STATEMENT BY

 

H.E.MR.SRGJAN KERIM, PhD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

at

 

the Security Council Private Meeting

(wrap-up session)

on

 

"Partnership for lasting peace: the need for UN agencies coordinations

for prevention and resolution of conflicts

 

New York, 28 February 2002

 

 

Allow me at the outset to congratulate to you, Mr. President, on behalf of the Eastern European Group of States, on the excellent Presidency of the Security Council during the month of February and for organizing this wrap-up session.

 

            Mr. President,

            Due to the time allotted, I would like to focus on the following points which in our view, deserve particular attention when we speak about the need for UN Agencies co-ordination for prevention and resolution of conflicts:

 

1. Measures within the United Nations system should be aimed at enhancing interaction thus promoting coherence among different departments, programmes, offices and agencies, by developing a practical road map, by improving the capacity and resource base for preventive action in the Secretariat. We see the importance of the role of the Deputy Secretary-General in that regard.

 

            2. At the country level, the system of United Nations resident coordinators leading the United Nations country team on the ground has proven to be most effective in developing the common country assessment, together with the Government of the host country. Particular attention must be given to the local specifics, i.e. early identification of the nature of (potential) sources of conflicts, for an effective action for their prevention or resolution.

 

            3. Coordination among UN agencies in providing developmental assistance, thus providing meaningful alternatives and opportunities for the critical identity groups that would diminish key structural factors that fuel violent conflicts is of crucial importance. The role of the United Nations Developmental Assistance Framework (UNDAF) is instrumental in that regard. Apart from the urgent need for humanitarian assistance after the outbreak of the conflict in the beginning of last year in the Republic of Macedonia, several UNDP–led interagency developmental projects have proven to be success to build upon.

 

4. The experience of crisis management in the region of South-Eastern Europe proves the usefulness of developing constructive partnership between the UN entities and relevant regional organization such as EU, OSCE and NATO, as well as with NGO’s and civil society structures.                                  

 

 5. The Security Council and its relevant decision should play a catalytic role for an effective and well coordinated follow-up action of the UN agencies in prevention or resolution of conflicts.     

 

Finally, Mr. President, I wish to express the appreciation for the constructive spirit and determination shown in the Security Council, taking up the issue which is of extreme importance for my country at the closed meeting on Kosovo on February 25th, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Mr. Slobodan Čašule. I thank you, Mr. President.