Fifty-ninth General Assembly

Plenary

38^th & 39^th Meetings (AM & PM)

SPEAKERS IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY STRESS MERITS OF ENHANCED COOPERATION

 

BETWEEN UNITED NATIONS, REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The critical value of enhancing partnerships to better equip the United Nations to build a more stable foundation for peace, security and development was underscored today by more than 40 speakers, who addressed the General Assembly during a joint debate on cooperation between the Organization and regional and other organizations.

Regional organizations had certain unique advantages –- namely, faster deployment capabilities, better use of resources and closer knowledge of political realities on the ground, Romania’s representative said.  That made them “the” United Nations partners of choice in dealing with the whole spectrum of objectives on today’s international agenda.  But while the need for enhanced cooperation with regional organizations was widely recognized, the best way to achieve that was still under reflection.  In the search for the best modes of cooperation, the differing characteristics of regional organizations must be kept in mind.

African countries had shown a spirit of responsibility in coping with armed conflicts on their continent, Egypt’s representative said, lauding the efforts of the various subregional organizations, particularly those of the Africa Union.  That multidimensional African partnership fit well with the concept of cooperation between the Security Council and regional and subregional organizations for the maintenance of international peace and security.  The model, which transcended narrow political interests, was a good one that could be replicated elsewhere.

Task-sharing enabled actors closest to ground realities to formulate solutions that responded to the needs of local populations, Switzerland’s representative noted.  And while contemporary challenges to security, development and human rights should be discussed at international levels, regional and sectoral organizations still had an essential role in the search for solutions tailored to specific local or socio-cultural situations.  Organizations such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had a special role to play in that context.

He added that the opportunities for cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) –- a parliament of parliaments -– were enormous and deserved to be developed.

Supporting that premise, Italy’s representative said the IPU had a role to play in ensuring that members of parliaments realized the importance of United Nations peacekeeping and the enormous political, logistic and financial challenges it entailed.  The IPU could encourage the governments of Member States to help the Organization to overcome shortfalls in commitments and equipment, thereby supporting peace processes in countries where peacekeeping operations had been deployed.

She stressed, however, that the establishment of inter-parliamentary mechanisms and structures in an intergovernmental body like the United Nations must include strict respect for the principles of independence and the separation of powers.  It was necessary to avoid useless duplication of mechanisms that already existed in the IPU framework.

Highlighting a good example of practical cooperation, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Chair of the OSCE, said that the OSCE was a key pillar of United Nations efforts in Kosovo.  Europe had a large number of highly capable organizations that were equipped to cope with a spectrum of security challenges.  “The more successful we are, the greater the chances for peace and prosperity, and the lighter the burden of the United Nations”, he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the Director General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also provided overviews of their agencies’ work.

Also speaking in the Assembly were the representatives of Indonesia (on behalf of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO)), Tajikistan, Chile, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN)), Japan, Netherlands, Samoa (on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum), Turkey (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference), Tunisia (speaking on behalf of the Arab Group and the secretariat of the Arab League), Sao Tome and Principe (on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries), Russian Federation (on behalf of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Ukraine (on behalf of Georgia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova GUUAM)), Bangladesh and Botswana (on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)).

The Assembly was also addressed by the representatives of Namibia, Norway (as Chair of the Council of Europe), United Kingdom, Mali, Andorra, Burkina Faso, Congo (on behalf of the Economic Community of Central African States), Uganda, Pakistan, Austria, South Africa, Cyprus, Singapore, China, Chad, Serbia and Montenegro, Kenya, Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (on behalf of the African Union) also addressed the Assembly, as did the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Assembly will meet again tomorrow at 10 a.m. to continue its debate on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations.

Background

The General Assembly met today to hold a joint debate on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations.  It had before it the report of the Secretary General (document A/59/303), dated 1 September, prepared in response to a number of resolutions asking the United Nations to increase contacts and identify areas of cooperation with regional and other organizations.  The report details the implementation of those resolutions.

Part one of the report focuses on cooperation between the United Nations system and regional organizations.  In 1994, the Secretary-General started holding high-level meetings with the heads of regional bodies.  The fifth meeting was held from 29 to 30 July 2003, at United Nations Headquarters, where discussions focused on the new challenges to international peace and security, including terrorism.  The meetings also addressed civil and international conflicts, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, poverty, organized crime and human rights violations.  Following that meeting, the Secretary-General proposed that the sixth high-level meeting be held in mid-2005.

The report details the cooperation and developments since 2003 between the United Nations and the African Union; the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN); the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); the Council of Europe; the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); the League of Arab States; the Organization of the Islamic Conference; the Organization of American States (OAS); the International Organization of la Francophonie; the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); the Pacific Islands Forum; and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Parts 2 through 7 of the report outlines the cooperation activities that have taken place between the United Nations and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization; the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization; the Economic Cooperation Organization; the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); the Latin American Economic System; the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

By the terms of the related draft resolutions (documents A/59/L.1, 3, 5-8, 11 and 12), the Assembly would take note with appreciation of the respective reports and work of the regional organizations (see above), and agree to include relevant items on cooperation with those groups on the agenda of the Assembly’s sixty-first session, in 2006, among other things.

Introduction of Reports, Drafts

WOLFGANG HOFFMAN, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), updated the Assembly on the Commission’s work during the past year.  The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was one of the cornerstones of the international non-proliferation and nuclear arms control regime.  The total ban of any nuclear explosion in any environment would help to end the development of ever more sophisticated nuclear weapons, as well as arresting the proliferation of those weapons.  That was particularly true in a time when vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons was at the forefront of the nuclear weapons debate.

Since the CTBT’s adoption in 1996, it had been signed by a total of 173 States and ratified by 119, including 33 of the 44 States listed in Annex 2 to the Treaty whose ratification was required for it to enter into force.  He was pleased to announce that, since October 2003, four States had signed the Treaty:  Eritrea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sudan and the United Republic of Tanzania.  And while that and the 14 ratifications the Treaty had received in the past year were hopeful signs, it should not lead to complacency.  For various reasons, 11 States whose ratifications were necessary for the Treaty to enter into force had not yet ratified it.  Therefore, he was very encouraged by last month’s joint ministerial statement on the CTBT initiated by Australia, Finland, Japan and the Netherlands, which had been one more example of States’ willingness to usher the Treaty into force and to reinforce measures to promote signature and ratification of that important instrument.

