A/RES/72/311 GA

United Nations A/RES/72/311 General Assembly Distr.: General 18 September 2018 18-15055 (E) 200918 *1815055* Seventy-second session Agenda item 66 (b) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 10 September 2018 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/72/L.59/Rev.1 and A/72/L.59/Rev.1/Add.1)] 72/311. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa The General Assembly, Recalling the report of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on the Causes of Conflict and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa,1 its resolution 53/92 of 7 December 1998 and subsequent annual resolutions, including resolutions 67/293 of 24 July 2013, 68/278 of 16 June 2014, 69/291 of 19 June 2015, 70/292 of 7 July 2016 and 71/315 of 19 July 2017, as well as its resolutions 66/286 of 23 July 2012, 67/294 of 15 August 2013, 68/301 of 17 July 2014, 69/290 of 19 June 2015, 70/295 of 25 July 2016 and 71/320 of 8 September 2017 on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and 59/213 of 20 December 2004, 63/310 of 14 September 2009, 65/274 of 18 April 2011 and 67/302 of 16 September 2013 on cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, Recalling also, in this context, Security Council resolutions 1809 (2008) of 16 April 2008 on peace and security in Africa, 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000, 1820 (2008) of 19 June 2008, 1888 (2009) of 30 September 2009, 1889 (2009) of 5 October 2009, 1960 (2010) of 16 December 2010, 2106 (2013) of 24 June 2013, 2122 (2013) of 18 October 2013 and 2242 (2015) of 13 October 2015 on women and peace and security, 2250 (2015) of 9 December 2015 and 2419 (2018) of 6 June 2018 on youth, peace and security, 1366 (2001) of 30 August 2001 on the role of the Council in the prevention of armed conflicts, 1612 (2005) of 26 July 2005, 1882 (2009) of 4 August 2009, 1998 (2011) of 12 July 2011, 2068 (2012) of 19 September 2012 and 2225 (2015) of 18 June 2015 on children and armed conflict, 1625 (2005) of 14 September 2005 on strengthening the effectiveness of the role of __________________ 1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 45 (A/56/45). A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 2/12 the Council in conflict prevention, particularly in Africa, 2195 (2014) of 19 December 2014 on threats to international peace and security, 1631 (2005) of 17 October 2005, 2033 (2012) of 12 January 2012 and 2320 (2016) of 18 November 2016, as well as the statements by the President of the Security Council of 16 December 2014 2 and 24 May 2016 3 on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, and resolution 2167 (2014) of 28 July 2014 on United Nations peacekeeping operations, Recalling further the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 4 through which world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the special needs of Africa, and its resolution 60/265 of 30 June 2006, Reaffirming the political declaration on Africa’s development needs adopted at the high-level meeting on 22 September 2008,5 Recalling the 2015 high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly on the Sustainable Development Goals and its outcome document, 6 and recognizing that development, peace and security and human rights are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing, Recalling also the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012, and its outcome document entitled “The future we want”,7 Recalling further its resolution 66/293 of 17 September 2012 establishing a monitoring mechanism to review commitments made towards Africa’s development, Reaffirming the political declaration on the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa adopted at the high-level meeting of the General Assembly held on 25 April 2013,8 Reaffirming also the importance of supporting the African Union Agenda 2063, as a strategic vision and an action plan for ensuring a positive socioeconomic transformation in Africa by 2063, and acknowledging the emphasis in Agenda 2063 on peace and security as critical enablers for sustainable development, Reaffirming further its resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in which it adopted a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centred set of universal and transformative Sustainable Development Goals and targets, its commitment to working tirelessly for the full implementation of the Agenda by 2030, its recognition that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, its commitment to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, and to building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seeking to address their unfinished business, Reaffirming its resolution 69/313 of 27 July 2015 on the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports and __________________ 2 S/PRST/2014/27; see Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council, 1 August 2014–31 July 2015 (S/INF/70). 3 S/PRST/2016/8. 4 Resolution 60/1. 5 Resolution 63/1. 6 Resolution 70/1. 7 Resolution 66/288, annex. 8 Resolution 67/259. