consolidation of peace to the maintenance of international peace and security; the key importance of avoiding the escalation of conflicts and of settling disputes; and the important role played by women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in building peace. We highlight the importance of their full participation in all initiatives to maintain peace and security, and the need to increase their participation in decision-making with respect to prevention and resolution of conflicts. Our country is concerned by the negative role played by the exploitation of natural resources in the exacerbation of conflicts. We welcome efforts under way in Africa, in particular on the part of the States members of the Zone, to implement a legal framework designed to address this practice. In this respect, we urge the international community to support these efforts. For Uruguay and the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, it is crucial to stress the importance ofthe United Nations peacekeeping operations, to which some States members of the Zone are contributors. We recognize the potential for cooperation in strengthening the capacity of member States of the Zone to take part in peacekeeping operations. We also reaffirm the need to support the peace processes under way, as well as the United Nations peacekeeping operations deployed in States member in the Zone. We reiterate the need to further study mechanisms and possibilities for cooperation in peacekeeping operations. The South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone supports the efforts of its member States in promoting the principle of the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the quest for negotiated solutions to territorial conflicts which affect member States of the zone. In that respect, the Zone calls for the resumption of negotiations between the Government of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom, in accordance with resolution General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX) and other resolutions of the General Assembly on the question of the Malvinas Islands with a view to finding a just, lasting and peaceful solution as soon as possible. We also reaffirm GeneralAssembly resolution 31/49, which calls on both parties to the dispute concerning the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia Islands and South Sandwich Islands, and the surrounding maritime areas to refrain from taking decisions that would involve the introduction of unilateral changes in the situation while the Islands go through the process recommended in resolutions of the General Assembly. In that context, we are concerned to see the development of illegitimate activities of oil exploration in the zone in dispute. Uruguay, as Chairman of the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, maintains along with other countries of the Zone, that we must eliminate the vision of the South Atlantic as a stage for strategic action between antagonistic States with competing interests. The South Atlantic is a geostrategic area that endows our countries, through the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, with a new instrument to move forward in the major objectives of the international community: peace, security and the development of our societies.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Ms. Holguin Cuellar (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I should like to start by stating our pleasure at seeing you, Madam President, presiding over this meeting of the Security Council, and by congratulating you on your initiative to convene this important debate. Colombia shares the proposed objective as contained in the concept note before us (S/2013/446, annex), which invites us to consider this matter from a broad perspective and to identify options to strengthen and deepen cooperation between the Security Council and regional and subregional organizations. I express my gratitude for the briefings by the representatives of the African Union and the League of Arab States, and I welcome the presence for the first time before the Security Council of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The regional and subregional organizations play an increasingly important role in the work of the Security Council, and their activities in the field of the maintenance of international peace and security are more effective when they work in a coordinated manner and their perspectives are taken into account. Libya, Yemen, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Somalia, the Sudan and South Sudan are just a few examples of countries where the contributions of those organizations have been instrumental vis-a-Vis the decisions of the Security Council. In the Americas, Haiti is an example of the results that can be gained from cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. Resolution 2070 (2012) recognized the positive efforts that UNASUR had deployed in Haiti with tangible results. In that regard, I would like to highlight the leadership as well as the technical and financial support that Argentina has given to the UNASUR technical secretariat in Haiti. The fulfilment of the mandate of the Security Council benefits from the understanding of the geographical, social, cultural and political context that regional and subregional organizations have with respect to crises or conflicts on its agenda. That aspect is especially relevant to my country, which acknowledges the way in which the international community, in particular our regional partners, has understood the importance of backing the initiative of President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon to hold peace talks with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia. The positive effect of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and the achievement of a definitive peace in Colombia will without question redound to the benefit of the region. In that respect, we would like to thank Cuba, Venezuela and Chile for their support for the process. One of the challenges that the United Nations faces in its dialogue with regional and subregional organizations is finding common ground to build positive agendas aimed at strengthening those areas in which the experience of regional or subregional organizations represents a substantive contribution that will have an impact on the ground. Perspectives that are closer to the realities of the regions enrich and give greater understanding to the analysis and understanding of a situation of crisis under study. That implies having an open mind and considering alternatives for a solution that may not coincide with universally applicable formulas. That is why we reiterate the importance of strengthening consultation, dialogue and coordination mechanisms between the Council and such organizations, in order to provide long-term solutions to crises and ensure that the Council bears in mind in an effective manner that interaction when, among other aspects, it analyses the renewal of mandates for peacekeeping operations. It is of the utmost importance that, pursuant to Chapter VIII, priority be given to regional and subregional mechanisms to resolve matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, before referring them to the Security Council. The search for political and diplomatic solutions to conflict situations and the strict adherence to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the Organization and to international law must be the cornerstone that supports collective international security. Some decades ago, State actors were the only protagonists in history, and the main threats to their peace and security came from other States. Today, States have realized that they face common threats that originate from international networks which are involved in trafficking and crimes of various kinds. The world of today requires cooperation in different ways and between different regions. Reality has shown us that those threats cannot be combated by countries on an individual basis. The nature of the crimes that we face today requires us to cooperate and join our efforts. It is in that sense that agreements between countries and organizations from different geographical regions have to be understood. Those crimes are transnational in nature and should be fought as such. That is how countries such as Colombia, which have suffered from the actions of criminal organizations, understand it. Cooperation and confidence-building have positive impacts on all countries and regions, which is why, to fulfil its mandate, the Security Council needs the support of strong, capable regional and subregional organizations that are prepared to resolve in a timely fashion the conflict situations that arise in their respective areas.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Ecuador.

Mr. Patifio Aroca (Ecuador) (spoke in Spanish): We thank the delegation of Argentina for the invitation extended to the Government of Ecuador to take part in today's important event. We are honoured by the fact that you, Madam President, are presiding over a body of this nature with the great ability, leadership and strength you show as President of the Argentine Republic. During the recent summit of the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR) that took place on 12 July in Montevideo, the States convened resolved to "request Argentina to submit the matter of the massive espionage case uncovered by Edward Snowden for consideration by the Security Council". They also resolved to "demand that those responsible for those actions immediately cease therefrom and provide explanations of their motivations and their consequences". In similar terms, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America spoke at the last Guayaquil, summit which was held just five days ago, when it was decided to "warn the international community about the seriousness of these actions, which imply a threat to the security and peaceful coexistence among our States". This takes place in a context where undoubtedly Latin American regional authorities are assuming a growing role when it comes to collective security, which was commendibly cited by you, Madam President, and by my colleagues in their earlier statements. Accordingly, I will not refer to matters already covered in statements that, to no one's surprise, are designed to honour Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which brings us here today. In compliance with the MERCOSUR agreement referred to previously, which we endorse, I would like to make the following statement. Just a few weeks ago, the world saw a sequence of events more akin to a Cold War spy novel than to modern times. On 5 June, leaks began to appear in publications in major global media outlets, leaks that were mixed with almost deathly intent and unspooled as a reality show before global public opinion. The leaks came from a former 29-year-old American analyst who sought to escape deportation to his country, where he would be tried for those leaks. After a journey that began in Hong Kong and was supposed to end in Latin America, today, it seems to have stopped, but it may not yet have completely run its course, despite the granting of asylum by Russia. During those few days in June, we saw the size and the discretional nature of a massive surveillance apparatus that suddenly brought all the inhabitants of the planet closer than ever to an Orwellian nightmare. Although at first it appeared to be a simple matter of wiretapping, it was later discovered that there was discretionary monitoring of emails. While it seemed initially that the apparatus was being used in operations against organized crime, later we learned that it was also being used to gain advantage in trade negotiations with other countries. If we once thought that they were simply looking at unaffected States, we now know that everyone - absolutely everyone: debtors and creditors, friends and enemies, South and North - is considered a usual suspect by the authorities of the United States of America. Now we know that our communications are permanently monitored by them. No one knows yet if Mr. Snowden will once again manage to leak information that he claims to possess. Of course, it seems that he will not do it when he is in Russia. In any case, the wounds opened by those events should be assessed within the main multilateral forums. They deserve to be so because not only do they reflect an unacceptable imbalances in the global governance system, which in no case would help to build a climate of trust and cooperation between countries, and, in the final analysis, a climate of peace among nations. They deserve to be assessed because we have also have moved dangerously close to the limits set out by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The imbalances to which I refer are clear - the United States, like any other countries, has the need to deal with demands related to its national security, it goes without saying, but those legitimate demands must be dealt with in a way that does not affect the rights of individuals or indeed the sovereignty of other nations. That is to say, limits must be set. However, we are now faced with the fact that any limits there may have been have vanished. The national security of the United States has been placed above all universal moral values. Such a drive has meant that the principles of equality and non-interference in the affairs of States, established in the Westphalia peace agreement, have now vanished into thin air. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been violated. The rights to the privacy of correspondence - article 12 - and to freedom of expression and opinon - article 19 - the rights of all citizens of the world, including United States citizens, have been trampled in the name of a greater goal, that is, national security f or rather, for the sake of the profits of the national security industry. Where are the limits, really? Has the time not come for the Council to take up this question again and discuss it? In the end, does this not pose a threat to global peace? What mutual trust could possibly exist among nations under such circumstances? We believe that the time has come for the United Nations to face up to this matter responsibly. As we have seen with the disappearance of such limits, this situation threatens to build walls between our countries. If it has not done so already, it could also affect international cooperation against organized crime; strangely enough, there is even the possibility that trade negotiations could be disrupted. Paradoxically, even the very national security of the United States will suffer from the increase in global mistrust generated by massive espionage. The events to which I have referred have also revealed other very disturbing realities. To start off with, it has re-ignited the debate on the right to asylum, which all human beings have, as enshrined in international law, as well as the ability of any sovereign State to grant it. This is a right that is granted to avoid fear of political persecution; its legitimacy can only be determined by the country granting it. Let us also remember its peaceful and humanitarian nature, which cannot in any case be described as unfriendly towards any other State, as established in General Assembly resolution 2312 (XXII), on territorial asylum. I should also like to quote Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the case at hand: "Snowden's case has shown the need to protect persons disclosing information on matters that have implications for human rights, as well as the importance of ensuring respect for the right to privacy." Leaders, who should be giving explanations and facing up to the debate on the limits of what we are discussing, have instead launched a crusade against the right to asylum - a full-on diplomatic offensive against countries that have taken to the global stage to show interest in such an important case. States to the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), have been under pressure, simply because they are considering a request for asylum. All those countries have have signed the 1954 Caracas Convention on Territorial Asylum, which is perhaps one of the most important instruments of the Inter-American human rights system. The day the United States signs that treaty - even the day it ratifies the San Jose' pact, one ofthe foundations of the Inter-American system of human rights - we will be closer to seeing that country adhere to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and it will become a part ofa group of equal nations, committed to complying with international law. Instead of joining this group, we find ourselves with a country that prefers to lunge forwards and blame the messanger in order to cloud the message. The final result was that a group of countries decided to endanger the life of the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, forcing him and his entourage to make an emergency landing in violation of international norms governing respectful relations among nations. It is not the revelation of the offence that threatens the climate of understanding among nations, it is the offence itself. In a fragile world where armed conflicts are barely affected by international pressure, such actions do not help generate trust but tension. I would like to conclude with two comments. First, the Government of Ecuador fully supports the request of the Bolivian Government that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights conduct an exhaustive investigation into the unjustifiable treatment suffered by President Evo Morales Ayma during his trip from Moscow to La Paz. Secondly, massive global, discretionary and unlimited surveillance must stop. It is for the Security Council to urgently make that demand of one of its permanent members, since, theoretically, it is up to this body to maintain peace on our planet. That, too, is the demand of Latin America, a zone of peace that, through organizations such as MERCOSUR and ALBA, has demanded an end to those practices. It is also required by the spirit of coexistence, which inspired the drafting of the Charter of the United Nations. It is also the appeal of billions of people in the world who understand that any action that aims to ensure the security of a country has its limits, which are the human rights of everyone on the planet.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

Mr. Casimir (Haiti) (spoke in French): On behalf of the Government of Haiti, allow me, first of all, to congratulate you, Madam President, for taking the initiative to convene this debate on such an important issue, that is, cooperation between the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace. Cooperation between the United Nation and regional organizations in maintaining peace is longstanding. The principle underpinning it is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, specifically in Chapter VIII, Articles 53 and 54. The United Nations not only recognizes regional organizations as fully fledged actors in peaceful conflict resolution but also stipulates that the Security Council, without renouncing its monopoly to authorizing the use of force, except in the event of legitimate defence, can confer upon a regional organization the mandate for applying enforcement measures taken under its authority. The past two decades have seen a significant growth in the role of regional and subregional organizations in peacekeeping organizations, especially in Africa, Europe and the Americas. The proliferation of regional conflicts, accompanied all too often by their ensuring tragedies and atrocities, has made cooperation between the United Nations and regional institutions a mainstay of international relations. To see that, one need look no further than a number ofpeacebuilding or peacekeeping operations carried out in recent years on virtually every continent and in a large number of countries dealing with the scourge of war, conflicts of all kinds, political upheavals and civil war. My own country, the Republic of Haiti, has undergone a terrible and extreme political upheaval, making its own descent into hell, from which, fortunately, it is now emerging with the assistance of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. In that regard, I would like to thank the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Common Market of the South, the Union of South American Nations, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, the Caribbean Community and the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System for their constant attention and interest in Haiti. I would like to recall that during the past 25 years, my country of Haiti has been subject to several interventions by our multilateral Organization and by regional and subregional organizations, and sometimes both together. I have in mind the joint Organization of American States/ United Nations mission to which the Secretary- General referred in his statement this morning. While commending such international solidarity, we must nevertheless recognize, as the representative of Cuba emphasized in his statement, that missions must align themselves with the priorities defined by the Haitian Government so that we will not have to go down the same road, for the same reasons, in a few years' time. It is thus Haiti's fervent wish that the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, which is currently deployed in our country, should achieve the goals it was created for. To that end, it can count on the assistance of the Haitian Government in furthering the welfare of the people of Haiti and achieving peace and security in the region. However, we are compelled to conclude that, despite the inarguably spectacular development and success of the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, when it comes to maintaining peace it still falls well short of the level that its potential might lead one to hope for, and that the international community has the right to expect. And despite its successes, there are still many challenges, particularly regional organizations' lack of resources. The Republic of Haiti is one of many that believe that - given the maturity that regional organizations have acquired over time, the configuration of the world today and the constantly evolving international situation - a new model is needed for relations between the United Nations and regional organizations in the area of the maintenance of peace. We should recall that as far back as 20 years, ago the Secretary-General was already calling for a model based on decentralization and delegation of authority in An Agenda for Peace (S/24111). Yes, various coordination and consultation mechanisms exist, and the record of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is far from negligible. Haiti is happy to bear witness to that. But as was recently emphasized again in Security Council resolution 2033 (2012), there is a feeling today that it is essential, in the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter, to combine the international legitimacy and legality of the United Nations with the advantages of regionalism. It is therefore incumbent on the international community today to bridge that gap, as the Security Council has called on us to do. We must effectively reforge and renew the essential partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations, basing it on well-defined principles and endowing it with a precise legal framework and the resources necessary to allow those regional organizations to fully play their due role alongside the United Nations in a spirit of complementarity and in every area where their cooperation is desirable. The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States would not disagree with this, whether the issue is one ofconflict prevention, peacebuilding, electoral assistance, humanitarian action or monitoring respect for human rights. In that spirit, the Republic of Haiti will continue to work with all who believe that the role and involvement of regional organizations in maintaining international peace is now more essential than ever and should continue to grow in the future. In welcoming the initiative taken to institute this dialogue, I trust that it will open new lines of thought and for concrete action aimed at continued cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of the Organization of American States.