Turning to the recent activities of the Commission and its Provisional Technical Secretariat, he highlighted the establishment of the verification regime, stipulated by the CTBT, and the promotion of understanding of the Treaty and its entry into force.  He also touched on the burgeoning progress of the International Monitoring System, a worldwide network of 321 seismic, radionuclide, hydrocaustic and infrasound monitoring stations and 16 radionuclide laboratories.  More than 55 per cent of the stations were now operational, and he was confident that the network could be completed within the next three years.  In addition, the Commission continued to organize training programmes and workshops to support the enhancement of national capabilities of States signatories in the implementation of the Treaty.

He said that the credibility of international disarmament and non-proliferation agreements frequently hinged on the credibility of the verification systems associated with them.  International verification efforts had been heavily and often unfairly criticized for not living up to the high standards required for the job.  A closer look at the situation had revealed that international verification efforts were not only working properly, but that they also provided impartial information which could be used by the international community to take political decisions.

ROGELIO PFIRTER, Director General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), provided an overview of what had been achieved in the past two years.  He said there were now 167 members States in the OPCW and verification activities had now extended to two more States parties –- Libya and Albania, who had both declared chemical weapon stockpiles.

While there seemed to be movement towards more universal participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention, a few important countries were still outside the realm of the chemical weapons ban.  The Middle East and the KoreanPeninsula were two cases in point, he said, adding that when it came to the proscription of weapons of mass destruction, the logic of impotence and immobility could not be accepted.  While there was respect for the concerns and legitimate priorities of those who lived in areas marked by mistrust and sometimes violence, he emphasized that nothing could justify keeping the use of chemical weapons as an option.

He praised Libya for taking the courageous decision to join the chemical weapons ban.  Just a few days ago in The Hague, the OPCW’s Executive Council approved a recommendation to make a technical change to the Convention extending the deadline for the conversion of former chemical weapons production facilities for new States parties.  Once that change was approved, it would allow for the conversion of two facilities in Rabta, Libya, which would produce medicines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases.  Those medicines would be made available at low cost in Africa.  The small arsenal that was discovered in Albania would be disposed of in the near future.  Also, the United States, Russian Federation and India were proceeding with destruction of weapons campaigns.

International cooperation and assistance in the peaceful uses of chemistry continued to go hand in hand with disarmament and non-proliferation, he added.  The OPCW also continued to support developing countries through a variety of programmes aimed at reinforcing technical capacities and skills.  In recent months, his organization had also been able to respond positively to numerous requests, especially from countries in the Gulf region, where it had provided support to its member States to improve or develop their protective capacities in a region where chemical weapons were a real concern.

REZLAN ISHAR JENIE (Indonesia) introduced the draft resolution on cooperation with the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO), contained in document A/59/L.1.  The AALCO had had as many as 16 cooperation arrangements with the United Nations, its agencies and other intergovernmental organizations.  His nation was honoured to host the organization’s forty-third meeting, which discussed 16 items with the objective of contributing to the progressive development of international law.  Among those were the transnational crimes of trafficking in women and children, corruption, the deportation of Palestinians, and jurisdictional immunities of States and their property.  The broad range of legal issues reflected the role of the AALCO in the promotion and codification of international law.  While assisting its member States in consideration of legal issues of common concern, it had to develop Asian-African approaches towards all branches of international law.

He said that next month would mark the commemoration of a decade since the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the most comprehensive legal framework on ocean affairs.  The negotiation process on that subject witnessed great contributions by the AALCO.  Within the United Nations, the impact of the AALCO had also been felt in areas ranging from international trade law and environment law, to the promotion of human rights and the battle against corruption.  The draft resolution before the Assembly underlined the importance of enhancing existing cooperation between the United Nations and the AALCO in the codification of international law.  It also acknowledged the important cooperation agreements between the AALCO and the Organization, its agencies and other intergovernmental organizations, with a view to promoting cooperation in the field of international law, including wider acceptance of international conventions among Asian and African States.

RASHID K. ALIMOV (Tajikistan) said enhanced partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations had led to the achievement of peace, stability and development goals.  The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) considered the integration of their member States into the world economy, and their participation in the process of globalization, to be one of its main goals.  To achieve further progress, however, it was necessary to improve the interaction and coordination of efforts with other international organizations, in particular, with the United Nations.  He was satisfied that the interaction between various organizations of the United Nations system and ECO had been gaining momentum throughout the past two years.  The interaction between the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and ECO, for example, had embraced a broad range of economic and social issues faced by the 300 million people in that region.

It was important to develop cooperation in areas such as macroeconomic policy, trade and investments, transport and environmental protection, he said.  The development of a regional intergovernmental agreement for the Asian Highway Network was an important milestone.  The cooperation of ECO with the ESCAP and the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), within a special programme for the economics of Central Asia, was also gaining momentum.  However, interaction between ECO and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) was not being used to its potential.  Further promotion and development of cooperation between the United Nations and ECO would serve not only to rationalize economic ties among nations in the vast region, but would also optimize their trade relationship with the rest of the world.  In addition, he introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the Organization and ECO, contained in document A/59/L.3, saying it reflected the level of interaction reached between them in the past two years.

HERALDO MUÑOZ (Chile) introduced the draft resolution on United Nations cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (document A/59/L.5), saying that, with 78 co-sponsors, the text enjoyed wide support from many nations and regions worldwide.  The draft was very important to efforts to strengthen the contribution that parliaments could make to the work of the United Nations.  He noted that the Secretary-General’s report had drawn attention to the desire of world legislators to hold a high-level meeting on cooperation during next year’s mid-term review of the Millennium Summit.  National parliaments bore the responsibility of working on behalf of their peoples, as well as translating the decisions and plans of action of the United Nations into national policies.  He hoped the draft would be adopted by consensus.

ALOUNKEO KITTIKHOUN (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), introduced draft resolution A/59/L.6, saying that cooperation between ASEAN and the United Nations had been pursued for decades.  In addition to the Dialogue Partnership between ASEAN and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), several United Nations agencies had also been engaged in various areas of cooperation, such as poverty eradication, human resource development, good governance, disaster prevention, environment and sustainable development, science and technology, health and disease prevention, women and child protection, and peace-building, among others.

