The President, Joe Biden has expressed gratitude for the enlightening briefings delivered by Assistant Secretary-General Khiari, former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki.
Acknowledging the invaluable research conducted by Dr. Josefina Echavarria on peace agreement implementation and verification, the President underscored the importance of such research in the pursuit of global peace.
The President has lauded Brazil’s endeavours to fortify the partnership between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations, including the Organisation of American States. This partnership was emphasised as crucial in addressing emerging global and regional challenges such as climate change, food and energy insecurity, conflict, violence, and terrorism, often necessitating regional peace operations.
Within the Western Hemisphere, the President extended a warm welcome to the collaborative efforts between the UN, OAS, CARICOM, and various regional bodies, particularly in their joint pursuit of conflict prevention and mediation. The President also expressed unwavering support for cooperation through UN peacebuilding initiatives.
On a global scale, the President has emphasised the paramount importance of the UN’s collaboration with various regional and sub-regional organisations, including the European Union, ASEAN, and ECOWAS.
Biden has stressed the extensive mandate of the Security Council concerning the peaceful settlement of disputes outlined in Chapter VI of the UN Charter.
This includes urging parties to utilize negotiation, mediation, and arbitration as means of conflict resolution. The President highlighted the crucial role played by the Summit of the Future Process and the New Agenda for Peace in evaluating the UN’s tools for global peace and security.
He also affirmed that the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting the UN’s role in addressing crises at regional, national, and sub-national levels. Emphasis was placed on the importance of bringing together diverse stakeholders, including civil society, donors, and local governments, to coordinate their efforts and establish common objectives.
While commending the New Agenda for Peace’s emphasis on prevention and the expanded role of the UN Peacebuilding Commission. In this context, the President reiterated the necessity of fully integrating human rights and the rule of law into the Commission’s framework, highlighting their pivotal role in the advancement of peace and development.
Additionally, the President has called upon the Security Council to be responsive to requests for support from regional organizations in resolving conflicts. An example provided was ASEAN’s efforts in Burma, with the President urging the Council to leverage all available tools to assist ASEAN in facilitating peace in the region.
