S/PV.7361 Security Council

I would like to warmly welcome the Secretary-General and the ministers and other representatives who are present in the Chamber. Their participation in this debate reaffirms the importance of the topic we are dealing with today. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Uruguay, Viet Nam and Yemen to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. Téte António, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2015/6, which contains the text of a letter dated 6 January 2015 from the Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept note on the item under consideration. I now give the floor to His Excellency Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon.

I thank Chile and you, Madam President, for organizing today’s debate on a subject that is central to the mission of the United Nations, namely, how inclusive development can promote peace and security. Since this is my first time participating in the Security Council this year, I would like to wish all Council members and others participating today a happy new year. I also take this opportunity to welcome the new members: Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela. I count on their leadership and commitment in addressing world peace and security. I would also like to thank the outgoing members — Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea and Rwanda — for their contributions. I thank President Bachelet Jeria again for leading the Council in this debate, and for her commitment and drive as the first head of UN-Women, where she successfully raised the profile of women’s rights around the world. And I thank Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee for her contribution to today’s debate. Our Organization is built around three pillars: peace and security, development and human rights. In dealing with the enormous and complex challenges of each, we sometimes pay little attention to their interdependence. But the founders of the United Nations well understood that, if we ignored one pillar, we imperilled the other two. We must break out of our silos and work together on all three areas simultaneously. That is why I very much welcome the Security Council’s focus today on inclusive development. The year 2015 is a year of action on sustainable development. We are striving to complete the work of the Millennium Development Goals, to launch a new post-2015 sustainable development agenda and to reach an agreement on climate change. I am encouraged to note that in their deliberations so far Member States have paid considerable attention to peace and security and to human rights. In the General Assembly’s Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, Member States have stressed the importance of inclusive growth and decent work in building a better future. They have called for reducing inequality and ensuring universal access to basic services, including health care and education. Significantly, they have explicitly linked peace with social inclusion and access to justice for all, and called for inclusive, representative decision-making. My own contribution to this debate underscores the importance of justice to build peaceful and inclusive societies by promoting strong and responsive institutions, as reflected in the synthesis report (A/69/700) that I presented to the General Assembly last month. With the full membership of the United Nations beginning its negotiations later this morning, we now have an important opportunity to broaden the development agenda and highlight the fundamental importance of inclusive societies in building a more peaceful world. All countries and all societies can benefit from sustainable and inclusive development, whether they are rich or poor, developed or developing, in conflict or at peace. There is a growing consensus that the high levels of inequality we have seen in recent decades are socially, politically and environmentally damaging. Development that excludes part of the population can be socially corrosive. It can contribute to crime and create a sense of hopelessness and alienation — conditions that can breed extremism. Inequality can lead to the concentration of power in the hands of the few, undermining democracy. And it can lead to the unregulated exploitation of natural resources, further degrading the environment. Despite that consensus, exclusion and inequality persist. In many countries, the poor, migrants, people living with disabilities, indigenous groups and older people have little or no access to basic services and cannot participate in political dialogue. Discrimination against women and girls is a blatant injustice, denying them opportunities for education, health and other services, jobs and leadership positions and hindering their own development and that of their communities and societies. Social security provision is desperately inadequate around the world. More than half the world’s people lack any social protection at all — no pensions, no safety net in times of illness or unemployment. Post-conflict societies in particular must prioritize social, economic and political inclusion if they are to have any hope of rebuilding trust between communities. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are a key condition if women are to contribute to reconciliation and reconstruction. Even in countries at peace, inclusive development will not happen by accident. Governments, the private sector and civil society. must demonstrate their commitment to education, health, job creation and other key steps. The institutions of governance and political representation are some of the most crucial determinants of inclusive development. People need effective, responsive channels for voicing their views and addressing their grievances and concerns. The United Nations system stands ready to increase its support for countries in promoting inclusive development. The Peacebuilding Commission provides coordinated international support targeted at countries emerging from conflict. The current review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture should help to make that support more robust and flexible. The post-2015 sustainable development agenda is an important opportunity to reinforce the interdependence of development, peace and security, and human rights. I urge all members of the Security Council to play their part in making sure that this message is heard in the continuing negotiations and in the final agreement.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I now give the floor to Mr. Patriota.

Allow me at the outset to convey to you, Madam, our warm and brotherly welcome to New York and to commend you for having proposed a Security Council debate on today’s very timely theme. (spoke in English) I thank you for inviting me to participate in this important debate in my capacity as the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. The theme for this debate is intrinsically linked to the Peacebuilding Commission’s mandate and its objective to build lasting and durable peace and to prevent relapse into violent conflict. Inclusion is a central aspect of peacebuilding. War and conflict within countries mar society’s social fabric with deep rifts and hatred. Mending these ruptures often requires dialogue involving warring parties and non-military groups, as well as mechanisms to allow broader engagement in political processes, social structures and development strategies. Political exclusion is often a key factor behind the relapse into violent conflict. Political exclusion is particularly dangerous when it coincides with other forms of inequality, for example along social, cultural, judicial or economic lines. Grievances related to exclusion, inequalities or outright discrimination — perceived and real — are often at the root of armed conflict. Competition over control of natural resources has been shown to have a particularly negative impact on the likelihood of violent conflict. There are many situations where the benefits from natural resources are unequally shared within a society and only a few are benefiting. Groups seeking to control natural resources exploit these grievances in order to create political strife and fuel armed conflict. These challenges highlight the interdependence among security, justice and developmental initiatives in the promotion of peace. The mutually reinforcing nature of development, peace and security, and human rights are well recognized and were central to the thinking behind the creation of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office. This action, taken at the World Summit in 2005, sought to reinvigorate and reinforce the broader United Nations peace and security architecture. Recognizing the interdependence between these distinct approaches should not lead us to suggest that the Council should take on responsibilities regarding development matters. Other bodies, such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, are perhaps in a better position to explore those issues, in conjunction with United Nations-mandated development organizations. It does, however, emphasize the need for us to coordinate our approaches and work with greater synergy. The Peacebuilding Commission is well positioned to provide advice on issues that touch on the concerns of the Security Council and the General Assembly, such as ways in which inclusive socioeconomic development contributes to peace and security and reduces the risk of emergence or relapse into violent conflict. The Commission’s advisory function to both the General Assembly and the Security Council should be fully utilized to this end. The upcoming review of the peacebuilding architecture should help us in further reinforcing this role of the Commission. I would like to point to a few cases where the Peacebuilding Commission has contributed to more inclusive societies. In Burundi, the Peacebuilding Commission worked closely last year with the Government of Burundi, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the country team to promote a more inclusive political environment. Despite concerns about some isolated security incidents involving the youth wings of political parties, these joint efforts have helped to promote greater trust among the Government of Burundi, political parties and civil society. The deepened political dialogue involving Government and political parties contributed to the consensual adoption of a road map for free, transparent, inclusive and peaceful 2015 elections, a code of conduct for the upcoming elections, and a new electoral code, which was adopted by the National Assembly in April 2014, before being ratified by the President. Currently, the electoral process continues, and the voters registration phase ended with about 3.7 million registered. The Commission continues to encourage all stakeholders to maintain an environment conducive to peaceful elections and to reject violence as a way for achieving political goals. In Guinea, the Commission supported the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa to facilitate a dialogue between the Government and political parties. The dialogue process resulted in an agreement that laid a solid foundation for successful and inclusive parliamentary elections in 2013. Although there are still considerable challenges ahead, the Parliament, inaugurated in 2014, may be considered inclusive and representative of the political groups of Guinea. In Guinea-Bissau, the Peacebuilding Fund, in collaboration with the Commission, has supported the set-up of the first ever Women Situation Room — the Case de Veille — which has greatly contributed to increase women’s representation and participation in the monitoring of the Presidential and Legislative elections. In Sierra Leone, the Government and the international community have shown that a rapid recovery from war is possible. Sierra Leone has established political stability, restored basic security, reinvigorated democratic processes, built important national institutions, and generated economic growth. In the process, it has also proved that the United Nations can tackle complex peacebuilding and development challenges in a coordinated fashion. It has demonstrated that investment by international and regional partners in peace can reap significant dividends. Let me stress the importance of gender-based inclusion as a key element in every peacebuilding effort in war-ravaged societies. In this context. I wish to point out that the Commission has also called specifically for the inclusion of women in peacebuilding and political processes and economic recovery, including through a political declaration adopted in September 2013 and a special event in September 2014. In Liberia, the Commission has advocated strongly for an inclusive reconciliation process. The statement of mutual commitments, which the Commission concluded with the Government of Liberia in November 2010, highlighted inclusive reconciliation as a priority. On this basis, the Commission actively supported the launch of Liberia’s National Reconciliation Road Map in 2013 after a two-year consultation process. The Commission has drawn attention to the possible political implications of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as the disease has threatened to erode social cohesion and undermine the functioning of key State institutions. An inclusive recovery process that addresses perceived inequalities among groups and reinforced key political institutions will be important to protecting the gains made in the peacebuilding processes. In its third informal interactive dialogue with members of the Security Council in July 2014, the Commission underscored the importance of focusing attention on inclusive political processes that would reinforce national ownership, rebuild the fabric of fractured societies and establish a new social contract. This should be the cornerstone of our collective efforts aimed at building lasting peace in countries emerging from conflict. As the General Assembly and the Security Council prepare to conduct the 10-year review of the peacebuilding architecture this year, we should seize the opportunity to ensure that the United Nations response lives up to the aspirations of millions of people in countries emerging from conflict. The relevance and effectiveness of the United Nations must be assessed against its ability to help create the necessary conditions for inclusive security, human rights, justice and economic development.

I thank Mr. Patriota for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Gbowee. Ms. Gbowee: I am honoured to be here today. As a peace activist and a grass-roots person, I doubt if I will ever come back here again. So let me have my say. I would like to express gratitude to Chile for inviting me here today. Fourteen years into the Liberian civil war, a group of women, some of whom had experienced the worst impact, came together to form the famous Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace. Their ultimate goal was to achieve peace in a nation that had been ravaged by war. The women were from diverse ethnic, political, economic and social classes. They also had a diverse military agenda — due to the fact that many of them came from ethnic groups that were deeply involved in the civil war. When it became clear that, regardless of on which side of the divide they stood, selfishness and greed would constantly override the genuine need for peace, those women were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice by using non-violent tactics and dialogue to negotiate a peaceful settlement. The rest is history, and we all know how it ended. But there are few lessons that I would like to humbly share with the Council — lessons that I learned as a leader of that group. First, for the women of Liberia, achieving peace was key before maintaining it. The reason I raise this is that in our world today we find ourselves at a place where the need for international peace is greater than ever before in the history of the world. Regardless of where you come from and of your nationality, race or political ideology, we all — in this Chamber and outside — live with a deep sense of fear. All of the things that made life meaningful to us are gradually being taken away by insecurity. The joy of getting on an airplane is gone. The freedom to worship when, where and how we choose is gone. Education, especially for girls, is under serious threat. Depending on the space in which you find yourself, as a woman there is nothing like bodily autonomy. The freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, as we saw in Paris, is also a thing of the past. Militarism is viewed as the primary solution to every local, national and international problem — regardless of what the problem is. Several years ago, if you had said the words “Boko Haram”, people would have said, “What?”. But today if you even say Boko Haram in Russia, someone would recognize what it is. The simple and significant things that made us feel as if we lived in a peaceful and secure world have been taken away from us. International peace, security and inclusive development are therefore things we must all work for. The second lesson I bring to this body that I learned from the group of women has to do with the spirit of unity with which they carried out their mandate. They decided to band together and wage a common struggle. The idea of such a struggle is no stranger to this body: it is enshrined in the Charter that established it. Today we see division even when there should be a consensus. Exclusivity is the order of the day, even in the process of attaining peace and security. I could sit here and spend hours making cases for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Every time there is lobbying and petitions, at the end of the day we are left out of processes, and sometimes only added as afterthoughts. For international peace and security and inclusive development to be achieved — and, as I said, I may never come back to the Security Council again, so let me have my say — I would ask this body to undertake some deep self-reflection. Seventy years ago, the rationale to name five permanent members made sense, as most of the countries in this Chamber were either colonized by the five permanent members or did not have independence. Today, as we talk about inclusive development, it is my hope that we can expand the number of chairs to seven, adding two more to that number. The dynamics of our world are different. The things we did before have changed. In order for us to achieve international peace and development, we need to change the systems and structures that make it impossible for others to try where others are succeeding. Our world has changed in many ways than we ever imagined. It is time that we change some of the systems and structures that make it impossible for us achieve international peace and security. My fellow Nobel Laureate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., summed up very well the need for united and collective action and inclusiveness in this quotation, with which I will leave the Council today: “We all may have come in different ships, but we are all in the same boat now.”

I thank Ms. Gbowee for her briefing. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today’s meeting. I thank Council members for their valuable contributions to the statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2015/3. It is so decided. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as President of Chile. Allow me to extend a very warm welcome to participants and to thank them for being here in this forum for shared reflection about ways towards inclusion and security for our nations. This reflection is taking place in a different reality. Today we do not see on the international stage the large-scale inter-State warlike confrontations that were common in the twentieth century. However, that does not mean that we are living in a peaceful and safe world. Those who spoke before us have clearly referred to that. The so-called “traditional threats to security” have largely been replaced by “new threats” of a non-State and non-military nature. In other words, by intra-national wars and transnational dangers such as terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, the arms trade, trafficking in persons, natural disasters, the spread of disease and the deterioration of the environment. In order to understand and tackle those new challenges, we must adopt a multidimensional approach that explains the causes underlying those threats. Those include socioeconomic, gender, ethnic, tribal, religious and ideological tensions that may have local, regional or global effects. That is the only way by which we can effectively contribute to conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the world. Those are the founding goals of this organ of the United Nations. We therefore believe that the debate on inclusive development and peace should be held in this forum, because we understand that peace is a prerequisite for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and that, in turn, social inclusion and inclusive development are the conditions for peace. In that connection, I highlight and share the opinion of the Secretary- General, who said last September that: “Over the longer term, the biggest threat to terrorists is not the power of missiles. It is the politics of inclusion [...]. It is education, jobs and real opportunity.” (S/PV.7272, p. 3) Those are also effective tools for preventing other forms of conflict, for building peace, for consolidating democracy and the rule of law, for safeguarding individual freedoms and, ultimately, for building fairer societies. We are fully aware of this, which is why we in Chile are making great efforts to narrow social gaps and prevent segments of the population from being left behind. We believe that closing gaps in income and position in the social structure is as important as promoting equal opportunities. It is not only a moral imperative, but also a requirement for medium-term and long-term development, for political stability and for peace. We have made progress in that direction, but we still have a long way to go. Unfortunately, in many countries of the world, the distance between the reality and the ideal of inclusion and justice is huge, and it does not appear to be lessening over time. This situation is particularly worrying in multinational, multi-ethnic and multicultural States in which the rights of minorities are not respected and in those where powerful minorities oppress weak and scattered majorities. In both cases, frustation and rancor create propitious conditions for radicalization and armed violence that, when it occurs, usually causes incalculable suffering that crosses national frontiers and can even destabilize entire regions. Recent events in the Middle East and Africa provide examples, such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Somalia. But these are not the only areas of the planet affected by violence and insecurity. Latin America, which is the region of the world with the most inequality, is also the region with the highest homicide rate and one of the regions most affected by drug trafficking and organized crime. This does not seem to be mere coincidence. And in Western Europe, terrorist violence, which we emphatically condemn, arises in a context of growing malaise in which the most pessimistic speak of a failure of the model of multicultural coexistence and where intolerance and phobias of all kinds are on the increase. That is why, as emphasized in resolution 1325 (2000) and as we have pointed out on other occasions, we maintain that conflict prevention, peacebuilding, construction of democratic institutions and development require the participation of all stakeholders. Allow me to make special mention of the contribution of women. We are called on to play a leading role in the creation of better living conditions for this planet. When it occurs, the exclusion of such a significant part of the population makes it not only difficult but often actually impossible to achieve these goals. The example of Liberia shows, in contrast, as Leymah has told us, that when processes are inclusive, they are more likely to be successful. National reconciliation and peacebuilding were achieved through the creation of mechanisms for inclusion of all concerned sectors, in which women — and particularly the work of Leymah Gbowee, who is honouring us with her presence — played an outstanding role. In recognition of her work, Laymah Gbowee, together with the current President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and the Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman, received the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Experience shows that the debate which we are proposing on inclusive development is of utmost importance, especially if we bear in mind that what we are seeking is to contribute substantively to the building of a more peaceful, safe and fair world for all. I therefore invite participants to discuss and share experiences and views with these objectives in mind. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to the other members of the Council.

I thank you, President Bachelet, for presiding over this critically important meeting and for Chile’s leadership on these issues and many others in the Council and around the world. I thank you as well for your lifelong efforts, including during your tenure here as Director of UN-Women and as Chilean President, to advance the causes of development and peace. I also thank Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee. We can all see why she has made the difference that she has in Liberia and well beyond. She is truly formidable. And I thank the Secretary-General and Ambassador Patriota for their very important contributions. As threats to international peace and security have evolved, so has the Council’s conception of them. Consider two of the great crises we face today: the Ebola epidemic and violent extremism. While neither represents the kind of risk that may have been imagined by the architects of the United Nations, each threatens the stability and prosperity of multiple countries. And both highlight the way that underdevelopment can pose a risk to peace and security. One of the main reasons that Ebola spread as quickly as it did in West Africa and has killed such a high proportion of the people that it has infected is the acute underdevelopment of the public health systems in the affected countries. As President Obama observed in his remarks before the General Assembly in September, violent extremist groups have found their most fertile recruiting grounds “in the Middle East and North Africa, where a quarter of young people have no job, where food and water could grow scarce, where corruption is rampant and sectarian conflicts have become increasingly hard to contain.” (A/69/PV.6, pp. 12-13). The connection between development and peace and security extends beyond Ebola and violent extremism. The average civil war sets back a medium- sized developing country more than 30 years in terms of economic growth. Trade levels after major violence take an average of 20 years to recover. And the global economic impact of stemming such violence is estimated at $9.5 trillion, or approximately 11 per cent of the gross world product. These figures show what should be clear to all: the economic and social health of countries is intrinsically linked to their ability to secure and maintain peace. More than 80 per cent of extremely poor people — those who survive on less $1 a day — are expected to live in countries affected by conflict and chronic violence by 2025. We know that this is not a challenge we can ignore. We have to do something more. One place to start is with women and girls. Leymah’s story is testament to the critical role that women can play in advancing peace and security. In the middle of the second brutal civil war in Liberia, she rallied thousands of women to pray for peace and founded a group that staged weeks-long non-violent protests calling for an end to the conflict. The activism of women helped build grass-roots pressure on then President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, to engage in peace talks with rebels. When those talks faltered, she and 200 women formed a human chain to prevent the Government and the rebels from leaving the negotiating table. Of course the Government and the rebels could have pushed their way through that chain, but the symbolic demand of those women for peace, together with international pressure, helped keep both sides at the negotiating table, and within weeks they reached a deal. If we agree that international peace and security is bound up with inclusive development, it follows that one of the best ways for the international community to consolidate peace and to help end conflict is to bridge enduring development gaps. That is why, in addition to investing unprecedented resources — including the efforts of more than 3,000 American engineers, epidemiologists, doctors and others on the ground, mainly in Liberia — in stopping the Ebola outbreak at its source and in leaving the affected countries with stronger public health systems than they had before the outbreak, President Obama has launched the Global Health Security Agenda. The Global Health Security Agenda is aimed at preparing countries to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to outbreaks before they become epidemics. During a meeting with President Obama last September, 43 countries joined us in annoucing more than 100 specific commitments to strengthen global health security, together with the World Health Organization and other international institutions. That is why we have invested so much time in the post-2015 development agenda, which aims for inclusive and equitable development that leaves no one behind in any country, developing or developed, and not only in terms of gender equality and global health, but across other areas such as education, water and sanitation, sustainable energy, and inclusive and responsive governance. That is why the United States has strongly advocated draft goal 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. If we can achieve this goal through reducing corruption, promoting universal, free and legal identity and ensuring public access to information, we can ensure that the next United Nations development agenda will help empower those who need it most. That is why in Afghanistan we have invested robustly in ensuring that women and girls are more fully integrated into Afghan society. Since 2001, school enrolment there has increased tenfold, with nearly 10 million children now signed up, 40 per cent of whom are girls. Maternal mortality has fallen from 16 per cent to 3 per cent. And today, women hold 28 per cent of the Afghan Parliament seats, a higher proportion than in my own country. All of these investments, all of this progress, not only make women more equal partners in Afghanistan’s future, they give Afghanistan far brighter prospects for a more secure and prosperous future. Today, as has been said, we commemorate the life of another Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the world’s greatest human rights champions, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In one of his last speeches, Dr. King spoke of what he called “the other America” — a country he contrasted with the America of opportunity and equality. The other America, he said, had a “daily ugliness about it that transforms the buoyancy of hope into the fatigue of despair”. Dr. King spoke of men without work, families living in miserable conditions, children denied access to a quality education; and he spoke of how such inequality posed an enduring obstacle to American prosperity, calling on all Americans to bridge these gaps. It has been nearly 50 years since Dr. King spoke of the need to address these gaps in the United States, and yet so many of them persist, here in the United States and around the world. His call to action is as resonant and urgent today as when he first made it. We must do everything in our power to do our part to fulfil it.

I would like thank you, Madam, for chairing this meeting of the Security Council on an important issue that concerns us all. Indeed, in all its forms and expressions, inclusion is a theme of utmost importance in this globalized world, where expressions of intolerance and hatred, derived from exclusion, have become a key feature of our societies and constitute a grave threat to international peace and security. I take this opportunity to commend the Chilean presidency of the Security Council for the month of January for its excellent work in advancing the important mission entrusted to the Security Council. The theme proposed by the Chilean presidency for this debate is of crucial importance in the contemporary world, as the multifaceted aspects of inclusion — including the territorial, political, economic, ethnic and cultural aspects — are of great complexity and are not linked exclusively to conflict and to international peace and security. The issue of inclusion also concerns historically consolidated States that, after many centuries of existence as State entities, have yet to address the challenges of inclusion. The existence of centrifugal forces resulting from various levels of exclusion in some of these States is made evident by the emergence of secessionist expressions in countries where, from our point of view, they would normally be unlikely to arise, given those countries’ peaceful and democratic natures. An important element for analysis, as referred to in the concept paper for this meeting (S/2015/6, annex), is the issue of territorial inclusion. Indeed, this is the starting point in ensuring that all the regions and peoples that comprise a particular country are treated alike, thereby strengthening national identity and safeguarding territorial integrity. Territorial exclusion is thus the starting point of centrifugal forces that can lead to the territorial fragmentation of States. Conversely, national inclusion gives all citizens a sense of belonging and contributes decisively to national cohesion and social harmony, and thus to the effective mobilization of citizens towards achieving great national goals related to peace and harmonious development. It is in multi-ethnic countries that the challenges of inclusion prove to be more complex. In order to overcome the natural tendency to exclude others based on differences, it is essential that States address the problems of ethnicity with particular sensitivity so as to prevent the exclusion of any group from its national community and promote full coexistence and equal opportunities for all. Social inclusion is also imperative to building societies with free and responsible citizens who are aware of their duties and rights. In it lies the culture of peace, tolerance and full acceptance of the differences inherent to social plurality. Social inclusion entails the need to fully mainstream gender issues in the formulation of national policies. Indeed, in today’s world it is clear that women play a key role in the economic, social and cultural lives of peoples and countries, and their exclusion markedly impoverishes the life of societies that exclude them. Economic exclusion is often based on the exploitation of well-defined social strata and often resides in the concept of superiority of one particular group over the rest of society. It is in general the root cause of social conflicts that often culminate in acts of extreme violence. By contrast, economic inclusion, as an expression of the participation of the entire social fabric in the enjoyment of national wealth, remains tangible and crucial for the consolidation of the sense of belonging, and for the effective participation in and enjoyment of the work of each individual. Finally, cultural inclusion, particularly in the context of multicultural societies, is of vital importance to the growth of social and national cohesion. Provided there is respect for the differences and the intrinsic nature of each culture that composes the national cultural fabric, it is also an asset of great significance and value. Political stability is the foundation on which rests the economic and social development of any country. We are aware, however, that political stability is not an end in itself. It should be based on a suitable system of participation in governance by political forces and by all social strata. This means that inclusive governance is the best guarantee for obtaining dividends from effective representation for economic development, social harmony and effective human development. Democratic and participatory governance also guarantees that even when situations arise that may cause feelings of exclusion in a given society, they can be resolved in a peaceful and democratic manner in the search for consensus in decision-making, particularly on the key issues of national life. Identifying and acting swiftly whenever signs of exclusion arise in a specific country are wide-ranging objectives that it is incumbent upon the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations, and relevant national actors to pursue. Indeed, national Governments, international and regional organizations should develop early-warning mechanisms for integrated actions to be conducted at the national, regional or international level in order to act immediately on the causes of tension and misunderstanding before they degenerate into conflict. We believe that as a facet of international life, conflict- prevention is an important factor in building a more peaceful world and one that better identifies with the values of peace. In post-conflict situations in societies that are generally dysfunctional, it is imperative to formulate policies to harmonize and strengthen political, security, development, human rights and rule-of-law aspects with a view to reconciliation, good governance and the strengthening of social cohesion. In countries emerging from armed conflict, peacebuilding must be carried out as part of an inclusive process that overcomes misunderstandings, restores confidence and lays the foundations for lasting peace. This requires building inclusive societies through the implementation of appropriate policies, particularly in the fields of education, social dialogue and social and economic inclusion. Angola, a country in a post-conflict situation, has been conducting its peacebuilding process within parameters that are consistent with the main elements that we have stressed and has sought to undertake that process in an environment that has enormous development challenges. Since 2002, the Government has been conducting a broad economic and social reintegration programme for segments of the population that were marginalized during the armed conflict, especially ex-combatants and their families. Angola has also sought to build a society of free and responsible citizens, developing policies of social inclusion for that purpose. In that respect, the promotion of gender has been an element in the formulation of Government policies, namely, concerning the rural woman, who is gradually taking a more assertive role, thus occupying her rightful place in the rural community. With a view to translating that priority into our national policy, in line with the concern of the international community regarding the role of women in peace and development, 2015 has been proclaimed the Year of the Rural Woman. In general, our appraisal on the role of women in Angolan society is quite positive. Indeed, there has been remarkable progress in the advancement of women in recent years, and women have come to occupy an important place in the political, economic and social life of our country. The economic growth of recent years should be reflected in tangible economic and social well-being for all citizens of Angola. With that objective in mind, the Angolan authorities have been developing economic policies aimed at ensuring that the national community is included in the gains obtained in recent years. Lastly, Angola fully supports the presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/3) adopted as the outcome of this very constructive debate.

It is an honour to participate in this high-level open debate. This is my first statement to the Security Council since Spain joined the Council as a non-permanent member on 1 January. I am doubly pleased that it coincides with the presidency of our Chilean friends and that President Bachelet is here among us today. I recall that hers was the first visit by a Head of State to Spain during the reign of Philip VI, which shows the very close ties that bind our two nations. I would also like to thank you, Madam President, for convening an open debate on a topic of ongoing timeliness. I also welcome the Secretary-General’s presence and thank him, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Gbowee for their informative briefings. The three pillars on which the United Nations is based are not independent of each other. On the contrary, if one fails, it threatens the entire structure designed by the Charter of the United Nations. As rightly pointed out by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there is no peace without development and there is no lasting peace or sustainable development without respect for human rights and the rule of law. We could also add that there is no peace or sustainable development without inclusion in all its dimensions. That must be the main conclusion of this debate. The concept note prepared by the President (S/2015/6, annex) is very useful in that respect. No one disputes that the Security Council has as its primary responsibility the maintenance of international peace and security. However, the idea of peace and security has changed since the time when the Charter was adopted. Peace is not the mere absence of war, just as security is not limited to reducing threats. Both are much more complex. In today’s world, peace and security are an ensemble of a number of factors that range from citizens’ personal security to overcoming deep social fractures, from the proper functioning of impartial institutions to the absence of widespread corruption, from eradicating gender-based violence in all social strata to educational reforms aimed at combating hate speech, from clean and fair election campaigns to respect for the territorial integrity of States. They all form a protective framework that is closely linked to the prosperity of nations and respect for human rights. In other words, the notion of peace and security is inclusive, so that inclusion in all its dimensions — whether territorial, national, ethnic, social, economic, cultural or gender-related — is key to the inner stability of a country, to international peace and, no less important, to preventing future conflicts. Spain understands this idea very well, as it is a pluralist nation that loves diversity. We are a nation with different cultures and sensitivities, established on historical alluvial deposits built up as a result of being located at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Americas, the meeting place of East and West, the gateway to the Mediterranean and the bridge between the new and the old continents. All that has resulted in the mixture of ethnicities, cultures, identities and varied expressions of humanity that we have been incorporating for centuries. Unity in diversity is one of our outstanding features. More recently, the arrival of a large number of immigrants has been a new and enriching contribution, although not one without challenges. The principle of inclusiveness has been one that has guided our actions, both in the cooperation with the immigrants’ countries of origin and with regard to social policies towards immigrants. As regards our international cooperation, three of the five guidelines contained in the fourth Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation, which is valid until the end of 2016, are inspired by the idea that inclusive development is essential for maintaining peace and security. I refer to the consolidation of democratic processes and the rule of law, reducing vulnerability to extreme poverty and to crisis, and promoting the rights of women and gender equality. That means that Spain gives priority to cooperation projects inspired by those inclusive guidelines. At the domestic level, the social, economic and gender inclusion of immigrants is a priority. That has been achieved through social policies that have involved support for immigrants’ integration into our society, and awareness-raising and preparing Spanish society to adequately receive them. The ultimate goal of those policies is to prevent the creation of pockets of exclusion, as that could easily lead to marginalization, and to prevent xenophobia. This philosophy of inclusion is at the root of the preventive diplomacy that the Charter lays out in its Chapter VI and that has certainly been revived in recent years. It is a concept coined many years ago by Dag Hammarskjöld, which reaches its full expression in international situations such as the one we are currently experiencing. Spain has clearly opted for preventive diplomacy as an instrument of international relations, especially at the multilateral level. My country is a founding and active member of the Group of Friends of Mediation, created at the request of Finland and Turkey, and has launched, together with Morocco, the Mediation in the Mediterranean initiative, which aims to build a culture of prevention on both sides of a geographical area marked by tensions and conflicts of various kinds. Also in the region, we have launched, along with Algeria, a Water Strategy for the Western Mediterranean, which aims to defuse potential conflicts in the region related to that vital resource. Also, as founders, along with Turkey, of the Alliance of Civilizations, we believe that dialogue among different cultures and religions is a crucial basis for efforts to defuse existing tensions, prevent latent tensions from worsening and debunk myths about the vision of “the other” in national, ethnic or ideological narratives of various societies. That task is important and urgent. To accomplish it, we need powerful tools that bring together different sensitivities with one purpose: to avoid conflicts and to work for peace. The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue is another forum called upon to play a role in promoting harmony, tolerance and interfaith dialogue. Spain will do all it can to ensure that this centre can use its great potential for this purpose. Lastly, the maintenance of international peace and security requires inclusive instruments to help prevent the outbreak of conflict; this is clear in the context of the responsibility that every Government has to protect its citizens. Such protection in the face of potential mass crimes means that we must take early actions, and inclusive development is not the least of these. Spain believes that the maintenance of international peace and security is not a question of a purely military or police-related nature. If we have learned anything in the almost 70 years of existence of this Organization, it is that it there is no point in achieving a ceasefire or freezing a conflict if we do not address its root causes. This requires developing preventive policies in all areas; inclusive development forms an essential part of such policies. In the final analysis, we must create inclusive development strategies in order to strengthen the role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. In order to be effective, such strategies must be comprehensive and cover all aspects of inclusiveness — territorial, national, ethnic, social, gender, economic and cultural — and they require participation by and coordination among all of the principal organs of the United Nations system, including the Council. I should like to conclude, therefore, by congratulating the Chilean presidency for having taken the lead in introducing inclusive development as a topic of discussion in the Council. I congratulate you, Madam President, and welcome the presidential statement adopted today (S/PRST/2015/3), to which we contributed on the basis of our national experience. It is now up to us all to follow up on this initiative.

