NATO and UN conclude updated Joint Declaration on cooperation
Following the meeting of Secretaries General Jens Stoltenberg and António Guterres on the margins of the 73rd UN General Assembly in September, the Secretariats of NATO and the United Nations concluded an updated Joint Declaration on Friday 26 October 2018, setting out plans for future cooperation between the two organizations. The document builds on the original Joint Declaration between NATO and the UN, which was signed in September 2008. The updated Declaration sets out priority areas for future cooperation, including, support to UN peace operations, countering terrorism; the protection of civilians; and Women, Peace and Security.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Joint Declaration, saying: "As organizations committed to upholding peace and security, NATO and the UN reinforce one another. While our mandates differ, we already cooperate across a range of issues, and there is a lot more that NATO and the UN can do together. So I welcome the conclusion of the updated Joint Declaration, and look forward to putting our ideas into action."
Over the past decade, cooperation between the Alliance and UN has grown significantly. The two organizations work closely together on Afghanistan and Iraq. NATO has also pledged support for UN peacekeeping operations, including to counter improvised explosive devices. Cooperation has expanded on protection issues as well. For example, NATO and the UN have worked closely on developing training materials concerning Children and Armed Conflict and the Protection of Civilians.