OSCE Secretary General and UN Secretary General discuss strengthening of regional organizations’ role in conflict prevention

Ways to strengthen the role of regional organizations and arrangements, such as OSCE, in the broader UN framework of conflict prevention, peaceful settlement of disputes and mediation were key topics of a meeting between OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Budapest on 8 October 2013.

The OSCE is the world’s largest regional security arrangement operating under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Zannier informed the UN Secretary-General of his plans to hold a Security Day event in 2014 to look at how the potential of Chapter VIII regional organizations could be better utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the overall action of the international community to prevent conflict and promote peace and stability.

Zannier also spoke about how the OSCE can assist its participating States in Central Asia and Afghanistan, an OSCE Partner for Co-operation, to ensure stability and security in the region, including with regard to the 2014 Presidential elections in Afghanistan; what could be done for the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation undergoing transitions, such as Tunisia and Egypt; and how the Organization could co-operate with other regional structures in such areas as promoting inter-faith dialogue and tolerance.

Co-operation between the OSCE and the United Nations, including on addressing protracted conflicts in the OSCE area and the implementation of the Belgrade-Pristina agreement, especially as it concerns facilitating municipal elections in Kosovo in November, were also discussed.