Madam President, we are very pleased to welcome you at the helm of the Security Council. We would express our gratitude to the Chilean delegation for the convening of today’s meeting as well as for the preparation of the presidential statement just adopted (S/PRST/2015/3). We also thank the Secretary-General, who set the tone for today’s debate, and the Permanent Representative of Brazil, Mr. De Aguiar Patriota, for his statement and his effective leadership of the Peacebuilding Commission in 2014. We also listened carefully to the statement made by Nobel Laureate Ms. Gbowee. The Russian Federation has always viewed the United Nations as a unique deliberative platform for the creation of a more sustainable and lasting architecture for international relations, where primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security lies with the Security Council. In today’s context of global dynamic changes, various regions are experiencing full-scale, sweeping geopolitical transformations, with a growing potential for conflict. There are increasing numbers of internal conflicts, compounded by armed clashes and difficult socioeconomic conditions. Against that backdrop, long-standing issues are ever more pressing, including the trans-boundary proliferation of weapons, organized crime, drug trafficking and new threats such as terrorism and violent extremism. In that context, we fully endorse strengthening mechanisms for dialogue and conflict prevention and improving the United Nations and in particular the Security Council’s instruments in the areas of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and post- conflict peacebuilding. We remain convinced that the unchanging guideline for such activities remains the universal norms of international law and the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. The interconnected tasks in the areas of security, human rights and development, enshrined, inter alia, in the outcome documents of major forums held under the auspices of the United Nations, including the Millennium Summit, the 2005 World Summit and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), are of particular relevance for States in a period of post-conflict rebuilding in which the United Nations plays a central coordinating role. Peacebuilding assistance here should aim to promote the devising of priorities by national Governments and should target national capacity-building. Here we see room for close cooperation among the Peacebuilding Commission, the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. All aspects of the global economic agenda, including combating inequalities and ensuring inclusive economic growth and development, should be considered in the framework of the intergovernmental process being carried out under the auspices of the General Assembly in preparation for the September 2015 summit, when a post-2015 global development agenda is proposed for adoption. There should be no politicization of work in the context of agreement on this agenda. We are also opposed to a broad interpretation of the concept of sustainable development that would include new aspects, including the so-called political dimension, that are not in keeping with the ideas set forth at Rio+20. We call for restraint and circumspection in the discussion of development issues in the framework of non-specialized bodies, in particular in the Security Council. This also applies to other individualized platforms for activity, including with respect to issues related to justice and the upholding of human rights. It seems that the incorporation of such elements in the agenda of the Security Council will inevitably lead to the duplication of work that is already ongoing and give rise to strong political antagonisms and justified claims that the Security Council is encroaching on the prerogatives of other United Nations bodies. That is why we have consistently called for an effective division of labour among the principal United Nations bodies and the discussion in the Security Council only of situations that have a direct bearing on imminent threats to international peace and security. In this connection, we fully agree with the relevant ideas of Ambassador De Aguiar Patriota, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. It is clear that in every crisis there is a need for subtlety, a balanced and impartial approach and patience in seeking a solution that is acceptable to all parties to a conflict. For some States, the root causes of conflict have socioeconomic undertones. In others, they take the form of the political and cultural exclusion of entire regions from public life. Furthermore, in order to bring about lasting peace, there is a need to take account of cultural, historical and regional issues as well as the specificities of relations with neighbouring States. The context for stable and equitable societies also varies from country to country, but the common denominator must be to take account of all social segments and groups in the process of the State’s carrying out the relevant tasks. In conclusion, I wish to note that the Russian Federation, committed as it is to such an approach, continues at the national level to consistently strengthen and harmonize relations among various segments of society so as to ensure social and nationwide cohesion. This was indeed one of the aims of the 15 January Moscow forum on “The State and civil society: cooperation for development”.

The Nigerian delegation thanks Chile for having organized this important debate and for the concept note provided to guide our discussion (S/2015/6, annex). We also thank the Secretary- General; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador De Aguiar Patriota; and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. It is a widely accepted fact that there can be no development without security and no security without development. Lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goals clearly confirm the link between security and development. The theme of this debate also resonates within the context of the ongoing global discourse on the post-2015 development agenda. Nigeria therefore sees merit in the Council holding a debate on inclusive development. The United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report for 2014 confirms that conflict and a sense of personal insecurity have a pervasive impact on human development and leave billions in precarious conditions. The Council’s efforts should therefore focus on promoting development that ensures that no one is left behind, through its peacekeeping operations, peacebuilding and preventive diplomacy. Development can be meaningful only if all segments of society contribute to creating opportunities, participate in decision-making and share in the benefits of development. The presidential statement just adopted by the Council (S/PRST/2015/3) underscores the importance of allowing a space for all actors, regardless of their racial, ethnic, social, gender, religious, cultural or economic background. In order to ensure security and development, the Council has, through its internvention in conflict and post-conflict situations, recognized the relevance of inclusiveness in the promotion of good governance, national reconciliation, democracy, gender equality and sustained economic growth. The Council has promoted greater inclusiveness for women in conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding through its women and peace and security agenda. In countries emerging from conflict, the inclusion and participation of women in governance and economic activity, as well as the provision of skills and jobs for young people, have provided the necessary impetus for peace and security. Lessons learned from United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities indicate that inclusive development activities can help to prevent a relapse into conflict. It is therefore necessary for the Council to continue to advance the concept of inclusive development when authorizing mandates. It is also vital to pay attention to the strengthening of the national institutions, civil societies and private sectors of countries transiting from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. That can be achieved through greater collaboration, cooperation and coordination between the Council and other United Nations bodies, funds and programmes. At the national level, we in Nigeria are taking concrete steps to meet our security challenges and foster peace through inclusive development. Our “soft” approach to countering violent extremism adopts a multidimensional strategy in addressing the root causes of radicalization and violent extremism. Its overall aim is to employ practical measures to halt violent extremism in the short-term and prevent future occurrences in the long-term. Through the programme, the Government is addressing the key economic, social, religious, political and cultural issues fuelling the radicalization upon which the insurgency feeds. Through the soft approach, we are pursuing a wide range of reforms through our educational system. We are also creating economic opportunities and providing skills to those at risk of radicalization. At the subregional and regional levels, Nigeria has played an active role in the restoration of peace and democracy in countries emerging from conflict. That underscores our conviction that solid democratic institutions are vital platforms for the participation of all groups, including women and youth, in the development of any country. Nigeria was one of the early responders that provided support to combat the spread of Ebola in West Africa. Our action was based on the need to sustain the development already attained in the affected countries in order to reduce the risk of relapse into conflict. Finally, Nigeria believes that the United Nations should continue to act as an agent for inclusive development. We also believe that the Security Council should support the ongoing global discourse that promotes inclusive development as a critical factor in fostering sustainable peace, security and development.

Allow me to begin by welcoming Her Excellency Ms. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, and by thanking the briefers for their valuable. Many examples in modern history demonstrate the relationship between development and security, and in particular the relationship between development and armed conflicts. Nevertheless, that relationship has not been accorded priority, either in academic literature or in practical implementation. In our view, that might be attributable to many traditional factors, the most salient being the lack of communication among decision-making circles working in development and security, whether inside Governments or among international organizations involved in development. A lack of communication also exists among the latter and other organizations interested in security with regard to embracing new concepts like human security and other multifaceted, complicated security-related phenomena, such as terrorism and epidemics. We would like to thank Chile for shedding light on this important topic and for focusing on some aspects that we believe have been absent in the discussion on security and development: inclusivity, peacebuilding and combating the threat of extremism. We hope that we can build on the discussions that are taking place today and on the presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/2) that was recently adopted, which Jordan fully supports. The United Nations must address the relationship between security and peace through integrated policies and programmes, particularly peacebuilding operations. Post-conflict assistance to countries should be based on a comprehensive, integrated approach that addresses the interrelatedness among political and development activities, human rights and the rule of law. Jordan agrees with the contents of the concept note (S/2015/6, annex) circulated by Chile on the role of inclusive development in the maintenance of international peace and security. We support the idea of concentrating on the importance of inclusivity in development as a factor in maintaining peace and in building peace. That is a primary aspect of the Jordanian position vis-à-vis the conflicts on the Security Council’s agenda. Jordan rejects the marginalization and exclusion of any segment of society, and warns of the spillover effect of such an approach on political stability, security, development and national sovereignty. Jordan stresses the importance of addressing the concept of national ownership in achieving sustainable peace. The primary responsibility falls on national authorities in deciding the priorities in post-conflict peacebuilding. Such policies should be both specific and realistic, and the goals attainable through well-planned coordination among national societies and all stakeholders at the local level. That can also be achieved through a realistic assessment that takes into consideration the specific needs of societies emerging from conflict and their circumstances, as well as available resources for implementing those policies. Donors have the responsibilty of providing the necessary development support for States in post- conflict peacebuilding. That should not be understood to mean that donor countries or relevant organizations are the catalysts of change in those societies. Rather, change must be intrinsic to that society, take local knowledge into consideration and not ignore the internal dynamics of such societies. Gender relations in society play an important role in establishing the basis on which peace is built. We must therefore focus on including women at all stages of peacebuilding and development projects and on empowering them during conflict and in post-conflict situations. Peace and security are interlinked. Guaranteeing their sustainability in post-conflict situations requires addressing the root causes of internal conflicts, themes that previous speakers at this meeting addressed. In many situations, those may have social, economic, ethnic, religious or tribal roots. Guaranteeing the sustainability of peace and development must not only be based on the absence of war, but also on replacing the structures that led to inequality and insecurity. Countries in post-conflict stages must be assisted in building new structures, or in restructuring them, so that we can instil the concepts of justice and equality, particularly in societies that experienced war crimes, genocide and all kinds of discrimination and marginalization. In conclusion, we believe that successful development policies based on inclusiveness contribute to addressing social and economic imbalances and the sense of injustice that extremist groups could use to recruit, particularly among young people. Development policies must therefore focus on empowering young people, building their future, unlocking their potential and finding job opportunities for them.

It is a great pleasure, Madam, to have you presiding over this important debate, which has also attracted such an impressive number of speakers today. I would like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Antonio Patriota of Brazil, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be made on behalf of the European Union later today. In my national capacity, I would like to underline the following points. Issues pertaining to the development agenda naturally fall within the purview of other United Nations bodies, particularly the Economic and Social Council. However, as was noted in the Security Council’s presidential statement of February 2011 (S/PRST/2011/4), there is an inherent link between security and development, and as the Secretary-General said earlier, when we ignore one pillar, we endanger the other two. Poverty, exclusion and marginalization fuel many a conflict, including those on the Council’s agenda. We cannot break the cycle of violence and build durable peace as long as significant inequalities prevail and issues relating to economic, political and social inclusion remain unaddressed. Inclusivity begins with respect for basic human rights for all, which in their turn can flourish only where there is a solid framework built on the rule of law, democratic governance and accountability. Freedom of expression and information support transparency, foster participation and reinforce the necessary checks and balances within the political system that act as safeguards against corruption, abuse of power, cronyism and graft. Promoting the fundamental freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly and association, as well as supporting free media, is therefore essential to inclusive development and peace. We are concerned about the worldwide increase in attacks on and killings of journalists and social media workers seeking to expose impunity, corruption and abuse of power. In particular, their reports from conflict zones expose human-rights abuse, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and help to rally the international community in support of the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable and, by extension, the protection of civilian lives. We call on the Council to remain vigilant and actively engaged on the issue of the protection of journalists, human-rights defenders and civil-society activists. We have seen time and again that human-rights violations are often the first early-warning signs of a conflict to appear. Ongoing, unaddressed human-rights violations also become an obstacle to reconciliation and peacebuilding processes, and therefore to inclusive development. That is why my delegation strongly supports the Rights Up Front initiative, which, in our view, should lie at the core of all preventive, peacebuilding and development efforts. Sustainable peace requires that no social group be discriminated against or left behind. National reconciliation and peacebuilding cannot work if certain groups or minorities live in fear of persecution, are denied the right and ability to voice their demands and access essential resources, and are excluded from power-sharing arrangements and governance. Exclusion and discrimination on whatever grounds — gender, religion, ethnicity, race, age or any other reason — weaken societies by robbing them of their creative and productive potential, reinforce a sense of injustice, harden lingering grievances and undermine their very stability and security, thus threatening to ignite or rekindle cycles of violence and thwarting development efforts. In particular, peace and development need women’s full participation and inclusion in all aspects of a society’s life, as equal partners in decision-making processes and State-building, from conflict mediation and resolution to reconciliation, peacebuilding, and post-conflict development. Women’s full, unfettered participation in the political, economic and other domains of society is a key driving force for societal transformation and economic prosperity. Numerous studies have shown that societies where women play active roles enjoy higher levels of well-being and development. The Security Council has created a solid normative base, starting with resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. While notable progress has been achieved in that respect, we are not there yet. This year’s review of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as well as the forthcoming peacekeeping and peacebuilding reviews, offer important opportunities to move that agenda further, especially on the implementation side. The Council must make sure that every single mandate it creates has a strong women’s-empowerment component, which would definitely benefit people’s aspirations for inclusive development, the focus of today’s debate. Peace and development cannot be sustained without accountability. The abuse of power, failure to address lingering grievances, lawlessness and impunity are deeply corrosive, sowing mistrust, hampering reconciliation and capable of rekindling conflict at any moment. In today’s turbulent world, such grievances and abuses are also conducive to alienation, radicalization and violent extremism, thus compounding the complex task of fighting terrorism in its many manifestations. Conversely, the rule of law, which sits at the core of democratic governance, offers a framework of justice and fosters empowerment and equality, by providing a common set of rules for all members of a society and guaranteeing their equality before the law. Taking resolute action against impunity is essential to ensure that victims of abuse can regain confidence in their society and proceed towards the reconciliation and durable peace that are so necessary for development. Such action is also important as a preventive, deterrent tool, sending a message to would-be perpetrators that their crimes will not go unpunished. Support for building the rule of law and national judicial and law- enforcement capabilities must therefore be addressed early on, within the context of peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, and systematically sustained as countries move from conflict to durable peace and development. We welcome the strengthening of rule-of- law components in United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates, and call on the Council to pay greater attention to rule-of-law issues in its debates.

I would like to thank Chile for initiating today’s debate and putting the issue of inclusive development, and the links between development and peace and security, on the Security Council’s agenda. It is a crucial issue for all of us, and one that has not been discussed in the Council since 2011 (see S/PV.6479). I welcome your presence, Madam President, which testifies to your country’s commitment to the subject. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. France associates itself with the statement to be delivered later on behalf of the European Union. Inclusive development is a necessary condition of security. Rebellions and conflicts are often fuelled by a sense of exclusion and injustice on the part of a social group or an ethnic or religious community. Many of the conflicts on the Council’s agenda arise in the wake of human-rights violations and an insufficiently inclusive political process. At the same time, it must be made clear that it is primarily up to States to institute those processes if conflicts are to be prevented. From that point of view, the Security Council can only encourage States to embrace this issue and establish policies of inclusive development aimed at preventing conflict. Conflict prevention naturally implies respecting all citizens’ rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. Only institutions that represent the people’s legitimate aspirations, the transparent management of public monies, an independent judiciary and law enforcement, and security forces that respect the law are capable of ensuring sustainable development. A State’s stability thus depends on respect for the rule of law. In particular, such policies should focus on gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making. Gender equality is not only one of our most fundamental human rights; combating every form of discrimination between men and women is also a factor in development, in the stabilization of countries in transition and in peace. In that regard, Madam President, I welcome the foundational work you have led in New York in the past few years as the first Executive Director of UN-Women. France is currently working with UN-Women on a number of cooperation programmes aimed at strengthening women’s participation in development, including a gender and social cohesion employment programme for young men and women in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. In our national capacity, I should add that, working with Congolese non-governmental organizations, we have also established a socioeconomic rehabilitation programme for women rendered vulnerable by the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would also like to emphasize the importance of an inclusive approach as countries prepare to emerge from crisis. Reconciliation often requires the fair division of power among the communities in conflict. In this context, women can play a decisive role. I welcome, in this regard, Ms. Gbowee’s commitment and the role of women played in the transition to peace in Liberia. It is essential that women be involved from this moment forward in the peace negotiations in Mali so as to prevent their exclusion from a peace agreement and to ensure their inclusion in the post-conflict transition period. Finally, I would like to make some remarks on the role of the Peacebuilding Commission, echoing our debate on this subject last week (see S/PV.7359). Ten years on from the establishment of the peacebuilding architecture, whose role and achievements have just been recalled by Ambassador Patriota, undeniable progress has been achieved, first, in terms of a better understanding of the specific challenges facing countries emerging from conflict and, secondly, in terms of better coordination of the efforts under various international interventions in the countries concerned. Ambassador Patriota cited examples where the peacebuilding architecture has made an effective contribution to improving the situation. These efforts must continue. In this regard, France supports the review of the peacebuilding architecture review, which will be carried out during 2015 jointly with the strategic review of peace operations. We welcome both of these exercises. I would like to conclude by recalling that the General Assembly will adopt in September 2015 an ambitious and renewed development programme for the 15 years to come, which will orient all of our actions towards sustainable development with a comprehensive approach. This programme will include ambitious goals on fighting inequality, on gender equality, on peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, on access to justice for all, and on transparent, accountable and inclusive institutions. These tools will contribute to the prevention of conflicts. The year 2015 will also mark 70 years since the establishment of the United Nations, and in this context, the various bodies of the United Nations, including the Security Council, must more than ever strengthen the coherence of their respective activities towards an approach that is yet more preventive and inclusive in dealing with crises. Peace and security can never be won as long as discrimination against groups or individuals persists.

I welcome you, Madam President. As this is the first time I have taken the floor in the Security Council as Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, following our election as non-permanent member last October, I would like to express our friendship and respect to you as Head of State and Government of a brotherly South American country. Likewise, I would like to express our satisfaction at seeing you preside over this open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. We thank and welcome the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, my friend Ambassador Antonio Patriota; and the Nobel Peace Laureate, Ms. Leymah Gbowee. We also welcome the representatives of all countries present today. While we welcome Chile’s initiative to promote an exchange of views on this important topic, we believe that the overarching importance of the topic before us calls for an open and democratic forum of discussion, such as the General Assembly, so as to guarantee the full participation of Member States. Although the Security Council is not the appropriate organ to make decisions in the area of development, we acknowledge that its decisions in the field of international peace and security have a positive impact on the long-term development of nations. However, at times, its decisions on other matters can also have adverse consequences for the wellbeing and future of countries. This debate gives us the opportunity to underscore the importance of inclusive development in building just, fair and peaceful societies as a fundamental precondition for preventing conflicts and violence. However, it is important to recall in this context that the most serious threats to international peace and security do not come from the poorest and least-developed countries; to contend so would be to misconstrue the current state of global affairs, historical trends and the imbalance of power at the international level. We are participating in the work of the Council, as President Nicolás Maduro Moros has stated, with a renewed optimism and firm commitment to peace, respect for sovereignty, international law, development, social justice, cooperation and solidarity among peoples, dialogue and peaceful coexistence among nations, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Latin America and the Caribbean stands out as a region of peace, where we have built a regional architecture of mechanisms to address matters of common interest through cooperation and solidarity. Over the past two decades, there have been steady improvements in the areas of peace, security and development. Venezuela believes that the international community must take an open and frank approach in addressing the root causes of the political, economic and social imbalances in the current international system that generate conflicts. Such an approach would help us find solid and lasting solutions to conflicts, in accordance with international law. In order to reverse the negative impacts of the legacy of colonialism, the pillaging of natural resources and unjust global social, financial and economic structures, we must strengthen multilateral efforts to transform socioeconomic policies and norms bound to the capitalist model of production that is unsustainable for world. The international community must put greater focus on promoting the sustainable development agenda. In this regard, developed countries must fulfil their duties in areas such as official development assistance, technology transfer and climate change. Similarly, in the economic field, developing countries must be given preferential and differentiated treatment and assistance in reaching the internationally agreed development goals, without conditionality; fair trade should be promoted; and cooperation is needed in the restructuring of sovereign debt. The case of Haiti deserves special attention due to the inconsistencies in the provision of the $10 billion in international assistance pledged at the international donors’ conference of 31 March 2010 for reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of January that year. In this regard, we call on donor countries to honour their aid commitments to Haiti, so as to help the country overcome the economic and social problems that have plagued it for decades and were only worsened by that natural disaster. Latin America and the Caribbean is an example to the world of a region whose strength lies in the spirit of cooperation and unity integral to its political consensus and integration initiatives, where inclusive development takes centre stage. Our vision of inclusive and comprehensive regional development is reflected in our organizations, such as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, Petrocaribe, the Union of South American Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. At the national level, the promotion of inclusive and equitable development has been a cornerstone policy of the Bolivarian revolution through our social programmes, whereby sovereign petroleum income is invested in eliminating poverty, social exclusion, illiteracy, hunger and disease. The Venezuelan Government sees the inclusion of all members of society, in particular women, young people and persons with disabilities, as the ultimate goal of development, which should provide the legal and structural conditions required to realize their full potential. Inclusive development is a right of all Venezuelans. Social justice is our goal. Finally, we reiterate that we stand fully ready to work constructively and responsibly towards realizing the goals, which are among fundamental responsibilities of this body, of international peace and security.

China welcomes you, Madam President, to New York to preside over today’s open debate of the Council on inclusive development for the maintenance of peace and security. I wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Ambassador Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), for their briefings. The Chinese delegation also listened closely to the statement made by Ms. Gbowee. Peace and development are two main themes of today’s world. According to the Charter of the United Nations, the Organization has the lofty goal of maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Today’s open debate explores the relationship between inclusive development and the maintenance of international peace and security. This demonstrates the Council’s attention to the nexus between peace, security and development and to the significance of addressing the importance of development to the promotion of international peace and security. In that connection, I would like to highlight the following points. First, we need to consider increased investment in development to eliminate the root causes of conflict. Poverty and underdevelopment are often major causes of conflicts, crises and terrorism. The international community and the United Nations in particular should attach greater importance to the advancement of the international development agenda. Developing countries, constrained by historical factors and the conditions of development, are faced with daunting challenges in economic, development and social progress. Developed countries should further assist developing countries in official development assistance, debt relief, market openness and technology transfer and help them to achieve the objectives of poverty eradication and the promotion of development. Secondly, we should focus on mediation and good offices to provide the basis for development. The United Nations and the Security Council should strongly uphold the culture of peace and reconciliation and fully implement the responsibilities of mediation and good offices entrusted to it by Chapter VI of the Charter by further strengthening mediation capabilities andimproving the means of mediation so as to play a bigger role in the peaceful resolution of disputes, thereby laying a solid foundation for the early achievement of peace and development. Thirdly, we need to focus on peacebuilding to prevent conflict relapse. In post-conflict countries and regions, the international community should prioritize reconstruction in all development, political and security areas, with special attention to the promotion of coordinated economic and social development. The key is to not only provide help to post-conflict countries but to also develop their ability to help themselves. The governance capacities of the countries involved need to be effectively strengthened and their ability to provide basic services enhanced so that development and reconstruction can be advanced in all sectors. Meanwhile, attention should also be given to youth employment and women’s empowerment so that the public can enjoy early peace dividends. That would be conducive to the stabilization of post-conflict situations, the promotion of political reconciliation and the consolidation of existing peace. Fourthly, we should intensify overall planning and coordination to create synergy. Relevant United Nations bodies and international organizations responsible for peace, security and development should leverage their own strengths and carry out planning and coordination in order to maximize synergy. Meanwhile, they should increase coordination, respect their own mandates and division of labour, and avoid duplication of work. The Security Council has the primary responsibility for safeguarding international peace and security, while the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) should play a coordinating role in peacebuilding by expanding partnerships and increasing cooperation with the United Nations development system and agencies, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund so that more resources can be mobilized for reconstruction in post- conflict countries, creating the external environment and conditions necessary for their development. Some 70 per cent of the items on the Council’s agenda are related to Africa, while two-thirds of peacekeeping missions are deployed there. The interlinkages among peace, security and development are best demonstrated on the African continent. Without peace and development in Africa, the prosperity and stability of the world will be impossible to achieve. The international community should vigorously support African countries in addressing African problems with African means, and promote regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union, in playing a bigger role in advancing peace, security and development. Moreover, we should also focus on the issues of underdevelopment and insufficient infrastructure faced by Africa in order to effectively help the continent to translate its abundant human and natural resources into the driving force for economic development and substantive benefits for Africans. As a most sincere and reliable partner of Africa, China has consistently supported African countries’ self-strengthening through unity and their achievement of sustainable development. In the spirit of truthfulness, practicality, sincerity and kindness, China will continue to participate constructively in the resolution of hot-spot issues in Africa and play its due role in the promotion of peace and security there. We will also help the African people to improve their capability for self-development so that they can live peacefully and happily on the African continent, and increase school enrolment and youth employment so as to eradicate the root causes of conflicts and turbulence and to achieve sustained peace and development on the continent.

Madam President, I welcome you to New York — perhaps more correctly, I welcome you back to New York. It is a pleasure to have you presiding over the Council. I wish to also thank the Secretary-General and Ambassador Patriota for their respective briefings, and Ms. Gbowee for her unique perspectives. The Council can only be assisted by those who have actually had to make peace on the ground; hers was a truly valuable contribution. New Zealand has long believed that inclusive development is central to sustainable peace, so we were pleased to support the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3 today and welcome its spotlight on measures to address the root causes of conflict, including through strengthening the rule of law, transitional justice, promoting sustainable economic growth and development, good governance, democracy, gender equality and respect for and protection of human rights. New Zealand comes to the Council as a champion of practical approaches and solutions. An example of that practical approach is that we believe that departing United Nations missions should leave behind a strong workforce that can find long-term employment following any mission drawdown. Against that background, let me highlight just three issues on inclusive development. First, if sustainable peace is to become a reality in post-conflict situations, effective work is needed to address the root causes of conflict, which requires that the Council, and the United Nations as a whole, adopt a multidimensional, integrated approach. Secondly, peace agreements and reconciliation must embrace all those with a stake in that peace, particularly the marginalized: women, youths and former combatants. New Zealand therefore welcomes the practice of deploying gender advisers in peacekeeping missions to ensure the inclusion of women in electoral systems, to support their participation in peace processes, and to protect women and girls from sexual violence. Thirdly, more work is required to understand the link between transnational organized crime and terrorism, which, as the statement points out, can undermine the security and stability of States and their prospects for development. When accompanied by efforts to engage local communities and to develop strategies for countering extremism, such an understanding helps tackle the enablers of conflict and terrorism, and reduces the impact when conflict breaks out. New Zealand follows closely and supports the work of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and in last week’s peacebuilding debate (see S/PV.7359) called for a strengthening of the interaction between the Council and the PBC, not least in making better use of the knowledge, experience and analysis of PBC country-configuration Chairs. I repeat that call here today. New Zealand’s own region has, in recent years, seen countries emerge from conflict, and that has provided valuable lessons about conflict drawdown and highlighted how inclusive approaches are an essential part of a sustainable peace and development programme. Timor-Leste is one such example. In 2006, the international community gravely underestimated the importance of sustained international support, eventually leading to a renewed crisis. Development partners moved quickly to support the Timor-Leste Government as it worked to formulate a strategic plan for development. An early priority, which we very strongly supported, was the process of dialogue as internally displaced people were reintegrated into communities. New Zealand has since worked in partnership with Timor-Leste to strengthen its security sector, including by professionalizing the police force. We also worked with the National Human Rights Institution to ensure respect for human rights, and helped boost private sector activity to support livelihoods and employment options. Today, Timor-Leste has graduated from being a beneficiary of peacekeeping to itself being a contributor to United Nations peace operations. Through the Group of Seven Plus, it is a global leader on helping vulnerable States to transition from fragility — a fine example of a beneficiary giving back. Timor-Leste’s recent interventions were instrumental in Guinea-Bissau’s return to democracy, as highlighted by Ambassador Patriota in his briefing. Solomon Islands is another example where, after serious unrest in 2003, New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific neighbours worked in partnership through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands to help restore long-term stability and security. We worked, for example, to ensure the peace and security role of women, which saw the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force becoming one of the best-performing Government agencies in terms of female representation. Small States, particularly small island developing States (SIDS), are overrepresented among countries threatened by fragility and instability. They are also challenged by physical isolation, economies of scale, limited governance structures, limited natural resources and uneven infrastructure, and they are threatened by climate change. To be effective, solutions and interventions must take account of the unique circumstances of SIDS — which is one of the many reasons why, in 2012, New Zealand endorsed the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. New Zealand is a long-standing supporter of the concept of inclusive development, and so we welcome this debate and thank you, Madam, for convening it. We support the resulting efforts of this Council to deliver practical, inclusive development initiatives.