Some areas of fruitful cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN included the beneficial assistance rendered by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in the implementation of the Association’s regional programme on HIV/AIDS prevention and control. In the area of trade and economic cooperation, a number of regional seminars on matters relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO) focusing on capacity-building for ASEAN member countries in multilateral trade negotiations had been jointly organized.  The ASEAN was making headway in many respects towards the Millennium Development Goals, although the prospects remained uneven.  He agreed with the Secretary-General’s recommendation that achieving the Goals would be possible only if developed and developing countries instituted the right combination of national and international policies and implemented their shared commitments.

He also believed that strengthened cooperation between regional organizations such as ASEAN and the United Nations would contribute significantly to the attainment of internationally agreed-upon goals.  For that reason, the adoption of resolution A/59/L.6 would be of great benefit to both the United Nations and ASEAN.

SHINICHI KITAOKA (Japan), introduced the draft resolution on cooperation with the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, contained in document A/59/L.7, which he said was primarily of a procedural nature and was meant as a basis for the CTBTO to inform the Assembly of its activities at the latter’s sixty-first session.

Turning to cooperation between the United Nations and other organizations, he said that, in addressing regional issues, it was essential to ensure the ownership of the nations in the region and their regional organizations.  Such ownership had been demonstrated by the African Union and African subregional organizations in their efforts to address regional conflicts in recent years.  In particular, Japan commended the role of the Union in Burundi and, more recently, in Darfur.  As the African Union Peace and Security Council had embarked on its activities, and needs for peace support operations had grown in Africa, cooperation between the United Nations and African regional and subregional organizations had become more critical than ever.

He added that the AALCO was a unique organization.  He was confident that the work of codifying international law would be greatly advanced through closer cooperation between the AALCO and the United Nations.

ARJAN HAMBURGER (Netherlands) introduced the draft resolution on cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) (document A/59/L.8).  He said the States parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention had established the OPCW in 1997, and its mission was to fully and effectively implement the Convention in order to achieve the total elimination and prohibition of chemical weapons.  By the end of this month, the OPCW would have 166 States parties.  The OPCW worked actively to promote accession to the Convention by those countries that had not yet done so, as well as verified the destruction of existing weapons stockpiles and chemical weapons production facilities.

ALI’IOAIGA FETURI ELISAIA (Samoa), speaking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum, introduced the draft resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and that body (document A/59/L.11).  At their meeting last spring, the Forum’s leaders adopted a vision expressing the desire to foster peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity in the region.  To that end, they endorsed the development of a Pacific Plan to create stronger and deeper links between Forum members and identify sectors where the region could gain the most from sharing resources and aligning policies.  At this year’s summit, leaders noted the dangers to the world, and to the Pacific region, and had strengthened regional cooperation, as well as emphasized national efforts in promoting law enforcement collaboration, the rule of law and regional peace and security.

The Forum encouraged further cooperation on the issue of capacity-building through regional training programmes and workshops to foster awareness and knowledge on human rights treaties, preventive diplomacy and post-conflict resolution, he said.  The continuation of regular consultations between the Organization and the Forum’s secretariat, including participation at meetings of the Forum, was equally encouraged.  He urged the United Nations system to continue to work closely with the Forum to enhance coordination of United Nations-related activities in the region.  That would become increasingly important as the 10-year review of the Barbados Programme of Action, and the five-year review of the Millennium Development Goals, neared.

ALTAY CENGİZER (Turkey) introduced the resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) (document A/59/L.12).  He welcomed the report of Secretary General on current developments in the Middle East, Iraq and elsewhere in the Islamic world, adding that those issues underscored the vital nature of cooperation between the two organizations.  He hoped that, through the adoption of the draft, the United Nations and the OIC would continue to further their cooperation on important issues.

Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the OIC, he said the Secretary-General’s report gave a very comprehensive account of cooperation between the United Nations and the OIC at a very crucial time.  The sense of cooperation and collaboration among people could be furthered through close dialogue and common efforts among organizations.  The multidimensional nature of current problems, and the changed nature of threats that humanity faced as a whole, called for such enhanced institutional interaction.  In a world where local and regional threats could no longer be contained by traditional security measures, the international community must utilize every resource available.  Therefore, he strongly supported enhancing the role of regional and international bodies for the attainment of the shared goals of peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Speaking on behalf of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSECO), he said that organization had expanded its activities beyond traditional areas of regional economic cooperation.  It was now involved in supporting trade, banking and finance, transport, energy and electricity networks, science, statistical data, combating organized crime and simplification of cross-border, as well as customs, procedures.  He supported the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the BSECO.  It was, however, becoming increasingly apparent that the achievement of the Millennium Goals required enhanced cooperation and results-oriented collaboration. For that reason, he encouraged a deepening of relations between the United Nations and the BSECO.

ALI HACHANI (Tunisia), speaking on behalf of the Arab Group and the secretariat of the Arab League, said a draft on cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States would be distributed to all delegations shortly.  That text would express appreciation to the Secretary-General and the wider Secretariat for following up on the various meetings, objectives and priority issues identified by the League.  It would ask the two Secretariats to enhance cooperation and to continue to promote the letter and spirit of the Charter.  It would also call for intensified cooperation between the specialized agencies of the United Nations and the League on issues such as water and resource management, among others, specific to the Arab region and the wider Middle East.

Speaking in his national capacity, he stressed the need to enhance coordination between the United Nations and the African Union, and to strengthen the relevant consultative mechanisms to that end.  Support should also be given to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council.  He also stressed the need to strengthen the Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa.  He expressed appreciation for the ongoing consultations between the various agencies of the Organization and Arab States on issues such as the situation in the Middle East and the combating terrorism.

DOMINGOS AUGUSTO FERREIRA (Sao Tome and Principe), speaking on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), said the fourth summit of heads of State of the Community last July had approved a range of decisions and programmes, including for raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and fighting malaria, as well as a resolution to improve public administration.  The CPLP had played a role in the elections that took place in Mozambique last November and Guinea-Bissau in early 2004.  It had also signed cooperation agreements with various United Nations bodies.  East Timor, the last nation to join the Community, had received particular attention from other member States due to the urgent needs resulting from the difficult conditions that surrounded its independence.

In the last three weeks, he said the CPLP had sent a few missions to Guinea-Bissau to help in the national dialogue and reconciliation.  The CPLP was certain that the United Nations and the regional organizations in which Guinea-Bissau was involved would cooperate closely to rescue that nation from poverty and instability.  He added that the draft resolution on cooperation with the CPLP would be circulated in a few days, and he requested that Member States join the list of co-sponsors.

