Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution A/RES/68/303 Reaffirming the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security, in line with provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter, and taking note of their important role as mediators, within agreed mandates, in many regions, acting with the consent of parties to a particular dispute or conflict, Acknowledging that regional and subregional organizations can benefit mediation efforts with their specific approaches stemming from their geographic, cultural and historical proximity to, as well as information about, specific local conflict situations within their mandates, and contribute to the prevention and resolution of such conflicts, Recognizing the importance of the equal and effective participation and the full involvement of women at all levels, at all stages and in all aspects of the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as the provision of adequate gender expertise for all mediators and their teams, noting that further efforts are necessary to appoint more women as chief or lead peace mediators, and in this context reaffirming the full and effective implementation of all relevant United Nations resolutions, including those on women, peace and security, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 2 and furthermore welcoming the role of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) in this respect, Recognizing also national and civil society actors active in mediation, and encouraging their contributions and continued coordination to improve complementarity in mediation activities, when appropriate, in this regard, Welcoming the increasing contribution by the African Union in efforts to settle conflicts of its members, and expressing its support for the peace initiatives conducted by the African regional and subregional organizations, 1. Reiterates that all Member States should strictly adhere to their obligations as laid down in the Charter of the United Nations, including in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution; 2. Welcomes the contributions of Member States, as well as of the United Nations and of regional and subregional organizations, to mediation efforts, as appropriate; 3. Invites Member States, as well as the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, as appropriate, to continue to optimize the use of mediation and other tools mentioned in Chapter VI of the Charter for the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution; 4. Encourages Member States, as well as the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, to continue to develop, where appropriate, their mediation capacities in the pacific settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and conflict resolution; 5. Also encourages Member States, as well as the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, to increase the awareness on the importance of mediation, as appropriate, through, inter alia, the organization of conferences, _______________ 2 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. 3/5