20 June 2014
UNGA Debates Role of Human Security in Post-2015 Agenda
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UN Member States recognized the role of human security in ensuring sustainable development for all and called for building on nearly 20 years of experience in implementing human security within the UN system at a thematic debate on ‘Responding to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century: Human Security and the post-2015 development agenda.' The half-day event offered an opportunity to exchange views on the third report of the UN Secretary-General on human security (A/68/685) and to consider how to include human security in the post-2015 framework.

United Nations18 June 2014: UN Member States have recognized the role of human security in ensuring sustainable development for all and called for building on nearly 20 years of experience in implementing human security within the UN system. These statements came during a thematic debate on the theme ‘Responding to the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century: Human Security and the post-2015 development agenda.’ The event offered an opportunity to exchange views on the third report of the UN Secretary-General on human security (A/68/685) and to consider how to include human security in the post-2015 framework.

Opening the debate, President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) John Ashe said the human security approach affirms that “security includes freedom from want” and seeks to coherently address the multiple dimensions of poverty. Ashe described how such an approach, which uses disaggregated data, can help in better targeting responses towards poverty reduction and underscored the importance of looking beyond State-centric notions of security to consider people-centered responses to challenges such as climate change and urbanization. He concluded by saying “human security can provide useful methodology for the analysis and development of policies and programmes in formulating the post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs).”

“It is clear that the principles enshrined in human security, including the right of people to live in freedom and dignity, can help us in our efforts to achieve peace and security,” declared UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson. He highlighted how a human security approach can help “governments and people develop national and local solutions to seemingly intractable problems,” according to the UN Secretary-General’s report, which cites examples from national planning in Kenya, Mexico, Mongolia and Lithuania. Eliasson also noted that the report highlights the receptiveness of the Pacific Island countries and territories, Peru, Nepal and Madagascar to the human security approach. Eliasson called on Member States to consider how to apply the principles of human security to the post-2015 agenda.

The half-day debate included an interactive panel discussion on ‘Human security: experiences at national, regional and international levels,’ which highlighted how human security approaches can assist with project design, strategic planning and policymaking across a range of institutional and thematic settings. Several participants described their engagement in projects sponsored by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security.

Vice President of the UNGA, Charles Thembani Ntwaagae, delivered closing remarks on behalf of Ashe. He said the debate recognized, inter alia: human security is a common concern in all societies, not just in fragile States; a need to better examine what generates human insecurity; and the need to comprehensively respond to climate change and its impact on development. The debate is expected to result in a summary report.

Member States agreed on a common understanding on human security in Resolution 66/290, which was adopted in September 2012. The Resolution recognizes that human security can “assist Member States in identifying and addressing widespread cross-cutting challenges to the survival, livelihood and dignity of their people.” [UN Press Release] [UNGA President Remarks] [UN Deputy Secretary-General Remarks] [UNGA Vice-President Remarks] [Debate Statements] [Debate Website] [A/68/865]

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