YouSaid · the spoken record

Agyeman

lines on the record: 1,567
first: 2022-01-05
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 204
sources: un-security-council

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

“When one reviews the direction, trends and upsurge in the international flow of conventional weapons between 2018 and 2022, the results are intriguing, correlating with some of the armed conflicts around the world and manifesting in conflicts that have also involved non-State actors, such as political militias, criminals and terrorist groups. In asserting the right of every State to legitimately use force within its territory, and mindful of the rights of its citizens, we also make the point that the influx of weapons into any conflict situation aggravates that conflict. In order to address the risks associated with such violations, we would like to make three brief additional points.”
2023-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9301 (2023) · source
“Violations of national regulations on the export of weapons and military equipment have led to the proliferation of arms and have exacerbated conflicts. They have also led to significant national security threats in many States. Indeed, in addition to the consequences of diversion, which have had particularly adverse effects for the African continent, the counterbalancing actions against the build-up of military arsenals by strategic competitors have also had negative global socioeconomic effects. It is therefore not surprising to see that in recent years there has been an exponential growth in the business of weapons and military equipment. As the 2022 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute notes, world military spending in 2021 reached an all-time high of $2.1 trillion, as other delegations mentioned earlier.”
2023-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9301 (2023) · source
“As we have come to appreciate from the two World Wars, the instruments of war and violence should not be wielded abroad, except for the purposes of collective security or of individual or collective self- defence, as provided for by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. As a country, and consistent with the views of the International Court of Justice, we uphold the inherent rules of self-defence under customary international law, which provide that self-defence must be necessary and proportionate to the aggression. Some have chosen to establish a link between high military expenditure and their national security. For our part, we do not lose sight of the correlation between the business of weapons and the state of insecurity in several parts of the world.”
2023-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9301 (2023) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating Mozambique on its successful presidency of the Security Council last month and by wishing you and your delegation, Sir, the best of luck and a successful presidency. I also thank your delegation for convening this open debate, and the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mrs. Izumi Nakamitsu, for her briefing. Inasmuch as the ideal world should be anchored firmly on a culture of peace, the reality is that very few periods of human history have been free from violence and war. Over the past century and beyond, that reality has shaped the international law and commonly agreed rules that have aimed to abate the impact of conflicts and wars on our aspiration for stable and peaceful societies.”
2023-04-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9301 (2023) · source
“We note the serious ongoing engagements to unite the parties around certain principles for mediation efforts and encourage the constructive engagement of the parties. We would also encourage all countries that are able to exert positive influence on the warring parties to urge them to refrain from repudiating prospective peace initiatives and proposals. In conclusion, Ghana reaffirms its deep commitment to the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and offer them our support in a hopeful peace effort.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“It should not be lost on anyone that the nuclear non-proliferation regime — one of the cornerstones of today’s global peace and security architecture — requires the oxygen of good faith, dialogue, trust and confidence-building to thrive. Our concerns continue to deepen about the mobilization of massive military and other strategic assets to engage in a greater war. As we have stated before and repeat firmly today, the projections of military logic as a basis for the settlement of this conflict portend great difficulties. We continue to advocate for a peaceful settlement of the dispute through the pursuit of negotiations on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“As a country, we have always stood against the possession of nuclear weapons and opposed the emerging strategic doctrines for the modernization of arsenals, the tactical use of nuclear weapons and all such modifying measures by nuclear- weapon States. All of us should be aware of the danger that arises when we blur the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and the abyss into which it can drive the world. We must pull back and change course. Accordingly, we urge the protagonists and all actors to exercise maximum restraint and remain mindful of their disarmament commitments and nuclear non-proliferation obligations.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“For many countries in the global South, there is great concern about the current state of affairs and the lack of capacity of the global economic system to respond to the overwhelming needs in their societies. As we meet, it is imperative to acknowledge that the ongoing war is undermining relations between States and creating disruptive and undesirable consequences. We must therefore redouble our efforts to bring the warring parties to the table of dialogue and diplomacy, including by supporting every potential green shoot for peace. The strategic risks arising from deliberate actions or miscalculations in the war in Ukraine are real and should not be discounted.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“We remain concerned about the horrifying destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, resulting from the military hostilities. We reiterate our strong condemnation of all such deliberate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. We renew our reminder to the warring parties that they have an obligation to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and we draw attention to the consequences of accountability that violations entail. While it is the Ukrainian people who have primarily borne the brunt of that brutal war, its repercussions reverberate far beyond the borders of their country.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking High Representative Nakamitsu for addressing the Council this morning and for the clarity of her briefing. In all the previous meetings of the Council on Ukraine, Ghana has been consistent in underlining the necessity of the Russian Federation ending its assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine as a basis for seeking a political solution to the conflict. We reiterate our principled position that the ongoing aggression constitutes a serious violation of international law and contravenes the prohibition of the use of force under Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations. As the war in Ukraine rages on with no immediate end in sight, the humanitarian toll — which has largely been characterized by forced displacement and the deaths of thousands — continues compounding.”
