A/RES/57/337 15. Emphasizes the need, at all levels of society and among nations, for strengthening freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding as important elements for preventing armed conflict; 16. Encourages Member States to strengthen national capacities for addressing structural risk factors, as deemed useful by national Governments, with the support, as appropriate, of the international community, including the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods institutions and regional and subregional organizations; Role of the General Assembly 17. Expresses its determination to make more effective use of its powers under Articles 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 17 of the Charter of the United Nations for the prevention of armed conflict; 18. Nations; Intends to make fuller use of Article 96 of the Charter of the United 19. Decides to consider ways of enhancing interaction with the other United Nations organs, especially the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council, and with the Secretary-General in terms of developing and implementing long- and short-term measures and strategies aimed at preventing armed conflict; Role of the Security Council 20. Takes note of the provisions contained in Security Council resolution 1366 (2001) of 30 August 2001, in particular the commitment of the Council to take early and effective action to prevent armed conflict; 21. Encourages the Security Council to give prompt consideration to early warning or prevention cases brought to its attention by the Secretary-General, and to use appropriate mechanisms, such as the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa, with due regard to relevant regional and subregional dimensions, in accordance with Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations; 22. Further encourages the Security Council to keep under close review situations of potential armed conflict and to consider seriously cases of potential armed conflict brought to its attention by a State or the General Assembly or on the basis of information furnished by the Economic and Social Council; 23. Recognizes that the United Nations can continue to play an important role in the prevention of armed conflict by promoting conflict resolution and dispute settlement; 24. Encourages the continued strengthening of the process of the peaceful settlement of disputes and efforts to make it more effective; 25. Notes the commitment of the Security Council to make wider and effective use of the procedures and means enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly in Chapter VI, as one of the essential components of its work to promote and maintain international peace and security; 26. Reaffirms that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, for which the prevention of armed conflict is important, is conferred upon the Security Council, and reiterates that, under 6

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