A high-level open debate of the United Nations Security Council held under Vietnam’s presidency is drawing public attention for stressing the importance of confidence-building and dialogue in preventing conflict.

Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VNA

Participants will discuss the issue at the videoconference “Enhancing Cooperation between the United Nations and Regional and Subregional Organizations in Enhancing Confidence-building and Dialogue in Conflict Prevention and Resolution” on April 19 under the chair of Vietnam’s State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In a concept note circulated ahead of the debate, Viet Nam has outlined key objectives of the meeting that are intended to promote conflict prevention and resolution, including underscoring the importance of continuously strengthening cooperation between the UN (particularly the Security Council) and regional and sub-regional organizations; highlighting the need to enhance confidence-building measures and dialogue; sharing experiences and illuminating recent best practices with regard to the relationship between the UN and regional and subregional organizations, as well as among regional organizations.

At the debate, non-Security Council member states will not be able to speak during the virtual meeting, due to working methods adopted by the Council during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they will be able to submit written statements to the Security Council Affairs Division that will be incorporated in a compilation document.

At the meeting, Council members are likely to underscore the need for the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations to enhance their cooperation and develop synergies on early warning, preventive diplomacy and mediation activities.

Years-long efforts

There is clear support in the Council for the efforts of regional and sub-regional organizations in preventing and resolving conflict. The high number of formal meetings that the Security Council holds on its relationship with regional organizations reflects this support.

In addition to annual meetings, Council presidents have chosen to hold several briefings or debates on the relationship between the Council and regional organizations in recent years. In this respect, since January 2020, the Council has met to discuss its relationships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the International Organization of La Francophonie and the League of Arab States.