Mr. Insulza: I would like to begin by greeting the Argentinian presidency of the Security Council, led today by Her Excellency Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. I would like to thank her for giving us the opportunity to share our experience of regional and subregional efforts in the area of international peace and security. Article 1 of the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) stipulates that "[w]ithin the United Nations, the Organization of American States is a regional agency". Article 2 adds that the Organization, "in order to put into practice the principles on which it is founded and to fulfill its regional obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, proclaims the following essential purposes: (a) To strengthen the peace and security of the continent". There is no more essential or valuable area of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations than the maintenance of peace and security. That goal suggests the essence of multilateralism - achieving peace and harmony among nations, within a framework of respect for the law and creating a climate of security for all. The States of the Americas and their regional organization, the oldest expression of multilateralism in the world, have always been guided by those principles and have contributed, through their own reality and as their own abilities permit, to their spread and vigour on a global scale. Thus, along with the foundation ofthe OAS in 1948, we signed the American Treaty on Pacific Settlement, the Pact of Bogota, which since it was established has formed the foundation for settling every possible conflict situation that has developed in our region over the years. That instrument, together with others signed during the period of the Panamerican Union and after 1948, has succeeded, over more than half a century of multilateral action, in making our continent the most peaceful region in the world. It is a region that during this period has not been involved in any conflicts on a global level or been a theatre for significant armed conflicts between its countries. It has, however, endured internal conflicts that have unfortunately frequently led to violence and disruption of the political process. Since 1966, the OAS has not deployed military missions of any kind and the implicit decision has been taken not to do so, in the understanding that one way of strengthening international institutions is to respect the primacy of the Security Council in that area. The occasions that have required such deployment have been few and far between, and when they have required missions with a military component, they have been organizedbythe UnitedNations, withthe OAS supporting them in tasks of a civilian nature, or deploying its own civilian missions, with particular attention to restoring the democratic process. That is what happened in the cases of Haiti, El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as, among more recent ones, Colombia, with the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia, the Mission to the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Good Offices Mission in Ecuador and Colombia, between 2007 and 2009. The Haiti, Colombia and Guatemala- Belize Missions are still active. At the same time, the OAS has undertaken tasks aimed at remedying the most lasting effects of internal conflicts. Our demining programme has already achieved the goal of declaring Central America a territory free of anti-personnel mines. This year our firearm destruction programme has destroyed thousands of weapons, many of them dating to the period of internal conflicts, with others related to the criminality that plagues the region. Furthermore, regional treaties or conventions have strengthened peace in our hemisphere. In the context of security, the key treaties and conventions consist of the Charter of the Organization of American States, which enshrines the principles of non-intervention, sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, collective self-defence in case of aggression, respect for fundamental human rights and strengthened representative democracy; the aforementioned American Treaty on Pacific Settlement, which describes all available means for the peaceful settlement of disputes, good offices and mediation, investigation and conciliation protocols, arbitration and judicial procedures, including appeals to the International Court of Justice; the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean; the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions; the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials; the 2003 Declaration on Security in the Americas; the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights, also known as the Pact of San Jose'; and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and eradication of Violence against Women, also known as the Convention of Bele'm do Para. It should also be mentioned that the OAS actively promotes the signing and ratification of all conventions on limiting and prohibiting arms and armaments, under the framework of the United Nations. Also included in the list are defensive white papers and consolidated confidence- and security-building measures, which have made a major contribution to forging a culture of respect for peace and security in the region. I have not included the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, known as the Rio Treaty, which was signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, one year before the creation of the OAS, as it is not currently in operation and has not been fully implemented in the inter-American system. Despite the long period of peace experienced in the region and the fact that most conflicts have been resolved, the Americas still face various security threats that are very different from armed conflict, but which produce significant damage. I am referring specifically to threats posed by organized crime and drug trafficking, as well as increased natural disasters and the risk of pandemics. That multiple reality led to the formulation, in the Special Conference on Security held in Mexico in 2003, ofa new doctrine and fundamental guiding principles on multilateral action in the field ofpeace and hemispheric security, based on the concept of multidimensional security. The concept was developed in the inter-American sphere, along with the concept of human security, which has been adopted by the United Nations and promoted by like aspirations. The multidimensional nature of security establishes complementarity among the subjects and actors related to security based on sovereignty and armed forces of the States of the region, and new issues and actors related to the identification of new threats, including crime and natural disasters. That concept of multidimensional security enjoys full legal force and was adopted by nearly all States members of the OAS and ratified at the 2004 summit of Heads of State and Government of the Americas. It thereby acquired official status and currently guides decisions in the security field, adopted by the Organization of American States. In that context, a great number of ongoing projects could be cited, among which I will mention only one, due to Argentina's important role, namely, the Coordination of Volunteers in the Hemisphere in Response to Natural Disasters and the Fight against Hunger and Poverty. Also known as the White Helmets Initiative, it was adopted in 2007 by the OAS General Assembly and faithfully expresses the concept of multidimensional security. With the increase in violent activity, our capacity for cooperative and collective action is being tested, not only within our region but also in the extra-regional bodies of the United Nations system. The OAS has expanded its work to other areas, especially those related to drug trafficking. We recently submitted a report that was requested by the Heads of State last year. Organized crime, trafficking in persons and weapons, and other crimes generate high rates of violence in some countries of the region, despite the absence of armed conflict. Those issues have assumed a higher profile than the more traditional security issues. The OAS has worked with specialized United Nations agencies, and such action has been strengthened. In that context, I note our work with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism and other OAS entities to develop and complement regular consultations and actions of the United Nations. At the beginning of this statement, I recalled the character of the Organization of American States as a regional body of the United Nations. It follows that the areas of current and potential cooperation between the two organizations are much broader than those described in these few minutes. They include issues related to the strengthening of democracy, comprehensive development, the environment, the defence of vulnerable groups, promotion of equal rights and gender equity, among others. I must therefore conclude by reaffirming our desire to cooperate with the main body of the international system in all areas of its activity, among which the issues related to the maintenance of peace and security and the peaceful settlement of disputes represent a fundamental aspect.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Ioannis Vrailas, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

Mr. Vrailas: I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia; the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this declaration. Let me first congratulate you, Madam President, on assuming this month's presidency ofthe Security Council and welcome Argentina's choice of the important topic of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations for its opening debate. I also thank the Secretary-General for his statement and the representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the African Union, the Union of South American Nations and the League of Arab States, for their briefings. In the light of the many challenges to peace and security, it is clear that the United Nations cannot address these alone, but that regional organizations often have an essential role to play. They can contribute their understanding of local and regional conflicts and their root causes, as well as their capacity to respond. Their capacity to contribute is, in itself, important. Enhanced regional capabilities for peacekeeping and conflict prevention are a prerequisite for strengthening regional ownership and responsibility for crisis management. Those capabilities require support, also among regions. As Council members know, the European Union and its member States provide substantial support for the capacity-building of regional organizations, both political and financial. For example, the EU is an important donor to the African Union African peace and security architecture and supports early warning and crisis response activities of the League of Arab States. As the Secretary-General stressed in his statement today, cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union is both geographically and substantially wide-ranging. Allow me to briefly address some of the areas of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations that we deem of particular importance in that context, and to share our own experiences in that regard. First is peacekeeping. The European Union and its member States welcome the increased attention given to the role of regional organizations in peacekeeping. The challenges oftoday's United Nations peacekeeping operations - including the ever-increasing demands for their deployment * highlight the need for increased cooperation with and capacity-building of regional organizations. Over the years, the EU has, in many locations, provided operational, financial and political support to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. The 12 completed and 16 ongoing Common Security and Defence Policy operations of the European Union - both military and civilian, on several continents - bear testimony to that support. The EU will continue to look for ways to enhance its direct support to United Nations peacekeeping based on an action plan that we adopted last year. Those actions range from hybrid, parallel and sequential deployment to logistics support relationships and joint training activities. Such cooperation cannot start early enough. A joint EU-United Nations assessment team recently visited Mali to assess the support requirements of the Mali police and in the area of counter-terrorism. Similarly, in crisis management, as well as early peacebuilding, regional organizations can develop a mutually supportive relationship with the United Nations. In those areas, the EU has over the years developed a close relationship with the United Nations, including through cooperation between our respective missions. In 2003, we agreed to a joint declaration on United Nations-EU cooperation in crisis management, which was complemented and reinforced by a further joint statement in June 2007. As an example, we were able to provide timely support for the rapid setting up of the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic. Similarly, our ongoing dialogue and cooperation regarding Mali illustrates how we can establish mutually supportive solutions in crisis management and early peacebuilding. Also in terms of conflict prevention, longer-term peacebuilding and mediation-strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the relevant regional and subregional organizations can bear fruit. For the EU, the United Nations remains a key partner in all of those areas. To that end, a mechanism has been established to allow regular policy-level contacts between EU and United Nations services. Moreover, the EU continues to support specific activities in those areas where the United Nations may be best placed to take matters forward in the field. That support also translates into substantial funding. Finally, we want to emphasize the overall importance of the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, both between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations as well as among regional organizations themselves. Regional organizations can learn a lot from the experience of the United Nations. For the EU, for example, our cooperation with the United Nations in the area of conflict prevention has a strong element of experience-sharing. To further promote such exchanges, we are exploring several possibilities for the better linking up of our work in the field. We also hope that we can bring our experience in conflict prevention to other regional organizations, including on preventing conflict over resources such as water and energy- related challenges through subregional strategies and institutions. To conclude, every regional organization has an inherent historical background, distinct objectives and a diverse membership. The concept paper (S/2013/446, annex) shared by the Argentine presidency rightly points out that differences in capacity, vision, mandates and objectives pose a clear challenge to elaborating an overarching framework. In formulating strategies for cooperation, we should therefore approach our efforts to strengthen global and regional cooperation in a results-oriented and pragmatic manner. There is no one size fits all. But we can and should learn from one another's experiences. That is why today's discussions are so valuable, so we can jointly grow the important partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I would like to remind all speakers that they should limit their statements to a maximum of four minutes, so that the Security Council can carry out its work expeditiously. I would therefore ask all delegations wishing to make lengthy statements to be kind enough to distribute their texts in writing and to present orally in the Chamber an abbreviated version of their comments. I now give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. Kydyrov (Kyrgyzstan) (spoke in Russian): Allow me at the outset to voice my gratitude to the Argentine presidency of the Security Council for having convened this open debate on a theme that is so important to the international community. I should like also to point out that Kyrgyzstan is currently chairing two organizations, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and that my statement will consist of two parts, one on behalf of each organization. It is my honour to speak on behalf of the member States of the CSTO: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. The members of our regional organization believe that the United Nations is the linchpin of international relations and equitable international cooperation. It commands universal legitimacy and has at its disposal the powers required to respond appropriately to the multitude of contemporary threats and challenges. At the same time, a milestone in the current stage of development of international relations has been the growing influence of regional organizations. In this day and age, the effective work of regional entities is an important component in the emergence of a new global architecture, and their efforts on the basis of the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations have significantly aided the United Nations in carrying out the functions and powers vested in it by the international community. A key role in such processes has been played by the associations and organizations active in the Commonwealth of Independent States space, including the CSTO. The CSTO plays a pivotal role in ensuring peace and stability in its area of operations. The CSTO, which has emerged as a political and legal instrument of mutual assistance in the event of foreign aggression, has in the 10 years of its existence fundamentally changed; it has become a key player in the emergence of the system of collective security in the CIS space. Today the CSTO is a multifunctional structure with the potential for a rapid response to a plethora of threats and challenges. The CSTO plays a significant role in combating terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, organized crime and illegal migration, including with a View to strengthening security and stability in Central Asia. We note with satisfaction the progressive development of interaction between the United Nations and the CSTO. In December 2004 our organization was granted observer status in the General Assembly. The significance of the interaction between the United Nations and the CSTO was highlighted by the adoption of resolutions at the sixty-fourth, sixty-fifth and sixty-seventh sessions of the General Assembly on cooperation between the United Nations and the CSTO. Those documents represented a recognition of the rich potential of comprehensive interaction between the two organizations and galvanized its intensification. The development of contacts also was expressed in the signing of a joint declaration on cooperation between the secretariats of the two organizations in March 2010. Meetings between the Secretaries-General of the two organizations are now held on a regular basis. In the light of the dynamics of development in Afghanistan, we have seen a productive continuation of the contacts between the CSTO and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia as well as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. We have established useful contacts with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate. The CSTO's successes also include interaction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). We have conducted exchanges of information and participated in the CSTO's pre-emptive counter-narcotics Operation Canal. Operation Canal, as well as the assistance provided by CSTO member States in connection with the transit of cargo for the international forces in Afghanistan, is an example of effective interaction among CSTO member States in countering the threats and challenges to security emanating from Afghanistan. We believe that the need for the coordination of approaches and for the development and implementation ofan agreed approach to Afghanistan by all international players that care about the country is deeply relevant. Among the most promising areas ofcooperation between the United Nations and the CSTO is peacekeeping. A significant contribution to interaction in that respect was the signing in September 2012 of a memorandum ofunderstanding between the CSTO secretariat and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations. That document paves the way for practical cooperation in the field of peacekeeping. The CSTO peacekeeping mechanism offers the possibility of using the Organization's capabilities in peacekeeping operations, including under the auspices of the United Nations. In that regard, it is worth remembering that the goals of the CSTO, which has become an international regional organization with the entry into force of its Charter on 18 September 2003, are to strengthen peace and international and regional stability, and to collectively protect the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of its member States. Moreover, the priority for CSTO members in achieving those objectives is to use political means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The results of the CSTO's activities reflect the genuine potential for interaction with the United Nations on the basis of the principles of partnership and complementarity of efforts. (spoke in English) I now have the honour to make a statement on behalf of the member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. I also have the honour to confirm that all members of our regional organization accord special attention to strengthening cooperation with the United Nations, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. We are united in our understanding that, in accordance with the Charter, the Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The aspirations of the SCO member States are closely interlinked with the goals and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We seek to transform the SCO area into a region of lasting peace, friendship and prosperity. General Assembly resolution 67/15 on cooperation between the United Nations and the SCO, adopted in November last year, acknowledged the important role of the SCO in securing peace and sustainable development, advancing regional cooperation and strengthening good-neighbourliness and mutual trust. We are developing our cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism and the fight against separatism and extremism; inter alia, we have created the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure. Some other areas of cooperation include non-proliferation and combating transnational organized crime. Tackling problems of international information security is also a priority. At the July meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers, it was stressed that peace and stability in the whole region depends on the situation in Afghanistan. The central role of the United Nations in international efforts to achieve an Afghan settlement was confirmed, and we expressed our support for the aspirations of the peoples of Afghanistan for peaceful recovery and revival. The SCO supports efforts to make Afghanistan an independent, peaceful, neutral and prosperous country free of terrorism and drug-related crime. Cooperation between the SCO and the United Nations has a solid international legal basis. Our organization has had observer status in the General Assembly since 2004, and the Assembly has adopted three resolutions on cooperation between our organizations. The Joint Declaration on Ccooperation, signed in Tashkent in 2010, between the secretariats of the two organizations is a good illustration of the growing authority ofthe SCO, its focus on the expansion of external relations and the creation of a partnership network of multilateral organizations and forums. The memorandum of understanding between the SCO secretariat and the UNODC was signed with a View to enhancing the cooperation between the United Nations and the SCO. It aims specifically at effectively tackling the problems of the production, trade and trafficking of narcotic drugs originating in Afghanistan. Another important document is the protocol on cooperation between the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure and the UNODC. Important elements of effective regional cooperation include consistent implementation of the 2011-2016 Anti-Drug Strategy and Action Plan, the creation of an effective system of joint countermeasures aimed at combating the drug threat and establishing reliable barriers to the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychoactive substances and their precursors. In order to actively contribute to the economic development of the countries of the region and boost the welfare of its peoples, the economic component of the cooperation among the SCO countries continues to play a pivotal role. A close interaction has been established between our Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. We are convinced that further strengthening of the partnership between the United Nations and the SCO will contribute to the realization of the goals and objectives of the United Nations with a view to deepening comprehensive cooperation aimed at tackling the political, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems of the modern world. The forthcoming summit of the SCO heads of State on 13 September in Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic is aimed at giving a new impetus to furthering the development of the organization and the strengthening of its standing in the international arena. We are confident that the outcome of the Bishkek summit will form an appropriate basis on which long-term security in the region and expanding trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian relations will be ensured.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Mr. Montafio y Martinez (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Mexico welcomes the initiative of the Republic of Argentina to convene this open debate on United Nations cooperation with regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. Providing peace and security to citizens is a duty of States. To achieve those objectives in a world as globalized as ours is today, international dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of information and best practices are crucial. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the trafficking in small arms, transnational organized crime, climate change and food insecurity, among others, are challenges that threaten and hinder the maintenance of international peace and security. Regional and global organizations have a key role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the development of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, dialogue and multilateral cooperation. They also have a role to play in the protection of human rights, institutional development, the consolidation of the rule of law and the promotion of respect for international law. In these lofty aims, Mexico recognizes the important role played by the Organization of American States in our region as a promoter of cooperation in the Americas, which is becoming a strategic partner of the United Nations at the regional level. We also believe that the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States has a major and specific role to play, which is to strengthen and ensure that dialogue prevails among all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and to find areas of convergence so as to maximize cooperation . We also acknowledge the special role of bodies, mechanisms and processes, such as the Association of Caribbean States, the Central American Integration System, MERCOSUR and the Union of South American Nations, in promoting greater integration, and hence greater development and a higher quality of life for citizens. All of those institutions seek, from different angles to build a prosperous, democratic and peaceful world that fosters the development of their citizens' potentials. In October we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Declaration on Security in the Americas, adopted by the Organization ofAmerican States and which was a result of a special conference on security, held in Mexico on 28 October 2003. The Declaration on Security in the Americas recognized that the threats and challenges to security in our hemisphere and concerns about security are diverse in nature and multidimensional in scope. Similarly, the American nations believe that the basis and rationale for security is the protection of the human person in every aspect. To achieve that objective, it is essential to adopt an approach that includes promoting economic and social development, social inclusion and education. In order to improve security conditions, American States have committed themselves to addressing extreme poverty and social exclusion, ensuring universal access to basic health services, promoting a democratic culture through education for peace and strengthening civil society participation in what we believe to be, fundamentally, the development of a multidimensional approach to security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Mr. Khalil (Egypt) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me, at the outset, to congratulate you, Madam President, on having assumed the presidency of the Security Council for August. (spoke in English) I would also like to commend the choice of the subject for the first Council debate of this month. Synergy between international, regional and subregional organizations is a prerequisite for the success of peace and security efforts. That issue has been discussed before and should be revisited anew to address different aspects and strengthen the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. The Security Council has the primary jurisdiction over matters relating to international peace and security. However, full regional, subregional and national participation in Security Council peace and security efforts is necessary in order to ensure a sufficient level of ownership and familiarity for regional parties to every conflict. The engagement of the relevant regional organizations is crucial for the success ofUnited Nations peace efforts at the various stages of responding to a conflict, including early warning, conflict prevention, mediation and post-conflict peacebuilding. In the Middle East, cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is indispensable. The establishment of the mission of the Joint Special Representative for Syria is just one example of the potential cooperation between the two organizations. Such cooperation should extend to conflict prevention and resolution. It can also help in finding lasting solutions to the two major chronic problems of the region that have had a negative impact on regional and international peace and security: the Palestinian question and the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. The United Nations can benefit from the regional convening power and consensus-building of both the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. For that to happen, the Security Council should be more responsive to the regional mechanisms. Consultations should take place on a more regular basis, and consultations should have concrete outcomes. A shared role between the United Nations and regional organizations for peacekeeping is both desirable and achievable. The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur is a case in point. It stands out as the most prominent example of cooperation between the United Nations and a regional organization in the field of peacekeeping. However, hybrid peacekeeping operations continue to be the exception, not the rule. In Africa, we should have more hybrid operations with a predominantly African character. It is necessary to expand African capacity to meet peace and security challenges. That could be achieved through more streamlining and coordination between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. Consolidating and securing financial resources is another obstacle that should be overcome. It is worth noting that the 2008 Prodi panel report (S/2008/813) on African Union/United Nations cooperation recommended a multi-donor trust fund to support peacekeeping in Africa, based on African ownership. After five years, that recommendation has yet to be implemented. Finally, international peace and security originate in regional peace and security. The efforts of the United Nations will not be successful without the direct support of regional stakeholders and the organizations that represent them.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of New Zealand.

