ALGERIA TO UNSC
Deeply rooted in history, Algerian diplomacy has reaffirmed itself since the era of its glorious revolution and has never ceased to contribute significantly to the promotion of international peace and security.
The triumph of the Algerian revolution was the result of an unwavering determination of a people besotted with the values of freedom and emancipation in its struggle for independence, whose diplomacy constituted the extension of those values on the international scene.
Since it acceded to the United Nations Organization, Algeria has contributed actively and in concert with all the States in the promotion and consecration of the sacrosanct principles of the Charter of the United Nations and in the achievement of the noble objectives for which this Organization was established. Algeria forged its commitment to the values of multilateralism and put respect for the rules and principles of international law at the core of its vision. Algeria has always worked towards strengthening, at the sub-regional, continental and international levels, the cooperation and the relations of friendship between States as well as the promotion of the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes.
I. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Respect for principles and ideals, which have a prominent place in the doctrinal corpus of Algeria's foreign policy, has also enabled it to contribute actively to international efforts aiming at resolving several regional and international crises, through peaceful means, dialogue, and mediation, such as the resolution of the American hostage crisis in Tehran in 1981, the settlement of the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2000, and more recently the Algerian mediation which led to the signing in 2015 of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, resulting from the Algiers process, of which Algeria still chairs its Follow-up Committee on the Implementation of the Peace Agreement (CSA). Faithful to its doctrine, Algeria is also continuing its mediation efforts in Libya to end the multifaceted crisis in this brotherly country.
Algeria is also committed to playing a proactive role in its immediate neighborhood to fight against heterogeneous and exogenous threats and to provide support and solidarity to its neighboring countries. This spirit of solidarity has been shown in several regional and continental initiatives aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region.
As a founding member of the African Union and the Arab Maghreb Union, and a Member State of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Algeria continues to play a leading role in strengthening unity and solidarity among Nations.
It also strives to play an active role within the regional and solidarity Groups to which it belongs, such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China, as well as in the Mediterranean basin to consolidate and promote the values of peace, cooperation, and development.
Taking into account the global and multidimensional challenges that threaten peace and security in the world and, particularly, in the regions of the Mediterranean Sea, the Middle East, the Sahel, and the African Continent, Algeria remains fully committed to making use of its diplomatic expertise to participate in multilateral efforts in this area.
In this perspective, Algeria presented its candidacy which intervenes in a complex and uncertain geopolitical context, marked by major challenges jeopardizing international peace and security, would allow Algeria to participate in international and multilateral efforts to fight against new threats and to contribute to restoring peace and stability in conflict areas.
II. ALGERIA TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL (2024 - 2025)
For the fourth time in its history (after 1968-69/1988-89/2004-2005 terms), Algeria is seeking a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the period 2024 - 2025. A renewed opportunity to build on this legacy, reaffirm its guiding principles, and share its vision regarding the issues on the agenda of the Security Council.
Security challenges in all regions of the world require, more than ever, coherent and coordinated international action, the primary objective of which would be to establish lasting international peace. In this context, the Security Council, the guarantor of the maintenance of international peace and security, under the UN Charter, is called upon to play a decisive role.
Algeria aims to contribute to the action of the Security Council, in particular, on the following priorities:
1- STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
Through its pivotal role in its region, Algeria's accession to the Security Council will bring added value to the work of this body, in particular by sharing its first-hand views on the profoundly evolving challenges facing its immediate environment, as well as the Sahel region and on the African continent, and to promote coordinated and integrated approaches ensuring the ownership of the countries of the region.
It must be noted, unfortunately, that the conflicts in the African continent and the Middle East region continue to dominate the agenda of the Security Council. Hence, the increasing calls to achieve tangible results in favor of the restoration of peace and security.
In this context, Algeria undertakes to harness its geographical, strategic, and diplomatic assets to share its vision on all the issues under consideration by the Security Council. Particular attention will be devoted to the worrying situation in the Sahel, plagued by multifaceted challenges that are: consolidating the rule of law, improving governance, initiating economic development, and tackling environmental challenges. Similarly, and given the importance of a peaceful and prosperous Arab region, Algeria will do its utmost to contribute to achieve political and lasting solutions to the crises affecting the Arab world.
