YouSaid · the spoken record

Alain Berset

lines on the record: 25
first: 2018-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
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

“That applies in particular to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yesterday’s debates and discussions at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit were very impressive and interesting to participate in. The outcomes of the Summit should enable us to breathe new life into the 2030 Agenda, which is none other than our collective road map to a better future. Let us therefore demonstrate responsibility and solidarity with a view to building a fairer and more egalitarian world — not so much for us today but for those who will succeed us. our future generations. It really must be made clear that we need to shoulder that responsibility ourselves and that we cannot delegate it. It is our responsibility.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“brutality and despair, and it rests on the belief that international cooperation is vital, that the world can be a better place only if each and every one of us shoulders our responsibilities and that ultimately what unites nations and peoples is much stronger than what divides them. Perhaps that observation can give us cause for optimism during this time marked by significant pessimism, and can encourage us to both strengthen and deepen our work together on a global scale. The seventy-eighth session of the General Assembly offers us a unique chance and a rare opportunity to come together in a show of trust and to prepare together for the Summit of the Future in 2024 in order to strengthen cooperation on essential issues, fill the gaps in global governance and reaffirm existing commitments.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Today I have mentioned some of the factors in the clearly immense challenges we are facing. We must be clear about where our collective interests lie — and that is certainly not in the disorder that the world is witnessing and that some are hoping to intensify for their own benefit. On the contrary, our collective interests lie in a renewed world order that can guarantee stability, trust and prospects for all. And it is precisely for that reason that we must take a stand and commit to keeping international cooperation alive. The United Nations did not come out of nowhere. It embodies the institutionalized hope for a better world. It is an arguably idealistic project, born of another age of war.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of the United Nations peacekeeping missions, which are doing indispensable work for the populations that are most affected. In that regard. I also believe that all humanitarian actors, including those in United Nations missions on the ground and other actors, must be protected and supported. In that context, the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must also be strongly defended. Owing to the growing number of crises, our Organization is dealing with an unprecedented and worrisome increase in needs. As the depositary of the Geneva Conventions and the headquarters of the ICRC. Switzerland is firmly committed to meeting that humanitarian imperative. The work of the ICRC is fundamental to the protection of civilians.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Those contacts with conflict- affected populations have served as a reminder of how essential it is to address the root causes of conflicts if we are to ensure lasting peace. I was also able to observe first-hand how important the full participation of women is to any return to peace. For that reason. Switzerland remains committed to implementing the agenda on women and peace and security and will continue to actively work for the full implementation of the relevant resolutions. During armed conflicts, the lack of essential goods and services for the civilian population often claims more lives than the direct impact of the hostilities. It exacerbates inequalities and undermines the return to peace. In that context.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“There is also of course the key role played by multilateral institutions in the protection of civilians. All armed conflicts are different. But what they all have in common is that they increase inequality and the suffering of civilians. In that regard, strong multilateral institutions are essential. Also essential is respect for international humanitarian law. which is an absolute priority for Switzerland and at the heart of our efforts in the Security Council. And I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that the protection of civilians in armed conflict is not an option but an obligation for all the parties to a conflict. Over the past year I have had several opportunities to visit countries that have been marked by conflict, notably Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“For instance, the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace stresses the very important point that prevention is the starting point of any peace effort. Inequality of access and of opportunity in terms of food, health, employment and property leads to conflicts. We must all make every effort to ensure that everyone, in all of our countries, is able to participate fully in political, economic, social and cultural life. In that regard, internationally speaking, we must engage resolutely in combating threats, persecution and acts of violence, especially those against women — and especially people who are working to defend human rights. Young people must also have real prospects for development and prosperity. I have spoken of inequality. I have spoken of the promotion of peace.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I was also struck to read again recently that inequalities are as large today as they were at the beginning of the twentieth century, before the First World War. Those inequalities have continued to have a disproportionate effect on those who are already the most vulnerable in our societies, thereby encouraging instability and populism and a loss of confidence in democracy and institutions. That fragility therefore threatens all of us. nationally and internationally. For what is probably too long, we have believed that defending our interests and protecting the most vulnerable were two different things. Today we know that the one cannot exist without the other. And strong multilateral institutions are also essential to promoting peace. But we do have a few things that we can build on together.