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Third UN Chiefs of Defence Conference

15.07.2019
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Upon invitation by the Secretariat of the United Nations (UN), the Chairman of the
European Union Military Committee (CEUMC), General Claudio Graziano, attended
the Third UN Chiefs of Defence Conference, held at the UN Headquarters in New
York (USA), from 10th to 12th July 2019.

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The Conference's theme was "Generating Capabilities to Meet High Performance Requirements" and the event focused on military efforts to implement the Secretary General's Actions for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiatives, in order to promote Member States continued engagement in the implementation of the A4P initiative through concrete actions.

On the first day of the Conference, General Graziano participated in the 1st WOMAN, PEACE AND SECURITY CHODs NETWORK MEETING. “As the spokesperson of all the 28 Chiefs of Defence of EU Member States, I note that in the military domain we are attaching an increasing importance to the issues related to Women Peace & Security”, General Graziano underlined in his intervention. "Drawing from my personal experience as unit Commander in the field in operations both in the context of NATO and UN – - I acknowledge the importance of women's participation and the added value that they can bring to the effectiveness of a mission” the Chairman added, and concluded by emphasising that "The EU remains firmly committed to achieving gender equality through gender balance and gender mainstreaming in the context of its Common Security and Defence Policy. The integration of a gender perspective, in order to achieve gender equality and (much) improved gender balance are not only a matter of principle or policy, but a matter of operational necessity and effectiveness”.

On 11th July, General Claudio Graziano participated in the important panel discussion on Generating Capabilities to meet high-performance requirements. “I firmly believe – he said - that cooperation and development of synergies is the most concrete and feasible way to address common shortfalls and to prevent casualties as much as possible”.

During the UN CHoDs Conference, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee had also the great opportunity to meet with diplomatic and military Representatives. In particular, General Graziano had an informal meeting with the Vice Chief of Indian Army, Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu, and discussed with him about a closer relationship between EU and India in the security and defence domain, as well as on the importance of a deeper cooperation on Maritime Security Aspects. In the subsequent meeting with the Chief of General Staff of Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović, the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee had constructive discussion on future cooperation in the Common Security and Defence Policy domain. Further cooperation with Serbia in this respect is a priority for the EU, and both the high ranking Officials stressed the importance of Serbian participation in EU CSDP Military Operations.

On the diplomatic side, General Claudio Graziano had a fruitful meeting with the EU Ambassador at the United Nations, Mr. Valede Almeida. ”The priorities to reinforce the EU UN partnership on peace operations & crisis management reflect the common understanding of EU and UN, the specific added value of both, ensuring enhanced complementarities and strengthened synergies”, the Chairman underlined during the meeting.

Before leaving New York, Generale Graziano had an office call with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix. This was a great opportunity for a meaningful exchange on Peacekeeping. "EU strongly supports UN peace operations and the Action for Peacekeeping initiative A4P with a view to ensuring that UN peacekeeping is fit for purpose The EU is also strongly engaged in translating conflict prevention on the ground”, General Graziano said.

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