ANDREY DENISOV (Russian Federation), speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), said his delegation attached great importance to all efforts aimed at further intensification and improvement of cooperation between the United Nations and international and regional organizations.  Such cooperation should strictly conform to the principles of the Charter and be based on the universal nature of the United Nations.  Its scope should be broad, ranging from prevention and settlement of conflicts, and assistance for social and economic development, to combating HIV/AIDS, poverty eradication and countering organized crime and drug trafficking.  Such cooperation was particularly important to international efforts to combat terrorism, he added.

He went on to highlight the importance of continued cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  He proposed reinforcing OSCE counter-terrorist activities, saying that strengthening that body’s staff and budgeting would be necessary steps in the right direction.  The CIS also supported full implementation of the OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Stability and Security in the 21^st Century, adopted at last year’s OSCE Ministerial Meeting.  It also believed it was important that the OSCE continue to play a role in the resolution of regional conflicts.  It was necessary to make use of OSCE’s unique capacity in the military-political field.  To that end, efforts should be sped up to ensure the entry into force of the 1999 Agreement on Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, which was the cornerstone of the European security framework.

VICTOR KRYZHANIVSKY (Ukraine), speaking on behalf of Georgia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova (GUUAM), expressed concern over the continued lack of progress in the settlement of protracted conflicts in post-Soviet territories, namely, Abkhazia and South Ossettia in Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh in Azerbaijan and the conflict in the Republic of Moldova.  Those conflicts caused suffering to millions of people and threatened to destabilize the entire region of the OSCE.  He called on all relevant international organizations, including the United Nations and the OSCE, to take decisive steps aimed at final settlement, with full respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

ABUBAKAR A. TANKO, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the African Union, welcomed the establishment of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.  That was a reflection of the determination of the United Nations to strengthen its cooperation with the African Union and other subregional organizations in the quest for the maintenance of peace and security on the continent.  The use of regional strategies, involving regional actors, in the resolution of conflicts had been of great importance to the African Union. Through the Peace and Security Council, the Union was now more focused and proactive in its approach to the maintenance of peace and security.  That strategy had been enhanced through the establishment of institutional cooperation for the conflict prevention, management and resolution.  He reiterated commitment to resolution 57/48 of 2002, which stressed the need for closer cooperation and coordination between the African Union and the United Nations.

Nigeria endorsed the memorandum of understanding and programme of work between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, he said.  He appreciated the fact that that involved joint activities in the areas of good governance, security sector reform, electoral assistance, youth unemployment and the control of small arms and light weapons.  Nigeria’s quest for global peace and security would prove unsuccessful unless there were intensified efforts to eradicate poverty and disease and control the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which posed grave challenges to development efforts.  He appreciated the efforts of the United Nations and the contributions of the international community in combating those scourges.  Regarding the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), he said it was necessary to stress that urgent measures be taken to translate existing promises into action.  Since the objectives of NEPAD were intricately linked to the Millennium Goals, he strongly believed that achieving both would constitute a rescue operation for the continent.

JAMIRUDDIN SIRCAR (Bangladesh) said the United Nations had a mandate to intensify dialogue with regional organizations, which included exploring areas where those organizations constituted the ideal complement to the activities of the Organization.  In an increasingly globalized world, cooperation among international organizations was crucial, and the Millennium Declaration recognized the need for the United Nations to work more closely with parliaments in the areas of peace and security, economic and social development, international law and human rights, and democracy and gender issues.  World affairs had posed more complex tasks for the Organization, he said, adding that the role of regional organizations was crucial for managing issues at the regional and national levels.  They had a wealth of knowledge and experience from which the United Nations could greatly benefit by ways of effective partnership and cooperation.

He was encouraged to learn that the substantive relationship between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) had been expanding, in particular since the IPU was granted observer status in 2002.  That cooperation now covered a growing number of activities of mutual interest to both organizations.  The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was another organization of parliaments, firmly committed to establishing global cooperation for achieving peace, prosperity and a variety of goals around the world.  In addition, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was committed to forging broad-based cooperation among nations.  That organization had had tremendous success in promoting cooperation in the field of socio-economic development and information and communication technologies.  It had also aspired to expand its collective agenda of peace, progress and development in South Asia, as well as seek links with other subregional and regional groups.  He added that the report of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United Nations-Civil Society Relations had provided recommendations to engage parliamentarian more systematically in the work of the Organization.  Those merited serious consideration.

ALFRED M. DUBE (Botswana), speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said, since its establishment in 1980, the Community had evolved into a dynamic organization capable of adapting its institutional framework, intervention focus and strategic priorities to the continuously changing regional and international economic and socio-political environment.  It had made good progress towards restructuring so that it could better serve the needs of the people of the region.  He pointed out that a Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan had been adopted last year, which would serve as a key policy framework through which the wide ranging SADC Common Agenda would be implemented, as well as ensure the attainment of deeper and broader levels of economic integration and social development in the region.  It would focus on peace and security matters, democracy, HIV/AIDS and promoting the use of new information and communications technologies, among other things.

In addition, a number of intervention areas for regional cooperation had been identified for implementation over the next 15 years, each targeted to address specific objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, he said.  On the situation in the overall SADC region, he drew particular attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which had ravaged his homeland to unprecedented effect.  Indeed, the region was the epicentre of the AIDS crisis, and while the SADC had committed to combating the virus through the Maseru Declaration and Plan of Action, and its member States would continue to implement national and regional policies on HIV/AIDS, the region would, nevertheless, solicit the continued support of the United Nations system and the international community.  Finally, he expressed appreciation on the adoption of a resolution in the Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal) granting SADC observer status.

IVAN PETKOV, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Chair of the OSCE, said counter-terrorism deserved special attention.  The shocking attacks in Madrid, Beslan and elsewhere demonstrated that no country’s citizens could be safe without joint and coordinated global action against such callous acts of terror.  A decisive reform of regional security mechanisms was needed so that they could function instantly to address terrorism.  The OSCE was working closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee.  It intended to take further practical steps, as well as assist OSCE members to enforce the international legal standards in relevant conventions and resolutions.

In the past two years, the OSCE had devoted significant efforts to resolve conflicts and diffuse tensions, he said.  One good example of practical cooperation was Kosovo, where the OSCE was a key pillar of the United Nations in the province.  Europe had a large number of highly capable organizations that were equipped to cope with a spectrum of security challenges.  “The more successful we are, the greater the chances for peace and prosperity, and the lighter the burden of the United Nations”, he said.  The OSCE was constantly seeking to improve its political and operational contacts with regional and international organizations.

