World: The 746th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the outcomes of the 5th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, held at ministerial level, in Livingstone, Zambia, from 4-5 December 2017

The 746th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the outcomes of the 5th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, held at ministerial level, in Livingstone, Zambia, from 4-5 December 2017, with a view to assisting incoming African Members of the UN Security Council (A3) to address peace and security issues on the continent

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 746th meeting held on 17 January, 2018 considered the outcomes of the 5th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, held at ministerial level, in Livingstone, Zambia, from 4-5 December 2017, with a view to assisting incoming African Members of the UN Security Council (A3) to address peace and security issues on the continent and adopted the following decision:

Council,

1. Takes note of the briefing by the Commission, on the Report of the 5th High-Level Seminar and the subsequent statements made by Member States on the Report and its outcomes.

2. Hails the High-Level Seminar as one of the ideal forums for enhancing the coordination and promotion of African common positions on peace and security issues, which are of primary interest to Africa and its people within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In this context, Council stresses the importance of the strategic partnership between the AU and the UN, particularly its Security Council, which has the primary responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security;

3. Underlines that the objective of this Seminar is to contribute towards further enhancing the capacity of the A3, with a view to further strengthening the role of the PSC in the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa and equally, in the promotion and defense of common African positions on peace and security issues concerning Africa within the UNSC;

4. Commends the outgoing members of the A3, namely Egypt and Senegal, and Ethiopia (sitting member) for the efforts aimed at promoting common African positions in the UNSC during their tenure, as well as for regular briefings provided to the PSC on their activities within the UNSC;

5. Congratulates Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, for their election, as new A3 Members and looks forward to their contributions, alongside Ethiopia, in effectively promoting, articulating and defending African common positions on all peace and security issues, which are of concern to Africa within the decision making processes of the UNSC;

6. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of all previous High-Level Seminars, particularly in strengthening cooperation between the PSC and the A3 and underscores the importance of effective coordination and collaboration among the A3 and between them and the Council in the promotion of African common positions and priorities relating to peace and security on the continent;

7. Also underscores the importance for the A3 Members to be sufficiently capacitated, particularly, in terms of the required human resource, in order for them to more effectively discharge their mandates during their membership in the UNSC;

8. Endorses the recommendations contained in section C paragraph 11 of the conclusions of the Seminar regarding coordination between the A3 and the AU Peace and Security Council, pursuant to Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.644(XXIX) adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 29th Ordinary Session held in July 2017;

9. Decides as follows with regard to the convening of future High-Level Seminars on Peace and Security in Africa:

i. All PSC Member States shall participate in all future High-Level Seminars;

ii. The agenda for future High-Level Seminars shall always start with a review on the status of implementation of the decisions adopted in the previous High-Level Seminar; and

iii. The list of invitees for the High-Level Seminar shall be developed by the AU Commission (PSC Secretariat) and submitted to the PSC for approval.

1. Requests the Commission to take all necessary steps to facilitate the implementation of the outcomes of the 5th High-Level Seminar;

2. Commends the Government of Zambia for having generously hosted the 5th High-Level Seminar, in collaboration with the AU Commission, and with the valuable support of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR);

3. Decides to remain seized of the matter.