POSITION PAPER

Topic: Implementation of peace and security in problem states

Country: Austria
Team(Delegates): Shefali Das and Devika Arora

Over the last decade, the scale and complexity of peace-keeping, implementation of
security and peace-building activities have grown to an unprecedented level. Peace-
building is a complex, long-term process of creating the necessary conditions for
sustainable peace. It works by addressing the deep-rooted, structural causes of violent
conflict in a comprehensive manner. Peace-building measures address core issues that
effect the functioning of society and the State, and seek to enhance the capacity of the
State to effectively and legitimately carry out its core functions.

Austria is a self sufficient Federal Parliamentary Republic and has maintained its
neutrality with regards to not allowing foreign military bases to be set up in the country.
Austria has a nominal per capita GDP of $43,723 (2010 est.) Unemployment rate has
been recorded as 4.8% in the year 2010. The country has developed a high standard of
living and in 2010 was ranked 25th in the world for its Human Development Index
(0.851). However it realizes that a high-quality living condition does not guarantee
sustainable peace and security within as well as with member nations and problem
states. Since Austria is a member of EU, its extensive trade relations with member EU
states is affected negatively due to improper implementation of global peace and
security. Tourism forms an important part of Austria’s economy accounting to almost
9% of its GDP. Due to the scenic beauty offered by our beautiful country, in 2007
Austria was ranked 9th world wide in international tourist receipts. But due to Global
security and peace issues Austria is seeing a drop in the number of tourists. Like every
other member nation of UN, Austria falls prey of terrorism. Also the stark difference in
the level of development, economy, ideologies etc of member states gives rise to
friction between nations. Austria acknowledges the seriousness and importance of this
issue and hence it has always been an active, constructive member of the UN as it would
mean an overall exceptional improvement in global relations.

Austria realizes that majority conflicts arise due to the most culpable issues like poverty,
hunger, lack of development, the depletion of the natural and economic resources of
States, the weakness of political institutions, and human rights violations; which
completely distort the peace and sense of security between member states. The other
obstructions to peace-keeping and some of he main reasons of internal conflicts are of
ethnic, religious or environmental origins or due to illiteracy or the unequal sharing of
resources. Extremism, transnational crime, economic shocks and climate change pose
new threats to global political stability and security. Till now, a joint, comprehensive and
concerted approach to removing constraints in post-conflict environments has been
lacking. There are gaps between peacekeeping (in the traditional sense) and
peacebuilding on the one hand and between peacebuilding and long-term development
on the other. The necessary response to these challenges must include all stakeholders.

Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955; it joined the European
Union in 1995, and is a founder of the OECD. Austria also signed the Schengen
Agreement in 1995 and adopted the European currency, the euro, in 1999. Since
becoming a member of the United Nations, Austria has put particular emphasis
on Peacekeeping and Conflict Prevention, and, with some 60,000 troops, has become
one of the largest troop contributors for UN operations. Vienna (capital city) is the seat
of 31 international organizations and has gained an excellent reputation as a major
international conference center, hosting a large number of conferences and meetings
under the auspices of the United Nations.
Austria strongly feels that peacebuilding should involve a range of measures targeted to
reduce the risk of lapsing or relapsing into conflict by strengthening national capacities
at all levels for conflict management, and to lay the foundation for sustainable peace
and development. Austria is an active supporter of post-conflict peace-building activities
going beyond crisis intervention. It agrees that these activities can sustain longer-term
development. Austria believes that the establishment of civil society and good
governance structures and institutions would prevent conflicts from re-occurring.

Since 1960, Austria has been a firm supporter of peacekeeping efforts by the United
Nations and regional organizations. It is also a part of many international organizations
such as Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC), United
Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), etc. Austria has deployed troops,
police and civilian experts to international peace operations in Europe, the Middle East,
Africa and Asia. In future too, Austria will continue its commitment to advancing
peacekeeping as a valuable strategic tool in international crisis management. As a non-
permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2009–2010, Austria fully supports
the ongoing reform of UN peacekeeping operations and is committed to advancing
consensus among the wider UN membership on peace building and state building for
the benefit of war-torn local societies in development. Austria is committed to a
comprehensive protection of human rights, both at the national and the international
level. Promoting and protecting human rights requires global partnership and dialogue.
The United Nations Human Rights Council plays a key role in this regard. Therefore,
Austria has decided to announce her candidature for membership in the Human Rights
Council for the period 2011 to 2014. Austria offers her full non-wavering support to the
implementation of global peace and security in problem states.