YouSaid · the spoken record

Jean-Claude Félix do Rego

lines on the record: 35
first: 2018-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

““Furthermore, my country remains convinced that ever closer cooperation between States and the harmonious functioning of international organizations whose main function is to guarantee the common interest and collective security must remain our absolute priority of the day. That is for us the key issue at the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly, which seeks to galvanize multilateralism, the only guarantee of success in the process of resolving our global challenges in the area of climate change, the fight against poverty and efforts to develop quality education. I wish this session every success.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“This democratic electoral process, despite the disputes inherent in all reforms, was led serenely by the Autonomous National Electoral Commission and resulted in the election of the members of the eighth legislature, which was formally sworn in on 16 April. “In conclusion, 30 years after making a historic commitment to children around the world by ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we have the opportunity today to reaffirm this commitment and ensure that every child enjoys all of his or her rights. My delegation is pleased to have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes a communications procedure that was adopted in New York on 19 December 2011.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“For example, a new political party charter and electoral code were adopted in July and September 2018, with almost unanimous support from members of parliament of all persuasions, are the result of a process initiated at the beginning of the seventh legislature in 2015. The reforms’ overriding challenge is to address the fragmentation of political parties, avoid the instability inherent in majority Governments built on alliances and create the conditions for every political party to actually play its role and implement its programme in a coherent manner and in accordance with its development vision. The new electoral code and the political party charter served as the basis for the organization of the parliamentary elections in April.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Similarly, it is very important to strengthen oversight bodies in the public expenditure chain. Such measures are necessary to ensure that financial resources are actually used for their intended purposes. They also aim to make national actors more virtuous and to guarantee the quality of public spending. “In summary, Benin has generally undertaken important actions to accelerate progress. They include improving access to transport infrastructure and electricity, with the introduction of new capacity that brings us closer to autonomy, cleaning up the country’s main cities, enhancing young people’s access to decent work and empowering women. “On the political front, we have undertaken major reforms of the party and electoral systems.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The efficiency gains resulting from the implementation of the reforms, which target the administration, the judiciary and the party-based political system, will strengthen the effectiveness of public policy. “Among emerging trends that may present opportunities for the medium-term financing of the development programme until 2030, my Government advocates the consolidation of public finances through investment and capital expenditures, the curbing of illicit financial flows and the return of foreign assets. For this reason, combating impunity and corruption is at the heart of our priority actions. In order to optimize the State’s resources, we have, more specifically, set up enforcement agencies that play a key role in ensuring that actions are carried out with greater efficiency.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““Also under the third critical entry point, also with the aim of improving the living conditions of our population, my Government has invested massively in the area of drinking water in order to fulfil SDG 6 by 2021. In addition, it has halved energy dependence by setting up new 127-megawatt power-generation capacity, with the objective of reaching 400 megawatts by 2021 and a 25 per cent renewable energy mix. “Taking into account the assessment that quality-control institutions should play a role in the regulatory and anti-corruption fields, and especially a prominent role in improving the effectiveness of public spending, Benin has embarked on a vast programme of reforms in the area of economic governance.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““In order to leave no one behind, Benin has set up, under the third critical entry point, a human- capital development insurance scheme for the most vulnerable in the agricultural, trade, transport, crafts, art and culture sectors. By providing health insurance, training, credit and pension insurance to 22 per cent of those without health coverage and 18 per cent of the extremely poor population, this specific measure contributes in a tangible way to poverty eradication, social protection, learning and access to decent employment. Once the pilot phase has ended, implementation at national level should complement other specific social protection measures with cross-cutting impacts on the attainment of the SDGs.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“These climate-change adaptation measures have led to more than 13,000 farmers being trained in sustainable land management, over 92 per cent of whom have adopted sustainable practices. In this context, the Government of my country is considering establishing an international research centre on climate-change-resilient agriculture. By strengthening the resilience of production systems, soil protection and rehabilitation help with climate-change adaptation and lead to increased productivity and employment and reduced hunger and poverty, thereby resulting in significant positive synergies for fulfilling the 2030 Agenda.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“These concerted actions have also reduced the prevalence of food insecurity, which fell by 1.4 per cent over the period 2013-2017. By promoting the development of sustainable food systems and healthy lifestyles, this critical entry point into education creates positive synergies by reducing hunger, promoting good health and well-being, and fostering effective partnerships. “With a view to achieving more such results, strengthening the resilience of production systems was chosen as the second critical entry point. It has found expression in, among other specific actions, sustainable land management and the roll-out of initiatives to protect and rehabilitate depleted lands with the aim of improving food security.