YouSaid · the spoken record

Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed AL-KHALIFA

lines on the record: 41
first: 2006-09-24
most recent: 2009-09-24
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

“The United Nations as an institution is not limited merely to the maintenance of international peace and security. Rather, it is the principal forum for the coordination of positions and efforts aimed at addressing the challenges threatening human beings and their environment, alleviating poverty, controlling pandemics and settling conflicts and wars through dialogue, negotiations and other peaceful means in a world guided by tolerance, peaceful coexistence and security for current and future generations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain, in its capacity as a small island developing State, wishes to express great concern at the evident causal relation between climate change and rising sea levels, which poses a serious threat to our world. We are in agreement with the other small island developing States in their concern over the adverse impact of the increase in average global temperature. In conclusion, the gravity that characterizes our present session, as exemplified by the responsible discussions in the first week, notably at the 22 September Summit on Climate Change and the 24 September Security Council summit (see S/PV.6181), reconfirms our need to return to the spirit of the Charter: that the United Nations is the principal forum for multilateral cooperation to address a wide range of contemporary issues.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In this regard, the Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with the United Nations and in the presence of the Secretary-General, hosted in May the launch of the 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. The report deals with issues pertaining to the protection of lives and property in natural disaster situations related to global warming, earthquakes, floods and rising sea levels. We hope that the major industrial countries will play a key role in forging an agreement at December’s Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, with a view to curbing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. It is our hope that the necessary political will can be mustered to respond to this threat to humanity and to make our world safer and more sustainable.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“With peace and development the twin concerns of our world, it is only natural to feel frustration in the face of the prevailing environmental degradation, pandemics, desertification, poverty, water scarcity, depletion of the ozone layer, climate change and the world financial crisis. These challenges represent an imminent threat both to our life now and to that of future generations. It is therefore no overstatement to say that in the twenty-first century our destinies are intertwined, and that we need to redouble our collective efforts to address these universal dangers that daily threaten humanity and its health, food and security.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We urge the international community to shoulder its responsibilities regarding security in Somalia, whose internal troubles and fragile central Government have led to the spread of maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, much to the detriment of international navigation and trade. Also, the Kingdom of Bahrain once again reaffirms its consistent position concerning the sovereignty of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco over the its entire national territory and calls on the international community to support the negotiation process initiated by the Security Council, to maintain its momentum and activate it.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Also, in order to build confidence between the Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran, it is imperative to reach a settlement on the question of the occupied islands belonging to the United Arab Emirates, through either direct negotiations or referral to the International Court of Justice. We also reaffirm the need for joint international and regional efforts to assist brotherly Yemen, under the supervision of the United Nations, in coping with the heavy refugee burden and focusing on its development efforts and the restoration of security and stability throughout its territory. Similarly, we stress the importance of preserving peace, stability and unity in the brotherly Sudan and we look forward to the cooperation of all relevant parties to resolve the Darfur issue and to achieve the desired peace.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“All nuclear facilities and activities in the Middle East should be placed under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, while acknowledging the legitimate right of States to possess nuclear technology for peaceful uses in the areas where it has become vital for development and the diversification of energy sources, in conformity with relevant international agreements. 15 09-52598 Other important regional issues are also a matter of concern to us. Foremost among these is the situation in brotherly Iraq, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity it is important to affirm, while not interfering in its internal affairs. We should also condemn all terrorist activities perpetrated against Iraq with a view to destabilizing its security and rekindling sectarian hatred there.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“It is in that spirit that the Kingdom of Bahrain, pursuant to Security Council resolution 1887 (2009), renews its call on the international community to actively work towards making the Middle East, including the Gulf region, a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, thus ensuring the security and well- being of the peoples of the region and the world at large, and to call upon Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in order to achieve its universality.