Finland and Turkey to present a peace mediation initiative during the UN week
Press Release 273/2010
23 September 2010
Alexander Stubb, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, have convened a seminar focusing on peace mediation. The seminar will take place in New York on 24 September. The event will be attended by ministers of active peace mediation countries from various continents, high representatives of regional organizations, and Lynn Pascoe, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. For instance, Steven Vanackere, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, currently the EU Presidency country, Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Jean Ping, Chairman of the Commission of the African Union, and Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League, have confirmed their participation. One of the speakers at the seminar is President Martti Ahtisaari.
The field of peace mediation has become more complex. Increasingly often, conflicts take place inside States. In addition, many non-governmental actors, such as civil society organizations, have become involved in mediation efforts.
The UN is a global actor in conflict prevention and crisis management. However, the UN Mediation Support Unit was not established until 2006. Working under the Unit, a Standby Team of Mediation Experts can be deployed to the field at a short notice. The Unit also maintains a register of peace mediators and experts who can support peace processes. In addition, the Unit collects and analyses data on UN peace mediation efforts.
According to Foreign Minister Stubb, the goal of Finland and Turkey is to launch a process for the further development of UN peace mediation preparedness. This could be accomplished through a Resolution passed by the General Assembly, which would confirm the Member States’ political support to the UN’s role. At the same time, cooperation among various parties active in peace mediation should be intensified.
Turkey holds the Presidency of the UN Security Council in September. On 23 September, Turkey arranges a discussion in the Security Council concerning the UN’s role in maintaining international peace and security.
Finland has allocated 400,000 euros to the UN Peace Mediation Support Unit in 2009–2010. In addition, an assistant expert financed by Finland works in the Unit.
Additional information: Katri Viinikka, Head of the Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 753 2730, and Päivi Pohjanheimo, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 511 3786.
Requests for interviews of the Foreign Minister: Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 732 8340.