I commend Chile for its initiative in convening this open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security, and welcome you, Madam President, to New York. I thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ambassador Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, for their statements. Today’s global security environment is dominated not only by terrorism, violent extremism and transboundary organized crime, but also and first and foremost by numerous ongoing armed conflicts within State borders. This situation has a dangerous impact on international peace and security. In that regard, the major challenges facing the international community as a whole are the need to settle internal conflicts before they threaten international peace and security and to promote stable societies free of radicalism, violence and extremism through inclusive, harmonious development. Quite clearly, socioeconomic factors based on gender, clan, tribe, ethnicity or religion affiliation, as well as exclusion, discrimination and inequality, as noted in the concept note before us today (S/2015/6, annex), are some of the root causes of conflict. Furthermore, just as development and inclusive integration are necessary for peacebuilding and peace maintenance, an inclusive society is critical to stability and development. As to the prevention and the settlement of conflict, we note that the concept note distributed by the Chilean presidency proposes inclusive strategies, such as those contained in the Social Charter of the Americas of the Organization of American States, studies conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Dili Declaration. Nevertheless, it is primarily the duty of the States concerned to seek appropriate ande suitable strategies for creating conditions conducive to their peoples’ inclusive participation in their country’s development. Furthermore, while the primary responsibility for conflict prevention falls first and foremost on States, we believe that the Security Council must play an important role on behalf of countries facing a post- conflict situation. In that context, we note the Council’s role in establishing an inclusive Government in Iraq and in highlighting the importance of the inclusive transition process in Yemen, the necessity of concluding an inclusive holistic peace agreement to end the crisis in Mali, and the establishment of a national unity Government in South Sudan and an inclusive process in the Central African Republic, inter alia. In Libya, a law was adopted to prevent all those having collaborated with the former regime from participating in the post-conflict process. We believe that such exclusion cannot promote unity among all the parties to the conflict in order to assist in its resolution. The Council can also continue playing an important role in the signing of inclusive political agreements that contribute to the resolution of conflict. The participation of women and young people in political and development processes is critical to post-conflict recovery. In that context, we strongly urge increased investment in actions to strengthen the empowerment of women and the youth. A country can find peace and development only through inclusion. That is why it is essential that Governments establish institutions focused on countering exclusion in order to build and maintain peace and thereby ensure development. Moreover, as underscored in presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3 that the Council has just adopted, there is a close correlation between security and development. In the context of Africa, the Secretary-General — in particular in his report of 24 July 2014 (S/2014/542), on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa — has recommended further emphasis on that correlation. We believe it is important to combat underdevelopment in order to contribute to maintaining peace and security. As other speakers have underscored, underdevelopment and poverty are the root causes of conflict in Africa. Against that backdrop, Chad, like other countries of the Sahel, eagerly awaits the swift implementation of regional strategies on security, governance, development, human rights and humanitarian matters, in particular the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. It is important to stimulate growth and eliminate poverty in the region by funding specific projects that the States concerned have drawn up. Those projects, inspired by the strategy, integrate no only the link between security and development, but also particularly highlight the role of women and youth in the development process. Given their natural resources and for various other reasons, numerous States, including in Africa, find themselves in situations of almost permanent conflict. It is essential that foreign interference be halted so that those States can enjoy the benefits of their natural resources and the dividends of peace and development. We urge United Nations entities to incorporate the issue of foreign interference as a significant cause of conflict in their discussions on conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development. In conclusion, my country remains concerned about the multiple conflicts across the world, in particular in Africa and the Middle East. We encourage the Security Council to continue to seek to prevent armed conflict, even if this is a responsibility that falls first and foremost on States. As prevention is better than cure, Chad urges States, regional and subregional organizations and the United Nations to pool their efforts to create the conditions for inclusive and lasting development to save the world from the scourge of conflict. In that regard, the United Nations must better support regional efforts in peace and security, including by making available financing and/or human resources when necessary. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): Thank you, Madam President, for convening this important debate. It is indeed good to see you back here in New York. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General, Ambassador Patriota and Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their important and inspiring comments this morning. This year the United Kingdom celebrates the eight hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, in 1215. That was a ground-breaking moment in the history of my country’s inclusive development. The Magna Carta introduced the concept of a fundamentally different relationship between the State and individuals. In essence, the monarch agreed for the first time that his power could not to be exercised in an arbitrary and unconstrained way, that the State was answerable to its citizens and that there should be due process. It was the beginning of the rule of law — the most important of the principles that underpin inclusive institutions and accountable Government. History teaches us that where there is an absence of inclusivity, the rule of law and political pluralism, instability and possibly conflict will inevitably ensue. Conflicts erupt for many reasons, but there is growing evidence that the social, political and economic marginalization of specific groups in society can be a major driver of conflict. In 2004, the Arab Human Development Report warned us of “an acute deficit of freedom and good governance” in the Arab World, and predicted that it could lead to instability. Six years later, in 2010, a street vendor in Tunis named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in response to police harassment, triggering seismic upheavals across the Arab World, the consequences of which the Security Council is still dealing with today. Our collective failure — as it is so often in the Council — was not one of prediction, but the lack of political will to take early action. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, has consistently argued that inclusive institutions, open societies and economies, and the rule of law — what he calls the “golden thread of development” — are essential for countries to thrive economically and to avoid conflict. Governments should be the servants of their citizens, not their masters or the servants of a narrow, powerful clique. The Security Council should therefore reflect on how it can support countries in developing inclusive national institutions. I believe that there are four key challenges. First, we need to be patient. There are no short-cuts to building inclusive national institutions. The World Bank estimates that, in a best-case scenario, making meaningful improvements to institutions takes between 10 and 17 years. Sustained political and financial support to institution-building is therefore critical. The United Kingdom will do its part. Uniquely among Group of 20 countries, we have kept our promise to spend 0.7 per cent of our gross national income on overseas aid, at least 30 per cent of which will be spent in conflict-affected States. And we are now the second- largest overall financial contributor to the United Nations system. Secondly, where national political institutions are not inclusive, we must recognize that the potential for conflict increases. In August last year, when the Council adopted resolution 2171 (2014), on conflict prevention, I said that the Council was designed to be a smoke detector, not just a fire extinguisher (see S/PV.7247). Too often we are trying to manage crises and failing to take seriously our conflict-prevention role. We need to do better at monitoring situations in which political processes or institutions exclude or marginalize specific groups. And we need to have the political will to take appropriate early action, if necessary. We welcome the Secretary-General’s “Human Rights Up Front” initiative, which seeks to ensure the United Nations does all it can to help protect people at risk and those subject to serious violations of human rights before events escalate into armed conflict and mass atrocities. Thirdly, the relationship between violent extremism and the absence of inclusivity is complex. We have seen already this year shocking and deadly attacks in France, Yemen, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Extremists, by their very nature, are opposed to inclusivity. Their narratives tend to be revolutionary, uncompromising, elitist and exclusivist in nature. They foster a world view based on “them” and “us”. And they often seek to exclude women and persecute minorities. We cannot allow these ideas to take root. They are the antithesis of fundamental United Nations values and must be confronted. But we must also understand better the drivers of extremism. In some cases, marginalization and exclusion can play a part in radicalization. In addition, weak, fragile and conflict-affected States create a permissive enabling environment within which violent extremism can flourish. Effective United Nations peacebuilding interventions can play an important role in promoting inclusive political institutions, democratic processes and accountable security and justice services. This is the best way to choke off extremist narratives. Finally, inclusivity is meaningless without women’s active participation in political institutions, peace negotiations and policymaking. Without women, we will only achieve unbalanced and unsustainable peace that ignores the needs of half the population. It is now nearly 15 years since the adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000), which for the first time recognized the unique impact that conflict has on women, as well as the significant contribution women can make to conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding. There has been some progress since then, but much more needs to be done to ensure the meaningful participation of women in all the different processes needed when building an inclusive society. This should include women’s greater participation in elections, peacebuilding processes and mediation. It should mean more women in the police and security services, and better training for armed forces and rule-of-law actors in gender and women’s rights. In that context, we welcome the United Nations decision to commission a global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which will feed into the high-level review in October.

I wish to congratulate you, Madam, and Chile for convening this open debate. Malaysia is pleased to see you presiding over the Council. We add our voice in welcoming the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3. We are mindful of the instrumental role you played as the first Executive Director of UN-Women, and your presence here today reinforces the message on inclusiveness and on the critical linkages among development, international peace and security and human rights, which together constitute the pillars of the Organisation. I also wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon; Ambassador Antonio Patriota of Brazil, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for 2011, for their presentations. We meet today against the background of an increasingly turbulent world. From the Middle East to Africa, from Asia to Europe, more and more civilians have been and continue to be caught in a seemingly endless spiral of vicious and violent conflict. An important dimension of many of these ongoing conflicts is their intra-State or intranational nature and the increasing prominence of non-State actors as drivers of conflict. By virtue of our increasingly globalized, interlinked and interdependent world, today we are also collectively faced with other non-traditional threats to international peace and security, such as viral pandemics, cross-border terrorism and climate change, among others. Against such threats, the Council has demonstrated its resilience and adaptability by recognizing and responding to their changing nature. For instance, resolutions 2177 (2014) on combating Ebola and 2178 (2014) on combating foreign terrorist fighters are examples where the Council effectively galvanized and rallied the international community to recognize and address such scourges against humanity. The Council has been at the forefront in promoting the principles of inclusiveness for sustainable peace with a view to preventing future conflicts, as reflected in a number of its statements and decisions on a number of situations around the world. Additionally, the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission was a tangible manifestation of the Council’s commitment in that regard. That have been said, Malaysia believes that there is room for a more strategic and more holistic approach to dealing with traditional and non-traditional threats to international peace and security. In that context, we welcome discussions such as today’s, which allows us to take a deeper look at the underlying causes of various conflict situations. In Malaysia’s view, understanding the nexus between peace and security and development is key, given that security is a prerequisite for development and that development is possible only in a peaceful and stable environment. Malaysia remains convinced of the need to proactively promote stable and inclusive societies where radicalization, violence and extremism are totally and completely rejected. Towards that end, States, their partners and stakeholders must spare no effort in identifying and subsequently addressing the factors or conditions that could frustrate the aim of achieving cohesive and inclusive societies. Ownership over such efforts must lie first and foremost with States and national Governments, supported by partners and stakeholders. The United Nations, including the Council, is well placed to play a pivotal role in supporting such efforts, including through special political missions and peacekeeping missions. Malaysia realizes that in pursuing peace and development, the role played by women is crucial. In that regard, the Government has carried out long-term strategies and programmes to ensure women’s equitable share in the acquisition of resources, information, opportunities and the benefits of development. The strategies emphasize equality and justice in the implementation of development policies so that women can optimally contribute and realize their potential in all sectors, in accordance with their capabilities and needs. The Government has also taken the necessary measures to create enough opportunities to enable the young people of our country to play a meaningful role in shaping their future. Malaysia also recognizes that the advancement of civil and political rights in the country should keep pace with the significant progress made in the development areas. In this regard, the Government has taken significant measures aimed at further enhancing the exercise and enjoyment of such rights in the country. Malaysia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights was demonstrated, among other things, by the establishment of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, which is intended to promote awareness and provide education relating to human rights, and advise and assist the Government in formulating legislation and procedures on these matters. We share the view that the challenges faced by multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multicultural societies — especially those in the developing world — seen in terms of implementing or realizing principles of inclusion, are enormous. We further share the view that exclusion is particularly dangerous in multicultural and multi-ethnic States where certain components of society are marginalized or excluded from the mainstream. The task is even more daunting for societies in the post-conflict or transitional phase, given that they would be ill equipped to embark on nation and peacebuilding, much less to address the root causes, such as marginalization and exclusion, that gave rise to the conflict in the first place. As a multi-ethnic, multi-faith and multicultural society itself, Malaysia is keenly aware of such challenges. Upon achieving independence in 1957, social cleavages along ethnic lines — where the identification of race with particular occupations was especially pronounced — resulted in significant inequality of income and wealth. Consequently, mistrust and even animosity among the various communities were widespread. Against the backdrop of the ideological confrontations that defined the Cold War era, there was also additional pressure in the form of low-intensity guerilla warfare and terrorism waged by communist insurgents. Such challenges necessitated the implementation of radical strategies in order to achieve the two key objectives of security and poverty eradication. The notable strategies included the establishment of New Villages, which gathered communities living near the forest fringes — where they were open to intimidation and coercion by insurgents — nearer to the towns, where the Government provided basic infrastructure and amenities, including housing, water, electricity and, most importantly, security. The increased sense of security, coupled with new-found economic opportunities for the New Villagers, succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the people. The security guarantees provided by the Government meant that the people were free to focus their time and energy on improving their economic situation. The implementation of this and other bold plans and strategies has borne fruit. As one illusatrion, at independence 70 per cent of the population lived in poverty; according to the latest United Nations Human Development Report for Malaysia, released in 2014, poverty rates stand at 1.7 per cent. In sharing that short anecdote from my country’s history, I wish to emphasize that the notions of inclusion and inclusiveness must be given life and must result in tangible outcomes. Malaysia has also found that in order to cement peacebuilding and nation-building efforts, inclusiveness must go hand in hand with other equally important values, including tolerance and moderation. Those values, which are deeply ingrained in the daily lives of our people, have allowed Malaysia to enjoy relative peace, stability and progress since independence. Malaysia is also perhaps fortunate, as it is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region, which, since its inception in 1967, has also sought to promote and implement such values. Those are some of the lessons that Malaysia has learned on inclusiveness and on the very real benefits it has brought about in terms of peace, security and stability. We realize that when all segments of societies are guaranteed equal opportunity — economically, socially and politically — and their separate identities are respected, they will become a productive, vibrant part of the State, celebrating the richness of its diversity while building and united, strong and stable country. I also wish to highlight that the concept of moderation promoted and practised in Malaysia has managed to produce a unique social cohesion, which enables the multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-ethnic societies in the country to live together in peace and harmony through negotiation, consensus and compromise and to embrace peace and reject any form of extremism and violence for long-term mutual survival, sustainability and resilience. I wish to conclude by emphasizing that Malaysia will continue to support the task of promoting the value of inclusiveness and the holistic vision of international security based on the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations system: peace and security, development and human rights.

I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than four minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the text in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. I also appeal to speakers to deliver their statements at a normal speed so that the Interpretation Service can carry out its work properly. I should also like to inform participants that this open debate will continue through the lunch hour given the great number of speakers, for which we are very grateful. I now give the floor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Thailand is honoured to be part of the deliberations today. We welcome this opportunity to contribute our thinking on the very important topic that we are addressing today. Since the establishment of the United Nations, much of the world’s hopes and aspirations for peace and security have depended upon how well the Security Council carries out its responsibilities. What is clear is that the issues impacting our common peace and security have become more complex — be they inter-State or intra-State conflicts — and that there has been an increase in non-traditional security challenges. It is in that changing context that the work of the Council must go beyond conflict resolution. Increasingly, the Council must gear its work towards conflict prevention, in particular addressing root causes. Many of the conflicts that we have witnessed — be they within or between States — are rooted in the underlying problems of poverty, social injustice and inequalities and disparities within and between countries. Those give rise to frustration, marginalization and alienation, which breed extremism and lead to conflict. We therefore have to tackle the root causes if we are to stem the rising tide of extremism as we have saw in recent shocking events. We know that sanctions and military means are simply not enough to combat extremism and terrorism. Instead, promoting inclusive political, economic and social policies must also be part and parcel of the solution. Thailand believes that inclusive development in which no one is left behind and all have equal access to opportunities for a better future would serve to advance our goal of sustainable peace and security for all. That is true at both the national and international levels. Inclusiveness must therefore be at the core of the post-2015 development agenda. In so far as peace and security are concerned, inclusive development must be an integral part of conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Thailand believes that inclusive development is about placing people at the centre of our efforts. Therefore, the work of the Council should always bear in mind the nexus between development and security and the direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people. To promote inclusive development for peace and security, all aspects of the work of the United Nations — human rights, development and peace and security — must go hand-in-hand. Therefore, we must ensure coherence among key bodies in the United Nations system. That will help us to develop the capacity to take early and timely action to address conflicts at their root causes. Inclusiveness also applies to the work of the Council. We welcome the ongoing efforts to engage with non-members and all the relevant stakeholders so that all voices are heard and heeded in the Council’s deliberations, because they bear upon the peace and security of all. Before I conclude, I wish to pay my warmest tribute to President Bachelet for her commitment throughout all these years to the promotion of the rights and empowerment of women. Thailand supports the women and peace and security agenda. We encourage the Council to do more to increase the numbers of female peacekeepers, women leading peace operations and female mediators in negotiations. I hereby pledge my support for the “HeForShe” initiative for gender equality and strong commitment to do more towards that goal. Lastly, may I also congratulate the new members of the Council. I am confident that they will not only invigorate the Council, but also provide it with the new ideas and fresh thinking that will further advance the Council’s mission in the maintenance of international peace and security.

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay.

It is a great pleasure to see you, Madam President, presiding over today’s meeting of the Security Council. It is also a great honour to have been invited to participate. I thank you for convening this open debate on security and development. I especially thank you for the presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/3), which makes a contribution to consolidating the interdependence that exists among the three pillars of the United Nations system, namely, human rights, peace and security, and development. I should also like to express my gratitude for the important contributions by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, by my dear friend Antonio Patriota, whom I have the honour to sit next to once again, and by Ms. Leymah Gbowee. There is no doubt that, in a general sense, inclusive development is linked to the conflict-prevention agenda and to peacebuilding. The political stability, democratic governance and territorial integrity of States are conditions to generate development and are also, as a result, factors that contribute to conflict prevention. I stress this principle by which we govern and cooperate internationally. Although every State is responsible for its own development, international cooperation complements national efforts aimed at building increasingly greater rights for increasing numbers of people in order to strengthen human and institutional capabilities with a view to achieving comprehensive and inclusive development. Allow me to refer to the Social Charter of the Americas, agreed upon by the Organization of American States, which establishes the basis for inclusive development with equity in the American hemisphere and emphasizes respect for human rights, inclusion and non-discrimination as a basic pillar of the system. That vision, which is shared in other regional forums such as MERCOSUR, the Union of South American Nations, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, has helped to maintain our regional space and to keep it stable and free of conflict. Inclusion — social, religious, territorial, national, ethnic, social, gender, economic and cultural — is important in governing ourselves better. It is the paradigm of democractization, and it is relevant to build political stability and democratic governance, which in turn are fundamental to the preservation and building of peace. Whenever we exclude others or fail to deal with discrimination against a person, group or social class, we empoverish our coexistence and impair our societies. But fundamentally, we are being unjust. Peacebuilding, as a long-term objective, is a cross- cutting task that must begin with the initial phases of a peacekeeping operation. It is important that the Security Council consider ways to accentuate the dimensions of development and respect for human rights in the mandates of peacekeeping missions. Urugay, as one of the main troop contributors to these missions, has seen on the ground the strong positive impact of building stronger, more inclusive and more resilient societies. We recognize the importance of a political vision with regard to rights for the resolution of conflicts. Our societies are richer only through the promotion, observance and recognition of full economic, social and cultural rights. Our societies cannot further develop without full respect for civil and political rights, which are essential to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law. Likewise, achieving fairer, more stable societies depends on the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights. Uruguay, as a candidate for a non-permanent seat of the Security Council for the period of 2016-2017, expresses its commitment to that broad approach, which links inclusive development with the maintenance of peace and security. Our development entails poverty reduction and the elimination of extreme poverty, the inclusion of all in the educational system and universal access to health services, the inclusion of women in all spheres of participation through their empowerment, the recognition of the rights of those who wish to marry someone of the same sex, and the possibility of persons with disabilities to lead a full life in all areas, including that of employment, among others. The best society is based on the observance and promotion of the rights of every child, woman, minority, refugee, victim of violence, sexual orientation. We believe that the Security Council must help through its work, coordinated with other United Nations agencies on the ground, to transform post-conflict situations into environments that promote development and long- term stability. It is crucial that the principal organs of the United Nations make significant contributions to the well- being of populations and that they have a genuine impact on situations that have been on the agenda for decades. Our standards for respect for and observance of human rights must continue to rise.

I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina.

Allow me to express Argentina’s pride at seeing the sister Republic of Chile as a member of the Security Council and, on this occasion, at seeing you, Madam, preside over it. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on joining the Council, and my friend Rafael Ramirez for being present. I am also thankful for the invitation to take part in this debate on a topic of crucial importance for international reality: the role of inclusive development in the maintenance of international peace and security. I would also like to thank my friend Ambassador Antonio Patriota and Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their briefings, as well as their dedication to this very important topic. At this very moment important negotiations taking place in the framework the Organization in which all Member States are democratically taking part with the commitment and responsibility to elaborate an agreement on a new development agenda for the next 15 years that will be a worthy successor to the Millennium Development Goals and succeed in fulfilling the goal of eradicating poverty. The Security Council cannot overlook that process, and that is why we believe it is timely for an open dialogue that links the outstanding task of achieving development with other fundamental issues on the international agenda, such as international peace and security. Argentina believes that any development agenda in the United Nations must be based on a human rights perspective, that is, it should aim at ensuring that all men and women worldwide have access to their rights and enjoy their fundamental freedoms. My country’s historic circumstances and the political convictions in our society have shown that development, human rights and international peace and security are clearly interrelated in such a manner that they cannot be cannot be addressed separately. It is in the General Assembly that we have developed the indispensable tools and capabilities to define, agree upon, support and follow up on the efforts of the international community for sustainable development in its three dimensions. As a result, opportunities such as the present one allow us to analyse the ways to keep oopen the channels of communication and to be alert to avoid watertight compartments or the use of double standards. Public development policies that incorporate social inclusion are the path of progress that we have chosen in our region, and we hope that the new international agenda will continue in the direction of inclusive development. Indeed, development without exclusion means societies will move forward in the restoration and the broadening of rights and in the consolidation of a national State that is present and active and that promotes public policies while constantly cooperating with provincial and local governments as well as social organizations, developing and implementing initiatives that repair social inequalities in an ongoing task of searching for inclusion. This necessarily leads to the perception of persons, families and communities as rights-holders and requires the effective recognition of all fundamental rights and the development of active, anti-discriminatory policies. That means that we must strengthen the United Nations commitment with the comprehensive perspective of human rights. Those are the objectives that led Argentina to establish a broader framework for inclusion, from the promotion of cultural change, which is necessary to combat the sources of discrimination in a structural manner and to build a society with greater representation, recognition and civic participation. All of this comes with the understanding that inclusive development and the fight against discrimination help to improve stability and strengthen democracy, including the governance of public affairs, the rule of law, peaceful settlement of disputes and, accordingly, international peace and security. We cannot help but mention at this meeting the close link between the development of human rights, peace and security in the context of the underlying causes of international terrorism. We were all moved by the terrible attacks that took place just a few days ago in France, Nigeria, Yemen, and Lebanon that claimed the lives of many innocent people. Argentina condemns terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations. We must prioritize the prevention and the fight against terrorism in the multilateral framework and attribute particular importance to the United Nations Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, adopted by the General Assembly eight years ago, and its four pillars. I would like to emphasize that the Strategy recognizes and includes a first pillar referring to measures to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. Those include human rights violations; ethnic, national and religious discrimination; political exclusion and socioeconomic marginalization. While this in no way justify terrorist acts, we must recognize that they can lead to radicalization and recruitment to those ends. Argentina is convinced that the basis of prevention is to be found in policies that promote full respect for human rights and the social inclusion of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. Young people and immigrants are potentially vulnerable to radicalization and recruitment, especially if they are unemployed or marginalized. No transnational criminal organization or terrorist group would find fertile ground in societies that succeed in developing high levels of peaceful coexistence through social justice and where the elimination of poverty is a main objective of their development policy. Accordingly, the mere consideration of the use of repression in the fight against terrorism must be offset by efforts to promote equality, eradicate poverty, and create decent work, education and universal access to health care. In another words, we must promote development with social inclusion as a prority challenge in achieving tangible progress in the effective mitigation of the threat posed by transnational crime and international terrorism, thereby significantly reducing conditions conducive to their spread. I would like to conclude by referring to the final document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, endorsed in September by the General Assembly, in which we agreed on the conceptual framework for the sustainable development goals and the 17 goals to guide the international community’s renewed efforts on inclusive development. This document establishes that people are at the heart of sustainable development and that poverty is the major problem facing the world today. Eradicating poverty, along with the modification of unsustainable modes of production and consumption, the promotion of sustainable modalities, and the protection and management of natural resources, which are the basis of economic and social development, are the global objectives of sustainable development and the sine qua non for achieving it. The result of more than a year’s strenuous work by all Member States, with the support of the United Nations system, civil society and international experts within a broad consultation process, the document reaffirms the importance of freedom, peace, security and respect for all human rights, including the rights to development and to a decent standard of living, as well as to food and water, the rule of law, good governance, gender equality, the empowerment of women and the general commitment to achieving more just and democratic societies through development. We are convinced that it is only through inclusive development, based on equal rights and full respect for diversity and the dignity of all, will we be able to achieve the sustainable development goals, justice and human rights, and thereby contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security in a more lasting and effective way.

I now give the floor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti.

I would like at the outset to thank you, Madam President, the Secretary-General, and Ambassador Patriota for their opening statements. I would also like to express my appreciation to the representative of Venezuela, whose statement touched upon the situation in Haiti. Finally, I would like to commend the Security Council for having taken the initiative to convene this open debate, which is so important with respect to inclusive development and peacekeeping. I am particularly pleased to participate as the Republic of Haiti has benefited for the past 10 years from the presence of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), whose mandate clearly reflects the interlinkages between peace and development. The relevance of the Council’s discussion is clear. A peacekeeping operation, regardless of the scope of the resources available to it for capacity-building in the area of security, is never enough in and of itself to bring peace and balance to the community in question if the missions ignores or underestimates the link between security and development, and between inclusive development and peacekeeping. Development challenges raise multiple questions. The United Nations, backed by its experience acquired in some 50 peacekeeping missions worldwide, has established an irreplaceable normative framework that increasingly encompasses not only the many sources of instability and conflict, but also the dynamic interactions between these factors, which in post-conflict situations often set up insurmountable obstacles to growth, development and, consequently, to any effort to build lasting peace. The Haitian Government fully endorses the current efforts to adopt a comprehensive, consistent and integrated approach to peacekeeping and security, based on preventing conflicts or their resumption. We believe in particular that peacekeeping and the need for development go hand in hand. To be truly effective in the long term, peacekeeping must be part of an overarching political arrangement that takes into account all emerging threats to security and all situations that may promote underdevelopment or contain the seeds of conflict and their possible reoccurrence. This is why, during its long-standing cooperation with the members of the Security Council concerning the mandate of MINUSTAH, the Haitian Government has always stressed its desire to see its partners attach greater importance to development needs, in particular the many structural deficiencies and vulnerabilities that hinder the economic and social integration of disadvantaged groups and the delivery of essential services to the population. In this regard, we welcome the convergence of vision and efforts of the Haitian Government and MINUSTAH in shaping and adapting the stabilization programme. We are pleased that certain development needs, and in particular those involving infrastructure, post-earthquake reconstruction and the protection of civilians have been taken into account, including in the framework of quick impact projects, which make significant contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability. The two parties attach equal importance to ownership by the Haitian Government of joint projects and where follow-up must be guaranteed. With regard in particular to the current political situation, which has raised some concern among members of the international community, I wish to reassure all our partners that, thanks to the spirit of compromise and consensus shown by President Joseph Martelli and the majority of the Haitian political class, Haiti has successfully overcome the crisis that threatened to undermine the progress of the stabilization programme undertaken during the past decade. This is an indisputable example of the Haitian people’s true political maturity and their significant achievements attained, inter alia, with the support of MINUSTAH in stabilization and development. We are deeply grateful to our partners in the international community for their support to the people and Government of Haiti throughout the exceptional crisis in our country. We hope that the Security Council and all our partners in the international community will maintain their support for the Government and people of Haiti as they strengthen the rule of law and democracy. In more general terms, we believe that the example of MINUSTAH in Haiti could, in spite of its limitations, serve in many ways as a model for establishing an effective post-conflict peacekeeping mandate. Capacity-building in the area of security should go hand in hand with development concerns. Our partners in the international community must work with the host country, and in harmony with its national development strategy, to create conditions conducive to lasting inclusive development — in other words, to improving the people’s living conditions, which is a decisive factor in the maintenance of peace. As a result, in future responses in terms of peacekeeping missions, it is important for the Security Council to take into account, at an early phase, such crucial interlinkages between peacekeeping and development. That is, in my view, one of the crucial conditions for the maintenance of a lasting peace on the ground.

I now give the floor to the Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador.

I bring fraternal greetings from President Rafael Correa, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ricardo Patiño Aroca and our citizens revolution. My delegation would like, at the outset, to express its pleasure at seeing you, Madam President, presiding over this meeting of the Security Council and our gratitude for the work that Chile has been carrying out during its presidency of the Council. I am all the more pleased to be here today, on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, which celebrates that Nobel Peace Prize winner, someone who fought tirelessly for inclusive development. In the twenty-first century, peace can no longer mean only the absence of war. Peace without inclusion and justice is not genuine peace. Overcoming poverty is the greatest moral imperative facing the planet today, because for the first time in the history of humankind, poverty is not the fruit of a lack of resources or of naturally occurring factors, but rather the outcome of systems that are unjust and exclusionary. As far as Ecuador is concerned, human beings must be at the centre of everything — not capital. For my country, the main thing is to live well, in harmony with nature. With that in mind, over the past eight years, Ecuador has empowered its Government. That has made it possible to plan and design public policies and to regulate, monitor and redistribute wealth. Thanks to that great effort, we have been able to lower national poverty in terms of income by 15 per cent. We raised equality levels by 8 points, as measured by the Gini coefficient. We universalized basic education, tripled our public health-care services and guaranteed free higher education, enhancing our investment in such education to bring it to the highest level in Latin America. We have enhanced the supply and quality of our public services, brought attention to unpaid domestic labour and increased social security services for over 1.5 million Ecuadorians, which is to say 10 per cent of our population, all while maintaining the highest rate of public investment in Latin America. The Government of Ecuador has embarked upon a new era, and now our country is full of ideas and has great faith in itself and enhanced self-esteem and sovereignty. Despite the difficulties stemming from the global crisis and the current decrease in the price of oil, which is my country’s main export, the Government of Ecuador has confirmed that it will deliver its budgetary allocations for the social sector. We must recognize that, internationally, we are still suffering from the fallout of a global order that is not just unjust but also immoral. As we approach the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, my delegation would like to share the following thoughts on the issue before us today. First, it is our view that the origin of the global crisis stems from the belief that everything is a function of capital and, more specifically, financial capital. Solving the crisis, however, must involve society regaining control over the market. Second, we must come up with a new international economic order that is based on a framework of fair trade that is in solidarity with developing economies and a new international financial architecture that gives priority to environmental conservation and social inclusion projects, helps us reach food sovereignty and guarantees that the cycles of life can continue. Third, the crisis facing us should, in and of itself, mark a turning point in strengthening the United Nations role in global economic governance with a view to initiating a comprehensive reform of the international financial system and democratizing international relations. Fourth, as part of this framework, in Ecuador’s view, human beings are still the priority. As I have already mentioned, the moral imperative for us is to extricate human beings from poverty. To do so, we must ensure that we use our natural resources responsibly. Fifth, let us promote development that is based on human talent, education, knowledge and innovation, but that is also sovereign and respectful of human rights. Reducing extreme poverty, poverty and inequality must be the fundamental parameter for gauging such development. All efforts undertaken with that vision in mind, in which humankind and its well-being are at the heart of the work of States and international organizations, must be supported, because they are essential if we are to build genuine, lasting peace. This year in particular, issues such as the post-2015 development agenda, the challenges posed by climate change, the serious problems facing small island States and landlocked States and the impact of natural disasters compel us to look into how inclusive development is now becoming the key focus of domestic action within States, cooperation between States and peacebuilding. Sixth, the drive for limitless wealth and concentrated power leads to more human rights violations. One example of that is the abuses committed by certain transnational companies, whose activities should be regulated under a universal, legally binding instrument. We are currently reviewing and negotiating such an instrument in Geneva. Seventh, my country reiterates the urgent need to make progress on our reform of the United Nations so that the Organization can be more democratic, efficient and transparent. After 70 years of existence, the Organization cannot continue to reflect the reality of the 1940s. Not only is reform necessary, but it is critical for the future of the Organization and requires all of us to be committed to it. Let us not miss the historic opportunity offered us this year, and let us ensure that we go to the General Assembly at its next session with specific, consensus-based proposals. Eighth, I align myself in advance with the statement to be made shortly on behalf of the Group of 77. The bodies of the United Nations must fulfil their mandates, each in its respective field. Ninth, and finally, I would like to reiterate the important role inclusion plays in political stability, democratic governance and our countries’ development. Let us tackle the sources of exclusion and create early- warning systems to that end. It is my belief that we must learn from good practices. My country is prepared to share its experiences and to learn from other successful models. Finally, I thank the delegation of Chile for its work and its concern about tackling key issues on the international agenda. We must be proactive, set clear objectives and work towards specific outcomes in this area. My country, Ecuador, will lend its full support to achieving that objective.

I now give the floor to the Vice-Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

My delegation expresses its gratitude to the Government of Chile for the manner in which it has been participating in the work of the Security Council, and we wish to congratulate you, Madam President, for the extraordinary initiative of holding this debate on a very important issue: that of inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. This debate is not only necessary but also timely. The process of intergovernmental negotiations that is beginning today in the General Assembly, which is aimed at defining the objectives and goals of the post- 2015 development agenda, is without a doubt a key opportunity to strengthen inclusive development as a factor in ensuring international peace and security. The international community has long sought to reflect in its practices an unquestionable and complex equation: the interdependence between peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. We have made progress in recognizing this threefold reality and in working in a consistent manner, but much remains to be done. It is important to stress from the very outset the importance of the cross-cutting work that the United Nations system as a whole must carry out so as to ensure peaceful, just, inclusive and democratic societies. Mexico believes that the new parameters for global development must be guided by principles such as social and economic inclusion, so that we can ensure equal opportunities for all persons, with special emphasis on the marginalized, excluded and vulnerable. Our position in this respect coincides fully with what was expressed by President Bachelet, who has our full support. It is a fact that we are facing increasingly complex challenges to which our societies are, quite rightly, demanding responses from their Governments and the international institutions. Conflicts each have their own particular features and dimensions, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, there is one constant: the world still requires a renewed commitment on our part to devise fresh approaches and solutions aimed at reweaving the social fabric and ensuring, not just promising to ensure, the conditions necessary for inclusive development for our citizens. Individuals and their welfare must be at the centre of the efforts made at the national and international level. In a genuine international community, there should be no place for exclusion or lack of opportunity. The effective prevention of conflict requires the strengthening of the rule of law at the national and international levels. I should like to stress that conflict prevention is a bounden duty that is not limited to the 15 members of the Council. What we are dealing with here is an unconditional responsibility of all States that are permanent members of this universal Organization. This requires a collective effort and political will within the various bodies and agencies of the United Nations system. The processes of parallel review being carried out in 2015 on the structure of a peacebuilding architecture, peacekeeping operations and the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, in conjunction with the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, must effectively contribute to the promotion of inclusive development and reaffirm the inextricable link among peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. We in Mexico are sure that the way ahead towards a better future — a future of peace, prosperity and greater opportunities — must begin with respect for human rights law, the strengthening of transparency and accountability, the creation of key infrastructure that promotes development, the effective implementation of reforms, and, of course, a combat against poverty that features new ways to achieve inclusion and social participation. We reiterate our gratitude to the brotherly country of Chile for having brought this important nexus of issues to the table for debate today.

