– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
30 January 2020
I am grateful to the Permanent Representatives of Slovakia and South Africa for kindly inviting me to address this important Panel and the Roundtable on “The United Nations and Security Sector Reform: Between Policy and Practice”. I would also like to say that I will not make a review of the book, I will leave this to my dear brothers and sisters. It is an occasion to reflect on this topic; while also celebrating the publication of an important work on the subject, via a launch. Of the latter, I will speak later.
The primary goal of Security Sector Reform (SSR) is to ensure the provision of effective security to both the state and its people, within a framework of accountability, democratic governance and the rule of law.
Ladies and gentlemen,
All public entities including, security and justice providers, must be held accountable to the people, and operate within a framework of good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights.
Being a nationally owned process, SSR requires the inclusion of all stakeholders.
SSR must be designed and implemented through a consultative process that brings together all actors, including the armed forces, police, judiciary representatives, the legislature and civil society organizations. In conflict contexts, inclusion of armed militias should also be necessary.
UN peacekeeping operations, special political missions and SSR programmes can play a role in enhancing local coordination of SSR initiatives.
Ladies and gentlemen,
You will recall that in 2014 the Security Council, adopted resolution 2151, which recognized SSR as a sovereign right and the primary responsibility of the states concerned to determine their respective SSR approaches and priorities.
Resolution 2151 reaffirms that an effective, professional and accountable security sector, without discrimination and with full respect for human rights and the rule of law, is the cornerstone of peace and sustainable development.
Over the years, the United Nations has facilitated political commitment from its Member States to support the normative and operational aspects of SSR. It is gladdening to note that the United Nations has moved its security sector reform focus from post-conflict peace building to a more comprehensive peace approach that is sustainable. We should continue to encourage and explore the links between prevention approaches to security sector reform and sustaining peace.
In this regard, the UN SSR Unit plays an important role in integrating various UN entities to support the reform of various national security institutions including, police, immigration, correction and military, as well as building security sector capacities.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We should also be mindful that security sector reform is central for achieving the Agenda 2030 on sustainable development.
This is evident in particular regarding Goal 16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
SSR implementation lies at the core of SDG 16, particularly in many cases where social cohesion, justice and institutions are fragile.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Conflict prevention is a priority for all of us.
In fact, it is our collective responsibility to prevent violent conflicts by making use of all the tools developed by the United Nations in particular.
An effective, accountable and robust SSR process can help in preventing conflict with full respect for human rights and the rule of law.
As one of the authors of the book being launched today put it, we need to fully integrate SSR into the UN’s sustaining peace agenda more broadly.
We should explore new and innovative ways to ensure proper implementation of Security Council resolution 2151 and SDG 16 to build partnerships at all levels to advance SSR.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have seen that countries that have more gender balance and better reflect all diversities of their populations in their security services usually enjoy more peaceful environments.
We need professional security institutions. We need to make sure that the best of women and men are recruited and have equal opportunities. We need more women in all positions of government and administration. The last report of the Secretary-General on Women, Peace and Security expressly states that increasing the number of women in the security forces is a priority.
Women play pivotal roles in the prevention and resolution of conflict and peace building. Their meaningful participation in all stages of the SSR process should always be encouraged.
I am confident that SSR will witness remarkable transformation with the involvement of more women in leadership roles.
Ladies and gentlemen,
To conclude, I welcome the launch of the book ‘” The United Nations and Security Sector Reform: Policy and Practice”’. I congratulate the editors of the book, Mr. Adedeji Ebo, from the United Nations Security Sector Reform Unit, and Mr. Heiner Hänggi, from DCAF for your commitment to documenting the security sector reform experiences, practices and lessons learned. I commend the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance for the publishing this useful book.
This collection of studies from both practitioners and scholars will serve as a reference and tool for debates on security sector reform. It will assist us in our efforts to identify remaining gaps, bridge the gap between policy and practice, and articulate priorities for the future engagement of the United Nations on security sector reform.
I am certain that today’s discussions, led by some of the contributors of the book, will pave the way for the continued advancement of the United Nations security sector reform agenda.
Thank you.
