|
|
Mr. President,
We are all so honoured that Madam Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, has presided over this important debate of the Security Council. We thank Ambassador Patriota and Madam Gbowee for their insightful statements.
Mr. President,
Peace and security, development and human rights are the three pillars of the UN system and collective security. These pillars are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The General Assembly Resolution 66/288 entitled The Future We Want, adopted in pursuance of 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, reducing inequalities, fostering equitable social development and inclusion and promoting the integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems create an enabling environment for peace and security and gradually remove drivers of conflict.
Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted last year stipulates promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The Secretary General in his Synthesis Report has said that participatory democracy, free, safe, and peaceful societies are both enablers and outcomes of development.
Mr. President,
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 dealt with by the General Assembly and ECOSOC ; nor will it have the capacity to do so. These issues are being rightfully addressed by the General Assembly, the ECOSOC, 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 UN bodies. The Security Council and its peace operations and missions are trying to resolve conflicts driven by lack of inclusive growth, inequitable distribution of resources and weak institutions. The strategies to resolve conflicts should therefore include economic deprivation and marginalization. This is particularly important in the post-conflict peace building phase so as to stem a relapse to conflict. A targeted focus on development and long-term economic revitalization, in an inclusive manner, is essential to achieving this objective. Regional organizations and the Peace-building Commission are ideally placed to build and strengthen the nexus between security and development.
Mr. President,
Your concept paper, so ably written, goes beyond inclusive development and 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. Prevention of conflicts remains the primary responsibility of member states but in conflict situations it requires a comprehensive approach and constant support of the international community, particularly of the UN Security Council.
Your concept paper has, in a synoptic manner, highlighted how the Security Council has assisted in managing 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 and Haiti have seen a turnaround by pursuing national reconciliation, as well as inclusive development and public policies.
We endorse your 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 UN system should work as a whole, and not operate in parts, in silos.
Nations must eliminate exclusion, discrimination and marginalization that lead to violence, strife and conflict. And with equal vigor, they should promote national, territorial, religious, ethnic, racial, social and cultural cohesion and inclusion.
The Security Council may consider issuing public documents on lessons learnt and best practices from various conflict situations. Such publications may help decision makers and people grappling with similar situations.
Finally, synergy among UN bodies for inclusion does not mean trespassing each other's mandated space but to share experiences and perspectives to enhance the UN system's effectiveness. The jurisdictional boundaries of each forum must be respected. The objective is lasting peace and development that serves people.
I thank you, Madam President.