Sixth Meeting of the Friends of Human Security - New York

The 6th meeting of the Friends of Human Security (FHS) was held on 4 June 2009 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the co-chairmanship of Ambassador Yukio Takasu, Permanent Representative of Japan, and Ambassador Claude Heller, Permanent Representative of Mexico, with the co-sponsorship of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Representatives from 96 Member States and 20 UN organizations participated in the meeting, which was the largest attendance since the FHS was established in October 2006.

The FHS is an open-ended informal forum for Member States and UN organizations to discuss human security themes based on paragraph 143 of 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. In particular, the FHS pursues concrete collaboration among Member States based on a common understanding of the human security notion and have promoted cooperative efforts in UN activities on specific issues.

1) Opening Remarks

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico welcomed Member States and extended his appreciation to the co-chair of the FHS, Ambassador Yuko Takasu of Japan, Mr. Paul Oquist, Senior Adviser to the President of the General Assembly (PGA) and Mr. Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet at the United Nations and member of the Advisory Board on Human Security. Ambassador Heller stressed that in a period where multiple, complex, and highly interrelated threats, such as those pertaining to climate change, energy, food, health, financial, and social crises are occurring, the need for a unified policy framework that can simultaneously respond to such interrelated challenges is of the utmost urgency.

In this regard, Ambassador Heller noted the considerable support and acknowledgement of the human security concept within the international community as a valuable framework for addressing current emerging challenges, and stated the commitment of the FHS to continue to strengthen its activities towards a better understanding of the conceptual and practical dimensions of the human security concept. He invited all Member States to strive for human security to become a pillar in the decision-making processes of States and the United Nations.

In his capacity as the Special Advisor to the PGA, Mr. Paul Oquist drew attention to the reality that some of the causes of our current human security risks such as nuclear weapons and climate change germinated from our enormous advancements in technological and other social, political and economic developments. Moreover, Mr. Oquist mentioned that today we are faced with several major risks that necessitate us to re-prioritize investments in areas that are critical for our survival and human security. Among these, Mr. Oquist noted the environment, energy, and food security as the most critical human security concerns facing us at this critical juncture.

Furthermore, Mr. Oquist also highlighted that we are in a process of on-going globalization and yet we do not have the institutions to deal with the problems that emerge as result of rapid integration through international trade, capital flows, and the spread of technology. In this context, Mr. Oquist stressed the central role of the United Nations and noted the necessity to strengthen, revitalize and democratize the organization if humanity is to face problems emerging from globalization in ways that are creative, prioritized and are based on the human security needs of our international citizenry.

Mr. Vijay Nambiar echoed Ambassador Heller’s remarks in thanking the FHS Member States for their commitment to the promotion of human security. Since its adoption in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, Mr. Nambiar reiterated that human security has become ever more clearly accepted as fundamental to our responses to emerging threats and challenges, sighting the recent H1N1 outbreak as an example of the interdependent nature of our globalized world and the need for a comprehensive human-centered response.

Furthermore, in an effort to operationalize the notion of human security, Mr. Nambiar highlighted the work of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) where over 180 projects world-wide provide funding to projects that promote multi-sectoral, multi-organization and sustainable solutions to the most under-funded and intractable challenges. Recognizing the recent contributions by the Governments of Slovenia and Thailand, in addition to the long-standing support of the Government of Japan, Mr. Nambiar stated that the UNTFHS has moved towards a new era of enlargement, and requested other Member States to consider supporting the expansion of the donor base of the UNTFHS.

2) Major development since the 5th meeting of the FHS

In briefing the participants, Ambassador Takasu drew attention to the core essence of human security as a human centered approach and updated the participants on the developments since the last meeting of the FHS on 20 November 2008. Among these, Ambassador Takasu highlighted the APEC Summit Meeting (Peru); the Conference on Human Security in the Arab Region (Egypt); TICAD IV Ministerial Follow-up Meeting (Botswana); the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (Japan); and the Human Security Network Meeting (Ireland) as specific advancements towards a broader discussion on the application of the human security approach. He also informed the participants of the establishment of the Digital Library of Human Security and the launch of the Human Security Handbook entitled, “Human Security in Theory and Practice,” at the UN Secretariat.

Speaking as the outgoing Chair of the Human Security Network (HSN), Ambassador Jim Kelley of Ireland took the opportunity to reflect on the work of the HSN since the last FHS meeting. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the HSN, the Irish Chairmanship provided an opportunity for reflection at the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the HSN in Dublin where discussions facilitated taking stock, reflecting on the successes of the Network and considering how to take forward the work on the HSN. In line with the theme of the of the Irish HSN Chairmanship which focused on Gender-Based Violence, Ireland hosted an International Conference on 26 May 2009 on ‘How can the HSN promote the implementation of UN security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Finally, Ambassador Kelley expressed thanks to the FHS for the cooperation and dialogue with the HSN and noted such collaborations as testimony to the shared commitment to the promotion of human security.

