Mr. President,
I congratulate Brazil for assuming the Presidency of the Security Council this month and commend successful steering the work of the Council.
I thank the distinguished briefers for their insightful presentations.
Mr. President,
The debate on “Peace through Dialogue: The Contribution of Regional, Sub-regional and Bilateral Arrangements to the Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes” cannot be timelier when the Council convening back-to-back urgent meetings to stop further escalation of crisis in Palestine and to save millions of civilians in Gaza strip. We have also been witnessing conflict in different parts of the world which has brought misery to billions of people especially by causing the deepening food and fuel crisis among others.
Mr. President,
Our collective experiences show that that there should be no other way to tangibly settle the disputes except the approaches mentioned in chapter VI of the UN Charter titled Pacific Settlement of Disputes. Therefore Regional, Sub-regional and Bilateral Arrangements do have critical role to play for the effective implementation of those means of settlement of disputes.
Allow me to highlight a few points in this regard;
First, regional, and sub-regional arrangements have the potential to building trust among the cross section of parties and to manage all the parties in disputes to sit and continue the dialogue. The regional and sub-regional organizations remain inherently in a better position of understanding the regional and local dynamics and environment for the best solution and to address the root causes of conflict. In this regard, we wish to make particular reference to the Security Council Resolution 2669 of 2022 which acknowledged the role of ASEAN in helping to find a peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar in the interests of the people of Myanmar. We urge ASEAN to redouble its efforts in the implementation of its Five Point Consensus to find a sustainable solution to address the root causes of crisis in Rakhine State and create conducive environment for the safe, voluntary, and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland – Myanmar.
Second, regional, sub-regional and bilateral arrangements bolster the socio-economic, cultural and political ties among the parties and nations which will further contribute to the preventive diplomacy, developing early warning system and creating conducive environment for stability. For example, African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have critical role in peaceful settlement of disputes in the region. We also underscore the potential contribution of Organization of Islamic Cooperation in enhancing confidence building measures among the nations.
Third, the Security Council should enhance its engagements with and support the regional and sub-regional organizations in settling the disputes. The Special Political Missions have also important role in connecting the regional and sub-regional organizations with the United Nations and strengthening cooperations in a meaningful way.
Fourth, Peacebuilding Commission is a potential platform to carry the words of and activities done through regional, sub-regional and bilateral arrangements to the Security Council and the General Assembly. It also enables the parties to share their views and opinions and subsequently contributing to build a stronger collective security machinery: an action of New Agenda for Peace.
Finally, I would say, the current dynamics of the world has been giving a clear indication that strong and effective regional, sub-regional and bilateral arrangements are indispensable for an effective multilateralism.
I thank you Mr. President.