Sophie Wilmès
Member of the European Parliament · Renew · BE
We hold 36 lines of what Sophie Wilmès said in European Parliament, from the official verbatim archive. They are translated and awaiting indexing, and will appear here once indexed, each linked to its moment.
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“They target those responsible for unfavourable acts and are designed not to harm civilian populations. We remain committed to ensuring that the humanitarian space is protected under all circumstances.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“Greater synergy between the African Union and subregional organizations, as well as optimum complementarity between the African Union and the Security Council, is essential to accelerating progress towards common objectives. It is in that spirit that Belgium expresses its support for the recent African Union initiative for dialogue in Ethiopia. Lastly, allow me to say a few words on sanctions policies. They are rooted in the values we share at the United Nations and are a tool for promoting international peace and security, preventing conflicts and upholding respect for international law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Belgium strongly supports the restrictive measures of the European Union where they prove necessary.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“As a strategic partner, alongside our European friends, we would now like to begin to write a new chapter in our bilateral relations. Thirdly, we continue to support African solutions to African problems. A good example is the African Union’s Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020 initiative. It accurately identifies several issues and challenges, including terrorism and climate change, and also points to various long-standing causes of conflict, such as the illegal exploitation of natural resources, that have yet to be adequately and comprehensively addressed. New conflicts on the African continent continue to deserve an initial response from the African Union or its subregional organizations, and we support the African Union in that common effort. However, the principle of subsidiarity should never imply inaction.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“In addition, the African Union’s work and discussions on transitional justice are extremely relevant to the work of the United Nations. Secondly, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the African Union’s commitment to the Great Lakes region. Ahead of the upcoming chairmanship of the African Union by the Democratic Republic of Congo, we welcome the enhanced role of the African Union in promoting a positive regional dynamic and supporting United Nations efforts in that regard. We hope that the African Union will also be closely involved in the further implementation of the new United Nations Great Lakes Regional Strategic Framework. Similarly, we welcome the lead taken by the African Union regarding Burundi. While some challenges remain, we have turned a page.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“Since its establishment in 2008, the institutional framework has become stronger, while allowing for frequent exchanges that result in joint efforts in response to common challenges. Nonetheless, we can and must do better. A solution must be found to ensure adequate and sustainable funding of African Union peace operations. We wish to reiterate our support for United Nations funding. We would like to emphasize Belgium’s willingness to further strengthen the institutional bonds between the United Nations and the African Union. Above and beyond key cooperation between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, there are several areas with opportunities for greater synergy, such as the women and peace and security agenda.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“At the outset, let me congratulate you, Mr. President, on your country’s assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month, which is for both South Africa and Belgium our last month at this virtual table. I would also like to thank the Permanent Mission of South Africa for convening today’s debate on the issue of cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations. I would like to focus today on four points: first, the long-standing partnership between the African Union and the United Nations; secondly, the African Union’s work in the Great Lakes region; thirdly, the importance of solutions that respect local contexts and, lastly, the sensitive issue of sanctions. First of all, we welcome the long-standing and productive partnership between the African Union and the United Nations.”
UN Security Council4 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“The African Union already has a partnership with both the European Union and the United Nations. We should also ensure that we involve other organizations in our work as soon as possible, in particular those at the subregional level and, on the European continent, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Secondly, United Nations peace missions on the ground have a unique role in identifying strategic priorities and in coordinating efforts. Belgium calls for the strengthening of that coordination role and for the genuine commitment of missions as a whole to mandates in support of reform.”
UN Security Council3 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“The European Union and Belgium are also shouldering their responsibilities, and our efforts are closely linked to those of the African Union and the United Nations. Belgium supports the efforts of the international community in this area in various ways. In the Sahel, in the Great Lakes region, the Belgian army, the Federal Police, the Belgian Development Agency, our Department of Justice and, of course, my department are working in synergy to support such reforms. Belgium is also actively participating in the European Union’s efforts in support of those processes. That experience in the field informs our thinking. In that regard, I would like to put forward two approaches by way of conclusion. Today more than ever, we must ensure that we strengthen coordination among organizations involved in security sector reform.”
UN Security Council3 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“It is also important to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into such an approach. My second point concerns inclusiveness. Too often security sector reform mandates do not sufficiently take into account all sectors of society. Too often security sector reform processes fall within the sole competence of the executive branch. We need to fill that gap. All actors in society should be consulted on security governance — civil society, women and young people. As such, we must maintain a high level of ambition with regard to the draft resolution contained in document S/2020/1158, which we will adopt shortly, in line with resolution 2151 (2014). Thirdly, I would like to commend the African Union’s role as a mediator and facilitator of security sector reform provisions in several peace processes.”
UN Security Council3 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.
“I, too, would like to thank South Africa for organizing this debate on the issue of security sector reform. These reforms are a fundamental part of the mandates of peace operations — well managed, they lay the foundations for sustainable peace. Three key elements should underpin our actions in this core area of reconstruction following a period of conflict or deep crisis. The first is a holistic approach. Our efforts in security sector reform will unfortunately be in vain if they are not based on such an approach. Respect for human rights and the rule of law is indeed a sine qua non for sustainable economic and political development. Successful security sector reform is reform that leads to an army, police and judiciary that respect democratic principles and are aware of their responsibilities towards the population.”
UN Security Council3 December 2020Source: United NationsSource ↗
By video-teleconference · issued as a Council document, not delivered in a meeting
English text from the UN verbatim record. Where the speaker did not speak English, this is the UN's interpretation, not their original words.