As of the 1st of January 2017, Italy is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council by virtue of its election on 28 June 2016 and in compliance with the Hague Convention providing for the division of the 2017-2018 two-year mandate.
Admitted into the UN on 14 December 1955, Italy has always looked at the Organisation as a point of reference in its foreign policy actions and has never failed to give it its contribution. Member of the Security Council in six previous mandates (1959/1960; 1971/1972; 1975/1976; 1987/1988; 1995/1996; 2007/2008), our Country took on the role drawing inspiration from the values, interests and the particular approaches that characterise our Country’s multilateral action. Among these is its recognised capacity to listen and mediate, also through important national civil society organisations; its conflict-prevention activities, using dialogue as the primary instrument; its knowledge of the Mediterranean region and its dynamics; its promotion of human rights, fundamental liberties and the Rule of Law.
In line with its traditionally inclusive approach, in 2017 Italy intends to promote dialogue to favour solutions to the crises in Africa and in the Middle East, which pose a serious threat to global peace and security. This means that peacekeeping will be one of Italy’s priorities. In the Security Council, our Country will constructively participate in revising the mandates of the principal peacekeeping missions with the aim of making them more effective. Italy will support Secretary General Guterres in promoting a greater role of the UN in conflict-prevention, working to reinforce the role of women, also by building a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area.
Italy will concentrate utmost attention on the new threats to global security, starting with the flows of migrants and refugees, especially focusing on eliminating the causes of the migration of peoples, which often gives rise to criminal phenomena such as human trafficking.
Combating terrorism, protecting civilians, and struggling against the impunity of serious violations of humanitarian law, fighting human trafficking and migrations, protecting cultural heritage, the role of women, youths and moderate religious leaders in promoting peace, fighting climate change, training Blue Helmets, bolstering the role of regional and sub-regional organisations, are all the lines of action that Italy intends to promote within the Security Council.
For further information please see:
– Italy’s “Manifesto” for its Security Council term
– Video: 60 years of Italy in the UN
