First Meeting of the Group of Friends of Human Security
2021/6/9
On 9th June 2021 (New York Time), the first meeting of the Group of Friends of Human Security was held on-line with the participation of 63 Member States. H.E. Mr. Kimihiro Ishikane, Permanent Representative of Japan, H.E. Mr. Rodrigo A. Carazo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, and H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal acted as the co-chairs of the Group. The Group of Friends of Human Security was created in 2006 and held several meetings until 2009, which led to the General Assembly Resolution on human security (A/RES/66/290) adopted in 2012. Today's meeting re-launched the Group of Friends to reinvigorate the discussion on the concept of human security at the United Nations.
At the meeting, H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations gave a keynote speech, stressing the importance of human security in the context of overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and other contemporary global challenges. In addition, H.E. Yukio Takasu, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Human Security, provided an overview of the history of human security at the United Nations, introducing essential contributions of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). Following his briefing, Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, made a presentation on UNICEF’s activities regarding COVID-19 and how the human security approach in health, education, protection, water and sanitation is being put into practice on the ground.
Participants had in-depth discussion on the philosophy and value of human security. They shared the view that it is timely and appropriate to reinvigorate the concept of human security due to its relevance to addressing complex global challenges, including the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and decided to continue their discussion.
The next meeting of the Group of Friends will be held before the end of this year.
At the meeting, H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations gave a keynote speech, stressing the importance of human security in the context of overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and other contemporary global challenges. In addition, H.E. Yukio Takasu, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Human Security, provided an overview of the history of human security at the United Nations, introducing essential contributions of the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS). Following his briefing, Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, made a presentation on UNICEF’s activities regarding COVID-19 and how the human security approach in health, education, protection, water and sanitation is being put into practice on the ground.
Participants had in-depth discussion on the philosophy and value of human security. They shared the view that it is timely and appropriate to reinvigorate the concept of human security due to its relevance to addressing complex global challenges, including the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and decided to continue their discussion.
The next meeting of the Group of Friends will be held before the end of this year.