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa A/RES/72/311 3/12 18-15055 complements it, and helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with concrete policies and actions, and reaffirms the strong political commitment to address the challenge of financing and creating an enabling environment at all levels for sustainable development in the spirit of global partnership and solidarity, Stressing that the responsibility for peace and security in Africa, including the capacity to address the root causes of conflict and to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner, lies primarily with African countries, while recognizing the need for the provision of support by the international community and the United Nations, taking into account the responsibilities of the Organization in this regard according to the Charter of the United Nations, Underscoring the importance of continuing the efforts of the African Union and subregional organizations to prevent and settle conflicts and promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law and constitutional order in Africa, Recognizing, in particular, the capacity of the African Union and subregional organizations to address the causes of conflict in Africa, Noting that, despite the positive trends and advances in obtaining durable peace in Africa, the conditions required for sustainable development have yet to be consolidated throughout the continent and that there is therefore an urgent need to continue to develop African human and institutional capacities, particularly in countries emerging from conflict, Reaffirming the commitment to ensure that there shall be no tolerance for impunity for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity or for violations of international humanitarian law and gross violations of human rights law, and that such violations shall be properly investigated and appropriately sanctioned, including by bringing the perpetrators of any crimes to justice, through national mechanisms or, where appropriate, regional or international mechanisms, in accordance with international law, and for that purpose encouraging States to strengthen national judicial systems and institutions, Underscoring the importance of taking into account lessons learned from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which Hutu and others who opposed the genocide were also killed, Reaffirming the need to strengthen the synergy between Africa’s economic and social development programmes and its peace and security agenda, Recognizing the importance of aligning international support with Africa’s own priorities, including but not limited to industrialization, youth employment, the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities, aimed at the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through action-oriented efforts, Underlining the importance of enhancing national and regional initiatives, with international support, to address the negative implications of the illegal exploitation of natural resources in all its aspects for peace, security and development in Africa, and condemning the illicit trade in and proliferation of arms, especially small arms and light weapons, Acknowledging that the achievement of durable peace and sustainable development in countries in conflict and post-conflict situations requires that national Governments and international partners continue to develop coordinated approaches tailored to the peacebuilding needs and challenges faced by those countries, Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace, particularly through the prevention of conflict and addressing its root causes, strengthening the rule of law at the international and national levels, and promoting A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 4/12 sustained and sustainable economic growth, poverty eradication, social development, sustainable development, national reconciliation and unity, including through inclusive dialogue and mediation, access to justice and transitional justice, accountability, good governance, democracy, accountable institutions, gender equality and respect for, and protection of, human rights and fundamental freedoms, recognizing that effective peacebuilding must involve the entire United Nations system, and in this regard emphasizing the importance of joint analysis and effective strategic planning across the United Nations system in its long-term engagement in conflict-affected countries and, where appropriate, in cooperation and coordination with regional and subregional organizations, Reaffirming, in this regard, the importance of the Peacebuilding Commission as a dedicated mechanism to address, within its existing mandate and in an integrated manner, the special needs of countries emerging from conflict towards recovery, reintegration and reconstruction and to assist them in laying the foundation for peace and sustainable development, taking into consideration national priorities and the principle of national ownership, Reaffirming also the primary responsibility of national Governments and authorities in identifying, driving and directing priorities, strategies and activities for sustaining peace, and in this regard emphasizing that inclusivity is key to advancing national peacebuilding processes and objectives in order to ensure that the needs of all segments of society are taken into account, Welcoming the adoption of Security Council resolution 2413 (2018) and General Assembly resolution 72/276, on 26 April 2018, reaffirming Council resolution 2282 (2016) and Assembly resolution 70/262, both of 27 April 2016, on the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, affirming the importance of sustaining peace, and recognizing the importance of their implementation for strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission and enabling it to realize its full potential, in accordance with Assembly resolution 60/180 and Council resolution 1645 (2005), both of 20 December 2005, and Assembly resolution 65/7 and Council resolution 1947 (2010), both of 29 October 2010, and in this regard taking note of the outcome report of the Cairo regional workshop held in November 2014, which provides perspectives from Africa on the need to consolidate the regional dimension in the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission in Africa,9 Encouraging the United Nations system, the African Union and subregional organizations to enhance their interaction with civil society, including women’s and youth associations, academia and research institutions, on issues relevant to the promotion of peace, security and sustainable development in Africa, and welcoming the ongoing efforts in this regard, including by the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the recommendations contained in his report on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa; 10 2. Welcomes the progress made by African countries, the African Union and subregional organizations in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development, calls for intensified efforts and a coordinated approach among national Governments, the African Union, subregional organizations, the United Nations system and relevant partners in addressing those challenges, with a view to achieving further progress towards the goal of a conflict- free Africa, and in this regard recognizes the important role played by civil society organizations, including women’s organizations; __________________ 9 See A/69/654-S/2014/882. 