{"id":135435,"date":"2019-06-17T12:00:37","date_gmt":"2019-06-17T11:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=135435"},"modified":"2019-06-24T11:38:58","modified_gmt":"2019-06-24T10:38:58","slug":"conflict-prevention-mediation-among-most-important-tools-to-reduce-human-suffering-guterres-tells-security-council-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2019\/06\/conflict-prevention-mediation-among-most-important-tools-to-reduce-human-suffering-guterres-tells-security-council-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Conflict Prevention, Mediation: Among \u2018Most Important Tools\u2019 to Reduce Human Suffering, Guterres Tells Security Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

12 Jun 2019 – Conflict prevention and mediation are two of \u201cthe most important tools at our disposal to reduce human suffering\u201d UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council today. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we act early, and are united, we can successfully prevent crises from escalating, saving lives and reducing suffering \u2013 fulfilling the most fundamental mandate of the United Nations\u201d, he continued.<\/p>\n

To further these aims, Mr. Guterres told the chamber that the UN was working with various parties to conflict, together with partners for peace, in regions and countries across the world.<\/p>\n

He noted some \u201cencouraging signs\u201d, such as successful constitutional transfers of power in Mali and Madagascar; the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea; the revitalized agreement in South Sudan; and, after decades of dispute, \u201cthe designation of the Republic of North Macedonia to be internationally recognized\u201d.<\/p>\n

The UN also continues to push back against serious challenges posed by complex conflicts.<\/p>\n

While the Stockholm Agreement in Yemen between Government and Houthi opposition was \u201can important step\u201d, the UN chief noted that \u201cthat must now move to a negotiated settlement\u201d.<\/p>\n

In the Central African Republic, the UN is helping to implement the African Union-mediated peace agreement; conducting robust operations to ensure armed groups\u2019 adherence and facilitating local peace accords. And in Burkina Faso, it is working with a wide range of national actors to strengthen infrastructures for peace in response to rising sectarian violence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres addresses the UN Security Council during a meeting on conflict prevention and mediation. (12 June 2019)\u00a0\u200b\u200b
UN Photo\/Loey Felipe<\/p><\/div>\n

Obstacles abound\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite these efforts, enormous obstacles remain, including wars that continue to rage as \u201cexternal actors dither or even fuel the violence\u201d and as non-State armed groups and militias fragment, causing even greater chaos.<\/p>\n

Moreover a resurgence of populism and policies contribute to resentment, marginalization and extremism, even in societies that are not at war, rolling back human rights and the progress that has been made over recent decades on gender and inclusion, said the UN chief. \u00a0It\u2019s civilians \u201cwho pay the price\u201d, he underscored.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Solutions prevail\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Guterres elaborated on a broad range of tools set out in Chapter VI of the UN Charter<\/a> and urged government to \u201cmake full use\u201d of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSustainable Development is an end in itself, but it is also one of the most effective tools we have to prevent conflict\u201d, Mr. Guterres stressed. \u201cThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/a> is our blueprint to create resilient, stable societies and to address the root causes of violence of all kinds\u201d.<\/p>\n

He spelled out that his means \u201ca strong focus on inclusivity, with a special emphasis on mainstreaming women\u2019s rights and gender equality across our prevention and mediation work\u201d.<\/p>\n

While progress on women\u2019s participation in formal peace processes is \u201cstill lagging\u201d, the UN chief said, \u201cwe will continue to use creative strategies to advance women\u2019s participation, building on previous efforts including the Syrian Women\u2019s Advisory Board and the Yemeni Women\u2019s Technical Advisory Group\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrevention and mediation will not work without broader political efforts.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 UN chief <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Noting that some 600 million youth in fragile and conflict-affected states have a vital contribution to make to mediation and peacebuilding processes, he drew attention to the first International Symposium for Youth Participation in Peace Processes earlier this year as \u201can important step forward\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndependent actors and non-governmental organizations, including the Elders, are a critical complementary element to our efforts\u201d, added the UN chief.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut let\u2019s not fool ourselves,\u201d he continued. \u201cPrevention and mediation will not work without broader political efforts\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Secretary-General urged the Council and all Member States, \u201cto strive for greater unity so that prevention and mediation efforts are as effective as possible\u201d calling it \u201cthe only way to meet our responsibilities to the people we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spirit of inclusive dialogue \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaking as Chair of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, to promote good governance and ethical leadership, former Irish President Mary Robinson urged the Council to approach the topics in the \u201cspirit of inclusive dialogue and willingness to work for compromise and consensus in the interests of peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mary Robinson, former Irish president and a member of The Elders, addresses a UN Security Council meeting on conflict prevention and mediation. (12 June 2019)\u00a0\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b
UN Photo\/Loey Felipe<\/p><\/div>\n

She painted a picture of fear, conflict and despair \u201cfrom the streets of Khartoum to the townships of Harare; the bombed-out hospitals of Idlib to the ruined schools of Yemen; and the slums of Gaza to the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazaar in Bangladesh\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the decades the Council \u2013 and, particularly, its five permanent members \u2013 has failed to live up to its responsibilities and has favored realpolitik or short-term power stratagems rather than meeting the solemn commitments outlined in the UN Charter, she spelled out.<\/p>\n

\u201cNowhere has this been more apparent than in the repeated use of the veto by certain permanent members on resolutions aimed to prevent mass atrocities, including the use of chemical weapons on civilians\u201d she stressed, adding that \u201cthe international community must not wait until a major tragedy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Council\u2019s strong voice needed \u2018more than ever\u2019 – former UN chief\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the Security Council can cooperate and speak with a strong common voice, \u201cits decisions can have a decisive impact, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Chamber.<\/p>\n

\n

"When the Council can cooperate & speak with a strong common voice, its decisions can have a decisive impact." \u2013Elders' Deputy Chair Ban Ki-moon, addressing the UN Security Council. #UNSC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PqLVfizgxF<\/a><\/p>\n

— The Elders (@TheElders) June 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n