Two weeks ago, a historic and peaceful election had been held in Afghanistan, he stated.  It was also historic for his organization, as it was the first time the OSCE had launched an out-of-area operation in assisting the national authorities and the United Nations in the Afghan election process.  That demonstrated the flexibility and effectiveness of the OSCE, its commitment to assisting its partners for cooperation, as well as its good relationship with the United Nations.

MOSE TJITENDERO (Namibia) said cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union was one that Africa valued greatly.  The assistance of the Organization to the Union during the transition had been of great importance.  Now that the Commission of the African Union was fully functional, he believed that the assistance rendered during the transition should be translated into concrete programmes of cooperation.  Cooperation between the United Nations and the Union in the area of peace and security, and particularly in peacekeeping missions and in brokering peace, was enhancing security on the continent.  But, it must be stressed that peacekeeping operations must go hand in hand with humanitarian efforts.  That was true for the conflict situation in Darfur and for other situations, as well.

The challenges and levels of experience among the regional organizations varied from region to region, he said, adding that information sharing would save scarce resources.  The quarterly magazine African Renewal continued to be an effective source of information.  The Southern African Development Community (SADC) had long-standing relations with the Organization, which went as far back as the struggle for decolonization in southern Africa.  The SADC continued to contribute to the realization of the purposes and principles of the United Nations.  This year, SADC heads of State and government adopted the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, and took into account the ongoing transformation of the African Union and the launching of NEPAD.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) had always advocated a strong and effective multilateral system with the United Nations at the centre, and he was pleased that observer status had been accorded to it.  Parliamentarians of the world had dealt with issues of conflict as witnessed in Iraq, the Great Lakes region, the Middle East and other global hotspots.

PETER BIERI (Switzerland) said the aim of enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and international or regional organizations was to achieve better distribution of tasks and to find the best solutions to the problems of our time.  A fundamental principle was the pre-eminent role of the United Nations in peacekeeping and in the authorization of the use of force.  Apart from cases of legitimate defence, force could only be authorized by the Security Council, he added.

Switzerland put the principle of task-sharing into practice everyday, he said.  It enabled actors who were closest to ground realities to formulate and then implement solutions that responded to the needs of local populations, in cooperation with higher authorities.  And while contemporary challenges in the fields of security, sustainable development and the promotion of human rights needed to be discussed at international levels, regional and sectoral organizations still had an essential role to play in the search for and implementation of solutions that were tailored appropriately to specific local, social or cultural situations.  Organizations such as the IPU, the Council of Europe and the OSCE had a special role to play in that context.  The opportunities for cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU –- a parliament of parliaments -– were enormous and deserved to be developed.  The relevant draft resolution introduced today laid the groundwork for strengthening such cooperation.

JOHAN L. LØVALD (Norway), speaking as Chair of the Council of Europe, said his organization had implemented the principles of the United Nations.  Those values went out to 800 million people in Europe.  The Council and the Organization shared the same view that the global threat of terrorism must be met by a global response.  He also believed that any response to terrorism should be based on the rule of law and democracy.  The Council of Europe was also committed to promoting inter-cultural dialogue in order to foster human rights and tolerance.

He noted that at the opening of the general debate the Secretary-General had stressed the importance of both national and international rule of law.  That recommendation was an avenue to further examine cooperation between the Council of Europe and the United Nations.  As Chair of the Council, Norway looked forward to further opportunities to enhance that cooperation.

DAVID ATKINSON (United Kingdom) said relations between the Council of Europe and the United Nations went back 50 years, and cooperation, which took many forms, continued to improve.  In Kosovo, for example, at the request of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the OSCE, the Council of Europe would field an observation team for the forthcoming election for the province’s Assembly.  The United Nations Mission had also recently signed two agreements that would pave the way for two of the Council’s human rights conventions to be applied in Kosovo -- the Framework for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.  That signing illustrated that the Council’s principal contribution to human rights was its legal instruments.  The most well known was, of course, the European Convention on Human Rights.

He said the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Terrorism recently concluded that it could bring further added value to the fight against terrorism through focused and specifically targeted instruments dealing with prevention and covering existing gaps in international law or action.  The international legal framework aimed at combating terrorism was already extensive and the highest priority should be given to obtaining the widest possible ratification and implementation of existing instruments.

CHEICK SIDI DIARRA (Mali) said United Nations support for the establishment of the various organs of the African Union had been important and essential, as had the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa.  That support had also made it possible to press ahead with the implementation of NEPAD.  He welcomed the assistance and cooperation of United Nations experts towards the establishment of the African Union’s Council for Peace and Security.  The illegal spread of small arms and light weapons was a source of major concern for the continent, he said, stressing that the support given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) towards the promotion and implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Moratorium on that scourge should be strengthened, so that it could be put into effect in other regions.

The African Union and the United Nations should continue to pool their expertise in areas such as peacekeeping and peace-building.  He also stressed the need to strengthen capacities in the area of human rights, particularly those of women and children, to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable segments of the population.  Mali also welcomed the cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference on economic, social and humanitarian issues.  The two should shoulder the primary responsibility towards assisting the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.  To that end, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) should also be strengthened.  On the important cooperative efforts under way between the United Nations and the Organization of la Francophonie, he said such collaboration had, among other things, led to the promotion of multilingualism throughout the United Nations system.

JULIAN VILA COMA (Andorra) said he supported the efforts of the IPU and the United Nations, as well as consultations to define how to bring a parliamentary dimension into the work of the Organization.  Among the areas he stressed was cooperation between the IPU and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in the realm of education.  With regard to peace and security, he highlighted the efforts of the two bodies in fighting terrorism.  In the social arena, he welcomed the work of the IPU in eliminating all forms of discrimination and its consideration of gender issues.  Also, with regard to sustainable development, he said the joint work of the United Nations and the IPU had been helpful in analysing how far the international community had come in achieving the Millennium Goals.  His delegation was a co-sponsor to a variety of resolutions to support cooperation.

ADRIAN SEVERIN (Romania) said that with the support of regional organizations, the United Nations could build a more stable foundation for peace, security and a better life in all regions of the world.  Regional organizations had certain unique advantages –- namely, faster deployment capabilities, better use of resources and closer knowledge of political realities on the ground.  That made them “the” United Nations partners of choice in dealing with the whole spectrum of objectives on today’s international agenda.  He said the Council of Europe was currently intensifying its relationship with the United Nations.  Members of its Subcommittee on External Relations, which he chaired, were all in New York exchanging views with United Nations officials on common issues of concern and how to reinforce cooperation between the two organizations.

