Statement by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the open VTC of UNSC members "Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations"
Mr. President,
We welcome your personal participation in this debate in your capacity as President of the Security Council and the current Chairperson of the African Union.
We also welcome the participation of high-level briefers – Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and Chair of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki. We thank them for the information and assessments they shared.
Russia consistently advocates for stepping-up cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union. Dialogue of the two organizations on issues of peace and security in Africa has progressed in the recent two years. Two framework agreements have been signed, both of them being implemented at the moment. There are annual meetings and full-fledged conferences convened by the Security Council of the United Nations and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. Discussion of African problems in such format, as well as joint events, field trips and missions of special representatives enhance effectiveness of joint efforts aimed at conflict prevention and resolution.
Joint (hybrid) mission of the UN and AU in Darfur that has completed its mandate is a showcase of successful cooperation on the ground. Another good example is the assistance that the United Nations renders to the African Union Mission in Somalia and G5 Sahel Joint Force.
We are glad that the African voice in the Security Council is united and resonant. We welcome the high level of coordination in the UNSC reached by the “African trio” joined by the like-minded Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We appreciate the contribution of South African delegation to the work of the Security Council in addressing key issues of maintaining peace and stability in these two years.
Mr. President,
It is positive that Africans increasingly often take the lead in dealing with peace and security issues on their continent. President Ramaphosa, we very much appreciate efforts you make to resolve the situation around Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and settle the crisis in the north of Ethiopia.
When acting at this track, Africans remain very resolute. AU flagship initiative that should put an end to armed conflicts on the continent proves this decisive stance.
We assume that UN’s interaction with African regional organizations should be based on the understanding that it is the regionals who should define ways of resolving the main disputes in Africa as per Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Thereby it is the task of the United Nations to render comprehensive support to those efforts in the spirit of principle “African solutions to the African problems”.
We believe effectiveness of cooperation at this track will depend on how the following priority issues are solved.
First of all, we understand concerns of our African partners regarding material support of African peacekeeping operations. We need to make this matter more predictable, reliable, and flexible. Russia stands ready to set forth relevant constructive dialogue both at the Security Council and at other UN platforms, once we have determined our shared position with regard to financing of AU peacekeeping missions.
It is also important to follow up on conflict prevention and developing early warning system on the African continent. We must not cease our efforts in countering the influx of arms and illegal arms trafficking.
The growing terrorist threat requires specific targeted attention. Terrorist organizations make use of the coronavirus pandemic to consolidate their positions. We are particularly concerned by the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region which has grossly deteriorated recently. We are ready to share our expertise in countering terrorism with our African partners, implement capacity-building projects that should help countries of the continent address the threats of terrorism and extremism.
Also, the United Nations would be able to better interact with African states if the problem of illegal unilateral sanctions was solved, because some African countries still have to face such restrictions. In this context, we would like to once again express our support for the call of Secretary-General Guterres to suspend unilateral restrictive measures that do not let countries effectively address COVID-19 pandemic. We always stand for timely review of Security Council sanctions regimes. They must not affect the ability of states to respond to the threats, i.a. organized crime and terrorism, form efficient security bodies. Also, such regimes must not aggravate the humanitarian situation.
Mr. President,
In pursuance of the decisions of the first of its kind Russia-Africa summit that convened in October, 2019, our country will further develop equitable cooperation with African partners. At this point, our priority is to help Africa overcome the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic and improve the epidemiological situation. We reiterate readiness to promote cooperation at this track, i.a. in terms of supplies and start of production of Sputnik-V – the vaccine that Russia successfully presented at the UN not long ago.
Thank you.