2023-03-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9300 (2023) · source
“Africa’s stability can be assured, and its women and young people not left behind, if we embrace the fact that, although we may be different, we all can belong. Finally, Ghana believes that development policies can have a positive impact on the implementation of silencing the guns in Africa. However, we must move beyond the business-as-usual approach by strengthening cooperation at the national, regional and international levels, as well as by demonstrating stronger political will, including in the implementation of existing commitments, such as the United Nations/African Union Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“In Ghana for instance, the National House of Chiefs, the National Peace Council, the Council of State and the Christian Council of Ghana, all of whose membership include traditional and religious leaders, have made positive contributions to our national peace and stability. Through their efforts, the peace pact signed by all the presidential candidates since the 2012 national elections has deepened social cohesion and helped amplify the importance of peaceful and legal processes in addressing electoral grievances. We also believe that the diversity of African societies must be embraced and leveraged for development through inclusive and balanced social, cultural, ethnic and religious representation in national life.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“That is necessary to avoid disjointed actions and enable the continent’s own strength to be mobilized for its development. I would like to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to all continental, regional, national and local actions that support efforts to silence the guns, including good governance, investment in preventive measures and the harnessing of the complementarities between development and security in building a resilient and continental community for durable peace. We particularly underscore the crucial role of traditional and religious leaders in reinforcing peace in Africa and believe that the moral values and native wisdom they uphold has earned them reverence and a place in many African countries for a positive impact on the political, security and development landscape.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“We welcome the commitments made by leaders in September 2022 to transforming education for the world’s children, a significant proportion of whom live in Africa. In our view, an educated and decently employed youthful population places the continent on the trajectory of peace, away from divisiveness, strife and conflict. Thirdly, Africa’s prosperity is fundamental to its peace. It is for that reason that the continent, through its African Union Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, established the African Continental Free Trade Area to improve economic integration and unlock development potential for the people of the continent. The continent’s development agenda should therefore form the framework around which international support is given and cooperation carried out with the continent.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“And we believe that the United Nations development system, as well as the international financial institutions, can play an important role in supporting the efforts of African countries. Secondly, Africa is a young continent whose youth dividends can be effectively realized only if its children and young people are properly educated and mobilized into beneficial innovation and value creation. Such a people-centred transformational agenda is a costly venture that most Governments consider too great a political risk to take within their short electoral cycles. We therefore urge for enhanced and sustained international support for the generational development that the power of education brings.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“First, in silencing the guns, it will be important to expand development policies that support the continent’s efforts to address the root causes of conflict, including the economic and social inequalities that have destabilized several countries. That includes supporting States in honouring their social contract with their citizens, as required, through the rebuilding of national institutions, the enhancement of State presence throughout their national territories and the provision of basic social services to all segments of the population, especially the underprivileged and poor, who can least afford privatized basic services. That is also a policy goal that is necessary to insulate vulnerable populations from the infectious radicalization of extremist and terrorist groups.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“Mindful of Africa’s complex and challenging political, security and socioeconomic situation, we welcome the African Union’s extension of the implementation of the Silencing the Guns initiative and its 2030 Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa, as well as noting the continuing relevance of resolution 2457 (2019). While we acknowledge the moderate gains that have been made since the establishment of the initiative 10 years ago, we note that challenges to its implementation remain. It is against that backdrop that Ghana would like to focus on three issues that we believe could support the efforts to silence the guns in Africa beyond the more traditional areas of the Master Roadmap’s work, which we fully support.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“It cannot be justly said that a region where 33 of its 54 member countries are classified as least developed has benefited equitably from participating in the international system, even if we granted that all the factors for such a state of affairs were national. Monetary policies in major markets today are disproportionately affecting smaller economies through rising interest rates, depreciating currencies, an elevated cost of living and a reduced fiscal capacity to absorb shocks. Such consequences exacerbate fragilities and reduce State capacity.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“It is such influences that along with others have held back Africa’s prospects for mobilizing its endowed natural resources, bulging youth population, large market size of 1.3 billion people and combined economy of $3.5 trillion in order to mute the sounds of the guns and enable Africa’s children to become fully educated, its prosperity to be developed and shared by its people and its peace and stability to be guaranteed by its Governments. The fact is that the capacity of African States is a necessary factor for peace. And historical and current policies that have undermined the continent cannot be glossed over if we are to be true to ourselves. Africa has carried over into the present the consequences of unfavourable global adjustments in the monetary and financial arenas, as well as in trade and other dimensions.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“We believe that the briefers’ rich contributions to the debate will help the Council better unite its views and identify further ways by which its intersecting actions with other organs and bodies can support Africa’s ambition to pacify the continent by 2030, in line with our commitment to silencing the guns. The Africa we know is a continent of promise, a promise that unfortunately has been shackled by the reality of competing international interests, well- intended but harmful global policies, disjointed actions and diminished national capacities.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“I must begin by thanking Mozambique for organizing this important debate. It is well understood and widely appreciated that without peace, efforts at sustainable development are impeded. What is less appreciated is the impact of development policies on peace, and that in turn has translated into inadequate support for efforts to ensure that development policies do not detract from peace but rather have a positive impact on it. We therefore welcome the insightful briefings by Special Adviser Cristina Duarte, Mr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for the Silencing the Guns Initiative, and Mr. Mirko Manzoni, Personal Envoy of the Secretary- General for Mozambique.”
