3. Slovakia and Peace
Slovakia became member of the United
Nations on January 19, 1993 as one of the
successor states after the division of the
former Czech and Slovak Federal
Republic. Slovakia, as part of former
Czechoslovakia was one of the founding
members of the UN in 1945. Czechoslovak
diplomat and Slovak national, Ján
Papánek, was one of the original drafters
of the UN Charter.
4. Slovakia and Peace
Slovakia is an avid advocate of global
partnerships and effective multilateral
cooperation. Hence, Slovakia attaches
utmost importance to the United Nations and
its membership in this global organization is
one of the main pillars of the Slovak Foreign
Policy. Slovak priorities in the UN are based on
universal values of multilateralism, equality,
transparency, respect for freedom and
human rights, peace and security, social,
economic and environmental development.
5. Slovakia and Peace
Slovakia supports strengthening the United Nations
in its ability to react promptly and effectively to
emerging global challenges and opportunities.
After 68 years of its existence, complex and
meaningful United Nations reform is currently high
on its agenda with the aim of adapting its work to
the needs and realities of the 21st century. In this
regard, Slovakia promotes rationalization and
revitalization of the United Nations General
Assembly as well as a meaningful reform of the UN
Security Council including its expansion in both
categories of membership
6. Slovakia and Peace
In times of persisting global financial and
economic strains, Slovakia pays particular
attention to the enhancing of the Economic and
Social Council as a natural focal point for
development within the United Nations system,
reinforcing coherence and coordination and
avoiding duplication of efforts. Budgetary
discipline and effective use of financial resources
are important part of pressing management
reform without which the desired strengthening of
the United Nations in all its complexity cannot be
fully achieved.
7. Slovakia and Peace
From 2010 to 2012 Slovakia was a member of the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). On 10
January 2012, Slovak Permanent Representative to
the United Nations, Ambassador Miloš Koterec,
was elected chairman of this main United Nations
organ. The membership of Slovakia in ECOSOC
provided a valuable and unique opportunity to
work more pro-actively towards enhancing the
role of ECOSOC in the global efforts for achieving
sustainable development, especially through
strengthened cooperation of all relevant actors
and stakeholders, including the IFIs, NGOs, private
sector, academy and the youth.
8. Slovakia and Peace
After successful membership of Slovakia in the UN Security
Council in 2006-2007 and in the UN Human Rights Council
during 2008-2011, the membership and subsequent
presidency of the Economic and Social Council crowned
Slovakia`s first 20 years of United Nations membership with
hands-on experience and first line participation in the work
of all three main pillars of UN work: peace and security,
development and human rights. Slovakia also continues to
support building the capacity of the United Nations in the
Security Sector Reform (SSR) in which, particularly thanks to
its Presidency in informal groups within the United Nations
(Expanded Core Group and a Group of Friends of SSR)
plays a leading role.
9. Slovakia and Peace
Human Rights are one of the pillars of Slovak
Foreign Policy. Under Slovakia´s initiative, the
UN Human Rights Committee adopted in 2011
“The Optional Protocol to the Convention on
the Rights of the Child”. During 2009-2010,
Slovakia facilitated the universal
implementation of the Rome Statue of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) in the
Hague. In 2011, Slovakia was elected to the
Bureau of State Parties of the Rome Statue of
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the
Hague.
10. Slovakia and Peace
Slovakia has been an active contributor to world peace
and security. Besides Slovakia´s participation in the United
Nations Peacekeeping operation in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and
in Middle East (UNTSO), Slovakia is leading the Regional
Coordination Centre „South“ in the ALTHEA operation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is mandated by the UN
Security Council. Furthermore, Slovakia is heading the OMLT
team in Afghanistan whose main tasks are logistical support
for ISAF mission in Afghanistan, mandated by the UN
Security Council. Slovakia has also dispatched a special
operations unit to the ISAF in Afghanistan. Slovakia is active
in other regions as well, e.g. in the EUMM mission in Georgia
and in the UNTSO mission in Israel and Syria.
11. Slovakia and Peace
In 2014, Slovak representative presides over 1 out of 6 main
UN organs: the International Court of Justice is chaired by
Judge Mr. Peter Tomka (2012-2015). Slovakia is proud that
the professionalism and expertise of its diplomats has been
recognized by the United Nations Secretary General. From
January 2012, Mr. Ján Kubiš (former Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Slovakia) has been serving the United Nations as
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for
Afghanistan and head of the UN Office in Afghanistan
(UNAMA). From January 2009 to January 2012, Mr. Ján
Kubiš served also as Executive Secretary of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in
Geneva. Since June 2008, Slovak diplomat Mr. Miroslav
Jenča heads the UN Regional Centre for Preventive
Diplomacy in the Central Asia as Special Representative of
the United Nations Secretary-General.
