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Minister Dlamini Zuma to represent South Africa at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate
18 March 2009
South African Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today, 17 March 2009, depart for New York to participate in a high-level debate in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) scheduled for 18 March 2009.
The debate will focus on how best the international community can support African Union peace operations that are conducted with a mandate from the Security Council. During its term in the Security Council in 2007 and 2008, South Africa had focused on developing a strategic partnership between the UNSC and the African Union Peace and Security Council and on drawing attention to the need for the international community to assist with the funding and logistics associated with African peacekeeping operations.
This South African initiative contributed towards the adoption of the landmark resolution 1809 (2008) and the establishment of a high-level African Union – United Nations Panel dedicated to exploring co-operation between the two bodies in greater depth, under the chairmanship of the former Prime Minister of Italy, Dr Roman Prodi.
The debate on Wednesday in the UN Security Council is expected to consider the African Union – United Nations Panel’s final report, which makes a number of important proposals on how to build up the African Union's capacity to respond to crises as they occur and to promote long-term stability on the African continent. These include the establishment of new funding mechanisms to enhance the predictability, sustainability and flexibility of financing of United Nations-mandated peace operations undertaken by the African Union.
Such funding mechanisms would not only allow for the expeditious and effective deployment of well-equipped troops and effective support arrangements, but would also provide a solid basis for longer-term capacity-building projects in Africa.
The Security Council proceeds from the premise that whilst it has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, regional organisations such as the African Union play an important and complementary role in conflict resolution and peacekeeping. It is also recognised that Africa has both the greatest need for peacekeeping and the biggest challenge in matching its willingness to act with the resources needed to secure the sustained success of its interventions.
Issued by: Department Foreign Affairs
18 March 2009