I now give the floor to the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.

I wish to begin by thanking you, President Michelle Bachelet, for your initiative to convene this timely and decisive meeting. The leadership you have shown in the various posts you have held reflects your commitment to the loftiest international goals. I wish also to congratulate the Secretary-General on the clarity and depth of his briefing. Likewise, we welcome the briefings by Mr. De Aguiar Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. The Security Council is the organ with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations. Today’s meeting in particular addresses an issue that has serious implications for international peace and security. A review of the international environment gives us the opportunity to renew our commitment in the face of continually evolving challenges and promote a bold vision to achieve peace and security. When we focus our attention on people, we see that the most urgent priorities of those affected by armed conflict are often security and development, respect for the rule of law and human rights. In other words, this is a matter of life and death. A firm resolve to assume the global responsibility to protect civilians in armed conflict would certainly result in greater credibility for the Security Council. The effective protection of the civilian population is essential for sustainable peace, and this should be taken into consideration whenever peacekeeping operations intervene. Along with the changing international context, as we have heard repeatedly since the beginning of this meeting, new threats are emerging that affect security. These threats include marginalization, terrorism, climate change, arms proliferation, piracy, drug trafficking and its corollary, international organized crime. The complexity of those threats and the interdependence of the issues of security and development issues are making the Security Council’s role increasingly difficult, especially with regard to the mandates of its increasingly complex peacekeeping missions, thus weakening its effectiveness. We believe that the Security Council, in order to meet these new challenges, should reconsider the most effective way for it to operate. The Council should optimize its effectiveness, particularly on the issue of prevention. It is better to prevent crises and conflicts than it is to find solutions to them. In that respect, the Security Council should do everything in its power to improve the Organization’s early-warning system. In addition to their operational content, peacekeeping operations must continue to strengthen their comprehensive and multidisciplinary nature. We commend the inclusion in these operations of new components that prioritize women, child soldiers, victims of sexual abuse and, as we stated earlier, the protection of civilian populations. In that regard, I wish to commend President Bachelet and the Secretary- General for their strong leadership in promoting the cause of women in these sensitive topics, which, unfortunately, were marginalized in the international security context until only recently. Ensuring international peace and security is a huge task that requires collaboration and greater support on the part of the Security Council vis-à-vis international cooperation organizations and the international community. The mission would be to strengthen the capacity to really undertake peacebuilding in the affected countries in such a way as to prevent, if possible, the resurgence of a crisis. Countries emerging from conflict should increasingly be able to count on effective aid programmes to restore their political, judicial, security and socioeconomic institutions. If they do not have a clear vision and if they do not appropriately address extreme poverty and deprivation, it is certain that there will not be lasting peace. There are cases of countries in which there were peacekeeping operations that lasted many years and then came to an end, but those countries had to return to dealing with the problems. That means that the approaches followed did not address the fundamental problems. In the Dominican Republic we have tremendous respect for the goodwill of the international community, expressed through the Security Council, in supporting our neighbour, Haiti, to overcome adverse circumstances of every kind. Our people have worked in solidarity to do all they can to help our neighbour country, and in that regard it is worth noting the efforts of the bilateral Joint Commission as a solid expression of support for the tasks of recovery. We therefore wish to acknowledge the efforts made by the countries in our Latin American region and beyond that are a part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. We wish to make use of this important event to exhort the international community represented in this important international effort to devote greater attention to fragile States and States emerging from conflict in order to build the capacity of their national institutions to efficiently address the problems of development and security. The international agents as a whole, with their financial support and capabilities, are called to work together to address the needs of marginal societies. In today’s world, which operates in a security environment is rapidly changing and is unpredictable, we have to take actions and responses that are every more convincing and consistent. If we do not, the United Nations and international community will lose a great opportunity for peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

We are honoured that Micheline Bachelet, President of Chile, has presided over this important Security Council debate. We thank Ambassador Patriota and Ms. Gbowee for their insightful briefings. Peace and security, development and human rights are the three pillars of the United Nations system and collective security. Those pillars are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. General Assembly resolution 66/288, entitled “The Future We Want”, adopted in pursuance of the Rio+20 Conference, once again established a firm correlation between sustainable development and peace and security. Poverty eradication; sustainable patterns of consumption and production; sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth; reduction of inequalities; fostering of equitable social development; and inclusion and promotion of the integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems create an enabling environment for peace and security and gradually remove drivers of conflict. Draft goal 16 of the sustainable development goals, adopted in the Open Working Group last year, stipulates the promotion of peace and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The Secretary-General, in his synthesis report (A/69/700), says that participatory democracy and free, safe and peaceful societies are both enablers and outcomes of development. Inclusive development shapes a salutary milieu for the maintenance of international peace and security. The purpose of highlighting the correlation between inclusive development and peace and security is not to encourage the Security Council to take up the issues of sustainable development or financing for development, which are dealt with by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, nor will the Security Council have the capacity to do so. Those issues are being rightfully addressed by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the High-level Political Forum, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other relevant forums. The purpose is to promote synergy among various United Nations bodies. The Security Council and its peace operations and missions are trying to resolve conflicts driven by the lack of inclusive growth, inequitable distributing of resources and weak institutions. The strategies to resolve conflicts should therefore include economic deprivation and marginalization. That is particularly important in the post-conflict peacebuilding phase so as to stem a relapse into conflict. A targeted focus on development and long-term economic revitalization in an inclusive manner is essential to achieving that objective. Regional organizations and the Peacebuilding Commission are ideally placed to build and strengthen the nexus between security and development. The President’s concept note (S/2015/6, annex), so ably written, goes beyond inclusive development. It projects a holistic view of international security and recommends inclusion as a way to effectively prevent intra-State conflicts and asymmetric warfare that undermine the governance of societies and international peace and security. The prevention of conflicts remains the primary responsibility of Member States, but in conflict situations prevention requires a comprehensive approach and the constant support of the international community, particularly the Security Council. The concept note has, in a synoptic manner, highlighted how the Security Council has assisted in the management of inclusive transitions, peace dialogues, electoral processes and governance structures in Iraq, Yemen, Mali, the Central African Republic and West Africa and how nations like Rwanda, Burundi, Haiti have seen a turnaround by pursuing national reconciliation and inclusive development. We endorse the President’s view that peace missions, under the guidance of the Security Council, should continue to work for inclusive peace processes, development and security. The very concept of inclusion implies that the United Nations system should work as a whole, and not operate in parts, in silos. Nations must eliminate the exclusion, discrimination and marginalization that lead to violence, strife and conflict. With equal vigour, they should promote national, territorial, religious, ethnic, racial, social and cultural cohesion and inclusion. The Security Council might consider issuing public documents on lessons learned and best practices from various conflict situations. Such publications could help decision makers and peoples grappling with similar situations. Finally, synergy on the issue of inclusion among United Nations bodies does not mean they should trespass on one another’s mandated space but should rather share experiences and perspectives aimed at enhancing the United Nations system’s effectiveness. The jurisdictional boundaries of each forum must be respected. The objective is to work towards lasting peace and development that serves the people of the world.

I now give the floor to the representative of India.

I would first like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on Chile’s assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. The topic for today’s debate is an important one. We have no difficulty with the concept note (S/2015/6, annex) circulated by the presidency when it states that inclusion and inclusive development are factors relevant to the preservation of peace and peacebuilding. Indeed, it has been our consistent position that there can be no peace without development. No society or nation has so far managed to achieve peace and stability without eradicating poverty and providing its people with basic human development and economic opportunities. The grievances that often lead to conflict, whether within or among countries, are driven largely by a sense of deprivation linked to an absence of development. Behind almost every conflict in the world is a background of poverty, hunger and deprivation and a lack of economic opportunity and social inclusion. When people do not have the means to shape their own destiny, when they cannot aspire to a better future for themselves and their children, they are susceptible to being caught in a vicious cycle of violence and conflict. Inclusive economic growth and development, especially when they make opportunities available to individuals and communities, are crucial buffers to conflict. Thus, by focusing on holistic development and addressing the root causes of instability and conflict, particularly poverty, exclusion and lack of development, we can create an environment more favourable to peaceful and stable societies and, indeed, a more stable international order. At the same time, peace and stability within societies cannot be considered in isolation from their international context: they are directly connected to, and affected by, conditions of instability and insecurity at the international level. As far as the issue of political inclusion is concerned, it is equally important to remember the oft-repeated maxim that there is no one size that fits all. In other words, efforts to ensure broader political inclusion within national contexts must reflect national circumstances and realities, and avoid repeating and reinforcing the existing paradigm of foisting externally formulated policies and programmes on countries transitioning out of conflict. The imperative of political inclusion should not become an imposition of prescriptions by the Security Council on affected populations. A holistic vision of international security based on the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations system — namely, peace and security, development and human rights — does not mean ipso facto that the Security Council should arrogate all those functions to itself. Security does indeed have a broader context. However, just because it has many dimensions does not mean that the Security Council must occupy all of them. There are separate organs within the United Nations system tasked with managing those three pillars. It is synergy and complementarity that should be our watchwords, not duplication and co-option. Where issues of inclusive development are concerned, the Security Council should not encroach on the mandates of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The fact that there are as many as 79 speakers on the list for today’s meeting does not legitimize bringing the subject to the Security Council. South Africa, as Chair of the Group of 77, and many others, including us, will be saying this. In any case, while the mandate of the Security Council is to act on behalf of the wider membership, its non-representative character renders it uniquely lacking in the legitimacy necessary to counsel States on the merits of political inclusiveness. The question therefore is not so much how the Security Council should embrace the notion of the interdependence of the three pillars in order to safeguard international security, but how the United Nations system as a whole should do so. The system’s development pillar has traditionally been its most underfunded, and even in cases where the system does focus on development, it is increasingly distracted from the central premises of eradicating poverty and hunger and forging international cooperation to help developing countries find a path to sustainable development. We talk of development in the Security Council and then want the development agenda to focus on peace and security. Such an approach can lead only to confusion rather than results. What is therefore needed is for us to seize the momentous opportunity provided by the post-2015 development agenda to craft and implement policies for genuine international collaboration on eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development. In his recent synthesis report, entitled “The road to dignity by 2030: ending poverty, transforming all lives and protecting the planet”, the Secretary-General puts it well when he says “The stars are aligned for the world to take historic action to transform lives and protect the planet.” (A/69/700, para. 25) That would in turn generate the conditions necessary for the Security Council to fulfil its mandate of ensuring international peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

I would like to thank your delegation, Mr. President, for organizing this very timely debate, and for Ms. Michelle Bachelet’s personal participation as President. We also appreciate the briefings by, and the presence here this morning of, the Secretary-General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. Guatemala considers today’s open debate very timely, which, it is worth mentioning, coincides with the start of negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda. We are pleased that both the Security Council and the General Assembly, within their respective mandates, are placing greater emphasis on the importance of inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. In our view, over the years the complex links between security and development have been codified and clarified in numerous internal reports and resolutions of this Organization, starting with Boutros Boutros- Ghali’s 1992 An Agenda for Peace (S/24111), through the Outcome document of the 2005 World Summit in 2005 (General Assembly resolution 60/1) to the current Secretary-General’s recent synthesis report on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda (A/69/700). Despite that, we continue to derive lessons for every peacekeeping and peacebuilding operation and mission. The challenges we are seeing increasingly emphasize the interdependence between security, justice and development in the promotion of lasting and sustainable peace. There is much to be said on this topic, but I will limit my remarks to five points. First, we must understand that poverty and social injustice per se do not necessarily lead to violence and conflict. What we must address, therefore, are the underlying circumstances and other, more complex factors that can lead to conflict. When high unemployment, especially among young people, and widespread poverty prevail at the same time as a minority enjoys a quality of life known only in the first world, there is at least some risk of conflict. Those factors must be alleviated, not only for intrinsic ethical reasons, but, in broader terms, as a means of conflict prevention. Peace and development must be addressed in a comprehensive and coordinated way at all levels throughout the United Nations system. We therefore welcome the fact that the draft sustainable development goals include a stand-alone objective on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, which would facilitate access to justice for all and create effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Secondly, Guatemala sees the Peacebuilding Commission as an important institutional interface between the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and the Bretton Woods institutions. We therefore believe that its work is important in terms of the institutional development of the United Nations. We trust that this year’s review of the peacebuilding architecture will strengthen it and provide for better coordination among the bodies I just mentioned. Similarly, we believe that the high- level panel review of the various general aspects of peacekeeping operations and special political missions will help in using these tools more efficiently. All of this will contribute to settling conflicts definitively and preventing relapse into violence, which, in most cases, undermines the gains made. Thirdly, we are convinced that women have a central role to play in preventing and settling conflicts, promoting justice and reconciliation, supporting disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and in rebuilding national institutions, which are all integral pillars for building lasting peace. The review to be carried out by the high-level panel on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, is very timely. Broad-based sustainable development can help tackle the root causes of conflict. By definition, this means including women, who can play a key role in negotiations and peace processes, and young people, who have immense potential to contribute to the development of their societies. Fourthly, I would like briefly to mention the wide range of preventive diplomacy tools our disposal. We recall that the Secretary-General’s five-year action agenda include advancing the responsibility to protect agenda. My delegation fully supports that priority, which in turn contributes to the progress on the topic of today’s debate. The responsibility to protect implies that all members of the international community must uphold a code of conduct regarding the treatment of their own people. States that do not respect this basic commitment must understand that they will face consequences. It was our own Heads of State who jointly accepted this concept in 2005. The least we can do now, 10 years on, is to ensure that this agenda continues to evolve in its practical application. Finally, to achieve inclusive development we must also promote the rule of law. This provides the necessary environment for sustainable development, inclusiveness and economic growth. As we know, the rule of law has a special place in the agenda of the United Nations. Upholding and promoting the rule of law and justice must guide all of its activities, thereby conferring predictability and legitimacy on its work. We believe that the Security Council must continue to work in support of inclusive political dialogue and must continue to cooperate with all the relevant actors to implement the lessons learned and knowledge gained to promote peace and human well-being.

I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations. Mr. Mayr-Harting: 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, Serbia and Albania, the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukraine and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. Allow me to start by thanking President Bachelet, you, Sir, and the Chilean presidency of the Security Council for the initiative to convene this timely debate. We also wish to thank the Secretary-General, Ambassador Patriota of Brazil and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Gbowee for their comprehensive briefings. Regrettably, we are reminded by numerous conflict situations of the imperative need to address the underlying causes of conflict by promoting sustainable development, inclusion, equality, the rule of law, respect for human rights and inclusive political processes that leave no one behind. The promotion of all of these things might not fall primarily within the remit of the Security Council; however, the results of the lack of all of those factors can be found across the agenda of the Council. Security and development are closely interlinked, mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustainable peace. Building sustainable peace is inextricably linked to inclusive development. Sustainable peace requires respecting the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable and realizing their economic, social and cultural rights. The economic and political integration of marginalized populations is a determining factor for peace and security. Sustainable development requires that human rights and fundamental freedoms be respected, protected and fulfilled. It requires the promotion of the freedoms of expression, opinion, assembly and association, both online and offline, as the representative of Lithuania and other speakers have already recalled today. Sustainable peace requires that we ensure that no person is denied universal human rights and basic economic opportunities. It requires that we promote freedom of religion or belief and that we fight discrimination in all its forms on grounds of race, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation and advocate for the rights of children, persons belonging to minorities, indigenous peoples, refugees, migrants and persons with disabilities. Sustainable peace requires gender equality and the participation and empowerment of women and girls. Women are agents of peace and development. They should no longer be victims. At all stages of the process of building peace, signing peace agreements and introducing development programmes, we need a stronger role for women. Sustainable peace requires combatting discrimination and addressing the structural causes of poverty, inequality and violence, including by strengthening effective inclusive and democratic institutions, good governance and the rule of law. Sustainable peace and sustainable development require peaceful and inclusive societies, democratic governance and the rule of law. Inclusive development based on consensus, participation and consultation diminishes the risk of conflict and enables long-term stability and sustainable peace. Development requires an independent judiciary, a reliable police force and a public sector free of corruption. Development depends on an active private sector, acting as a partner. To allow for this, institutions need to be legitimate, accountable and efficient. A stable, predictable and transparent legal regime creates an environment conducive to investment, enterprise and growth; it ensures equal opportunity and equitable access to basic services, which are indispensable for social development and inclusive societies. Countries that have come out of conflict have also highlighted the importance of tackling these issues. In that context, I would like to commend the work done in follow-up to the Dili Declaration by the fragile States concerned. Illicit financial flows from trafficking, smuggling, corruption or money-laundering endanger both peace and development. We need strive to address most of this outside the Security Council. The requirements for sustainable peace are, first and foremost, our own responsibilities, in regions and in Member States. But if these requirements are not met, it will often be the Security Council that will have to address the consequences in an effective and timely manner. The Council has often included such considerations of inclusive development and political processes in statements, resolutions and mandates. In order to be prepared for timely and effective responses, the Council could explore new and innovative ways of working with different actors, including with civil society. Existing tools, such as Arria Formula meetings, should be better utilized. The best prevention of conflict remains support for democratic governance, respect for human rights and economic development. The EU’s development policy today emphasizes our strong engagement in countries most in need, including those that are fragile. Significant support granted by the European Union goes to security sector reform, the rule of law, justice and governance. With the adoption of the comprehensive approach of the European Union’s development policy and our resilience policy, the accent is also put on better connecting different interventions and instruments of the EU so as to become a more effective and strong partner for Governments and other international actors. In Mali and Somalia, we are deploying the full range of our instruments, from the Common Security and Defence Policy missions to development programmes, which address, with a longer-term perspective, governance, the rule of law and building resilient livelihoods. Our development toolbox has improved with the design of conflict-sensitive and human rights- based development interventions. An important part of our work is supporting national authorities to tackle transnational threats — such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking and piracy — and working both with national Governments and with regional organizations. The European Union is also enhancing its early-warning capacities in order to identify risk trends, address the gap between warning and response, and foster a long- term, comprehensive approach to preventive action before violence erupts. The Security Council should address peacebuilding as early as possible and strengthen the use of the advisory role of the Peacebuilding Commission. The various reviews to take place this year need to fully take into account the security/development nexus. This year’s review of peace operations must also particularly take into account the multidimensional nature of peacekeeping operations. Peacekeepers have helped organize participatory political processes, including elections, in various conflict-affected countries. In doing so, they have been supported by the European Union. In 2014, peacebuilding achievements have come under threat, due in particular to the Ebola epidemic. Lastly, the security/development nexus is also relevant as we seek to address the threat of terrorism. In its counter-terrorism work, as in other areas of our work, the European Union tries to take a comprehensive approach, including integrating capacity-building measures into the overall development and security assistance to third countries and coordinating with key partners. We recognize that concrete progress in the areas of security, justice, human rights and the rule of law are critical both for tackling terrorism and for achieving sustainable development. In view of the other important events that are happening here in this building today, I would also like to conclude by underlining that we call for a post- 2015 development agenda that is people-centred and based on human rights, and combats discrimination, including gender inequality and gender-based violence. The agenda should address the structural causes of poverty, inequality and violence, including by strengthening effective, inclusive and democratic institutions, good governance and the rule of law. Only by addressing all these elements will the new agenda be truly transformative.

I now give the floor to the representative of Austria.

It is my great honour to speak on behalf of the members of the Human Security Network, a cross-regional network composed of Chile, Costa Rica, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, Norway, Panama, Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand, South Africa as an observer, and my own country, Austria. The Human Security Network is an informal group of States that advocates for the greater usage of the human security approach in policies and programmes at the international, regional and national levels. At the outset, let me thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Antonio Patriota; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their comprehensive briefings. On behalf of the members of the Network, I would like to express our strong appreciation to the presidency of Chile for convening this very important open debate. The Human Security Network has been traditionally engaged in debates on critical issues in the Security Council. We are very pleased by this timely initiative, which appropriately highlights the connection between inclusive development and the maintenance of international peace and security. We welcome the adoption earlier today of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3, which calls on the United Nations and its Member States to adopt a more comprehensive and integrated approach to peacebuilding, to promote the inclusive participation of all stakeholders in post-conflict reconstruction, and to adopt more preventive actions. These are core elements of the human security approach that can make a significant contribution to today’s discussions on the maintenance of peace and security. When confronting multiple challenges and vulnerabilities that affect different countries, societies and communities, human security proposes responses that encompass the elements of peace and security, development and human rights — the three interdependent pillars of the United Nations system. Its prevention-oriented approach allows for timely and effective policy planning that addresses the underlying causes of threats that may endanger the prospects for peace, stability and development. Those underlying causes of both domestic and cross-border conflicts include growing socioeconomic and gender disparities, ethnic or religious tensions, the lack of respect or denial of human rights, discrimination and exclusion in general. By disaggregating social and economic indicators at the national and local levels, the human security approach is able to uncover the various factors of exclusion that impede women; minority, ethnic and religious groups; and economically marginalized populations. By engaging communities in the development and implementation of solutions to their daily challenges, the human security approach has led to more effective and sustainable responses that promote the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, especially women and marginalized groups; capitalizes on existing local capacities; and promotes greater national ownership. Such an approach must be a key element in thwarting the emergence or spread of pervasive threats that could constitute real obstacles or challenges to the promotion of development, stability, peace and security. In conflict situations, our group has constantly emphasized the security and dignity of civilians affected by armed conflicts, particularly those belonging to more vulnerable groups. The multidimensional, people-centred, context-specific approach that human security proposes is also relevant in supporting the efforts of societies in post-conflict situations and in ensuring the better passage of critical transition periods to greater normalization, stability and development. In that sense, we are seeing encouraging examples for the strengthening of institutions and the participation of people. In cases such as th of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the human security approach is being applied in response to the reintegration of ex- combatants, disenfranchised and marginalized youth, the lack of sustainable livelihoods, struggling health and educational services, persistent tensions among community members, and acts of gender-based violence. The integrated human security approach complements various efforts led by the Security Council in post- conflict situations. Our challenge is to apply the human security approach more systematically at the national level through national ownership involving all local organs and parties concerned, as well as across the entire United Nations system. The Human Security Network believes that this should allow for greater coherence and efficiency in the use of resources and in the exchange of good practices and lessons learned. Ultimately, this approach would ensure that top- down protection strategies, including strengthening the rule of law, promoting good governance and protecting human rights, are complemented by policies and progammes that empower conflict-affected communities and build social cohesion. Together, they would foster greater participation and ensure that the dividends of reconstruction and development, as well as the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms, can reach all corners of society. In conclusion, this should generally benefit the goal of international peace and security for all, and also provide an operational framework for the post-2015 agenda.

I now give the floor to the representative of Sweden.

I thank you, Sir, and through you President Bachelet for the opportunity to address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries on this very important topic. The Nordic countries also wish to thank the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Patriota of Brazil and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee for sharing their valuable insights today. Development is always political, and particularly so in contexts marked by armed conflict and violence. Neither peace nor development is only about agreed- upon words on paper; both are societal processes, upheld and pushed forward by people. As the Security Council remains seized of threats to peace and security, it is crucial to consider, as we do today, the underlying factors and causes of conflict and relapses into conflict. How can we prevent situations from ever having to end up on the Council’s agenda? Inclusive development holds a key to the answer. As this debate attest, there can be neither peace nor development without the active participation of the many, including of course the most marginalized. For example, systematic economic and social exclusion and inequalities drive a lot of today’s conflicts. At the same time, it is people in conflict-affected and fragile States that lag the most behind in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals. People in conflict-affected and fragile States are stuck in a trap of poverty and violence. Root causes and drivers of conflict and violence must therefore inform development cooperation. Conflict analysis — outlining and understanding these causes and drivers — is key. We need to understand the factors — for example, political, economic, social, and historical — that directly influence the forms and dynamics of conflict and violence. We need to understand what separates and what connects people and groups. If, for instance, your group identity or belonging determines your access to security, to justice, to land, to jobs, and to political influence — or, to put it differently, if your group identity puts you at risk of exposure to harassment or violence on the part of the national police, systematic discrimination by the authorities, land deprivation, and lack of influence — then all development efforts targeting these areas will have a bearing on the conflict. Building trust between the State and society and within groups will increase social cohesion, which is at the centre of inclusive development. Development can be inclusive and thereby reduce poverty, break the cycle of violence, and prevent new conflicts from emerging or returning to conflict if all groups of people, including the most marginalized, contribute to creating opportunities, share the benefits of development, and participate in decision-making. Inclusive political participation in peace processes, elections, constitutional processes, or decentralization efforts are ways to non-violently resolve and prevent conflict. The Security Council has a crucial role to play in formulating mandates to support such participation, and should continue to do so effectively. In this context, let us also remind ourselves that women represent, in many cases, more than half of the population. Any effort that does not involve them is doomed to fail. Women’s participation is critical to peacemaking, to peacekeeping and to peacebuilding. The Security Council has a special responsibility to ensure the presence and active involvement of women. We commend the Council for its efforts in this regard, and encourage it to continue to focus on the issue of women, peace and security in all its aspects. Having spoken about the Council, the Nordic countries would like to see the Council encourage the Secretariat, including Special Representatives and Envoys, to pay increasing attention to inclusive development, and in particular the lack of it, in their briefings and reports. We also urge the Council to utilize the whole variety of formats it has at its disposal; the more the Council can learn from the experiences and work of other actors, the better prepared it will be to respond efficiently to challenging situations. Let us also take a moment to reflect upon the overall United Nations involvement in the nexus of security and development. We all agree that the United Nations needs to deliver as one. In its resolution 2086 (2013), the Council recognized the important role of peacekeeping missions in assisting host countries in developing critical peacebuilding priorities and strategies and in helping to create an enabling environment for relevant national and international actors to perform peacebuilding tasks and to implement early peacebuilding tasks themselves. The use of inclusive United Nations mediation should be further developed. Mediation should be used in all stages of the conflict cycle. In this sense, the Council sets the path for the ensuing peacebuilding, for example by meeting the need for a professional, legitimate, accountable and impartial security sector and judiciary to build trust not only with people for peaceful conflict-resolution, but also with economic actors. As peace operations often do the initial work in supporting the host country, it is important that the rest of the United Nations and other development actors follow suit. Currently, several layers of actors work in development, peacebuilding and State-building at the international, national, regional and local levels. In order to enhance and make development and peacebuilding initiatives more effective, greater coherence and coordination are needed. Common and nationally owned and led strategic goals should be pursued by all actors. As part of building sustainable peace, healing the wounds of society can determine whether peace and stability will be sustained in the long run. Dealing with grievances or hatred over past atrocities through reconciliation or transitional justice processes is necessary for societies to move on and break with the violent past. Development cannot be business-as-usual after a conflict, but needs to be inclusive also in the sense of dealing with issues central to sustainable peace. To prevent future conflict and insecurity, decisive action needs to be taken to face climate change. Climate change is a threat multiplier. Today, unfortunately, the world is facing the risk of additional temperature increases of over 2 degrees Celsius. Climate change is therefore expected to pose a major strategic security threat in the future. The year 2015 is the year of the three reviews: on peace operations, peacebuilding and the global study on women, peace and security. This year will thus bring us an opportunity to examine our overall efforts to building sustainable peace. The Nordic countries hope that all three reviews will enlighten us as to how to do this better, inclusive development being an important piece of the puzzle. The Nordic countries have been promoting stand- alone goals on peaceful and inclusive societies, gender equality and good governance in the post-2015 agenda, which are key contributors to poverty eradication and sustainable development. Inclusivity is at the heart of all this. The post-2015 agenda will be central in identifying where to direct our efforts in coming years, and should serve to inspire the Council’s actions as well.

I now give the floor to the representative of Japan.

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for Chile’s initiative in convening today’s open debate on this important topic. I am also grateful to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. According to the World Development Report 2011, published by the World Bank, 90 per cent of conflicts initiated in the 2000s were relapses of previous civil wars. As many researchers point out, the recurrences of conflict are attributed in part to failures to promote peacebuilding in an inclusive manner. In light of the maintenance of international peace and security, inclusivity is an extremely important factor in peacebuilding processes. Therefore today’s meeting is very appropriate and timely. Japan has given considerable attention to this topic. Since 2013 my Mission has jointly organized seminars on “inclusivity in rebuilding States with the Missions of Tanzania and Slovakia. In building upon these initiatives, I should like to discuss two points in today’s open debate. First, on political inclusivity, Japan has actively contributed to the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) since its inception in 2005. The PBC was established to address the so-called gaping hole in the United Nations system, where there had been no institution to effectively help countries with the transition from war to lasting peace. Last year in the PBC’s Working Group on Lessons Learned, which Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa, Permanent Representative of Japan, has the honour to Chair, we had extensive discussions on the issue of transitions of United Nations missions. In his final report, the Chair pointed out that a major challenge faced by post-conflict countries is sustaining inclusive political processes. The withdrawal of United Nations missions invariably results in the limited capacity of the United Nations to support inclusive political processes on the ground. The report emphasized that the PBC should play a role by offering a political platform to help sustain international attention and engagement with countries experiencing transitions. Furthermore, the report notes that as an advisory body to the Security Council, the PBC has a crucial role in preventing the relapse of conflicts. At the time of transition of United Nations missions, the PBC can support the Council’s efforts by advising it on the holistic peacebuilding progress on the ground. It can also draw the Council’s attention to possible risks of relapses when any symptom of reversion, including serious situations of exclusion, is presented after the withdrawal of United Nations missions. In this regard, we would like to call on the Council to work with the PBC to further improve the Council’s early warning and conflict prevention functions. My second point concerns inclusive development, which is an essential part of human security and should also be one of the key principles of the post- 2015 development agenda to be adopted in September. Japan has provided post-conflict countries with seamless assistance for the consolidation of peace. In Africa, for more than 20 years, Japan has actively supported African countries’ own efforts to consolidate peace and advance development, through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development process. Through this process, Japan has not only implemented its assistance with a deep understanding of the interrelationship between peacebuilding and development, but has also promoted an inclusive society, particularly by assisting women and young people. For example, Japan’s technical cooperation in Kenya and Tanzania helps to promote the role of women in agriculture and to realize gender equality in farm management. Such assistance further leads to the empowerment of women and enhanced social inclusivity. Japan is determined to continue its active role in promoting peace and an inclusive society through the activities of the PBC as well as through bilateral assistance. We hope that the Security Council will continue discussions on inclusive peacebuilding and development to further strengthen its role in maintaining international peace and security as well as to improve its complementary relationship with the Peacebuilding Commission.