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“President Obama explicitly affirmed the need to relaunch negotiations on final status issues — notably, security for both Israelis and Palestinians, boundaries, refugees and Jerusalem — rejected the continued illegitimate Israeli settlement activity in Palestinian territories and called for the creation of a contiguous and viable Palestinian State. Among the other challenges and concerns confronting our region is the question of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. The Iranian nuclear programme is undoubtedly among the causes for this common concern; nonetheless, it should be dealt with in such a way as to spare our region the threat of confrontation. This can best be achieved through diplomatic means.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We therefore expect the international community, and particularly the most influential leading Powers, to exert effective pressure on Israel to freeze and eventually dismantle all settlements established in the territories occupied in 1967, to ensure demarcation of the borders of the Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital, peacefully coexisting with Israel, and to withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan and Lebanese territories, in conformity with the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy and the requirements of the Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative. Here I would like to commend the speech of President Barack Obama, delivered from this very rostrum, which we consider a frame of reference for the resumption of the Middle East peace process.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“We believe that the failure to end this conflict is due simply to the lack of a methodology based on justice and balance and to the absence of a binding implementation mechanism. We are all aware that the Arab side went to great lengths to make it clear that it supports peace as an irreversible strategic option. The Arab Peace Initiative unequivocally confirmed that position.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Because today, dialogue has become an omnipresent issue on the global agenda of the United Nations and other international forums, as shown by the many ongoing dialogues, including the dialogue among civilizations, dialogue of cultures and the interfaith dialogue. All these processes aim at enhancing peaceful coexistence between nations and peoples and represent the principal course of action to eliminate the causes of conflict, tension and discord. The Middle East peace process requires that we all exert greater political and diplomatic efforts in order to achieve the two-State solution — Israel and Palestine — as part of a comprehensive and just settlement based on equal security for all the nations of the Middle East region.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The reality is that peace is a process, contingent on a good idea but also requiring a great deal of campaigning — patiently and repeatedly targeting all relevant parties.” Careful examination of this argument reveals the correct approach to addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict, namely, directly and expeditiously communicating our Arab Peace Initiative to the Israeli people through their own information and news media. In so doing, we will be in a better position to explore the path to peace. Today, wisdom requires that we use available communications and media technology prudently and with awareness in order to establish the channels and structures that will enable us as leaders, Governments and civil society to establish the will and momentum necessary to create an environment conducive to advancing the peace that we aspire to.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“That is the essence of the proposal that His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain, presented in his article published in The Washington Post on 09-52598 14 16 July, which makes a meaningful contribution to the adoption of a pragmatic approach to ending the conflict. His Highness wrote: “Our biggest mistake has been to assume that you can simply switch peace on like a light bulb.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“In that context, the peaceful settlement of conflicts is deeply rooted in our values and our traditions, which are guided by the principles of our Islamic faith. The Arab-Israeli conflict of the past six decades has had a great effect on our generation. It is a sad legacy that has left behind misery and human suffering, poisoned international and regional relations and continues periodically to exacerbates tension, violence and military confrontation in the Middle East. We have tried repeatedly and in vain to find a solution to this chronic conflict. To be sure, one conference after another has been held, and initiative has followed initiative. But we have been unable to deliver our message to the minds, hearts and homes of the people of the region.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The task that burdens us today requires that we discuss all the issues threatening our world, while taking into account the historical background and the particular values, ideas and traditions of our respective societies. At the same time, each party must be ready to understand and appreciate the positions and characteristics of the other and be ready to collectively fight hatred and prejudice. The Kingdom of Bahrain has always been a melting pot of diverse civilizations, cultures, religions and races and since time immemorial has adopted the concept of tolerance and openness towards the other and coexistence; thus, we firmly believe that finding common ground between universal civilizations and cultures and building a culture of peace among peoples is necessary.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“That can be achieved only through mindsets capable of assimilating these transformations and processing them to serve humanity and to ensure international security and stability. It is clear that global security cannot be achieved through the sole efforts of the super-Powers, because the challenges we face are more serious, daunting and more widespread than ever before. This requires a broader global alliance of United Nations Member States as well as the support of the entire United Nations system in the interest of the international community as a whole. At the same time, it requires national strategies to address the challenges, problems and issues through close and sustained coordination among nations.