| UN Security Council Resolution 637 | |
|---|---|
Central America | |
| Date | 27 July 1989 |
| Meeting no. | 2,871 |
| Code | S/RES/637 (Document) |
| Subject | Central America |
Voting summary | 15 voted for None voted against None abstained |
| Result | Adopted |
| Security Council composition | |
Permanent members | |
Non-permanent members | |
United Nations Security Council resolution 637, adopted unanimously on 27 July 1989, after recalling Resolution 530 (1983) and Resolution 562 (1985) and numerous General Assembly resolutions, the Council commended the desire for peace in Central America noting the Joint Declaration made by the Presidents of Central American nations in 1988 and 1989.
United Nations Security Council resolution 530, adopted unanimously on 19 May 1983, having heard statements from Nicaragua and other Member States on the issue, the Council expressed its deep concern at the situation on the Honduras-Nicaragua border, and a possible military confrontation.
United Nations Security Council resolution 562, adopted on 10 May 1985, after recalling Resolution 530 (1983) and various General Assembly resolutions which affirm the right of Nicaragua and other countries to live in peace without outside interference.
The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), the only one in which all member nations have equal representation, and the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN. Its powers are to oversee the budget of the UN, appoint the non-permanent members to the Security Council, appoint the Secretary-General of the United Nations, receive reports from other parts of the UN, and make recommendations in the form of General Assembly Resolutions. It has also established numerous subsidiary organs.
Resolution 637 went on to express its support for the Esquipulas Peace Agreement and the Joint Declarations, calling upon the Presidents to continue their efforts to achieve a firm and lasting peace in Central America. It also appealed to countries with links and interests to the region to support the efforts, including those which support irregular forces and insurrectional movements in the area immediately halt the aid, with the exception of humanitarian aid.
The Esquipulas Nicaraguan Peace Agreement, also known as the Central American Peace Accords, was a peace initiative in the mid-1980s to settle the military conflicts that had plagued Central America for many years, and in some cases for decades. It built upon groundwork laid by the Contadora Group from 1983 to 1985. The agreement was named for Esquipulas, Guatemala, where the initial meetings took place. The US Congress lobbying efforts were helped by one of Capitol Hill's top lobbyists, William C. Chasey.
Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance to people who need help. It is usually short-term help until the long-term help by government and other institutions replaces it. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars and famines. Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disasters and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. It may therefore be distinguished from development aid, which seeks to address the underlying socioeconomic factors which may have led to a crisis or emergency. There is a debate on linking humanitarian aid and development efforts, which was reinforced by the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016. However, the approach is viewed critically by practitioners.
The Council also supported the Secretary-General in his efforts and requested him to keep them informed on developments in the situation.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General serves as the chief administrative officer of the United Nations. The role of the United Nations Secretariat, and of the Secretary-General in particular, is laid out by Chapter XV of the United Nations Charter.
