Liechtenstein’s priorities at the UN
The following are issues upon which Liechtenstein places particular importance in its work at the United Nations:

• Human rights are the foundation of the world order as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and they constitute the basis for all State action. The promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a traditional priority of the foreign policy of Liechtenstein in general and at the United Nations in particular. Liechtenstein is a State Party to all six core human rights instruments (ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD, CEDAW, CAT, CRC), has accepted all the communications procedures envisaged under these instruments and has issued a standing invitation to all UN Special Rapporteurs on specific human rights issues. In May 2003, the Liechtenstein Government invited more than 50 human rights experts to Malbun to hold a brainstorming meeting on the reform of the human rights treaty body system. The results of that meeting are currently being further developed by various UN organs. Click here for more information about Liechtenstein’s engagement for human rights, including the fight against racism and intolerance.
• Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations has consistently been condemned by Liechtenstein, regardless of the reasons that are invoked to justify it. International cooperation is of crucial importance to bring those to justice who are responsible for terrorist attacks and to prevent the further spread of this scourge. Liechtenstein therefore fully supports the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) established pursuant to SC resolution 1373 (2001) and is engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the CTC on the measures taken in the global fight against terrorism. In addition, Liechtenstein has ratified all 12 international conventions relating to the fight against terrorism. At the same time, Liechtenstein remains aware of the need to balance counter-terrorism measures with the need to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and has promoted the adoption of General Assembly resolution 57/219 to that effect.
• Fighting crime is an important concern for Liechtenstein. Within the framework of the United Nations, Liechtenstein works together with the Global Programme against Money Laundering and contributes regularly to its budget. Liechtenstein also supports other programs of the Office on Drugs and Crime.
• International peace and security are a common concern to all peace-loving countries in the world. Effective cooperation between Member States and the Security Council is crucial in order to promote the prevention of armed conflict, the pacific settlement of disputes and the effectiveness of measures taken to maintain or restore peace. Economic sanctions and targeted financial sanctions in particular are an important tool in this respect. Liechtenstein welcomes increased transparency in the work of the respective Security Council Sanctions Committees, which should foster the efficiency of UN sanctions while upholding the principles of legal certainty and the rule of law. The Government of Liechtenstein ensures the implementation of these measures in their various aspects, in particular through measures affecting its financial center. These activities are coordinated by the Financial Intelligence Unit .
• Children and armed conflict
  Liechtenstein is an active member of the donor group of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The group closely follows the work of the Special Representative and regularly meets with the Office as well as other donors to discuss work in progress. Children affected by armed conflict are an issue of great concern that cuts across other problems at the center of UN activity, such as small arms and land mines, the proliferation of which harms children in particular.
• Humanitarian affairs are another traditional area of priority in Liechtenstein’s cooperation within the United Nations system. Liechtenstein actively participates in the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group, a group of donor countries that closely follows the work of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) . Particular attention is paid to the effectiveness of the Consolidated Appeal Processes, by which OCHA orchestrates its fundraising activities for the benefit of suffering populations. However, Liechtenstein not only supports the coordination efforts of OCHA, but also provides financial contributions to individual relief agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNHCR, UNICEF, etc. Click here for further information on Liechtenstein's international humanitarian cooperation efforts.
• The International Criminal Court , the first ever permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to promote the rule of law and an end to impunity for the gravest international crimes, has enjoyed the active support of Liechtenstein for a long time. The Liechtenstein delegation participated in the Diplomatic Conference leading to the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998 as well as in the sessions of the Preparatory Commission (PrepComm) entrusted with preparing the practical arrangements for the coming into operation of the Court. One particular focus was the election of judges of the Court in February 2003, which followed a unique voting procedure developed on the basis of a joint Liechtenstein-Hungarian proposal, with a view to ensuring a balanced bench in terms of region, gender, and legal expertise. After the entry into force of the Rome Statute in July 2002, Liechtenstein has continued its active engagement in the first meetings of the Assembly of States Parties, where Ambassador Christian Wenaweser holds the Chairmanship of the Working Group on the Crime of Aggression. Furthermore, Liechtenstein supports the Court through the timely payment of its assessed budget contribution.
• International law lies at the heart of international relations, thanks in particular to more than half a century of codification and promotion of international legal norms in the framework of the United Nations. For small States such as Liechtenstein, respect for international legal standards and the rule of law are of particular and essential importance, since they are directed against the bare rule of power. Consequently, Liechtenstein has signed and ratified a large number of international agreements, and actively supports the work of the UN in its “legislative” dimension, in particular through the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee. In this respect, mention should be made of the chairmanship of Ambassador Christian Wenaweser of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Scope of legal protection under the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.
• Advancement of women: The membership in international organizations and in the United Nations in particular has played a crucial role in the advancement of the rights of women at the national level. In the framework of its work at the United Nations, Liechtenstein has long paid particular attention to gender issues and, as a State Party to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) , supported and actively contributed to the adoption of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW. Liechtenstein is a member of informal groups of interested States focusing on the promotion of the UN agenda in the areas of gender-mainstreaming and women, peace, and security.

United Nations Office at Vienna

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