On 9 December 2011 the Central European Initiative was granted observer status in the United Nations General Assembly by resolution 66/111. The unanimous decision of the General Assembly expresses the recognition of the world body for the CEI as the largest and oldest intergovernmental forum for regional cooperation.
Resolution 66/111 represents a milestone in CEI relations with the UN. The CEI will be invited to participate in the sessions and activities of the General Assembly and will have the chance to take the floor on issues of common interest as well as participate in consultations on regional issues. Moreover, at the Bi-annual Meeting of Regional Organisations at the UN Headquarters, the CEI will also be able to represent the interests of Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe. Cooperation with the global organisation in enhancing peace, stability and cooperation has always been an important element of CEI activities. This partnership is based upon common values and interests. The CEI attaches great importance to the UN Millennium Development Goals and contributes to their implementation through cooperation projects at a regional level. The CEI has working relations with a number of UN bodies such as UNESCO, UNIDO, FAO, UNEP, UNDP and UNECE. The request for observer status was endorsed by the CEI Ministers for Foreign Affairs on 10 June 2011. It was then formally submitted under the Serbian CEI Presidency on 13 July 2011 in a letter to the UN Secretary General also signed by the UN Ambassadors of Italy, Montenegro and Ukraine. For more information: arsova@cei-es.org
UN Headquarters