Mr. McLay (New Zealand): New Zealand congratulates Argentina on the priority it has given to this very important issue. We recognize and applaud the strength and relevance of the Latin American regional organizations that are represented here today. In the Pacific, we are also very well served by our own regional organizations, which have restored security when Violence has threatened lives and stability. Just last month, in Honiara on Solomon Islands, regional leaders celebrated the success of the 10-year-long Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. We therefore share the sentiments expressed today about the importance of strong and effective regional institutions and their competitive advantage through proximity, in-depth knowledge, commitment and local accountability. We would say that proper use of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations can be a critical contributor to international peace and security, as expounded this morning by the Secretary-General and others. But we also share the realism expressed today about the need, in difficult cases, for regional efforts to be backed up or supplemented by the United Nations and the Security Council in particular. We also share the African Union's optimism, as expressed on its behalf by the representative of Ethiopia, that its African Peace and Security Architecture can address regional challenges. But we also share African concerns, as just voiced by the representative of Egypt, that the Security Council is simply not doing enough to respond to the hopes and expectations of the African Union (AU) and African regional and subregional organizations. There seem to us to be two distinct elements to the problem. First is the concern that, sometimes, the Security Council can overshadow and effectively marginalize the AU and other regional institutions and, conversely, in other cases, the Council is often too passive or is not responsive in a timely manner. It is not enough for the Security Council to adopt statements of good intention. What is needed is a new, practical willingness to extend the Council's capacity to interact in a collective way that builds real partnerships with the regions. To achieve this, the Council must be perceptive and flexible in responding to particular situations. Sometimes, effective cooperation and partnership will require urgent Council political action of a preventive kind. Sometimes it will mean the consideration of strong deterrent measures. Other times it will require the use of the Council's unique capacity to provide financial, logistical and even military support to assist regional efforts. Sometimes it will require decisions to deploy a full-scale United Nations operation. Right now, the model developed for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur is causing dissatisfaction on all sides, and that is hardly surprising, given its history. Instead, New Zealand would like to see a focus, by the Council and by regional organizations, on building practical partnerships at a much earlier stage of an emerging problem. The Security Council and regional organizations should be working together in conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution. We therefore echo Ethiopia's call on behalf of the AU for more effective, results-focused consultations with the Council and regional organizations. Regional actors can, as the representative of Egypt has just emphasized, contribute in-depth knowledge and longstanding relationships with key local stakeholders, with whom they often share linguistic, cultural and historical ties. Such ties can be crucial for generating the trust and engagement required for successful mediation, and they can prove useful in supporting civil society constituencies for building and sustaining peace. At the global level, only the United Nations has the power to levy assessed contributions from all Member States, but this Council can also bring into play other assets, such as institutional weight and impact and the capacities of Member States with wide experience of similar issues in other parts of the world, and it can provide neutral perspectives. A real partnership along those lines, including the hybrid missions advocated by Egypt, could also be very useful in reducing the incoherence that sometimes bedevils conflict prevention, with overlap between the United Nations, bilateral and regional organizations and actors. To make progress on this important agenda item, we believe that the Council must take a step that would involve cultural change. Formats like the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa could be a very useful entry point for forging the kind of partnership we are suggesting. But, for that to be meaningful, working methods must be adapted to allow regional and subregional organisations and their members to be meaningfully engaged. We are convinced that only through active conflict prevention under Chapter VI and effective engagement with regional and subregional organizations under Chapter VIII can we hope to reduce the demand for hugely expensive peacekeeping operations; and, above all, we must address the enormous human, social, environmental and financial costs of armed conflict. In Chapters VI and VIII we have the tools, and New Zealand urges that, by working together, the Council and regional and subregional organizations should put them to very good use.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the Representative of Honduras.

Mr. Suazo (Honduras) (spoke in Spanish): My Ambassador has asked me to convey her greetings to Council President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Her presence today in the Council and the fact that Argentina has called for this open debate on regional organizations and their role in the international sphere provide a clear example of Latin America's ability to bring together such a large number of ministers and representatives of regional organizations. In my experience at the United Nations I have never seen such a large group of dignitaries in an open debate of the Council. We appreciate the statements made by the President Pro Tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba. We support the ideas that he expressed in his statement. We also welcome the presence ofthe Secretary- General this morning and the message he delivered to the Council. We know now that no State can act alone or in isolation. The globalized world and the progress in industrial technology, cyber communication and information technology make us increasingly interdependent. That is a reality. Thus we face dangerous threats and problems collectively, and that is why this debate is very important to the State of Honduras, which firmly believes in multilateralism and the role of international organizations. That is also the reason why we were one of the founding members of the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Central American Integration System (SICA), among others. And we are firmly committed to continuously strengthening regional and subregional mechanisms, which should play a role in international peace and security. Such regional and subregional organizations must also, in our opinion, actively fight against the scourge of international terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and trafficking in persons. Above all, such efforts should be carried out with the decisive cooperation of the United Nations. The collective efforts of regional organizations and the United Nations are all the more crucial for the development of programmes and projects of a regional and subregional nature that are designed to counter the adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters and promote the coordination of international humanitarian assistance. The whole spectrum of regional and subregional cooperation in its humanitarian dimension is an invaluable element for coordination and cooperation. Here, in this debate, it takes on a human face. We believe that the commitment of States to strengthening cooperation with international, regional and subregional bodies is the highest expression of multilateralism. In its previous meeting on this topic the Council agreed that regional organizations are in a unique position to understand the causes of conflicts and other security problems, pointing out that we should take advantage of the current and potential capacity of regional and subregional organizations and encourage the countries in every region to resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue, reconciliation, consultation and negotiations, as well as good offices, mediation and the settlement of disputes through legal means (see S/PV.6257). The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Guatemala mentioned the democratic and peaceful vocation of Central and Latin America, and he described how from the Contadora Group we arrived at CELAC. Central America is a clear example of how the United Nations and its peace operations can be a success today. We have a Central American Parliament, we have an integration system, a Central American Bank, a Central American Court of Justice, and we are currently further strengthening our expectations through international cooperation. Since the United Nations is not equipped to tackle all of the crises of the world alone, we have to strengthen the partnership between the United Nations and regional organizations in order to maintain international peace and security. While it is true that the Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security, cooperation between regional organizations and the United Nations would not only lighten the burden for the Council but would also provide greater legitimacy with the participation of regional partners in times of crisis. In that regard, cooperation between the United Nations and the different regional and subregional organizations must achieve a higher level of cooperation and avoid a duplication of efforts and financial resources and avoid the squandering of efforts, financial resources and time. Communication channels must exist between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations that would enable both parties to be sure that they are on right track to achieve their common goals. In the same spirit, we welcome today's presidential statement, which achieved a consensus under the leadership of Argentina. It is not always easy to achieve a consensus in the Council, and we are sure that it will make a special contribution to the urgent need to develop effective partnerships that could smooth the way for the tasks envisaged. Lastly, Honduras is fully convinced that, despite the difficulties and obstacles that exist, the international community can benefit, in the process of maintaining peace and security, from a balance between the sound knowledge of a conflict that a regional organization might have and the legitimacy and authority of the Security Council.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Viet Nam.