I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, and through you Her Excellency President Michelle Bachelet, on the assumption by Chile of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January. We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement this morning. Equally, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Antonio Patriota of Brazil, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 2011 and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, for their interventions. The Group of 77 does not traditionally speak at meetings of the Security Council. Our mandate as a group is to focus on economic and social development issues. However, today’s discussion by the Council on the topic of inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security has prompted us to request the floor in order to put on record the views of more than two-thirds of the States Members of the United Nations. The link between peace and security and development is undeniable. The fulfilment of development goals would lessen the likelihood of conflict breaking out. Internal conflicts in various parts of the world have at their very core the plight of the population to their development aspirations. Many Governments that have failed to meet these aspirations have been threatened by internal unrest. The failure to honour development assistance, provide debt relief to developing countries, opening of markets and transferring of technology have all played their negative role in consolidating stability. These are the issues that should be considered in their appropriate forum where we, as Member States, should make concrete commitments in this regard. The Group of 77 and China would like to point out that the primary mandate of the Security Council is the maintenance of international peace and security. The Charter of the United Nations clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the principal organs of the United Nations. As the Group has stated in this Chamber before, the principle of separation of the mandates of the United Nations organs must be respected. The Security Council is considering the issue of development in relation to peace and security at a critical time when the intergovernmental process of negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda commences. In fact, the intergovernmental process, which begins today, is getting under way as we speak. The Group maintains its view that the mandate of the different organs of the United Nations should be respected as the General Assembly remains the highest deliberative body that affords all Member States an equal opportunity to participate in development-related debates. The President of the General Assembly has appointed co-facilitators to lead a process of negotiation on the post-2015 development agenda in which all stakeholders will participate in accordance with the rules of the General Assembly. As the G-77 we will engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that the United Nations remains central in addressing these global development challenges. Our engagement at the intergovernmental negotiations on the post- 2015 development agenda is intended to ensure that the United Nations develops a global development agenda which contributes to international development, thereby resulting in long-term prosperity and peace and security. In conclusion, I should like to reiterate that the Group of 77 and China will continue to pursue the achievement of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, as well as the fulfilment of the commitments made by developed countries in all development-related relevant bodies. As Member States we are under an obligation to ensure that these issues in all their complexity are addressed in the mandated United Nations bodies to ensure the broader participation of Member States.

I now give the floor to the representative of Iraq.

First, I should like to thank the President Bachelet of Chile for her presence at this important meeting. We congratulate Chile on acceding to the presidency of the Council for this month. We would also like to wish for all Member States a good year full of peace and security for everyone. We thank you, Sir, for holding this important open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. We also congratulate Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela, the new members of the Council, and wish them a successful and fruitful mandate within the Council. I must also congratulate Chad on the excellent way in which it conducted the work of the Council last month. We thank Chile for its efforts in preparing presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3, adopted today. There is no doubt that all peoples of the world aspire to the best possible development so that they can benefit from welfare and prosperity. However, without security there will be no development. Although it has considerable human potential and resources, Iraq is faced with conflicts and danger that threaten its national project, which is to build a democratic political regime representative of all elements of Iraqi society and seeks to guarantee the participation of all Iraqis in the choice of their leaders through a transparent and fair electoral process. We are of the firm conviction that this will be the first step on the right path to build a stable and safe future for Iraq and all Iraqis so that they can have inclusive development as they wish. Threats caused by terrorist activities are one of the greatest dangers faced in Iraq. Iraq is at the head of the list of those States most affected by the various forms and manifestations of terrorism for 2014. Terrorism has affected infrastructures and cities in Iraq and thereby impacted economic activities. That in turn has had a negative impact on sustainable development and economic progress in all of its aspects, including socioeconomic and environmental. Iraq is in great need of development, good governance and sustainable democracy. It also is in need of a favourable environment for foreign investment as it needs stability at the level of macroeconomic policy. It is comforting to note that the international community is currently more aware and more coherent in combating the various facets of the threat posed by terrorism, which has expanded beyond local areas and is becoming a transnational and even a transcontinental problem, and thus a threat to international peace and security. Building on international efforts meant to assist Iraq in its efforts, and with a sense of collective responsibility to combat international terrorism, we urge the international community, which has made additional efforts in this regard, to combat terrorism, which through its actions exploits resources and engages in organ-trafficking in order to finance its terrorist activities. The international community must focus its activities to guard against collaboration with the Islamic State. We would like to recall here that the commitment of Member States to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions is the best way to combat the effects of terrorism on the global population. In conclusion, peoples suffering from a lack of security are unable to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which indicates an overall failure of the current sustainable development framework, and is the result of the organized violence of terrorism and a lack of overall security. We hope for a post-2015 development agenda that would be more effective in order to limit and put an end to the impact of terrorism in the region.

I now give the floor to the representative of Luxembourg.

I should like to congratulate Chile on having organized this open debate on the topic of inclusive development, which is of fundamental importance to the maintenance of international peace and security. The Secretary- General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, have demonstrated this very well in their briefings. I fully associate myself with the statement of the European Union. I should like to add several observations in my national capacity. As we approach the global summit of 2015, the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights and the rule of law — is no longer in doubt. During our recent term in the Security Council, we sought to promote an integrated approach, faithful to our strong conviction that peace and security cannot be guaranteed without development, the protection of human rights and democratic governance. My country has long worke for lasting, sustainable development that is also inclusive. We therefore continue to dedicate 1 per cent of our gross national income to development cooperation by supporting cooperation programmes, specifically in such areas as social education and health, in order to assist our partner countries in favouring inclusive development in their societies. The international community is increasingly aware of the need to address the root causes of conflicts: poverty, discrimination, exclusion, and the lack of the rule of law, to name just a few. We see it in this debate today in the Security Council as we see it in the intergovernmental work under way in the General Assembly, which is seeking to establish a post-2015 sustainable development programme. We welcome that. For my part, I should like to focus on two aspects of this debate: post-conflict peacebuilding and addressing the specific needs of women and young people. Peacebuilding is a long-term effort that must mobilize all the vital forces of the countries and regions concerned and enjoy the coherent and long-term support of the international community. Peacebuilding efforts will have a lasting impact only if they contribute to the establishment of inclusive political processes and enable the establishment of competent national institutions that must also be accountable to their citizens. The situations in the Central African Republic and South Sudan, among others, have shown us that the risk of a resurgence of conflict is unfortunately elevated if these things are not done and if the root causes of conflict are not adequately addressed. As other speakers have already stated, it is also essential to guarantee the participation of women, young people and other groups in society that are too often excluded from decision-making, not only because women and young people are agents for change but also because they are the most vulnerable in conflict and post-conflict situations. It is important to give prospects for the future to the young, who represent a growing portion of the population in developing countries. The marginalization of young people and the absence of career prospects make them easy prey for hate-inciting and extremist speeches. From being agents for peace and development, they run the risk of becoming agents of instability and violence. To conclude, I should like to reiterate our support for initiatives seeking to improve early earning, in particular the Secretary-General’s Rights Up Front initiative, which should sound the alarm whenever human rights violations and negative exclusion movements are detected. We hope that this initiative will enable the Security Council to better perceive the signs that precede conflicts and to act before it is too late. The maintenance of international peace and security and preventing conflict are two sides of the same coin. History will judge the United Nations on our capacity to work together for a future with dignity for all. We are convinced that it is possible to get there, and that we can conquer poverty and violence and adopt sustainable development models that will enable future generations to have better lives. That will require us to redouble our efforts in all forums, including the Council, in order to bring an end to exclusion and the inequalities that we see in all their forms.

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

It was a great honour to have President Bachelet here earlier today. Allow me to thank and congratulate Chile on bringing this important subject to the attention of the Council. It is fitting that a debate on inclusive development falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was a champion of human rights and human dignity. He taught the world that strong societies do not succumb to division. They teach tolerance and embrace diversity. He also taught us that we must commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the values that we believe in. He said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge”. The challenge before us is immense. In the coming year, the United Nations will unveil a new development agenda. It is our duty to ensure that it is truly transformative and can serve as the key to unlocking a better future for millions of people throughout the world. We must create an enabling environment for inclusive and peaceful societies by promoting good governance, supporting strong institutions, and advancing the rule of law at both the national and international levels. Fifteen years ago, the Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000), which recognizes the critical role that women play in promoting and maintaining peaceful societies. The situation on the ground in many nations has yet to match the Council’s aspirations. Throughout the world, too many women continue to be treated as second-class citizens. From Nigeria to Syria, from Pakistan to the Sudan, women are subjected to unspeakable violence and discrimination. In many places they are barred from participating in political life, cannot work or attend school, or are victims of sexual violence that is often overlooked by local authorities. Societies that oppress women are doing a double disservice. First, they are committing an injustice against half the population, and secondly they are obstructing development. We know that when half of the population is sidelined, the path to development is blocked. We also know that women promote peace and reconciliation in these societies. As an example, in Rwanda women have been the driving force in post- conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding. Today, Rwanda is ranked seventh in gender equality and women are fully engaged in the country’s economic and political leadership. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us that “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle”. The challenges to development  — the hardship, the despair, the poverty  — can seem overwhelming. The security challenges that we face are equally daunting. Nonetheless, I am optimistic because I have seen at first hand how inclusiveness enriches a society. From its earliest days, Israel opened its door to all people of all nationalities and faiths throughout the world. We championed an education system that teaches tolerance and a justice system that safeguards the rights of every person. Today one can find people of all colours, creeds and religions succeeding in every area of society. Israel also understands that empowering women is the foundation of thriving societies. The pioneers who founded Israel’s kibbutz movement built a society centred on cooperation and equality. Women contributed to every aspect of kibbutz society, from the agricultural fields to the political field. Gender equality is also enshrined in our 1948 Declaration of Independence. More than 40 years ago, when Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister, Israel was the third country in the world to elect a woman to its highest office. In fact, Israel is the only country in the Middle East where women have presided over each and every one of the three branches of Government. Today, we continue to invest in women. The Israeli Government funds a number of high-tech vocational training programmes to enable Arab, Bedouin and Jewish women to reach their full potential. The prosperity and stability of societies also depend on enabling young people to play a meaningful role in shaping their future. The current generation of children and youth is the largest in human history. Of the 7 billion people living on the planet, nearly half are under the age of 25. These young people have hopes and dreams. When young people see a future devoid of jobs and opportunities, frustration sets in. If it is not addressed it is a ticking time bomb. Members may have read about a 14-year old Syrian boy named Usaid Barho. Like other boys of his age, Usaid dreamed of growing up and finding a job that would make his family proud. But there are no simple dreams for a boy growing up in Syria. Last year, Usaid was recruited by Sunni extremists from Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham who threatened to rape his Mother if he did not join them. Seeing no alternative, Usaid volunteered to be a suicide bomber. He strapped on a suicide vest and made his way to a Shiite mosque and revealed himself to the local guards. Usaid’s story is not unique. Extremist groups thrive in regions with poor governance, weak rule of law, and a rampant social exclusion. It is no coincidence that so many of the countries that threaten global peace and stability are the very places where millions of people are deprived of their basic dignities and freedoms. Throughout the world radical Islamists are waging war against our way of life, our values and our freedoms. Development can lay the groundwork for stability, but it is not enough. We must confront the extremists who sow the seeds of hatred. We must uproot radicalism and we must weed out the terrorists who seek to destroy our way of life. Working together, we are succeeding in doing what the United Nations was created to do, improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people. We are the first generation with a chance of eliminating extreme poverty. There is an African proverb that teaches that if you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. We have come so far and achieved so much that we cannot stop now. Together, we must struggle to break down the barriers that divide us. Together we must build more peaceful societies and together we must be united in achieving the common dream of all people, a better future for our children and a chance to live in peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Poland.

I should like to thank the presidency of Chile for having convened today’s open debate. Poland aligns itself with the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union. The year 2015 provides a special opportunity to have a discussion on the relationship between inclusive development and international peace and security. We hope that the upcoming review of the peacebuilding architecture and the review of peacekeeping operations, as well as the high-level review to assess the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), will lead to a deep reflection on this issue. The seventieth anniversary of the United Nations and preparation for the summit for the adoption of the post-2015 agenda will also be a good opportunity to discuss progress in this respect. We understand that development is not a main issue within the scope of the Security Council deliberations. However, too many times in the past the Council has had to deal with the effects of underdevelopment and fragility. Too frequently, the international community has had to react at the very last moment. That is why we appreciate that in recent years the linkages among peace, security and development have been increasingly recognized by the members of the Security Council. There is a fruitful cooperation between the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). Multidimensional mandates of peacekeeping operations and political missions allow for greater effectiveness. More often, the mandates of United Nations peace operations are constructed in a way where more peacebuilding tasks — inter alia, support for economic reconstruction, electoral processes and institution-building — are assigned to peacekeepers. That is why the security/development nexus should be reflected in this year’s reviews of peace operations and peacebuilding architecture. There are still places in the world where we need to prevent the cycle of recurring violence. We believe that the Council can make greater use of its working methods in this regard, in particular through more frequent Arria-formula meetings with representatives of civil society. Security is not only the lack of conflict but also the lack of threats that natural disasters and climate change pose to human safety and well-being. As we are all aware, climate change is a threat multiplier. Possible sea-level rise and the loss of territory resulting from climate change may seriously affect the future of many vulnerable States. There are countries that might disappear and entire nations might need to seek refuge far away from home. It is our global challenge of adaptation to climate change, a global challenge of risk management and a global challenge of sustainable use of non-renewable resources. We are satisfied that the Climate Change Conference in Warsaw in 2013 adopted very important decisions in this regard — the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage, which provides assistance to vulnerable populations, and the Warsaw Framework for REDD-plus to compensate and track developing countries’ efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Let us not forget about the third element of the triad, that is, human rights. Respect for fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, media and association and the inclusion of women in all parts of political and social life as well as the rule of law and good governance are critical for reducing the likelihood of violent conflict.

I now give the floor to the representative of Italy.

Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I should like to add a few remarks in my national capacity on some specific questions. We fully share the logic and purpose of the Chilean presidency’s initiative to convene an open debate of the Security Council on inclusive development and its centrality in maintaining international peace and security. As highlighted in the concept note (S/2015/6, annex), only a holistic approach towards issues of peace, the safeguarding of human rights and economic development, can make the vision of the founders of the Organization — a world without war — a reality. It is highly significant that this debate is taking place on the eve of the launch of the intergovernmental process to determine the post-2015 agenda on sustainable development. Our moral imperative is to promote inclusive societies, which in itself is a strategic investment in terms of enhanced security, greater economic development and stronger institutions. In this spirit, inclusive development has become a constant in Italy’s actions, in its cooperative programmes since its launch of pioneering initiatives such as the PRODERE Programme in Central America in the 1990s — a multi-disciplinary development programme for refugees, displaced persons and returnees in six Central American countries, assisting 700,000 people. In light of our development cooperation experience, and in full alignment with the action taken to date to prepare the post-2015 development agenda, we are particularly pleased to find the concept of inclusion across the board in all of the objectives highlighted in the outcome document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (see A/68/970). Minorities today are among the most vulnerable against the many crises at hand, often based on religious, ethnic and social factors. Precisely, individuals belonging to minority groups are among the main victims of violence. Their civil and political vulnerabilities are worsened in many situations by economic and social disparities, which are a particular impediment to ensuring the enjoyment of the economic, social and cultural rights of every citizen. An answer to this double challenge could be the inclusion of minorities in decision-making processes. Italy has long supported the early warning mechanisms of the United Nations aimed at offering a timely detection of risks of mass atrocities. Italy has supported the updating of the “Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes” drafted by the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and of the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Jennifer Welsh, launched in December 2014 here in New York. A field in which Italy is very active is that of professional training of officials from law enforcement bodies of countries in transition. Among these are training courses for Afghan government officers and attachés, ongoing since 2010, offering theory and practical applications of international humanitarian and human rights law, with a particular focus on the more vulnerable groups. The programmes of the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), launched in 2005 in Vicenza and directed by the Italian Carabinieri for instructors of specialized police units, maintain in all of their modules the protection and promotion of human rights, including in reference to minorities. CoESPU courses are attended by officials coming mainly from African and Asian countries, who make up approximately 70 per cent of the participants. What is more is that any discussion on inclusive development must necessarily, in our opinion, focus on gender issues. Since the inception of resolution 1325 (2000), Italy supported its adoption and implementation. It is among the countries that adopted a national action plan to implement the resolution and has taken a number of actions to combat violence against women. Moreover, Italy was the first Member State to stress the introduction of women and peace and security issues in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review. In the same spirit, we have developed specific projects in relation to the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia and the Palestinian autonomous territories. It is ultimately essential that we closely follow the connection between crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law for the sake of inclusive development. This is a field in which we believe we must endeavour to find a balance, even at times when security needs and efficacity in responding to crime can be at odds with the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers. This belief is expressed, first and foremost, in the General Assembly resolution on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (resolution 55/25), of which Italy was a sponsor and facilitator. The resolution clearly recalls the values tied to the rule of law, understood as respect for international and national legality, and those tied to respect for human dignity, particularly of the more vulnerable components of society — minors, women, migrants. To that end, in view of the thirteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, to be held in Doha in April, five countries, including Italy, have called for a debate on 24 February to be chaired by the President of the General Assembly and centred specifically on the interlinkages between criminal justice, the rule of law and development. Another high- level side event on issues linking human rights and the rule of law to criminal justice against transnational crime will be organized by Italy and Thailand for the opening days of the Congress.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kazakhstan.

I thank Chile for convening this debate. We see how acute economic problems and social injustice fuel discontent, terrorism, extremism and radicalism in many parts of the world. Therefore, economic and social progress, with inclusive development, are the most effective ways to diminish risks and enable long-term stability. It is critical to examine how societies are governed based on the rule of law, how resources are distributed and how new risks and vulnerabilities are responded to. Hence, in the preventive, conflict and post-conflict phases in Africa, we should ensure that inclusive economic, political, legislative and judicial institutions are strengthened, made effective and accountable and respond to the needs of all, including the poorest and most vulnerable, especially women and youth. Therefore, United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa should take on increasingly complex and hybrid operations, as well as specific and comprehensive social reconstruction tasks designed to create legitimate, inclusive and effective States. The work of the Peacebuilding Commission and its Support Office will have to be better equipped, in close cooperation with the European Union, the African Union and subregional structures, to build inclusive governance systems that withstand shocks and vulnerability, with a strong role for women in peace and development. In the context of the post-2015 agenda, Kazakhstan is committed to inclusive, people-centred development as the bedrock for peace and security, through our Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy and the recently launched Nurly Zhol programme. Both are political and macroeconomic stabilization plans aimed at establishing, at the same time, social protection, quality health care, education, housing and employment. Kazakhstan has enacted progressive legislation to recognize its 130 ethnic groups and almost 20 religious denominations on its territory. My country is committed to inclusive development at the global level as well. To ensure harmony among all ethnicities on its territory and in the region, my country has taken the lead in regularly convening the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Astana is going to host the fifth Congress in June this year on the theme “Dialogue of religious and political leaders for peace and development”. My Government thanks the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations for its continued support to the Congress. The Astana Economic Forum that Kazakhstan has been hosting, together with the World Anti-Crisis Conference, has provided new road maps for economic stability. Notable among them is the concept of the World Anti-Crisis Plan, which the United Nations can consider and elaborate on. As the chair of a number of regional organizations — the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia — Kazakhstan has been trying its utmost to ensure security and keep the region safe from conflicts, transnational crime and terrorism. Our country is now proposing to host the United Nations regional hub in Almaty, with a focus on sustainable development, humanitarian assistance and building resilience. We believe that a strong and stable Central Asian region contributes to global peace. Valuing the importance of inclusive development, Kazakhstan’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council is focused on human security through reaching nuclear security and food, water and energy security. My country will remain fully supportive of the activities of the Security Council and the international community in seeking solutions for global peace and security in the context of inclusive development.

I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

At the outset, I want to thank the Chilean delegation for its commitment to development issues and for preparing the concept note (S/2015/6, annex) that is guiding our debate. As this is the first time that my delegation addresses the Security Council this year, I want to congratulate and wish every success to the new non-permanent Council members: Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. As we have heard in the Security Council on several occasions, security and development are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustainable peace. The Council has also recognized that that relationship is complex, multifaceted and case-specific. That is why the Council, in the framework of its competencies and in addressing the issues on its agenda, has a very distinct role in promoting decisions that significantly contribute to sustainable and inclusive development in those countries that are immersed in a conflict or emerging from conflict it. It is clear that, in and of themselves, purely military or security strategies are not enough to address the current conflict situations. The Security Council must consider how to encourage the establishment and development of conditions propitious to sustainable peace, in which economic and social welfare are key elements to which it can contribute. The Council has taken steps in that direction and has incorporated some relevant reconstruction tasks in some of the peacekeeping operation mandates. However, these practices are still emerging, and there are still sectors in which we must deepen and strengthen our efforts. As the Secretary-General said, what is needed is more robust support and strengthening the work being undertaken with the Peacebuilding Commission, the other agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system, international financial institutions and regional and subregional organizations. Furthermore, and as was mentioned several times in the course of this debate, a central element is the participation and empowerment of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Women should be part of the discussions and play a principal role in the implementation of strategies for the prevention and resolution of conflicts, inasmuch as the gender dimension is a sine qua non for establishing successful strategies for peace. I believe it is timely to recall the words of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, who in an open debate of the Security Council of 2011 said “It is clear that the Council is not the body to make decisions regarding development. Nevertheless, we must not ignore that its decisions have an impact on the long-term development of countries and that this is a fundamental component of any sustainable peace.” The Minister went on to say that “it is imperative that the activities of its main organs effect real change, make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of populations and have a genuine impact on the situations that have been on their agendas for decades.” (S/PV.6479, p. 10) That is why Colombia considers it necessary to continue working with greater collaboration among the various components of the United Nations system on those issues related to development and security. The aim here is not to turn the Security Council into a development agency. Rather, what it can do is collaborate and draw on specialized experience and knowledge, and develop synergies with other components of the system tasked with addressing development. A clear and appropriate division of work is indispensable to achieve the best results and use resources efficiently. The Council could make full use of its working methods to benefit from the value added offered by United Nations agencies and work with them to achieve lasting solutions to these conflicts. In conclusion, allow me to highlight two key concepts in the relations between development and security and the role of the Security Council. National ownership is a fundamental principle that should be continued, strengthened and supported by the Security Council, recognizing that the State concerned is the main stakeholder and under whose leadership the priorities, programmes and integrated strategies to resolve conflicts and promote development should be established. Secondly, creating and strengthening national capacities and institutions is a priority issue. Encouraging inclusive development in conflict-affected countries requires knowledge, capacity and national institutional structures that make it possible to achieve the legitimate aspirations of the population. The Security Council possesses considerable potential for development in the framework of its mandate and to contribute to that goal.

I now give the floor to the representative of Hungary.

I wish to thank Chile for convening this timely open debate. I also wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Patriota of Brazil and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their informative briefings this morning. Hungary, as co-Chair of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, worked with Member States to ensure that draft goal 16 of the outcome document explicitly recongizes the link among peace, inclusion, sustainable development, justice and accountability. Based on those joint efforts, Member States agreed by consensus that the rule of law, equal access to justice, effective, accountable and transparent institutions, as well as responsive, inclusive and representative decision-making at all levels are equally necessary for establishing peaceful and inclusive societies. Hungary fully supports the statement of the European Union. Building on that, allow me to add some remarks on some special challenges. Hungary recognizes the power, unique skills and role of women in peace and development. Empowering women by investing in their education, providing them with economic opportunities, strengthening their leadership capacities and engaging them in decision-making are in each society’s best interest. That is especially relevant in places where peace had broken down and conflict has shifted focus away from cooperation towards division and hatred. We also commend the Secretary-General for choosing the empowerment of women and children as one of his priorities for 2015. Gender equality is an important public issue in Hungary and is reflected in policy decisions. We also support draft sustainable development goal 5, on gender equality. In the framework of gender equality, aspects related to the family as a whole and to its members need to be duly considered. We strongly support development efforts that are aimed at strengthening and protecting the vulnerable by creating policies in particular in the areas of work, social security, social protection, dignity and integrity, education and public security. The 20- year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action provides another opportunity to highlight these issues. In our corner of the world, and in Hungary in particular, one of the most serious impediments to inclusive development is the situation of vulnerable groups living in poverty, including the Roma population. In order to overcome that challenge, the Hungarian National Social Inclusion Strategy sets forth a comprehensive approach with projects in the areas of child welfare, education, employment, health care, housing and the fight against discrimination. As part of those efforts, Hungary supports the education of Roma children through a scholarship programme, promotes entrepreneurship and job opportunities for Roma women through microcredit projects and skills development and supports the access of Roma families to improved housing. We have also established mechanisms to ensure the effective participation of minorities, including the Roma, at various levels of political decision-making, from the local government level to Parliament. Hungary strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and exclusion based on race, ethnicity, religion or any other status. For example, the Hungarian Government has announced a zero- tolerance policy against anti-Semitism. Across the world, crimes committed against religious and ethnic minorities or other vulnerable groups demonstrate where radicalization and hatred can lead us. It also helps us realize that the only way to achieve and preserve peace within and among societies is through dialogue, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity. In that context, we actively promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue and cooperation. We will continue to make every effort to build bridges among various faiths, cultures and traditions. Lastly, Hungary is of the view that education is one of the most powerful weapons against discrimination and inequality. We believe that the realization of the right to education is the cornerstone of lasting peace, since ignorance, misunderstanding, the erosion of culture and the loss of cultural identities are often the starting points for fanaticism. Education has an important role both in preventing conflicts and in post-conflict peacebuilding. For that reason, Hungary welcomes a strong, stand-alone sustainable development goal on inclusive education, which includes a target on the promotion of a culture of peace, nonviolence and appreciation for cultural diversity.

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia.

First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on this important topic. By the same token, I would like to thank the Secretary-General, Ambassador Patriota and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee for the statements they made today. Let me also welcome the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3 earlier today. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Estonia and Latvia. Our two countries align themselves with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. We welcome the topic of today’s debate, which very accurately links together the three pillars of the United Nations system: peace and security, development and human rights. There can be no development without peace and security, and clearly there can be no lasting peace and security without respect for human rights. Furthermore, development is not true development without the realization of human rights. It is true that there are fewer conflicts, less violence and greater peace in democratic countries and regions where the rule of law is a firm basis of society and all people fully enjoy human rights. Also, average poverty rates are significantly lower in those countries. It is also true that violent conflict has been the largest obstacle to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. I would like to stress the importance of conflict prevention. As today’s world illustrates, it is very hard to end ongoing crises, which often even turn into armed conflicts. However, it is easier and less costly in every sense to prevent violent conflicts from escalating. Good governance, respect for human rights and economic development are the best prevention for violent conflicts. As outlined in the concept note (S/2015/6, annex) by the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, inclusion, be it national, territorial, social, gender, tribal or cultural — and thereby also inclusive development — are the most relevant factors for preserving peace and security and preventing conflicts. Inclusion means that no-one should be discriminated against on any basis. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “It is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law” (General Assembly resolution 217 (III) A, preamble). That leads me to the second point  — the need to actively shape inclusive societies as guarantees for peace and security, namely through the rule of law, if necessary, by designing particular policies and programmes that advance the inclusiveness of all. Strong adherence to the rule of law encourages sustainable development, as progress is best guaranteed by good governance, transparency in decision-making processes and the minimization of corruption. Effective and accountable institutions are powerful enablers of inclusive and sustainable development. The rule of law accords predictability and legitimacy to the actions of States, forming a fundamental framework for the conduct of relations between them, which, on its own, helps to prevent conflicts among States. The rule of law is also a tool to improve the fundamental human right of access to justice, which is inherently linked to the promotion of a culture of accountability over impunity. In that context, peacebuilding efforts are extremely important, as peacebuilding is about reducing the risk of relapsing into violence. That risk needs to be reduced by addressing the root causes of violence and building resilient institutions and peaceful societies. A broad approach to development focusing on justice, human rights, inequalities, jobs and inclusive politics will reduce violence and contribute to peacebuilding. Therefore, the Security Council should address peacebuilding as early as possible in conflicts or crises. As to the concept of inclusive societies, I would like to stress, among other things, the importance of involving both halves of humankind, namely by including women and girls in the decision-making processes. It is a fact that peace is more sustainable if women are included at all stages and all times as equal members of society, be it in time of peace or conflict or a period of transition. This year we will mark the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) and the twentieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Several reviews are under way, including the global study of the resolution on women and peace and security and reviews of the peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations. We must ensure that all those reviews support and complement each other’s aims and that the recommendations emerging from them are in line with each other, leading us to tangible results in terms of gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights in general. Sustainable peace and development can only be ensured if economic development and social benefits are closely interlinked with good governance, strong and accountable institutions and the realization of human rights. Freedom of expression and association and access to independent media, including social media and the Internet, are integral parts of good governance and the rule of law. There can be no real inclusiveness in societies if restrictions are placed on the realization of those freedoms. Achieving inclusive and sustainable development is essential in order to achieve long-term stability and sustainable peace. We must take care of the future of the planet and work towards a world in which everyone can live a dignified life, free from poverty, violence and exclusion. That cannot be achieved without peace and stability. Development, human rights and peace and security are inextricably intertwined and need to be addressed comprehensively. Therefore peaceful societies, good governance and the rule of law should have a central place in the post-2015 development agenda.

I now give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Let me first of all thank the Chilean presidency for organizing today’s debate and for choosing such a timely topic for discussion. In 2015, we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations and the anniversaries of the adoptions of the Beijing Platform for Action and resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security, we will review the United Nations peace operations, and we will of course shape the post-2015 development agenda. Looking at all of those different processes, it is important to understand the synergies between them and the interdependence of the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, development and human rights. Sustainable peace and security can be achieved only if societies are inclusive, minorities are respected, the rule of law is observed and poverty is effectively tackled. Conflict, on the other hand, will undermine social and economic development, social cohesion and respect and therefore lead to more and deeper conflict and social disruption. Inclusive and sustainable development processes that pursue a human rights-based approach and are guided by the rule of law are a precondition for peace and stability. Development efforts must focus on humans and should especially include the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people and groups: persons with disabilities, indigenous people, religious or ethnic minorities and children. Human rights principles, such as non-discrimination, the reduction of inequality, participation and transparency can contribute to strengthening sustainable development processes and thus result in positive development outcomes. Let me provide an example. When we end discrimination against women and include women in development processes by protecting and fulfilling their human rights, we are likely to achieve more effective development outcomes. Gender equality is essential for stable societies and sustainable development. Both women and men alike need to shape the destiny of their country. Against that backdrop, the empowerment of women in all sectors is essential. The empowerment of women in economic life, such as entrepreneurship and professional education, will therefore be one of the areas of focus during Germany’s presidency of the Group of Seven in 2015. Sustainable peace and security also require effective conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Peacebuilding efforts are aimed at preventing societies from relapsing into conflict. The Security Council should be engaged in peacebuilding as early as possible and should make better use of the advisory role of the Peacebuilding Commission. We expect the Peacebuilding Commission to help identify peacebuilding contexts in which a concrete need for international assistance arises. In that regard, closer coordination between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission is needed. We should use the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, as well as the review of peace operations, to further develop and strengthen the United Nations prevention and peacebuilding instruments. We need to look at conflict prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping in a holistic manner. This means also including all stakeholders, especially women. We need to integrate the goals of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, into all peacebuilding efforts. The existing normative framework already provides a sound basis for such links. On the fifteenth anniversary of that landmark resolution, we need to focus on its global implementation across the board and identify gaps and challenges in order to ensure that its provisions are included in all prevention measures, peace processes and conflict-resolution efforts. We applaud the Secretary-General for launching his “Human Rights Up Front” campaign last year. Increased human rights violations are often a first indication of imminent conflict. The United Nations system, including the Security Council, must act more proactively in order to prevent future conflict. We are looking forward to seeing more concrete results of the Human Rights Up Front campaign and remain committed to its goals. The most effective tools for ensuring peace and stability and preventing conflicts are always respect for human rights, the rule of law in inclusive societies, and economic and social development. In its capacity as Chair of the Human Rights Council and beyond, Germany will continue to support these essential elements in the post-2015 development agenda. Only if we achieve this will we create peaceful societies and come a step closer to sustainable peace and security in our world.

I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.

