Global Issues & ODA

The fifth meeting of Friends of Human Security (FHS) was held on 20 November 2008 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Japan and Mexico and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the meeting was co-Chaired by Ambassador Claude Heller (Mexico) and Ambassador Yukio Takasu (Japan). Representatives from 52 Member States and 13 international organizations attended the meeting. As outlined at previous meetings of the Friends of Human Security, the FHS is intended as a flexible and open-ended platform for Member States to advance a common understanding of human security, engage in collaborative efforts, and mainstream human security in UN activities. In this regard, members have agreed to pursue concrete collaboration in line with the broad understanding of human security as articulated in the report of the Commission on Human Security.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico welcomed Member States as well as Mr. Paul Kelly, Office of the President of the General Assembly (PGA), and Mr. Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet, to the fifth meeting of the FHS. In reviewing the progress made in promoting a greater understanding of human security among Member States, he emphasized the significance of the informal thematic debate on human security that took place at the General Assembly (GA) in May 2008. As a follow-up to the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, the debate provided an opportunity for more than 40 Member States to discuss the multidimensional scope of human security and its added value in bringing together the different agenda items of the United Nations and in tackling them in their totality.

Ambassador Heller stressed that human security is an ambitious goal and that lasting results can only be achieved through collaborative efforts among Member States; international organizations; UN agencies, Funds and Programmes; civil society; and non-governmental organizations. Ambassador Heller noted that the GA debate provided a good opportunity to highlight the need to promote a new culture of international relations with the principle of human security at its core and, in this context, he invited all Members States to actively participate in clarifying the notion of human security and providing guidance on how human security can contribute to UN's efforts in promoting peace, development, and human rights to peoples everywhere.

In his capacity as the Special Advisor to the PGA, Mr. Paul Oquist mentioned that the increasing interest in the concept of human security in recent years is related to the felt need for more integrated approaches to national and global challenges. In a period where multiple, complex, and highly interrelated challenges such as those pertaining to climate change, energy, food, health, financial, economic and social crises are confronting us, the need for a unified policy framework that can deal with these challenges simultaneously is of the utmost urgency. Furthermore, the impact of these crises, with their reach to all levels of society from the individual to local, national, regional, and global levels, is requiring the international community to consider global policies that are integrated and comprehensive. In this context, Mr. Oquist underlined that the human security framework, as a rich and complex concept, is most relevant to the challenges we face – especially in its emphasis to reduce risks and increase choices for all of humanity.

Mr. Vijay Nambiar congratulated the FHS for its achievements in promoting the human security concept in the United Nations and commended Member States for their many initiatives to explore the added value of this concept. He stressed that through such initiatives human security has gained considerable support in the international community and it is now increasingly recognized as a valuable framework for tackling current and emerging challenges. Mr. Nambiar further noted that it is fair to say that "human security is a concept whose time has come," and highlighted that the inclusive nature of the human security concept, encompassing "freedom from fear," "freedom from want," and "freedom to live in dignity" provides for a framework to comprehensively address the interrelatedness of the challenges we face.

Moreover, Mr. Nambiar stressed that much like the movement from national development to human development, the transition from national security to human security is a major development in looking at how an international organization like the United Nations can address the multitude of critical and pervasive threats that challenge our shared and common humanity. In this context, he thanked the Governments of Japan, Slovenia and Thailand for their contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) and, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, invited other Members States to join the donorship of the UNTFHS which has been the motor behind the operationalization of the concept at the United Nations.

Ambassador Takasu of Japan echoed Mexico's remarks in highlighting the importance of the progress made since the fourth meeting of the FHS including the thematic debate on human security at the GA in May 2008, the HSN Ministerial meeting in Athens, as well as dissemination efforts in other for a such as the G8 Summit, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), APEC Ministerial Meeting and national initiatives in Ecuador and Thailand. In this context, he noted with appreciation the up-coming conference on "Human Security in the Arab Region" at the Headquarters of the League of Arab States as a crucial event for propagating the concept.

Furthermore, Ambassador Takasu reminded participants that in view of the current financial crisis, the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 had substantial negative impact on the socio-economic situation of the most vulnerable segments of populations in many countries. Accordingly, it was in this context that the initiative on human security was introduced and that the Commission on Human Security (CHS) was established. This year brings the fifth anniversary of the CHS and while the definition of human security – i.e., "to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways to enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment" – remains broad however its relevance in responding effectively to present and emerging challenges such as the global economic crisis remains vital and significant. Ambassador Takasu noted that human security is not a legalistic concept but a policy framework that helps highlight policy shortfalls and as such brings attention to the responses required to effectively address human security needs and challenges.

Speaking as the current Chair of the Human Security Network (HSN), Ambassador Kavanagh of Ireland noted that the ascendancy gained by the human security concept over the last few years is indeed testimony to the increased efforts by both the Network and the FHS, and stressed that continuing cooperation between the HSN and the FHS will be a key priority ofits chairmanship. Moreover, the Ambassador noted that the Network welcomes the approach taken by the FHS in its statement during the GA debate which reiterated the need for a broad understanding of human security. He emphasized that it is important to build upon such common ground and to provide a platform for collective action towards the attainment of human security.

In reflecting on the GA debate, Ambassador Kavanagh acknowledged the positive contributions made by Member States in recognizing that while human security is not an easy concept to pin down nevertheless this should not be used as an excuse to avoid making progress in its implementation. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted that the debate was also notable for recognizing the nexus between human security and the three essential pillars of the United Nations, i.e., security, development and human rights. In this regard, Ambassador Kavanagh informed the delegates and participants of Ireland's intention to concentrate on the issue of gender based violence (GBV) during its Chairmanship and welcomed continued cooperation between the FHS and the HSN in further integrating human security in the work of the United Nations.