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“This effort must pay particular attention to harmonizing the principles of prioritization, coordination and partnership. “After contextualizing and selecting the SDGs, my Government organized its interventions around three focus areas, namely, sustainable food security policies, resilient production policies and inclusive policies, which generate positive synergies. In relation to each of these critical entry points, we have implemented specific actions leading to cross-cutting progress. “In this framework, in order to guarantee quality education for children, we have set up the Integrated National School Feeding Programme, which not only improves the school performance, health and nutritional status of students but also develops local agricultural production, thereby providing substantial income to farmers.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“However, our countries have not failed to continue to focus on the well-being of our respective peoples through the implementation of the sustainable development programme by 2030, despite this regional security challenge. “The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the launch of its implementation were an important step in the process of promoting the development of our States and the well-being of peoples. Accelerating its implementation has been a major imperative for my Government, which seeks to find innovative mechanisms for access to resources to ensure its financing. In the four years since its launch in Benin, one of the key lessons that has emerged is that integrating SDG initiatives into national planning frameworks is essential for the 2030 Agenda to be effectively implemented.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““I would like to join my peers in the subregion and welcome the fact that the advocacy of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) before the Security Council has been favourably received, in the form of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Despite my country’s limited capacities and resources, Benin has always been involved in international initiatives aimed at preventing crises and maintaining peace. My country’s continued contribution of troops to MINUSMA illustrates this commitment. “Once again, I would like to express the solidarity of my Government and the people of Benin with the countries of the G-5 Sahel and with neighbouring Nigeria, which are all gravely affected by terrorism.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““The late former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said, ‘If every ethnic, religious or linguistic group claimed statehood, there would be no limit to fragmentation, and peace, security and economic well-being for all would become ever more difficult to achieve’ (A/47/277\ para. 17). “Peace and security in the Sahel are of crucial importance for the stability of our region. At the special summit of the Economic Community of West African States focused on the fight against terrorism, held on 14 September, we reaffirmed our commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries against all separatist tendencies.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I renew my country’s support for efforts to achieve a two- State solution guaranteeing a viable Palestinian State with the attributes of full international sovereignty, living side by side and in perfect harmony with the State of Israel. Benin also regrets the continued economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the United States of America and would like to call for the promotion of constructive dialogue so that these two countries can achieve a definitive normalization of their bilateral relations for the well-being and prosperity of their peoples.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““I take this opportunity to reaffirm from this rostrum my country’s commitment to continuing to work towards sustainable development in order to achieve social inclusion and the reduction of inequalities, in particular by encouraging effective political impact through the strengthening of dialogue on social development issues, which will ensure the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. “I would like to recall that my country stands firm on the principles and values enshrined in the Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. My country deeply believes in international solidarity and common efforts aimed at ensuring the well-being of all peoples.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““My Government is convinced of the seriousness of the current situation and has therefore developed and submitted an ambitious plan to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030. Accordingly, in all energy and agriculture sectors, Benin plans to contribute to reducing cumulative greenhouse-gas emissions by 16.17 per cent between 2021 and 2030 by increasing our renewable-energy production capacity and through sustainable agricultural. Over the same period, we will increase the protection of natural forests with a focus on reducing the annual deforestation rate by 20,000 hectares and by creating 10,000 hectares of forest plantations.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The high-level events held — namely, the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development, the high- level meeting on universal health coverage, as well as the high-level meeting to review progress made on the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway — were opportunities for exchange and engagement. These forums, in which we discussed efforts and future actions to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, should enable us to end all forms of poverty and to fight inequalities, while ensuring that no one is left behind. The Secretary-General encouraged us to approach our meeting on climate change on the basis of concrete engagement for future actions rather than negotiation and discussion.