Briefing on the Report of the Secretary-General on Human Security (A/66/763)

Transcription

1 Briefing on the Report of the Secretary-General on Human Security (A/66/763) Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Human Security Mr. Yukio Takasu ECOSOC Chamber, New York 7 May a.m. 12 p.m.

2 Overview of the Report The Report was prepared as a follow-up to A/RES/64/291, in which the GA requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States on the notion of human security and to submit a Report to the General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. The Report starts with a summary of discussions on human security at the General Assembly since Based on these inputs, the Report outlines key aspects towards forming a common understanding on the notion of human security, including its core values, scope, application, and the actors responsible for its advancement. From there, a common understanding on human security is proposed for the consideration of Member States. Thereafter, the application of human security and its added value to the work of the UN is presented in four possible areas including the work of the UNTFHS. The Report closes with a set of recommendations.

3 Agreement on human security at the 2005 WSO Paragraph 143 of 2005 World Summit Outcome was critical in raising awareness and interest in human security. In Para 143, the Heads of State and Government stressed: the right of people to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty and despair; all individuals, in particular vulnerable people, are entitled to freedom from fear and freedom from want; with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential.

4 Discussions on human security at the GA Since 2005, informal and formal debates on human security have been held at the General Assembly: May 2008, May 2010, in July 2010, the GA adopted resolution 64/291 April Furthermore, in view of A/RES/64/291, written inputs were received from Member States and informal consultations were organized with Member States in November 2011.

5 Convergence of views: Key aspects of core values First, human security aims at ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of all individuals, particularly those most vulnerable, to current and emerging threats. Second, human security underscores the universality of a set of freedoms that are fundamental to human life (freedom from fear, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity). Third, human security is guided by the principles of the UN Charter and does not replace State security. Fourth, human security focuses on the real needs and multi-dimensional insecurities facing people today.

6 Towards a common understanding on human security a) Human security upholds the right of people to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty and despair. b) The notion of human security is distinct from the responsibility to protect and its implementation. c) Human security does not entail the threat or the use of force. It is implemented with full respect of the UN Charter, including sovereignty of States, territorial integrity and non-interference in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of States. d) Human security does not replace State security.

7 cont d e) Human security aims at ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of all individuals, particularly those most vulnerable, to widespread and cross cutting threats. f) Human security underscores the universality of a set of freedoms that are fundamental to human life -- in developing and developed countries alike. g) Human security recognizes the inter-linkages between peace, development and human rights, and equally considers civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

8 cont d h) Human security calls for people-centred, comprehensive, context-specific and prevention-oriented responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of individuals and their communities. i) Human security is best realized through proactive actions that help mitigate the impact of current and, where possible, prevent the occurrence of future threats. j) Since the conditions for human security vary significantly across and within countries, and at different points in time, the advancement of human security promotes responses that are nationally driven and give rise to more immediate and tangible benefits to people and Governments.

9 cont d k) Governments retain the primary role for ensuring the survival, livelihood and dignity of their citizens. The responsibility of the international community is to complement and provide the necessary support to Governments, upon their request, so as to strengthen their capacities. l) Human security is a dynamic and practical policy framework to address threats in a coherent and comprehensive manner.

10 Application of human security Human security calls for the following responses that strengthen the protection and empowerment of individuals and their communities. People-centered (aim to address the current and emerging threat to a particular community and engages them in the process of strengthening their capacities to address the threat) Comprehensive (considers the broad set of conditions and actors that give rise to the threat and its impact on the different HS domains economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, political, etc.) Context-specific (takes into account the local, national, regional and global dimensions of threats and solutions) Prevention-oriented (addresses root causes and promotes structural and behavioral changes that can help prevent the crises from arising in the future)

11 Areas of UN activities where a human security approach can be useful to the work of the Organization

12 Climate change and climate-related hazard events The human consequences of climate change are multiple and often devastating in nature. The human security approach improves the information on the level and trend of vulnerabilities across and within countries. Thus, evidence-based protection and empowerment strategies can be developed. These measures can result in improved early warning systems, more resilient coping mechanisms, and better tailored adaptation strategies to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the people. They can help reduce the human, economic and social costs of disasters.

13 Post-conflict peacebuilding Human Security at the United Nations Peacebuilding aims to build genuine partnerships that strengthen coexistence and reconciliation, improve public safety, re-establish the rule of law, revitalize the economy, and restore basic services to all segments of the population, in particular those most affected by the conflict. By improving the protection and empowerment of individuals and their communities, the human security approach helps societies recover from the aftermath of conflicts and prevent their relapse into conflicts. Furthermore, by focusing on community level efforts, human security underscores the significant role of local actors in advancing inclusive practices that restore trust in institutions and return stability.

14 Global financial and economic crisis and MDGs Recessions generate insecurities in all countries. However, the depth, severity, and impact of global recessions vary significantly between regions, countries, and population groups. In addition to emergency lending mechanisms, a better understanding of the differential impact on groups, particularly the most vulnerable, and areas within countries, is urgently needed. A human security analysis will result in targeted and tangible improvements to the well-being of those most at risk. It will also mitigate the negative impacts of these crises on other areas such as food, health, environment.

15 Health and related challenges Human Security at the United Nations Improvements in health are not only dependent on availability of healthcare against diseases, but are also shaped by social, economic and environmental conditions. Poverty, inadequate housing, and poor environmental conditions may be the major contributing factor to ill health. Natural disasters or economic downturns put enormous pressure on healthcare systems, in particular, the most vulnerable. The human security approach looks at the interconnected factors that contribute to ill-health. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the conditions, an integrated response can be promoted.

16 UN Trust Fund for Human Security Through its support to over 200 projects in 70 countries, the UNTFHS has played an important role in translating human security into practical actions that have helped the most vulnerable communities and people around the world; in war-torn societies, sudden economic downturns, natural disasters, urban violence, etc. UNTFHS funded projects have provided examples of successful multi-stakeholder collaborations that complement Government efforts: - to address the needs and vulnerabilities of local communities; - highlight the institutional gaps that hinder appropriate responses to complex insecurities; - and support empowerment and capacity-building measures.

17 Examples of UNTFHS projects Human Security at the United Nations Climate-Change Vanuatu: Community resilience and coping with climate change and natural disasters Uzbekistan: Sustaining livelihoods affected by the Aral Sea Disaster Lesotho: Strengthening rural livelihoods severely affected by climate changeinduced drought Peacebuilding Republic of Congo: Consolidation of peace, prevention of conflict, and enhancement of human security in the Poole region Sri Lanka: Integrated programme for empowering conflict-affected communities Lebanon: Social and empowerment of mine-affected communities Health and related challenges Mongolia: Comprehensive community services for the rural disadvantaged populations Nepal: Delivering essential reproductive health care, education, and psychosocial counseling to conflict-affected populations Bolivia: Empowerment and protection against violence, early pregnancy, maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS

18 Recommendations Human Security at the United Nations Consider and agree upon a common understanding on human security as outlined in section VII of the Report. Support the application of human security in the work of the UN and reflect on how best to apply in UN activities. Take note of the lessons learned from project activities funded by the UNTFHS and expand the application of human security to national and sub-national levels. Encourage States to give financial support to the UNTFHS. Invite the S-G to report on progress in applying human security and the lessons learnt at national and subnational levels to the General Assembly every two years.