While the need for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations was widely recognized and welcome, the best way to achieve that was still under reflection and/or implementation, he said.  His country hoped that the topic would feature prominently in the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.  The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe had adopted a number of resolutions and recommendations on strengthening the United Nations.  “We believe it would be fair and wholly justified that such ideas coming from regional organizations as ours are taken into consideration by the United Nations and [that] the relevant United Nations documents make explicit reference to those contributions”, he said.

In the search for the best modes of cooperation, what must be kept in mind was the differing characteristics of regional organizations, which defied the construction of a universal model of cooperation.  Nevertheless, some general principles should guide cooperative processes – namely, the primacy of Chapter VIII and the United Nations Security Council’s role in preserving international peace and security.

MICHEL KAFANDO (Burkina Faso) said the African Union’s impact on world affairs was far from negligible; it was decisive.  Over the years, the Union had proven an aptitude for settling conflicts and keeping the peace, the latest of which was the dispatching of African troops to Darfur.  Although Africa had the potential to shoulder its own responsibility, cooperation should be stepped up.  It was to the credit of the United Nations, he added, that it had taken on board NEPAD and the programme to fight HIV/AIDS.  With regard to the IPU and the United Nations, there had been a strengthening of cooperation between the two, and there was no need to dwell on all that had been undertaken to achieve that.  Yet, he could not forget to mention the historic conference that took place in New York, which set off a series of actions that brought together the IPU and the Organization.

He said parliaments, by their involvement in world affairs, showed that they were actors that the international community could not do without.  He added that parliamentary diplomacy was to play a critical role.  In addition, parliaments could strengthen multilateral machinery.  He welcomed the permanent observer of the IPU and congratulated him for the hard work carried out in sharing the ideals of the organization.  In addition, he reminded the French-speaking family that only sustainable development the world over would guarantee peace and security.  Since its inception, the International Organization of la Francophonie had launched initiatives designed to bring people closer together.  Cooperation of that kind needed to be encouraged.

BASILE IKOUEBE (Congo), speaking on behalf of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), of which his country holds the current chairmanship, expressed his gratitude for the support given to wider Africa, as well as to his region.  The geo-political situation in the Central African region was undergoing positive changes in light of that assistance, even though just a few years ago, it had been considered one of the most troubled on the continent.  He also welcomed the work of the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser on Africa.  In addition, he hoped that all States, particularly those neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo, would participate in the long-awaited and eagerly anticipated meeting on the Great Lakes region, set for next month in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

He went on to highlight efforts under way to create a zone of free exchange in the region, and to stress the need to implement disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes in order to consolidate the positive peace processes under way.  Central Africa was expecting a great deal from the United Nations, he said, expressing gratitude for the fruits of previous joint initiatives that had led to the creation of the Subregional Human Rights Centre, and the Centre for Democracy in Central Africa.  Still, in light of the myriad challenges that remained to be met, Central Africa would shortly submit a draft resolution designed to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and ECCAS.  He hoped that text would have the backing of all States.

MAHMOUD SAMY (Egypt) said the past years had shown the need to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations. The development of the relationship between the United Nations Security Council and regional organizations was of absolute importance.  The people from a particular area or region were far better equipped and attuned to provide facts from the ground which could be of use to the Council.

African countries, for example, he said, had shown a spirit of responsibility in coping with armed conflicts on their continent.  He cited the efforts of the various subregional organizations in many parts of Africa and particularly those of the Africa Union, which had shouldered important responsibilities.  That multidimensional African partnership fit well with the concept of Security Council cooperation with regional and subregional organizations for the maintenance of international peace and security.  The model was a good one that could be replicated elsewhere and also one that transcended narrow political interests.

He went on to emphasize the need to strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.  Cooperation with the latter involved full respect for the United Nations Charter, particularly the rights of people under occupation, as well as for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.  In light of all that and given recent circumstances, the League of Arab States had special responsibilities.  He also addressed cooperation between the countries of Asia and Africa and urged Member States to adopt a draft on that cooperation.

FRANCIS K. BUTAGIRA (Uganda) welcomed the strengthened and dynamic cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in various fields, particularly with regard to the Union’s Peace and Security Council.  The African Union had established a standby force to deal with conflicts on the continent, and more resources would be required to make that force effective.  The United Nations could play a vital role to mobilize necessary resources.  The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa should be strengthened by staffing it with highly qualified and experienced people, who would play an advocacy role for increased assistance to Africa, especially in the economic field.  In addition, he called for the strengthening of the role of the UNDP resident coordinator, by providing that office with adequate financial resources.  There should be more coordination, he added, between the various United Nations agencies represented at the country level, under the overall coordination of the UNDP resident coordinator.

In 1994, the Secretary-General had initiated meetings with heads of regional organizations to discuss topics such as poverty, organized crime, and peace and security, he said.  The outcomes of those meetings had contributed to the success of the work of the Organization in those fields.  There should also be a stronger working relationship with the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).  Already the United Nations was playing a vital role in the area of conflict resolution with regard to the Sudan and the Somalia Peace Talks.  More should be done to expedite the peace talks between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement.  He welcomed cooperation between the IPU and the United Nations, saying that by internalizing the Millennium Goals, parliaments could play an important role in their implementation.  It was important to include parliamentarians in government delegations to the General Assembly and to forums negotiating multilateral treaties.

SARDAR MUHAMMAD SAWAR (Pakistan), focusing on United Nations cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said that body now had some
54 member States, and six observers from Asia, Africa and Europe.  As the collective voice of the Islamic world, the OIC had for years been engaged in a constructive and cooperative relationship with the United Nations, reinforcing common efforts in pursuit of peace and development.  The OIC had also endeavoured to deepen cultural dialogue with and among different civilizations and cultures.  It had also taken significant measures in fostering peace, in promoting social and economic development, and in combating ethnic or racial intolerance, which constantly threatened international peace and security.

He stressed that in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September 2001, the Islamic world, under the auspices of the OIC, had joined the international community in the common fight against terrorism.  It had been emphatic in its condemnation of terrorism and had adopted a convention to deal with the scourge.  Pakistan would like to see the United Nations and the OIC work more closely together towards resolving conflicts in the Muslim world, including Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir.  More needed to be done by all to address the root causes of those conflicts, he added.

