YouSaid · the spoken record

Afriyie

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20

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2023-06-13

most recent

2023-06-14

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2

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un-security-council

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1. “Minorities, people of different colours and faiths, migrants and refugees deserve to be treated with empathy and compassion for the sake of our common humanity.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

2. “The National Peace Council, established by an act of Parliament in 2011 as an interfaith and multi-ethnic body, has in place a robust conflict early-warning system across the 16 regions of Ghana, which works to prevent conflict and adjudicate on tensions between ethnic and religious groups. In conclusion, maintaining global peace and security in today’s interconnected and interdependent world requires regard for international norms, dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding among communities and countries. Instead of revolting against globalization by advocating isolationism, nationalism and protectionism, we must embrace it and work to address its associated challenges.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

3. “That journey begins at the basic level of education, whereby the curricula expose school children to the cultures of the more than 40 ethnic groups in Ghana and the teachings of religions by inculcating in them the spirit of tolerance, non-discrimination and peaceful coexistence. Similar to the Abrahamic Family House in the United Arab Emirates, which houses a mosque, a church and a synagogue, in Ghana, it is not uncommon to find a mosque within striking distance of a church or a shrine. Even with this feat, our National Peace Council continues to develop and enhance national mechanisms for conflict prevention and sustainable peacebuilding.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

4. “In reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to the protection of the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression, it is important to hold to account those who disregard sacred symbols and practices or speech that offends religious sensibilities or display intolerance in order to preserve societal peace and security. It is no secret that such conduct has been known to provoke or incite violence. At this juncture, let me speak about what we have done in Ghana to promote human fraternity, which has given rise to peaceful coexistence among people of different ethnicities and faiths and made our country a model of interfaith tolerance and cooperation in Africa. In Ghana, different ethnic groups — Christians, Muslims and adherents of African traditional religions — have lived in comparative peace and harmony since our nation’s founding.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

5. “Similarly, on the back of the Security Council’s insightful debate on the need for strategic communications to ensure effective peacekeeping (see S/PV.9090), let me underscore the importance of identifying and defeating the threat that the toxic mix of misinformation, disinformation and fake news poses to our collective peace and security. Nowhere is that threat more potent than in the Sahel, where the latter are being deployed by malign forces to facilitate terrorism and violent extremism, including through recruitment and radicalization.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

6. “In Africa and elsewhere, we have witnessed the devastating consequences of hate speech pitting people of different religions or cultures that had hitherto lived in peace and harmony against one another. Vitriolic statements intended to offend others and incite hatred and discrimination based on race, nationality, religious identity, gender or other group membership are used to inflame tensions between different peoples and cultures. We wholeheartedly agree with the United Nations recognition, in the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, of such hateful utterances as a precursor to atrocity crimes, including genocide.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

7. “According to our compatriot and former Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, conflicts between countries have, thankfully, become less common. But conflicts and tensions within societies and between cultures have become more prominent. Regrettably, that is fuelled largely by social media, which provides a much wider audience for disseminating such bigotry. We remain concerned about the potential radicalizing effects of easily accessible online violent extremist content and its resultant resonance with segments of young people. As we condemn the exploitation of such mass communication media for bigotry, we call on social media platforms to do more to rid their platforms of violent extremist content.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

8. “The proclamation of International Day of Human Fraternity and World Interfaith Harmony Week by General Assembly resolutions 75/200 of 2020 and 65/5 of 2010, respectively, reminds us of our common humanity and the need to live together in peace and harmony, irrespective of our differences. We must therefore embrace our differences and diversity and eschew tendencies that drive a wedge between us and our cultures, resulting in mistrust and violence. Unfortunately, in recent times, an upsurge in hate speech and incitement to hatred, intolerance, racism and violent extremism is posing a threat to peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, cultures and, in some cases, those of different political persuasions.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

9. “Undeniably, some of humankind’s greatest advancements may not have been possible without intense peaceful cultural cooperation. Even to date, diversity in perspectives, cultures, beliefs and ways of life remains the driving force in human advancement. For that reason, we commend the United Arab Emirates and its partners for putting the values of compassion, religious understanding, tolerance and mutual respect high on the agenda of the United Nations. That is particularly important in a context in which many people of different faiths and cultures now coexist.”

   2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

10. “I thank the United Arab Emirates for organizing today’s open debate, which contributes to our collective efforts to promote and sustain global peace. We thank the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, for his briefing. We are also grateful to His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders; His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See; and Ms. Latifa Ibn Ziaten, Founder and President of Association IMAD pour la jeunesse et la paix for their insightful perspectives. Celebrating human fraternity and the ideals it upholds reminds us of the shared principles that bind all of humankind together.”

