Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 5705th meeting, 25 June 2007, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "Maintenance of international peace and security"]

Emphasizes the importance of improving the work of and strengthening the contributions made by existing sanctions committees and the various experts' groups and panels established by the Council in dealing with the impact of illegal exploitation of natural resources on conflicts in the countries under its consideration; also recalls the work done by the Security Council Informal Working Group on General Issues of Sanctions (2006) and refers in this regard to its report (S/2006/997); stresses the important role, in the context of Security Sector Reform in post-conflict environment, of transparent and effective national security and customs structures for the effective control and management of natural resources by preventing the illegal access to and the trade and exploitation of those resources; recognizes, in armed conflict and post-conflict situations, the need for a more coordinated approach by the UN, regional organizations and governments concerned, in particular the empowerment of governments in post-conflict situations to better manage their resources.

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