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“It is a necessity more than a projection into the future. If all our States retreat behind their national borders, if we sacrifice our collective values and if we perpetuate the current tragedies, we will certainly move away from these objectives. Indeed, it is multilateralism that will make it possible to build lasting peace and to meet each of these challenges. “As we enter the fifth year of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the current session of the General Assembly is of particular importance for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Antonio Guterres, whose courageous reforms I welcome and support. “The General Assembly at its seventy- fourth session is taking place at a time when the fundamental principles of multilateralism are increasingly being questioned, and when serious climate, security and social challenges need to be addressed, which is a major challenge for the Organization that we created almost 75 years ago. The theme of this session invites us to galvanize multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion, which is a theme that summarizes the objectives we have set for ourselves for the next 12 months as part of our joint actions. “Those challenges require us to strengthen multilateralism — a multilateralism that is seen as the expression of exchange between peoples and the equality of all.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Mr. Patrice Athanase Guillaume Talon, President of the Republic, Head of State and Head of Government of the Republic of Benin, who was unable to travel to New York, has instructed me to deliver the following message on his behalf and on behalf of the Government: “It is with particular pride that I would like, on behalf of the Beninese delegation and on my own behalf, to reiterate my warm congratulations to Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on his successful election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session and to assure him of Benin’s full support for the success of his mandate. “I also congratulate his predecessor, Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, for the excellence of her work during her term of office, and reiterate my vision of success to the Secretary-General, Mr.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
““Benin, having just adopted a law on radiation protection, wishes to commend the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish a universal plan for the use of nuclear energy for strictly civilian purposes and reiterates its support for measures aimed at establishing a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the Middle East. “I cannot conclude my statement without reaffirming Benin’s support for the United Nations efforts to create a viable Palestinian State with the attributes of full international sovereignty, living side-by-side and in perfect harmony with the State of Israel. “Long live the United Nations in the service of peace, security, the promotion of human rights, democracy and sustainable development!””
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The principle of doing more with less is not appropriate there, given the increasing complexity of the threats faced by peacekeepers today on the ground. “In addition, my delegation regrets the lack of progress on the issue of Security Council reform. We reaffirm our support for the Ezulwini Consensus, which calls for the allocation of two permanent Security Council seats to Africa, including the right to veto. We are convinced that the equitable representation of Member States in the Security Council would lead to the more inclusive and effective management of major contemporary political issues.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“My delegation therefore welcomes the recent adoption by the General Assembly of the proposed restructuring of the United Nations peace and security pillar. We also strongly support the actions initiated by the Secretary-General to increase the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through the definition of more precise mandates by the Security Council and the establishment of stronger partnerships with regional and subregional organizations. “Benin welcomes and strongly supports the United Nations zero-tolerance policy to combat sexual exploitation and abuse in the context of peacekeeping operations. As a troop-contributing country, Benin is committed to fully playing our role in that regard. My delegation remains concerned, however, about the steady decline in resources allocated to peacekeeping.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Nevertheless, it is possible to note that those issues — beyond their historical, sociological or philosophical dimensions — are not well covered in international law. Benin would like to invite the United Nations to consider, in a positive and cooperative manner, the possibility of adopting a binding international instrument on that issue. “The preservation of international peace and security represents a major and constant strategic axis of Benin’s foreign policy. My country considers peacekeeping operations to be one of the most important tools that the United Nations has at its disposal to achieve peace and security. That is why, despite our limited capacity and means, my country has been associated with international initiatives to prevent crises and maintain peace for decades.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Many of the works that bear witness to our rich past are currently being held abroad in public and private collections. In that context, their restitution takes on a restorative and economic dimension. That is why, since 2016, Benin has been strongly committed to achieving the restitution of cultural property to their countries of origin. In that long-term, legitimate struggle, strong action in terms of international cooperation is required. Benin therefore welcomes the positive reaction on the part of the authorities of the French Republic to its restitution demands. “However, the question goes far beyond Franco-Beninese relations. A number of other countries face the same problems.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Given its rich culture and historic legacy, Benin has begun developing flagship projects in the field of tourism, combining our heritage, culture, modernity and openness to the world. In order to create the conditions enabling tourism to become one of the drivers of our economic growth and socioeconomic development, Benin is in the process of building three museums equipped with the most modern means of conservation and exhibition to reveal, in a new spirit, its contribution and role in the evolution of humankind to the world. “With the restitution of our cultural property, Benin wishes to reclaim the epic of its kings and elite female warrior corps or Amazons and the remains of the largest West African port in the history of slavery — as well as the wealth of arts and culture of its voodoo heritage — and tell it to the world.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
