Montenegro and Slovenia
Division for the Support to the National Council for Sustainable Development
Date: 6-7 February 2014
Conflict prevention, Post conflict peacebuilding and the Promotion of Durable Peace, Rule of Law
and Governance
MNE–SL speaking points for 8th meeting of OWG SDGs
· As it was unanimously recognized at the Rio+20 Conference, peace and security, rule of law,
justice, respect for human rights and good governance are essential components of sustainable
development. What are the challenges of today’s human development and security?
Environmental degradation, urbanization, conflict, violence, fragility, income inequalities and
exclusion of vulnerable groups, including women and children.
· A strong focus has to be put on deprivation and socio-economic inequalities, as these are major
drivers of conflicts and crime, generally rising from and feeding political exclusion, human rights
violations, injustice and culture of violence. We live in interconnected world in which threats are
also interconnected and require joint action; we must tackle the security concerns of all states
in the nexus of development, security and human rights, including freedom from fear and
violence, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity as a fundamental right for building
peaceful and prosperous societies.
· However, we could say that it is also true that achieving sustainable development would also
mean less conflict and more peace. In this sense efforts for sustainable development represent
one of the key conflict prevention tools.
· We would also like to underline the importance of prevention of conflicts. We must focus on
addressing the root causes of conflicts and expanding our work on prevention, in particular to
improve our ability to read the warning signs and trigger early action. The consequences of
inaction far outweigh the risks of timely prevention and response, also in terms of potential for
sustainable development. In this context mediation is a very efficient tool for conflict
prevention, resolution and peace consolidation.
· Institution building and enhancing mutual trust through cooperation and dialogue is a
prerequisite for peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and consolidation of peace and stability.
· Key element for durable peace and fair and sustainable development is the rule of
law. Respecting and promoting the rule of law at all levels is crucial for the realization of
sustained economic growth, possible international investments, sustainable development, the
eradication of poverty and hunger and the protection of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms. Justice, truth and reconciliation have to be amongst the main focuses of all societies
and reaching them by all means, including through International Courts and Tribunals should be
a common endeavor to all developed and developing countries.
· Access to justice, including equal access to justice for women and children, is an essential
element of the rule of law and therefore of democracy and can substantially contribute to
lasting peace, conciliation and development. Barriers to justice reinforce human insecurity,
poverty, inequality and exclusion. Thus improving access to effective, fair, responsive and
accountable justice systems is therefore a key tool of promoting social inclusion and sustainable
development. The independence of judicial systems, along with impartiality and integrity, is an
essential prerequisite for tackling discrimination in the administration of justice.
· Good governance has always been recognized as a critical tool for advancing sustainable
development and a crucial element to be incorporated in sustainable development strategies. It
is closely linked to sustainable human development. Therefore emphasizing that principles such
as accountability, participation and the enjoyment of human rights throughout sustainable
framework will ensure human rights based approach to development.
· State capacities at national and sub-national levels remain essential for national ownership and
quality management of sustainable development agenda. We have to promote frameworks that
ensure cross-sectorial integration on environmental, social and economic issues, and guarantee
inclusion and bigger role of civil society. Social and environmental justice and legal
empowerment are needed to enable civil society to hold both state and private sector
accountable for affecting their livelihood, health and common wealth.
· As the issues of peace, rule of law, good governance and sustainable development are
interconnected and mutually reinforcing, these issues must be an integral part of our future
development agenda and should be mainstreamed throughout the development framework.
· The future development agenda should effectively promote peace, good governance,
responsible judiciary as essentials of stable states that guarantee rights and freedoms to their
citizens, as well as opportunities to create their well-being, presents a major challenge of
multilateral diplomacy and entire international community. An invigorated, committed and
intelligent approach of all included actors under the UN umbrella will ensure our common
success in this process.
Date: 6-7 February 2014
Conflict prevention, Post conflict peacebuilding and the Promotion of Durable Peace, Rule of Law
and Governance
MNE–SL speaking points for 8th meeting of OWG SDGs
· As it was unanimously recognized at the Rio+20 Conference, peace and security, rule of law,
justice, respect for human rights and good governance are essential components of sustainable
development. What are the challenges of today’s human development and security?
Environmental degradation, urbanization, conflict, violence, fragility, income inequalities and
exclusion of vulnerable groups, including women and children.
· A strong focus has to be put on deprivation and socio-economic inequalities, as these are major
drivers of conflicts and crime, generally rising from and feeding political exclusion, human rights
violations, injustice and culture of violence. We live in interconnected world in which threats are
also interconnected and require joint action; we must tackle the security concerns of all states
in the nexus of development, security and human rights, including freedom from fear and
violence, freedom from want and freedom to live in dignity as a fundamental right for building
peaceful and prosperous societies.
· However, we could say that it is also true that achieving sustainable development would also
mean less conflict and more peace. In this sense efforts for sustainable development represent
one of the key conflict prevention tools.
· We would also like to underline the importance of prevention of conflicts. We must focus on
addressing the root causes of conflicts and expanding our work on prevention, in particular to
improve our ability to read the warning signs and trigger early action. The consequences of
inaction far outweigh the risks of timely prevention and response, also in terms of potential for
sustainable development. In this context mediation is a very efficient tool for conflict
prevention, resolution and peace consolidation.
· Institution building and enhancing mutual trust through cooperation and dialogue is a
prerequisite for peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and consolidation of peace and stability.
· Key element for durable peace and fair and sustainable development is the rule of
law. Respecting and promoting the rule of law at all levels is crucial for the realization of
sustained economic growth, possible international investments, sustainable development, the
eradication of poverty and hunger and the protection of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms. Justice, truth and reconciliation have to be amongst the main focuses of all societies
and reaching them by all means, including through International Courts and Tribunals should be
a common endeavor to all developed and developing countries.
· Access to justice, including equal access to justice for women and children, is an essential
element of the rule of law and therefore of democracy and can substantially contribute to
lasting peace, conciliation and development. Barriers to justice reinforce human insecurity,
poverty, inequality and exclusion. Thus improving access to effective, fair, responsive and
accountable justice systems is therefore a key tool of promoting social inclusion and sustainable
development. The independence of judicial systems, along with impartiality and integrity, is an
essential prerequisite for tackling discrimination in the administration of justice.
· Good governance has always been recognized as a critical tool for advancing sustainable
development and a crucial element to be incorporated in sustainable development strategies. It
is closely linked to sustainable human development. Therefore emphasizing that principles such
as accountability, participation and the enjoyment of human rights throughout sustainable
framework will ensure human rights based approach to development.
· State capacities at national and sub-national levels remain essential for national ownership and
quality management of sustainable development agenda. We have to promote frameworks that
ensure cross-sectorial integration on environmental, social and economic issues, and guarantee
inclusion and bigger role of civil society. Social and environmental justice and legal
empowerment are needed to enable civil society to hold both state and private sector
accountable for affecting their livelihood, health and common wealth.
· As the issues of peace, rule of law, good governance and sustainable development are
interconnected and mutually reinforcing, these issues must be an integral part of our future
development agenda and should be mainstreamed throughout the development framework.
· The future development agenda should effectively promote peace, good governance,
responsible judiciary as essentials of stable states that guarantee rights and freedoms to their
citizens, as well as opportunities to create their well-being, presents a major challenge of
multilateral diplomacy and entire international community. An invigorated, committed and
intelligent approach of all included actors under the UN umbrella will ensure our common
success in this process.