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“Indeed, certain philosophical or argumentative issues can be tackled and resolved only if each party is open to the other, willing to coexist with the other and ready to resist preconceived ideas and stereotypes. The presence of common ground and of mutual understanding can help to create a more progressive and creative world and hence more secure, based on tolerance, constructive dialogue and human coexistence. While the world has become a small village as distances have been effectively abolished thanks to technological advances and the communications revolution that has erased barriers and frontiers, it is still dominated by political antagonisms, as States continue to pursue conflicting individual interests. This requires us all to design pragmatic strategies for the future that safeguard everyone’s interests.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“My highest appreciation also goes to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his tireless efforts to enhance the purposes and principles of the Charter and to promote the role of the Organization and enhance its efficiency in coping with new developments and responding to the emerging needs of our peoples. Our belief in open-mindedness, tolerance, diversity, non-violence and rejection of extremism requires us first to free our minds of egoism and prejudice in order to replace conflict with dialogue, disagreements with consensus and violence with persuasion, thus broadening our alliances and outreach efforts. We must exert greater efforts to show tolerance towards those who do not necessarily share our values and ideas.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“With great pleasure I extend heartfelt congratulations to my brother, His Excellency Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, Secretary of African Union Affairs of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on his unanimous election to the high office of President of the General Assembly at its sixty- fourth session. His extensive diplomatic experience and intimate knowledge of the United Nations will undoubtedly enable him to conduct the work of this session with great effectiveness. I wish also to put on record my appreciation for the efforts of the former President of the General Assembly, Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua, for his able stewardship of the sixty-third session of the General Assembly and for the many enlightened proposals he made during his tenure to enhance and develop the Organization.”
2009-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 64 (2009)
“The Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to achieving those goals and will support efforts to strengthen the United Nations and its position in the world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“It is true to say that changes in the world situation and great progress achieved by the international community have brought human civilization to wider horizons in which there is no excuse for excluding or marginalizing others. We believe that there is plenty of room for dialogue and positive diversity. This is because we, as nations, are linked in a single international civilization, one that is rich in religions and cultures and within which we can explore everything that can bring peace and stability to the whole world. In conclusion, Madam, we hope that, under your presidency, this session will be marked by the spirit of reform that has pervaded the United Nations. We confirm the need to unify our efforts and exercise patience and flexibility in order to achieve reform and development.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“However, they cannot achieve this by themselves: developed countries must continue their commitment to offer support and assistance by cancelling debts and supplying developing countries with the knowledge, up-to-date technology and expertise they need to achieve sustainable development. The Millennium Development Goals are the best road map towards sustainable development. Those Goals can be reached only through an international strategic partnership between developed and developing countries, along with international 06-53323 16 organizations and agencies, in particular the United Nations, and with the participation of civil society institutions and the private sector, in view of the vital national and international role they play.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In his report on the work of the Organization (A/61/1), the Secretary-General states that no reform of the United Nations will be complete without the reform of the Security Council, which should be more representative of today’s geopolitical realities. This would make it more efficient and transparent. Furthermore, we hail the establishment this year of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. The gap between developed and developing countries remains wide in the areas of economic, human, scientific and technological development. Developing countries must redouble their efforts to bridge this gap and mitigate its negative impact. They need to promote good governance, uphold human rights, expand democratic participation, enhance transparency, empower women and enhance their role on the international stage.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“To support the creation of such a positive environment, we should work together to make the Middle East, including the Gulf region, a zone free of weapons of mass destruction. At the same time, we affirm the right of States to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and under the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards regime. Today, all of us need to join in efforts to achieve the objective of a collective security system through multilateral diplomacy, for which the United Nations is the main arena. Through your presidency, Madam, we hope that our efforts will yield new measures to reform the Organization.