I. Introduction
In a letter dated 20 December 2010 (S/2010/661), the President of the Security Council agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) until 31 December 2013 and requested me to report to the Council every six months on the implementation of the revised mandate of the Office.
The present report covers the period from 1 January to 30 June 2013. It provides an overview of national, cross-cutting and cross-border developments in West Africa and outlines the activities undertaken by UNOWA in the areas of preventive diplomacy, early warning and capacity-building to address emerging threats and challenges to regional peace and stability. It also outlines the efforts of the Office to enhance synergies with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union and the African Union in the promotion of peace and stability in the subregion.
