Top > Foreign Policy > Human Security > Friends of Human Security > Second Meeting of the "Friends of Human Security" (Chair's Summary)

Chair's Summary
Second Meeting of the "Friends of Human Security"

20 April 2007
13:15 to 17:00
United Nations Headquarters
New York

General Information and Agenda

The second meeting of the "Friends of Human Security" (FHS) was held on 20 April 2007 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. H.E. Mr. Yukio Takasu, Ambassador of Japan in charge of human security, and H.E. Mr. Claude Heller, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, acted as Co-Chairs of the meeting.

The meeting was attended by delegates from Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and Viet Nam.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser for Africa, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Bank, the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organization.

The agenda covered the following areas:

1.) ways to follow up on the reference to human security in the World Summit Outcome Document, including broadening and deepening common understanding of human security, making human security better reflected in UN activities, and engaging the Secretary-General and exploring a debate on human security in the General Assembly

2.) common areas of interest, including collaborative projects and initiatives, cooperation with other interested countries and regional organizations, and encouraging the active role of civil society organizations

Opening Statements

In his opening statement, Ambassador Heller of Mexico emphasized that the concept of human security is "multidimensional" and "in constant evolution." He went on to say that human security should be an "essential component" in efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and lie "at the core of national development strategies and public policies aimed at ensuring respect for human rights and strengthening the rule of law." Human security, he stated, must give "equal consideration to political, civil, economic, social, and cultural rights" and give "a human dimension to the concept of the security of the State."

Ambassador Takasu next recapitulated some of the major human security-related events that had taken place since the first FHS meeting: the ASEAN-UNESCO Concept Workshop on Human Security in Southeast Asia (Jakarta, October 2006); the European Union Roundtable on Human Security in Post-Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations (Brussels, November 2006); the meeting of the FHS representatives and the SG-elect (New York, December 2006); the seminar "Human security: Stock-taking and Moving Ahead" hosted by the Permanent Mission of Canada (New York, February 2007); and the Senior Official-Level Meeting on Human Security (Tokyo, March 2007). He also mentioned two upcoming meetings, the OSCE Workshop on Human Security (Vienna, May 2007) and the Ninth Human Security Network Ministerial Meeting (Ljubljana, May 2007).

Presentations of Human Security-related Initiatives

The floor was then opened to participants wishing to elaborate on their government or organization's initiatives relating to human security.

The representative of Canada stated that her country's conception of human security emphasizes the protection of individuals and communities from physical violence, particularly in conflict situations. She went on to say that the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1612, which requests the Secretary-General to implement the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict, was a landmark event, and that the FHS should play a role in promoting the implementation of the said mechanism.

The representative of Spain, speaking in his country's capacity as Chairman of the OSCE for 2007, stated that, with the threats posed by human trafficking, the mass movement of refugees and internally displaced persons, and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS increasing in severity, human security has become a multidimensional issue. The OSCE, he stated, is promoting human security through meetings and workshops, such as the Human Dimension Seminars. He also mentioned that an OSCE workshop on human security will be held in Vienna on May 15.

The representative of Slovenia explained that the upcoming Human Security Network Ministerial Meeting will focus on violence against children. In addition, she said, Slovenia believes that the Network should remain strongly engaged in supporting mine action and peacebuilding. She also stated that the Human Security Network and the FHS complement each other, and that it is essential that they work coherently to mainstream human security in the work of United Nations.

The representative of Thailand stated that her Government places a high priority on the human-centered approach in its national development strategy, and has created a Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Thailand, she said, will continue work with the United Nations to disseminate the concept of human security. She cited last February's Workshop on Human Trafficking held in Chiang Mai as an example of Thailand's efforts in this regard.

The representative of Switzerland referred to the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, which was adopted in June 2006 at a summit hosted by the Government of Switzerland and UNDP. She also stated that Switzerland is cooperating with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on peacebuilding initiatives.

Representatives from DESA, UNDP, UNFPA UNHCR, UNICEF, and OCHA also explained their respective organizations' human security-related initiatives and activities.

Following up on the World Summit Outcome Document

Ambassador Takasu began the discussion on the follow up to the World Summit Outcome Document by restating the general consensus reached at the first meeting that it would not be productive or appropriate to pursue a legal definition of human security in the General Assembly. He stated that the FHS should instead seek to facilitate collaborative initiatives, and mainstream human security in United Nations activities, based on a broader, deeper common understanding of human security, generally in line with the definition by the Commission of Human Security.

Some participants stated that human security is still a relatively new concept in the United Nations, a fact that makes some delegations reluctant to accept it. Outreach and dissemination are therefore crucial. It was recognized that a debate in the General Assembly on the human security should be arranged at an appropriate occasion to raise the momentum and support, but the timing of the debate should be carefully considered.

One participant reaffirmed that rights should form an integral part of the concept of human security.

A number of participants called for the integration of the human security perspective in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Special Adviser on Genocide. In addition, it was stated that the FHS should play a role in implementing Security Council resolution 1612 and in the negotiations on the General Assembly draft resolution on protection of children.

Some participants called attention to climate change, which poses serious implications not only for development but also for human security, and said that this should be an issue of high priority for the FHS.

Conclusion

The multifaceted nature of human security was reaffirmed. In light of this, it was asserted that discussions on human security should not be limited to one specific committee or United Nations body.

There was a general consensus that it would be inappropriate to rush to an official debate on human security in the General Assembly at this time. Rather, outreach efforts in the UN should be intensified.

It was stressed that FHS should focus on concrete collaboration in reflecting human security approach in such UN activities as achievements of MDGs, development, peace building, humanitarian assistance, climate change, protection of children and other human rights issues. Countries taking initiatives will contact other FHS members to seek cooperation and support, as appropriate.

The Co-Chairs proposed creating a compilation of information on past, present, and future initiatives and activities by Member States and international organizations in the area of human security. This compilation would eventually be submitted to the Secretary-General for circulation as a United Nations document. The Co-Chairs indicated that the Permanent Missions of Japan and Mexico will send a joint letter to each participating Member State and organization requesting them to provide information in this regard.

The Co-Chairs proposed holding the third meeting in about six months to review progress; the exact date and venue will be announced by the Co-Chairs in due course.

Back to Index