Foreign Policy Research Institute A Nation Must Think Before it Acts An Agenda for Peace: One Year Later

An Agenda for Peace: One Year Later

The passing of an old order does not of itself create a new order. The first-ever Summit meeting of the Security Council understood this, The Summit, which met on January 31, 1992, set in motion a vital process. It wanted fresh consideration to be given to international peace and security for the post-cold war period. The task was to bring into being a new international consensus and framework for action. It would have to involve intellectual creativity, cooperative interaction, and practical progress.

At the invitation of the Summit, I produced, in June 1992, my report entitled An Age&u for Peace. I examined the changing context of international relations. I made recommendations on ways to improve the World Organization’s capacity in the cause of international peace and security.

I have been gratified by the wide dissemination of An Agenda for Peace. Many thoughtful and important comments, criticisms, and contributions have been produced. An Agenda for Peace has been debated in the Parliaments of Member States. It has been translated into many languages, from Chinese to Catalan, It has been studied in ministries, in non-governmental and private organizations and institutions. And it receives continuing attention in the media.

Most significantly, the Security Council has discussed my report in detail and has issued a number of important statements, most recently SC/5605 of April 30, 1993. The General Assembly established an Informal Open-Ended Working Group, which led to the adoption of Resolution 47/71 of December 14, 1992, on peace-keeping; and Resolution 47/120 of December 18, 1992, on preventive diplomacy.

In the context of the comments, requests and recommendations received, it seems time to review me status, after one year, of the main issues raised in An Agenda for Peace.

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