UN unanimously approved the peace mediation resolution of Finland and Turkey
Press release 172/2011
22 June, 2011
The UN General Assembly unanimously approved the peace mediation resolution presented by Finland and Turkey in New York on 22 June. This is the first resolution on peace mediation adopted by the United Nations.
The General Assembly consensus resolution consolidates the international community’s mutual understanding concerning the importance of peace mediation in conflict prevention and resolution.
The initiative for drafting a resolution was presented in September 2010, when the foreign ministers of Finland and Turkey hosted a ministerial meeting on peace mediation in New York during the opening week of the United Nations’ General Assembly sessions. Finland and Turkey set up a Group of Friends of Mediation to intensify cooperation in peace mediation among states, international bodies and civil society organizations active in peace mediation.
The resolution now adopted means additional visibility for the UN’s peace mediation work. Peace mediation will be listed on the agenda of the next UN General Assembly session. The UN is beginning to compile peace mediation guidelines defining effective peace mediation. States and other actors with an active role in peace mediation, such as regional organizations, will make their own contributions to this work. The UN Secretary General will give a report on peace mediation.
The resolution encourages strengthening the position of women in peace mediation efforts. Women should be appointed to peace mediation tasks much more often than at present, and they should be included in peace processes. The resolution also underscores the growing role of civil society in peace mediation.
The resolution proposed by Finland and Turkey had 68 endorsements.
With the resolution, Finland’s role as a supporter of international peace mediation is reinforced. In line with the new Government Programme, Finland will continue to develop its input in international peace mediation efforts. Moreover, Finland strives to strengthen the country’s own peace mediation capacity, for instance through networking and training.
Additional information: Katri Viinikka, Head of the Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 753 2730