YouSaid · the spoken record

Phandu Skelemani

lines on the record: 33
first: 2013-09-24
most recent: 2014-09-24
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

“We remain steadfast and resolute in our obligation as a member of the international community to contribute, in our own small way, to the creation of a peaceful, secure and prosperous world for all.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In that regard, Botswana welcomes the French initiative regarding voluntary restraint on the use of the veto by the permanent members of the Security Council in situations of mass atrocities. Botswana also commends those countries, human rights defenders and humanitarian organizations that have valiantly contributed to efforts to relieve human suffering wherever it occurred around the world. We especially applaud Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his unwavering commitment to the pursuit of international peace and security, including addressing the plight of vulnerable groups in society, such as women and children. Let me conclude by reiterating and reaffirming Botswana’s commitment to the principles and ideals of the United Nations as enshrined in the Charter.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“To that end, we continue to support the independence and credibility of the ICC as the only existing international judicial mechanism available for the investigation and prosecution of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. However, the role of the Security Council in facilitating the work of the ICC cannot be over-emphasized. It is our sincere hope that, going forward, reason and basic human compassion will prevail in Council decisions aimed at eliminating threats to international peace and security and at fostering a global culture of judicial accountability, inclusive governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Botswana is deeply disappointed and concerned that some permanent members of the Security Council consistently thwart any efforts to find lasting solutions to conflict situations. Surely, responsible members of the international community would not, and should not, abdicate their solemn responsibility and allow the Council to be seemingly impelled into a state of grim paralysis as the world burns towards extinction. Just this past May, the Council failed to adopt a draft resolution seeking to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Needless to say, that was nothing short of a travesty of international criminal justice. Botswana’s commitment to an effective international criminal justice system remains steadfast.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Last June, Botswana and the Netherlands co-hosted the fourth meeting of the Global Network of Focal Points on the Responsibility to Protect, in an effort to further consolidate that fundamental principle, which promotes our individual and collective sense of responsibility towards our citizens. While such efforts may be effective in terms of awareness-raising, swift and decisive action remains the domain of the Security Council. It is therefore incumbent upon members of the Security Council to demonstrate exemplary leadership and a genuine regard for their Charter responsibilities to maintain international peace and security, as mandated by Article 24 of the Charter.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In Africa, the frequent eruption of violent conflicts in certain parts of our continent, now particularly in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, are distressing. Regrettably, Iraq is also under siege by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and the Nusra Front. Those terrorist groups threaten not only the stability and security of the Middle East, but the maintenance of international peace and security at large. Not only are we failing as nation States to exercise our duty and responsibility to protect populations from war crimes and crimes against humanity, we in effect inadvertently acquiesce in the annihilation of future generations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We keenly await the adoption of the new development agenda, which will, we trust, support our individual and collective efforts to deliver our shared aspirations of a safe, secure and prosperous world for both present and future generations. Threats to international peace and security continue to be among the greatest challenges to human development. Botswana is gravely concerned about the increasing trend of instability, insecurity and violent conflict in various parts of the world. We are currently witnessing unimaginable levels of human suffering, with thousands of innocent lives being lost and the world hurtling precipitously towards calamitous levels of humanitarian crises. The Palestine/Israel conflict and the protracted brutal war in Syria defy human imagination.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“On issues of social development, I am delighted to inform the Assembly that Botswana is making steady progress in eradicating abject poverty, as a result of the implementation of the national poverty eradication strategy that was launched in 2010. Furthermore, we have been able to achieve universal primary education and access to HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support services. However, challenges remain on the issues of maintaining quality in education and general services. Financial support, technology transfer and capacity-building must invariably be factored into the post-2015 development agenda discussions. Failing that, our efforts towards poverty eradication and sustainable development will be rendered futile.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As a middle-income, landlocked developing country with particular vulnerabilities, we also strongly hope for a comprehensive account of those issues in the post-2015 development agenda. We welcome the 10-year review of the Almaty Programme of Action, to be held in November in Vienna, which will broadly consider effective mechanisms for addressing the vulnerabilities of landlocked developing countries. We hope that, during the review, special attention will also be given to countries with ever-increasing elephant populations, whose numbers not only give rise to serious animal-human conflict, but also devastate the very environment that the elephants depend on for their survival. Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In that regard, we believe that addressing those problems should be a primary consideration in the current deliberations on the post- 2015 sustainable development agenda. We therefore look forward to the twentieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Lima this year, which is supposed to lay the foundation for a legally binding agreement for adoption at the next Conference of the Parties in Paris. We commend the Secretary-General for his initiative in convening the recently concluded Climate Change Summit, which successfully injected much-needed political momentum into the process as we move towards 2015.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“My delegation will actively participate in all deliberations on the key development priorities outlined by the Secretary-General, in particular the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. However, there are issues of major strategic importance to Botswana. They include climate change, landlocked developing countries, middle-income countries, countries in special situations and issues of peace and security and the advancement of human rights. On climate change, Botswana knows only too well the devastating effects of that phenomenon, which continues to cause extreme temperatures, changes in the patterns of rainfall, land degradation, desertification and persistent droughts.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We are highly encouraged by the spirit of consultation and the collective will and commitment of the international community to craft an ambitious yet inclusive, measurable and sustainable set of goals, which should inspire and challenge us all to excel in our quest for the attainment of the future we want. I commend the co-Chairs of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals for their exceptional performance in driving the negotiation process to its logical conclusion. We look forward to the intergovernmental negotiations on the broader post- 2015 development framework, which will begin during this session of the General Assembly. I assure the Assembly of our fullest cooperation and constructive engagement in those deliberations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development of 2012 mapped a clear and strategic path for the achievement of global sustainable development, calling for an inclusive and transformative agenda that integrates the three pillars of sustainable development, namely, economic, social and environmental protection. Botswana has keenly followed the work of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which has had as its primary objective the formulation of a single, transformative and global development agenda, as mandated by the Rio+20 outcome document.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Botswana continues to make every effort, in the remaining time before the target 2015 completion date, to finish the unfinished business remaining from the MDGs, especially Goals 4 and 5, relating to infant and maternal mortality. The outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus disease, evolving, as it did, into a public health catastrophe, is a serious setback to the achievement of the MDGs. We therefore implore the Assembly to call on all partners and organizations of goodwill to spare no effort in rescuing the West African region from that scourge.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We continue to witness intolerable levels of poverty, disease, economic stagnation and environmental degradation, as well as other drawbacks, precipitated in large part by natural disasters and severe resource and capacity constraints. While Botswana has made impressive gains in the implementation of the MDGs, it has not been without enormous challenges, chief among which were resource and capacity constraints. The Botswana Government has strived to achieve the MDGs and improve the quality of life of its citizens by allocating a substantial percentage of the national budget to the sectors with significant bearing on the country’s development, including education, health, infrastructure, the development of human capital, and women and youth empowerment.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The priorities that the President has laid out for this session of the Assembly, that is, the issues of climate change, poverty eradication, the empowerment of women and gender equality, the rule of law and international peace and security, are among the most critical and central to the success and sustainability of a global development agenda. As we draw the curtain on the Millennium Development Goals, it is important that we reflect on our successes and failures in order to draw vital lessons from our experience. The global community, most notably in the developing world, has faced significant challenges in fully realizing the MDGs. That has resulted in many of our countries failing to deliver tangible development achievements to their citizens, as cogently set out in the MDGs, despite their best efforts and intentions.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We also extend fitting tribute to his predecessor, His Excellency Ambassador John Ashe, for his sterling leadership of the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly. We commend him for his tireless efforts to overcome many of the challenges confronting the international community today. My delegation welcomes the theme that the President has chosen for the current general debate, namely, “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”. We consider it both pertinent and timely, especially as it coincides with ongoing efforts by Member States to formulate a new global development agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We shall tirelessly work with the President and the international community as we define the post-2015 development agenda.