Committee:
Security Council
Issue:
Cooperation between the United Nations and regional, sub regional organizations
and NGO’s in maintaining international peace and security
Student Officer:
Ali Alashkar (Security Council Chair)
I- Introduction
For over 20 years The United Nation’s efforts have been highly reliant on regional and sub regional
organizations. The cooperation between these entities is simply vital to the UN’s efforts and goals. Since 1993“over 25
regional and sub-regional organizations established formal cooperative relationships with the United Nations”
President Kutesa (president of the GA )and their efforts have played a major role from minor missions to years and
years of agendas.1 The basis upon which cooperation has come lies under chapter VIII in the United Nations
Charter2. Regional goals and initiatives complement and complete international agendas and resolutions. The vitality
of each and every organization to UN is apparent as each organization has its unique role and expertise. Due to such
importance the Secretary General of the United Nations has called for strengthening and empowering the relationship
and communication between the UN and such organizations.3 With strengthened cooperation between the UN and
regional and sub regional organizations would create larger and greater opportunities to peace keeping and peace
building.
Furthermore it has also been noted that such organizations gain access to vital and sensitive areas of conflict
with huge amounts of financial aid and supplies and minimal monitoring4. Such great opportunity may be used wisely
in order to help and retain peace or might be used to discriminate and reach or fulfill hidden agendas.5 Therefore the
UN has to make sure that their interference is monitored through strict agendas making sure that they are there for
the greater good without manipulation6.
II- Involved Countries and Organizations
[OSCE]
“The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and
7
environmental, and human aspects” it operates with a wide of countries concerning arms trafficking and many other
problems. It has engaged in many preventive diplomacy operations and almost as many peacebuilding organizations.
It also operates many local offices in areas of operation to provide advice and improve communication. It has
witnessed a great success in Eastern Europe reaching their goals and handling many situations. The OSCE has a great
approach to problems and deals with communication in a unique manner that makes it quit a profound asset to the
UN.8 The UN can gain a lot by looking into how this organization deals with them therefore making their
communication this successful.
1http://www.un.org/pga/060515_press-statement-week-events/
2http://www.un.org/en/charter-united-nations/index.html
3http://www.unog.ch/80256EE600583A0B/(httpPages)/2BE770FCC31A50F980256EF700769637?OpenDocument
4http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2934546/Suspect-money-laundered-tax-havens-power-
NGOs.html
5http://tribune.com.pk/story/936870/terrorism-money-laundering-and-ngos/
6http://www.rediff.com/news/report/ngos-vulnerable-to-terror-funding-money-laundering-mha/20140320.htm
7http://www.osce.org/whatistheosce
8http://www.ecmi.de/uploads/tx_lfpubdb/brief_1.pdf
1
[AU] African union
Established in May 25 1963 the AU was a regional organization in Africa it aimed to defend the
sovereignty and independence of African states. It worked towards many diverse goals such as the
eradication of colonialism and white minority rule. With its work came limited success as many set goals
were focused on existing problems rather than preventing more problems from coming into place. The AU
is active in many cases yet, again with limited success. The weak communication between the AU and the
UN and the extremely sensitive African members about their country’ s sovereignty were major factors of
such limits. By highlighting the problems of the AU the UN can implement resolutions that would lift up
such organization. Problems include financial, mandate and organizational issues. A great solution would
be establishing early warning abilities.9
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organization made up of 15 states
that has often taken the stand by solving conflicts in many countries side by side with the UN. Established in 28 May
1975 the ECOWAS was created to help flourish countries economically across Africa. It has been met by many
successes and by looking into its ways of dealing the UN can come up with ways to implement the same
communication skills with other organizations.10
[The Southern African Development Community SADC]
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was established in 17 August 1992 aiming “to achieve
development, peace and security, and economic growth, to alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life
of the peoples of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through regional integration, built on
democratic principles and equitable and sustainable development.”11. Just like ECOWAS it has worked side by side
with the UN by taking the lead is solving problems in many different countries in the region.
