Statement and comment by Mr. Petr Iliichev, Chargé d'Affaires, at the Security Council on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security: African Union
We too extend our condolences to our Chinese colleagues in the light of the incident that occurred at a preschool in the east of the country. We extend our sympathy to the families of the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
We thank the briefers for their comprehensive statements. We agree with the approach of SecretaryGeneral António Guterres. It is important to develop and strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union and African subregional organizations. The potential for closer cooperation exists and the challenges faced by both Africa and the international community dictate the need to pool efforts and harness the organizations’ comparative advantages.
We welcome the efforts of our African partners in settling crises in Africa. We note that the African Union and other subregional organizations have stepped up their efforts and initiatives considerably in that sphere, including through the establishment of a continent-wide peace and security architecture. We are confident that in order to effectively overcome crises in Africa, we need an approach that brings together, above all, the leadership of Africans themselves to determine the paths to settling disputes, and effective international support for such efforts. We support the African solutions to African issues approach.
We would like to draw attention to the fact that cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union must be rooted in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and include key provisions such as the alignment of regional players’ initiatives for the maintenance of peace and security with the purposes and principles of the Charter, while prioritizing peaceful dispute settlement, Security Council authorization for any coercive measures and reporting before the Council. We trust that the Secretary-General’s proposed algorithms will fully take those issues into account.
Furthermore, it is important for a unique crisis solution to be tailored in each instance in a manner that reflects the specific situations of local communities. We believe that in most instances, regional actors are more familiar with the situations in areas within their purview. Yet, given the main responsibility of the Security Council — the maintenance of international peace and security — we do not believe that the Council can fully opt out of addressing such issues. They cannot be left solely to the discretion of African organizations, especially if we seek to apply all requisite measures.
It is important to enhance predictability, reliability and flexibility in financing African operations and joint missions. As a matter of principle, we do not object to considering the possible expansion of United Nations participation in such missions. We stand ready to engage in further constructive dialogue in that regard. However, we believe that regardless of the options chosen, it is critical to retain the current procedure followed by the United Nations in considering and approving relevant budget requet requests to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation and disbursement of funds and to provide for United Nations staff participation in all planning stages and for the effective implementation of the goals set forth.
Furthermore, we note the importance of further study of the Secretary-General’s ideas, with representatives of the African Union Commission. In that context, we must have a clear picture of the degree to which African partners are ready to strengthen cooperation, including financially and for peacekeeping and security. It is clear that enhanced cooperation between our organizations will inevitably entail greater regional ownership, which they must be fully willing to undertake.
