UN General Assembly
2014

and encourages the preventive diplomatic measures provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations, which include mediation, good offices and early warning. As part of the Group of Friends of Mediation, I would like to highlight Costa Rica’s leadership in negotiating General Assembly resolution 68/303, which seeks to acknowledge the key role that regional and subregional organizations play in mediating and managing conflicts. To date, that is the first General Assembly resolution on mediation to recognize that role. Its inclusion is therefore a true achievement of the General Assembly. Maintaining international peace and security requires all States to resolve our disputes peacefully in line with the Charter of the United Nations and in strict accordance with international law and agreements. Costa Rica firmly believes in and implements all aspects of international law. We therefore underscore in particular the role of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Peace cannot take root where there is impunity. When war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity have been committed,