10 A/72/269-S/2017/780. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa A/RES/72/311 5/12 18-15055 3. Recalls the adoption of the African Union Agenda 2063 and its first 10-year implementation plan (2014–2023), which outlines key African flagship projects, fast-track programmes, priority areas, specific targets and African strategies and policy measures at all levels, and acknowledges the importance of supporting the implementation of the plan; 4. Welcomes, in this regard, the high-level events organized during the 2017 Africa Week on the theme “Supporting an integrated, prosperous, people-centred and peaceful Africa: towards the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, in close partnership with the African Union Commission, the Planning and Coordination Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, the African Peer Review Mechanism, regional economic communities and the United Nations system; 5. Also welcomes the commitment of the African leaders to Africa’s political, social and economic integration agenda and to the ideal of pan-Africanism and African renaissance, as well as the pledge to “end all wars in Africa by 2020” and “achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa”, as affirmed in the solemn declaration adopted on 26 May 2013 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/African Union, expresses its readiness to contribute, and calls upon all, in particular relevant United Nations entities, to help to achieve this goal, including by considering defining a concrete five-year actionable plan in support of the goal of achieving a conflict-free Africa by 2020; 6. Underlines the importance of the strategic partnerships among the United Nations, the African Union and the regional economic communities, including in promoting an integrated and coherent implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development6 and the African Union Agenda 2063; 7. Notes the ongoing efforts of the African Union, in collaboration with regional economic communities and development partners, including the United Nations system, to develop an action plan towards implementing the decision of the 2013 solemn declaration that the continent would “silence the guns by 2020”, and calls upon Member States and the United Nations system, as appropriate, to intensify their support and cooperation with African countries, the African Union and the African regional economic communities and relevant regional mechanisms towards the timely realization of the goal of silencing the guns by 2020; 8. Takes note, in this regard, of the high-level expert group meeting on the theme “Tackling the socioeconomic root causes of conflict towards achieving the goal of a conflict-free Africa in the context of the implementation of Africa’s transformative Agenda 2063 and the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, held in Cairo on 16 and 17 November 2015; 9. Reaffirms the need to promote and protect effectively the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migration status, especially those of women and children, and to address international migration through international, regional or bilateral cooperation and dialogue and through a comprehensive and balanced approach, recognizing the roles and responsibilities of countries of origin, transit and destination in promoting and protecting the human rights of all migrants and avoiding approaches that might aggravate their vulnerability, and recognizes in this regard the importance of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted at the high-level plenary meeting of A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 6/12 the General Assembly on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, held on 19 September 2016;11 10. Underlines the need to address the economic, social and environmental impact of climate change, desertification and land degradation in Africa, and highlights the importance of enhancing efforts to strengthen the implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience in Africa, in particular the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and other initiatives launched under the leadership of the African Union Commission such as the Great Green Wall and the Land Policy Initiative, as well as initiatives launched by African countries such as the Adaptation of African Agriculture and the Security, Stability and Sustainability initiatives; 11. