New York – 4 May 2015

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates and participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank your Excellencies, distinguished panellists and participants for the valuable contributions during this high-level thematic debate.

Throughout the day, participants expressed their support for promoting and enhancing greater cooperation and partnership between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations.

Many speakers stressed that the interconnectivity of our modern-day world implies that no single country can respond to regional or global challenges alone. To deal with a multitude of challenges including poverty, conflict, violence, rising inequality, climate change, and disasters, to mention a few, we need collective efforts and action.

Indeed, the work of the United Nations in the three pillars of the work of the United Nations peace and security, development, and human rights, can be effectively advanced with tangible results through strengthened cooperation and partnerships.

There is wide recognition that regional and sub-regional organizations are well-placed to respond to emerging conflicts given their proximity and unique knowledge of local dynamics.

It has also been noted that such partnerships are strategic for promoting the principles of complementarity, burden sharing and comparative advantage.

It was noted that Regional and Sub-regional organizations will have an important role to play in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda, as well as addressing climate change.

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

During our discussions, participants also highlighted the existence of some structural defects inherent in the multilateral system, including within the United Nations, and called for reforms with a view to increasing its efficiency and effectiveness.

Speakers also noted the need for the United Nations to take into account the views and decisions of regional organizations, and underscored the importance of ensuring they have adequate resources for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

The need to ensure flexible, predictable and sustainable funding for peacekeeping missions undertaken by Regional and Sub-regional organizations under a UN mandate was underscored by participants.

Others emphasized the importance of creating stronger synergies and avoiding duplication of efforts and resources when building strategic partnerships between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-regional organizations.

Many participants also stressed the need to improve coordination and lines of communication between the United Nations and regional partners, as well as among Regional and Sub-regional organizations themselves.

It was also underscored that the voices of civil society are critical in addressing local, national, regional and international challenges. Given the vulnerabilities of women in conflict and non-conflict situations, the importance of ensuring that they are empowered and actively involved in conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding and recovery, was stressed.

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

The outcome of this debate is a Political Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Sub-regional Organizations.

I would like to thank all delegations for your contribution to the declaration, which has already been agreed upon and will be adopted by the General Assembly tomorrow morning. This is an important step in advancing and strengthening strategic partnerships between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations.

As we conclude our debate today, let me again express my appreciation for your valuable contributions on this topic.

I thank you for your attention.