Mr. Le Hoai Trung (Viet Nam): I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 10 States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. At the outset, allow me to congratulate you, Madam President, and the Argentine Republic on assuming the functions of President of the Security Council for the month of August. We wish Argentina all the best of success. In the past few years, we have witnessed enormous changes, and new paradigms in international peace and security have emerged. Hence, it is critical to strengthen regional-global cooperation and coordination. Indeed, from Europe to Asia, from Africa to the Americas, regional organizations have displayed a more active role in the maintenance ofpeace and security. In our region, 10 South-East Asian countries are building an ASEAN community as envisioned in the ASEAN Charter. Over the years, ASEAN has increasingly become a central component of the regional architecture. Important regional arrangements, with ASEAN at the core, in particular the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting- Plus, have proven to be effective forums for dialogue and consultation on regional security and beyond. In its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and beyond, ASEAN attaches great importance to cooperation with the United Nations. Since the previous Council debate on this topic in January 2012 (see S/PV.6702), that cooperation has been improved in a comprehensive manner. First, ASEAN-United Nations cooperation has been institutionalized with the adoption of a Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations. Under that framework, periodic ASEAN-United Nations interactions have been established at various levels, including at high levels, through ASEAN-United Nations summits and annual meetings between the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General. The Comprehensive Partnership has also established priority areas of cooperation, which include mediation and good offices, non-traditional security issues, counter-terrorism, the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, food and energy security, climate change, ASEAN connectivity, culture and education. In addition, a resolution on ASEAN-United Nations cooperation has been adopted biennially by consensus in the General Assembly, of which the latest was resolution 67/110, which stresses the need for continued and increased coordination for the concrete realization of elements of cooperation contained therein. Secondly, ASEAN member States have actively and constructively contributed to the work of the United Nations in the field of peace and security. Individually and collectively, ASEAN States have initiated or have taken part in negotiations of important General Assembly resolutions on peace and security. They have become members and have chaired groups within the framework of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations of the General Assembly. As of June 2013, ASEAN member States had contributed nearly 4,000 peacekeepers to 13 out of 16 United Nations peacekeeping missions, and more are expected with the recent announcement by Viet Nam, my country, of its intention to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in early 2014. Thirdly, ASEAN and the Secretariat have expanded activities in the implementation of the comprehensive partnership. The Secretariat and other United Nations bodies have provided expertise and cooperated closely with ASEAN and other partners in organizing workshops and training courses and in bilateral exchanges on peacebuilding and security- related issues. Notable instances include workshops with various United Nations organizations, including those that have been established by the Council. The growing ASEAN-United Nations cooperation has been beneficial to international peace and security, as well as to peace and security in the region. Through increased interaction and the expertise and niche capacity of each side, we have been able to complement each other. For its part, ASEAN continues to be a net contributor to international peace and security. The ASEAN way of incremental interaction, consultation and dialogue could be part of the solution to conflicts and crises elsewhere. Most importantly, such dialogue is crucial to cultivating a culture ofpeace that promotes restraint, preventive diplomacy and mutual respect, as well as a strong commitment to international law, the Charter of the United Nations, including the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is our hope to benefit from continued United Nations support and facilitation for the central role of ASEAN in addressing regional peace and security issues, as well as the ASEAN contribution to the work of the United Nations. Emerging issues, such as climate change, energy security and maritime security, would be better dealt with by increased and diversified cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations, including United Nations specialised agencies. I take this opportunity to express the sincere thanks of ASEAN countries to the Secretary-General, United Nations bodies and the specialized agencies and their leaders for their valuable support and assistance. In conclusion, ASEAN reiterates its strong commitment to further broadening and deepening cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations, especially in the maintenance of international peace and security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Mr. Ja'afari (Syrian Arab Republic) (spoke in Arabic): Permit me at the outset to welcome Her Excellency Ms. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, President of the friendly Argentine Republic, and to congratulate her on her country's assumption of the presidency of the Council during the month of August. I would also like to express our appreciation of the initiative taken by Argentina to convene this important debate. The Charter of the United Nations has established a legal framework for cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. Some of those organizations have proven the important role that they can play in many fields in the interests of Member States, notably in the areas of mediation and the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts, in addition to defending the interests of the Member States and promoting cooperation among them. The complementarity of the efforts of the United Nations and regional organizations on common issues, the foremost of which is the preservation of international peace and security, adds value to theirjoint work. Success in those endeavours requires, however, that those efforts be consistent with international law, the objectives and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and related propositions. That leads us to consider what has been mentioned with regard to the role of the League of Arab States as a regional organization that assists in promoting and preserving regional peace and security and in settling issues in the Arab region, such as the situation in my country today. As the Council is aware, the Syrian Arab Republic is an original founder of the League of Arab States and has played a pivotal role in the history of the cooperative work among Arab States. It has defended the interests of Arab Member States and has been committed to the Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation Treaty between the States of the Arab League. In spite of all that, it has also been subject to pressures and aggression that have cast a dark shadow on the life of the Syrian people and the country's prosperity. Syria deeply believes in its Arab roots and nature, and welcomed the engagement of the League of Arab States in settling the Syrian crisis, thinking that it would play a positive role in exposing the facts of the situation and in assisting to put a halt to violence and in supporting the national dialogue launched by the Syrian Government for the settlement of the crisis. In that regard, the Syrian Government has cooperated with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and has remained committed to the implementation of the action plan agreed to by both sides. At the same time, the Syrian Arab Republic has opened its doors to Arab observers. However, Arab States, in particular Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have taken advantage of the unstable situations in some of the States in the region to hijack the decision-making in the League of Arab States and to impose the will of other countries, sometimes through threats and at other times through bribes. They have worked at making the League of Arab States implement or push for external agendas that are not in the interesta of the Arab region or its people. Instead of working for the good of all, the League of Arab States has fallen victim to the hegemony of the petrodollar and cooperated in committing aggression. The deviation began when the secretariat of the League of Arab States aborted the mission of the Arab observers and obfuscated its results before the Security Council early in the situation that has afflicted my country. The mission had made it clear from the beginning that armed groups were committing acts of terrorism and aggression in various parts of Syria and serving external agendas that threatened the peace, security and stability of the country. It went even further when it issued a number of illegal decisions that were aimed not only at manipulating the role of regional organizations and shirking the responsibility of the League but also at internationalizing the Syrian crisis and calling for external interference in its internal affairs. The last of those decisions provided for cooperation with one of the external opposition parties that is financed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia and, without any right whatsoever, recognized it as the representative of the Syrian people in clear Violation of its own Charter, the basics of international law and Arab and international relations. It went still further when those two countries, despite the objections of another Arab country, exerted pressure to adopt a decision that permits Arab States Willing to do so to provide weapons to the Syrian opposition and armed terrorist groups that are also sponsored by the Turkish Government, which funds and arms them and assists them in crossing the border. This clearly undermined the mission of the United Nations Special Envoy, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, and constituted a clear admission on the part of some States that they stood on the side of the terrorists in their aggression against Syria, its people, State and institutions, in violation of resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012), which provided for a political settlement of the crisis in Syria. That decision also obviated the efforts made by the Geneva Conference, in clear violation of the commitments undertaken by Arab States members of the League of Arab States and of the basics of international law, the aims and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2 on the sovereignty of States, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, the peaceful settlement of conflicts and the non-use of force. That League of Arab States decision also encroached upon the Security Council's role in maintaining international peace and security under Article 24 of the Charter, and its exclusive power under Article 53 to authorize regional organizations to undertake enforcement actions. All those decisions have only fanned the flames of the Syrian crisis and hindered all efforts to find a political solution thereto. They have harmed the Syrian State and the Syrian people, and supported the terrorism that all countries of the world have pledged to combat. We call on the League of Arab States to be part of the peaceful political solution, not a part of the problems of the region and the crisis therein, in service of agendas that are not in the interests of the Arab peoples and that promote the so-called phenomenon of the Arab Spring, which is more like a harsh winter that has overshadowed the peace, stability and security of the Arab people. We call upon the League of Arab States to liberate itself from the hegemony of the petrodollar and return to the tenets of reason and respect for international law and respect for its Charter and its rules ofprocedure, and to refrain from using terminology that has been used by others to undermine the sovereignty of Arab States and their territorial integrity. We call on the Arab League to work in the interests of Arab causes, foremost of which is putting an end to the Israeli occupation of the occupied Arab territories.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine.

Mr. Vitrenko (Ukraine): Madam President, first of all, let me thank you for organizing today's meeting. Ukraine supports the meeting's objectives to further strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional arrangements in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The presence with us today of the President of the Argentine Republic attests to the importance that her country attaches to the issue. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General and the representatives of regional and subregional organizations for their respective insights. While Ukraine aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union, I would like to make a few comments in my national capacity. During its sole period ofmembership ofthe Security Council as an independent country in 2000-2001, Ukraine paid particular attention to the strengthening of interaction between the Council and regional organizations based on the principles of effective and clear division of labour, complementarity, added value, comparative advantages and regional ownership. We welcome the progress achieved since then in ensuring closer and more operational cooperation. In that regard, the most recent rehatting experience in Mali comes to mind. Yet the goal of ensuring the coherence, synergy and collective effectiveness of joint efforts remains as relevant as ever. That is why we fully support today's comprehensive presidential statement aimed at achieving that purpose (S/PRST/2013/12). As is rightly pointed out in the concept note (S/2013/446, annex), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is one of the two regional organizations that, along with the African Union, enjoy the most established interaction with the Security Council. Since Ukraine has the honour to chair the OSCE in 2013, let me briefly outline some suggestions on how to advance the United Nations/ OSCE partnership. For the sake of time, I will confine myself to general remarks, while the full text of the statement will be uploaded to my mission's web page. As was emphasized by the OSCE Chairperson-in- Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, before this Council in May (see S/PV.6961), the OSCE is a strong partner of the United Nations in promoting international peace and security in its area. With a comprehensive approach to security and in view of its geographical scope stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok, the OSCE enjoys a unique place among all other regional organizations under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. In March 2006, the OSCE Permanent Council adopted a Declaration on Cooperation with the United Nations, welcoming Security Council resolution 1631 (2005) and declaring the OSCE's readiness to further strengthen cooperation with the Organization. Consequently, the OSCE has boosted its cooperation with the United Nations in all three dimensions - the politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human - with particular attention given to addressing post-conflict challenges, humanitarian needs and transnational threats. As security challenges continue to evolve, the nature of United Nations/OSCE collaboration must evolve as well, becoming more pragmatic and action-oriented. We should clearly identify areas where the two organizations can most effectively work together or in parallel - but not in competition 7 guided by the needs and priorities of their member States. In our view, the OSCE should continue to engage closely on mediation with the United Nations and its Friends of Mediation, particularly as the OSCE bolsters its own mediation and mediation support capacity through various measures. The OSCE will remain committed to supporting the United Nations by helping to create more synergies in key regions of common concern. In particular, the security, political and economic transitions in Afghanistan, as well as the withdrawal of international security forces in 2014, will continue to have security implications for the OSCE area. Progress in finding sustainable and long-term solutions to the protracted conflicts in the OSCE area is at the top of the Ukrainian chairmanship's agenda. We greatly appreciate the input of the United Nations in solving security and humanitarian issues in the area of conflict in Georgia, within the framework of the Geneva international discussions, The OSCE mission in Kosovo is a key component of the framework of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, providing valuable experience and expertise in institution-building and promoting human rights and engaging actively with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations. The OSCE pays particular attention to a broad range of transnational threats. That attention encompasses close cooperation with the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as well as interaction on drugs, borders, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We therefore see particular merit in deepening cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). An updated joint action plan with UNODC for 2013-2014 entered into force in April. In the area of policing, the OSCE has developed strong ties with the DPKO's Police Division and is actively cooperating in developing a new United Nations strategic guidance framework for international police peacekeeping. I should recall that in March Ukraine hosted one of the dedicated regional seminars. The fight against trafficking in human beings remains one of the key issues addressed by the OSCE under Ukraine's chairmanship. In June, the chairmanship held a high-level international conference in Kyiv on combating trafficking in human beings. Other priorities for the human dimensions of Ukraine's chairmanship include strengthening the freedom of the media. It is worth noting that OSCE'S representative for the freedom of media has been engaged in drafting the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which is quite significant in the light of the Council's open debate on that very issue last month (S/PV.7003). The United Nations and the OSCE continually share relevant information in this field. This list of priority areas of cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE is not exhaustive, and the Ukrainian chairmanship will make every effort to advance our bilateral interaction as comprehensively and effectively as possible. In closing, I would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to advancing cooperation between the United Nations and its regional and subregional partners.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Al-Mouallimi (Saudi Arabia) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, Madam President, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on Argentina's assumption of the Security Council presidency for this month, and to thank you for the invitation to take part in this open debate on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. I would also like to give special thanks to Her Excellency the President of the Republic of Argentina for presiding over the first part of the meeting. We all agree about the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. The Charter of the United Nations emphasizes the importance of urging regional organizations to work towards the peaceful resolution of local disputes. It also encourages the Security Council to try to resolve such disputes through regional institutions. The growing importance of such cooperation is demonstrated by current trends, some of the most important being, first, the escalation in the number of conflicts and the places where such conflicts occur around the world. In the past the Security Council had a limited number of issues to deal with during its regular meetings, but today its agenda is loaded with issues, most of them regional conflicts, making it difficult for the Council to perform its role alone. Secondly, such local conflicts are displaying increasing levels of difficulty and complexity, owing to the intense influence exerted on them by ethnic, religious, cultural and economic factors, as well as other issues linked to foreign interventions and special interests. That complexity makes it harder to comprehend the nature and complications of the conflicts, the circumstances in which they are created and how they can be overcome, and makes a better understanding of the intricacies and details of local circumstances imperative. Thirdly, regional organizations, by virtue of their geographic proximity and direct involvement at the local level are in a better position to understand and address local issues. Fourthly, regional organizations have special capabilities in the areas of preventive diplomacy, early- warning systems, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, although that should not exempt the international community from fulfilling its responsibilities by participating in such tasks. In that context, the Security Council retains the primary responsibility for ensuring international peace and security. In addition, general humanitarian principles - such as the right of peoples to self- determination; the importance of protecting civilians when their authorities are unwilling or incapable of doing so or, as in the case of Syria, when they seek to exterminate them; the preservation of human rights; the refusal to overlook war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the willingness to hold violators committing these crimes accountable - are basic responsibilities that the Council cannot and should not abandon. Cooperation with regional organizations should be based on shouldering those responsibilities and on upholding the principle of the maintenance of peace and security. My country has played an active role in resolving a number of regional conflicts in cooperation with relevant regional and subregional organizations, chief among them the leadership role taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in sparing its brother State of Yemen the dangers of a grinding civil war, and to help the people of Yemen find positive and creative solutions to the political crisis in their country. Saudi Arabia will continue to provide economic and political support to our Yemeni brothers until they achieve their aspirations. The supportive role played by the United Nations has had an effective impact and demonstrated the international community's solidarity with the plans and initiatives of the GCC. Furthermore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the sisterly countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council were the first to call for the imposition of a no-fly zone aimed at preventing the perpetration of massacres against the brotherly Libyan people, a call subsequently reiterated by the League of Arab States and the Security Council. Concerning Syria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the first Arab country to break the wall of silence about the suffering of peaceful demonstrators exposed to bullets, arrests and torture. Saudi Arabia joined its sister countries in the League of Arab States in developing initiatives aimed at saving the Syrian people from bloodshed and enabling them to achieve their legitimate aspirations of freedom, dignity and prosperity. Unfortunately, the Security Council's failure to adopt the positions of the relevant regional organization, the League of Arab States, has contributed to the escalation of the crisis in Syria and the continuing tragedy there, manifested in the death of tens of thousands of victims and millions of displaced citizens. Thus, while the example of Yemen is one of positive cooperation, that of Syria is a negative example of what can happen when such cooperation is absent. The positions held by some members of the Council not only defy the regional consensus but also contradict the will of the international community, as expressed in several consecutive General Assembly resolutions on Syria. My delegation stresses the importance of establishing effective mechanisms to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations and those of regional and subregional organizations, in order to enable such organizations to play a more effective role under the umbrella of the United Nations. Such a role would be in harmony with their capabilities, initiatives and expertise and would enable areas affected by conflict to avoid the internationalization of local conflicts, especially when an international body loses its ability to act effectively. In conclusion, I wish to note that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a member of the Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency group - a cross- regional group of 22 States seeking to improve the working methods of the Security Council - stands for those very principles. Saudi Arabia values the efforts of Council members to engage with the wider United Nations membership in open debates and, accordingly, welcomes today's open debate organized by Argentina.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