We wish to begin by congratulating the non-permanent members of the Security Council and wishing them every success in their deliberations. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Austria as Chair of the Human Security Network. We also welcome the briefings given this morning by Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile; the Secretary-General; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; and Nobel Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee, all of whom have been inspiring today’s debate on this important issue on the agenda of the Security Council. As a consequence of the interdependence of today’s world, we are continually affected by global threats that know no political borders. Conflicts of ethnic and religious origin, international terrorism, extremism, environmental problems, resource scarcity and competition for such resources, organized crime, mafias, pandemics and global militarization pose a challenge to human security, which is a necessary precondition for the social, political and economic development of countries. Through the Human Development Reports, we have learned that people require economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community and political security if they are to achieve their potential, exercise their freedoms, take advantage of opportunities and thus contribute to the development of their communities. Exclusion in all its forms, be it social, religious, ethnic or territorial, is by definition a violation of human rights and therefore lies at the root of conflicts throughout the world. The problem is not conflict per se; the problem is that when it becomes violent, it results in the loss of human lives and in insecurity. Peace and security are fundamental to dignity and human development; however, insecurity and conflict always pose a threat to the sustainable development of peoples and cultures. Therefore inclusive development is a key factor in preventing violence and in the process of building and consolidating peace. Today we are seeing the start of the intergovernmental process on the post-2015 development agenda. We cannot speak of inclusive development — our main challenge in this new phase — without the assistance of agents of chance: persons and all citizens. As the Secretary-General rightly stated in paragraph 28 of his report contained in document S/2014/694, “Where peacebuilding efforts are rooted in inclusive societal consultation and efforts to minimize exclusionary practices, they generate trust and legitimacy in the State and its institutions.” In the world we live in, which is subject to constant threats, we deem vital States’ way of addressing and promoting the prevention of such threats through inclusion, social cohesion and dialogue, as we seek to build resilient societies, one of the pillars of responsibility to protect. A cohesive and integrated society is better equipped to prevent conflicts and violence. In this context, we believe that in this year that is is so critical in terms of the development agenda, we must have exactly this kind of inter-organ debate at the United Nations, without, of course, creating a precedent that could undermine the mandate of any organ, but, rather, laying the groundwork for a free-flowing exchange of ideas and best practices, so that each body can enhance its mandate. It is important to realize that not only are these issues interrelated, but also that in the past some may have eclipsed others. For example, how do we explain to our children that today we are spending more on weapons than on development and that we are investing more in wars than in social inclusion projects? We are challenged as Member States by the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations to think outside the box and to think creatively, so as to devise innovative ways of addressing this issue. In that connection, as we are also celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the World Conference on Women, we invite the Security Council to ensure greater leadership and participation by women and gender-related training in peacekeeping missions. Panama will soon host a historic Summit of the Americas entitled “Prosperity with equity,” where one of the main issues will be that of security. We hope to contribute through a transformative push towards regional commitment, with a view to achieving a more inclusive development in this region of peace. Finally, the Republic of Panama welcomes the adoption of the presidential statement submitted by Chile (S/PRST/2015/3), which focuses on the existing interlinkage between inclusive development and the maintenance of international peace and security, which are fundamental pillars of this Organization.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to take the floor. (spoke in English) Canada recognizes the importance of inclusiveness in conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding. Of importance to Canada’s international efforts in this regard is the promotion of religious freedom and the participation of women. Canada considers it of the utmost importance that all individuals are able to practice their faith in safety and security. We know that societies that protect religious freedom are more likely to protect all other fundamental freedoms and are typically more stable and prosperous societies. Canada itself is a country of many ethnicities and religions, sharing one common humanity, one of tolerance, acceptance and peace. Lasting peace and stability requires the full participation of all of its citizens, especially with religious groups. As demonstrated visibly by conflicts across parts of the Middle East and Africa, there can be no peace or security in regions where there is no religious pluralism or dialogue, trust and stability between the religious communities themselves. (spoke in French) Canada firmly believes that the full participation of women and girls in all aspects of the social, political and economic lives of their communities and countries is a prerequisite to the attainment of sustainable peace, prosperity and development. A community or country cannot develop if half of its population is not allowed to fully contribute. That is why Canada calls for the elimination of the legal and social barriers to the empowerment of women and girls. Child, early and forced marriage, a permissive attitude towards violence against women and girls, and discrimination against women and girls, including with respect to access to education, health services, justice and economic resources, are simply unacceptable. The role of women and girls is particularly important in times of crisis. In crisis situations, women and girls are usually agents of stability and resilience for their families and communities and important voices for moderation and peace. Yet, as we see all too often, and most recently in the areas affected by the terrorist group known as the Islamic State, in crises women and girls are often subjected to terrible abuse, specifically rape as a weapon war. (spoke in English) Inclusive development is especially relevant to peacebuilding efforts. As Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Canada supports the Government of Sierra Leone and will continue to work with it to ensure that the necessary attention and resources are available to support national peacebuilding efforts in the country. The 2015 peacebuilding review will be an opportunity to revisit how the PBC can and should change to better advance peacebuilding priorities in conflict- affected countries. As such, it must be consistent with and complementary to parallel United Nations policy reviews, including the review of peace operations and the post-2015 development agenda. Inclusive development is a key consideration. It is also a core principle of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States. For example, the New Deal puts a premium on supportive and inclusive political settlements. Building from that starting point, we support each of the targets associated with goal 16 proposed by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. However, we strongly believe that one of the missing elements in that goal is the inclusion of a target for increasing female participation in peace processes. (spoke in French) In sum, the practice of exclusion is too common, to the detriment of security. Religious communities, women and girls, local stakeholders, civil society, Governments and the international community must cooperate fully in striving to understand each other’s perspectives in order to meaningfully effect inclusive development, a concept that is critical to the promotion of peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Slovakia.

Mr. President, allow me to use this occasion to congratulate you on your excellent work and to wish you success in your future endeavours. Let me also congratulate you and your country on a successful presidency of this eminent body. We appreciate the initiative taken to organize this debate on inclusive development for peace and development, and for the comprehensive and inclusive presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3, which is in line with a principle Slovakia very strongly and firmly adheres to. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Permanent Representative of Brazil, Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota; and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. Slovakia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting on behalf of the European Union, but let me also make a few remarks in my national capacity. Slovakia firmly supports a complex discussion leading to the establishment of strong links among peace, security, development and human rights — the main pillars on which the work of our Organization rests. The comprehensive approach to international security, which takes into account all dimensions of our work, was recently highlighted by the Secretary- General during his briefing on the priorities for 2015. In many United Nations documents, we can read that the consequences of violence on various dimensions of sustainable development are significant and long-term, and occur on both the macro and individual levels. Violence causes death, debilitating injuries, disease, distress and displacement, destroys jobs and physical and social capital, damages the environment, prevents educational attainment for generations and discourages investment. The number of indirect victims of armed conflicts is often much larger than the number of direct deaths. Sustainable peace and development therefore cannot be achieved without considering the needs of everyone: children, boys and girls, women, disabled victims of violence, refugees and displaced persons. All relevant stakeholders, including civil society, should participate at all levels and contribute to the transformation of societies from war to stability, development and democratic governance. Just a few days ago, we held the successful Barbershop Conference. I would like to congratulate Iceland, Sweden and Suriname on their splendid initiative. When we discussed full inclusivity as a necessary prerequisite to reach sustainable peace, we could not do so without addressing the inclusion of women in all post-conflict processes. Often after conflicts, they are left solely responsible for supporting their family. They face disruptions in social systems, food distribution, health care and educational services. Often they must assume leadership in those areas. Without their participation, the restoration of stability is not possible. The participation of women and full inclusivity are core principles of security sector reform (SSR), which forms an integral part of that peacebuilding effort and which Slovakia proudly advocates. Moreover, it is clearly stated among the United Nations principles of SSR that the United Nations approach to security sector reform must be gender-sensitive throughout its planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes. It goes without saying that there is a nexus among peace, security and development. Sustainable development is possible only in an environment of peace and security, while peace and security can be sustained only in an environment where people enjoy development opportunities and have realistic hopes and avenues to escape poverty. As part of the development agenda, peace, the rule of law and governance are about ensuring an inclusive approach and building institutions that ensure violence reduction, safety, participation, accountability, equitable social service delivery and access to justice for all, especially for the poor and most vulnerable. Peace, rule-of-law and governance issues are all closely interlinked. In all of the aforementioned processes, not a single member of society must be excluded. The evil of potential conflicts is hidden in exclusion. On the other hand, inclusion improves the prospects for sustainable peace. In order to highlight the importance of inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security, we would like to encourage Member States to also bring the issues discussed today to the attention of the high- level meeting of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform to be held on 12 February, organized jointly by the co-chairs of the Group, Slovakia and South Africa. In regard to secure implementation of peace agreements, Slovakia fully supports the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund, as well as the Secretary-General’s initiative to review the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. We are pleased that this review shall be undertaken along with the strategic review of United Nations peacekeeping. We look forward to the findings of both panels, in particular on how the linkages between both areas can also be further strengthened in regard to the issues the Council is discussing. In conclusion, let me assure you, Mr. President, that Slovakia will spare no efforts in contributing to the implementation of the commitments contained in presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3, adopted today.

I give now the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

At the outset, I would like to convey my delegation’s appreciation to you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate, with a focus on the crucial linkages among peace, security and development, and for Chile’s skilled leadership of the Security Council this month and its presentation of the concept paper before us (S/2015/6, annex). I would also like to express my delegation’s thanks and appreciation to the briefers. General Assembly resolution 60/1, the 2005 World Summit Outcome, highlights the important broad- based consensus that we live in a global, interdependent world and that collective security depends on effective cooperation against transnational threats, in accordance with international law. We urgently need to build consensus on major threats and challenges, and we are committed to translating such consensus into concrete action, including by addressing their root causes. We have acknowledged time and again that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. They form the major pillars of the United Nations system. Each pillar should be focused on its specific mandate, but at the same time they must all act in harmony and conformity in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of functions of the United Nations as a system. We agree with the concept paper’s emphasis on inclusiveness, but at the same time we believe that such inclusiveness must be established and preserved at both the national and international levels if we are to overcome injustice and provide equal opportunities for all countries and nations at the national level, as the international community usually asks for. It is an established fact that countries with the lowest human-development indicators experience most of the world’s conflicts. Just as a lack of development can feed the flames of conflict, economic and social progress can help prevent it and secure peace. Sustained, broad-based development can help address the roots of conflict through such steps as ensuring that wealth is shared equitably, providing better access to agricultural land, strengthening governance and ensuring justice for all. Countries and regions facing stark inequalities and weak institutions are at an increased risk for conflict; a lack of sufficient jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people, can also increase the risk of instability. Drug trafficking and international organized crime have found fertile ground in places that lack basic services and economic opportunities. Development based on consensus and consultation is perhaps the most effective route to diminishing risks of conflict and enabling sustained peace and stability. Development is a central goal in itself, and sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental aspects should be considered a key element in the overarching framework of activity on the part of the international community and the United Nations. Without security there can be no development and without development there can be no security. It is a mistake to look at conflict, unrest and tension in a fragmented way. If we fail to address them comprehensively, connecting the political, security and development challenges, we must be ready to face tragic situations. Political commitment and determination are essential to sustained economic growth, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger, frustration, hopelessness and helplessness, the major causes of insecurity and instability around the world. In order to promote international peace and security, the international community should commit to advancing human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere and for all. That endeavour should be supported by encouraging tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples. Peace is another name for development. They are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Security is a prerequisite for development, and development is possible only in a peaceful and stable environment. Development is a guarantee of security. Sustainable peace is possible only by maintaining the momentum of development. The Security Council, within its mandate, must pay greater attention to the nexus between security and development if it is to fulfil its primary mandate of maintaining peace and security in a pragmatic and efficient way.

I now give the floor to the representative of Ireland.

Ireland commends you on your initiative in scheduling this debate, Mr. President, and we welcome the adoption today of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3. We thank the Secretary- General, Ambassador Patriota of Brazil and Nobel laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their insightful briefings on the topic this morning. Ireland associates itself with the statements made on behalf of the European Union and by the representative of Austria on behalf the Human Security Network. In its Preamble, the Charter of the United Nations defines the purpose of our Organization as saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war. With the United Nations and its humanitarian partners responding to four severe, large-scale humanitarian crises in Iraq, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Syria — all of them the result of conflict, and with the highest number of refugees, asylum- seekers and internally displaced persons on the planet since the end of the Second World War  — the most charitable verdict is that our collective record in this respect has been mixed. While each of the conflicts has unique features, reflecting the diversity and complexity of each country, there is one common feature. Each has tensions at its core that are the result of sectarian, ethnic, socioeconomic or ideological differences. Time and again we see how conflict erupts where people are excluded, marginalized and denied meaningful participation in the political, economic and social life of their countries. We need a better approach to counter this. With the adoption in August of resolution 2171 (2014), the Security Council recognized the interconnectedness of the three pillars of the United Nations system and the need to comprehensively address the underlying causes of conflict. Peace and security, development and human rights cannot be siloed in the United Nations system when we know how interdependent they are in reality. In taking this forward, there are of course limitations on the level of engagement that is possible for the Security Council and the degree of welcome there would be on the part of Member States. However, the Council does have a clear responsibility to prevent situations from developing into full-blown crises and must do more to enhance its preventive capacities. Let me touch on three key aspects that are central to the theme of today’s debate. The first is institution-building. When it comes to ensuring lasting peace, the links between political settlements and the possession of strong and trusted State institutions are well understood. We know that 90 per cent of all civil wars in the past 15 years have occurred in countries that had also experienced a civil war in the previous 30 years. The crises in the Central African Republic and South Sudan are painful reminders of the fragility of peace and the need to promote effective transitions from conflict and fragility to peaceful and resilient States and societies. Ensuring strong institutions requires national ownership, leadership and political will. On the island of Ireland, we have experienced this at first hand. In 1998, a comprehensive political framework for the settlement of the Northern Ireland situation, the so- called Good Friday Agreement, was agreed on in a negotiation process that involved not just the Irish and British Governments but the political representatives of all of Northern Ireland’s communities. It was a watershed moment, in that it set out a road map for new political institutions and structures based on an approach of inclusion and trust. The example of South Africa, where the political opening in 1994 created a environment conducive to enabling a new national identity to take shape, is also noteworthy. The establishment of a new and comprehensive post-2015 development framework is also of vital importance. Including goals and targets on peace in the framework presents an opportunity to enable peaceful and inclusive societies to be built and to address the dynamics of conflict, violence, exclusion and instability. The second aspect I would like to mention is inclusivity, and the critical role that women play in those efforts is another crucial aspect to sustaining peace. As Ireland’s former President Mary Robinson put it, “Women’s participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts is critical to building sustainable peace because no society can develop  — economically, politically or socially  — when half of its population is marginalized.” Women are often powerful and capable actors in their communities, and the knowledge, information and insight provided by women’s groups can be valuable in detecting and understanding tensions. We welcome the increasing attention to supporting women’s participation and leadership in peace-related, political, development and economic decision-making at the international level, but we must do more to create opportunities, particularly for women and other marginalized groups, at regional, national and local levels. In order to set out a transformative agenda on women, peace and security for the years ahead, we must fully grasp the opportunities that the high-level review and global study of resolution 1325 (2000) present. On Wednesday, Ireland launched its second national action plan on the resolution, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and participation in decision-making in conflict and post-conflict situations and ensuring that a gender perspective is incorporated into all aspects of Ireland’s foreign-policy engagement, through a whole-of-Government approach. The third aspect I want to highlight today is the correlation between severe human-rights violations and threats to international peace and security. The Secretary-General’s Rights Up Front action plan portrays with great clarity what is at stake in situations of massive violations of human rights. With its key mechanisms of the regional quarterly review and a Senior Action Group now established, we encourage the United Nations system to build on those efforts to ensure swift and timely responses to early-warning signs of conflict. As has already been said many times today, 2015 is a crucial year for the United Nations system. In shaping a more effective and impactful United Nations, we must seize the opportunities presented by the post-2015 development framework, the reviews of United Nations peace operations and peacebuilding architecture, and the high-level review of resolution 1325 (2000). Ireland joins many others here today in calling for positive synergies with these initiatives and looks forward to actively contributing to them.

I now give the floor to the representative of Slovenia.

Allow me to start by thanking Chile for its initiative to convene this meeting at a time when the United Nations will undertake several important review processes and as we negotiate the post-2015 development agenda. I also express my great appreciation to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Antonio Patriota; and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their comprehensive statements. Slovenia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. We would like to recall the requirements for sustainable peace and the notion that the best way to prevent conflicts remains supporting democratic governance, respect for human rights and economic development. I also wish to say that Slovenia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Austria on behalf of the members of the Human Security Network. I would like to make some additional remarks in my national capacity. The interconnectedness of peace, good governance, the rule of law and sustainable development is not a new subject. Addressing all of these issues may not fall fully under the responsibility of Security Council, but the results of failing to address them can be seen across the agenda of the Council. We believe that a strong focus must be placed on addressing the socioeconomic inequalities that are major drivers of conflicts and organized crime, generally rising from and nourishing political exclusion, human rights violations, injustice and a culture of violence. These are all universal challenges that require joint action. In order to effectively address key drivers of conflict, we also need strong institutions, especially in fragile States, and enhanced mutual trust through cooperation and dialogue. These are fundamental for realizing freedom from fear and violence, freedom from want and the freedom to live in dignity. Another key component of maintaining durable peace and achieving sustainable development is the rule of law. Justice and reconciliation must be among the main focuses and realizing these things by all means necessary, including through international courts and tribunals, should be a common endeavour for all countries. When discussing the interlinkages between development and peace and security, the third pillar of United Nations should not be left behind. Human rights violations hinder efforts to achieve peace and security and the subsequent development of the affected community, country or region. The international community has seen many times that a human rights situation can provide credible early-warning signs of underlying conflicts. Respect for human rights is therefore important not only for the prevention of conflicts, but also for durable peace and inclusive sustainable development. I wish to point out the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women for both inclusive development and durable peace and security. The equal participation of women in all spheres of life represents an advantage that will improve the lives of all, in all areas. Recovery and development in post-conflict areas are directly related to the issue of landmines and explosive remnants of war, which hinder post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction. This human security approach improves the daily lives of people, their well- being, personal security and environment. Addressing these issues also contributes to arms reduction. The Slovenia-based ITF Enhancing Human Security has broad and longstanding experience in managing projects clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war, assisting mine victims and providing capacity- building. Resolving conflicts and addressing their root causes and their possible spillover effects into other geographical areas will remain among the main challenges to international peace and security over the coming year. Conflict prevention is at the core of Slovenia’s foreign policy priorities and we pay particular attention to the use of mediation as part of a larger toolbox for preventing and resolving conflicts and achieving sustainable peace. In this context, we believe that no effort should be spared to strengthen conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes, including by enhancing United Nations mediation efforts and further promoting the use of mediation and capacity-building at the national, regional and international levels. In conclusion, the United Nations must remain the ultimate comprehensive framework for addressing the security-development nexus, and must turn challenges into opportunities. The more inclusive that process becomes, the more balanced and achievable will be the goals that we can realize.

I now give the floor to the Minister of State in Charge of Cooperation of Rwanda.

I would like to thank you, Sir, for having convened this important open debate and for the concise concept note shared with us to guide our discussions (S/2015/6, annex). The presence of Her Excellency Ms. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, is testament to the importance that Chile attaches to this topic. Since this is the first that Rwanda has taken the floor in the Council this month, I wish to congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month. We also express our congratulations to Chad for its excellent presidency during the month of December 2014. I also wish to join previous speakers in thanking Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Antonio Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee for their respective briefings. As outlined in the concept paper, development and peace are inseparably connected. Rwanda’s recent history has shown that those two notions have common prerequisites to occur and to be viable. The principles of equity, efficiency, transparency, civic engagement, security, inclusiveness and good governance all contribute to the creation of resilient and stable communities. They also promote accountable and transparent processes and institutions that are vital for sustainable peace and development. Regarding inclusive development, the subject of today’s discussion, Rwanda faced myriad challenges in the wake of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. These included the obligation to deal with the immediate aftermath of a devastating genocide, in which one Rwandan out of every seven had been killed in just 100 days. There was a need to establish a climate of peace and security for all, to build governance structures and to promote economic and social developmen. This process started in an extremely difficult environment and required all Rwandans to make considerable sacrifices to achieve successful and inclusive post- conflict recovery. From that experience, we have learned how inclusive decision-making has not only strengthened our governance structures, but also been essential in furthering reconciliation and promoting opportunities for positive change towards peace. In addition, the inclusion of all previously marginalized groups, such as women and young people, has been a cornerstone in our strategy to build consensus and reconciliation, which led Rwandans to a common and shared vision of a prosperous and peaceful country. We therefore bear witness to the importance of inclusiveness in harmonizing the competing interests and priorities of various segments of society, particularly in countries emerging from conflict. Due to our inclusive political process after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has experienced steady economic growth and a sharp reduction in poverty and inequality, mainly due to various Government results-oriented interventions, including the performance-based financing of health services, performance contracts between local authorities and the central Government, the introduction of universal health insurance, an increased share of Government expenditures in the health sector, the introduction of 12 years of basic education, an intensive family planning campaign and the promotion of gender quality. However, achieving gender inclusion and the participatory involvement of all segments of society is not simple, especially where social and ethnic divisions are deep-rooted. For us in Rwanda, this has required focused and strong leadership with a clear understanding of our history and a vision of where we wanted to be. It was simply not an easy task; it was not an easy process. We believe that Governments have a unique role to play in ensuring inclusiveness and remain critical actors in promoting collaboration with various stakeholders in efforts to resolve contentious issues in a constructive manner. In a conflict situation, we believe that the peace process and peace agreements can offer an opportunity to transform political settlements, including the early consideration and participation of previously marginalized groups. That is why all stakeholders in the peace process, including the Security Council and the Secretary-General through his good offices, should ensure that those processes are inclusive and that they incorporate broad sectors of society at varying levels of negotiation. That will allow for the greater likelihood of long-term peace and stability, which is the foundation of sustainable development. The lack of such competence would expose the whole process to greater risk of relapsing into conflict, as was the case in Iraq and Libya. In countries emerging from conflict, the role of the international community is critical in ensuring inclusivity. National Governments often require substantive support in strengthening their technical and institutional capacities to address the challenge of security and protection as well as to practice participative and accountable governance in support of conflict prevention. In that regard, the Peacebuilding Commission is well placed to offer such support. We hope that the upcoming review of the peacebuilding architecture will identify and disseminate best practices and models for inclusive development. Rwanda, of course, stands ready to work with other Member States in sharing its experience. Allow me to quote our President Paul Kagame, speaking at the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly in 25 September 2012: “When we see leaders work with the people in an inclusive manner; when development can proceed unhindered by conflict; when regional groupings take greater responsibility in tackling their own issues; and when international cooperation takes place in a spirit of true partnership, I believe that the results will speak for themselves” (A/67/PV.7, p. 2). With that said, Rwanda stands ready to work with other Member States in sharing its very humble experience.

I now give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Today, while the number and intensity of violent conflicts and asymmetrical threats around the globe is on the rise, budgetary and administrative constraints, coupled with increased divisions within the Council and the United Nations, impede the effectiveness of our response capabilities. Civilians are losing their lives on a daily basis in conflicts. Peacekeepers are operating in grave danger, as exemplified by the latest attack on United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali on Saturday. These are combined with the challenges of globalization, epidemics, terrorism, cybercrime and beyond. Rising xenophobia, discrimination, attacks on migrants, and intolerance risk threatening the very nature of peaceful societies. In those grave circumstances, a soul-searching on our approach to international peace and security is critical. In that respect, the various review processes this year on peace operations, peacebuilding and gender are very timely. We know that lasting peace and stability require addressing the root causes of problems. We know that our response should be comprehensive and multidimensional to address the interconnected nature of current global threats and to prevent a relapse into conflict. But do we have the time, will and resources to address today’s challenges while sustaining our interest in post-conflict countries? Does the current peacebuilding architecture provide a realistic and feasible response to conflict and post- conflict situations? Are exit strategies well tuned to prevent the recurrence of conflict? Those are all questions the review processes should address. One tool involves fostering coordination between different conflict-response tools. There is a need to build increased synergies among the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Support Office, the Peacebuilding Fund, the Security Council, the general United Nations membership, regional and subregional organizations and international agencies. We should build strong partnerships with civil society and the private sector. That way, the United Nations system can better respond to security and development challenges in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. Capacity-building, which lies at the heart of establishing peace, does not mean merely building institutions and enacting laws; it also means fostering a culture of democracy and development, in the spirit of national ownership, as the path to viable peace. Encouraging policies that lead to increased participation, inclusiveness and the economic empowerment of all segments of society  — including women, children, young people, older persons, minority groups and migrants — in peace and development processes is key. We have a shared responsibility to embark on a path to inclusive and shared prosperity in a peaceful and resilient world where human rights and the rule of law are upheld and no one is left behind. Inclusivity breeds resilient societies. Sustainable peace requires national dynamics that foster resilience. I would like to touch upon the importance of promoting tolerance and respect, while combating discrimination against various religious and ethnic groups, minorities and migrants in societies. Fostering the feeling that all segments of society are included in all political processes and economic development, enjoy their rights and are respected is a crucial step towards combating radicalization. The priorities stated in the synthesis report of the Secretary-General entitled “The road to dignity by 2030: ending poverty, transforming all lives and protecting the planet” (A/69/700)  — dignity, people, justice, partnership and prosperity — should guide our peace and development work ahead. There is need for a serious international debate about these matters to narrow the gaps between diverging views on issues such as stigmatization, stereotyping, intolerance, racism, discrimination and the freedoms of expression, religion and belief. The Alliance of Civilizations, launched by Turkey and Spain, provides a vital framework to overcome the artificial divides and build bridges across cultures and religions. A final issue is the importance of mediation. Mediation is not only a tool to bring warring parties to the table and sign peace agreements. Mediation has to do with fostering a culture of compromise, understanding and inclusivity. Building the mediation capacities of conflict countries is a cost-effective way to help them solve their issues through comprehensive and inclusive dialogue. The Group of Friends of Mediation, co-chaired by Finland and Turkey, strives to increase the role of mediation in the United Nations system, including promoting the proper funding of mediation activities and supporting national mediation capacities. Increased interaction with regional and subregional organizations in the area of mediation is another tool to foster inclusivity at all stages of the conflict cycle. In conclusion, I would like to mention the importance of building synergies between the post- 2015 development agenda and peacebuilding. An inclusive development agenda focused on combating discrimination and fostering empowerment for all segments of society, in a spirit of national ownership, will inevitably help to tackle the challenges faced by the United Nations peacebuilding architecture today. We support all efforts to that end.

I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Allow me first to express our sincere thanks to President Michelle Bachelet Jeria of Chile for presiding over today’s Security Council meeting. We also express appreciation for the initiative to hold this important meeting on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. Without any doubt, a close correlation exists between the pillars of development and of peace and security. So long as conflicts continue to pose major obstacles and there is no genuine, comprehensive development, it will be very difficult to maintain peace and security in States and communities. I also note that today’s discussion takes on added value given that it is happening concurrently with other important events. First, there is the launching of the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and the assessment of peacekeeping operations and special political missions by the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, both of which are among the most important tools of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security, including in countries emerging from conflict and in preventing the recurrence of violence. This year will also witness the convening of three important intergovernmental negotiations, the third International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held in July, the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, the first meeting of which was held today, and, finally, the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will address agreement on an international decision by December. Those three events form the framework of international cooperation in the coming 15 years; they will build on prior achievements, including the Millennium Development Goals, and adopt a totally new agenda on sustainable development. The high cost of conflict  — including material and resource losses and losses of human life, waves of refugees and displaced persons and the generation of heinous humanitarian situations — must prompt us to adopt a new form of preventive diplomacy aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict and preventing its emergence in the first place. Such efforts must be based on prevention. The most important pillars in that regard are promoting inclusive development on behalf of all of society, fostering the principles of democracy and the rule of law and eliminating poverty and marginalization, which are also among the root causes of many conflicts. Allow me to address some points in that context. First, in accordance with international instruments, as well as Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2171 (2014), States have the primary responsibility for preventing conflicts and protecting civilians. Egypt therefore underscores the need to respect national priorities as identified by national authorities and according to considerations of national sovereignty, with the participation of political parties and civilian society in drafting national strategies aimed at achieving comprehensive development and building peace, in order to guarantee national ownership of the strategies in a manner conducive to ensuring social stability and peace. Secondly, peace and sustainable development cannot be achieved without the participation of all sectors of society, particularly women and youth, not only in maintaining peace but also in institution-building, political transformation processes and the implementation of development strategies. In that context, I would emphasize the importance of progress in the implementation of Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 1325 (2000). Thirdly, the discussion on building inclusive societies would not be complete without discussing issues pertaining to immigrants, in particular youth, and the need for programmes and strategies to assist them in areas including providing education, work and training, so as to ensure their full integration within the social, cultural and economic fabric. That would enable them not only to positively contribute to the development of society, but also in becoming channels for communicating with their societies of origin. Fourthly, inclusive and comprehensive development is not only necessary in achieving stability and preventing the recurrence of violence, but it is also important in addressing cross-boundary security threats, which are considered to be among the major challenges to international peace and security. In that regard, I would like to point out the fact that poverty, marginalization and a lack of education and work opportunities, particularly among youth, as well as ongoing foreign occupation, widespread racism and the activities of organized crime figures, are among the major elements contributing to an environment conducive to extremism and terrorism, from which the world has been suffering, as recently witnessed. Finally, we cannot fully consider the idea of development without addressing the broader framework, both regionally and internationally. It is therefore important to support regional cooperation and development initiatives, including the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which serves as a continental work programme to promote good governance, eliminate poverty and achieve development in Africa. That programme is African-owned and aligned with strategies designed in Africa. We must establish the foundation for a new and more just world economic order, as well as reform the governance structures of the system to allow developing countries to draft economic policies. That must lead to achieving higher growth rates, increasing productivity, using modern technology and creating a balance between the use of natural resources and the requirements of sustainable development while preserving the environment. Those are all issues that must be discussed while drafting the post-2015 development agenda. The close correlation between the three pillars of the United Nations system  — peace and security, development and human rights — cannot be ignored. Given that each has its own specificities, they must be addressed individually. Furthermore, it is important to avoid burdening the Security Council with tasks lying outside its mandate according to the Charter of the United Nations. We would not like to end up with a Council that interferes with or affects the rules or mandates of other bodies. We hope that the Council’s initiative will not serve as a precedent leading to the weakening of other international organizations.

I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the delegation of Chile for taking the initiative to organize this debate on the maintenance of international peace and security, focusing on inclusive development. I also wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and this morning’s briefers: the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa. We also welcome the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3 earlier today. The Government of Somalia is keen to learn and to develop all strategies that will foster inclusive development in Somalia. Our country has entered a new era of pursuing peace, stability and prosperity for all Somalis. The Somali Government has built a foundation and laid down the necessary groundwork, not only for stabilizing the nation but also for ensuring reform. The New Deal Compact for Somalia has been a significant force for change. The Somali Government’s approach to support inclusive politics encompasses three strategic areas — State-building, constitution-making and preparing the nation for elections — while taking into consideration and encouraging the involvement of all groups, especially women, youth and minorities. The Compact goals have guided the Somali Federal Government, civil society and the international community in laying the necessary State-building blocks and developing a legal framework and governance structures. The Somali Government is restoring the provision of health-care services in areas liberated from extremist groups. The Government has also kick-started education campaigns to open schools to reduce the level of illiteracy, thereby enrolling an additional 78,000 children. As discourse on peacebuilding in Africa continues, it is important for policymakers to consider the plight of women on the continent, where they are a poorly represented majority that tends to suffer greatly in times of war. With an understanding of the devastating impact of Africa’s endemic conflicts on women, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000). Through this resolution, the Security Council, for the first time in history, acknowledged the plight of women living in African war zones, as well as the manner in which most peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts had excluded them. Another solution that the United Nations has implemented regarding the exclusion of women is the commissioning of a study that will look into the implementation of additional resolutions on women and security, including resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1960 (2010) and 2122 (2013). With this study, the United Nations will understand how well the resolutions are aiding women in conflict zones and the additional ways in which it can involve them in peacebuilding. The African Development Bank has commissioned a report — put together by a high-level panel chaired by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf — entitled Ending Conflict and Building Peace in Africa: A Call to Action. Youth unemployment and urbanization are reported as two of the main challenges that Africa will face and that will need to be addressed. Special focus should be placed on empowering women in peacebuilding and State-building processes at all levels. We strongly welcome the efforts by African leaders and scholars to try to find solutions to Africa’s chronic problems. There are certain issues that need to be considered. First, the rapid change that the continent is currently experiencing places Africa in a precarious position. Whereas population growth and economic progress are positive factors, they can increase the fragility of the continent if policymakers do not handle them properly. Managing the change that the continent is undergoing is the key to ensuring that Africa does not become fragile and that it continues to grow. Youth employment ensures that the millions of young people on the continent contribute to their nation’s growth and do not become disenfranchised. In that way, a potential problem becomes an advantage. This is especially the case for countries with ongoing conflicts, such as Somalia, Nigeria and Libya. In conclusion, over the past decade the Security Council has been of great assistance in Somalia’s steady progress towards peace, something that the Somali people deeply appreciate. In return, the country is working hard to become a strong member of the international community so that it may contribute positively to global development. As the country moves forward, it still faces numerous challenges, some of which can be solved through inclusive development. Indeed, the Federal Government of Somalia recognizes the need for inclusive politics, justice and economic progress if the country is to move forward. Inclusive development for a country such as Somalia will involve the implementation of projects on a grass-roots level so that they can involve average Somali people. In particular, special focus should be placed on empowering women in peacebuilding and State-building processes at all levels. The success of this new strategy would allow Somalia to emerge from the 24-year civil war a stronger nation than it had been before the conflict started.