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I believe there is no way that these challenges can be overcome by isolated initiatives. Our actions must be collaborative and collective. Take the fight against inequality, for instance. Strong multilateral institutions are essential to combating inequalities, which unfortunately always worsen during crises. Climate change exacerbates social and economic inequalities, too. And we are seeing inequalities increase exponentially — whether they are social and gender inequalities or economic disparities — not only between countries but within them. I was struck when I read again recently that over the past 20 years the income gap between the richest 10 per cent and the poorest 50 per cent has doubled.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Today we should recall the essential principles enshrined in the Charter and ensure that we fulfil the mandate entrusted to us in that regard. What we also know in these situations is that it is the poorest and most fragile States and regions that would suffer the most if our confidence in the international system were to weaken. I have already mentioned the Charter of the United Nations, which is a cornerstone of public international law. and this year is the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which represents a unique opportunity to reaffirm the global consensus embodied in the Declaration and a key moment for uniting and strengthening the international community. The United Nations is the foundation of peaceful collaboration and mutual trust between States.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“It would seem that that everywhere — or almost everywhere — protectionism, a kind of withdrawal and selfishness are on the rise, even though we are all aware that withdrawal, threats and violence have never solved global issues and inequalities. It is true. We all see it. We are experiencing a global crisis, probably the biggest since the end of the Second World War. In launching an aggressive war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has not only attacked a peaceful country, but it has also attacked international law and our multilateral structures. What is strange is that this aggression is the work of a permanent member of the Security Council, which, according to the Charter of the United Nations, has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The era we are traversing has been marked by a series of crises and proliferating major conflicts in a world full of tensions. While the challenges we face are formidable, it is our mindset and our attitude in facing them that are now extremely important and decisive. Are we ready to do everything we can to try to improve the situation? In any case, it is clear that we must. Together, we must combat these crises — the climate crisis, wars, social conflict and growing inequalities, as well as the weakening of democratic institutions and the erosion of the multilateral structures that enable us to connect at the international level.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The current malaise serves as a warning that we must do everything we can to prevent a world in which we look out only for ourselves, and to encourage a world of cooperation between States, in which we strive for the common good, for causes such as peace, sustainable development and environmental protection. We can overcome the challenges and causes of growing inequality, demographic change or migration only if we approach them with a spirit of mutual trust. All States are winners if we see others as potential partners instead of competitors. All States are stronger if the international situation is more stable. The world is not a zero-sum game. To the contrary, it is a positive-sum game.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“However, today, as in the past, withdrawal, protectionism, threats and violence will not provide answers to the dysfunctions and disparities of the world in which we live. Worse still, such policies can lead only to a drop in trade and, ultimately, a decline in prosperity. They nurture mistrust and isolation, which obstruct knowledge-sharing, competition and innovation. Our world will become all the more impoverished, both spiritually and culturally, and we will set off alone in search of solutions for problems that can only be solved together.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I would mention in particular of the areas of Internet governance and digitalization. Those topics develop and increasingly require synergies and dialogue between the traditional arenas of international action. However, Switzerland’s role is not limited to Geneva. For example, we have actively contributed to the process of negotiating the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, and we are grateful for the trust placed in Switzerland in that regard. The management of migration flows at the global level is an enormous undertaking that necessitates the participation of all the relevant stakeholders. Policies relying on trade protectionism and selfish interests are enjoying a certain popularity at present. They would like us to believe that the world is a zero- sum game and that there are no winners without losers.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We intend to continue to build bridges, support negotiations and mediation and use our diplomacy and good offices to help countries and international and regional organizations find solutions to conflicts and create space for new reflections and new topics. In Geneva, Switzerland makes all of the preparations needed so that discreet peace talks, of the kind undertaken by the parties to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, can take place. Geneva is also home to several United Nations agencies — the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization — in addition to numerous international organizations. Geneva can therefore serve as a platform for dialogue on new challenges at the interface between politics, society, innovation, science and economy.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Switzerland strongly supports the work of the Human Rights Council and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, both based in Geneva, with a view to enabling them to fulfil their duty to promote, strengthen and protect human rights in the world. International cooperation is also essential in preventing conflict and establishing a framework for lasting peace. I would like to mention in particular the fight against impunity. Switzerland worked for the adoption of the Rome Statute and the establishment of the International Criminal Court, exactly 20 years ago. We will continue to support that unique international cooperative effort at the service of the victims of the most serious crimes. Thirdly, I would like to speak about Geneva and the good offices of Switzerland.