EU Statement – UN General Assembly 6th Committee Working Group – Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (Cluster 4)

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EU Statement - UN General Assembly 6th Committee Working Group - Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (Cluster 4)

08.10.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

8 October 2024, New York - European Union Statement at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee Working Group - Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (Cluster 4)

Thank you Mr Chair,

With regard to Cluster 4, the European Union and its Member States would have the following observations.

• On a general note and in line with previous comments of ours, we consider that this cluster of the draft articles that deals with the role of the affected State following a disaster, strikes an appropriate balancebetween the need to safeguard the principle of national sovereignty of affected States, on the one hand, and the need for international cooperation, on the other, while we recall that respect for human rights of persons in the event of disasters should always be safeguarded.
• Sovereignty entails both rights and obligations and this is already reflected in draft article 10. While affirming the primary responsibility of the affected State to provide disaster relief, it establishes the duty of the affected State to ensure the protection of persons affected by disasters in its territory, or in territory under its jurisdiction or control. We recall in this regard draft article 13(2), which provides that the affected state cannot withhold its consent to external assistance arbitrarily.

On a specific note in this regard, we would like to suggest the possibility of adding the notion of 'access' to draft article 10 (2) with the aim to expressly affirm the role and responsibility of the affected State to ensure access for relief personnel, equipment and goods.

• As regards draft article 14 on the conditions on the provision of external assistance, the references to the quality of assistance and its appropriateness to the identified needs of affected persons are important. Assistance is only helpful if fit for purpose. In addition, we consider that the language should be strengthened on how such conditions should take into account the needs of affected persons. In our view, these conditions should 'be appropriate to' the identified needs of affected persons.

Thank you.