Meanwhile, as the current Chair of the HSN, Ambassador Urbina of Costa Rica conveyed his thanks to the Governments of Japan and Mexico for convening the meeting and its Government’s appreciation for the excellent work undertaken by the Irish Government during its chairmanship of the HSN. Ambassador Urbina outlined the following as possible activities during its tenure as Chair of the HSN: (i) the use of the Network as a think-tank for launching new ideas that can play an important role with regards to the implementation of human security; (ii) releasing joint statements to promote the concept of human security and raising the visibility of the HSN; and (iii) strengthening the working relationships between the HSN and other link-minded partners and Member States by organizing events and preparing food-for-thought papers in collaboration with NGOs and the academia.

3) Thematic issues for discussion

The following thematic areas were then chosen by the FHS for discussion at the meeting: (i) financial and economic crisis and its impact on the MDGs; (ii) health (new influenza); (iii) peacebuilding; (iv) violence against women; and (v) climate change. Representatives from different Member States provided the participants with a synopsis on the main human security challenges for each of these themes.

(i) Financial and economic crisis and its impact on the MDGs

It was noted by the Representatives of Tanzania and Thailand that while developed countries are not spared from the challenges faced in view of the current financial and economic crisis, nevertheless, it is the developing and the least developed countries which find themselves most vulnerable to its negative impacts. Soaring unemployment rates, sharp declines in international trade and volatile financial systems continue to undermine income generation of most governments thereby limiting their ability to allocate the necessary funds needed to ensure social safety nets as well as pursue national public policies in support of health care, education and other social-economic development goals, including the MDGs.

(ii) Health (new influenza)

The recent outbreak and now epidemic human influenza A (H1N1) was highlighted by the Representatives of Mexico and Vietnam as an important lesson on the significance of placing health issues as a priority item on the international agenda, and on the need to ensure principles of transparency, solidarity and international cooperation when faced with health related threats to human security. While national preparedness and response mechanisms can play an important role in mitigating the spread of transmissible diseases, nevertheless, the current situation offers an opportunity to learn, innovate and improve national health systems at the global level through cooperation with the World Health Organization and among Member States.

(iii) Peacebuilding

The Representatives of Chile and Timor-Leste, informed the participants that from a peacebuilding perspective, human security forms the conceptual framework that provides the cornerstone in the transition from conflict to sustainable peace. Through its emphasis on the needs and vulnerabilities of the individuals, human security strengthens peacebuilding efforts by linking the provision of peace and security with advances on other key issues such as the reestablishment of basic services; the creation of an accountable and effective judiciary system; the restoration of core government functions; and the beginning of economic revitalization.

(iv) Violence against women

Women, while making up half the world’s population, are all too often subjected to various forms of violence. In the most egregious cases, sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. This noted by the Representative of United States of America is particularly relevant to the concept of human security and its emphasis on the protection and empowerment of individuals. As echoed in the sentiment of Security Council 1325, women must not be seen merely as victims, but must also be included in finding solutions to achieving lasting peace. But, violence against women is not only prevalent in conflict situations. Domestic violence, sadly, is also a pervasive reality and one where the human security concept can play a significant role in curtailing.

(v) Climate change

The Representatives of Nauru and Barbados emphasized the adverse impacts of climate change on the livelihood and the survival of the Pacific Small Island Developing States and noted with appreciation the recent General Assembly’s resolution on “Climate change and its possible security implications.” The resolution by acknowledging the link between climate change and security provides an opportunity to address the challenges faced as a result of climate change in ways that are integrated, multi-sectoral and human security focused.

4) Additional comments by Member States

Participating Member States expressed their appreciation on the significance of human security in responding to such challenges, and argued that the notion should be further mainstreamed and operationalized in UN programmes and activities. In this context, a number of Member States highlighted the significant work undertaken by the UNTFHS and OCHA and urged other Member States to consider additional funding for the Fund in the future.

In addition, the Representatives of Kazakhstan, Syria, Egypt and Pakistan expressed their support for a second General Assembly thematic debate on human security with the goal to reach consensus on the definition of human security between Member States. It was noted that the lack of a clear definition of human security is hindering efforts to produce the coordinated response required to address the current global challenges as highlighted by other Member States.

Meanwhile, the Representative of Guinea highlighted the importance of human security’s people-centered approach for African countries. Joined by the Representatives of Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the Representative of Guinea expressed appreciation for the work of the UNTFHS and its objective to operationalize the human security concept where it is most needed.

Finally several Member States including Representatives from the Government of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Japan and Mexico highlighted the need to for greater inclusion of human security in key UN documents and resolutions.

5) In closing

Based on interventions expressed by the Member States, subsequent remarks were summarized by Ambassador Takasu and agreed upon as follow-up actions by the FHS: (i) support for another General Assembly thematic debate; (ii) include human security in key future resolutions and outcome documents of the General Assembly and other UN meetings, including the “Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development” as well as “ECOSOC High-level segment on global public health”; (iii) request a Secretary-General’s report on Human Security; and (iv) operationalize human security in key UN activities such as peacebuilding; gender-based violence; climate change; among others.

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