I now give the floor to the representative of Peru.

Allow me congratulate you, Mr. President, on your initiative to convene this open debate, which gives us an opportunity to consider an issue of great importance: inclusive development and the maintenance of international peace and security. In that regard, we welcome the preparation of the concept note (S/2015/6, annex), which provides us the background information for participating in this debate. We also thank the Secreted-General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Nobel Peace laureate Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. The Charter of the United Nations puts the tasks of the Organization into three fundamental, interdependent and mutually reinforcing categories: ensuring international peace and security; achieving development, which we now understand as sustainable development; and promoting and protecting human rights. Many of today’s armed conflicts have deep- rooted structural causes, which in some cases have been developing over a long period of time. There is consensus among the international community on the urgent need to address the deep-seated causes of conflicts, including exclusion or discrimination on any grounds, which generates instability and can therefore become a factor for confrontation and violence. In these times of increasing demands for political and economic participation by groups that have been historically excluded in different societies, there is an urgent need to implement social and economic inclusion policies to reduce inequalities and disparities that generate dissatisfaction, as well as to create the conditions for inclusive development with equal opportunities. This is particularly important in societies that are ethnically and culturally diverse, where there is a greater risk of discrimination and exclusion. Cultural diversity at the national and international levels require governance structures that are based on recognizing our differences and the value of those differences. On the basis of that recognition, intercultural dialogue, inclusive development and strengthening social cohesion become possible. Given this scenario, social inclusion policies make it possible to build stable, fair and peaceful societies, help to promote the enjoyment of and respect for human rights, empower people by enabling their active participation in the political, social and cultural life of their country and, above all, they guarantee peace. Peru is committed to building inclusive societies. That is why my country promoted and facilitated General Assembly resolution 66/122, entitled “Promoting social integration through social inclusion”, which calls upon States to promote sustainable, inclusive and equitable development, and to implement social inclusion policies to combat inequality in our societies. We have also promoted the theme of social inclusion in the framework of the post-2015 agenda. Peru believes that combating economic inequality and social exclusion, promoting respect for the rule of law, ensuring the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all individuals, and safeguarding and promoting cultural diversity contribute to stability and social cohesion, which in turn promotes a climate of peace. This holistic view is reflected in the multidimensional mandates of many of the peacekeeping operations established by the Council. The work aimed at developing and restoring the rule of law occupies an increasingly important role in the mandate of those missions and promotes the missions’ working together with United Nations agencies directly involved in development work. The United Nations also supports the work of inclusive development and social inclusion during the peacebuilding process in post-conflict situations in order to break once and for all the cycle of conflict by directly attacking its root causes. In that regard, I would stress the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in providing support to States that have suffered from conflict, while always bearing in mind the interdependence of security, inclusive development and respect for human rights. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize Peru’s commitment to building inclusive societies, not only domestically, but also at the international level. My country will remain an active partner in building an international community that promotes equitable participation without any discrimination among all States and in which international relations are based on respect for national sovereignty, good faith, international cooperation, respect for the rule of law at the international level and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The existence of an inclusive international community will be the best guarantee for maintaining peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

My delegation wishes to join previous speakers in commending the Chilean presidency for organizing this important debate. We also wish also to thank the Secretary-General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and the President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa for their respective briefings. The interlinkages between inclusive development and security are evident in the work of the United Nations. It is widely recognized that peace, security and development are interconnected; indeed, the 2005 World Summit Outcome (resolution 60/1) underlined that security, development, and respect for human rights and the rule of law are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. We therefore cannot overstate the importance of taking into consideration inclusive development perspectives to the work of the Council in addressing the challenges relating to the maintenance of peace and security. In our view, inclusive development refers to development that observes democratic principles, respect for human rights and the imperative of equal opportunity and participation, as well as non-discrimination. It also recognizes the important role of women in all fields. As a country with a multiplicity of cultures, religions, ethnicities and languages, Indonesia strongly upholds the values of diversity, inclusion, tolerance and harmony. Equitable development, coupled with the locally and nationally owned peaceful settlement of disputes, has been among the major reasons behind Indonesia’s stability and progress. Today’s debate on the nexus between inclusive development and peace and security in the context of the responsibilities in situations within the purview of the Security Council provides a valuable opportunity to explore ways to mainstream inclusive development perspectives into the broad spectrum of the Council’s mandate and functions relating to peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and preventive diplomacy. I wish to highlight the following four points in that context. First, the integration of inclusive development perspectives into the overall work of the Council would contribute to common efforts to develop a robust and comprehensive framework of conflict prevention. We understand that the Council is not the appropriate United Nations organ to deal with the issue of development. However, we cannot disregard the significant impact of its decisions on the long-term development of countries, which is a fundamental element of any sustainable peace. The Security Council should therefore enhance its engagement and coordination and form synergies with the relevant United Nations agencies and international organizations responsible for security and development. Any measures taken by the Council should support or at least give consideration to inclusive development programmes carried out by United Nations agencies and relevant organizations in the framework of conflict prevention. Secondly, the Security Council should align its work with the overall endeavour of United Nations system entities to develop common peace and prosperity, beyond its engagement within the framework of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Council should be part of collective efforts to ensure that the United Nations can act as one across the security/development spectrum, and adopt a single approach across the multilateral system. Coherence is key to the overall effectiveness of the Organization. In this regard, we therefore believe that the Council should engage with and contribute to the ongoing process in the United Nations through the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, along with its relevant subsidiary agencies, to establish a global framework to implement an inclusive and comprehensive sustainable development agenda. Thirdly, the Security Council should, within its mandate, put the interlinkages between inclusive development and peace and security into operation in the field. The Council should make effective use of the relevant work, practices and doctrines developed within the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, as well as the lessons learned from the evolving work of the Peacebuilding Commission. All United Nations presences in countries where there is both a United Nations country team and a multidimensional peacekeeping operation or political mission should develop an integrated strategic framework to guide their work in promoting peace consolidation. In our strong view, however, they should respect and ensure the ownership and leadership of the host country in the development process, including in identifying priority areas. Fourthly, we should invest more in our joint efforts to address the root causes of conflict and instability in general, as well as in conflict resolution. Inclusive development to eliminate poverty, backwardness, injustice and marginalization, along with peaceful conflict prevention, should be the core. While there remains no single panacea to cure the variety of conflicts unfolding in the world today, it is, however, extremely important that there be a comprehensive approach that is well supported and sustained financially and politically, and fully conforms to the principles of justice, fairness and human rights, while upholding international law. In conclusion, Indonesia stands ready to continue its engagement in further elaborating the role and contribution of the Security Council to the promotion of inclusive development and conflict prevention.

I now give the floor to the representative of Georgia.

At the outset, I would like to join others in thanking the Chilean presidency for having brought this very important issue to our attention. I also thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Patriota; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee for their comprehensive briefings, which provided good food for thought for our discussions. We fully share the holistic vision of international security, as proposed by the Chilean presidency, in which the three pillars of the United Nations system  — peace and security, human rights and development  — are closely interlinked. Indeed, the main challenges to the legitimacy and stability of nation States and governance of their societies lie in socioeconomic, gender, ethnic, tribal, religious and ideological tensions, and addressing those challenges in a timely manner at the domestic level is paramount to preventing threats at the international level. The United Nations, as the flagship of the international community, should take a leading role in conflict prevention, assisting Member States in dealing with transnational challenges and negative foreign influences, which represent some of the major factors that fuel internal conflicts in many countries that no single nation could tackle on its own. Promoting stable societies in which there is no place for radicalization, violence and extremism; promoting universal respect for and compliance with the fundamental norms and principles of international law; and strengthening the rule of law at the national and international levels could provide a long-term strategic solution to these problems. As Georgia is a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional nation, inclusive development is especially crucial for my country, and my Government is committed to doing as much as humanly possible to prevent the marginalization of its communities on any grounds, be they racial, ethnic, social, gender, religious, cultural or economic. My country, having over 20 per cent of its territory under illegal foreign occupation, remains committed to a peaceful, pragmatic, flexible and constructive course of action with a view to strengthening the policy of engagement with the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, South Ossetia, and to providing a favourable environment for reconciliation and a comprehensive settlement. Engagement through cooperation, which is the State’s strategy with regard to the occupied territories, includes in particular the provision of health-care services to the residents of the occupied territories; the establishment of advanced mechanisms to receive and continue education in the rest of Georgia and abroad; the maintenance of effective instruments, such as the status-neutral travel document, for exercising the freedom of movement; and support for and facilitation of confidence-building measures and people-to- people contact through meetings among professional communities, the training of experts and teachers, study visits, including to foreign countries, the updating of archive documents, and the improvement of knowledge about cultural heritage areas. Cooperation, and in certain cases integration processes with international organizations play a special role in reconciliation and lasting conflict resolution. In this context, the European Union-Georgia Association Agreement and Association Agenda represent a special element. Georgia is seeking ways to share the benefits and opportunities resulting from the European Union-Georgia cooperation with the populations residing in the occupied regions. In this way, establishing open and human-centric policy is at the core of the peacebuilding process. In this context, one of the key directions of the work undertaken by the Government of Georgia has been to alleviate the consequences of the installation of barbed-wire fences and other physical barriers by the occupying forces in villages adjacent to the occupation line. Addressing the needs of the local population on both sides of the divide and improving the living conditions of communities that have been torn apart are important not only from a purely humanitarian view, but also from the human security and peacebuilding perspectives. On the subject of dividing lines and artificial barriers, I cannot fail to touch upon another important aspect, which is the negative foreign influence when addressing the challenges to efforts to achieve inclusive development. In today’s world, no single country can be considered in isolation from others. As I mentioned at the beginning of this statement, in too many instances transnational challenges and negative foreign influences are important factors in creating domestic tensions, often resulting in dividing lines such as those witnessed in Georgia and Ukraine. These dividing lines did not appear naturally as the result of the local socioeconomic situation or cultural fabric; rather, they were artifically established through outside involvement, such as foreign occupation and the annexation of territories. Last year was especially dreadful for our region. Following the annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea, today Russia is taking further steps towards the annexation of Georgia’s occupied territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia. The so-called treaties on alliance and strategic partnership or integration signed with the de facto authorities in Abkhazia and being prepared for signature shortly with the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia are clearly directed against Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as they envisage further integration of the occupied regions into the Russian Federation in all spheres. The direst effects of these so-called treaties will include the reinforcement of the occupation line, which will undermine person-to-person contact and freedom of movement and, consequenrly, confidence-building between the communities. It will also seriously affect the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees by placing a permanent obstacle to the implementation of their right to safe and dignified return. All this will seriously undermine the efforts aimed at ensuring inclusive development. Having suffered enough from this plague, and while dealing with the negative impacts of foreign occupation, my country firmly believes that the path to a peaceful and secure future will be through good governance and the resilience of inclusive political, economic and legal institutions. Armed conflict, by destroying the political, social, economic and cultural fabric of societies, seriously undermines development and is perhaps its greatest obstacle. In conclusion, therefore, I wish to fully subscribe to the statement contained in the concept paper to this discussion (S/2015/6, annex) and to mention again that Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the head of the delegation of the European Union.

I now give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

I would like to thank Chile for organizing this open debate of the Security Council on a topic of great importance and timeliness, especially given the fact that 2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the international community is preparing the post-2015 development agenda. A holistic approach to addressing peace and security, development and human rights issue is particularly necessary because we live in an increasingly globalized world characterized by the interdependence of States and societies that influence one another in the political, economic and security spheres, among others, thereby requiring coherent and coordinated efforts on the part of the international community. The achievement of the development goals can be achieved only in the framework of stable and peaceful societies that respect human rights. Morocco remains convinced that the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development are closely linked and mutually beneficial. The stability development of States and their respect for human rights are indivisible, for without peace there can be no development, and that without development lasting peace remains an elusive, if not impossible goal. The active participation of all citizens in their society, the fight against discrimination and inequality, and the promotion democratic and legal practices and rules remain essential elements in achieving sustainable development. Notably, the enjoyment of human rights, and in particular the right to development, and to live in peaceful conditions require the empowerment of all people through inclusive growth that creates decent jobs and social policies that guarantee human dignity to the entire population, shielded from poverty and want. Unquestionably, countries affected by conflict achieve the least amount of progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed development goals. Nowadays, most conflicts erupt within States. Exclusion, political or economic marginalization and a lack of effective mechanisms that promote and protect human rights are factors that favour political instability within States and threaten regional and international peace and security. For poor countries and those emerging from conflict, international cooperation remains vital. It is essential that international cooperation seek to help these countries in rebuilding their economies and in strengthening their human and institutional capacities in order to address the economic and social causes of conflicts. Strong national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights are of critical importance to complementing development strategies at national and local levels. Development and good governance at the local level, guaranteeing the adequate participation of the population, allow us to better target the poor and the underprivileged. Local development policies also promote the better use of resources and accountability. Youth unemployment is often cited as a potential risk that may lead to insecurity and instability. Having a job does not only mean the availability of income, but also implies above all respect for the dignity of the individual, reinforcing social cohesion. For these reasons, we believe that the creation of jobs and the delivery of effective responses to the needs of young people should be the focus of any future development programme. The Kingdom of Morocco also recognizes the need for equal rights and opportunities for women and men in political and economic decision-making, and for empowering women in all spheres of society in order to unleash their potential as agents of change and drivers of sustainable development. Today, terrorism is a constant and major threat not only to stability and security within States, but also to peace and regional and international security. Morocco advocates an integrated approach to fighting terrorism, based on the consistent complementarity of three pillars: strengthened security governance; the fight against poverty, exclusion and social inequality; and the promotion of the values of religious tolerance. Morocco remains convinced that the security approach, which is an essential element in the fight against terrorism, cannot alone effectively address the rise of extremism, terrorism and obscurantism. It must be reinforced with economic and social inclusion and appropriate religious and secular education. Regional and international cooperation at all levels is also of crucial importance both to effective action against terrorism and to addressing its root causes. Development and human rights can be successful only if they are supported by international governance that is also equitable, is in the best interests of developing countries and respects their political and economic choices, as long as those choices are made in the best interest of their populations and are based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. International cooperation and solidarity and the coordination of States’ efforts are crucial elements for achieving development, peace and security goals around the world. In the address delivered on his behalf to the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session, His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco stated that: “The world stands at a crossroads today. Either the international community supports developing countries in their quest to achieve progress and ensure security and stability, or we shall all face the consequences of more conflicts and greater fanaticism, violence and terrorism — all of which feed on feelings of injustice and exclusion — and no part of the world will be safe.” (A/69/PV.11, p. 26) Cooperation and understanding between countries at the regional level is therefore a powerful tool for combining efforts in order to best respond to the challenges of regional development, peace and security. Regional cooperation plays a crucial role in policy coordination, whether at the political, economic, security or other levels, with the goal of achieving better results in terms of economic and social development and shared prosperity, the promotion of peaceful relations between countries and the fight against threats to peace and security, especially the threat of terrorism. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the importance of a comprehensive and coherent approach to achieving the Organization’s objectives for peace and security, development and human rights while placing human beings at the heart of its concerns.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today’s debate. I also congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency for the month of January. As we usher in 2015, inclusive development is a very timely theme for a Security Council open debate. Conflicts around the world show that peace and security are fragile without an inclusive process in the political, economic and social realms. Indeed, discrimination and marginalization often provide space for violent extremism, which is increasingly transboundary in nature. While serving on the Security Council over the past two years, the Republic of Korea supported the prioritization of inclusivity for peace and prosperity. The outcome was not always rewarding, however. Sometimes, reiterated calls sounded like hollow words in the face of harsh realities. Sovereignty and territorial integrity were not always properly invoked for their genuine raison d’être. Political considerations sometimes stood in the way of finding reasonable solutions. In countries in conflict, more often than not, national stakeholders’ priorities do not necessarily overlap with those of the international community. Therefore, an important prerequisite is to foster national unity. If national stakeholders are fragmented and even hostile to each other, international support will also be fragmented and remain counterproductive. That is where the role of national leadership becomes indispensable. Exercising leadership with a view to reconciliation and social cohesion is often a task that requires self- sacrifice. Sharing limited resources with former enemies requires courage and vision. That is a sine qua non, however, for making progress and leaving conflicts behind. The international community cannot replace those who must play that role, but it can provide assistance so that political, economic and social inclusiveness are integrated into the entire process of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. In that regard, the horizon-scanning mechanism can be utilized to help the Security Council and the international community remain alert to early warning signs requiring rapid responses. At the same time, the importance of regional entities’ proactive engagement cannot be overemphasized. Their voices can be better heard, mitigating concerns over domestic affairs. The United Nations system and the donor community may review a strategy to provide more sustained and predictable support for more inclusive societies. In that context, we believe that the concept of inclusive societies should be included in the post-2015 development agenda. The Republic of Korea attaches importance to socioeconomic inclusivity in assisting other countries’ capacity-building. We have been providing integrated assistance to post-conflict countries in the areas of security, development, women’s empowerment and maternal and child health. In conclusion, we would like to stress the importance of close cooperation between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council. Inclusive development for conflict prevention is the area where both organs’ stakes overlap. We will continue to play a constructive role in that process moving forward.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Cuba welcomes Chile’s presidency of the Security Council as a friendly Latin American country and would like to recognize the importance of this open debate convened by your country, Sir. We also welcome the presence among us of President Michelle Bachelet to preside over the work of the Council. She is without a doubt committed to the objectives and cause of the United Nations. International peace and security are not viable without sustainable, equitable and inclusive development that benefits all peoples. The purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in international law are violated when certain States resort to the use and threat of use of force and serious actions against the sovereignty of other nations, including the application of coercive unilateral measures. Member States agreed in the Millennium Declaration (General Assembly resolution 55/2) that freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility were essential values that should guide international relations in the twenty-first century. Those values are negated by the selfishness and brutality of the capitalist neoliberal globalization that has been imposed on international economic, commercial and financial relations. The establishment of a new international order that is truly just, democratic and equitable remains a chimera. The Council must be democratized through a radical reform, but that has yet to occur. We need a United Nations that is more democratic and effective, with bodies that implement their respective mandates, having at its centre a revitalized and strengthened General Assembly that fully exercises the powers that fall to it under the Charter. The world has the resources necessary to eradicate poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and many of the diseases that still decimate entire populations in many countries. What is required is the political will to implement the necessary changes to the current international system, which is steering humanity towards self-destruction. Promoting and maintaining international peace and security will entail addressing the causes of poverty and inequality. We cannot eliminate the conflicts in the world if we do not eradicate the root causes that motivate and fuel them. Human history corroborates the theory that the eradication of hunger, disease and poverty require forms of cooperation that show solidarity and fairness and do not involve a resort to arms. The arms race eats up many of the resources that could be allocated to economic growth and social well-being. World military expenditure totalled $1.756 trillion in 2012, that is, 2.5 per cent of the global gross domestic product. It is essential that concrete international measures be taken to redirect the resources allocated to the military towards activities that bring about development. In 2014, global expenditure on armaments was 340 times higher than the biennial budget of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. With the resources allocated to armaments, we could have achieved many of the modest goals set by the Millennium Development Goals, which, unfortunately, will not be achieved. For the cost of a nuclear weapon, medical attention could be provided to tens of thousands of people. Cuba supports the total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, which threaten to exterminate humanity. Current stockpiles of resources, which lead only to hardship and death, could be better allocated to the full realization of the right to development. The Charter of the United Nations established the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly as the principal organs with mandates in the area of economic and social development. The work of these bodies should be strengthened. This year the work of the Assembly will be particularly important in the context of the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. This agenda should be established on the basis of solid precepts, with full respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter, ensuring sustained economic growth and sustainable development, with no exceptions. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should form the cornerstone of our efforts to achieve sustainable, equitable and inclusive development. Peace, security and the exercise of the self- determination of our peoples promote the conditions that allow for the achievement of sustainable development, with inclusion, equity and social justice. The greatest contribution that the Security Council can make to the strengthening of inclusive development is that of exercising its obligation to serve as an impregnable bulwark against foreign occupation, aggression and wars of conquest, acting instead as a true beacon in support of the sovereignty of States, large and small, thereby ensuring full respect for international law and the enjoyment of the right to peace or all. The Latin America and Caribbean region is at the vanguard of the promotion of peace and the peaceful resolution of disputes, having formally declared itself a zone of peace at the second summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States last year. That demonstrates the spirit of integration of our region, which continues to seek to banish forever the threat or use of force as a means of resolving conflicts; social inequality; poverty; illiteracy; and lack of free and universal access to basic services such as health and education. It is a region in which priority is given to solidarity and cooperation among our peoples for prosperity and in which human rights for all are promoted and protected, including the right to development and to full freedom and dignity for its citizens. Cuba will continue to contribute, with its modest resources, to the well-being of the people, especially through supporting the neediest. Cuba remains committed to supporting international cooperation so as to achieve sustainable development with inclusion and social justice. We will also forever be committed to the defence of peace and international security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

Mr. President, I wish to thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Kenyan delegation. We wish first to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. My delegation expresses profound appreciation to the Republic of Chile for organizing this important open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security, in connection with the agenda item on the maintenance of international peace and security. We wish also to express our appreciation for the concept note on the subject (S/2015/6, annex), the statements of the Secretary-General and the Nobel Laureate, and the statement made by Ambassador De Aguiar Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. These made a significant contribution to this debate, and we thank them for that. We recognize that ensuring international peace and security remains a daunting challenge that is still elusive despite the efforts made by the Council over the almost 70 years of the existence of the United Nations. In fact, we are witnessing emerging new and complex security challenges such as radicalization, violent extremism and foreign terrorist fighters. These emerging challenges continue to undermine our collective efforts to ensure international peace and security. However, it is our hope that with efforts such as today’s and a determined call to action, we shall realize peace, security and development dividends. In this regard, my delegation wishes to make the following seven points, which we believe are central to the maintenance of international peace and security. First, there can be no lasting peace without development. We see a close nexus between peace and security and sustainable development. Good governance and adherence to the rule of law also play an important role in this nexus. Here, the conclusion of the United Nations World Summit in September 2005, that there is no peace without development; there is no development without peace; there is no lasting peace and sustainable development without respect for human rights, is especially poignant today. Second, inclusiveness is key to peace and security, as it is to broad development. That is why this topic of inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security is so relevant and appropriate. As we approach the expiry dates of the Millennium Development Goals, in September, and as we design the post-2015 development agenda, capped with the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, we have a unique opportunity to write a new chapter in our collective history. We can end poverty and inequality and truly ensure inclusive development if we want. Undoubtedly, this will significantly contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. This is because disputes over resources and their exploitation are among the key causes of conflict and insecurity. Third, equality within nations is central to peacebuilding and development. Poverty and underdevelopment remain major causes of conflict in most parts of the world. That is amplified by inequality and the failure to genuinely consider and apply the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Therefore, peace, security and sustainable development will be achieved only when inequalities in all their forms and manifestations are eradicated, especially among Member States. Fourth, to establish sustainable peace in countries emerging from conflict, there is a need to ensure that there is no relapse into conflict. Therefore, the United Nations, and especially the Security Council, need to engage meaningfully throughout prevention and early warning, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and the maintenance of international peace and security. Underdevelopment, stagnation and poverty should be eradicated. The international community should assist post-conflict countries by focusing on both the root causes and the symptoms and addressing the fundamental socio-economic, cultural and political issues. Post-conflict reconstruction and development should focus on peacebuilding, national reconciliation, inclusive political dialogue and the promotion of national cohesion and unity. Fifth, to address the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism, there is an urgent need to build and promote stable and peaceful societies by taking decisive measures to end poverty, inequality and marginalization, as poverty is both a cause and consequence of terrorism and violent extremism. Poverty engenders inequality, which in turn undermines efforts aimed at creating peaceful and non-violent societies. To create societies that are resilient to terrorism and violent extremism, the post-2015 development agenda must address widespread poverty, inequality, exclusion and weak governance institutions. Sixth, Africa continues to partner with the United Nations, other continental and regional intergovernmental organizations, multinational organizations and other stakeholders to strengthen the rule of law, institutions of governance, human rights and economic development. While we stress that the responsibility for conflict prevention and mitigation lies with each State, transnational drivers of conflicts must collectively be addressed by the international community. We believe that, by strengthening our institutions of governance, we will not only enhance inclusive governance, but also promote economic and social inclusion and development. To a great extent, that will help fight all forms of exclusion and inequality and forge unity and diversity at the local, national and regional levels. Seventh, in conclusion, I wish to reiterate that my delegation firmly believes that peace and security are important prerequisites for the attainment of sustainable development. Kenya remains committed to the realization of peace and security, not only in Africa but globally, through the promotion of democratic practices, good governance, the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Conflict prevention, early warning and peacebuilding are important components in that regard. Kenya is greatly honoured  — through its Permanent Representative, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, together with Ambassador David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland — to co-facilitate the intergovernmental negotiations on the post- 2015 development agenda. We want to assure you, Mr. President, and all delegations of our full commitment to work with other delegations to formulate a post-2015 development agenda that ensures the future we all want, which is a just and equitable economic order free from poverty, exclusion and human suffering.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

I congratulate Chile and President Bachelet on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month and for having proposed for this debate a matter of great importance. I also thank President Bachelet for her presence here today, her leadership and her commitment to the work of the Organization. (spoke in English) I also thank the Secretary-General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission and Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their briefings. During its latest presidency of the Council, in February 2011, Brazil proposed the interdependence between security and development as the subject of an open debate (see S/PV.6479). The discussion proved fruitful and was later synthesized in presidential statement S/PRST/2011/4. We are glad that the Chilean presidency of the Council as provided an opportunity to take another look at this topic, especially the issue of inclusive development for the maintenance of peace and security. In recent years, the debate about the interdependence between peace and security and development gained momentum with the creation of the peacebuilding architecture in 2005. Let us not forget, however, that the Charter of the United Nations incorporated this notion under Article 55, on international economic and social cooperation. Development and security are closely interconnected, mutually reinforcing and central to the achievement of lasting peace. We remain convinced that purely military or security strategies are not by themselves able to resolve most of the world’s contemporary conflicts. The present debate is important because the promotion of sustainable peace requires a comprehensive approach to security. In South America, we have been making strides in combating poverty and achieving the social and economic inclusion of millions of our citizens. As an example of peaceful and inclusive development, South America illustrates the benefits for societies of democratic governance and economic strategies that promote social justice. More broadly, Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world where inequality consistently decreased during and since the latest global economic crisis. In analysing this trend, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean recognized the positive role of the State as an inducer of development and inclusion. According to the United Nations Development Programme, development can be inclusive and reduce poverty if all groups of people in a society contribute to creating opportunities, share the benefits of development and participate in decision-making. Inclusive development should be participatory, non-discriminatory and accountable. Most of all, it should tackle inequality. Policymakers should never neglect those who suffer from social exclusion the most, such as migrants, displaced people, women and children, ethnic and religious minorities, the elderly, persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. There is also a need for a comprehensive approach to reducing the multiple forms of inequality, addressing their social, economic and institutional drivers and focusing on pockets of poverty and exclusion in many countries, including developed ones. We must be careful to avoid the misconception that a lack of security exists only where there is a lack of development. We should clearly reject any notion that poverty itself can be a threat to peace. The historical fact remains that a greater number of serious threats to world peace originate in highly militarized and comparatively prosperous societies. It is important that we ask ourselves whether exclusion itself is a greater source of instability than, for instance, militarism or the unilateral use of force. The Council should also be mindful of its responsibilities towards global security and avoid tacitly following an agenda that focuses almost exclusively on conflicts in the developing world. Brazil believes that peace, development and human rights cannot be disassociated. Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a shared understanding that peacekeeping and the promotion of long-term socioeconomic policies should be combined in order to tackle the underlying causes of conflict. The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), which Brazil had the honour to chair last year, is particularly well-positioned to assist the Security Council on issues relating to the promotion of inclusive socioeconomic development, notably as a tool to prevent the relapse of countries emerging from conflict. The importance and the benefit of integrating development into security strategies for sustainable peace is clearly perceptible in the cases of Haiti and Guinea-Bissau. Since the beginning of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, with the decisive support of Chile and our Latin American and Caribbean partners, among others, Brazil has defended mandates that encompass reconstruction and peacebuilding in tandem with peacekeeping actions. Another country where the linkage between security and development is evident is Guinea-Bissau, a fellow Lusophone nation that has suffered from political instability and successfully organized general elections last year. As chair of the PBC’s Guinea-Bissau configuration, Brazil hopes to count on the support of the international community in assisting Guinea-Bissau in paving the way to sustainable development. We would like to underscore the strategic importance of education for sustainable development and inclusive economic growth, as well as the fundamental need to make progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women as agents of peace. Safeguarding cultural rights for all and promoting a culture of peace and reconciliation are equally key. For the past two decades, Brazil has made social and economic inclusion one of its top priorities. Inclusive development strengthens a country’s commitment to peace and stability. We should not lose sight of the fact that worldwide conditions for peace and development should be enhanced through improved multilateral cooperation based on international law.

I now give the floor to the representative of Paraguay.

On behalf of the delegation of Paraguay, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on Chile’s presidency of the Security Council for this month, and to thank you for inviting the entire membership to this open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. This theme, which is of itself important and relevant, becomes even more so in the context of the post-2015 development agenda now being formulated at the United Nations. I would also like to express special thanks to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Antonio de Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for their briefings to the Council this morning. The Republic of Paraguay takes a holistic view of international peace and security and its relation to inclusive development. Protecting people is the foundation of security, an issue that must be guaranteed by the rule of law. My Government believes that, in order to ensure the full enjoyment of basic rights, and with that international peace and security, States must adopt public policies that ensure sustainable and inclusive development for all, without discrimination. The United Nations should also ensure that the post- 2015 development agenda is an ambitious plan and that its principal bodies integrate their action into that vision. Security should be a commitment on the part of each and every State through a structure designed to enhance democratic institutions in States, based on the mandates of international instruments. In that regard, democracy should continue to be a fundamental pillar, because while without it there may be economic growth, the same cannot be said for viable social or economic development. Paraguay attaches great importance to the work of regional organizations in that task. Democracy, the rule of law and social inclusion are also being worked on in the inter-American system. At the fourty-fourth general session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in June, the Asunción Declaration reaffirmed our commitment to international instruments that promote, protect and observe human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. The Declaration affirms that, while we still have challenges in terms of poverty and extreme poverty, education and inclusive and high-quality health care, among other factors, we must intensify our efforts to overcome those conditions and avoid their consequences. Finally, the importance of the relationship between inclusion and situations that pose a threat to international peace and security is clear. We therefore believe we should be more ambitious and forceful in promoting gender equality, equal opportunity and universal access to social protection services, with particular emphasis on vulnerable and marginalized groups, so that all the benefits of sustainable development reach all sectors of our societies, while building institutions and democratic governance. The Security Council should therefore incorporate this approach decisively in all its debates and decisions.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Netherlands.

