Observer Status

Permanent Observer at the United Nations

The decision to apply for Observer Status at the United Nations (UN) was taken during the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the g7+ in Lisbon in June 2019. Subsequently, in July 2019, the Permanent mission of Sierra Leone to the UN – acting in its capacity as the chairing country of the g7+ – submitted the request as an agenda item of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly. 

The g7+ Secretariat then worked closely with the permanent missions of Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste and all other member states in New York during the month of October 2019 to galvanize support for the resolution.

Observer Status enables the group to have an avenue through which it can provide collective input into the agenda and work of the UN, particularly on relevant subjects such as sustaining peace and security, improving peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention, Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and general effective engagement. The group will also benefit from close collaboration with the UN and its organs in its mission to achieve lasting peace and stability.

On 18 December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution granting g7+ Observer Status. This is a historical milestone in the journey of the g7+.

Chair of the g7+
H.E. Dr. Francis Mustapha Kai-Kai

H.E. Dr. Francis Mustapha Kai-Kai is the Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone with many years of service at both the national and international levels As Minister of planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone, He assumes the Chair of the g7+ Group of Fragile and Conflict Affected states and Co Chair of the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding.
Dr. Francis Mustapha Kai-Kai, was Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative (PR) to the United Nations in New York. Prior to his appointment as the PR of Sierra Leone to the UN, Dr. Kai-Kai spent 12 years as a senior United Nations staff member. From January 2016 to March 2018, he was Chief of Civil Affairs/Peace Consolidation Services in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), supporting that country’s integrity in natural resources management and economic governance, decentralization of services, local governance and peacebuilding. He was Field Crisis Adviser/Field Operation Manager in the United Nations Mission for Emergency Ebola Response (UNMEER) from December 2014 to June 2015. From March 2008 to July 2014, he was Chief of Civil Affairs in UNMIL, having served as Chief of the United Nations Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Section of UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from 2005 to 2007 .
Dr. Kai-Kai holds a B.A. (Hons) degree from the University of Sierra Leone, and Master of Science and doctorate degrees in agricultural economics and development from universities in the United Kingdom and Germany, respectively. Dr. Kai-Kai is a recipient of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel (GCOR) Award for Service to Sierra Leone.
Mr. Abdul Habib Zadran has a decade of rich experience working with corporate and the Public sectors. He has a master’s degree in Finance and has been serving in several high ranked positions for the Government of Afghanistan, international donor agencies, and the private sector.
Deputy Chair of g7+

Mr. Abdul Habib Zadran

Advantages for the United Nations in granting Observer Status to the g7+

The objectives of the g7+ are of the utmost importance to the UN and its mission to maintain international peace and security and promoting sustainable development. It is essential to the UN that the g7+ member states recover fully from conflict, consolidate peace and pursue development.

 

Fragility unfortunately creates fertile ground for the resumption of conflict and extremist manipulation. The success and stability of the g7+ and its member states will therefore be essential to supporting the UN goals of maintaining international peace and promoting sustainable development.

 

Furthermore, the g7+ can provide invaluable insight into and share firsthand experiences of how fragile countries can rebuild and recover. These experiences can contribute to a more effective and less costly peacebuilding and statebuilding agenda for the UN.

 

The goal of pursuing peace, justice and building strong institutions is strongly linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are adopted by all UN countries. Member states of the g7+ are very active in leveraging support and establishing partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

 

This is particularly relevant for Goal 16 of the SDGs, which is about promoting peace and inclusivity in society, which will contribute to progress locally and globally. With the g7+ as an observer, the world will be a step closer to peace and stability.

Advantages for the g7+ in obtaining Observer Status in the General Assembly

Obtaining Observer Status at the General Assembly will further enhance the opportunities for the Group to achieve its goals. Gaining access to follow and participate in the deliberations of the Assembly will open the door to networks and information to which the group did not previously have access to voice the concern of fragile and conflict-affected states.. 

 

In the global fight for peace and stability, the g7+ will prove itself to be a treasured asset and ally to the United Nations.

Attachments

FileFile size
Request for the inclusion of a supplementary item in the agenda of the seventy-fourth session 216 KB
Observer status for the Group of Seven Plus in the General Assembly 147 KB
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2019 161 KB

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