In addition, he highlighted cooperative activities under way with other regional groups, including the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which already had in place blueprints for region-wide development of transportation and communications infrastructure, and facilities for trade and investment, as well as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which represented seven countries in that region.  The SAARC sought to promote the welfare of the peoples of that region and to improve their quality of life by accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development.

ANGELA NAPOLI (Italy) said the draft resolution before the Assembly on cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU, which her country was co-sponsoring with Chile, constituted another important step towards more intense collaboration between the two organizations.  The Union had an important role to play in ensuring that members of parliaments throughout the world realized the importance of United Nations peacekeeping and the enormous political, logistic and financial challenges it entailed.  The IPU could encourage the governments of Member States to help the Organization to overcome shortfalls in commitment and equipment, thereby supporting peace processes in countries where peacekeeping operations had been deployed.

The establishment of inter-parliamentarian mechanisms and structures in the framework of intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations must include strict respect for the principles of independence and the separation of powers, she said.  It was necessary to avoid useless duplication of mechanisms that already existed in the IPU framework.

GERHARD PFANZELTER (Austria) said today’s threats to security and stability were of such a complex and diverse nature that no single institution or country on its own was able to combat them effectively.  The OSCE and the United Nations had always been close partners in the pursuit of human rights, democracy and peace.  That was particularly true of the work of both organizations on the ground, including the OSCE’s contribution to the Organization’s Interim Administration in Kosovo; the cooperation between the two in bringing forward a peaceful solution to the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia; and the role of the OSCE in election support and monitoring, most recently in Afghanistan, and in preparing the Kosovo Assembly elections.  Counter-terrorism and the fight against human trafficking were among the priorities of the OSCE.  As such, the OSCE was cooperating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The CTBT had been one of Austria’s main priorities in the field of disarmament, he said.  As host country for the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, it assumed a special responsibility for the successful preparation for the entry into force of the CTBT.  Unfortunately, the number of States whose ratification was required for the CTBT’s entry into force was stagnant at 33.  Regarding the Council of Europe, Austria supported its ongoing work, along with that of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  In conclusion, he said Austria had supported observer status for the IPU and the resolution on cooperation between the United Nations and the IPU.  By including the IPU in its debates, the General Assembly would acknowledge the voice of elected representatives and would benefit from their contributions.

XOLISA MABHONGO (South Africa) joined other delegations in recognizing the remarkable cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union. He particularly praised the establishment of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, which had been contributing to the formulation of the African Union’s vision and overall strategic framework.  In addition, the United Nations had hosted a training programme on drafting the Protocol relating to the establishment of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, which had been officially inaugurated this past May.  He also commended the ongoing support on HIV/AIDS and the establishment of a World Food Programme (WFP) Liaison Office to the Union.

He went on to say that, although a number of important pledges to provide resources to NEPAD had been made, unfortunately, they had not yet been fulfilled.  He hoped that the Special Adviser’s Office would continue to promote the provision of resources for NEPAD’s full implementation.  The various conflict situations that still plagued some regions of the continent were also troubling, and the Peace and Security Council would be a useful tool to promote cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in the area of conflict prevention.  For its part, South Africa would continue to strengthen the SADC, and he believed the recent decision to apply for observer status to the United Nations would further enhance cooperation between the two bodies.

Mr. POURGOURIDES (Cyprus) said he was pleased to note the long-standing cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe.  The two emerged at a similar point in history and shared common goals, including respect for the rule of law.  The United Nations and the Council were mutually reinforcing in endeavours to protect human rights and democracy.  They were both involved in promoting peace and conflict prevention, in the fight against terrorism and racism, and strove to achieve gender equality.  The protection of human rights was at the forefront of the Council’s work.  Regarding the European Court of Human Rights, he said it provided a safe way to safeguard the human rights of European nations, and he attached importance to the effective functioning of the Court.  Speedy disposal of cases before the Court was necessary, as was the implementation and prompt execution of its decisions.

Smaller States, for which international legitimacy was important, and which relied heavily on the decisions of the Court for their protection, were especially supportive of such courts, he said.  The Council was a human rights organization, and without respect for human rights the world could not enjoy peace.  He shared the concern of the United Nations for threats to security posed by terrorism, and believed that the fight against terrorism must be conducted while respecting human rights and freedoms.  The fight against terrorism could not degenerate into torture, he said.  The prohibition of torture was absolute.  With regard to the promotion of peace, he believed that close cooperation between the Council and the United Nations should be further enhanced.

VANU GOPALA MENON (Singapore) said that, in his own region, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), an organization comprising 10 member States, had been broadening and deepening its cooperation with the United Nations.  He was sad to observe, however, that in recent years, some resolutions on cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, instead of being adopted by consensus, were being voted upon.  To those who did not know the background to such votes, it could create the wrong impression that some Member States were opposed to United Nations cooperation with those regional organizations when, in reality, such opposition did not exist.

He had observed that certain divisive issues kept coming up in various forms in resolutions in the Main Committees and in the plenary.  The unfortunate net result was to distract the attention of the General Assembly from the important subjects in question, and to deny consensus on the relevant resolutions, as in the case of resolutions on cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations.  He hoped that all Member States would recognize that there was a time and a place to debate issues that were clearly divisive, in a constructive manner, and that scoring a victory through a narrow vote on contentious issues achieved nothing and generated acrimony.

ZHANG YISHAN (China) said that, over the years, the AALCO was the only intergovernmental legal consultative institution in that region.  The organization had closely followed the latest developments in international law; carried out in-depth studies on international law issues of common concern to its members; provided advice to its members in the field of international law; and offered them a forum for cooperation on legal questions of common interest.  The organization had thus been able to provide guidance to Asian and African States regarding international legal practice, and had contributed to the progressive development and codification of international law.

China believed that the organization would see its influence grow further with the increase in its membership and the expansion of its activities.  Since being granted permanent observer status with the United Nations in 1980, the AALCO had witnessed its cooperation with the United Nations growing closer.  As a result of the cooperation between the organization and the International Law Commission, he said, Asian and AfricanStates kept abreast of the latest developments in international law, and were able to make their contribution to its progressive development and codification.  China hoped that cooperation between the United Nations and the AALCO in promoting the progressive development and codification of international law and in other areas of common concern would be further strengthened, and become a model of close cooperation between global and regional organizations aimed at promoting world peace and development.