Mr. Yamazaki (Japan): At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to the Argentine presidency for its leadership in convening this open debate. I would also like to express appreciation to Secretary- General Ban Ki-Moon for his briefing, as well as to the representatives of various regional and subregional organizations for their remarks. Good cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, are important for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is therefore quite pertinent that the Council should allocate its time to update and assess the ongoing collaboration between them. That is why we find today's open debate timely. I would like to make a few observations on the matter. First, regional and subregional organizations are well placed to play crucial roles in conflict prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. They have a comparative advantage in playing such roles because of their proximity to conflicts and abundant knowledge of the region and influence on the stakeholders. Japan would like to commend the conflict-preventing, mediating or other peacemaking roles played by such organizations as the African Union in Somalia, the Sudan and South Sudan; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Mali; the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Central Asia; the Union of South American Nations, in Latin America; and the League of Arab States in addressing recent dramatic changes in the Middle East. At the same time, the United Nations has played a role in promoting political processes and achieving peace agreements. It would be important for the United Nations to lend its support to supplement the peacemaking efforts of the regional and subregional organizations, when and where necessary. Secondly, in line with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations can play their respective roles in the area of peacekeeping activities. Regional and subregional organizations can rapidly respond to conflicts in order to settle disputes before they escalate, while the United Nations remains primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security and could intervene, if necessary, with wide-range international resources. A recent example of this is the situation in Mali. Japan commends the intervention of ECOWAS and the African Union into Mali and the subsequent smooth transformation of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali into the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. Thirdly, we believe there is further room for cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. A mechanism such as the annual joint meeting of the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council certainly facilitates the harmonization of their respective policies on specific issues related to conflict. A similar dialogue was held earlier this year between the Security Council and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union. The Secretariat also has held similar consultative meetings with other regional groups, such as the Caribbean Community and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The continuation of those initiatives is encouraged. The commitment of regional and subregional organizations to the maintenance of peace and security in their respective regions should be commended. In order to help these organizations fulfil their intentions, the international community should strive to support their activities. Japan remains committed to extending its assistance to these organizations. Since 2008, Japan has extended assistance for capacity-building to peacekeeping training centres in 10 African countries - Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa - amounting to $30 million in total. Japan has also provided other assistance to strengthen the African peace and security architecture. Japan also believes that it is important for the United Nations to reach out to regional and subregional organizations in the fields of conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy. In that regard, Japan welcomes the fact that the partnership between the United Nations and ASEAN has been deepened in these fields, and is proud to have supported the initiative of the Secretariat to hold the ASEAN-United Nations Workshop on Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 5 and 6 April. Before concluding my remarks, I would like to emphasize that Japan has always paid attention to the enhancement of partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. In that regard, I would like to mention the fact that Japan welcomed the African Union Commission to become one of the organizers of the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), which took place in Japan in June, together with the other organizers: Japan, the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. TICAD V was a huge success thanks to the participation of 39 African Heads of State and Government and heads of the five organizers, including the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. That multilateral high-level policy forum will certainly serve to create a more dynamic Africa by enhancing economic growth, establishing inclusive and resilient society and ensuring peace and stability in the region.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Uganda.

Mr. Nduhuura (Uganda): I congratulate you, Madam President, and the delegation of Argentina, on your leadership of the Security Council this month. I thank you for organizing and presiding over this high- level debate on this important topic. I also thank the Secretary-General and the representatives of the African Union (AU), the European Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the League of Arab States and the Union of South American Nations for their insightful briefings. This debate is taking place at a time when the international community is facing and grappling with a number of serious peace and security challenges, including violent conflicts, terrorism, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. While we recognize that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security is vested in the Security Council, the emphasis should be on quick and strong action through collective efforts. It is also important for the Security Council to continuously evaluate and reflect on whether its diagnoses of conflict situations and the solutions prescribed are correct and not defective. My delegation would like to underscore the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations on issues related to the maintenance of peace and security, human rights and development. We would like to commend in that regard the Security Council's continuous prioritization of its engagement with regional and subregional organizations to exchange views on practical ways to strengthen that partnership. The United Nations therefore should optimize the contribution made by such organizations, which have the advantage of proximity and the capability to mobilize and respond quickly. We are convinced that fostering strategic partnerships will bolster the effectiveness of the United Nations and of regional and subregional organizations, with immense benefits for the nationals of the Member States. I would like to focus on three fundamental elements that we consider crucial to the success of that cooperation. First, it is essential for the United Nations and its partners to provide effective, predictable and timely support to regional and subregional organizations in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. These organizations have played a pivotal role in addressing peace and security challenges. For instance, the African Union and subregional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and the Economic Community of West African States have undertaken a number of successful peace and security initiatives on the continent. They have contributed in terms of troops, logistics, political leadership and finances, according to the capacity of their member States. However, in many cases regional and subregional organizations lack the requisite resources and capacity to do so, as the experiences of the African Union Mission in Somalia and the African-led International Support Mission in Mali have shown. We would like to stress that when the African Union or any other regional or subregional organization undertakes peacekeeping or peace-enforcement initiatives, they shoulder the responsibility of the Security Council and should therefore be adequately supported. The critical issue of financing AU peacekeeping missions authorized by the Security Council - which remains unresolved almost five years since the AU-United Nations panel formerly led by Mr. Romano Prodi made an unequivocal recommendation to consider the use of assessed contributions on a case-by-case basis - should be finalized. Secondly, it is important to strengthen further cooperation between and among regional and subregional organizations. The AU-European Union Partnership on Peace and Security in support of the African Peace Facility, as a case in point, has been instrumental in enhancing the AU peace support operations, capacity-building and early-response mechanisms. We call for regular interaction, coordination and consultation between the United Nations Secretariat and the secretariats and Commissions of regional and subregional organizations on matters of common interest. That will enable them to augment complementarities and avoid duplication of efforts. We further call for transparency. The Council should strive to be more even-handed and transparent in its approach and decisions so as to dispel the perception that on some issues under its consideration, vested interests override fairness. Thirdly, and in conclusion, the Security Council should take an interest in issues of human security, including social and economic development. There is a great need to stress the linkage between peace and security, and economic development. We are convinced that supporting developmental projects will ably consolidate the peace and security efforts realized so far by the regional and subregional organizations.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

Mr. Mamabolo (South Africa): Let me begin by joining previous speakers in congratulating you, Madam President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and your delegation on your assumption of this important role and wishing you success in steering the work of the Council during your presidency. My delegation also aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on behalf of the African Union. Madam President, South Africa commends you for giving special attention to this important topic during your presidency of the Council. The importance of developing strategic relations between the Security Council and regional and subregional organizations cannot be overemphasized. It is evident that to succeed in the implementation of its mandate, the Security Council has to forge a strong partnership with regional and subregional organizations, particularly in promoting international peace and security. Even more important is the realization that while such organizations may not have sufficient financial resources to resolve conflicts in their own regions, they remain a reservoir of critical knowledge about the nature of such conflicts, including their evolution and dynamics, their understanding of the parties to the conflict and other fundamentals that may be essential for conflict resolution and prevention. In the case ofAfrica, new conflict trends, occasioned by intra-State conflicts, have warranted the increased involvement of the African Union (AU), which has a distinct comparative advantage in addressing conflicts in the often complex environments on the continent. In 2012, South Africa piloted the adoption of resolution 2033 (2012), thus building on resolution 1809 (2008), which was also adopted during South Africa's presidency of the Security Council, in April 2008. Those resolutions encourage an improvement in the regular interaction, consultation and coordination between the two bodies on matters of mutual interest. Moreover, the strategic thrusts of the resolutions are the promotion of political and legislative coherence between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council in dealing with African peace and security challenges. Over time we have seen the benefits of the collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union and its subregional organizations. At the operational level, the Secretariat has been active in supporting the AU's Peace and Security Architecture through the implementation of the 10-year capacity- building programme. Both organizations also benefit from the deployment of joint technical assessment missions. A further example of such cooperation is the hybrid model, as seen in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the African-led International Support mission in Mali, the African Union Mission in Somalia, and, recently, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) Force Intervention Brigade. The debate we are holding today becomes even more pertinent, particularly in Africa, in View of the lessons provided by the Force Intervention Brigade. The Brigade, piloted by the Southern African Development Community and eventually endorsed by the United Nations, brings unprecedented innovations that could eventually serve as a model of United Nations regional collaboration. Despite those positive developments, challenges in this relationship remain, particularly at the legislative or policy level ofthe Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council. Since 2007, the annual meetings between the two Councils have become the central trait of the Council's relationship with the AU. Other than the annual meeting, there is no active engagement between the two Councils. The annual meeting has the potential to move the relationship in a more strategic direction. I wish to point out here that the collaboration between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations has also had its challenges. Perhaps the main painful reminder has been the differences and indecisiveness in resolving the Syrian conflict even as Syria is burning. Central to the sustainability of peace initiatives are the principles of national ownership and the sovereignty of States, which ought to be respected ifwe are to create sustainable peace. Steps undertaken by those directly affected by conflicts, however minimal, including by regional and subregional organizations, should be taken into consideration and, where possible, built upon. South Africa believes that, given the scarcity of financial and human capital, a clear division of labour and productive burden-sharing between the United Nations and regional organizations is critical for sustainable conflict resolution and prevention efforts. We furthermore believe regional organizations could benefit from flexible and predictable financial support from the United Nations and other international institutions. In conclusion, as the AU celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, clearly the level of maturity of that organization has grown and its capacity to deal with conflict resolution, mediation and peacekeeping has increased. As South Africa, we believe that the cooperation between the United Nations and the region, and its subregional capacity, can further be enhanced to ensure complementarity and minimize the duplication of efforts.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Costa Rica.

Mr. Ulibarri (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I wish to congratulate Argentina on assuming the presidency of the Security Council; to thank you, Madam President, and your country for organizing this debate; and to welcome and underscore the stewardship of this debate for a large part of today by President of Argentina, Ms. Cristina Fernandez. We welcome presidential statement (S/ PRST/2013/ 12) and we are grateful for the statements by the Secretary- General and the representatives who spoke on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Union of South American Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States. For a country without armed forces such as Costa Rica, international law and the multilateral system are the main tools to protect our integrity. For that reason, we believe that cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations and agreements is essential in maintaining international peace and security. The American hemisphere has a wealth of experience in the development of bodies for cooperation and collective security to prevent and settle conflicts and to promote peace and stability. The Organization of American States (OAS), as was previously stated, is the oldest regional organization in the world. Its democratic mandate offers multiple options for mediation, electoral monitoring, justice and the protection of individual and social rights, which are key to peace. The Inter-American system of human rights in particular is an example of independence, relevance and legitimacy. Following the inception of the OAS, in 1948, there developed in our hemisphere other regional or subregional organizations and agreements with multiple aims and scopes. Among them are the Caribbean Community, the Central American Integration System, the Andean Community, the Common Market of the South, the Union of South American Nations, the Pacific Alliance and the Ibero-American Summits, which span the Atlantic and include Andorra, Spain and Portugal. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which is a collective endeavour, is the broadest and most recent regional mechanism for dialogue and political agreement. Its immediate predecessor was the Rio Group, which, in turn, emerged from the Contadora Group, which was established to seek peace in Central America in the 19805 and shoe contributions contributed to the achievement ofpeace in 1987, with the Esquipulas II Agreement, promoted by the President of Guatemala, Vinicio Cerezo Arevalo, and President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Senchez, who, as a result of that initiative, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The great success of the Esquipulas process was based on its regional roots, its comprehensive approach to conflict and the effective participation and coordination of the United Nations, the OAS and other regional and international actors in the management and implementation of the accord. Its lessons are extremely relevant to this debate. Faced with the reality of growing regional and subregional arrangements in the world, with both potential and genuine impact on peace and security, coordination is increasingly necessary in two ways: between the arrangements and organizations themselves as well as between them and the United Nations. On that basis and because of our experiences and aspirations, my delegation wishes to make four proposals. First, the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, should devote at least the same attention to prevention as it does to the settlement of conflicts. Prevention involves confidence-building, mediation, providing good offices, triggering early warnings and establishing mechanisms to facilitate, implement and monitor agreements. However, true conflict prevention, especially those of a domestic nature, requires addressing the roots of the conflict; respecting human rights; encouraging democratic processes; strengthening the rule of law, good governance and transparency; and creating conditions for development, accountability and the fight against impunity. Regional and subregional bodies can play key roles in both aspects of prevention. They have in their favour more direct knowledge of national dynamics, closer and more personal contact with the parties, a greater ability to act, greater facility to establish links with the relevant organizations of civil society and probably a particular interest in avoiding or settling conflicts directly affecting their members. For that reason, the United Nations should place particular stress on building capacity for prevention and mediation in regional bodies and support them in those tasks. Support for the International Criminal Court is also part of the preventive diplomacy equation. Our second recommendation is that cooperation for peace and security between the Security Council and regional bodies should not be limited to only Articles 52 to 54 of the Charter of the United Nations. Equally important, but very much neglected, is Article 26, which gives the Council the mandate to develop plans for the regulation of armaments, "[i]n order to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security with the least diversion for armaments of the world's human and economic resources". The Council must give real expression to Article 26 and channel its cooperation with regional organizations more towards arms control, the regulation of military spending and the prevention of an arms race, which are obvious obstacles to peace and development. However, many of the tasks entailed in promoting peace and security go beyond the scope of Council action. Therefore, our third recommendation is to boost the organic connections between the entire United Nations system and regional bodies, especially in the systematic drive to prevent and mediate. Our fourth and final recommendation is that, in order to guide its coordination with regional organizations and arrangements, the United Nations take into account their different legal natures, experience, focus, capacity for execution, institutional strengthening and legitimacy. Given its comprehensive perspective, the United Nations may discern which partnerships to enhance and when, according to different needs and goals. In addition, given its universality, it can act to generate more communication, coherence and synergies between regional entities.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Malaysia.

