COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION	Brussels, 25 May 2010
10170/10
PESC 678 CONUN 57 ONU 91 COHOM 133 DEVGEN 170 ENV 331 COJUR 19 CODUN 22 CONOP 32 COTER 45 CODRO 1 COSDP 454 CRIMORG 104

“I/A” ITEM NOTE

From:	Political and Security Committee
To:	Coreper / Council
Subject:	EU priorities for the 65th United Nations General Assembly

The Working party on UN affairs (CONUN) examined at several occasions the above-mentioned draft document and reached an agreement on the text using a written procedure.

2.	The Political and Security Committee (PSC) endorsed the text on 18 May 2010.

3.	Coreper is therefore invited to advise the Council to adopt as an “A” item the EU priorities for the 65th General Assembly of the United Nations as they appear in the Annex.

ANNEX

EU PRIORITIES FOR THE 65th SESSION OF THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS

1.	PROMOTING A STRONGER UNITED NATIONS

1.	With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU has a fully-fledged legal personality, with increased capacity to act on the international scene. We will work towards ensuring that this change is fully reflected at the UN.

2.	The Treaty of Lisbon reaffirms the EU commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, calling for multilateral solutions to common problems and challenges. To contribute to the achievement of this objective, the EU will continue to strive for building a stronger multilateral system, notably by enhancing the representativeness, transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations.

2.	INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

3.	The UN plays a central role in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and has effective and widely recognized means to contribute to these aims.

With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU is in a position to take on growing responsibility as a global actor. The EU intends to enhance the visibility of its positions and contributions to crisis management in the relevant UN fora, including the Security Council.

4.	The increasingly complex situation and the current challenges for UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding make it important to review their mechanisms. The EU is playing an active role in the review of both the Peacebuilding Commission and the UN peacekeeping architecture:

5.	Firstly, the EU will continue to participate actively in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, and in the implementation of the Recommendations formulated by its Review Process of 2010, in which the EU took active part. The coincidence of the Review Process with the review of UN Peacekeeping has offered a good opportunity for the EU to continue striving to create a closer link between peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

6.	Secondly, the EU fully supports the ongoing review of UN peacekeeping. The EU agrees with the four priority areas highlighted in the New Horizon initiative (i.e.: policy development, capability development, field support, planning and oversight). The EU will support the UN efforts to implement Protection of Civilians mandates in the different scenarios and further clarify and implement a robust-focused approach, when necessary, in mandates of UN peacekeeping missions.

7.	The EU will actively follow-up the “2010 NPT Review Conference of the States Parties to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons” (May 3-28th), so as to enhance the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, also in accordance with UNSCR 1887 (2009). The EU will also actively follow up on the implementation of the Work Plan to enhance global nuclear security that was approved at the 2010 Washington Nuclear Security Summit and aim for the universal implementation of this Work Plan. The EU will continue its efforts in achieving an early entry into force of the CTBT. The EU will press for commencement of substantive work of the Commission on Disarmament and start of negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), including verification provisions. The EU firmly supports the UN process towards a comprehensive, legally binding, strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty (“ATT”). The EU will follow up on of the outcome of the first Preparatory Committee Meeting on ATT (July 2010) and support the preparations of the second Preparatory Committee meeting in 2011.

8.	In addition, the EU highlights the importance of sustained support to counter the devastating consequences of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosives remnants of war, devoting particular attention to assisting the victims of these weapons.

9.	During the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly, the EU will ensure the adequate follow-up of the outcome of the review conference of the Statute of the International Criminal Court (Kampala, 31 May-11 June 2010) The EU emphasizes that justice is a key factor of lasting peace. It remains committed to the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern, to the enforcement of Court decisions and the promotion of the universality of the Rome Statute. The EU is convinced that the legacy and integrity of the work of other International Courts must be preserved and will spare no effort this end. The EU will closely follow the topic of “the scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction”.