KOUMTOG LAOTEGGUELNODJI (Chad) said the voices of the States of Central Africa had indeed been heard, judging by the depth of consideration the region had been given in the Secretary-General’s report.  He praised the work undertaken by the Organization on behalf of his region and proposed the appointment of a special envoy for Central Africa, which could lead the way to a comprehensive, integrated and lasting strategy in which United Nations agencies and ECCAS could work together to address all the socio-political, economic and humanitarian concerns in the region.  He believed that flames of conflict had been put out or were in the process of being extinguished, so there was certainly hope for the future.  He called on all concerned States to participate in the long-awaited international conference on the Great Lakes region, set for next month in the United Republic of Tanzania.

NEBOJSA KALUDJEROVIC (Serbia and Montenegro) emphasized the cooperation established among the United Nations, the OSCE and the Council of Europe in Belgrade, Podgoria and Pristina.  The OSCE had been involved in the reform of the election systems, the judiciary and police, as well as in the strengthening of institutions.  It played a key role in containing potential ethnic conflicts by creating conditions for peaceful development.  Also, the OSCE had been the promoter of regional activities in border management, in line with the decision of the Ohrid Conference.  There was a special form of cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE and other regional organizations in Kosovo in the areas of institution-building, the promotion of human rights, elections and police training.  Further cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE would contribute to better minority protection, faster return of refugees and the establishment of the fate of missing persons.

As for the United Nations and the Council of Europe, his Government was convinced that further advancement of their already extensive cooperation would help avoid duplication and enable more efficient use of resources and knowledge.  Joint activities of the United Nations and the Council in the restoration and protection of cultural heritage in Kosovo were of immense importance to his nation.  He added that there was ample room to strengthen cooperation on the fight against terrorism.  This year, a joint United Nations/OSCE conference devoted to that topic was held in Vienna.  Of no less importance was the cooperation between the Council and the United Nations specialized agencies, particularly those dealing with the same issues as the Council, such as the UNHCR and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr. AMAYOM (Kenya) stressed the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, and the AALCO, saying that such regional organizations had become the pillars in international efforts to ensure sustainable development.  They had contributed in all multi-sectoral arenas such as the promotion and preservation of peace, stability and security.  Kenya, therefore, believed that cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations should be encouraged, particularly since the main challenges facing the world today needed to be addressed collectively.

He went on to highlight the joint efforts under way between the United Nations and the African Union, noting cooperative initiatives with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on capacity-building, peacekeeping protection and the promotion of human rights and conflict management, among other things.  As a major troop-contributing country, Kenya welcomed the African Union’s decision to establish a standby force and would call on the international community to ensure such a force became operational.  Noting the important role being played by the AALCO, he welcomed the draft resolution introduced earlier on strengthening United Nations cooperation with that group.

VSEVOLOD GRIGORE (Republic of Moldova) said cooperation between the United Nations and the OSCE was of particular importance to his country.  The two bodies had shared interests on the European continent, including strengthening the rule of law and democracy, and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms.  With its unique approach to security, human rights and political/military issues, the OSCE remained the primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.  There were, however, many unsolved issues on the OSCE security agenda that deserved close attention.  One of those was the continued existence of the so-called “frozen conflicts” in the Black Sea area.  Those conflicts had far-reaching implications for international peace and security, regional stability and development.

It was necessary to step up joint efforts regarding the political conflict in the eastern part of his nation, he said, adding that the Republic of Moldova had informed relevant international organizations on the danger posed by that protracted conflict, as well as on its efforts to resolve it.  Throughout the years, his nation had worked in good faith with all actors involved in the settlement process.  He believed it was essential to deploy an international monitoring mission, under the auspices of the OSCE and the European Union, along the porous Transnistrian segment of the eastern border of Moldova.

It was also necessary, he added, to modify the components of the existing peacekeeping mechanism which lacked efficiency and impartiality.  His nation was committed to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, and by launching the Stability and Security Pact of Moldova, the President had invited all parties to reach consensus to guarantee independence, sovereignty and integrity of a democratic MoldovanState.

YASHAR ALIYEV (Azerbaijan) said that it was surprising that the report on cooperation with the OSCE failed to note any reference to cooperation for the maintenance of international peace and security except for counter-terrorism measures.  He did not see any serious consideration of armed conflicts existing in the OSCE region.  Since the United Nations and the OSCE were responsible for maintaining international peace and security, he expected that resolutions adopted by the United Nations to uphold the sovereignty of Member States would be followed.

He was encouraged to see the range of activities specified in the report.  He would request, however, that there be an analysis of the achievements and the failures of actions in the OSCE areas.  The report was also lacking a humanitarian dimension, because while activity was taking place in the field, nothing about that was mentioned in the report.  The concept of transition from relief to development could also be included.  He recognized the vital role of inter-agency dialogue and cooperation, and underlined the role of the United Nations in that regard.  He added that the dialogue with the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO) should be further promoted, and that the United Nations and the Council of Europe should cooperate more actively in conflict prevention, among other things.

SERGIO PAEZ VERDUGO, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said that, two years ago, in recognition of its standing as the world organization of national parliaments, the General Assembly had granted observer status to the IPU.  Since then, relations between the two organizations had taken on new impetus and significance, and it was his intention to continue to build on those foundations for the future.  The United Nations was seeking to reinforce its links with the legislative branch of government, and it was not alone in doing so.  It was a sign of the times, and many multilateral organizations were turning to the elected representatives of the people, in the hope that their informed guidance would narrow the democracy gap in global governance.

The IPU was a practical organization that was in touch with people’s day-to-day needs, he said.  Indeed, where major enterprises of nation-building were taking place, where the United Nations was hard at work assisting nations emerging from conflicts, the IPU was playing its part.  That was the case in Timor-Leste.  In addition, an IPU needs assessment mission in Afghanistan would assist in a programme to consolidate the new parliament in Kabul, and another mission would take place in Amman.  The IPU would also work with Iraq’s Interim Assembly in preparation for the constitutional assembly that would hopefully be elected at the beginning of next year.

Drawing on practical experiences and its work to develop normative aspects of democracy, the IPU was preparing a systematic framework of criteria and good practice for addressing democracy within nations, he said.  The framework would focus on representation and, hence, on parliament.  The IPU was bringing parliaments to the United Nations and vice-versa.  The IPU, for its part, mobilized those parliamentarians who had practical expertise on specific issues and helped them interact with each other and with relevant United Nations bodies.  The United Nations, for its part, took action to improve understanding and knowledge of its aims and objectives, thereby making sure parliamentarians could serve as its political arm.

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