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UN meeting to discuss protection of civilians in conflicts

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-29 05:02

VIENNA: A three-day top-class meeting of the United Nations will be held in the mountain village Alpbach of Tyrolean, a western Austrian state, beginning on Sunday, focusing on the protection of civilians.

The meeting will be hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger with the participation of high- ranking representatives of UN, representatives of aid organizations and ambassadors from 26 countries, Austrian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

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According to Alexander Schallenberg, spokesperson of the Austrian Foreign Minister, the meeting will focus on Austria's chairmanship in the UN Security Council beginning November. The Security Council dealt with the issue of the protection of civilians in conflict situations as a separate subject for the first time ten years ago, and this seminar in Tyrol will discuss the possible lessons and adjustments of the instruments.

Austria would like to hold an open Security Council debate at ministerial level on this subject, which would take place in November, aiming at improving international standards and focusing on concrete actions, Schallenberg said.

The forum will focus on the role of the United Nations in the protection of the civilians next Monday, and Martin Luther Agwai, commander of the international peacekeeping force in Darfur ( UNAMID) will also participate.