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the African Union and subregional organizations to strengthen their peacekeeping capacity in peacekeeping operations on the continent, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and in close coordination with the United Nations, through the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, as well as the ongoing efforts to develop a continental early warning system, strengthen the readiness of the African Standby Force and enhance mediation capacity and preventive diplomacy, including through the Panel of the Wise; 12. Recognizes the growing and emerging challenges and risks facing United Nations peacekeeping operations and political missions, and in this regard takes note of the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations12 and the report of the Secretary-General entitled “The future of United Nations peace operations: implementation of the recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations”,13 as well as the recommendations supported by Member States in the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, 14 in particular on prevention, mediation and stronger global regional partnerships, including between the United Nations and the African Union, and encourages the Security Council, as appropriate, to consult with relevant regional organizations, particularly the African Union, especially if transitioning from a regional to a United Nations peacekeeping operation; 13. Calls upon the United Nations system and Member States to support the peace consolidation mechanisms and processes, including the African Peace and Security Architecture, the African Governance Architecture, the African Union Post- Conflict Reconstruction and Development Framework and the African Union Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, in order to fully contribute to conflict prevention, peacemaking initiatives, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction; 14. Calls upon Member States to assist African countries in post-conflict situations, at their request, in achieving a smooth transition from relief to development and to support relevant United Nations bodies, including the Peacebuilding Commission; 15. Calls upon the United Nations system, the international community and all partners to support the efforts of African countries to promote political, social and economic inclusion; __________________ 11 Resolution 71/1. 12 See A/70/95-S/2015/446. 13 A/70/357-S/2015/682. 14 Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-first Session, Supplement No. 19 (A/71/19). Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa A/RES/72/311 7/12 18-15055 16. Stresses the importance of creating an environment conducive to national reconciliation and social and economic recovery in countries emerging from conflict; 17. Calls upon the international community to enhance support and fulfil its commitments to take further action in areas critical to Africa’s economic and social development, in the spirit of win-win cooperation and to create a shared future, based upon our common humanity, and welcomes the efforts by development partners to strengthen cooperation with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development;15 18. Invites the United Nations and the donor community to increase efforts to support ongoing regional efforts to build African mediation and negotiation capacity; 19. Calls upon the United Nations system and Member States to support the African Union in its effort to effectively integrate training in international humanitarian law and international human rights law, with particular emphasis on the rights of women and children, into the training of civilian, police and military personnel of national standby contingents at both the operational and tactical levels, as set out in article 13 of the Protocol relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union; 20. Recognizes that international and regional efforts to prevent conflict and consolidate peace in Africa should be channelled towards the sustainable development of Africa and the human and institutional capacity-building of African countries and organizations, particularly in priority areas identified at the continental level; 21. Welcomes, in this regard, the joint visits of the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank to the countries of the Horn of Africa in October 2014, and to the Great Lakes region in May 2013, as well as the joint visit of the Secretary- General, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the President of the World Bank, the President of the African Development Bank and the European Union Commissioner for Development to the Sahel region in November 2013, and calls for the fulfilment of all the pledges made to support peace and development in these regions; 22. Also welcomes the adoption of its resolution 71/254 of 23 December 2016 on the Framework for a Renewed United Nations-African Union Partnership on Africa’s Integration and Development Agenda 2017–2027, and calls upon the Secretary-General to provide, as appropriate, predictable support for full, effective and efficient implementation of the Framework; 23. Affirms the importance of the role of the Interdepartmental Task Force on African Affairs and the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa in ensuring greater coherence and coordination of United Nations system support to Africa, including support to the African Union, particularly in the areas of conflict prevention and conflict resolution, human rights, governance and the rule of law, and post- conflict reconstruction and development; 24. Stresses the critical importance of a regional approach to conflict prevention, in particular with respect to cross-border issues such as transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration programmes, the prevention of illegal exploitation of natural resources and trafficking in high-value commodities and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, and emphasizes in this regard the central role of the African Union and subregional organizations in addressing such issues; __________________ 15 A/57/304, annex. A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 8/12 25. Expresses grave concern about the growing threat posed by terrorism to the peace, security and social and economic development of Africa, takes note of the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council summit on the prevention and combating of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, held in Nairobi on 2 September 2014, and encourages the United Nations to work with African countries, the African Union and the regional economic communities to support the development and