[OAS]
The Organization of American States was founded 30 April 1948 and has different approach with its UN
cooperation. It promotes conflict resolution but does not get involved with any internal members affairs. It has worked
repetitively with the UN bringing satisfying results to the table. “The Organization was established in order to achieve
among its member states—as stipulated in Article 1 of the Charter—"an order of peace and justice, to promote their
solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their
independence."-it “uses a four-pronged approach to effectively implement its essential purposes, based on its main
pillars: democracy, human rights, security, and development.” 12
[ASEAN]
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was founded august 1967. They aim to reach the following.
1.
“ accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint
endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous
and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations;
2.
promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship
among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter;
3.
promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social,
cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;
4.
provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational,
professional, technical and administrative spheres;
5.
collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries, the expansion of
their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade, the improvement of their
transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples;
9http://www.au.int/en/history/oau-and-au
10http://www.ecowas.int/
11http://www.sadc.int/about-sadc/overview/
12http://www.oas.org/en/about/who_we_are.asp
2
6.
promote Southeast Asian studies; and
7.
maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar
aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.”
They follow strict purposes and ways mainly :
1.
“Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all
nations;
2.
The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion;
3.
Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
4.
Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
5.
Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
6. Effective cooperation among themselves.”
By taking a closer look at the ways this organization implements its resolution the UN can identify the roots of
its success.
13
[CIS]
The CIS was formed after the fall of the Soviet Union and is made of 9 countries from the original 15 of the
Soviet Union. They have been active in many countries including Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Georgia. They operate in
a unique and different way through which they have different bodies for implementation and execution.
“In
September 1993 the Heads of the CIS States signed an Agreement on the creation of Economic Union to form
common economic space grounded on free movement of goods, services, labour force, capital; to elaborate
coordinated monetary, tax, price, customs, external economic policy; to bring together methods of regulating
economic activity and create favorable conditions for the development of direct production relations.”14
[NATO]
After the European paralysis due to internal disagreements that were caused by Yugoslavia the NATO showed
its worth through its interference parallel to the UN Security Council. Yet the NATO also operates outside its region
such as in Syria. Therefore, many questions get raised upon its respect to countries sovereignty through its course of
action.
III- Focused Overview of the Issue
Sub regional and regional organizations have seen an increase in becoming part of many resolutions
and dealings within states and conflict zones. These organizations are committed to certain specialties. As a third
party the UN has taken on different roles with the help of many regional and sub regional organizations. Such activism
has seen great expansions yet still faces many problems.
Sub regional and regional Organizations primary fulfil the goal of cooperation. They provide countries with
the resolutions through which they can manage their problems. Organizations make room for discussions between
states reaching agreements in a less costly manner. They are relatively resourceful with information to countries and
try to stop any misconceptions by pushing to increase transparency. Most importantly they help countries to look over
the long term perspective rather than short time payoff to nourish countries. They are mainly impartial which makes
13http://asean.org/asean/about-asean/overview/
14http://www.cisstat.com/eng/cis.htm
3
them even more effective. By strengthening the relationship and communication between the UN, regional and sub
regional organizations the UN can reach new heights in resolving conflicts.15
1) [UN activities in relation to regional and sub regional organizations]
In the past few years the UN’s missions have undergone great change. Before reaching this period of height
the UN’s role was quite limited. Then has supported- transitions, such as decolonization. One of the first transitional
authority actions was in 1962-63. And then 1960-64 in Congo. Realizing that it doesn’t have enough authority and
resources to fulfil its goals it felt reluctant to take on such operations, after all it wasn’t prepared nor did it have the
authority to do so. Throughout the UN's peacekeeping missions it had intervened by its forces between two countries
16
that were in consent. This did not work on the long run and only freezes the problem momentarily. The UN was not
capable to create the conditions for peace. This was also obvious in the cold war. The UN was not in place for super
politics. In 1988, the United Nations finally took a different approach. Creating (UNGOMAP). it used it to monitor its
political settlement. Such organization boosted the UN’s confidence on such action. pushing again it created the United
Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia, to help South Africa facilitate Namibia’s independence. In
1992-3 the UN mission in Cambodia (UNTAC), took place which was quite harder and challenging than the ones
17
Before. The local authorities were resisting therefore the UN had no authority to enforce what it wants.