Mr. Haniff (Malaysia): Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Madam President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Argentina has been one of the leading voices calling for regional cooperation in South America, and the choice of the topic for this high-level open debate clearly demonstrates your astuteness in this area. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his earlier briefing. Malaysia associates itself with the statement made by the representaive of Viet Nam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As a firm believer in multilateralism and regionalism, Malaysia recognizes the importance of regional organizations cooperating with the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. As one of the founding members of ASEAN, we have strived to create a regional union of States that can concentrate our shared efforts aimed at addressing common challenges. From the outset, ASEAN has faced threats to our collective peace and security, ranging from post-colonial territorial disputes to the non-traditional security issues of today. As ASEAN has evolved over time, it has also strengthened and deepened its linkages with the United Nations and other international and intergovernmental organizations. That of course includes cooperation with the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. The pace of that cooperation has accelerated, as can be seen in the ASEAN-United Nations comprehensive partnership. This Partnership, which was adopted over a year ago, has already achieved tangible results, such as the exchange of experiences and best practices in conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy between ASEAN and United Nations officials. Peace and security has been one of the major components of political and security cooperation, which has been identified as the first priority area under the ASEAN-United Nations comprehensive partnership. As an initiative to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations on counter-terrorism, including by improving capacity and the exchange of information, Malaysia hosted a workshop and a seminar on international joint investigations on cash courier border controls, held in Kuala Lumpur, in November 2011 and June 2012, respectively. Both the workshop and seminar, which were facilitated by the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, aimed at strengthening the capacity of ASEAN member States injoint investigations in the region and in detecting and preventing the illegal cross-border movement of cash. It also emphasized the rule of law and the importance of respecting human rights while countering terrorism. In that regard, Malaysia looks forward to the first review of the comprehensive partnership, which is expected to take place in October. It would be relevant at this point to also highlight the comprehensive approach taken by Malaysia in addressing threats to regional security, especially within the ASEAN context. We have always argued that it is necessary to address the root causes of such threats, be they underdevelopment, poverty, political disputes or the preservation of national, socio-cultural or ethno-religious identities. We therefore believe that regional security arrangements should also take into consideration such factors in a more holistic approach. At the same time, the broader framework of ASEAN also provides us with policy instruments to tackle the economic and social factors that drive conflicts. I should also like to point out that, while regional problems require regional solutions, there is also a smaller subset of subregional problems that can be more effectively resolved by subregional solutions. That can be illustrated by using the case of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. One example that complements the work of the Security Council on the ground is that arrangement's working group on customs, immigration and quarantine. That mechanism has the capacity to enhance existing measures by individual States to prevent the smuggling of small arms and light weapons and the cross-border movement of individuals suspected in terrorism. As such, despite its primary intentions for enhancing economic cooperation, the Growth Area and other subregional organizations have demonstrated the potential to also play a supporting role in the maintenance of peace and security. In conclusion, ASEAN has been successful in promoting peace and security in its region. My delegation believes that this is due to the consultative and discreet diplomacy that ASEAN members practice, or what is commonly known as the ASEAN way. Therefore, looking at the examples of other regions, we are of the view that there should not be a one-size-fits- all approach to collaborations between the United Nations and regional organizations. Instead, the unique circumstances ofa region and its people should be taken into consideration when devising such mechanisms of collaboration.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Mr. Cevik (Turkey): At the outset, allow me to congratulate Argentina for assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and to wish you, Madam President, every success. I would also like to express our appreciation for the scheduling of this important debate. And I thank the Secretary-General and the representatives of the regional organizations for their statements. As encouraged in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, effective cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations is of crucial significance in maintaining international peace and security. Although the primary responsibility remains with the Security Council, regional and subregional organizations also play an important role in that regard. That role is clearly spelled out in the Charter, and its importance has been emphasized in various Council resolutions and presidential statements. We welcome the regional organizations' keen interest in working with the United Nations and further strengthening their cooperation. We hope the Security Council will seize this opportunity to benefit from the insightful perspectives from various regional viewpoints in better facing the urgent challenges that confront us all. Building upon that renewed commitment, we should explore new and practical patterns of enhanced cooperation and introduce the necessary mechanisms for their implementation. After all, in today's volatile security environment, the United Nations is not capable of dealing alone with all the problems threatening international peace and security. Addressing them entails strong and influential regional partners. That is particularly the case for peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavours. Any contribution by regional organizations in those areas is of great importance, not only for burden-sharing purposes but also to ensure regional ownership. In that regard, we are particularly grateful to organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, the African Union and the European Union for their determined efforts and exemplary commitment. Furthermore, cooperation should not be limited to peacekeeping efforts. Conflict prevention through early warning, political mediation, cooperative interaction, confidence-building, post-conflict peacebuilding, reconstruction and the protection of civilians, including women and children, are as central as peacekeeping. Regional organizations have unique perspectives on and a local understanding of conflicts, cultural norms and security challenges in their region, giving them a comparative advantage. In that context, they are making a growing contribution to effectively complementing the work of the United Nations in preventing and resolving conflicts, including through mediation. Turkey, as co-Chair, with Finland, of the Group of Friends of Mediation and its 45 members, recognizes the key role such organizations play in mediation. We therefore welcome the collaboration on mediation, and specifically capacity-building, between the secretariats of the United Nations and the regional organizations as a concrete example of fruitful interaction. The technical assistance provided by the Mediation Support Unit of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs to such organizations has contributed to enhancing their capacities in this very important area. Turkey is a proud member or has observer status in many of the organizations represented here today. We firmly support the United Nations policy of intensified engagement with regional organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia, the League of Arab States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Union of South American Nations and the Organization of American States. We applaud the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, bearing in mind that two-thirds of the work of the Security Council is on issues related to Africa. We commend the remarkable efforts of the African Union and such subregional organizations as the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Southern African Development Community and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to ensure peace, security and stability throughout the continent. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has members on four different continents, plays a particularly unique role in helping to consolidate the foundation of global peace and creating a better understanding between different cultures and religions. This platform has once more been abused in order to make total misrepresentations that Turkey has already categorically rejected. They cannot dissuade us from standing firmly by the Syrian people, whose voice, unfortunately, cannot be heard here. Before I conclude, I would like to express Turkey's earnest commitment to making every effort to further advance cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. It is in that same spirit that we fully support the draft presidential statement prepared by Argentina.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Mr. Percaya (Indonesia): At the outset, the delegation of Indonesia congratulates you, Madam President, on your presidency for the month of August. We are grateful to you for convening this important open debate, and for your helpful and well-structured concept paper (S/2013/446, annex). Indonesia associates itself with the statement made earlier by the representative of Viet Nam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We would also like to express our appreciation to the various regional and subregional organizations that have spoken today, and commends them on their work to advance peace in their respective regions. The subject of this debate is particularly important to Indonesia. Indeed, during our last presidency of the Security Council in November 2007, we also held an open debate on it (S/PV.5776), after which the Council issued presidential statement S/PRST/2007/42. Among other points in that presidential statement, the Council recognized 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, and how such organizations are strongly positioned to understand the root causes of many conflicts and other security challenges close to home and to influence their prevention and resolution. On 13 January 2010, at the instigation of China, the Council held another debate (S/PV.6257) that focused on the relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, stressing the importance of developing effective partnerships. Following that debate, the Council expressed its intention to promote closer and more operational cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the fields of conflict early-warning, prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and to ensure the coherence, synergy and collective effectiveness of their efforts (see S/PRST/2010/1). With that background in mind, my delegation welcomes the adoption of today's presidential statement (S/PRST/2013/l2, which reflects and reaffirms many of the important elements from previous presidential statements on the subject. The greater complexity of current conflicts requires regional and subregional organizations to play a more significant and multidimensional role. In order to carry out the task of maintaining international peace and security more effectively, however, we must continue to expand and deepen cooperation and dialogue between the United Nations system and those organizations. Is it possible to more clearly define the comparative advantages of the United Nations and each regional organization in problem-solving and their contribution to international peace and security? Our response to that question is that it is not only possible to do so, but it is also important. In our View, the challenge before the United Nations is not to be everywhere or to attempt to do everything. On the contrary, the emerging reality is that the United Nations can be more effective simply by developing and strengthening its partnerships, especially with regional and subregional organizations, so that the stronger those partnerships are, the stronger and more effective the United Nations becomes. If that goal is to be achieved, Indonesia reiterates that one size does not and cannot fit all. Owing to cultural and other factors, an approach that may be a winner in one part of the world may not be as successful in another. To that end, it is important to maintain continuing consultations between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations so as to develop an understanding of the lessons and mechanisms that are transferable and those that may not be. Some regional frameworks should receive the right assistance from the United Nations and other actors, and strong efforts should be made to strengthen strategic trust between the United Nations and various organizations. In our view, it is those efforts that will help to develop and strengthen cooperation in such areas as early warning, conflict prevention, mediation and post-conflict peacebuilding. Let me turn to my own region, South-East Asia. Indonesia is a staunch supporter of regional cooperation, and ASEAN forms an integral part of our foreign policy. A stable, peaceful and prosperous South-East Asia, indeed, the Asia-Pacific, as once underlined by Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa, must necessarily entail an ASEAN that is at the heart of the region's dynamics, positively shaping and moulding developments. Being an ardent proponent of closer United Nations- ASEAN cooperation, we are proud of the fact that among the key outcomes of Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2011 was the ASEAN-United Nations Comprehensive Partnership and Bali Concord III. Both are seminal documents reflecting a greater ASEAN role on the global stage. In that connection, allow me to share the following thoughts. ASEAN, as a vibrant and dynamic regional organization, can and should be part of the solution to many global security issues by being effective, capable and peaceful. It must continue to strengthen its role as a net contributor to international peace and security. Stronger and effective regional and subregional organizations, able to promote and wage peace in their respective regions, will not only contribute to global peace but, as has been proved in the case of ASEAN, also enable the countries in the region to channel their resources to development. What the United Nations can do is to assist regional and subregional organizations such as ASEAN in continuing to build their capacity. The United Nations and ASEAN already have at their disposal such a partnership platform under the Comprehensive Partnership, which can benefit from broadened cooperation in various pertinent areas, including peacebuilding, peacekeeping, mediation and civilian capacity. I would like to conclude by underscoring the significance ofa comprehensive and integrated approach to the maintenance of regional and international peace and security. In order to effectively address conflicts and achieve sustainable results, it is critical that mediation, peacemaking and peacebuilding be deployed from the onset of instability, and nurtured and sustained through an inclusive and credible political process that includes paying attention to the root causes. Such an endeavour, when undertaken in a spirit of partnership between the United Nations and regional as well as subregional organizations, will inevitably yield greater peace around the world.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of India.

Mr. Mukerji (India): Madam President, let me begin by congratulating you on presiding over this high-level meeting of the Security Council. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security is an important and topical issue. We commend the concept note (S/2013/446, annex) prepared by the delegation of Argentina on this subject. India supports the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as their cooperation with the United Nations under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Article 54 of the Charter enjoins such organizations to keep the Security Council fully informed of their activities for the maintenance of international peace and security. We therefore welcome the participation of, and the briefings by, the representatives of various regional organizations in today's meeting. The Charter provides a broad framework for United Nations cooperation with the regional organizations while clearly underscoring the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is important to underline here that cooperation by the United Nations, particularly the Council, with regional organizations should be in full compliance with all other provisions of the Charter. The principles of national sovereignty, political independence, and unity and territorial integrity must be respected. It is important that the peculiarities of each situation be kept in mind. Also, cooperation with one regional organization should not come at the cost of cooperation with another. We believe that the objective of the peaceful resolution of conflicts should imbue the actions of the United Nations in general and of the Security Council in particular. It is important that Member States guide all United Nations activities, including its cooperation with regional organizations. While acting under Chapter VIII of the Charter, regional and subregional organizations should make every effort to assist their member States to achieve the pacific settlement of disputes, in cooperation with the United Nations, as appropriate. Such cooperation should encompass all relevant issues related to international peace and security, including the fight against terrorism. As many as two thirds of the active items on the Security Council's agenda concern Africa. About three fourths of the Council's time is spent on African issues. It would therefore be no exaggeration to say that the success of the Council's cooperation with regional organizations will be determined in significant measure by its cooperation with the African Union (AU), as an example. In that connection, it is important for the Council to listen to Africa and its organizations, so that the Council's activities are not only based on Africa's needs but also complement the efforts of African countries and organizations. We think that such an important partnership should be based on long-term strategic and operational perspectives, taking into consideration the complementarity of the strengths of the United Nations and the African Union. Our focus should be on building the capacity of the African Union's Peace and Security Architecture, so that the AU can become a more effective and capable partner of the United Nations system. In conclusion, we reiterate that there is a pressing need to further strengthen the existing capacity of the United Nations system to help regional and subregional organizations in order to significantly ensure the maintenance of international peace and security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Thailand.

Mr. Bamrungphong (Thailand): First of all, I wish to congratulate Argentina on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of August and also thank it for bringing this important issue before the Council for its consideration. I also thank the representatives of the four regional organizations for their substantive and comprehensive briefings. Thailand aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Viet Nam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thailand joins many of the previous speakers in recognizing and commending the significant role and valuable contributions of the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in resolving conflicts and maintaining peace and security. We wholeheartedly support the idea of developing effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations as well as that of exploring greater cooperation in the fields of conflict, early warning, prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, as contained in document S/PRST/2010/1. As mentioned by my ASEAN colleague earlier, disaster relief is one area of possible cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. I would like to echo his statement by highlighting one important example of the establishment of Tripartite Core Group - the United Nations, ASEAN and the Government of Myanmar - which was extremely successful in mobilizing and delivering humanitarian aid to people in need in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar in 2008. Indeed, cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations was established many decades ago, and we continue to have close consultations to strengthen our collaboration. This year will see a special session between ASEAN and the United Nations to review our partnership, with the goal of widening and deepening our areas of cooperation. My delegation would like to highlight the untapped potential of the various regional and subregional arrangements. Given their capacity, their role can extend beyond the original scope of the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thailand envisages an enhanced role for such organizations in confidence-building and preventive diplomacy, which are instrumental for sustainable peace and conflict prevention. In that regard, allow me to offer the Council a few thoughts on the issue. First, it is essential that the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations increase their focus on preventive measures by expanding and deepening their cooperation in promoting international norms, values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for and protection of human rights, which are fundamental for a united and peaceful society. Secondly, we are concerned by the increase in the number of conflicts and the level of violence that originate from sectarian tension or are precipitated by hate speech, religious rhetoric and racial incitement. Regional and subregional arrangements can serve as early warning mechanisms when tensions arise. Furthermore, those organizations can play a Vital role in creating a culture of peace by promoting respect and appreciation for diversity and harmony among peoples of different cultures, faiths and beliefs, both interregionally and intraregionally. Thirdly, Thailand also encourages closer engagement between regional organizations and the Security Council on issues affecting regional peace and security, from peacekeeping to sanctions, as well as thematic issues on the Security Council's agenda. Finally, another area where the United Nations and regional organizations can enhance their close cooperation is the systematic compilation and full utilization of regional organizations' knowledge and information on the specific geography and situations on the ground, the unique cultures of local communities and the "do's and don'ts". That will be very useful when multinational forces are deployed for peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions in areas where they lack familiarity. Let me conclude my statement by paying tribute to the men and women of regional organizations and international forces who tirelessly work and risk their lives in conflict zones around the world in the maintenance of peace and security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Fiji.