10.	The EU emphasises the need for a prompt conclusion of the negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, remains ready to contribute to the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and will actively participate in its second review to be held September 2010. Moreover, the EU will support the efforts to respond to the needs of victims of terrorism. The EU supports an integrated approach in the fight against transversal threats (i.e.: organised crime, trafficking in drugs and human beings and corruption), and will actively participate in the implementation of the UN Resolution on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (A/RES/64/179), by promoting the universal adherence to the Palermo Convention and its effective implementation and, accordingly, by actively participating in the Special Session of the General Assembly, to be held in New York in June 2010, and in the 5th Conference of the State Parties of the Palermo Convention, to be held in Vienna in October 2010.

11.	The EU will strive for the operationalization of the concept of Responsibility to Protect (“R2P”) as agreed in Para. 138, 139 and 140 of the World Summit 2005 Outcome Document and in the General Debate held in the General Assembly in July 2009, on the basis that the concept is not open for renegotiation. The EU will apply a “narrow but deep approach” to R2P-related policies and will particularly focus on its preventive pillar. The mainstreaming of the Protection of Civilians, not only by improving the implementation of protection mandates of UN peacekeeping operations, but also in a comprehensive manner (i.e.: by strengthening the Rule of Law, by enhancing compliance, by ensuring accountability and by improving the provision of information and reporting to the UNSC), will be also an important EU priority.

12.	In this year of commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN SC Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace and Security”, the EU will support initiatives aimed at training of civilian and military personnel in gender issues - including on gender based violence - and monitoring implementation of Resolution 1325 through the appropriate means –including global indicators, as well as engaging more women in crisis management missions and, in general, in the UN peace architecture and making sure that post-conflict reconstruction programmes account for women's and girls' needs. This year we have a specific opportunity to enhance the role of women in all aspects of security, conflict management and peacekeeping operations.

13.	The EU will contribute to the strengthening of the preventive diplomacy capacity of the UN, as well as of its mediation capacity, giving special emphasis to early warning information and analysis.

14.	The EU will promote the culture of human security as a comprehensive, integrated and people centred approach in addressing interrelated threats to security, livelihood and dignity of people and vulnerable communities.

15.	The EU will support the objectives of the Alliance of Civilisations initiative and continue to support the Alliance's delivery of substantive projects with a cross-cultural band in its follow-up to the III Forum of the Alliance (Rio de Janeiro, May 2010) and the preparation of its IV Forum (Qatar, 2011).

16.	The EU is ready to continue its collaboration with the UN and all the concerned countries to fight against the threat of piracy.

17.	The EU will continue to promote consolidation of the humanitarian architecture throughout the UN system and the UN's leading role as coordinator of International Humanitarian Assistance. The EU will be putting emphasis on better humanitarian access and support efforts to ensure security of humanitarian missions in line with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, as well as advocate for building response capacity towards complex and new humanitarian challenges. The EU will continue to promote the principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship among humanitarian actors.

3.	ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

18.	Environmental degradation requires urgent attention if we are to meet our development objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals (“MDGs”). The EU will work to achieve environmental sustainability. This will require a more coherent approach to achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability together. We will support the identification of models which enable the full cost of decisions, including the cost of the natural resource base and the services it provides, to be taken into account in planning and decision making processes.

19.	The EU is committed to achieving a more efficient system of the International Environmental Governance, consistent with our global Climate and sustainable development architecture. The EU will build on the decisions adopted by the XIth Special Session of UNEP Governing Council, held in Bali last February, including the deliberation to establish a new Working Group to be led by Ministers of their High-Level representatives to further address international environmental governance reforms, the outcome of which will be sent to the GA as a contribution to the Preparatory Committee of the UN Conference on Sustainable development (“UNCSD”). We will consider the outcomes of the first meeting (17-19 May 2010) of the Preparatory Committee established to carry out the preparations for the UNCSD to be held in Rio in 2012. The EU will also take active part in the subsequent preparatory work of UNCSD.

