•  Thailand as the current Chair of the Human Security Network (HSN) hosted the HSN Informal Ministerial Working Lunch on the sidelines of 60 th Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations Headquaters , New York , on 18 September 2005.

•  The Meeting was attended by foreign ministers from 6 countries, deputy foreign ministers from 2 countries, and senior representatives from 6 countries. H.E. Ambassador Jan Eliasson, President of the 60 th Session of the General Assembly,

Dr. Robert C. Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning, and H.E. Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations, attended as guests. H.E. Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, chaired the meeting. (List of Participants as attached)

Introduction

•  In his introductory remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, offered his reflection of the 2005 World Summit (High-Level Plenary Meeting) and its Outcome Document. He viewed preparations leading up to the Summit as a valuable learning process. He welcomed progress made on many issues while acknowledging that many countries were of the view that the Outcome Document did not go far enough. He highligted the fact that “human security” has secured its place in the Outcome Document. He pledged Thailand 's readiness to work with parties concerned to ensure effective implementation of the Leaders' commitments.

•  The Meeting then heard from 2 guest speakers. H.E. Ambassador Jan Eliasson, President of the 60 th Session of the General Assembly, expressed his appreciation to the HSN for organising the Meeting since it would help sustain the momentum for reform. He viewed the Outcome Document as a good basis for further cooperation while acknowledging that a lack of agreement on the area of disarmament and non-proliferation was a disappointment. He urged parties to continue working on the details of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. He welcomed the acceptance of the collective responsibility to protect (R2P) and emphasized the need for the international community to be more proactive with conflict prevention.

•  Dr. Robert C. Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning, commended the HSN for promoting human security in respective national capacity. He viewed the Outcome Document as a validation of the concept of human security and emphasized the importance of seeing the Document as a package. He was of the view that the HSN countries can be instrumental in bringing about effective implementation of the commitments made in the Outcome Document.

Exchange of Views on the High-Level Plenary Meeting and its Outcome Document

•  The Meeting had an extensive exchange of views on a wide range of issues relating to the Outcome Document and the challenges ahead. Gists of discussions are as follows:

•  The Outcome Document was a good basis for further reform, which should be seen as an ongoing process.

•  There was progress in many critical areas, such as a strong commitment to assist developing countries in realizing the MDGs; more resources to fight deadly infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis; the decision to establish the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council; a commitment to strengthen the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; the acceptance of the Guiding Principles for Internal Displacement; and children affected by armed conflicts.

•  The acceptance of R2P was welcomed as a breakthrough while a lack of agreement on disarmament and non-proliferation was viewed as a disappointment by many participants. Many participants also expressed their disappointments about a lack of agreement on the details of the Human Rights Council.

•  The Meeting agreed that the 60 th Session of the General Assembly will be significant in terms of finding ways and means of translating words into concrete actions. The Meeting viewed that reaching an agreement on the details of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council so as to ensure speedy establishment of these mechanisms was a challenge. Many participants pledged their commitments to continue working with parties concerned in order to facilitate consensus-making in these two areas.

Building Partnership for Human Security: HSN Activities

•  The Meeting adopted the Second HSN Medium Term Work Plan for 2005 to 2008. The document will serve as a roadmap for forging partnerships among HSN countries during the next three years.

•  The Meeting adopted the HSN Guidelines for Cooperation on HIV and AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support with Focus on Young People and Health Systems. The document was the result of the HSN Workshop on HIV/AIDS held in Geneva on 25 July 2005.

•  The Meeting agreed to co-sponsor the HSN Panel Discussion on Human Trafficking to be held in Vienna on 17 October 2005. The Panel Discussion is an initiative of the Thai Chair in cooperation with the UNODC. The theme will be “The importance of victim protection and assistance for the effective prosecution of traffickers”.

•  The Meeting took note of the interests expressed by HSN countries to lead or to be partners in areas in which each country has strengths and expertise as indicated in the Table of Lead and Partner Countries for HSN Activities. Thailand , as the Chair, informed the Meeting that it looks forward to hearing from HSN countries how each country or a group of countries will come up with concrete proposals in each issue-area in the said Table.

•  The Meeting also took note of human security-related activities that Thailand , as the present Chair of the HSN, has undertaken and will be undertaking during its chairmanship from May 2005 to May 2006

Eighth HSN Ministerial Meeting

•  The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand informed the Meeting that the Eighth HSN Ministerial Meeting will be held in Bangkok in the third week of May 2006 and extended his invitation to all HSN ministers. The exact dates will be communicated to HSN countries in due course.

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