Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, spoke at the meeting on the United Nations’ cooperation with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining international peace and security.
Their members span Europe and Asia, including China, Russia, several former Soviet states, India, Pakistan and Iran.
Partnership for Peace
Ms. Spehar noted that the founders of the United Nations recognized the need for common efforts to ensure peace in an increasingly complex world that requires cooperation at all levels.
“Now, more than ever, a more effective United Nations relies on stronger and deeper cooperation. with regional and subregional organizations,” she said.
“Today, the stakes for international peace and security could not be higher. Tensions and competition between nations challenge the principles enshrined in uncharted“leading to distrust, new conflicts and the risk of escalation and spillover affecting all regions, including Eurasia,” she said. “This also affects our ability to respond effectively to challenges around the world.”
Security and climate threats
Ms Spehar said the meeting came at a time when the Eurasian region was facing rising tensions and emerging threats that required joint action.
These challenges range from security – preventing violent extremism, combating human trafficking and unresolved border issues, for example – to the impacts of climate change, such as melting ice caps and water scarcity.
She highlighted the work of United Nations Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia actively cooperate with the three organizations, including in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Focus is also given to how developments in Afghanistan impact regional stability.
“With regard to Ukraine, as the Secretary-General has noted on various occasions, It is time for a just peace based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.“The United Nations stands ready to support any meaningful efforts and initiatives towards this end,” she said.
The heads of these three organizations also addressed the Council.
The central role of the United Nations
SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming pointed out the “complex and profound changes” currently affecting international relations, with new threats and challenges constantly emerging.
“As a result, global peace and development are facing many destabilizing and unsettling factors. In these circumstances, no country or regional organization can be immune,” he said.
“We need and must promote international cooperation, in which the United Nations plays a central coordinating role to jointly respond to threats and challenges, and together maintain security, stability, development and prosperity at the regional and international levels.”
New model of cooperation
Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov said in his speech that the CSTO believes that single countries cannot counter today’s growing threats and challenges.
He noted that the functions of regional organizations have expanded over the time the United Nations has existed and that “they are closer to the source of problems”, detecting conflicts as they arise and taking preventive steps based on available resources.
“By enhancing regional stability based on the national interests of member states, regional organizations can shape an alternative to ineffective and outdated cooperation models and create new and more effective mechanisms to ensure cooperation,” he said.
“Therefore, they contribute to expanding the possibilities for free and successful internal development of nations by realizing mutually beneficial and equitable international cooperation in the emerging multipolar world.”
Towards greater cooperation
Secretary General Sergey Lebedev said that cooperation with UN entities “has always been and continues to be a priority area of international activity” of the CIS.
He added that various meetings and events between the two organizations “clearly indicate that there is still scope for expanding our cooperation”.
Mr. Lebedev expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation, including in strengthening international security and in the humanitarian and economic spheres, “always in compliance with the United Nations Charter and generally accepted principles, norms and principles of international law.”
