Background Release

GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DISCUSS HUMAN SECURITY IN ONE-DAY THEMATIC DEBATE ON 22 MAY

Member States of the United Nations will discuss for the first time the notion of human security at a General Assembly thematic debate on 22 May. Convened by General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim, the one-day forum aims to have countries reflect on the multidimensional scope of human security and to further explore ways to follow up on its original reference made in the World Summit Outcome Document in 2005.

In the Outcome Document, Member States recognized that “all individuals, in particular vulnerable people, are entitled to freedom from fear and freedom from want, with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential”.  To this end, Member States have committed themselves “to discussing and defining the notion of human security in the General Assembly”.

“Human security is a fitting response to a world of interconnected threats and challenges, which include natural and man-made disasters, hunger, disease and socio-economic inequalities, all of which call for a more holistic approach focused on people, their protection and empowerment,” says President Kerim.

But a human-centred approach to security has implications for both the individual and the State, as regards responsibilities.  General Assembly President Kerim notes that “the State should place greater emphasis on responsibility to care for the well-being of its own citizens, as well as people that may be threatened, wherever they may be, but, at the same time, individuals need to accept greater responsibility for their own well-being, as well”.

In practice, the notion of human security has already been reflected and is being developed in a number of concrete projects carried out by Member States and United Nations offices, agencies, funds and programmes, as well as by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security.

Already in March 1999, the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security was launched in New York.  Managed by the subsequently established Human Security Unit, situated in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security has so far invested in more than 175 projects worldwide.  The projects are being selected based on whether they provide concrete and sustainable benefits to people and communities whose survival, livelihood and dignity are threatened.  Other criteria include the need to combine protection and empowerment measures; promote partnerships with civil society and other local entities; and address the range of issues pertaining to the multisectoral demands of human security.

As a follow-up to the 2005 Summit, an open-ended forum composed of Member States from all regions called Friends of Human Security was set up in New York in October 2006.  The forum seeks to promote an understanding of human security, to mainstream human security in United Nations activities and to pursue collaborative efforts among Member States.

Friends of Human Security, as well as United Nations offices, agencies, funds and programmes identified a spectrum of human-security-related initiatives from their fields of action.  In February, the Friends of Human Security submitted a compendium of human-security-related initiatives and activities by members of the Friends of Human Security and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to the President of the General Assembly.  The letter was issued as document A/62/695.

The 22 May debate is expected to build on those efforts and provide an opportunity for Member States to exchange views on the content, the scope and the role of human security in the United Nations system.

The meeting will be opened by General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim at 10 a.m. in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, followed by a statement from Secretary‑General Ban Ki-moon.  A keynote speech will be delivered by Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, which will be followed by an interactive exchange of views by Member States. Closing remarks following the discussion will be delivered by Assembly President Kerim.

A press briefing with Assembly President Srgjan Kerim and the event’s keynote speaker, Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan will be held on 22 May at 1 p.m. in Room S-226.

For more information, please visit http://www.un.org/ga/president/62/ThematicDebates/humansecurity.shtml, http://ochaonline.un.org/HumanitarianIssues/HumanSecurity/tabid/2421/Default.aspx or contact Janos Tisovszky, Spokesperson for the General Assembly President, tel.: +1 917 367 2068, e-mail: tisovszky@un.org.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record