In his speech at the Council, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz stressed the importance Poland attaches to respect for the principles of international humanitarian law and recalled Poland’s activity in this field. “In May 2018, Poland held the presidency of the Security Council. We organized two high-level open debates: the first on respect for the principles of international law in the context of maintaining international peace and security, and the second on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Both debates focused on international humanitarian law,” said the Polish foreign minister. He also noted that supporting the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, in particular with respect to the protection of civilians, is one of main priorities of Poland’s non-permanent membership of the Security Council in 2018-2019.

The minister of foreign affairs also participated in an informal Arria-Formula Meeting on protecting medical and humanitarian personnel. The meeting aimed to identify, based on existing legislation (resolutions and conventions) best practices and methods for a practical and effective adherence to international law with regard to the protection of humanitarian workers.

Furthermore, on Monday it was announced that Poland would join the political declaration on the protection of health care in armed conflicts. The document expresses support for measures aimed at strengthening the existing mechanisms of protecting medical and humanitarian personnel. The declaration was prepared in cooperation with, among others, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “I am convinced that as a member of the UN our role is to support all initiatives that strengthen the mechanisms for the protection of civilians,” stressed Minister Jacek Czaputowicz.

The chief of Polish diplomacy also met with Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Their discussions focused on, among others, Polish presence under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). “Poland’s return to UNIFIL is the culmination of more than two-years’ worth of efforts and preparations for Poland’s return to the UN peacekeeping missions,” said the chief of Polish MFA. “Poland plans to deploy about 170-200 troops to serve in UNIFIL. Polish contingent is scheduled to join the Irish battalion in November 2019,” he added.

Minister Czaputowicz also informed the Under-Secretary-General that in October 2018 Poland adopted the National Action Plan to implement the UN Women, Peace, and Security Agenda 2018-2021 and joined the group of close to 80 countries which prepared action plans to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its related documents.

The chief of Polish MFA also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah. The talks focused on security issues, including the Middle East peace process. The ministers referred to the Middle East conference, which was held in Warsaw on 13-14 February 2019 and discussed the prospects for taking forward the Warsaw Process. They also talked about Polish-Kuwaiti cooperation within the UN Security Council.

In New York, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz met with his French and German counterparts. Minister Heiko Maas expressed his satisfaction that international humanitarian law would continue to be debated during the Polish presidency of the UN SC in August, specifically in the context of the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MFA