Comments by Amb. Antonio Monteiro of Portugal
on the Report of the Security Council to the GA
October 21, 1998
"Mr. President,
The Security Council should listen more to other actors in the international scene, who outside the UN or the intergovernmental framework, have deep knowledge of international issues, follow closely the problems associated with the resurgence of conflicts and undertake many actions to help prevent them.
I wish to make a reference here to nongovernmental organizations as representing civil society, which have been kept apart from the work of the Council. Their activities have proved to be crucial in the process of pacification of international conflicts, in which, facing considerable risks, they continue to assist people in need.
In fact, the Council, in its decisions, has appealed frequently to NGOs, acknowledging, therefore, the importance of their action in the prevention of conflicts and in the peacebuilding efforts of the United Nations. The importance of these organizations in preventing illicit arms trafficking by helping Security Council Sanctions Committees to monitor violations of arms embargoes has also been recognized recently by the Council in its resolution II96.
The Secretary General, on his part, in a recent conference last month, underlined the important role played by NGOs, "in raising the public awareness, tweaking the world's conscience and shaping policy." Calling for a partnership, he has demonstrated how cooperation is increasing between the UN and NGOs, with mutual benefits in several areas. This implies, naturally, more responsibility on the part of NGOs, which have "to protect themselves against the abuse of the NGO idea; protect their invaluable franchise".
We do not see the reason why the Council should keep itself closed to the important source of information and assistance that these organizations represent. It should, in fact, listen carefully to them, encourage and protect their action towards the prevention and resolution of international conflicts. We are, therefore, encouraged by positive signs within the Council in this regard."
