AG/RES. 1353 (XXV-O/95)

COOPERATION FOR HEMISPHERIC SECURITY

(Resolution adopted at the ninth plenary session, held on June 9, 1995)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

BEARING IN MIND that, under Article 2 of the Charter of the Organization of American States, one of the essential purposes of the Organization is to strengthen the peace and security of the Hemisphere;

RECALLING:

Its decision, contained in the Santiago Commitment, to initiate a process of consultation on hemispheric security in light of the new conditions in the region and the world, from an updated and comprehensive perspective of security and disarmament, including the subject of all forms of proliferation of conventional weapons and instruments of mass destruction, so that the largest possible volume of resources may be devoted to the economic and social development of the member states, and to issue an appeal to other competent organizations in the world to join in the efforts of the OAS; and

That, pursuant to resolution AG/RES. 1123 (XXI-O/91), the Permanent Council was instructed to set up a working group to study and make recommendations on cooperation in the various dimensions of hemispheric security; and, pursuant to resolution AG/RES. 1180 (XXII-O/92), the Special Committee on Hemispheric Security was established to continue consideration of the agenda on cooperation for hemispheric security; and

RECOGNIZING:

That the strengthening of peace and security in the Hemisphere is one of the essential purposes of the OAS and that economic and social development and cooperation among the states are vital for achieving it;

That peace is not merely the absence of war but also includes interdependence and cooperation in promoting economic and social development. Moreover, disarmament, arms control and limitation, human rights, the strengthening of democratic institutions, environmental protection, and improvement of the quality of life for all are indispensable elements for the establishment of democratic, peaceful, and more secure societies;

That it is necessary and timely to carry on and intensify the dialogue for building confidence in the region; and

The valuable work done by the Working Group and the Special Committee on Hemispheric Security over the past four years,

RESOLVES:

  1. To take note of the report of the Permanent Council on cooperation for hemispheric security.

  2. To recognize the timeliness of and need for greater dialogueon cooperation in security matters among nations of the Hemisphere, given current international conditions.

  3. To reiterate the commitment of the Organization to contribute effectively to steps being taken at the international level to support peace and security.

  4. To reaffirm that one of the essential purposes of the Organization of the American States is to prevent possible causes of difficulties and to ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes among member states, in accordance with the Charter of the OAS and international law.

  5. To urge all member states to participate fully in the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms in order to contribute to regional openness and transparency, in accordance with resolution AG/RES. 1284 (XXIV-O/94).

  6. To reaffirm as well the urgent need to intensify the joint struggle and cooperative action against extreme poverty in order to contribute to lessening economic and social inequality in the Hemisphere and thereby strengthen the promotion and consolidation of democracy in the region.

  7. To instruct the Permanent Council to set up a Committee on Hemispheric Security as soon as the Special Committee prepares and the Permanent Council approves a precise mandate for its work in the principal areas of inter-American cooperation in this field. Until the Committee on Hemispheric Security is established, the current Special Committee will remain in existence.

  8. To request the Permanent Council to report to the General Assembly at its twenty-sixth regular session on the progress made in the fulfillment of the mandates set forth in resolutions AG/RES. 1179 (XXII-O/92), AG/RES. 1236 (XXIII-O/93), AG/RES. 1283 (XXIV-O/94), AG/RES. 1284 (XXIV-O/94), AG/RES. 1288 (XXIV-O/94), AG/RES. 1299 (XXIV-O/94), and AG/RES. 1302 (XXIV-O/94).

  9. To transmit this resolution to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to all pertinent regional organizations.

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