Following the previous presentations, Ambassador Heller opened the floor for further discussions on issues for cooperation including the financial crisis, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), climate change, rising food prices, legal empowerment of the poor, protection of children in armed conflicts, and human rights education.

Republic of Korea noted that the global financial crisis is an issue of grave concern and may negatively impact concerted efforts to address human insecurities on several fronts including rising food prices, climate change and the achievement of MDGs. Republic of Korea stressed that as noted by the Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, "today's financial crisis should not be allowed to evolve into tomorrow's human crisis." Subsequently, Republic of Korea highlighted that coordination by multilateral institutions is required and could further reduce the risk for possible downturns. In this context, Guinea underlined the need for a regional approach in responding to the current economic crisis and noted the importance of participation by civil society and the local population. Finally, with a view to the up-coming conference on Financing for Development, Republic of Korea stressed that reinforced cooperation between developing and developed countries is needed in order to limit the negative impacts of the current financial crisis on the achievement of the MDGs.

Meanwhile, Mongolia, Guinea, and Tanzania stressed that the MDGs and human development are essential parts of human security and that more political will is needed in this priority area. Highlighting that the relationship between development, security, and human rights was also discussed at the GA debate on human security, it was further mentioned that the MDGs should not be overlooked in the context of the current financial crisis.

Greece as former Chair of the HSN drew attention to the relevance of the human security concept in addressing the challenges of climate change. In this context, Greece summarized the outcomes of the last Ministerial meeting of the HSN in Athens which mainly focused on how climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable groups such as children, women and people on the move. Highlighting that vulnerability is a key term for human security, Greece further stressed that effective south-south cooperation with a focus on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as increased research on socio-economic factors of climate change and the use of indigenous knowledge and early policy response may further enhance the capacities of governments to effectively respond to threats related to climate change and to better ensure the human security of their populations.

Underlining the encompassing nature of human security and its links to the UN Charter, the Philippines noted that the rising food crisis is a pressing issue under the human security framework, notably due to its complex and inter-related causes that threaten the very heart of human existence and impact the most vulnerable. Philippines further stressed that the UNTFHS should also focus on this issue as it has negative implications on development goals such as the MDGs. In this context, the Philippines underlined that the FHS should refrain from discussions regarding the definition of human security and instead focus on common goals and objectives that highlight the relevance of the human security concept as a practical tool in addressing current challenges. Also on the issue of the global food crisis, Guinea underlined the importance of increased agricultural production and of integrated approaches to human development and human security, especially in fragile economies.

Furthermore, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) took the floor to elaborate on the interlinkages between human security and the legal empowerment of the poor. In this regard, UNDP shared the Report of the independent High Level Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor which highlights the links between exclusion, poverty and justice. UNDP explained that the Commission focused on the following pillars: (i) access to justice, (ii) property rights, (iii) labor rights, and (iv) business rights, and noted that these issues are closely linked to the human security framework as both agendas focus on the importance of inclusion, capacity building, and the enlargement of opportunities.

Underlining the growing importance of human security for the work of the United Nations, the United States also stressed that the issue of the legal empowerment of the poor may further link the human security approach to the development agenda and also offer an opportunity for enhanced cooperation between developed and developing countries. USA further commended efforts made in propagating the human security agenda and acknowledged the work of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) as another investment in advancing human security.

Highlighting the issue of protection of children in armed conflicts, Slovenia noted that human security should focus on the needs of the most vulnerable groups. In this regard, protection of child rights and the strengthening of the international legal framework, including access to justice for children, are key elements for human security, especially in post-conflict situations, which should not be overlooked. Furthermore, Slovenia underlined that human security provides a broad framework for preventing and managing conflicts as well as for resolving conflicts, promoting sustainable peace, and preventing the risks ofrelapse into conflict situations.

On the same issue, Tanzania and Guinea also mentioned the protection of civilians in armed conflicts as one of the most critical challenges to human security and the need to apply the human security concept in conflict and post-conflict situations. In this context, Benin stressed that the FHS should elaborate on the relationship between the human security concept and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1612 regarding children and armed conflicts, as well as Security Council Resolution 1625 on the prevention of conflicts, in particular in Africa.

Austria and Benin, moreover, noted that human rights education is another critical issue under the human security framework. Highlighting the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the proclamation of the international year of human rights learning, Austria stressed that human rights education provides an enormous potential for further cooperation and that it should be included in donor strategies with regards to the advancement of human security. Echoing the remarks made by Austria, Benin further invited the FHS to look at concrete examples in Benin where human rights learning are brought to communities through citizenship education and training on the UDHR.

Furthermore, Egypt underlined several notions which are important with regards to the promotion of the concept of human security: (i) relevance: human security should be closely linked to the needs of the people, (ii) connectivity: human security should be an integrated approach connecting current challenges such as the financial crisis, peace-building, etc., (iii) preparedness: there is a need to further highlight the preventative aspect of the human security concept, (iv) complementarity: further cooperation between the various development goals and peace efforts is needed, and (v) inclusiveness: human security highlights the importance of integrating all relevant actors.

In closing the meeting, Ambassador Takasu, as co-Chair, thanked Member States for their participation and noted that further focus and priorities are needed to continue to advance the achievement of human security. Moreover, Ambassador Taskasu noted that increased cooperation with regional organizations such as the African Union (AU), the Organization of American States (OAS), the League of Arab States (LAS), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union (EU), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as with UN entities such as the Security Council, the Office of the PGA, the Peacebuilding Commission, and also the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Global Compact should be explored in order to better reflect the human security approach in the various strategies and resolutions being considered by the international community. In this context, Ambassador Takasu mentioned that the FHS could explore, with the PGA, the possibility of organizing another thematic debate on human security at the General Assembly.