United Nations Security Council Resolution 1625
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1625, adopted unanimously at the 2005 World Summit
on September 14, 2005, the Council adopted a declaration on the role of the Security Council in conflict prevention, particularly in Africa
where a large number of armed conflicts were taking place.
Resolution 1625, along with Resolution 1624
(2005), was adopted at a meeting of heads of state or government
.
. It reaffirmed the importance of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations
, the need to adopt a conflict prevention strategy to address the root causes of conflict and crises, and to strengthen the role of the United Nations in preventing violent conflict and build partnerships between international and regional organisations.
The preamble of the declaration made reference to the African Union
in particular, and its position on the unconstitutional changes of government on the continent. It also recognised the role of civil society
in conflict prevention.
assessing developments in regions at risk of armed conflict and ask the Secretary-General to provide information; follow-up the preventative-diplomacy intiatives of the Secretary-General; supporting regional mediation
initiatives; supporting capacities for early warning; requesting assistance from the United Nations Economic and Social Council
; taking measures to tackle illicit arms trafficking and the use of mercenaries; enhancing institutions conducive to peace, stability and sustainable development; supporting African states to build independent judicial institutions.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General was required to provide information on potential armed conflicts to the Council, particularly from Africa, assist countries at risk of conflict and promote regional conflict management
initiatives.
The Council stressed the importance of conflict prevention strategies to avoid a negative impact on security, economic, social, political and humanitarian sectors in countries facing crisis. A regional approach was also highlighted, particularly with regard to demobilisation, demilitarisation
and reintegration
, and action would be taken against the illegal exploitation of natural resources which fuelled conflict. Increased co-operation between the United Nations and regional or subregional organisations was also called for, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter
.
The latter half of the resolution addressed African nations. The Council encouraged African states to African Union Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact of January 31, 2005 and to work with the United Nations Secretariat
and regional offices to implement measures for establishing peace, security, stability, democracy
and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the international community
was called upon to support African nations in the aforementioned objectives, and to develop the capacities of African regional and subregional organisations to deploy civilian and military assets when needed.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1625, adopted unanimously at the 2005 World Summit
2005 World Summit
The 2005 World Summit, 14–16 September 2005, was a follow-up summit meeting to the United Nations' 2000 Millennium Summit, which led to the Millennium Declaration of the Millennium Development Goals...
on September 14, 2005, the Council adopted a declaration on the role of the Security Council in conflict prevention, particularly in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
where a large number of armed conflicts were taking place.
Resolution 1625, along with Resolution 1624
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1624
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1624, adopted unanimously at the 2005 World Summit on September 14, 2005, after reaffirming resolutions on terrorism, including resolutions 1267 , 1373 , 1535 , 1540 , 1566 and 1617 , the Council called on all states to co-operate in order to strengthen...
(2005), was adopted at a meeting of heads of state or government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
.
Observations
The Security Council expressed "deep concern" at the human cost and material loses caused by armed conflictWar
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
. It reaffirmed the importance of refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
, the need to adopt a conflict prevention strategy to address the root causes of conflict and crises, and to strengthen the role of the United Nations in preventing violent conflict and build partnerships between international and regional organisations.
The preamble of the declaration made reference to the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
in particular, and its position on the unconstitutional changes of government on the continent. It also recognised the role of civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
in conflict prevention.
Acts
The resolution expressed the Council's determination to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations in preventing armed conflict, by:assessing developments in regions at risk of armed conflict and ask the Secretary-General to provide information; follow-up the preventative-diplomacy intiatives of the Secretary-General; supporting regional mediation
Mediation
Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution , a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties. A third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate their own settlement...
initiatives; supporting capacities for early warning; requesting assistance from the United Nations Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
; taking measures to tackle illicit arms trafficking and the use of mercenaries; enhancing institutions conducive to peace, stability and sustainable development; supporting African states to build independent judicial institutions.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General was required to provide information on potential armed conflicts to the Council, particularly from Africa, assist countries at risk of conflict and promote regional conflict management
Conflict management
Conflict management involves implementing strategies to limit the negative aspects of conflict and to increase the positive aspects of conflict at a level equal to or higher than where the conflict is taking place. Furthermore, the aim of conflict management is to enhance learning and group outcomes...
initiatives.
The Council stressed the importance of conflict prevention strategies to avoid a negative impact on security, economic, social, political and humanitarian sectors in countries facing crisis. A regional approach was also highlighted, particularly with regard to demobilisation, demilitarisation
Demilitarisation
Demilitarisation or demilitarization is the reduction of a nation's army, weapons, or military vehicles to an agreed minimum. Demilitarisation is usually the result of a peace treaty ending a war or a major conflict....
and reintegration
Social integration
Social integration, in sociology and other social sciences, is the movement of minority groups such as ethnic minorities, refugees and underprivileged sections of a society into the mainstream of societies...
, and action would be taken against the illegal exploitation of natural resources which fuelled conflict. Increased co-operation between the United Nations and regional or subregional organisations was also called for, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter deals with regional arrangements. It authorizes regional organizations and even requires attempts to resolve disputes through such agencies prior to intervention by the UN Security Council...
.
The latter half of the resolution addressed African nations. The Council encouraged African states to African Union Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact of January 31, 2005 and to work with the United Nations Secretariat
United Nations Secretariat
The United Nations Secretariat is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and it is headed by the United Nations Secretary-General, assisted by a staff of international civil servants worldwide. It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by United Nations bodies for...
and regional offices to implement measures for establishing peace, security, stability, democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the international community
International community
The international community is a term used in international relations to refer to all peoples, cultures and governments of the world or to a group of them. The term is used to imply the existence of common duties and obligations between them...
was called upon to support African nations in the aforementioned objectives, and to develop the capacities of African regional and subregional organisations to deploy civilian and military assets when needed.
See also
- Conflict resolutionConflict resolutionConflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of some social conflict. Often, committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest...
- List of ongoing military conflicts
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1601 to 1700 (2005 – 2006)