UN
UNSAC: Special Representative's encouragements to experts gathered in São Tomé and Príncipe for their 55th meeting
Arrived in São Tomé on Tuesday 16 May, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA, Abdou Abarry, met the following day with the experts gathered for the 55th meeting of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC). Speaking shortly before the presentation on the situation of human rights and democracy in the sub-region, he encouraged them for their engagement, praised the quality of their discussions since the beginning of their encounter on 15 May, and recalled the important role of the Committee in terms of preventive diplomacy.
Mr. Abarry took this opportunity to explain the mandate of UNOCA and the strategic partnership with the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), represented by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mangaral Bante. He expressed his gratitude to Member States for the support extended to him during the familiarization missions he carried out in the 11 countries covered by UNOCA. Assessing these visits, he underlined that even if Central Africa faces a few challenges, it also has an enormous potential which make it a sub-region whose future should inspire optimism. He will review these matters in detail in his speech at the official ceremony marking the opening of the ministerial session, scheduled for Friday, 19 May.
After the protocol phase of this session, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and other heads of delegations will examine and adopt the experts' report, concluding their work on 18 May. In addition to reviewing the geopolitical and security situation in the sub-region, the report generally highlights the recommendations on the issues considered. It will take into account the guidelines on the general theme of "climate security from the perspective of conflict prevention and consolidation of stability in Central Africa."
UNSAC 55 is placed under the presidency of São Tomé and Príncipe, taking up the baton from the Republic of Congo after its six-month mandate. Rwanda, Angola and the Central African Republic are also part of the Bureau, as First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, and Rapporteur, respectively.
UNOCA acts as the Secretariat of the UNSAC Committee since 2011.
