The President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, organised a high-level Thematic Debate of the UN General Assembly, focused on UN, Peace and Security on 10-11 May 2016. This event served as a platform to identify key threats and engage in a strategic reflection about today’s challenges to international peace and security. Furthermore, it allowed for consideration about the means, tools and instruments available within a UN-context to tackle these challenges as well as the responsibilities and institutions required for an effective collective security architecture.
Building on the common trends and synergies from the most recent UN peace and security reviews, including the review of UN peace operations [on the basis of both, the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and the Secretary-General’s report on the future of UN peace operations], the Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the Global Study on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, as well as a series of coordinated, independently organized regional workshops and seminars, the thematic debate took place as the world is considering how best to implement the ambitious and wide-ranging 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the Paris Agreement on climate change and who – as the next Secretary-General – will lead the UN in this and other equally vital tasks.
Member States were invited to participate at the highest possible level. Observers, UN entities, civil society, research institutions with global and regional reach, media, and other stakeholders also attended.
OUTCOME DOCUMENT:
20 May 2016
Thematic Debate on UN Peace and Security – Conclusions & Observations
More information on the preparatory process and related events:
Views from the field and civil society
High-level Thematic Debate in May 2016
The format combined a high-level plenary segment with interactive sessions, including a ministerial-level lunch on the first day, specifically designed to engage participants and to encourage reflection on how to address today’s threats and achieve sustainable peace – internationally, regionally, nationally – and how the UN system can support Member States as the primary actors.
DAY ITUESDAY10 MAY 2016 |
DAY IIWEDNESDAY11 MAY 2016 |
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10AM-10.30AM |
OPENINGH.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the United Nations General Assembly Knowledge Insights – interlinkages in a complex worldEspen Barth Eide, Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum KEYNOTE SPEAKERSE. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former President of Indonesia |
SESSION IILeading by Example: Innovative partnerships and responsesThe session will focus on examples from the field looking above and beyond the most widely applied approaches, exploring examples of cross UN-system approaches to anchor peace and reconciliation. MODERATORH.E. Ms. Susana Malcorra, Foreign Relations Minister, Argentina INTRODUCTORY REMARKSH.E. Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of Sri Lanka, Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation INTERVENTIONSH.E. Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Chair, Advisory Group of Experts on the 2015 review of the peacebuilding architecture |
10AM – 11.20AM |
10.30AM-1PM |
HIGH-LEVEL PLENARYIn a World of Risks:
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Message from the FAO-Nobel Peace Laureates Alliance for Food Security and PeaceMr. David Nabarro, Special Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Food Security and Nutrition, will introduce brief remarks by FAO Director-General Mr. Graziano da Silva and 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Mr Muhammad Yunus (live streamed from Rome). |
11.20AM – 11.30AM |
SESSION IIIResponsibility for Implementation: Beyond the current conundrumThe session will focus on implementation, partnerships and accountability for delivering on commitments. It will reflect on the role of all stakeholders their specific relations with the UN institutional under existing frameworks and ways to enhance the level of effectiveness. MODERATORMr. Espen Barth Eide, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus The moderator will engage all participating Ministers starting with Mr. Alain Le Roy, Secretary-General, External Action Service, European Union. INTERVENTIONSH.E. Mr. Jose Ramos-Horta, Chair, High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations |
11.30AM – 1PM | ||
1PM-2.50PM |
MINISTERIAL-LEVEL LUNCHThe Next Secretary-General in a World of Risks: Expectations vs. RealitiesMODERATORMr. Ian Martin, Executive Director, Security Council Report |
HIGH-LEVEL PLENARY (continued)In a World of Risks:
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1.15PM-5.55PM |
3PM-6PM |
SESSION ISustainable Peace in a World of Risks: Is the UN effective in preventing and managing conflicts?The session will ask how the UN can remain the preeminent relevant actor and credibly respond to these threats, in particular those emanating from non-state and transnational actors? Are the means, instruments and policies available within a UN-context adequate to tackle today’s threats to international peace and security? Do they effectively motivate confidence in UN peace operations – and do they sufficiently incentivize coherence and consistency in support of the UN? What is needed for the UN peace and security architecture to engage new and emerging actors? MODERATORDr. Bruce Jones, Vice-President and Director, Brookings Institution INTERVENTIONSMs. Sigrid Kaag, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Inputs from the field – key conclusions from regional workshopsMr. Cedric de Coning (NUPI) |
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CLOSING REMARKSH.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the United Nations General Assembly |
5.55PM-6PM |
INFORMATION DOCUMENTS:
12 November 2015
Informal discussion HLTD UN, Peace and Security
11 March 2016
Concept Note & Programme: HL Thematic Debate on Peace and Security
19 April 2016
Concept Note: HLTD on UN, Peace & Security
4 May 2016
All information on programme, guidance, logistics
9 May 2016
HL Thematic Debate on UN, Peace and Security final programme
OUTCOME DOCUMENT:
20 May 2016
Thematic Debate on UN Peace and Security – Conclusions & Observations
Registration is closed for representatives of organizations and other stakeholders actively working in the area of peace and security from ECOSOC and non-ECOSOC accredited NGOs, civil society, the research, scientific and academic communities, youth groups and other relevant stakeholders.
The UN at 70 – Celebration, or Commemoration? – by Bruce D. Jones – Brookings Institution
10 May 2016
UNGA Insight Briefing: Future of Peace and Security – World Economic Forum
The Future of Peace and Security (hand out) – World Economic Forum
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
Opening remarks at High-level Thematic Debate on UN, Peace and Security
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Media stakeout at High-level Thematic Debate on UN, Peace and Security
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