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Annan maps out ways to bolster UN ability to prevent armed conflict, save lives

Annan maps out ways to bolster UN ability to prevent armed conflict, save lives

Boy with machete scar from armed conflict
In an effort to help prevent crises from escalating into armed conflicts that take precious lives and destroy livelihoods, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has issued a wide range of recommendations to bolster the Organization’s capacity to avert conflict around the globe.

In a report released today at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Annan says averting conflicts is one of the UN’s chief obligations and urges Member States to channel more money into preventive measures as the world body strengthens its capabilities to detect and then mediate disputes.

“Too often the international community spends vast sums of money to fight fires that, in hindsight, we might more easily have extinguished with timely prevention action before so many lives were lost or turned upside down,” the Secretary-General says.

“Over the past five years, we have spent over $18 billion on United Nations peacekeeping that was necessary partly because of inadequate preventive measures. A fraction of that investment in prevention action would surely have saved both lives and money.”

Issued five years after his first comprehensive report on the prevention of armed conflict, this 54-page document responds to resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council. It follows an interim report in 2003 and also includes the results of an in-depth review of UN capacity in this area. Mr. Annan notes that “a culture of prevention is indeed beginning to take hold at the United Nations,” but adds that “an unacceptable gap remains between rhetoric and reality in the area of conflict prevention.”

This latest report outlines a three-pronged approach to preventing armed conflict: targeting the sources of tension within and between societies, States and regions; reinforcing the norms and institutions for peace; and strengthening the mechanisms that can resolve inter-State disputes.

As a way to mitigate sources of tension, the report details the concept of so-called “systemic prevention,” or cooperative efforts. These global initiatives would help deal with a wide range of issues – from the illicit flow of small arms to environmental degradation to the spread of HIV/AIDS - that are fuelling tensions around the globe.

Mr. Annan also suggests that sanctions could be used more creatively as a tool to tackle conflict. The Security Council, for example, could use the reports of expert groups to then take action to help curb the exploitation of natural resources and the use of revenues by armed groups.

And to provide more predictable financial support for conflict prevention activities, Mr. Annan urges Member States to “consider dedicating an amount equivalent to a certain percentage of the annual peacekeeping budget - say two per cent – to the prevention of armed conflict.”

Among other recommendations, the report calls for strengthening the UN Department of Political Affairs; more support for development assistance through the UN Development Programme; and to the UN Democracy Fund.

“If we are serious about conflict prevention, we have to better equip the Organization to fulfil its core mandate,” the report concludes.

The General Assembly is to discuss the report in an open debate on 7 September when the Secretary-General will introduce the document.