ECOSOC ESTABLISHES COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY GROUP AIMED AT PEACE-BUILDING, RECONSTRUCTION IN BURUNDI

Economic and Social Council

50^th Meeting (AM)

ECOSOC ESTABLISHES COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY GROUP AIMED

AT PEACE-BUILDING, RECONSTRUCTION IN BURUNDI

The Economic and Social Council this morning established the composition of its Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi, which was created on 21 July to help the country through its transition from conflict to peace and aid its reconstruction.

Last year the Council indicated it would consider setting up such an advisory group at the request of any African country emerging from conflict, aimed in particular at peace-building and economic and social reconstruction (document E/2002/1).  The original proposal for the mechanism emerged from discussion in the General Assembly on the causes of conflict in Africa and the idea was advanced in a report to the Council by the Secretary-General.  The first such Group was created in October last year for Guinea-Bissau.

Under the terms of today’s orally amended draft decision, adopted without a vote (document E/2003/L.48), the Group will consist of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations of Belgium, Burundi, Ethiopia, France, Japan and South Africa, appointing the representative of South Africa as its Chairperson.  Also invited to participate in the work of the Group were Permanent Representatives of Guatemala, in his capacity as President of the Economic and Social Council, and of Angola as Chairperson of the Security Council’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.

The Group will examine the humanitarian and economic needs of Burundi and review relevant programmes of support there.  By mid-January 2004, the Group will prepare recommendations for a long-term programme of support for the country on the basis of Burundi’s development priorities.  Such a programme will integrate relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development into a comprehensive approach to peace and stability, and provide advice on how to ensure that the assistance of the international community is adequate, coherent, well-coordinated and effective.

Following adoption of the text, the representative of Burundi expressed his deep gratitude to the Council and the United Nations system on the whole for providing assistance to his country, which was experiencing deep poverty as a result of a long period of instability.  Economic help could facilitate political solutions in the country, for the two aspects were closely linked.  Informing the Council on the latest developments in his country, he said that the current situation was reassuring.  The Government was negotiating with the main rebel group, and he expected good news in that regard by the end of the month.

South Africa’s representative congratulated Burundi on the decision taken today.  While aware of the unique circumstances of each country, he hoped the Group would take into account lessons learned from the Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau.  As Chairman of the Advisory Group, his country was prepared to work closely with the Security Council’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and other members of the Group.  The timing was of great importance.  Aside from the efforts of the members of the Group, external contributions from other countries were welcome.

Hailing the establishment of the Group, President of the Council Gert Rosenthal (Guatemala) said that such mechanisms also defined how the Economic and Social Council related to the Security Council in post-conflict situations.  The possibility of making a real contribution to Burundi was a cause for celebration.

The financial implications of the decision are contained in document E/2002/L.49.

__________

*     Meetings 13-49 were held in Geneva.

* *** *