Algeria fully adheres to the African approach to make Africa a peaceful continent, resolutely turned towards the objectives of its development and integration, is strong in its values, and is the main stakeholder in the evolutions that shape the future of humanity. This is how the implementation of the principle of "African solutions to African problems", and the clearly stated will of the continent to silence the guns, have enabled the settlement of several crises and conflicts.
Algeria is resolutely committed to contributing to the following actions:
- Contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Security Council in maintaining peace and resolving crises and conflicts by promoting the virtues of political dialogue,
- Advocate for the establishment of innovative and appropriate mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of conflicts,
- Promote the role of regional actors in the settlement of conflicts and encourage transparent and concerted consideration of the actions of the Security Council on the issues included in its Agenda.
2. FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME
Algeria's active participation in the various international and regional counter-terrorism mechanisms, such as the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), as a founding member, confirms its firm commitment to participate in multilateral efforts to promote international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
It is in this sense that Algeria is working to strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms and committees specialized in the fight against terrorism and continues to support the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Algeria's desire to continue to share its recognized solid experience in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism will be an integral part of its action within the Security Council, to contribute to the efforts in this area and strengthen cooperation and coordination in this framework.
For Algeria, the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime can only be successful through a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses root causes, including inequality, poverty, marginalization, and ignorance.
The Security Council is called upon to further strengthen such an approach to effectively combat global terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
It remains crucial for Algeria to truly fight against the financing of terrorism with greater rigor, in particular, through the fight against kidnappings for ransom. A phenomenon that not only provides additional funding for terrorist groups but also weakens collective efforts against this scourge.
In this important chapter, Algeria will contribute to implementing the following actions:
- Work for a more comprehensive approach of the Security Council in the fight against terrorism,
- Fight against the financing of terrorism, in particular, through the fight against kidnappings for ransoms exploited by terrorist groups for obtaining political concessions or financial gain in exchange for the release of hostages,
- Advocate for the strengthening of countries' capacities to fight against this scourge and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations System in this area.
3- PROMOTION OF MULTILATERALISM AND STRENGTHENING OF PARTNERSHIPS
The promotion of multilateralism and cooperation between the UN and regional organizations is one of the priorities of Algeria's diplomatic action within the United Nations. Preventing conflicts and maintaining peace have to be paired with the achievement of the Sustainable Development through the implementation of the UN 2030 and AU 2063 Agendas.
The strengthening of strategic partnerships between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations, under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, is one of Algeria's main objectives. In addition to conflict prevention and peacekeeping, these partnerships are essential to achieving sustainable development.
Algeria calls for strengthening African Union-UN partnership for a better future for Africa and humanity. Thus, as part of the promotion of greater and better cooperation between the UN and the AU, Algeria has initiated and hosted every year, since 2013 in Oran, high-level sessions of the Seminar on Peace and Security (the Oran Process).
The Joint framework signed between the United Nations and the African Union in April 2017 offers a shared mechanism to resolve the challenges at hand, such as the exchange of information, the sharing of early warning systems, good offices, mediation, and joint field visits. However, much remains to be done in this area given the growing challenges.
In this context, Algeria considers that the strengthening of the doctrinal corpus of the African Union in the area of crisis and conflict prevention and management in the continent, such as the implementation of the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union, constitutes achievements that must continue to receive all the attention and the importance they require, in particular, through enhanced cooperation between the UN Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
At the same time, Algeria will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, particularly, on issues of peace and security facing the Arab world.
Thus, enhanced cooperation must include mediation, preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, and peace-building. It must also be based on three key principles: inclusive and significant collaboration, common approaches, and effective consultative mechanisms.
As a non-permanent member of the Council, Algeria will contribute to achieving the following actions:
- Working on the priorities of the League of Arab States and the AU in the various issues on the agenda of the Security Council,
- Emphasizing the need for concerted action by the Security Council with regional organizations based on the asset and experience of the latter in terms of preventive diplomacy and action on the ground,
- Promoting the AU strategy to “Silencing the Guns in Africa”.
4- WOMEN AND YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY
The contribution of youth and women to peace and security is crucial and their full, effective and meaningful participation in decision-making, related to peace and security, at all levels, is of paramount importance.
Algeria is committed to promoting the empowerment of women and the involvement of youth and will advocate for their strengthening within the framework of the agenda of the Security Council.