Mr. Under-Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by complimenting Slovakia on taking the initiative to organise this series of seminars and for putting the important subject of Security Sector Reform and its challenges for the UN on the agenda. It is good to see so many of you. The Netherlands recognizes the role which Security System Reform plays in the process of emerging from conflict. Security of people (and not only security of states) is a precondition for development and development contributes to lasting peace and security. No development without security and no security without development. In my opening statement I would like to focus on three issues: SSR is a long term process in which many different actors have to work closely and coherently together in different contexts.

A country that emerges from armed conflict often faces multiple problems; a social fabric torn apart; a poor humanitarian situation; a collapsed economy; weakened public administration; high unemployment; displaced and/or traumatised people; and the profusion of small arms and high crime rate, creating feelings of insecurity. Experience has shown that, in 30% of post-conflict countries, violence flares up again within ten years. In Africa, the figure is as high as 50%. Only an accountable, effective and efficient security system operating under civilian control within a democratic context and respecting human rights can be a force for peace and stability. And hence for development.

Security Sector Reform has many facets and involves many actors, including the police, defence and intelligence services, customs and border control, prisons, and criminal justice. Many different international organisations and donors have been active in those fields for years. But now we need to look at the linkages between these fields– for example the triangle of police, justice and the penal system – because that’s what makes security work. Consequently, we need to link projects and activities in these areas, and put them in a context. SSR is not only about training or building courts but also about developing the governance structures: we do not want to train the people on the ground without ensuring that there is an effective, civilian control system in place. SSR deals with issues of power and control, and that is why a holistic, integrated approach is necessary.

An integrated approach is a challenge not only for countries emerging from conflict, or donor countries like ourselves; it is also a challenge for international organisations like the United Nations. Today’s initiative has therefore come at the right time. We will be discussing the UN’s role in post-conflict SSR. But who is the UN in this case? The UN consists of many different agencies and bodies, such as DPA, DPKO, UNDP, UNIFEM, and UNICEF. Each with its own capacity, mandate and field of expertise. All of them have their own important role to play in the process of SSR. However, overlap and gaps should be avoided.

Key to this integrated approach is building a common understanding of SSR, dealing with the different roles UN agencies and bodies play in the field of both crisis management/ peacekeeping and development operations. The real challenge for the UN is to develop a corporate strategy for SSR that can mould input from across the organisation according to the specific country context, ranging from post-conflict countries to countries in transition. We could discuss the idea today that in order to ensure an effective UN approach, the different bodies and agencies might appoint designated SSR advisors

During the discussion today, it’s important to keep in mind that SSR is not a short-term, technical process carried out in isolation. Rather, it is a long term political process that requires a developmental approach. Post-conflict situations and hence the development of a stable and secure environment usually last longer than peacekeeping forces are present. However, the foundation for a good SSR process is laid during the immediate post-conflict phase. This implies that UN bodies and agencies like DPA, DPKO and UNDP should be very much aware of the paramount importance of SSR within the context of peace agreements and peacekeeping missions and how these will affect future peace building activities. SSR should be viewed as an integral part of peace agreements and hence the need for a planning process for immediate post-conflict situations and peace building operations, with a forward looking mind.

Let me wrap up by quoting a remark made by my Slovak counterpart at the seminar in Bratislava earlier this year: (quote) “there is a growing consensus that we could and should reach a common understanding on a single system-wide approach on SSR within the UN and among all interested players” (unquote). I fully agree with him. This is where the key challenge lies: to establish consensus and build on what has already been achieved in this area.

In this regard, the OECD/DAC’s guidelines on SSR and Governance and the newly developed ‘Implementation Framework for SSR’ provide international reference points which I believe can make a useful contribution to the efforts of the UN and the wider community in the area of SSR. Let’s not reinvent the wheel, but see how the wheel can fit the UN.

Thank you.