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I want to take this opportunity to stress the essential contribution of culture and cultural diversity to building a sustainable and successful society. Without a policy of culture, there is no economic, social or environmental sustainability. Culture must therefore occupy a central place in development policies. In January, more than 30 countries reaffirmed culture’s essential contribution to our lives, as well as the importance of culture overall, in the Davos declaration. Secondly, with regard to the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, respect for human dignity and fundamental rights is not optional but rather an obvious necessity for stable and sustainable development.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Today I would like to address the following points. I shall begin by addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. Switzerland is working actively to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We have been working to put a robust monitoring mechanism in place to provide for voluntary national reviews and report on progress made towards achieving the Goals. More specifically, we have contributed, with other countries, to providing better statistical data. We are also engaging with innovative projects in areas such as health care, education, energy and innovation. Nonetheless, we are all aware that there is still work to be done to combat global warming and the negative environmental impacts of economic development.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Nations is truly the cornerstone of peaceful coexistence between all States, in accordance with the rules we have established together. It is indispensable and, above all, ideally placed to tackle contemporary challenges, especially the fight against inequality. To fulfil that role, the United Nations must be strong. If it is to make the maximum impact with the means at its disposal, it must adapt to an ever-changing environment and constantly re-examine its working methods. Switzerland is therefore an active supporter of the reform programmes launched by Secretary- General António Guterres. Those reforms, in the areas of peace and security, development and management, aim to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the United Nations in the face of current global challenges. We are engaged on multiple fronts.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In Yemen, too, the conflict has been going on for years. The armed conflict has deprived millions of people of water, food and medical care. Switzerland calls on all parties to cease hostilities and come to the negotiating table to seek solutions to end this humanitarian crisis. In that regard, Switzerland remains ready and willing to play its part — for example, by hosting peace talks in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations. Large-scale health crises accompany all of those conflicts. The spread of disease, especially in war zones and refugee camps, is a major burden on weakened or ruined health systems. In that regard, it is vital to protect health-care facilities and personnel in order to maintain working health systems and access to medical care.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Switzerland is working for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians in accordance with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions, based on a negotiated two-State solution. The conflict in Syria has entered its eighth year, with no real end in sight. The basic rules and principles of international humanitarian law and human rights are not being respected. In recent months the conflict has intensified further on various fronts. More than 13 million men, women and children in Syria are dependent on humanitarian aid. It is essential that we step up our efforts to find a political solution to the conflict. Only a negotiated solution that includes all sectors of Syrian society can guarantee lasting peace and sustainable reconstruction in Syria and the region as a whole.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“What is of great concern to us today, however, is that these changes have gone hand in hand with the erosion of the international system founded on the rule of law. I believe that we are witnessing a real crisis in multilateralism, perhaps paradoxically at the very moment when we are trying to forge the main pillars of the global governance of the future. As a country that is interconnected and open to the world, Switzerland understands the value of a working international legal order based on exchange and multi-stakeholder dialogue, which guarantees stability and is consistent with Swiss values as they are set out in our Constitution. There are crises currently ongoing in many parts of the world, some of which have been there for a very long time, particularly the Middle East, where re-engaging in dialogue is the only option.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It is our shared responsibility — the responsibility of each and every State Member of the United Nations — to ensure that international institutions and organizations are up to the task of supporting us in this endeavour. Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency at the moment to seek the answers to these problems in nationalist isolation and in increasing mistrust with regard to cooperation between States. We are seeing a new international order take shape, with new actors and a new middle class. According to the World Bank, between 1990 and 2015 — in a single generation — the number of people affected by extreme poverty fell from 2 billion to 700 million, a result that can be described as exceptional.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It is a great privilege for me to stand before the General Assembly today in New York. We are gathered here because of those who believed, following the tragedy of the Second World War, that an international order based on rules and dialogue, rather than on relationships of power, would lead us to peace and prosperity. They were right. Given the considerable challenges and transformations we must face in the world today, no person or country has the capacity to stand alone. By that I mean globalization, inequality, war and internal conflict, as well as extremism, migration flows and climate change, and even health crises and the digital revolution.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)