2) Using organizations for peacekeeping mission
In order to indicate which expertise is needed and therefore contacting the Organization the UN outlines its
needs. Whether it’s disarming parties and restoring order, improving and expanding political participation, repatriating
refugees, destroying weapons, protect human rights, training police, monitoring elections, or strengthening and
reforming government institutions. The UN identifies which services targets all instead of a group of elites or local
leaders and outlines whether the problem at hand has psychological, social or economic factors and therefore knowing
what would lead in the mission. Finally deciding its framework and taking great care in deciding who should be the
18 19
acting factor.
3) Regional organizations and their role
As the UN recognized it does not have enough resources and authority to take on some of the new missions it turned for
regional and sub regional organizations for help. At the time of the cold war when super powers collided these organizations
worked as a substitute for the UN. The UN is now willingly handing responsibility over to many organizations. The UN had
stated in a recent report “The United Nations does not have right, at this point in its history, the institutional capacity to conduct
many military enforcement measures under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Under present conditions, ad hoc Member States
coalitions of the willing offer the most effective deterrent to aggression or to the escalation or spread of an ongoing conflict ...
The Organization still lacks the capacity to implement rapidly and effectively decisions of the Security Council calling for the
dispatch of peacekeeping operations in crisis situations. Troops for peacekeeping missions are in some cases not made
available by Member States or made available under conditions that constrain effective response. Peacemaking and human
rights operations, as well as peacekeeping operations, also lack a secure financial footing, which has a serious impact on the
15http://peacemaker.un.org/mediation-support/partnerships/regional-and-subregional-organisations
16http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/2014-2015/Part%20I/Thematic%20issues/2014-
2015_Cooperation%20bet%20UN%20&%20Regional%20&%20subreg%20organizations.pdf
17http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2013-
08/cooperation_with_regional_and_subregional_organisations.php?print=true
18http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=1839483
19
http://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=54401709907409511402611210301607001102705502901603105802
50730200641200290950921110741101221191060470590581160651231211240810291020090750410770961030
18119108077025006031016046086004126113004126114119123106029099109097015125120094066001100118
025100083107&EXT=pdf
4
20 21
viability of such operations”
.Coordination with such organizations might make the UN greatly effective and efficient.
Regional organizations also tend to be more familiar with the place and culture. They are less costly and tend to communicate
faster yet are also faced that while working at a regional level it might tend to finish in favor of one side more than the other. This
usually happens to be the reason behind accepting outside intervention Regional organizations have greatly expanded in
number, and because there might be more than one organization in a given area, it is being encouraged that they work in co22
ordinance.
IV- Key Vocabulary
•
Regional : relating to the regions of the country rather than the capital
•
Sub-regional : a part of a larger region
•
Organization: an organized group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government
department.
•
Approach :a way of dealing with a situation
•
Allocate : distribute (resources or duties ) for a particular purpose
V- Important Events & Chronology
UN Missions [with sub regional and regional organizations help]
1991Present
UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM)
Monitor demilitarized zone in Iraq
1991-5
UN Angola Verification Mission II (UNAVEM II)
Help implement peace accord
1991-5
UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)
Peace verification, election monitoring
1991Present
UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
Implement ceasefire, conduct referendum
1991-2
UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC)
Prepare way for UNTAC
1992-5
UN Protection Force Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR)
Humanitarian relief, monitoring
1992-3
UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)
Implement peace accord
1992-3
UN Operation in Somalia I (UNOSOM I)
Humanitarian relief, monitor ceasefire
1992-4
UN Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ)
Oversee peace accord
1993-5
UN Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II)
Humanitarian relief, institution building
1993-4
UN Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR)
Monitor border
1993Present
UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
1993-7
UN Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
1993-6
UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH)
