Ban to host retreat on cooperation between UN, regional organizations

UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is to host a two-day retreat early next week on the boosting cooperation between the United Nations and the regional and subregional organizations in maintaing international peace and security, a UN spokesperson said.
The retreat is set to begin on Monday outside of New York City and will include the heads of 14 regional and subregional organizations in high-level discussions on how to enhance their relationship with the UN, Martin Nesirky, the spokesman for the secretary-general, told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a thematic debate to also spotlight UN cooperation with regional organizations, which is scheduled for Jan. 13 also at the UN Headquarters.
The announcement for the council's thematic debate was made by the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Yesui, who holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body for January, on Tuesday while briefing the press on the programme of work of the Security Council for the month of January.
"This is the first time for China to take the initiative to hold the thematic debate as the rotating presidency of the Security Council," Zhang said, adding that he will chair the open debate.
The Chinese Mission has circulated the concept paper and intends to adopt a presidential statement to reiterate the leading role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security while encouraging further efforts to tap the resources and advantages of regional organizations, and to strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the world body and regional organizations, Zhang said, adding that the draft presidential statement is also circulated among Council members.
The UN chief is expected to attend the meeting and make a statement, Zhang said.
The invited organizations include the African Union, the European Union, the Arab League, the Organization of American States, the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Zhang said.
Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and the regional organizations can also play an important role in this regard, Zhang said.