Somali, conflict prevention top on UN June agenda

Xinhua
Wednesday, June 05, 2013

advertisements

The UN Security Council, while keeping an eye on preparations for the upcoming Geneva conference on Syria, is expected to discuss Somalia, conflict prevention and natural resources and the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, the British ambassador, the council president for June, said on Tuesday.

Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, London's envoy to UN Headquarters, told reporters here the Syrian situation remains high on the list of topics member of the 15-nation panel discuss between themselves in closed-door sessions.

To follow up on the outcome of the recent London Conference on Somalia, the British minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, was expected to attend a session on Somalia on Thursday when UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson will brief the council, he said.

An open debate on Conflict Prevention and Natural Resources was slated for June 19 to highlight how transparent management of extractive industries can prevent conflict, fight corruption, protect human rights and promote sustainable development, Lyall Grant said.

Eliasson, World Bank Managing Director Caroline Anstey and Africa Progress Panel Chair Kofi Annan, will brief by video from Geneva, the ambassador said.

Another open meeting was scheduled for June 24 on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict, chaired by British Foreign Secretary William Hague, Lyall Grant said.

The focus of the session was to be on accountability for crimes of sexual violence on the national level and how the UN can better support states in holding perpetrators to account, he said. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura were to brief.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online