Aid transition
1993-6
UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR)
Humanitarian relief, monitor ceasefire
20
https://books.google.com.eg/books?id=tNxxuk25U2MC&pg=PA406&lpg=PA406&dq=%22operations+in+crisis+situati
ons.+Troops+for+peacekeeping+missions+are+in+some+cases+not+made+available+by+Member+States+or+made+av
ailable+under+conditions+that%22&source=bl&ots=dVFn4Zz79s&sig=kfBZGMoSI_HgRHNv8fQnnKYfyNo&hl=en&sa=X
&ved=0ahUKEwjs9e7htNHOAhXJCMAKHdYQCO4Q6AEIIzAB#v=onepage&q=%22operations%20in%20crisis%20situa
tions.%20Troops%20for%20peacekeeping%20missions%20are%20in%20some%20cases%20not%20made%20avail
able%20by%20Member%20States%20or%20made%20available%20under%20conditions%20that%22&f=false
21http://www.un.org/en/strengtheningtheun/index.shtml
22http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/ga11639.doc.htm
5
1994
UN Aouzou Strip Observer Group (UNASOG)
Monitor Chad-Libyan border
1994-2000
UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
1995-7
UN Angola Verification Mission III (UNAVEM III)
Humanitarian relief, monitor ceasefire
1995-6
UN Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (UNCRO)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
1995-9
UN Preventive Deployment Force Macedonia (UNPREDEP)
Prevent conflict from spreading
1995Present
UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH)
Implement peace accord, humanitarian
relief
1996-8
UN Transitional Administration for E. Slavonia, Baranja, W. Sirmium
(UNTAES)
Manage integration of regions into Croatia
1996Present
UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP)
Monitor Croat-Yugoslav border
1996-7
UN Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH)
Institution building
1997
UN Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA)
Monitor peace accord
1997-9
UN Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA)
Monitor peace accord
1997
UN Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH)
Conduct election, institution building
1997-2000
UN Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH)
Training, institution building
1998-2000
UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA)
Monitor ceasefire of civil conflict
1998-9
UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
1999Present
UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
Monitor ceasefire, administration
1999Present
UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)
Monitor peace accord
1999-2002
UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET)
Oversee transition to independence
1999Present
UN Organization Mission in DRC (MONUC)
Monitor ceasefire of civil war
2000Present
UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
Monitor border, ceasefire
2002Present
UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)
Administrative assistance
23
VI- Past Resolutions and Treaties
The UN has held many meetings upon such issue please see over view
• http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/2010-2011/Part%20I/2010-2011_Cooperation%20UN-RO.pdf
VII- Failed Solution Attempts
•
December the 17th 2012 marked the marked the beginning of “act against corruption today” UNODC
In efforts to eliminate corruption in non-governmental organizations, charities and many other sectors.
It has trained in over 100 NGO’s and equipped them with the needed skills and information to fight
such kinds of corruption.24
Elaborate more. Explain why did this solution fail and how did it fail?
VIII- Possible Solutions
23http://www.un.org/en/index.html
24https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/December/unodc-trains-over-100-ngos-to-help-fight-
corruption.html
6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Different and unique measures that could be implemented in order to empower the relationship between
regional , sub-regional organizations and the United Nations
Ways and mechanisms to promote and strengthen communication and understanding between
organizations and the United Nations.
How can the UN secure and prevent any conflicts and dangers dawning upon units in areas of conflict?
In what manner can the United Nations be in sync with regional and sub regional originations in terms of
logistics, security and financial aid?
How can regional and sub regional organizations aid the UN in peacebuilding, peacemaking, and resolution
implementing?
How can the UN be sure that regional and sub regional organizations are preforming their duties with no
hidden intentions or agenda’s behind any aid intervention?
What agenda can the UN set in order to move and successfully target areas in need of aid and effectively
uses these organizations to accomplish their goals?
Can the UN create and use a central organization strengthening collaboration between regional and sub
regional organizations in order to use available resources efficiently?
In what manner will the UN be able to monitor organizations in areas of conflict?
How can the UN aid such organizations and give them security and meditation during and after being in
inflicted areas?25
To what extent can the UN supervise these organizations?
Can the UN stop such organizations from entering certain areas and by means?
