Statement by Foreign Minister Ann Linde in the capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE to the Security Council on “Enhancing Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Subregional Organizations in Enhancing Confidence Building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution”, 14 April 2021.
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Mr. President, Excellencies,
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the Security Council today. As underlined in the UN75 Declaration, regional organizations play a crucial role in prevention and resolution of conflicts and peacebuilding. They are often the first to identify risks of potential conflicts and systematic human rights violations. They bring an important understanding of the issues at stake.
Building on the experience from Sweden’s tenure on the Security Council 2017-2018 and in line with our longstanding commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order built on international law, as Chairperson of the OSCE, I want to further strengthen the partnership between OSCE and the United Nations.
Our focus as chair is firmly on the OSCE principles and joint commitments, as enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris For a New Europe and underpinned by international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Upholding them is a shared responsibility and should be in the interests of all states in the OSCE, as they contain the elements needed to resolve conflicts and avoid future crises.
The Women, Peace and Security agenda remains a key priority for both the UN and the OSCE. To build confidence in peace efforts, we need to ensure women a meaningful participation in political and conflict related processes. To colleagues on the Council - this is an area where we need to change. As we committed to do at UN@75 – we have to place women & girls at the centre.
Mr. President,
The OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security acknowledges that security has politico-military, economic, environmental and human dimensions. The shared commitment of the 57 participating States of the OSCE on respect for international law, human rights law, and democracy, and the rule of law– is central to maintaining lasting security and building confidence within and between States.
The Vienna Document and the Treaty on Open Skies enable transparency and confidence building between participating States. This month, the value of the Vienna Document for military risk reduction was illustrated when its “Mechanism for Consultation and Co-Operation as Regards Unusual Military Activities” was activated by Ukraine to seek information from the Russian Federation.
This mechanism is an example of the value of active confidence-building through transparent exchanges. It is a mechanism that all participating states have agreed to apply.
Mr. President, The OSCE’s autonomous institutions; the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Representative for Freedom of the Media and the High Commissioner on National Minorities all play important roles relating to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Their confidence-building, monitoring and reporting efforts are not just directed at state actors, but also between civil society, communities, people and governments.
The COVID-19 pandemic further stresses the need for such confidence-building measures. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary General’s call for a global cease-fire and the adoption and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 2532 and 2565, which are key to avoiding exacerbation of conflicts as a consequence of the pandemic.
Mr President,
Close cooperation with the UN in the OSCE’s field presences is crucial. They assist host countries in putting OSCE commitments and principles into practice and fostering local capacities, thereby contributing to early warning and conflict prevention.
In the visits that I have made as CiO, I have seen first-hand examples of the difference that our cooperation makes on the ground.
Our largest field operation, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, enjoys a close working relationship with the UN agencies present in the country, in this case particularly related to the humanitarian and human rights situation as well as gender equality.
The Geneva International Discussions, which addresses the situation following the 2008 armed conflict in Georgia, is another example of UN and OSCE collaboration to promote dialogue and confidence-building. In this framework, the UN and the OSCE, together with the EU, Co-Chair a dialogue and de-escalation mechanism that has maintained dialogue, forestalled the re-emergence of armed hostilities, and kept vital focus on conflict-affected populations on the ground, not least through the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Mr. President,
Listening to the discussion today, we are reminded that regional and subregional organizations are crucial partners to the UN in preventing conflict. Here, you can count on the OSCE´s continued close collaboration with the UN in achieving our common objectives.
Thank you.