implementation of regional and national counter-terrorism action plans; 26. Calls upon United Nations counter-terrorism entities, within existing mandates, and Member States to provide assistance and capacity-building towards Africa’s efforts to counter violent extremism and terrorism; 27. Calls upon the United Nations system, the African Union and the international community to intensify their cooperation in the global fight against terrorism through the implementation of the relevant international and regional treaties and protocols and, in particular, the Plan of Action on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism in Africa of the African Union, as well as their support for the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism, based in Algiers; 28. Takes note of the decision on the establishment of the African Union Special Fund on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union at its twenty-seventh ordinary session, held in Kigali on 17 and 18 July 2016, and encourages the United Nations system and Member States to support the efforts of the African Union in this regard; 29. Welcomes the initiative by the Secretary-General, and takes note of his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism;16 30. Notes with concern that violence against women and children, including sexual violence, continues and may increase even as armed conflicts draw to an end, urges further progress in the implementation of policies and guidelines relating to the protection of and assistance to women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations in Africa, including more systematic monitoring and reporting, notes the adoption by the General Assembly and the Security Council of relevant resolutions, and encourages the entities that compose United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as other relevant parts of the United Nations system, to assist the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict in the implementation of her mandate, including in Africa; 31. Also notes with concern the tragic plight of children in conflict situations in Africa, in particular the phenomenon of the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflicts, as well as other violations and abuses committed against children, stresses the need for the protection of children in armed conflicts and for ensuring that the protection and rights of children in armed conflicts are integrated into all peace processes, also stresses the need for post-conflict counselling, reintegration, rehabilitation and education, with due regard for the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and encourages the relevant parts of the United Nations system to assist the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in the implementation of her mandate, including in Africa; 32. Stresses the importance of addressing the socioeconomic dimension of youth unemployment, as well as facilitating the enhanced participation of youth in decision-making processes, with a view to addressing social, political and economic challenges; __________________ 16 See A/70/674. Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa A/RES/72/311 9/12 18-15055 33. Calls for the enhancement of the role of youth in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018) on youth, peace and security; 34. Welcomes the decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to proclaim “Winning the fight against corruption: a sustainable path to Africa’s transformation” as the theme for 2018; 35. Calls for the enhancement of the role of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008) and 2242 (2015) on women and peace and security, and welcomes in this regard the report of the Secretary-General containing the results of the global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000),17 recognizes with appreciation all the work undertaken for the global study, and encourages follow-up of its recommendations; 36. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the African Union to ensure the protection of the rights of women in conflict and post-conflict situations, recalls in this regard the adoption and entry into force of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, the African Union Gender Policy, the African Union five-year Gender, Peace and Security Programme, 2015–2020, the declaration by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union of 2015 as the Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development, as well as the Framework of Cooperation concerning the Prevention and Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Africa signed by the African Union Commission and the United Nations, stresses the significance of those instruments for all countries in Africa for strengthening the role of women in peace and conflict prevention on the continent, strongly urges the United Nations and all relevant parties to redouble their efforts and support in this regard, and recalls the decision of the African Union to declare 2016 as the African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women; 37. Also welcomes the ongoing efforts of the African Union to ensure the protection of children in conflict and post-conflict situations, recalls in this regard the adoption and entry into force of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as the declaration signed on 17 September 2013 by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, in order to mainstream protection mechanisms in all peace and security activities of the African Union, in close partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, and stresses the significance of those instruments for all countries in Africa in protecting children affected by armed conflicts on the continent; 38. Takes note of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, which entered into force on 6 December 2012, and the Kampala Declaration