In Event Message, Secretary-General Commends United Nations Central Africa Office for Efforts towards Addressing Security Challenges Facing Subregion

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, for the inauguration of the new premises of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), in Libreville today:

I am pleased to convey my greetings to all those gathered for the inauguration of the new premises of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA).  I thank the Government of the Gabonese Republic for its hospitality, generosity and contribution to regional peace and stability.

Established only five years ago, UNOCA has proven its usefulness in addressing the peace and security challenges facing the subregion of Central Africa.  I am grateful to the Governments of Central African countries for supporting the strengthening of the Office and recognizing the utility of early warning and early political action as major tools for conflict prevention.

In its report last year, the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations noted that regional offices serve as forward platforms for preventive diplomacy and mediation.  One of the main pillars of UNOCA’s mandate is to support regional and subregional initiatives on peace and security.  This includes cooperating with subregional organizations, in particular the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and other key partners.

UNOCA and the ECCAS Secretariat recently signed a revised memorandum of understanding, which defines the operational framework of cooperation, collaboration and interaction for action in various fields ranging from conflict prevention and resolution to counter-terrorism to assistance with regard to electoral processes.

As the Governments of the subregion continue to address the challenges facing Central Africa — including terrorism, the presence of armed groups, illicit trafficking in wildlife, maritime insecurity and piracy and human rights issues — you can count on the partnership and full support of UNOCA, the Department of Political Affairs, and the United Nations system.