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Within the framework of maintaining regional security in the Gulf region, we confirm that friendly relations among Gulf countries should be based on respect for the principles of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, good-neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes. This would create a positive atmosphere that would help address issues in a spirit of conciliation and in accordance with international law, particularly on the issue of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in order not to threaten the security, economic and environmental concerns of the countries of the region and help them avoid the dangers of confrontation and tension.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“There is no doubt that the Iraqi Government’s efforts in this direction are supported by the pivotal role that Iraq’s neighbouring countries have played in reinforcing their good-neighbourly policies, through respect for Iraq’s sovereignty, cooperation in controlling the borders and non-interference in Iraq’s internal affairs. The Kingdom of Bahrain, together with the other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, calls for a peaceful settlement of the dispute between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, which belong to brotherly United Arab Emirates. This dispute should be settled either through negotiations or by referring it to the International Court of Justice for adjudication.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“Bahrain hopes that the Government’s national reconciliation measures will put an end to violence and the killing of innocent civilians, restore stability and preserve Iraq’s unity and cohesion. We also hope that these measures will lead to renunciation of violence and to addressing the waves of killing, sectarianism and extremism, so that a new safe and unified Iraq can emerge and enjoy democracy and the rule of law, an Iraq with close relations with its Arab and Islamic brothers and one that adheres to its international commitments and responsibilities.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“15 06-53323 We reiterate our position that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East necessitates, first and foremost, that Israel withdraw fully from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, including the Syrian Golan Heights and the remaining occupied Lebanese territories. It also requires the return of Palestinian refugees and the establishment of a Palestinian State on all occupied Palestinian lands, with Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the recent positive developments in Iraq, including the election of a national assembly and the formation of a permanent Iraqi Government. The Kingdom of Bahrain also welcomes the Iraqi Government’s steps to promote genuine national reconciliation and accord and to consolidate peace, stability, and dialogue among all segments of society.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Kingdom of Bahrain realizes that Lebanon, today, faces great challenges that require concerted international efforts by the United Nations, the European Union and all influential Powers. Such efforts must be aimed not solely at keeping the peace but also at rebuilding and reviving the economy with the help of the Lebanese Government and people, so that Lebanon can participate once again, as it has done through the centuries, in the cultural and economic development of the Middle East and the world at large. In this regard, the recent Stockholm Conference was a step in the right direction.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“On the basis of our concern for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, we support resolution 1701 (2006) and the need for all parties to comply with it. We also affirm the importance of the international community’s support for the seven points set out by His Excellency Mr. Fouad Siniora, Prime Minister of Lebanon, to complement that resolution. We reaffirm that the Kingdom of Bahrain stands with the Republic of Lebanon against anything that endangers its sovereignty and territorial integrity and support it with a view to preventing any act outside Lebanese State authority that endangers its stability. We also express our appreciation for the efforts of the Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon, the State of Qatar — the Arab member of the Security Council — and all other States that have supported the Arab position.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“That meeting was held yesterday to discuss all tracks in accordance with the terms of reference of the peace process, relevant Security Council resolutions, the principle of land for peace and the Arab Peace Initiative, which was presented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and adopted by the Arab summits. A settlement should be pursued through a new and developed mechanism to resume direct negotiations among the parties under the Council’s supervision, within a specified time limit and with international guarantees. We wish to express our deep concern at the bloody events and huge destruction that took place in brotherly Lebanon this year caused by Israeli military operations.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The events in the Middle East in recent months, especially in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank and then during the past few weeks in Lebanon, have driven the entire region to the edge of an abyss that could become even more dangerous. We must all work more diligently to address the root causes and repercussions of this struggle, which frustrates hopes for peace and disappoints the aspirations of the peoples of the region for peace, stability and security. Resolution of this catastrophic situation, with its dire consequences, must not be delayed. The international community has special and multiple responsibilities in this regard. Therefore the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers called upon the Security Council to meet at the ministerial level.