on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, adopted on 23 October 2009; 39. Calls for the safeguarding of the principle of refugee protection in Africa and the resolution of the plight of refugees, including through support for efforts aimed at addressing the causes of refugee movement and bringing about the voluntary, dignified, safe and sustainable return and reintegration of those populations, and calls upon the international community, including Member States, the Office of the United __________________ 17 S/2015/716. A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 10/12 Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant United Nations organizations, within their respective mandates, to take concrete action to meet the protection and assistance needs of refugees, returnees and displaced persons and to contribute generously to projects and programmes aimed at alleviating their plight, facilitating durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons and supporting vulnerable local host communities; 40. Recognizes the important contribution of the African Peer Review Mechanism since its inception in improving governance and supporting socioeconomic development in African countries; 41. Takes note of the decision adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union at its summit in January 2017 on the revitalization of the African Peer Review Mechanism, expanding the monitoring and evaluation mandate of the Mechanism, and invites the United Nations system and Member States to provide voluntary substantial financial and capacity-building support to the Mechanism to advance its activities; 42. Welcomes African-led initiatives to strengthen political, economic and corporate governance, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the African Peer Review Mechanism, encourages more African countries to participate in this process, and calls upon the United Nations system and Member States to assist African countries and regional and subregional organizations, upon their request, in their ongoing efforts to promote democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law, to enhance good governance and to continue to fight against impunity, as well as in the holding of free, fair, inclusive, peaceful and transparent elections; 43. Recognizes the role of the Peacebuilding Commission in ensuring that national ownership of the peacebuilding process in conflict-affected countries is observed and that nationally identified priorities are at the core of international and regional efforts in peacebuilding and sustaining peace in the countries under consideration, notes the important steps taken by the Commission in engaging with a broad range of country and regional situations, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Sahel and the Great Lakes, and calls for sustained regional and international commitment to the implementation of nationally identified peacebuilding priorities; 44. Also recognizes the progress made by the Peacebuilding Commission in enhancing its relationship with regional and subregional organizations in Africa, in particular the African Union, including among others through visits of the Chair of the Commission to the headquarters of the African Union in 2016 and 2017 and through a joint event of the Commission and the Peace and Security Council held on 18 July 2018, and in this regard welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding on peacebuilding between the Peacebuilding Support Office and the African Union Commission on 18 September 2017 with a view to strengthening the collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union to provide a framework and strengthen cooperation in support of peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts in Africa; 45. Further recognizes the profound socioeconomic impact of diseases, inter alia, the Ebola virus disease, in Central and West Africa, including on the capacity to provide basic services and economic activities, expresses deep concern about the potential reversal, due to the Ebola outbreak, of the gains made by the affected countries in development, peacebuilding, political stability and the reconstruction of socioeconomic infrastructure in recent years, and encourages effective measures and targeted investments to overcome these difficulties and to support recovery priorities, including the importance of maintaining strong Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa A/RES/72/311 11/12 18-15055 surveillance and response systems and building strong and resilient national health systems, particularly in the most affected countries, in line with the outcome of the International Ebola Recovery Conference, held in New York on 10 July 2015 and the International Health Regulations (2005) adopted by the World Health Assembly; 18 46. Acknowledges the particular challenges infectious disease outbreaks pose in conflict-affected areas and their effect on health crisis management, as health systems in areas of conflict are often compromised and ill-equipped to deal with the threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks, and strongly condemns violence attacks and threats directed against medical personnel and facilities, which have long-term consequences for the civilian population and the health-care systems of the countries concerned, as well as for the neighbouring regions, and have a negative impact on sustainable development; 47. Calls upon the United Nations system, and invites Member States, to assist African countries emerging from conflict, upon their request as appropriate, in their efforts to build national capacities, including through national security sector reform strategies, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, including children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups, the provision for the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees, the launch of income-generation activities, particularly