20.	The EU will maintain an active participation in the commemorative events of the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity 2010 with a view to increasing political and public awareness of biodiversity and its functions. In this field, the EU shall also actively participate in the High Level Event on Biodiversity that will be held in New York before the 65th UNGA General Debate (22 September 2010) and in the 10th Conference of the State Parties of the “Convention on Biological Diversity” (Nagoya, October 2010).

21.	The EU will continue implementing the International Decade for Action “Water for Life 2005-2015” on the basis of Resolution A/RES/64/198 as well as other water-related initiatives.

22.	Moreover, the EU reiterates its strong support to the central role of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“UNFCCC”) as the forum in which negotiations on a post 2012 agreement on climate change are to take place. The EU will strive for a successful outcome from the 16th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC and the 6th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (November-December 2010) to go beyond the results of the Copenhagen Conference, and will continue to actively contribute to the design of an universal, legally-binding and comprehensive outcome. The EU considers that the political guidance of the Copenhagen Accord should be integrated in the UN negotiating process and that remaining gaps (i.e.: adaptation, forestry, technology, monitoring, reporting and verification) should be conveniently addressed. With regards to financing for climate change, the EU commits that such financing should not undermine or jeopardize the fight against poverty and continued progress towards the MDGs.

23.	The EU will continue its efforts in the field of climate change and international security. It has supported the process leading to the adoption in June 2009 of the UNGA resolution A/RES/63/281, which expressed deep concern for the possible security implications of climate change. In December 2009, the Council of the EU adopted conclusions and a report on Climate Change and International Security, expressing the EU's will to support this global endeavour.

24.	In the framework of the High Level Review to assess progress made in addressing the vulnerabilities of small island developing States (“SIDS”) through the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy, the EU will continue to pay particular attention to a more integrated approach to climate change, taking into account the special needs of least developed countries, SIDS and African States, especially of the most vulnerable amongst them, and the implications of climate change to security.

25.	The EU is deeply concerned about the consequences of recent crises (food, energy, financial and economic) for development and for the achievement of the MDGs. Co-ordinated and timely action is necessary to put the global economy back on track towards a sustainable recovery, while preserving the economic and social progress achieved in many developing countries during recent decades and protecting the environment at the same time.

26.	After a decade of international actions on the matter, progress has been achieved in some MDGs and in some regions, although uneven in both aspects. Consequently, the High Level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs in September is an utmost priority for the EU. The economic and financial crisis, climate change and environmental degradation are threatening the achievement of the MDGs by 2015 and risks to undermine progress made so far. Taking on consideration best practices and lessons learned, a special focus will also be put on countries affected by conflict or in a state of fragility, which are furthest behind in achieving the MDGs. Strong and inclusive economic growth is required to achieve all the MDGs and to make the MDG gains sustainable. All goals are equally important but special attention should be paid to those lagging behind, in particular MDG 1, MDG 4, MDG 5 and MDG 8. The MDG 3 –empowerment of women- is critical to achieving all the MDGs, having a potential multiplier effect, transcending the gender issue as such. The EU reaffirms its commitment to increase its ODA and to reach the target of 0.7% ODA/GNI by 2015 as set out in the May 2005 Council Conclusions, to channel at least 50% of collective aid increases to Africa and to meet collectively the target of 0.15% to 0.20% of GNP to the least developed countries, while fully respecting individual Member States´ priorities in development cooperation. Finally, the EU will work with partners (i.e.: UN, the agencies and the AU) to achieve its commitments and affirms its commitment to take forward the actions contained within the High Level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs Outcome Document as appropriate. Internal EU and international burden-sharing is important.

27.	Furthermore, the EU also emphasizes the importance of policy coherence for development and of improved aid effectiveness in contributing to the achievement of the MDGs, in the framework of the “Delivering as One” initiative. The EU shall place special emphasis on ownership by partner countries for achieving the MDGs through the mobilisation of domestic resources, good fiscal governance, strengthened fiscal administrations and the fight against tax evasion Additional resources can also be raised through establishing innovative development mechanisms and further involvement of the private sector. The EU will pay special attention to financing for development and its new instruments, taking into account in particular the outcomes from the High Level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs.