13. Check this link for more ideas : https://www.ndi.org/files/NGO-Corruption-Fighters-Resource-BookENG.pdf
IX- Useful Links
•
Problems faced by Regional and sub-regional organizations that need attention :
•
http://ssir.org/articles/entry/ethics_and_nonprofits
•
http://peacemaker.un.org/mediation-support/partnerships/regional-and-subregionalorganisations
•
http://journalistsresource.org/tip-sheets/reporting/investigating-nonprofits-and-charitieswhere-to-find-internal-data-and-public-records
•
Explanations on the role of such orginizations :
•
http://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/detail/article/security-by-proxy-the-eu-and-subregional-organisations-the-case-of-ecowas/
•
http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/report/RoleRegSbregArgmntsR2P.pdf
•
http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2013/210759.htm
•
General knowledge on the cooperation between the UN and such organization’s:
25http://www.un.org/pga/040515_hltd-strengthening-cooperation-between-un-and-regional-sub-regional-
organizations/
7
•
http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/201308/cooperation_with_regional_and_subregional_organisations.php
•
http://www.jus.uio.no/english/services/library/treaties/14/14-03/
•
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Sub-Regional%20Pub1.pdf
•
Lists of important organization’s :
•
http://www.oas.org/en/about/subregional_organizations.asp
•
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/africa-department/regional-integration/sub-regionalorganisations/
•
Role of the Organizations :
•
http://www.un.org/pga/70/2015/10/12/role-of-regional-and-sub-regional-organizations-inachieving-regional-integration/
•
http://peacemaker.un.org/mediation-support/partnerships/regional-and-subregionalorganisations
Sources :
1) “Hassan-e Rouhani raeis-e jomhour-e montakhab shod” [Hassan Rouhani became the President-election], Fars News Agency, June 15,
2013. Available in Persian: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13920325001224
2) “30 jomle-ye kootahazrahbardarkhosous-e jang-e narm” [30 short sentences from the revolution’s leader about soft war],
Soft War and Psychological Operations Website, accessed July 8, 2014.
3) “Shabake-ye melli-ye ettelaatchist?” [What is the National Information Network], Ministry of Information Technology
andCommunication, accessed April 20, 2014.
4) “Bayanatdar jam-e kasiriAzbasijiya-enkeshvar” [Remarks to a large crowd of the nation’s Basij], The Center for
thePreservation and the Publication of the Works of Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, November 25, 2009.
5) “Barresi-ye avameljang-e narmalayh-e jomhouri-ye eslami” [Reviewing the reasons behind soft warfare against the Islamic
Republic], Islamic Propaganda Organization, 2010
6) Michael Rubin, “Iran’s soft warfare obsession,” American Enterprise Institute, January 15, 2013.
7) “Iran News Roundup (INR) June 25, 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, June 25, 2014.
8) Monroe Price, “Iran and the Soft war,” International Journal of Communication, 6 (2012), Feature 2397-2415.
Ibid.
9) MehrdadMoarefian, “He’s Just Not that Into Us: The Supreme Leader’s Resistance Strategy Expands,” AEI’s Critical
Threats Project, September 2, 2014.
10) Frederick W. Kagan, “Khamenei’s Team of Rivals: Iranian Decision-making, June-July 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats
Project, July 2014
11) “Siasat-hayekolli-ye ‘eghtesad-e moghavemati’” [The comprehensive policies of ‘economy of resistance’].
Zengke He, “Corruption and anti-corruption in reform China,” Communist and Post-Communist Studies 33, 2000, pp. 243270.
12) “INR May 28, 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, May 28, 2014.
13) “Siasat-hayekolli-ye ‘eghtesad-e moghavemati’” [The comprehensive policies of ‘economy of resistance’].
14) Will Fulton, “INR September 9, 2013,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, September 9, 2013.
15) Will Fulton, “INR December 11, 2013,” AEI’sCritical Threats Project, December 11, 2013.
16) “INR February 25, 2014, “AEI’s Critical Threats Project, February 25, 2014.
17) “INR May 21, 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, May 21, 2014.
18) “INR February 14, 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, February 14, 2014.
19) “INR June 25, 2014,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, June 25, 2014.
20)
Will Fulton, “INR June 10, 2013,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, June 10, 2013.
21) Will Fulton, “INR September 13, 2013,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, September 13, 2013.
22) Will Fulton, “INR October 16, 2013,” AEI’s Critical Threats Project, October 16, 2013.
Ibid.
23) Kevan Harris, “A Martyrs’ Welfare State and Its Contradictions,” in the Middle East Authoritarianism:
Governance,Contestations, and Regime Resilience in Syria and Iran, Stanford Scholarship, June 2013.
24) ShyerahIlias, “Iran’s Economic Conditions: U.S. Policy Issues,” Congressional Research Services, April 22, 2010.
8