USUN TALKING POINTS FOR UNOWA CONSULTATIONS JULY

UNCLAS STATE 076659 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL XA SUBJECT: USUN TALKING POINTS FOR UNOWA CONSULTATIONS JULY 18 ¶1. ACTION REQUEST: USUN is instructed to draw on the points below during the July 18 UNSC consultations by the Special Representative of the Secretary General Said Djinnit concerning the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA). End Action Request. ¶2. Begin points: - The U.S. welcomes the Secretary General,s report and appreciates efforts by the UN Office of West Africa and its Special Representative Said Djinnit. -- Today, I would like to make four points: -- First, the United States supports the efforts of the UNOWA to pull together a more coherent and integrated UN effort across the sub-region for addressing the various challenges in West Africa. The Secretary General's report outlining the positive collaboration in the various coordination meetings held among UNOWA, ECOWAS, other regional organizations, and NGOs, is encouraging. -- Second, the United States urges UNOWA to continue its efforts to engage more actively in building the capacity of countries of the sub-region and their institutions. The United States commends UNOWA,s collaboration with ECOWAS on the adoption of an ECOWAS strategy to tackle the issue of SSR. Additionally, we fully support UNOWA,s advocacy on the issue of implementing Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). -- Third, the United States also strongly encourages UNOWA to continue to play a role in the promotion of peaceful settlement of disputes and confidence-building measures across the sub-region, including in the Sahel and as chair of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission. -- Finally, the United States is encouraged by UNOWA,s efforts to raise awareness of the growing global food crisis and seek solutions for West Africa. The crisis threatens to destabilize already troubled regions and will need the international community to collaborate to assist those regions most at risk. -- We look forward to the continuing reports of the Secretary General. RICE