SUMMIT ON SECURITY OF INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS 9 JUNE
Press Release
SUMMIT ON SECURITY OF INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS 9 JUNE
19990607 To address the increasing security problems faced by United Nations personnel around the world, the second Summit on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 9 June, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at Headquarters. The event is organized by the United Nations Staff Council Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service.Last year, the first-ever Summit highlighted the increasingly hazardous and very often life-threatening conditions in which international staff have to operate, and offered possible solutions. Since the first Summit a year ago, over 20 United Nations personnel have been killed. Incidents of kidnapping, arrest, detention, attack and injury have increased, while the fate of some 50 staffers detained or missing throughout the world -- some of them since the 1970s -- is still unknown.
The Summit will focus on the urgent need for governments to demonstrate in practice their commitment to protect the international civil servants performing their duties in often highly difficult and dangerous conditions. Other issues include security training for staff and a follow-up to the statement of principles issued from the 1998 Summit.
The Summit will also recognize those Member States who have ratified the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, which came into force with the twenty-second ratification earlier this year. At a special ceremony, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Ambassador for Peace, Marisa Berenson, will present awards to those 25 governments that have ratified the Convention.
The Summit keynote will be delivered by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Invited speakers include: Acting General Assembly President Ibra Deguene Ka (Senegal); Security Council President Baboucarr-Blaise Ismaila Jagne (Gambia); Economic and Social Council President Francesco Paolo Fulci (Italy); as well as Security Coordinator Benon Sevan. Also invited are the Permanent Representatives of Member States and the heads of United Nations operational agencies.
- 2 - Note No. 5562 7 June 1999
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, welcoming the Security Summit said, "too many of our dedicated personnel have suffered injuries or even lost their lives due to security-related matters". Mr. Annan applauded the Summit "initiative to address this critical issue, and raise awareness about the importance of staff security and training".
The President of the United Nations Staff Committee, Mehri Madarshahi, who will be moderator for the Summit, said, that "a vital and independent international civil service is needed more than ever to respond to the crisis situations in many parts of the world, and deserves the full understanding and support of the international community. By continuing to highlight the problems faced by the staff, solutions can be found".
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