In Presidential Statement, Security Council Underlines Importance of Coordination among United Nations Organs, Other Relevant Entities

The Security Council this morning underscored the importance of increased coordination, cooperation and interaction among the principal organs of the United Nations, in particular the Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, other relevant bodies including the Peacebuilding Commission, and regional organizations, including the African Union.

In a statement read by Council President Román Oyarzun Marchesi of Spain (S/PRST/2015/19), following its open debate on Working Methods of 20 October (see Press Release SC/12088), the 15-member body reaffirmed that the relationship between the principal organs of the Organization was mutually reinforcing and complementary, in accordance with and with full respect for their respective functions, authority, powers and competencies as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.  The Council took note in that regard of the adoption by the Assembly of resolution 69/321 on 11 September and the continued cooperation between the Presidents of both organs.

Further to the presidential statement, the Council affirmed its commitment to continue to keep its working methods under consideration in its regular work, in order to ensure their effective and consistent implementation.  The Council recalled its commitment to making more effective use of open meetings, welcoming joint statements by both Council members and other Member States.

Appreciating the work undertaken by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, the Council requested the Group continue reviewing and updating relevant notes by the Council President, in particular note S/2010/507 of 26 July 2010, including with a focus on implementation.

Before adjournment, Mr. Oyarzun said that the text was the first-ever “substantial” presidential statement on working methods in the history of the 15-member body, noting that Spain had completed its task as Council President for October while expressing best wishes for the United Kingdom, which would assume that role next month.

The meeting began at 10:06 a.m. and adjourned at 10:13 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/19 reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes the continued participation by the wider membership in the open debate held on 20 October 2015 under the agenda item ‘Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2010/507)’.

“The Security Council expresses its intent to continue to hold an annual open debate on its working methods and affirms its commitment to continue to keep its working methods under consideration in its regular work, with a view to ensuring their effective and consistent implementation.

“The Security Council recalls its commitment to making more effective use, as appropriate, of open meetings, and to this end expresses its commitment to continue to take steps to improve the focus and interactivity of its open debates. In this regard, the Security Council welcomes joint statements by both Security Council members and other Member States.

“The Security Council underscores the importance of increased  coordination, cooperation and interaction among  the principal organs of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Secretariat, as well as with  other relevant bodies including the Peacebuilding Commission, and regional organisations, including the African Union, and reaffirms that the relationship between the principal organs of the United Nations is mutually reinforcing and complementary, in accordance with and with full respect for their respective functions, authority, powers and competencies as enshrined in the Charter. In this regard, the Security Council takes notes of the adoption, on 11 September 2015, by the General Assembly, of resolution 69/321 and the continued cooperation between the President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly.

“The Security Council appreciates the work undertaken by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, and requests the Informal Working Group to continue reviewing and updating relevant Notes by the President of the Security Council, in particular Note S/2010/507 of 26 July 2010, including with a focus on implementation.

“The Security Council takes note of the efforts of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions to enhance the transparency of its activities, including by the Chair providing regular briefings to interested Member States, in consultation with its members, and encourages the Working Group to make further progress in this regard.

“The Security Council further appreciates the efforts on working methods undertaken by its other subsidiary bodies aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of their activities, and encourages them, as appropriate, to make further progress.”