I would like to thank Chile for putting this important topic on the Council’s agenda, and for organizing this debate so appropriately on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. I align my statement with that made earlier today on behalf of the European Union. In view of the time constraints, I will read out a shortened version of my statement, the full text of which will be available via my Twitter account. The Netherlands commends Ms. Leymah Gbowee on her introduction this morning and on the outstanding work she has done in Liberia, where she focused on including women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts. Including women in such efforts is crucially important to attaining sustainable peace and is a key priority of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. To underscore that, on 18 February we will host a conference in the Netherlands on resolution 1325 (2000), and tomorrow, at 3 p.m., we will host a side event on the subject here at the United Nations, which my Minister will attend. The prevention of conflict is a crucial aspect of the Council’s mandate to address threats to international peace and security, and for prevention we need early warning. The “Human Rights Up Front” approach, initiated by the United Nations, therefore deserves our full support. In that context, I would like to highlight one specific aspect: the prevention of mass atrocity crimes. We commend the excellent new Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes, prepared by the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect. It is also an extremely useful tool for conflict prevention. The Security Council has the important task of sending out this type of early- warning signals, assessing whether they constitute a risk to international peace and security and taking political or other action if that is necessary. But more structural prevention of conflicts remains our biggest challenge, and that brings me to the connection between development and the prevention of conflict. The Kingdom of the Netherlands believes that ensuring stable societies is the best way to guarantee the prevention of internal conflict. That means that inclusion and social cohesion should be guiding principles for development strategies. For economic growth to benefit the poor, it must be inclusive, and therefore together we must make the post-2015 development agenda as inclusive as possible. We believe it can contribute to inclusive development by incorporating the following concepts. First, it should be universal, for all people in all countries, including my own. Secondly, it should be multidimensional and address the social, environmental, economic and peace- and governance-related aspects of development and inequality. Thirdly, it should be a multi-actor agenda that includes all the relevant stakeholders. And, fourthly, it should be based on our common values, such as inclusiveness, human rights and equality. If we can achieve that, it will be the best basis for structurally addressing and preventing conflicts. We can also see specific responsibilities for United Nations States members. They can actively contribute to inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security while working closely with the United Nations and taking practical steps in their national policies. For example, they could work more intensively with the Department of Political Affairs on mediation, conflict prevention and inclusive political processes. My country has done so in Yemen, for instance. They could also work more intensively with the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Reconstruction of the United Nations Development Programme in support of efforts in Tunisia and Iraq. Member States can also take initiatives on a national basis. In the Netherlands we have put significant effort into creating processes for including all the relevant actors in countries affected by conflict. We have tried to do so, for instance, in Syria and Mali. A final thought is that when preventing or addressing conflicts, Member States should combine diplomacy with defence and development. It should be a comprehensive approach, which we call the 3-D approach. In conclusion, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a partner for peace, justice and development. We are therefore committed to promoting inclusive stable societies. We support the efforts of the United Nations and work bilaterally to prevent conflicts and as a partner for countries affected by conflicts. Without the inclusion of all of the groups comprising a society, there can be no real peace, justice or sustainable development.

I now give the floor to the representative of Montenegro.

I now give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

First of all, I would like to thank Chile, as President of the Security Council, for having convened this important debate and preparing an excellent, thought-provoking concept note (S/2015/6, annex). Croatia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I will make some additional remarks in my national capacity. In his recent remarks to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General called 2014 a “difficult year”, a year that “presented serious challenges to diplomacy and, indeed, our common humanity, as conflicts raged and extremism rose”. It has unquestionably been another bad year for international peace and security, and we can only hope that 2015 will be less disheartening. However, that might prove to be only wishful thinking, since there is little ground for optimism. According to some studies, at the beginning of 2015 there are around 65 countries involved in some form of armed conflict. The number of militias, paramilitary and guerrilla groups throughout the world exceeds 600. The prospects that these numbers will decrease in the course of the year are slim, to say the least. It is self-evident that one of the major challenges for the international community is restoring peace and preventing future conflicts. This cannot be done through the military peacemaking and peacekeeping means only; we also need to address all the causes leading to violent conflicts, direct and indirect alike. Poverty, inequality and the marginalization and exclusion of groups of people from economic, social and political life on the basis of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or religion can lead to a violent conflict. Therefore, one of our guiding principles in preventing or solving conflicts must be political, social and economic inclusion. That is why we believe that today’s debate focusing on the nexus between inclusive development and peace and security is very timely. Good governance, democracy and the rule law are key to peace and development. We firmly believe that development, security and human rights go hand in hand and must be addressed in a holistic manner. Croatia has therefore strongly supported a transformative shift in development that would leave no one behind, as was proposed in the Secretary-General’s report on the post- 2015 sustainable development agenda (A/69/700). We consider the inclusion of human rights, social equality and women’s empowerment as key building blocks of sustained prosperity for everyone. Tackling gender inequalities and removing obstacles that prevent women and girls from exercising their rights and empowering themselves must be at the heart of our efforts to create sustainable, prosperous and resilient societies. To contribute to that goal, during the ministerial weeks of the sixty-eighth and sixty-ninth sessions of the General Assembly, Croatia organized two high-level events devoted to the political and economic empowerment of women in post-conflict situations. By addressing the needs of various groups in different communities, we can avert future conflicts that may arise. In that sense, sustainable development goals, the most important part of the United Nations agenda in 2015, are more than a blueprint for development and the provision of a decent life for many millions; they are also an investment in peace and a barrier against radicalism of all sorts. A holistic approach is essential, and the only way forward. But that is easier said than done. The field is a multilayered and excessively complex one, composed of social, religious, national, ethnic, gender and many other issues. Even if a single stone remains unturned, it could become a spark that could ignite the flames of war. Democratic elections, for example, if not conducted properly or based on questionable or incomplete voting lists and plagued with irregularities, could cause much more harm than good. Our policies for early detection, prevention and post-conflict development need to address all pivotal issues simultaneously, including inequalities, poverty, corruption, youth unemployment and weak institutions. That means that prevention and post-conflict recovery require collaborative efforts by a range of actors and that there is a need for a parallel focus on political, security and all development issues. National ownership and responsibility and the building of national capacities based on specific national needs must be at the heart of any peacebuilding effort. In that context, we believe that additional efforts should be made to strengthen relations between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, as well as with the Economic and Social Council, with a view to promoting an integrated approach to peace and development and achieving synergy between peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The year 2015 will be a pivotal one for the United Nations. A new sustainable development agenda will be adopted in September. The review processes on the peacebuilding architecture, peacekeeping operations and the progress made in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) are well under way. All those processes should be bold and ambitious in their recommendations and should establish strong linkages between peace, security, development and human rights. The means of implementation are as important as our determination to carry it forward. Maintaining peace and security through inclusive and sustainable development is not just a catchphrase from the United Nations vocabulary, but the only possible way.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cyprus.

On behalf of the Republic of Cyprus I, too, would like to commend and thank Chile for convening this important debate on inclusive development and its impact on the maintenance of international peace and security. Cyprus aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier today on behalf of the European Union. In addition, I would like to make some remarks in my national capacity. In adopting resolution 2171 (2014), the Security Council recognized the effectiveness of preventive action in maintaining international peace and security. The Republic of Cyprus believes that a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention requires awareness in tackling the root causes of conflict as well as the implementation of policies for sustainable peace. In order to build stable societies that live in peace and security, inclusive development is essential. We all recognize that development and peace are closely linked and mutually reinforcing. There cannot be peace without development, and in the absence of peace, no development can take place. That is why we believe that peace is the key prerequisite in the new post-2015 development agenda, so that it can be transformative and make a real change in the world for societies and people. The marginalization of communities or groups based on racial, ethnic, social, gender, religious, cultural and/ or economic grounds undoubtedly contributes to the destabilization of societies and underlies many conflicts today. Social, ethnic and religious divisions have been a critical factor leading to the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Central Africa and elsewhere. Marginalization gives rise to extremism, which in turn exacerbates existing conflict and risks leading to the radicalization of our youth. The recruitment efforts of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant provide an example of how non-governmental actors can exploit cultural and religious divisions to further conflicts. Inclusion and tolerance can combat such radicalization and mitigate the effect of existing conflict, in addition to preventing conflict in future. For those reasons, we agree with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement following the adoption of resolution 2178 (2014): “Over the longer term, the biggest threat to terrorists is not the power of missiles. It is the politics of inclusion” (S/PV.7272, p. 3). Exclusion, discrimination and deprivation are causes of poverty and inequality that threaten social cohesion. Meeting the imperatives of peace and security means reaching out to the most vulnerable, including women and girls, children and the elderly, people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons and indigenous and minority groups. An inclusive society should provide equal opportunity for every citizen, regardless of his or her background. Equal opportunity, tolerance and sound democratic governance best ensure peaceful coexistence and welfare. At the same time, strong and effective institutions that are transparent, corruption-free, accessible and accountable, and democratic forums for participation are necessary ingredients for inclusive and sustained economic growth and for peaceful and stable societies. The United Nations is a seminal factor in promoting inclusive development. The Security Council in particular has a unique opportunity to implement inclusive policies because its mandated peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations have a major role to play in rebuilding and developing societies in the wake of conflicts. Cyprus commends the Security Council’s efforts to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping operations, which is emblematic of inclusive policies. Similarly, an inclusive society is one in which women have equal participation at all levels, as their crucial role in the prevention and resolution in conflicts cannot be doubted. In conclusion, peace and security, respect for fundamental freedoms and combating discrimination and all forms of violence are critical conditions for development; but at the same time there are also developmental outcomes. Addressing the sources of conflict requires a multidimensional approach that must take into account the interrelated dimensions of development, human rights, peace and security and the rule of law. We firmly believe that 2015 will provide us with a unique opportunity to shape a more peaceful, just and prosperous world that will leave no one behind.

I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia.

Armenia welcomes and thanks the Chilean presidency of the Security Council for initiating the present debate. We concur with your conclusion, Mr. President, that inclusive development manifestly embraces the three pillars of the United Nations system, namely, peace and security, development and human rights. We also view the significance of the issue very much in the context of the function of prevention. In that respect, the United Nations system and the relevant regional and subregional organizations indeed have an important role and a reasonable set of available tools and mechanisms to address prevention. However, it needs to be recalled time and again that the primary responsibility for preventing conflicts lies with nation States. To a considerable degree, the capacity of national Governments to deliver on their responsibility and to act in favour of the prevention of conflict lies in their consistent promotion of policies of inclusion. The two objectives intertwine. Therefore, we believe that consistent analysis and review of the conduct of inclusive policies by national Governments provides tangible benchmarks for assessing stability and detecting the warning signs that point to implications of failure. Over the years, the international community, in particular the United Nations, as well as relevant regional and subregional organizations, have developed a diverse set of tools for peer review, information gathering and analysis and the monitoring of situations. However, without undermining the progress made in that respect, we should admit to the lack of sufficient action in addressing policy failures at an early stage — and well before the international community faces a crisis situation. We fully share the President’s argument about situations of exclusion and discrimination as being the root causes of many conflicts. We view monitoring, detecting and resolutely acting on such situations as a function of early warning and preventive diplomacy. Striking a balance between detecting situations and acting upon them remains an ongoing challenge at both the national and international levels. The 1994 genocide in Rwanda is an extreme and poignant case in point. We recognize the conduct of inclusive policies for development as a complex issue in the overall conduct of national policies within boundaries, which relates directly to their institutional capacities as much as to the very nature of governance and the building of national institutions. Therefore, inclusive policies are a derivative of an inclusive Government. We strongly believe that Governments and national institutions that promote, follow and abide by the principles and norms of the rule of law, good governance, democracy, equality and human rights are adequately equipped to sustain stable societies. Sustained economic and social development, poverty eradication, combating corruption and other policies of equitable distribution of national wealth fundamentally reinforce the sustainability of stable societies. However, the effective pursuit of that set of objectives is attainable and tangible first within a framework of justice, political equality, democratic participation and inclusion. Strictly speaking, it cannot be assumed that development follows democracy, because the objectives are firmly interlinked and mutually reinforcing. However, the generation of wealth without its equitable distribution is idiosyncratic to societies with weak democratic institutions. It is a primary source of exclusion and injustice. We believe that the post-2015 development agenda and the formulation of the next generation of sustainable development goals should duly reflect such considerations, bearing in mind, among other things, the security aspect of inclusive development. Exclusion and discrimination, as the antithesis of inclusive and participatory governance, underlie the challenge to the legitimacy of sovereignty claims over populations and territories. Such policies of exclusion and discrimination have multiple forms of expression. They are particularly acute and prone to exploding into conflict situations where such policies are not merely condoned, but consistently upheld and promoted at the highest level of Government. Incitement to hatred, hate speech, xenophobia and other forms of fuelling discrimination are triggers to exclusion at all levels. We know of situations where such policies aim primarily at consolidating a dictatorial grip on power. There is legitimacy in resistance and self-defence when there is an existential threat to the physical security of populations at risk. History knows of examples of waiving the legitimacy claim of territorial integrity in favour of self-determination when there is a breakdown of political, moral or ethical commitment and capacity to safeguard populations from outright extermination and death. The claim of a conflict between those two norms of international law must therefore be consistently and carefully measured against every specific situation. The ultimate and most dehumanizing forms of exclusion and discrimination are genocide and other atrocity crimes. The Secretary-General has accurately defined the broad consensus among the international community and the community of genocide scholars, according to which genocide and other atrocity crimes are not spontaneous and isolated events; rather, they are processes with histories, precursors and triggering factors, which, combined, enable their commission. In that respect, we welcome and commend the recent Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes — a tool for prevention developed jointly by the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect. A careful study and analysis of the Framework and the set of risk factors therein reveals a strong, visible linkage between the consistent failures of inclusive policies, on the one hand, and the degeneration of situations to atrocity crimes, on the other. A weaknesses of State structures, including the lack of an independent and impartial judiciary, high levels of corruption, poor governance and the absence of accountability, as well as the lack of representative national civil society and a diverse and independent national media, as well as acts of incitement and hate propaganda, are examples of risk factors related directly to the failures of inclusive development. The Framework is therefore an indispensable tool in the analysis and assessment of inclusive policies, combined with the function of prevention. We encourage the Security Council to pay heed to the Framework in its analysis of specific situations.

I now give the floor to the representative of Viet Nam.

It is an honour for me to speak at this meeting of the Security Council on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Viet Nam. Allow me first to congratulate Chile on assuming the presidency of the Council for this month. We have full confidence in your stewardship, Mr. President. Please rest assured of Viet Nam’s support. We share the view expressed by many speakers today that inclusive development and international peace and security are intimately interlinked. They are two of the main pillars of the work of the United Nations, which are appropriately addressed by separate United Nations organs in accordance with their respective mandates. The active inclusion of all groups and stakeholders in a country’s political, social and economic life, while ensuring that all legitimate interests, voices and concerns are taken into account, will not only prevent marginalization and possible radicalization but will also promote stable and peaceful societies. That is true in times of peace, and even more so in times of challenges and crises and in any peacebuilding effort. Peace cannot be sustained in the absence of inclusive development. But peace is also a critical enabler for development, and indispensable to attaining sustainable development, as recognized in the Rio+20 outcome document (resolution 66/288, annex). The maintenance of peace and security within nations, as well as regionally and internationally, is a prerequisite for development. Viet Nam is a nation of 90 million people from 54 different ethnic groups and very diverse socioeconomic, historical and religious backgrounds, who have lived harmoniously and peacefully as one. Viet Nam understands and believes in the values of inclusion, equality, non-discrimination, conciliation and tolerance. Our national strategies and policies are based on those values, with special attention paid to poor people, ethnic minorities, women and children and people with disabilities, so that they can participate in and share the benefits of development. Thanks to those efforts, Viet Nam has been able to reduce poverty, maintain the country’s stability and continue along its development path. In our region, South-East Asia, which was once a battlefield, the 10 nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strive to unlock the potentials of each and all of us to narrow the development gap and reduce inequalities within and among our countries to pursue the goal of an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community. ASEAN works with all partners in the region and beyond in a common endeavour to maintain regional peace, stability and security to allow for our region’s robust economic performance and social progress. Lastly, inclusive development at the international level and equality among nations are equally important in the maintenance of international peace and security. Addressing the root causes of conflicts and crises must include promoting sustained economic growth, poverty eradication, sustainable development and the rule of law at the international level, including the peaceful settlement of disputes. That requires strengthened international cooperation and partnership and the creation of a favourable international environment for all nations to thrive, especially developing countries. At the same time, none of those things will be possible without international peace and security, the maintenance of which is the primary responsibility of the Security Council. Viet Nam continues to work closely with other Member States for inclusive and sustainable development for the maintenance of international peace and security.

I now give the floor to the representative of Greece.

At the outset, since this is the first time I have an opportunity, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the newly elected members of the Security Council — Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela — and to wish them every success. Furthermore, allow me to express our deep appreciation to Chile for taking the initiative to convene this pertinent and timely debate. I would also wish to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ambassador Patriota of Brazil and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee for their comprehensive briefings. Greece aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union, as well as with the statement delivered by the representative of Austria on behalf of the Human Security Network. I would also like to convey some additional points from a national standpoint. Recent events around the world are serve as a pointed reminder of the imperative of addressing the underlying and root causes of conflict by promoting sustainable development, inclusion, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights and inclusive political processes. It is undoubtedly well-established common knowledge that security and development are closely interrelated and mutually reinforcing in attaining sustainable peace. Furthermore, building sustainable peace is inescapably linked to inclusive development. On several occasions, the Security Council has underlined its readiness to strive for sustainable peace in all situations under its consideration. Sustainable peace requires that we ensure that no person is denied universal human rights and basic economic opportunities, while, at the same time, the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable are respected. The economic and political integration of marginalized populations is a determining factor for peace and security. Fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and fulfilled, including the freedoms of expression, association and the media, while democratic governance and the rule of law should prevail. Furthermore, Greece, being a member of the Human Security Network, believes that the human security approach can make a significant contribution to today’s discussions. When confronting the multiple vulnerabilities that affect different countries and communities, through its multidimensional and comprehensive vision, human security addresses those challenges through the elements of peace and security, development and human rights — the three interlinked pillars of the United Nations system. Inclusive development diminishes the risk of conflict and enables long-term stability and sustainable peace while ensuring equal opportunity and equitable access to basic services, which are indispensable for social development and inclusive societies. The United Nations is key in promoting inclusive development. The Security Council in particular has a unique opportunity to implement inclusive development policies through its peacekeeping operations, which play a major role in rebuilding and developing societies in the wake of conflict. Moreover, it should be noted that the security- development nexus is also relevant as we seek to address the very pertinent threat of terrorism. In that sense, we recognize that concrete progress in the areas of security, justice, human rights and the rule of law are critical both for tackling terrorism and for achieving sustainable development. Situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region that has witnessed great political turmoil in recent years, Greece is a strong advocate of inclusive and sustainable development as an enabler of long-term stability and sustainable peace. Therefore, we are strongly committed to continuing to promote the placement of peaceful societies at the centre of the post- 2015 development agenda.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cambodia.

At the outset, I would like to join previous speakers in congratulating the Republic of Chile and you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council this month and, more important, for organizing this important open debate on inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security. I would also like to thank His Excellency Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; His Excellency Mr. Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil and Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, for their briefings this morning. In many ways, the world in which we are living in is at a critical juncture, and the current picture is rather bleak. The international community remains seriously concerned about recent geopolitical security developments in many parts of the world. While we are accelerating our efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the existence of internal and external conflicts still cause disruption to our overall development. The respective attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Al-Qaida, Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, the murders of school children in Pakistan, the brutal attack by terrorists against the French magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris and the terrorist attacks in Nigeria have posed further challenges for the international community in maintaining its commitment. Therefore, the United Nations must become more relevant to address the increasing terrorism and extremism, which threaten peace and security. Cambodia would like to take this opportunity to reiterate its condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the recent terrorist attack against Charlie Hebdo. Cambodia will engage with the international community to fight all forms of terrorism. Many conflicts have arisen from disparity, including from socioeconomic and gender inequality and religious and ideological differences, which require us to further focus on finding a better and long-lasting solution. To secure equity and proportional distribution, the regional and international integration of post- conflict countries is important to ensure that they do not fall back into conflict. Peace can be fragile. It should therefore be sustained through long-term development, which includes the rule of law, human rights, democracy, national reconciliation, poverty eradication, gender equality, sustainable economic growth and development, justice and interreligious interfaith. At its core is the quest to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which range from alleviating extreme poverty to providing universal primary education. However, Cambodia believes that many developing countries did not attain their MDGs primarily due to unfulfilled commitments, lack of resources, insufficient dedication and food insecurity. The situation was further aggravated by financial uncertainty in the developed countries, which had an effect on their commitment to official development assistance. Therefore, bolder global efforts are needed, as we are approaching the deadline to realize the MDGs. Cambodia also attaches great importance to the promotion of equality and fundamental rights. In that regard, Cambodia welcomes the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which would give greater impetus to efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the post-2015 development agenda, and is prepared to join the high-level thematic debate on that topic, which will be convened by the President of the General Assembly in March 2015. On regional efforts, I wish to endorse the statement delivered by the representative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the General Assembly in December 2014, which laid out ASEAN’s long-standing vision to integrate our people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, languages, religions and cultures towards a common future of peace and prosperity while we strive to realize the goals of the ASEAN Community in 2015. My delegation also wishes to acknowledge the ASEAN commitment to working towards the Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 development agenda, as we believe that peace must go hand in hand with development. In the meantime, we are working to realize the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision, which was agreed upon at the 2014 ASEAN Summit.

I now give the floor to the representative of Nicaragua.

At the outset, allow me to welcome the presence here this morning of Her Excellency Ms. Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile. We congratulate her delegation on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council. We know that the leadership of the brotherly nation of Chile, a member of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, augurs well for the success of the Council’s work. We also welcome the presentations made by Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil, and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. We welcome the new Council members Angola, Spain, Malaysia, New Zealand and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Nicaragua aligns itself with the statement made by the Permanent Representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. This debate is taking place during a historic year for the United Nations, in which we will negotiate the post-2015 development agenda. That agenda should set us on a consensus-based path towards ending once and for all the scourges we face today, namely poverty, hunger, disease and climate change. In short, we need an agenda to save humankind from the many scourges we face. In this debate, it is important that we take as a starting point the functions, powers and responsibilities of each of the United Nations bodies and their respective mandates, in strict compliance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. When we speak of development in the Security Council, we cannot set precedents, and we must preserve and refrain from altering the major intergovernmental agreements that have been reached by consensus, including the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 66/288, annex) and the Sustainable Development Goals, which are the basis for the upcoming post-2015 development agenda we must approve. Our work on security matters must move towards a commitment to the promotion of human development, which must be understood as sustainable development. The complexity of peacekeeping operations entails a need for a focus that is different from the current one, in accordance with the needs of each State or region where peacekeeping forces are being deployed, and not attempts to implement a single policy for different situations. The full approval and involvement of the States concerned and respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity is crucial. We must also continue to strengthen the Peacebuilding Commission and achieve effective and efficient coordination between States, particularly in the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the high-level political forum on sustainable development. Development, peace and security are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. However, we must prioritize inclusive and sustainable development as essential requirements for ensuring security and stability. To contribute to peace and security, our efforts must focus on inclusive development that reinforces the commitment of all to eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development in which environmental, economic and social concerns are integrated in a balanced manner. For Nicaragua, the commitment to security includes a commitment to the promotion of human development, which must be understood as sustainable development. Such development is human-centred and implemented in an environment of good governance, with direct citizen participation and social equity. Those are elements necessary to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and, beyond them, the Sustainable Development Goals. The interplay between security and development must take into account the economic and social reality prevailing in conflict and post-conflict situations. That will help in the development of a strategy in which development programmes are the first instruments that we must consider and wield, before weapons for security. The order of priorities should often be reversed. It is sustainable development that will strengthen security and stability and therefore peace in the world. We have seen conflict situations in which the approach based purely on security considerations, undertaken in places where it is generally acknowledged that the problem is socioeconomic, has not yielded the desired results. On the other hand, it is enough to glance at the resources allocated to peacekeeping operations and those earmarked for development to realize that the difference between the two is both gaping and truly inexplicable. Therefore, an objective and realistic approach is to learn from past experiences and enable resources to be mobilized to confront and resolve the root causes of the problem. In so doing, it is essential that developed countries fulfil the commitments they have undertaken. Security is certainly required, but it is the security of decent work, food security, the security that comes with adequate housing, security for working families to live in dignity, the security of a life without poverty, and the security and resources to combat the trafficking in drugs and arms. If attention is not paid to such necessities for our peoples, or if it is not adequately paid, it will lead to citizen insecurity, violence and situations that could end up before the Security Council. We must take care to not place conditions on the sustainable development agenda by trying to impose concepts that undermine our peoples’ sovereignty. Such concepts have not been agreed at the intergovernmental level and thus violate the basic social, economic and environmental commitments that we need to address on a priority basis. In conclusion, we agree with the statement in the concept note (S/2015/6, annex) circulated by Chile, which states that numerous conflicts have their root causes in situations of exclusion or discrimination, including socioeconomic exclusion. Given those aspects, the answer must obviously not be military in character, but rather of assistance to development, without conditions of any kind, under strict respect for non-interference in the internal affairs of States.

I now give the floor to the representative of Azerbaijan.

I would like to thank the Chilean presidency of the Security Council for organizing this very important and timely meeting on the topic of the maintenance of international peace and security. I am also grateful to Ambassador Antonio Patriota, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ms. Leymah Gbowee for their insightful briefings. Peace and security have increasingly and invariably become a development issue. Conflicts bring about casualties whose consequences extend far beyond those killed and wounded. The cost of armed conflict and insecurity throughout the world is enormous, whether in terms of human suffering, loss of social capital or economically. Conflicts undermine the basic political, social and financial institutions required to maintain stability and promote inclusive development. It is important that the Council continue to promote peace, security and development as mutually reinforcing pillars. For other countries suffering from conflict and foreign occupation, drawing lessons from the work of the PBC, we strongly believe that conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding are dependent on a number of underlying principles. First, there can be no peace without justice. No peace settlement can be reached that is inconsistent with international law, particularly where pre-emptory norms are concerned, such as the prohibition of aggression, genocide and racial discrimination and the obligation to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. Secondly, the violation of the rights of civilians, in particular in connection with ethnic cleansing, has become a widespread problem in the context of armed conflicts. The need to develop tools for egregious violations of international law, including violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, the provision of effective and adequate reparation to victims and the need for institutional action to prevent recurrence of such violence are all necessary adjuncts to true conflict resolution. Thirdly, the fight against impunity for past crimes should be at the core of the peace and reconciliation agenda. Fourthly, the protracted displacement of populations as a result of aggression and foreign occupation is another obstacle to inclusive development. The impact of conflict on housing, land and property, as well as the violation of the principle of non-discrimination with regard to internally displaced persons and refugees, including forced demographic changes, require a more consistent approach in order to put an end to illegal practices and policies and to ensure a safe and dignified return of those displaced to their homes. It is important that the international community facilitate opportunities in order to ensure that the rights of forcibly displaced people are guaranteed and protected. Fifthly, in the case of foreign occupation, the exportation of natural resources and other illegal activities are pursued with the sole objective of consolidating military gains, preventing the expelled population to return to their homes and obstructing ongoing efforts aimed at achieving peace. It is crucial that the impact of natural resources on inter-State conflicts, particularly the illegal exportation of such resources by States in violation of international law, also receive the Council’s due consideration within its thematic work. We firmly believe that an effective peacebuilding process in the post-conflict context can take root and succeed if a genuine peace, based on the generally accepted norms and principles of international law, in particular those pertaining to respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of a State, are established on the ground.

I now give the floor to the representative of Benin.

At the outset, I would like to commend the choice of the extremely interesting theme of this Security Council debate, entitled “Maintenance of international peace and security: Inclusive development for the maintenance of peace and security”. This debate seems very timely, as we are entering the last stage of the negotiations that will lead to the adoption, in September 2015, of a post- 2015 development agenda. Today, the correlation between peace, security and development needs no further demonstration, because the events taking place throughout the world further demonstrate the intrinsic links between those three dimensions. My country, which hosted the Fourth International Conference on New or Restored Democracies, dealt with this issue within that framework. But the problem of exclusion as one of the major root causes of the rupture of national consensus on the social contract has not received the attention it deserves. The marginalization of important social groups, such as youth and women, or of certain regions for the benefit of urban areas or favouring those in power, even certain ethnic or religious minorities, constitutes a factor of delegitimization, not only of those who govern but also of the State infrastructure that tolerates and promotes the emergence of destablizing social divisions. The decline in ethics and the fight for access to natural resources promotes corruption and the diversion of public funds to personal use and deprives the State of the means to ensure vital public services. The worst of it is that such ill-gotten gains are used to buy public awareness in order to maintain a remuneration system that undermines national institutions and makes them even less capable of undertaking their statutory functions. Such evils are without doubt catalysts for potential conflicts, with devastating consequences. Not prosecuting financial crimes serves to promote a culture of impunity and lawlessness and favours the existence of tax havens and the practice of secret banking that makes it possible to off-shore illegally obtained gains and to provide the perpetrators of economic crimes a golden retirement abroad. Sometimes the State’s structural weakness has reached such a level that those persons suspected of financial crimes may also enjoy the benefits from that lapse and, despite everyone being aware of their crimes, they can enjoy an opulent lifestyle and the benefits of their crimes without any restrictions. The illicit amounts involved leaving Africa are incommensurate with the resources that come to the continent through legal means. Such situations, because of the crises we have seen in recent years, have on several continents led to revolts and civil wars that have undermined all the efforts made in the past and all the economic progress achieved over many years. The persistence of major socioeconomic inequality between and within States can fuel radicalization and, above all, promote asymmetrical conflicts. Radicalization is always possible when a certain level of tolerance for frustration is overstepped. Development is an issue for all social strata living within a given country, and all members of society need to be involved and to enjoy the benefits that their country provides. Development must be inclusive. Young people, women and minorities, who are often marginalized in some countries although they have immense potential to contribute to development, must be taken into account. Reforms promoting inclusive development and shared prosperity can help prevent war and ensure lasting peace. In that regard, the international community must be more focused on the structural dysfunctions within States, which, although they are a domestic concern, also have a real impact on international peace and security. Those concerns were addressed in resolution 1625 (2005) negotiated by Benin during its most recent membership in the Council. The African Union Peer Review Mechanism also seeks to achieve that end. There is no harm in the Security Council, the principle body responsible for international peace and security, persistently encouraging States Members of the Organization to undertake the necessary reforms to eliminate such dysfunctions, which pose a threat to peace and security. Furthermore, this problem could be the subject of information-exchange between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council under Article 65 of the Charter of the United Nations, as explicitly noted in presidential statement S/PRST/2015/3, adopted this morning. The Peacebuilding Commission could also contribute to that end were it not for the restrictions that have been imposed upon that body through its enabling resolutions. In that regard, we cannot insist strongly enough on the need for political leaders, whatever group they belong to, to go beyond speeches and rhetoric to take concrete account of the linkages among the ideas of development, peace and security. The actions taken by the United Nations on the ground in terms of security and the promotion of sustainable development must more than ever be coordinated with governmental activities in the beneficiairy countries in order to continue to make a significant and effective contribution to stabilizing and improving the security situation, protecting civilians and promoting social inclusion of the victims of social exclusion. Today, armed violence related to drug trafficking, natural disasters caused by climate change, poverty and the lack of social protection threaten human security and hinder development. We must take all those concerns into account not only in the post-2015 development agenda, but also in conflict-prevention efforts. My delegation therefore wishes to express its support for the presidential statement adopted by the Security Council on the subject of today’s debate and also the contents of the concept note addressed to the Secretary-General by the Ambassador of Chile, President of the Security Council (S/2015/6).

There are no more names on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of the agenda item.