Mr. Thomson (Fiji): At the outset, the Fiji delegation would like to thank you, Mr. President, for choosing the subject of today's thematic debate. It is most pertinent, given the growing number of peacekeeping mandates issuing from the Security Council and the increasing complexities of the tasks of peacekeeping missions. The peacekeeping missions of today are not the peacekeeping missions of yore. They include mandates that fit well into traditinal peacebuilding and, sometimes, mandates that focus on development related to the rebuilding of national capacities in the security sector. Fiji has, in various forums, expressed the need for Security Council peacekeeping mandates to be focused on the requirements of local situations in order to promote local solutions. That includes providing expertise most suitable for the systems existing in the local situation and sourcing peacekeeping expertise from States and regions that are able to provide unified or consistent advice, particularly in the area of building the capacity of local institutions. While expertise from different backgrounds can provide well-intentioned advice, that advice can nonetheless result in local capacities that are not uniform and may not be best suited for the local context. In such situations, the contributions of regional and subregional groupings that come from similar backgrounds to the host country can be advantageous. What we are saying is that the United Nations should not measure the success of contributions to any peacekeeping mission by the number of States contributing troops, police, corrections or other experts, but by the efficacy ofthe contributions made in meeting the host country's requirements. It is therefore the Fiji delegation's View that, in examining the principles and forms of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, one element that is often missing from the discussion is how to encourage contributions to peacekeeping from regions that are most suited to the situation in the country concerned and to encourage and use collective peacekeeping capabilities accordingly. In the Pacific Islands region, we are taking regional initiatives to support United Nations peacekeeping. Fiji already has a well-established record in the service of United Nations peacekeeping. We have recently taken on a new challenge upon request of the United Nations, namely, that of contributing 501 troops to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights at a critical juncture in that mission's work. Recognizing our established tradition of peacekeeping and the ability of our region to contribute further, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has recently agreed to the concept of establishing an MSG Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The MSG is a subregional organization headquartered in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and is comprised of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Front de liberation nationale kanak et socialiste of New Caledonia and my own country, Fiji. The MSG's peacekeeping concept is focused on developing collective peacekeeping capabilities in the area of the police sector in peacekeeping. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations has agreed to meet an MSG delegation in New York to discuss United Nations support for the development of such collective peacekeeping capability. We look forward to the fruition of that visit and to useful discussions while the delegation is in New York, with a View to assisting the MSG to realize its potential to play a positive role in the United Nations peacekeeping community. In addressing the principles and forms of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations for the maintenance of international peace and security, we recognize that the United Nations must adhere to the provisions of the Charter that specifically prohibit any enforcement action without the authorization of the Security Council. Actions by regional and subregional organizations must therefore be consistent with the mandates and authority of the Security Council. In conclusion, I would like to pay tribute to all those who have served in United Nations peacekeeping operations since 1948. For their sake and for the sake of the people in whose countries they serve, our efforts must remain focused on optimizing United Nations peacekeeping in response to changes in global realities. Today's discussion is surely a further step in that direction.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Lithuania.

Ms. Murmokaite (Lithuania): I would like to begin by expressing my delegation's appreciation to Argentina, which holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of August, for organizing today's debate. I thank the Secretary-General and representatives of the regional organizations present here for their briefings. Lithuania associates itself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union. In addition, allow me to make the following remarks. In recent years, the relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the field of peace and security has evolved in terms of both ambition and scope. We welcome such developments because, as noted by numerous speakers before me, regional actors possess a unique local knowledge, can intervene more promptly through existing standby arrangements and mechanisms and can ensure regional ownership of conflict resolution and subsequent peacebuilding processes. Importantly, the geographical proximity of their members and the specific regional knowledge and experience of those organizations can play an essential role in the early identification ofpotential conflicts and thus in defusing crises before they occur. Based on our own experience in preventive diplomacy, including Lithuania's chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), we encourage the United Nations and regional and subregional actors to further explore and strengthen the preventive and confidence-building dimensions of cooperation. No two crises or conflicts are identical. Therefore, as noted in the 2009 non-paper entitled "A New Partnership Agenda: Charting a New Horizon for United Nations Peacekeeping", the political and operational realities on the ground will continue to demand flexible, case-specific and creative United Nations partnerships with regional actors, building on their comparative strengths, ensuring consistency and complementarity of efforts, and avoiding duplications. Nowhere has United Nations cooperation with regional and subregional organizations evolved as much as on the African continent, with the African Union (AU), African subregional organizations, the European Union (EU) and occasionally other players, such as the International Organization of la Francophonie, taking part. Lithuania is proud to contribute to such multifaceted efforts. Recently, our military advisers joined the EU training mission for Malian soldiers in the region of Koulikoro. Earlier this year, Lithuania deployed troops in an anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia, a country where the United Nations, the AU, and the EU have joined forces with an aim of restoring peace and stability to that long-suffering nation. While welcoming the Council's continued dialogue and consultations with regional organizations, as well as joint actions on the ground, we would encourage an enhanced focus on issues ofjustice and accountability; tackling impunity for crimes against civilian populations, including sexual violence in conflict; and the effective implementation of Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security, and children and armed conflict. Regional and subregional organizations have a vital role in stemming the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons, which are responsible for countless civilian victims and damaged lives. My delegation would like to point out in particular that the recently adopted Arms Trade Treaty expressly recognizes that regional and subregional organizations can play a role in providing implementation assistance through, inter alia, stockpile management; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes; and developing model legislation. In the past 10 years, Lithuania provided assistance to some 20 projects related to the destruction of small arms, anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance, carried out by regional organizations. Let me also stress the importance of subregional, regional and international cooperation in the field of non-proliferation. With that in mind, Lithuania organized last year a regional seminar on the implementation ofresolution 1540 (2004). This year the Lithuanian chairmanship held a thematic OSCE forum on security cooperation dialogue, with the participation of the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), Ambassador Kim Sook. In order to achieve durable peace, it is essential that the United Nations and its regional partners continue to take a long-term View aimed at breaking the pattern of relapse into conflict, which still plagues individual States. In that context, we welcome consistent involvement by regional and subregional actors in, and their ownership of, institution- and capacity-building, implementing the rule of law and strengthening good governance and human rights protection mechanisms. In conclusion, let me note that cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is not an end in itself. It must lead to tangible improvements and prospects for a safe and dignified life for those suffering from violence and conflict. I am pleased that presidential statement S/PRST/2013/12 reaffirms the common determination of the United Nations and regional actors to work to that effect.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Nigeria.

Mr. Okafor (Nigeria): I thank you, Mr. President, for your initiative in organizing this important debate, and for providing a valuable concept note (8/2013/446, annex) to facilitate the discussions. Nigeria is particularly pleased with the depth of cooperation that exists between the United Nations and the African Union (AU), and welcomes the strategic plan to consider further steps to promote closer cooperation between the two organizations in consonance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. We are satisfied that, since its inception, significant strides have been made in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding and economic reconstruction in numerous African countries. That has created momentum for the emergence of a more enabling social, economic and political environment in Africa. We have witnessed United Nations and AU peacekeepers patrol side by side in Darfur, as the two organizations work concertedly to mediate a political solution to that conflict. That enduring collaboration has also proved fruitful in resolving the crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has provided support to recent African-led mediation efforts in response to political crises in other parts of the continent. Nigeria ardently believes that cooperation between the United Nations and subregional organizations should be an ongoing and dynamic process so that the benefits of such cooperation can be reaped in preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace support and, indeed, in post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. We believe that regional bodies should assume leadership of efforts to maintain regional peace and security, with the international community lending the requisite support. Those organizations, after all, are better placed in terms of geographical proximity, political and cultural familiarity with local conditions, and shared experiences with regard to regional peace and security initiatives. The response of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to regional crisis situations is illustrative of that potential. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the need for the United Nations to intensify such regional initiatives and to give impetus to the implementation of the United Nations-African Union 10-year capacity-building programme for the African Union. More strident efforts are also required to operationalize the African Union Standby Force and the continental early-warning mechanisms. The situation in Mali underscores the imperative for early warning. It should be recalled that ECOWAS made several attempts to draw international attention to the imminent danger occasioned by the potent mix of religious extremism, the lack of legitimate governance and the failure to address the yearning of a section of the population of Mali. Expedited action in response to warnings of the looming crisis would have alleviated the agony that we face today. Nigeria recognizes that there are competing demands for United Nations resources on myriad issues, including peace and security, not only in Africa but also in other regions. We therefore believe that it is important to consider not only prioritizing our actions, but also adopting innovative approaches. It is equally important to assess the impact and sustainability of our actions, as well as promote the complementarity of roles in the promotion of peace and security. That will require more intensive partnerships, inclusiveness and purposeful leadership. We believe that there is room in the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union to incorporate those Vital elements. However, our best intentions will amount to nothing if we fail to provide adequate, flexible and predictable funding for peacekeeping operations in Africa. It is also necessary to coordinate efforts between the United Nations and regional organizations. That is one of the objectives of the annual consultation between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council. We believe that for that interaction to bear fruit, there must be a strengthening of the political will and a firm resolve to implement strategic decisions. In spite of the capacity gaps in the continent's quest to achieve sustainable development, Nigeria will relentlessly support closer collaboration between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations to ensure that those gaps are appropriately bridged. We would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2013/12.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia.

Mr. Nazarian (Armenia): Allow me to join previous speakers in thanking Her Excellency President Cristina Fernandez for presiding over this important debate. I would also like to express our gratitude to the Ministers, the Secretary-General and the representatives of international organizations for their presence and contributions this morning. Armenia aligns itself with the joint statement made on behalf ofthe member States ofthe Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). However we would like to make some remarks in our national capacity. We welcome the increasing close relations between the CSTO and the United Nations aimed at strengthening the ties and seeking concerted actions in our quest for international peace and stability. In the area of preventive diplomacy, both organizations have been working in close partnership to address root causes and potential conflicts, as well as promoting measures against cross-border crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, so as to ensure conditions for peaceful sustainable development, as such transnational crimes continually threaten security, stability and development, especially in the world's vulnerable regions. The cooperation with and between regional organizations is being discussed more and more in various United Nations organs and agencies as the means for increasing responsibility and involvement in addressing international challenges and transnational regional threats. In an increasing number of its operations on the ground, the United Nations is calling on the services of the relevant regional agencies and organizations, because, among other things, in certain areas those organizations are able to provide expertise and a better understanding of the local peculiarities to complement those of the United Nations. In some instances, they can be mandated to perform the same tasks, and rightly so. It is worth mentioning that, in recent years, regional and subregional organizations have played an increasing role in conflict prevention, management and resolution. Many of them have developed tailored capabilities for action in the maintenance of international and regional peace and security, as evidenced in a number of peacekeeping operations and mediations in different parts of the world. Armenia highly values the close cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). We are convinced that the OSCE is an inclusive and comprehensive security organization in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian areas. Its role should be further augmented to tackle new challenges and threats to security. Since 1992, the OSCE has been engaged in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue, which erupted in the region as a result of aggression. Today, Armenia attaches great importance to the efforts of the OSCE Mink Group co-Chairs, aimed at reaching a fully informed, just and peaceful resolution of the conflict based on mutual compromise. We believe that this agreed format, which includes the Russian Federation, the United States and France, has enough capacity to maintain its lead role in the negotiating process. That role has been confirmed on many occasions, in particular in the commemorative declaration of the Astana summit of the OSCE. Armenia is deeply confident that ongoing negotiations within this framework will serve as one of the major prerequisites for the maintenance of the 1994 ceasefire between the parties to the conflict, without any peacekeeping forces deployed on the ground. One of the advantages of the OSCE Minsk Group is that the principles that have been established by the co-Chairs to date are based on initial compromises reached between the parties to the conflict as a result of negotiations. Those principles should be treated as equal, without establishing any arbitrary hierarchy among them. In May, Armenia assumed the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, a regional intergovernmental organization that remains a key partner of the United Nations in our shared global quest united behind the principles of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe is also well established, inter alia, in the fields of the fight against racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance; the fight against terrorism and human trafficking; the promotion of intercultural dialogue, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the fostering of democratic societies. These issues are also Armenia's chairmanship priorities, and have been defined in response to the challenges that States members of both the United Nations and the Council of Europe are facing today, with specific focus on issues that we consider to be the most pertinent and to require immediate action. Armenia will contribute to furthering the Council of Europe's cooperation with other international organizations, including the United Nations. Such cooperation is essential to achieving better synergies among activities and to the enhanced effectiveness and impact of efforts. I wish to conclude my statement by thanking you, Madam, for the initiative of convening this open debate. We must all nurture and support steps and initiatives aimed at expanding cooperation with existing partners, and seek new opportunities for partnership arrangements with other regional organizations that are working to advance the cause of international peace and security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I give the floor to the representative of Botswana.

Mr. Ntwaagae (Botswana): Allow me to congratulate you, Madam, and your country on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. We also thank you very much for convening this open debate today. Let me at the outset reiterate the importance that Botswana attaches to the relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. It is for this reason that, as a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), we are proud of the role we play in contributing to a peaceful world order. Our belief is that, the role of regional or subregional organizations in promoting peace and security is closely linked to the larger role played by the Council in discharging its mandate. While we believe in the supremacy of the Security Council in discharging its mandate, as provided for in Article 24 of the Charter United Nations, we believe that regional and subregional organizations constitute an important building block in addressing issues of conflict prevention, mediation and management at the regional level. The rising number of conflicts and peacebuilding missions across the world has put a lot of pressure on the Council's ability to deploy resources in every corner of the globe where they are required. Furthermore, the cost of managing and maintaining peace very often depends on regional dynamics and sensitivities that can better be addressed by local institutions, which have a better understanding of the culture and language of the region. Article 24 of the United Nations Charter confers on the Council the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations not only relieves the burden of the Council in dispensing its primary responsibility, but also helps cultivate a culture of peace and security, which the Council is mandated to do. The strain of implementing various Security Council mandates necessitated an increased role for Member States' contribution to An Agenda for Peace (S/24111), accompanied by a rise in the role of regional and subregional organizations. This partnership between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations has become the ultimate instruction manual for resolving complex emergencies through conflict management and peacekeeping. However, the price of peace should never be considered too much to pay when evaluation is conducted regarding the necessary response and enforcement action required following the outbreak of conflict. Maintaining the context and support of the United Nations in regional initiatives contributes greatly to the transformation of the character of such missions. United Nations regional and subregional cooperation also ensures that impediments related to limited resources, capacity constraints, and political and economic fragilities relating to some situations and environments are easily overcome. My delegation therefore cannot overemphasize the importance of the provision of training and logistical and material support to the military, police and civil personnel on an ongoing basis in order to prepare for the eventual success of deployments and peacekeeping operations. Cooperation between the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations should therefore be sustained and strengthened, not only as a source of prevention, but also for purposes of reinforcing the platform for post-conflict peacebuilding and reconstruction. In this context, my delegation therefore welcomes the efforts and progress made closer to home surrounding the implementation of the commitments under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I give the floor to the representative of Qatar.