for youth and women, and the delivery of basic public services; 48. Urges continued support for measures to address the challenges of poverty eradication and hunger, job creation and sustainable development in Africa, including, as appropriate, debt relief, improved market access, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, fulfilment of commitments on official development assistance and increased flows of foreign direct investment and transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms; 49. Recognizes the need for African countries to make continued efforts to create enabling environments for inclusive growth in support of sustainable development and for the international community to make continued efforts to increase the flow of new and additional resources for financing for development from all sources, public and private, domestic and foreign, to support those development efforts by African countries, and welcomes the various important initiatives established between African countries and their development partners in this regard; 50. Calls upon the United Nations system and Member States, bilateral and multilateral partners and new partners to deliver expeditiously on commitments and to ensure the full and speedy implementation of the provisions of the political declaration on Africa’s development needs,5 as well as the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; 51. Encourages African Governments to strengthen structures and policies in order to create an environment conducive to the promotion of inclusive economic growth and to attracting foreign direct investment, by, inter alia, continuing to achieve a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate, with proper contract enforcement and respect for property rights, and to promote socioeconomic development and social justice, calls upon African Member States and regional and subregional organizations to assist the African countries concerned, at their request, by enhancing their capacity to devise and improve their national natural resources and public revenue management structures, and in this regard invites the international community to assist in that process by providing adequate financial and technical assistance and by renewing its commitment to efforts aimed at combating __________________ 18 World Health Organization, document WHA58/2005/REC/1, resolution 58.3, annex. A/RES/72/311 Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa 18-15055 12/12 the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of those countries, in conformity with international law; 52. Recalls relevant resolutions on the strengthening of cooperation and communication between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations or arrangements, and encourages coordination and cooperation between the United Nations system and regional and subregional organizations and regional economic communities in advocacy and in the mobilization of the support of the international community for African countries and towards the priorities of their continental and regional institutions; 53. Welcomes the convening of the first United Nations-African Union annual conference at the level of the Secretary General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission at United Nations Headquarters on 19 April 2017 and the signing of the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, and the signing of the African Union-United Nations Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on 27 January 2018, and underlines the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two organizations in all areas of peace, security and sustainable development; 54. Emphasizes the importance of deepening cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, based on consultations, regular meetings at all levels, shared analysis, comparative advantages and division of labour to better address today’s challenges, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations; 55. Notes the completion of the review of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the 1998 report of the Secretary-General, 19 and requests the Secretary-General to develop, in consultation with relevant partners, policy proposals on issues identified in his report, including enhancing cooperation among the United Nations, the African Union and subregional organizations, particularly in conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery, and promoting socioeconomic development, good governance, the rule of law and human rights; 56. Takes note of the recommendations presented by the Secretary-General to the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session on possible ways to strengthen the interdepartmental task force on African affairs, 20 including through enhancing joint advocacy for international support to Africa, assisting in the mobilization of support for the implementation of relevant programmes and initiatives in Africa and championing approaches and solutions that take into account the enabling environment that peace and security provide for development, and reaffirms the need to ensure further coherence and an integrated approach for United Nations support to Africa, including in following up on the implementation of all global summit and conference outcomes related to Africa; 57. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to monitor and report to the General Assembly on an annual basis on persistent and emerging challenges to the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, including the root causes of conflict and conditions to promote sustainable development, as well as on the approach and support of the United Nations system. 113th plenary meeting 10 September 2018 __________________ 19 A/52/871-S/1998/318. 20 See A/67/205/Add.1-S/2012/715/Add.1.

UN Project. “A/RES/72/311.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/A-RES-72-311/. Accessed .

Copy citation