SUMMIT ON STAFF SECURITY TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS, 11 JUNE

Note to Correspondents

SUMMIT ON STAFF SECURITY TO BE HELD AT HEADQUARTERS, 11 JUNE

To address the security problems faced by United Nations and associated personnel around the world, the fifth annual Summit on Staff Security will take place on Tuesday, 11 June, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at Headquarters.

The meeting intends to draw attention to the continuing safety and security problems of United Nations staff members and humanitarian workers worldwide, and to discuss possible solutions.  The theme for this year is "The forgotten staff", focusing on the plight of United Nations staff in three different aspects of field service.  One is the continuing problem of detained, abducted, missing and murdered staff.  The second is the status of local staff, and the delicate balance they face by their association with United Nations activities without the protection afforded to internationally recruited staff.  The third is the plight of staff returning from mission assignments, and the services available for them.  The Summit will seek to increase the visibility of these issues for Member States and the public.

The meeting will have a plenary session followed by a panel discussion.  Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette will deliver the opening address.  Invited speakers include the President of the General Assembly, Han Seung-Soo (Republic of Korea), and the President of the Security Council, Mikhail Wehbe (Syria).  Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein (Jordan) will speak in his capacity as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of Legal Protection under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.  Under-Secretary-General Benon Sevan, who is leaving the post of United Nations Security Coordinator after eight years of service, will address security coordination issues.  Staff Union President Rosemarie Waters will serve as moderator.

Panellists will include Ralph Zacklin, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs; François Dureau, Security Focal Point of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations; Stephen Johnson, Deputy Chief, Humanitarian Emergency Branch, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Dr. Yael Danieli, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; and Richard Dellar, former President of the Field Service Staff Union.

The event is organized by the Standing Committee on the Security and Independence of the International Civil Service and by the United Nations Staff Council.  The past four summits highlighted the duty and commitment of governments to protect and defend United Nations and humanitarian workers performing their duties under hazardous field conditions.