Mr. Al-Thani (Qatar) (spoke in Arabic): I should like, at the outset, to express our sincere pleasure at seeing the President of the Argentine Republic preside over the Council's debate this morning. We congratulate Argentina on assuming the presidency of the Council this month. We also thank the Argentine delegation for convening today's open debate on a very important topic and for providing the concept paper before us (S/2013/446, annex), which highlights the important of cooperation between the United Nations and regional subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. I furthermore commend the importance attached to the ongoing discussion of this important issue by the Security Council and the Secretary-General. We take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Samantha Power as she takes up her new post and to wish her every success. We look forward to cooperating with her in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the United Nations. The continued discussion of this topic in the Security Council and the submission by the Secretary-General of various initiatives in that context is a reaffirmation of the fact that the discussion on the importance and usefulness of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations is no longer academic or theoretical; it is a fact based on experiences witnessed by the entire world. It is therefore clear that such organizations play a significant role in the maintenance of international peace and security. Our delegation therefore deems it very important that specific mechanisms and norms be established in order to enable regional organizations to fulfil their mandates in accordance with the Charter. Such mechanisms and norms must also be implemented in order to help prevent conflicts and to resolve them in keeping with international law, wherever they may take place and without discrimination, in order to achieve the primary objective of the United Nations: to maintain international peace and security, as set out in Article, paragraph 1, of the Charter. Experience has shown that with the growing number of armed conflicts and the increasing obstacles and difficulties confronting the United Nations in certain cases, the efforts of the United Nations require support from regional organizations in accordance with the mandate set out in Chapter VIII of the Charter. It is clear that regional organizations are the best and least costly option in terms of material and human resources for gaining an understanding of what is happening in some of those conflicts. They are the most capable of analysing information relating to the maintenance of international peace and security in each region. That regional role has been very important in the prevention or resolution of several conflicts. We must therefore devote greater attention to cooperation between regional and subregional organizations and the United Nations in order to strengthen the relationship between the Security Council and regional and subregional organizations. That requires the creation of an international atmosphere that is conducive to enhancing the capabilities of such organizations, thereby enabling them to operate effectively on the basis of Chapter VIII of the Charter. If such organizations avail themselves of those resources, they will then become the front line of the United Nations in dealing with and resolving regional problems and preventing their spillover, as well as in countering threats to international peace and security. That would save the United Nations a great deal of effort, and it could then devote greater attention to other regions, especially in the area of development. All of the foregoing will require the full implementation of Chapter VIII of the Charter, specifically Article 52, paragraph 1. The Security Council and the General Assembly have adopted a number of resolutions on supporting cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. They have welcomed the efforts of such organizations in connection with the maintenance of international peace and security and in furtherance of the objectives of the Charter. In addition, many important partnerships have been created between the Security Council and various regional organizations. Also, as noted by previous speakers today, regional and subregional organizations have helped to prevent and resolve conflicts as well as in post-conflict peacekeeping, and to implement Security Council resolutions in that regard. However, we are still awaiting the implementation of several relevant resolutions. Here I would specifically mention the resolutions adopted by the Security Council and the General Assembly on the Middle East, where the failure to implement them has led to continued instability and threats to international peace and security. Cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on various occasions during the past two decades has led to positive results in the context of regional and global stability. The Council was keen to work closely with the League of Arab States on the basis of Chapter VIII of the Charter, and several dangerous crises in the region and elsewhere were addressed. The Council has relied in several of its resolutions on the vision and perspective of the League of Arab States, which, in turn, was also keen to implement those resolutions. However, today we are seeing a lack of responsiveness to the resolutions of the League of Arab States concerning the great dangers that threaten our region and its stability as a result of the inability of the Security Council to reach agreement on those issues. Here I would specifically mention the conflict in Syria, although it poses a great danger and has immediate effects on international peace and security. The League of Arab States, based on its role as a regional organization, as mandated in its charter, and in keeping with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, has adopted several resolutions aimed at resolving the conflict in Syria on the basis of international law and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. However, despite the fact that those resolutions demanded that the Security Council fulfil its role as mandated by the Charter of the United Nations and the fact that the League expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Council in order to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict, the Council, unfortunately, has been unable to carry out its duties. That is despite the fact that the conflict has resulted in more than 100,000 civilian deaths and several million refugees and internally displaced persons, and that external militias have now entered the fray. That has led to further sectarian tensions in the region, threats to its security and stability, and Violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions. Resolving that conflict will require the Council to fulfil its responsibilities and cooperate directly with the relevant international organizations. The Syrian regime, instead of respecting the will of the Syrian people and abiding by international resolutions, has attempted to divert attention from the war crimes and crimes against humanity that it has committed by making desperate accusations. However, League of Arab States resolutions are based on international law, and we hope for further cooperation, such as existed in the past between the League and the United Nations, in line with the Charter and in order to help support the Council in its efforts to preserve international peace and security. I should like to conclude by reiterating the commitment of Qatar, as a member of the League of Arab States and a State Member of the United Nations, to further support the United Nations in all efforts aimed at promoting the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations and at addressing crises and achieving peaceful settlements. The Council is aware of the efforts made by the State of Qatar in recent years to ease tensions in several countries and to avert and settle conflicts, including dangerous military conflicts, that could have posed a threat to international peace and security. Madam President, we are proud of the fact that the Security Council has acknowledged the role of our country in its resolutions, and we welcome the presidential statement (S/PRST/2013/12) prepared by your country.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

Mr. Osman (Sudan) (spoke in Arabic): Madam President, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month, and to thank you for having convened this meeting to discuss cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. The founding fathers of the United Nations were committed to including in Chapter VIII of the Charter language aimed at supporting the efforts of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. That is because they were fully aware of the fact that international peace is an indivisible whole and that it was imperative to create effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations on issues relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Accordingly, one recommendation of the joint United Nations-African Union panel established by resolution 1809 (2008) was to set up a mechanism for the sustainable financing of African Union peacekeeping missions supported by the United Nations. Part I of that report focused on methods to promote the strategic relationship between the United Nations and the African Union and invigorated joint action channels between the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in a manner that rises to the level ofpartnership and direct coordination, including decision-making and responsibility-sharing according to the mandate of each body. In the context of the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, we commend the ongoing consultation and exchange of Visits between the two since the creation of the African Union Peace and Security Council was created in 2004. However, we still look forward to improved coordination and closer cooperation, especially in relation to the support provided by the United Nations to the 10-year capacity-building programme designed to build and promote African Union capacity in the various fields of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. With regard to peacekeeping, we would like to highlight the cooperation between the Secretariat and the African Union Commission in the context of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), which has proven its value and effectiveness since the former African Union Mission in the Sudan was transformed into a hybrid joint mission between the two organizations on 31 December 2007, pursuant to resolution 1769 (2007). Thus, the mission became an example and model of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. In that context, we would also refer to the joint report of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary- General of June 2007, which stated that UNAMID is a mission with a predominantly African character, with the United Nations providing financial, technical and logistical support, including advice and expertise in various areas that embody cooperation between the two organizations. In the same vein, in discussing cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations, I would like to highlight another example of the value of cooperation between the African Union and international organizations. The regional mediation mechanism known as the African Union High- Level Implementation Panel on the Sudan, headed by Mr. Thabo Mbeki, plays a very important role in promoting peace within the Sudan and between the Sudan and South Sudan. That is a constructive example of cooperation that should be strengthened and promoted. Such mechanisms should be accorded sufficient time to finish settling all outstanding issues between the two countries. In conclusion, I would like to second and support the affirmation, made by a number of speakers before me, that regional and subregional organizations are more specifically qualified to achieve peace and security in their regions because of their knowledge of the culture, nature and specific characteristics of the areas of conflict within their respective regions. Accordingly, we appeal to the Security Council to cooperate with those organizations and provide them with enough capacity to address those conflicts. Finally, we support the presidential statement adopted today (S/PRST/2013/12) and its emphasis on supporting the growing role of regional and subregional organizations, which complements the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. We also commend and support the presidential statement's mention of promoting the capacity of national justice systems in order to contribute to accountability.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Solomon Islands.

Mrs. Kenilorea (Solomon Islands): My delegation attaches great importance to the subject oftoday's open debate and commends you, Madam President, and the Government of Argentina for convening this timely discussion of the agenda item. As stated by the 2004 report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change (A/59/565), while the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security rests with the Security Council, over time a considerable number of regional and subregional groups have been established. Some of those organizations have directly contributed to peace and stability and receive little or insufficient attention by the United Nations. Following the ethnic conflict that erupted in Solomon Islands, the leaders ofthe Pacific Island Forum dispatched the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) at the invitation of the Government of Solomon Islands. RAMSI, which initially consisted of 2,000 military personnel was led by Australia, with the support of New Zealand and all of the Pacific small island developing States. RAMSI involved military, police and civilian components. It was headed by a civilian and it successfully carried out peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peacemaking roles. After 10 years of operation, the Mission, as of last month, is now going through a transitional phase. The military component has since withdrawn, with the police component now playing a more advisory role. The success of RAMSI can be put down to the partnership the Mission has with the Government and the people of Solomon Islands. Sufficient resources provided by the region in carrying out its work and the flexibility of the Mission have allowed RAMSI to adapt to changing situations on the ground. In the 10 years of regional operations in Solomon Islands, there has been only one loss of life of RAMSI personnel. Thousands of soldiers, police and civilians have been rotated through the regional Mission. Last month, in marking the tenth anniversary of RAMSI, my Government and people thanked all 14 United Nations Members of the Pacific Islands Forum and two non-members of the United Nations for contributing to international peace and security. Today, a subregional organization of the Pacific, the Melanesian Spearhead Group has established a Department of Peacekeeping Operations unit within its Secretariat. Solomon Islands would like to welcome improved coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations and share information and expertise as appropriate, especially with regional organizations that have peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peacemaking capacities. Such relationships are provided for under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and should be encouraged. We are pleased to see that consultation between the United Nations and regional organizations is increasing. It will be noted that, in all Solomon Island statements that we have delivered in the Council this year and in the past in such open debates, we have always recognized the role of regional organizations, by way of complying with Article 54 of the Charter of the United Nations, in keeping the Council abreast of the activities undertaken by regional organizations for the maintenance of international peace and security.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to representative of Georgia.

Mr. Imnadze (Georgia): At the outset, let me underline that Georgia aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union (EU). Allow me now to make a brief intervention in my national capacity. First of all, I would like to express our gratitude to Argentina, as the current presidet of the Security Council, for this excellent opportunity to discuss the regional aspect of security and the significant assistance provided by the United Nations to regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security. In this context, allow me to highlight the excellent cooperation developed between the United Nations and the Organization for Democracy and Economic Development-GUAM, as well as the priorities of Georgia as Chair State of the GUAM. in 2013. Fifteen years of active work have shaped GUAM into a full-fledged regional organization with a well-established institutional infrastructure. This organization unites countries with common interests and challenges and gives us a unique opportunity to speak out in unison on a number of pressing issues of common concern. The global political landscape has opened new horizons for cooperation and created stronger incentives for joint actions within GUAM. The ever-changing international environment, new challenges and opportunities have led us to develop an even closer interaction within and beyond the organization. In that light, I would like to stress the importance of resolution 67/109, adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2012, on cooperation between the United Nations and GUAM. The resolution envisages deepening cooperation between the two international organizations and places such cooperation within an appropriate institutional framework. The adoption of that text was important in terms of increasing the involvement of the United Nations specialized agencies within the GUAM. area in such fields as anti-terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking, integrated border management and so on. The adoption of the resolution by consensus clearly demonstrated the importance that States Members of the United Nations attach to enhancing cooperation with GUAM, which we highly value. Under the current chairmanship of GUAM, Georgia's priority is to promote political interaction between the GUAM. States. We have a very close, if not coinciding, set of foreign policy priorities, and therefore consider GUAM. as a format that reinforces the position of individual member States in the network of international relations. In addition, Georgia is focused on facilitating sectoral cooperation by implementing mutually beneficial projects within GUAM. in the economic, energy, transportation and other spheres, as well as enhancing cooperation with major partners of the organization in GUAM+ formats, such as GUAM- United States and GUAM-Japan. The activation of the interparliamentary dimension is also one of the main priorities of the chairmanship of Georgia, as this direction undoubtedly has a potential for further evolution, giving a significant impetus to democratic development within the GUAM. area. While talking about regional cooperation, I would like to underline the United Nations active cooperation with the EU and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure sustainable security on the European continent. For Georgia, that interaction acquires a particular importance within the Geneva international discussions through active co-chairmanship of the format. We highly appreciate the mediation that the United Nations and its team provide between Russia and Georgia. We believe that the restoration of the full-fledged mission on the territory of Georgia and its regions would redouble the United Nations contribution to preserving security and stability in Georgia and the wider region. We value the United Nations key role and its cooperation with the EU within the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms. We are confident that this format provides solid ground for further developing the cooperation between the United Nations, the OSCE and the EU on security issues through thejoint participation of the United Nations and the OSCE in both of the Mechanisms mentioned. Unfortunately, given certain obstacles, the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gali has been deadlocked since April 2012, but we are confident that our common diplomatic efforts will be successful in resuming this Mechanism. Regional organizations play an important role in the development of regional cooperation, conflict prevention, the peaceful settlement of disputes, peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding. In that context, we deem the United Nations continuous support to be vital in assisting regional organizations in facilitating and solidifying the process of regional sustainability.

The President (spoke in Spanish): The representative of the United Kingdom wishes to make a further statement.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): I thank the presidency for allowing the United Kingdom to make a further statement. I wish to respond to some of the statements made in relation to the Falkland Islands. I note the very questionable relevance of this issue to the theme of today's debate and regret the fact that some participants have used this debate, in which we have seen a very valuable and timely discussion of United Nations cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, as a platform for expressing positions on a range of unrelated issues. Several ministerial participants referred in their statements to Argentina's so-called legitimate claim to the Falkland Islands. The United Kingdom does not accept that Argentina has any legitimate claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The historical facts and legal position are quite clear. The United Kingdom has administered the Falkland Islands peacefully and effectively for more than 180 years. In 1850, by ratifying the bilateral Convention for settlement of existing differences, Argentina acknowledged that there was no territorial dispute between the two countries. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said that respect for self- determination was a founding principle of CELAC. The United Kingdom also attaches great importance to that principle, which is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. In March, the people of the Falkland Islands exercised their right to self-determination in a referendum, which established overwhelmingly their wish to remain an overseas territory of the United Kingdom In her national statement, President Fernandez said that the United Kingdom and Argentina should bilaterally discuss the Falkland Islands. The United Kingdom is clear that any such discussion is not just a matter for the two Governments. The views of the people of the Falkland Islands cannot simply be ignored. There can be no discussion of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands against the wishes of the islanders. Finally, I reject the suggestion of the Foreign Minister of Uruguay that illegitimate oil-related activities are being conducted in Falkland Island waters, which constitute unilateral measures by the United Kingdom, contrary to a General Assembly resolution. The decision to exploit its natural resources was made by the Falkland Islands Government for the benefit of the people of the Falkland Islands, and in accordance with the right of self-determination of the people of the Falkland Islands under international law. All activities related to hydrocarbons on the continental shelf of the Falkland Islands are regulated by legislation of the Falkland Islands Government in strict accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The President (spoke in Spanish): I shall now speak briefly in my capacity as the representative of Argentina. Argentina's position with regard to its sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands is well known and reference was made to it this morning. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. The representative of the United States wishes to make a further statement.

Mr. DeLaurentis (United States of America): Let me address an issue unrelated to our debate that was raised earlier today, namely, the United States efforts to prevent terrorism and the recent disclosure of classified information about techniques we use to do that. All Governments do things that are secret: it is a fact of modern governing and a necessity in the light of the threats all our citizens face. Our counter-terrorism policy is ultimately about saving people's lives, which is why the United States works with other countries to protect our citizens and those of other nations from many threats. All nations should be concerned about the damage these disclosures can cause to our ability to collectively defend against those threats. The United States commitment to advancing universal human rights dates to our founding, and continues strongly to this day under President Obama. Therefore, we welcome a fair discussion about the appropriate balance between privacy and security, and will continue to work with our partners to address the many challenges and threats we all face.

The President (spoke in Spanish): There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 7.55 pm.