UN General Assembly
2011

articulation of a clearly defined mandate. A case in point for us has been the role of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Another key factor worth highlighting here is the role of mediators in preventing the escalation of conflict and a resumption of hostilities. This aspect of mediation is sometimes overlooked, yet it is of no less importance to international peace and stability than is finding a solution to a contentious matter. Three years ago, when I had the honour to speak from this rostrum (see A/63/PV.9), I said that the time had come for serious consideration of people’s right to self-determination in the twenty-first century. Today, we are witnessing new instances of people exercising this inalienable right. In that context, I would like to congratulate the newly elected 193rd Member of the United Nations, the Republic of South Sudan. Its road to a seat in this Hall has been long and difficult, but the people of South Sudan, through the free expression of