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is a singular honour and privilege for me to address this gathering of the international community. Allow me, on behalf of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, to join other delegations in extending our warmest congratulations to the President on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. We are confident that his vast experience and dedicated service to the Government and people of Uganda will contribute significantly to the successful conclusion of this session. My delegation and I wish him every success as he embarks on this new responsibility of steering the work of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The Secretary- General should also be applauded for his continued efforts to coordinate international efforts to advance the post-2015 development agenda. Let me conclude by reaffirming Botswana’s continued commitment to playing its part in the quest for international peace and security as well as in the international community’s unrelenting efforts towards making the world a safer, peaceful and more prosperous place for both present and future generations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Those acts of terror are a threat to international peace and security and militate against the international community’s efforts to build a secure, peaceful and prosperous world. Such terrorist acts are transnational in nature and call therefore for a global response. To that end, we appeal to the conscience and resolve of all members of the international community to remain united and steadfast, if we are to win that fight. There can be no doubt that, if left unchecked, international terrorism has the potential to undermine our global development agenda. We find it opportune to commend Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for the vanguard role he continues to play in the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as in addressing issues of human suffering across the globe.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We note with deep concern that, shortly after celebrating the second anniversary of its independence, Africa’s newest sovereign State, South Sudan, has experienced developments in its relations with the Sudan that seriously threaten its security and territorial integrity. At the same time, we remain deeply concerned about the further deterioration of the political and humanitarian situation in Darfur. We therefore appeal to the international community to assist in all ways possible to restore peace and stability in that region. My Government strongly condemns the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan, which have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. We wish to convey our sincere condolences and sympathy to the affected countries and the families of the deceased.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Let me take this opportunity to commend all credible human rights and humanitarian organizations for their efforts to relieve human suffering around the world. We equally wish to commend those countries in the region, especially Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, for accommodating and positively responding to the plight of refugees from Syria and trying to meet their needs. The political upheaval in Egypt is also a cause for grave concern. Naturally, we believe that former President Morsi contributed to the present crisis by attempting to promulgate his undemocratic and divisive agenda, which resulted in an unfortunate military coup. Urgent action is therefore required to restore constitutional rule in that country.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is a cause for extreme sadness that, despite the ever-worsening humanitarian situation in that country, the international community continues to turn a blind eye to the situation. We fear that, if the current state of affairs continues, a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions will unfold and haunt humankind for many generations to come. Accordingly, we wish to reiterate our position that punitive action in some form should be taken against the Al-Assad regime for committing crimes against humanity. We appeal once again to the Security Council, the organ with responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, to take decisive action, once and for all, to end the human suffering in Syria.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In situations where it is clear that States have failed or are unwilling to exercise their responsibility to protect, it is only fair and proper that the international community should intervene. In that regard, I refer mainly to the responsibility of the Security Council. For slightly over two years now, the people of Syria have been engulfed in a brutal civil war whose end seems nowhere in sight. We remain deeply concerned that Syria continues to be soaked in the blood of its citizens. We therefore wish to note our disappointment with those permanent members of the Security Council that continue to frustrate resolutions authorizing interventions seeking a lasting solution to the ongoing carnage in Syria.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I am pleased to say that, following the workshop, Botswana became the first African State party to ratify the Kampala amendments. We can only hope that other State parties will follow suit so that we can secure the requisite number of ratifications for the amendments to enter into force. Turning now to issues of international peace and security, it defies logic that, throughout the course of history, humankind has unleashed untold suffering on humankind. Conflict is raging in many parts of the world, where innocent lives are being lost needlessly. My delegation wishes to reiterate that States have a duty and a responsibility to protect their populations from war crimes and crimes against humanity and to see to it that the perpetrators of such crimes do not benefit from impunity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In that regard, I am delighted to report that arrangements are under way to facilitate our signing and ratification of that vital instrument in the very near future. Botswana remains firmly committed to a strong and effective international criminal justice system — hence our continued strong support for the mandate and work of the International Criminal Court. We believe that the Court has a vital role to play in the fight against impunity, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. In that regard, last April, Botswana hosted a regional workshop for African States parties to the Rome Statute. The workshop was aimed at encouraging African States parties to ratify the 2010 Kampala amendments to the Rome Statute, which deal with the specific question of the crime of aggression.