““The Government of Benin is also implementing measures to ensure better health care for the entire population. They include guaranteeing the quality of drugs sold for therapeutic purposes, which is a major public-health requirement. Benin has begun a relentless fight against counterfeit and poor-quality medicines circulating in its territory. In order to overcome that scourge of clearly transnational dimensions, it is important that the international community mobilize itself within the framework of a global partnership against impunity and indifference in order to ensure equality of access to high-quality medicines for rich and poor alike. “Furthermore, Benin is committed to a tourism development policy, which can produce rapid growth with a high social impact.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In the course of this year, our legislative arsenal has been strengthened, and a special court has been created and made operational to crack down on economic crime and terrorism. “Those measures are necessary in order to ensure that mobilized financial resources serve their intended purposes. They also aim to make national stakeholders more honest and to ensure the quality of public spending. My Government’s ambition is to ensure that all citizens have access to drinking water, primary health care and education, and can be ensured a decent life. Realizing that legitimate ambition justifies the establishment of a vast rural water supply project and an insurance initiative for reinforcing human capital, which seek to provide social security to all, particularly to those who are most disadvantaged.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Accelerating its implementation is a major imperative for the Government of Benin, which is working to find innovative mechanisms to enable it to have access to resources that will ensure financing for the implementation. Those resources, which exist in sufficient quantities on the market but remain difficult to access, will supplement funding and assistance from development partners. “I would like, however, to emphasize that, from my Government’s point of view, improving governance is a prerequisite for achieving the objectives of our Revealing Benin programme and the Sustainable Development Goals. This is why the fight against impunity and corruption is at the heart of my Government’s actions and the work undertaken by all our national institutions.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“To question multilateralism would therefore be a fatal error in a world that will henceforth forever be interconnected. “Benin also welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration here at the United Nations in July, and we look forward to the definitive adoption of the compact in December in Marrakech, Morocco. It should be underscored that that process demonstrates, once again, the power of multilateralism and our ability to compromise on difficult issues that go beyond the narrow confines of our respective national sovereignties. “The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its implementation represent an important step in promoting the development of States and the livelihoods of peoples.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“That is why I welcome the theme of this session, “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies.” From my country’s point of view, that theme impels nations to confront their responsibilities and urges them to work together in a multilateral framework to find appropriate and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges. “Benin continues to believe that international relations should be based primarily on increasingly close cooperation among States, as well as on the harmonious functioning of international organizations. One major function of such organizations is to ensure the protection of common interests and collective security.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In that respect, I would like to reiterate my condolences and to express my sympathy to the Governments and the peoples of the Americas, France, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Germany and Australia, as well as to all the island countries that fell victim to natural disasters this year. “Faced with an increasingly turbulent world, beset by crises and difficulties of all kinds, countries have a duty to act in a concerted manner and with strong determination.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It has indeed given shape to the dream of an Africa that stands on its feet, fully itself, bringing its discourse and experience to the development and humanization of our planet. “Besides Nelson Mandela, I would also like to pay tribute to another great African, the late Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose charisma and leadership enabled our Organization to make great strides. His tireless commitment to world peace renders him equally worthy of our gratitude. “The year 2018 has been particularly trying for several countries.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
““I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the holding here on Monday, 24 September, of the high-level plenary meeting devoted to the theme of world peace in honour of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela (see A/73/PV.5). Indeed, Nelson Mandela embodies the core values on which the United Nations is built. The fight against all forms of discrimination and the defence of the fundamental rights of all, the sanctity of diversity recognized as a rich resource, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the fight for the recognition of the dignity of all were all key aspects of his commitment to social justice, freedom and peace in South Africa. Africa will always have a debt of immense gratitude to that great humanist, whose name will forever be engraved in the hearts and minds of Africans of all generations.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I have the honour to deliver the following statement on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin, who had to leave New York because of other commitments. “On behalf of the delegation of Benin and on my own behalf, I would like to reiterate my warmest congratulations to the President on her well-deserved election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. We assure her of Benin’s full support. “I would also like to congratulate Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, her predecessor, on the quality of the work accomplished during his mandate. I should also like to greet and express my support to Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General, and to once again wish him every success.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)