UN Stresses Regional Groups' Role In Peacebuilding

UN Stresses Key Role Of Regional Groups In Peacebuilding

New York, Jul 26 2005 4:00PM

Regional and other intergovernmental organizations are increasingly important, even key partners, for the ultimate success in dealing with the challenges of peace and security, participants in the 6th High-Level Meeting between the United Nations, Regional and other Inter-governmental Organizations said in a joint statement today.

The statement also called for a closer and more effective partnership between the UN, regional and other intergovernmental organizations, “creating a truly interlocking system that guarantees greater coordination in both policy and action.”

The summit of world leaders set to take place at the United Nations in September would be “an unparalleled opportunity” to address the challenges faced by the international community, the group also said in the statement released at the conclusion of a two-day meeting.

“The Summit should recognize that neither any individual State nor the United Nations can effectively respond alone to the challenges to peace and security,” it added.

It also noted that the global community, as a whole, needed to collectively combat terrorism with vigour and in so doing address its root causes, protect human rights, respect diversity and generate a true partnership among civilizations.

They agreed that the international community must more effectively address the challenges of post-conflict peace-building through mechanisms such as the Peacebuilding Commission proposed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his UN reform report “In Larger Freedom,” while giving equal attention to conflict prevention.

Separately, the participants agreed on the need to proceed towards a “partnership of civilizations” involving all stakeholders – governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society – to foster diversity and overcome divisiveness.

“This partnership will represent a powerful response to those who feed on exclusion and arrogantly claim the sole ownership of truth,” the group said in its statement.

ENDS

© Scoop Media