28.	The EU will participate and contribute to the 4th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) that will take place in Istanbul in 2011 to address their specific needs and review the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action adopted in 2001.

29.	The EU will strive towards a new food security policy, including an EU policy framework to assist developing countries in addressing food security challenges and an improved effectiveness of assistance, in line with the Lisbon Treaty, the EU-2020 initiative and the European Consensus on Development.

4.	HUMAN RIGHTS

30.	The EU has always been one of the most solid supporters of Human Rights since its establishment, as well as one of the most proactive participants of the UN System in this field. The EU will actively promote the integration of Human Rights in all aspects of the work of the United Nations reaffirming the fact that Human Rights are inextricably linked to the UN's other goals on security and development. The EU will continue to support the General Assembly Third Committee as the body with universal membership that can effectively promote the implementation of Human Rights standards.

31.	The EU remains committed to ensuring that the Third Committee continues to play an active role in addressing urgent Human Rights issues such as country specific situations. This year, in addition to key country resolutions (Iran, DPRK, Myanmar), the EU will constructively participate in the five-year review of the Human Rights Council (“HRC”) in 2011. The EU will defend the independence of the OHCHR and of Special Procedures, including country specific and thematic mandates, will pay special attention to the respect for the universality of Human Rights, and will promote the participation of civil society.

32.	Moreover, the EU will pay an active role in negotiations leading to the presentation of the biannual Resolution on the moratorium of the death penalty, to be adopted in the General Assembly in Autumn 2010. Like two years ago, the EU will use a cross-regional approach in New York, seconded by an international strategy at a capital level to get this Resolution adopted. The EU, in co-operation with GRULAC, will devote special attention to the Resolution on the Rights of the Child.

33.	The EU reiterates its call for the mainstreaming of gender issues into all aspects of the UN's activities. To this end, the EU is determined to play an active role in the preparation towards the Ministerial Event that celebrates the 10th anniversary of UNSCR 1325/2000 (October 2010) and in the event itself in order to enhance gender equality in all the aspects related to Human Rights to fight violence against women and enhance women’s participation in the international peace and security. The EU will also submit a Resolution calling for the intensification of efforts to combat violence against women in all its forms.

34.	Moreover, the EU will assess how to give a follow-up to the 2008 Declaration on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. The EU recalls its opposition on Resolutions on combating defamation of religion, which are inconsistent with universal Human Rights standards that protects individuals, rather than belief systems. The EU will continue to oppose attempts to codify “defamation of religions” as a Human Rights violation. At the same time, the EU will continue to uphold freedom of religion and/or belief and will therefore introduce at the UNGA the customary Resolution on combating any form of religious intolerance.

35.	The EU will work to ensure an acceptable outcome on the Human Rights Chapter (Programme 19) of the proposed Strategic Framework for the activity of the UN for the period 2012-2013. This should neither undermine the independence of the OHCHR, nor seek to restrict or refocus its activities. The EU will actively promote a human rights perspective in the MDG review.

5.	REFORM OF THE UN SYSTEM

36.	The EU will continue to promote reform of the UN System and of its main bodies and organs, including the comprehensive reform of the Security Council, with the aim to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and representativeness of the system. The EU is committed to ensuring that UN financial resources are managed efficiently, according to the principles of budgetary discipline and coherence, in conformity with the highest international standards, and the fair and balanced distribution of the financial responsibilities among Member States according to their capacity to pay.

37.	The EU is determined to continue to support the System Wide Coherence Process in an active and constructive manner in order to revitalise the role of the UN system in global development cooperation and to further promote UN action on gender equality around the world. On “Delivering as One”, the EU welcomes the progress already achieved in the pilot initiative, encourages additional efforts to promote coherence at country level, and calls for a quick start of the independent evaluation. The EU will be proactive in the adoption of a new Resolution on System Wide Coherence within the GA and contribute to operationalize as soon as possible the new gender composite entity that will create new synergies between the four existing components.