Tag Archives: UN
4 June 2013
The UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, speaking to reporters in Geneva on 21 May 2013 on the occasion of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, said disaster risk reduction in a complex world is a shared responsibility between governments, the private sector and local communities with the UN acting as a facilitator. Companies should invest in disaster resilience out of enlightened self-interest considering the substantial economic losses caused by damaged infrastructure Eliasson said.
The private sector, accounting for a majority of the world’s critical infrastructure, is encouraged to cooperate with the public sector on disaster risk management through a new platform for collaboration set up by the UN and the consulting firm PwC.
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation | U.N. pushes business to share responsibility for disaster reduction
3 May 2013
On 3 May, the Procurator General of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (mr. P. Vlas) concluded in his so-called ‘advisory opinion’ that the appeal against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal of the Hague, which found that the Netherlands was liable for evicting Bosnian nationals from the compound of Dutchbat in Srebrenica on 12 July 1995, should be rejected. The main task of the Procurator General of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands is to provide independent advice (known as ‘advisory opinion’) to the members of the Supreme Court on how to rule in the cassation proceedings that are before the Court.
The advisory opinion is very rich in legal analysis of questions of shared responsibility. It cites no less than four papers written as part of the SHARES Project, and will be commented upon more fully at a later stage. A few quick points that stand out will be identified below. (more…)
29 March 2013
By its Resolution 2098 (28 March 2013), the UN Security Council (UNSC) authorized the deployment of an ‘Intervention Brigade’ within the current UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). This intervention force – placed under the operational command of the MONUSCO Force Commander – will undertake targeted operations to ‘neutralize and disarm’ rebel groups in DR Congo. It is the ‘first-ever “offensive” combat force’ established under UN command.
Source: UN News Center | Security Council approves intervention force to target armed groups in DR Congo
Source: UN Press Release | ‘Intervention Brigade’ Authorized as Security Council Grants Mandate Renewal for United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo
21 March 2013
The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, until 19 March 2014. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged for continued UN support to the Afghan government up to and beyond the 2014 deadline for the assumption of full responsibility of governance, security and development in most areas.
In the resolution, the Council “stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in the provinces, consistent with the transition process, in support of and in cooperation with the Afghan Government.”
The withdrawal of most of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and United States troops from Afghanistan is planned to be completed by the end of 2014. A transition of responsibility for security in the state from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to Afghan forces is underway.
Source: UN News Centre | Afghanistan: Security Council extends mission amid calls for continued UN support
Source: UN Secretary-General | Latest Statements | New York, 19 March 2013 - Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council Debate on Afghanistan
18 March 2013
According to Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mulet, the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) could be transferred to a UN stabilization mission by July 2013. The mission will be approved by the Security Council and by the Malian government.
Source: UN News Centre | Mali: UN force possible in July, senior peacekeeping official says