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“In fact, it has already signed 11 of the 12 international agreements on terrorism and hosts the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force established in November 2004 to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing. In addition, Bahrain continuously coordinates efforts with its brotherly neighbours of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), pursuant to the GCC Counter-Terrorism Agreement adopted in May 2004. Implementation of the strategy proposed in the Secretary-General’s report is just a beginning, as the report states. What is more important is its full implementation.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Kingdom commends United Nations efforts to fight terrorism. The Secretary-General’s report issued last April entitled “Uniting against terrorism: recommendations for a global counter- terrorism strategy” (A/60/825) contains many constructive elements that we embrace, along with other points that need further examination and discussion. It is important that any counter-terrorism strategy not infringe on human rights or fundamental freedoms, while complying with international law. One of the positive aspects of that report is its call to address issues that are exploited by terrorists and to study the motives behind terrorism. The Kingdom of Bahrain has continued its tireless efforts in this field.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Kingdom of Bahrain has continued to rank high in human development, as confirmed in the latest United Nations Human Development Report. Positive integrated development on the political, social, cultural and economic levels was further evidenced by the recommendations of the National Conference for Social Policies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, held in the 06-53323 14 spring of this year under the auspices of the United Nations, which aimed to promote integration and cohesion of all aspects and components of development. We in the Kingdom of Bahrain still view the phenomenon of terrorism and terrorist acts in many parts of the world as the most dangerous threat to international peace and security. There must be greater effort by the international community and more coordination on all levels to confront and contain this scourge.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“At that Forum, NGOs worked side by side with Governments in discussing human rights, the fight against corruption, the rule of law and the empowerment of women. Indeed, Bahrain takes pride in having the largest number of NGOs in proportion to its population, with approximately 300 registered NGOs. We are addressing negative phenomena in the national economy, such as unemployment, by initiating a national project to provide jobs for the unemployed. Moreover, the Kingdom of Bahrain has consolidated its pioneering economic role in the Gulf region through laws to attract investment under the supervision of the Economic Development Board. A high committee to reform education has been formed to develop and modernize the education system. Its recommendations were adopted in June 2006.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The Arab Charter on Human Rights has been ratified and a counter- terrorism law has been passed. We have acceeded to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been elected to membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council. We are working closely with other members to promote and protect human rights in all areas. We have enhanced the role of women in society to assume leadership positions in the Kingdom, including the judiciary. In addition, a programme to empower women, overseen by the Supreme Council for Women, has been approved. We are forging a partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as was evident in the Forum for the Future hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain last November.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“The central force behind progress in developing countries and among their peoples lies in the inching of political reforms, economic liberalization and social modernization. This is the platform that the Kingdom of Bahrain has implemented in its reform process, led for several years by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, to strengthen democracy, human rights and economic growth. National gains have multiplied and popular participation in the political, economic and social fields has increased. This is reflected in many areas. Democratic practices have been enhanced through municipal and parliamentary elections, with men and women participating as voters and candidates, and by the establishment of the Institute for Political Development to enhance democratic practices and a culture of dialogue in the Kingdom.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I take this opportunity to commend her predecessor, Mr. Jan Eliasson of Sweden, for his tireless efforts during the Assembly’s sixtieth session, one that will be remembered for efforts to reform the Organization. I would also like to pay tribute to Secretary- General Kofi Annan for his devotion in promoting the United Nations and strengthening its leading role in upholding peace and security throughout the world, particularly in our Arab region during his recent trip to the Middle East. In addition, I wish to congratulate the Republic of Montenegro upon its admission to the United Nations as the l92nd Member State. Allow me to express the hope that its joining this Organization will enhance peace and stability in the world.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)
“I am pleased to express my sincerest congratulations to you, Madam President, upon your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. It reflects the international community’s trust in your diplomatic abilities, which will help ensure the success of this important session. I want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest appreciation to all the countries that endorsed the nomination of Shaikha Haya Bint Rashed Al-Khalifa. The election of Shaikha Haya as President of the Assembly is an honour for the Kingdom of Bahrain, she being the third woman in the history of this Organization, as well as the first Arab and Muslim woman, to hold this prominent position. This election confirms the significant achievements and progress of women in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
2006-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 61 (2006)