Joint Statement by Participants in the Sixth High-Level Meeting between the United Nations and Regional and other Intergovernmental Organizations, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 25-26 July 2005

The participating organizations agreed:

That we are living through a unique moment for the United Nations and the multilateral system. A crisis of confidence has developed in our collective ability to cope with the security challenges of our time. This crisis, however, also requires the international community to strive for change and renewal.

That the summit of world leaders at the United Nations in September will therefore be an unparalleled opportunity to address the challenges we face - including in strengthening the partnership between our global and regional organizations. The Summit should recognize that neither any individual State nor the United Nations can effectively respond alone to the challenges to peace and security. Regional and other intergovernmental organizations are increasingly important, even key partners, for ultimate success.

That of all of these global challenges terrorism is an increasing menace to the security of all individuals and of the global community as a whole, which must be collectively combated with vigour. In so doing, we must address its root causes, protect human right, respect diversity, and generate a true partnership among civilizations.

That the international community must more effectively address the challenges of post-conflict peace-building through mechanisms such as the Peacebuilding Commission at the United Nations, as proposed by the Secretary-General. At the same time equal attention must given to conflict prevention which is an integral part of the cycle of international peace and security.

That we must forge a closer and more effective partnership between the United Nations and regional and other intergovernmental organizations, creating a truly interlocking system that guarantees greater coordination in both policy and action. This partnership should build on the comparative strengths of each organization.

That we strongly support the further development of organizational capacities in conflict prevention, resolution and peace-building at the regional and sub-regional levels, including through the proposed 10-year capacity-building plan for the African Union.

That closer cooperation must become an institutionalized feature of our relationship. To that end, we resolve to take several specific organizational measures, including:

• To conclude agreements of appropriate kinds between the UN and the regional and other intergovernmental organizations;
• To convene a high-level meeting annually, if possible to coincide with the meetings held by the Security Council with regional organizations;
• To establish a Standing Committee composed of not more than ten organizations which will act as an initiator of ideas, a generator of political consensus, and a monitor of the implementation of decisions;
• To strengthen both the Secretariat of the high-level meetings in the Department of Political Affairs and its research partner, UNU-CRIS, in order to provide continuous assistance for the new Standing Committee.

Participating organizations also agreed to adopt a number of proposals advanced by the preparatory working groups in the areas of peacekeeping, civilian protection, respect for human rights in counter-terrorism and disarmament.

Responding to the tragic tsunami in South Asia and other similar disasters participating organizations agreed to include disaster-relief and disaster risk-reduction on their future agenda.

Participating organizations also adopted a statement on "Partnership of Civilizations" (attached).

Statement on a "Partnership among Civilizations"adopted by the Sixth High-Level Meeting between the UN Secretary-General and Heads of Regional and other Intergovernmental Organizations

1. The participants in the Sixth High-Level Meeting between the UN Secretary-General and the Heads of Regional and Other Intergovernmental Organizations commend the Dialogue among Civilizations, launched in 1998 by the United Nations. The Dialogue was born of the existence of two different perceptions of diversity: diversity as a threat or diversity as an instrument for betterment and growth. The need still exists to overcome divisiveness deriving from prejudice, intolerance, misconceptions, enmity and lack of knowledge. The Dialogue thus continues to require institutional support.
2. To foster this, we agree that it is necessary to proceed towards a "partnership of civilizations", involving all stakeholders - governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society. This partnership will represent a powerful response to those who feed on exclusion and arrogantly claim the sole ownership of truth. Indeed, a new 'narrative' is called for at a time when old paradigms of international relations are increasingly questioned. Forging common ground requires a global 'narrative' based on our common spiritual and cultural insights.
3. We are determined to strengthen the global agenda-setting role of the majority of humankind. A global agenda intrinsically embraces us all. Thus, a "partnership of civilizations" is possible. Our increasingly interdependent societies and our common identity as individuals should foster this.
4. We also believe that advocacy of a global civilization with all its diversity, including every citizen of the planet, is needed to pursue the project of "partnership of civilizations". We intend to establish a group of leading personalities from various sectors of society to play that advocacy role. Our organizations, including those of the UN system and trans-national organizations can play a leading role in this endeavour and institutionalise it by taking appropriate steps.