    2023-06-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9346 (2023) · source

11. “Lastly, in dealing with the climate and security issue, we must not forget to include women, girls and young people in targeted policies that recognize the agency of those groups in building climate resilience. In conclusion, Ghana believes that climate-related security risks are evident and require serious national, regional and, indeed, international commitment to build resilience and protect the well-being of our societies.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

12. “Fifthly, deepening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional mechanisms in the crusade against climate change and insecurity is crucial. We therefore encourage strengthening the capacity of regional and national actors to enhance their early-warning systems and data analysis capacities, which are critical for regional preventive action. In that regard, we note the international support for the Africa Multi-Hazard Early-Warning and Early Action System situation room for disaster risk reduction and the Economic Community of West African States regional climate strategy, to mention only a few examples. Leveraging partnerships with such regional arrangements will further strengthen and build resilience as well as effective responses to climate-related security risks.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

13. “We underscore the importance of continually engaging with United Nations bodies such as the Peacebuilding Commission and welcome the fact that since 2017 the Peacebuilding Fund has allocated funds for climate-security-related projects in countries on the Council’s agenda. As reports have indicated, returns on investment in climate adaptation range between $2 and $10 for every dollar invested. In that regard, multilateral and bilateral support to finance climate activities, including resilience-building and risk assessments, is critical. We note and welcome the commitments and aspirations of developed countries to jointly mobilize $100 billion annually in climate financing between 2020 and 2025, and encourage more to be done in that regard.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

14. “As a troop-contributing country to United Nations peace operations, Ghana encourages the United Nations and donor partners, including the Council, to support peace operations that leverage innovative tools to reduce their carbon footprint in areas that are seriously affected by climate change. Thirdly, we can further consolidate the gains made in tackling the issue by encouraging the inclusion of climate fragility issues in the reports of the Secretary- General. That would give visibility and enhance the adoption of innovative and robust measures to enable United Nations missions to adapt to climate situations and respond effectively. Fourthly, adequate funding remains critical to addressing climate-related security risks.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

15. “The inclusion of climate-specific language in a number of peace operations’ mandates, including that of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, is an example that should be encouraged and replicated in other missions, where the challenge exists, during mandate renewals. That should include utilizing the findings of risk assessments undertaken by the United Nations in order to make the efforts of missions to sustain peace more robust. It is also important to continue leveraging the work of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security and the Climate Security Mechanism in dealing with the issue.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

16. “First, the unprecedented security risks associated with climate change underpin our belief that the Security Council, as the primary body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, has a role to play and should continue to find space on its agenda to discuss the issue and complement efforts to tackle it. Secondly, the Security Council can better integrate climate change into its peace efforts by encouraging special political missions to integrate and mainstream a climate perspective into mediation and peace negotiations. It will also be useful to enhance the capacity of United Nations peacekeeping missions to enable them to continually assess climate-related risks and opportunities across United Nations early-warning and planning processes and other prevention measures.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

17. “The twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, reaffirmed the reality of the climate menace by recognizing that it not only exacerbates the causes and effects of conflict but also affects the ability of communities and institutions to help make and build peace in specific contexts. In that regard, it is pertinent that we work to see our views converge on the notion that when we seek to resolve conflicts, climate risks — where relevant — must be tackled as part of peace efforts. It is against that backdrop that I would like to highlight the following points, which we deem critical to addressing climate change and its adverse impacts on global peace and security.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

18. “The accompanying loss of livelihoods and weakening of community resilience has been exploited by terrorist groups to recruit and radicalize vulnerable people in the affected communities in their bid to displace States. As we confront the unprecedented and worsening ecological threat to the stability of regions and its resultant socioeconomic and political impacts, we must harness available global and regional instruments. They include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan 2022–2032 to reverse climate change and its impact on security.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

19. “The strong link between climate change and international peace and security can no longer be denied or, indeed, ignored, as the adverse impact of climate change on the stability of countries manifests itself in conflict, terrorism and violent extremism and the further shrinking or displacement of State presence. In Africa, for instance, from the Lake Chad region to the Sahel and other parts of the continent, we are witnessing the multiplier effect of climate change on peace and security, including food and water insecurity and climate-induced displacements. In the Lake Chad region, the lake has contracted by some 90 per cent from its 1960 size, due to drought in that region and has contributed to incidents of violence between farmers and cattle herders.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source

20. “I thank the United Arab Emirates for convening today’s high-level debate on climate change, peace and security. We welcome the briefings by His Excellency Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, and His Excellency Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and member of The Elders. We equally thank Ms. Salma Kadry, climate and peace and security specialist, for her additional perspective. As a member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, we associate ourselves with the statement to be read out by the representative of Germany on behalf of the Group. Climate change is not only an existential threat to humankind; it is driving and exacerbating threats to international peace and security in several regions of the world, especially the Sahel.”

    2023-06-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9345 (2023) · source