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Last year, Botswana hosted the Summit for Sustainability in Africa, whose outcome declaration calls upon Governments to ensure that the contributions of natural capital to sustainable economic growth and the maintenance and improvement of social capital and human well-being are quantified and integrated into development and business practices. We wish to commend the work done by non-governmental environmental organizations worldwide in their unremitting efforts to save the planet from climate change and its negative effects. Botswana welcomes the adoption earlier this year of the long-overdue Arms Trade Treaty. The Treaty establishes common international standards for the regulation of international trade in conventional arms, ammunition and parts and components, with a view to strengthening international peace and security.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Climate change also has adverse impacts on health and food security. While it is gratifying that progress continues to be made in many countries in the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, my delegation believes that more needs to be done, particularly to assist vulnerable countries in arid and semi-arid areas and landlocked and transit countries, such as my own, that are also susceptible to drought and desertification. Financial support, technology transfer and capacity-building need to be generously extended to that special category of countries in order to assist them in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In addition, we remain committed to providing a good quality of life for all of Botswana. In that regard, we give the utmost priority to the implementation of poverty eradication programmes, with particular focus on vulnerable communities and vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Despite all of the achievements we have made to date, serious challenges remain. Permit me to briefly address the vexing subject of climate change and the situation of countries in special categories, including middle-income countries. Botswana is among the sub-Saharan African countries that suffer the most from the adverse impact of climate change. Some of the notable manifestations of climate change are extreme temperatures, water shortages, land degradation, desertification and persistent drought.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“A substantial portion of our national budget is allocated to health, education, infrastructure, human resource development and the empowerment of women and young people. I am proud to report that we have achieved universal primary education, as well as universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support services. We have drastically reduced the mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. We are working tirelessly towards achieving zero new infections and zero HIV/AIDS-related deaths by 2015. We reaffirm our commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Central to our efforts is the commitment to ensuring respect for human rights and expanding access to prevention, treatment and care support services for affected populations, including those most at risk.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“There is no doubt that the challenges of extreme poverty, disease, lack of access to affordable energy, potable water and sanitation, climate change and gender inequality will continue to haunt millions of our people, especially in developing countries. It is on account of this that my delegation is of the strong view that the formulation of the sustainable development goals should be predicated on the outcome of the current review of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. To that end, we believe that the sustainable development Goals should complement the Millennium Development Goals rather than replace them wholesale. Botswana has made impressive achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, and we have mainstreamed them into our national development planning process.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“My delegation fully endorses the theme he has proposed for this session, namely, “The post-2015 development agenda: setting the stage”, including overcoming poverty and insecurity as well as ensuring the achievement of the sustainable development goals. This is quite relevant and fitting given the fact that the international community is on the brink of two major interrelated developments in the global arena: the imminent target date of 2015 for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the evolution of the sustainable development goals, which will constitute a significant part of the post- 2015 development agenda. We therefore pledge our full support and cooperation to President Ashe in his efforts to usher in a new development paradigm.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Allow me, on behalf of the Botswana delegation, to join previous speakers in congratulating President Ashe most sincerely on his assumption of the presidency of the Assembly. His election demonstrates the confidence and high esteem in which he personally and his great country, Antigua and Barbuda, are held by the States Members of the Organization. We particularly admire his deep passion and proven record of leadership here at the United Nations on issues of sustainable development and climate change. We are therefore confident that the vast knowledge and experience of multilateral diplomacy which he brings to this position will contribute significantly to the success of this session. May I also congratulate his predecessor, Vuk Jeremi., for his effective guidance and sterling leadership of the sixty- seventh session.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)