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National Statement by Sweden at the UN Security Council Briefing on Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations (African Union)

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National Statement on behalf of Sweden, Ambassador Carl Skau, at the Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations (African Union). Thursday, 15 June 2017, New York.

Thank you Mr. President,

Let begin me begin by extending our deepest condolences to our Chinese friends for the tragedy at the nursery this morning. Our thoughts are with those affected.

I would also begin with adding my thanks to the briefers this morning, Ambassador Chergui, Dr. Kaberuka and Chef de Cabinet Viotti, for their very thoughtful and insightful briefings, and I'd like to thank colleagues from Senegal, Egypt and Ethiopia for calling for this timely meeting.

Mr. President,

Sweden is a longstanding supporter of enhanced strategic partnership between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa. The reasons for this commitment are many. Regional actors have a better understanding of the issues at stake on the ground; they are often more invested; and they carry credibility at local levels. The African Union and its regional partners can at times undertake operations and work in environments where the UN cannot, and can often deploy quickly.

We therefore very much welcome the current energy and momentum around the UN –African Union Partnership agenda. The first ever UN-AU summit, just a few weeks ago, and the "Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security" signed at this occasion is a very positive development.

We thank the SG for his report pursuant to UNSCR 2320. We welcome the thorough work that underpins this report, and want to pay particular tribute to the "jointness" which has characterised the drafting of this report.

We now have concrete proposals and options for closer cooperation with the AU, including the process for mandating AU peace support operations. This will no doubt help us move forward towards ensuring more predictable collaboration and accountability.

We also thank the African Union for providing us with an update on the progress on their side, including the communiqué from AUPSC meeting on 30 May. In particular, we welcome updates on what has been done to strengthen work within the realm of human rights and conduct and discipline, as well as plans for addressing remaining gaps.

We commend once again the AU Summit bold decision on financing the African Union in an effort to secure financing for peace in Africa, in line with recommendation made by President Kagame in his report on AU reform.

Mr. President,

We very much recognise the need for flexible, predictable and sustainable funding of AU peace operations and we welcome the proposals pertaining to financing in the SG report. We look forward to continue discussions in this council on the various options and models, including access to assessed UN contributions.

Our planned visit to Addis Abeba in September for the Annual Consultations with AU Peace and Security Council will be an excelled opportunity to discuss this matter further.

On our part, we believe that the Peace Fund will be a robust mechanism for cooperation and partnership. We will consider channelling Swedish financial support to the Peace Fund when it is operationalised.

Mr. President,

Moving forward on this agenda will require substantial – and sustained – political investment from the Security Council. While we are encouraged by the commitment by the SG, as well as by increased structure for cooperation at the secretariat level, it must be matched by political engagement from us as members of the Council. Let us utilize this momentum.

Contact

Lisa Laskaridis
Head of Press and Communication, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN
Phone +1 212 583 2543
Mobile +1 917 239 0941
email to Lisa Laskaridis
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