2023-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9299 (2023) · source
“Progress on the political process will open the much- awaited pathway to peace, which can be realized only through a nationwide ceasefire and a Syrian-led, Syrian- owned and United Nations-facilitated political process.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“However, greater attention should be paid to the relatively more sustainable humanitarian efforts through early-recovery and livelihood activities, which may help to reduce the continued dependence on aid. Furthermore, to ease the colossal humanitarian burden in camps, we call on States to repatriate their citizens, especially women and children, from camps in Syria, such as Al-Hol, which have been subjected to severe insecurity, in a safe and dignified manner, in line with the standards of international humanitarian law. Unfettered and unhindered humanitarian access must also be granted for the necessary support to be extended to those in the Rukban camp. In conclusion, the A3 reiterates that resolution 2254 (2015) remains the most viable solution to the conflict.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“We commend the United Nations for its cholera immunization drive and call for measures to deal with the root causes of the disease. The dire humanitarian situation in Syria demands our urgent and collective action. With that in mind, the A3 affirms its steadfast support for the use of all modalities to deliver aid to every person in need in Syria. The cross-border aid mechanism, as well as cross-line deliveries, remains crucial to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people. We also commend the recent efforts to expand cross-line deliveries across north-west Syria and call on the parties to work closely with the United Nations to create a safe and secure environment for the further expansion of cross-line support.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“Advancement in that area will further contribute positively to the Special Envoy’s step-for-step approach to creating a pathway for progress on the political track. Returning to the humanitarian situation, 12 years of armed conflict have devastated the country’s economy, with record-level inflation, and have weakened the local currency, while, at the same time, food prices are skyrocketing beyond the purchasing power of ordinary Syrians, with as many as 12.1 million people said to be food insecure. Social and basic services are collapsing, with power shortages, a fuel crisis and water scarcity, particularly impacting ordinary Syrians, who now have to endure a cholera outbreak on top of all that they have been through.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“In furtherance of the political process, the A3 is firm in its support for United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen’s continued efforts, including his step- for-step process, to find a lasting political solution to the conflict. The parties must therefore commit to the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), including a nationwide ceasefire and cooperation to break the current deadlock in the small body of the Constitutional Committee. Tackling the issue of detainees, including facilitating the release of detained vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, as well as women and children, and clarifying the status of missing persons would be a significant confidence-building measure.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“We recall that similar air strikes on the same airport in September 2022 caused material damage and interrupted service delivery. We call on Israel to desist from such attacks on Syria and to resort to pacific means to address its concerns, with the support of the international community. Given Syria’s current circumstances, the need for a political solution to the conflict is ever-more urgent. Resolution 2254 (2015) remains the leading road map to achieve the desired political solution, taking into account the widest spectrum of Syrians, including the voices of women and civil society. We reiterate that the most viable avenue for sustainable peace and stability is a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and United Nations- facilitated political process that meets the aspirations of the people of Syria.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“We remind the parties that the escalation of violence jeopardizes and undermines efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict and call on them to exercise maximum restraint, as there can be no military solution to the crisis. Also of particular concern to us are the continued attacks by foreign forces targeting civilian infrastructure in Syria, which are protected by international humanitarian law, at a time when the country is at its lowest ebb. We condemn the air strikes attributed to Israel on 7 and 22 March, which targeted the Aleppo international airport and disrupted the distribution of critical humanitarian assistance by the United Nations and other aid agencies assisting the victims of the earthquake in the country.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“Those senseless attacks, which continue to claim the lives of civilians, are plunging Syria into deeper levels of instability. The deaths of 42 civilians, including four women and 13 children, as well as the injury of 52 others as a result of those hostilities, are deeply distressing. As always, in the context of continuing hostilities and the resulting protection concerns, women and girls pay the highest price, particularly in terms of health care. We condemn the targeting of innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure and draw the attention of all the parties to their obligation to adhere to international humanitarian law and the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“We also appreciate the efforts of the European Union and the other international donors that have pledged approximately $1 billion in support of the earthquake relief efforts in the country. As we make an urgent appeal to the international community to help raise the remaining approximately $85 million needed to fully fund the flash appeal, we are reminded that the country’s humanitarian response plan remains more than 90 per cent underfunded. The people of Syria continue to count on our support in that regard at this time of suffering, and we must not let them down. In the middle of the unfolding tragedy, we deplore the unrelenting military hostilities by the parties, including the terrorist attacks carried out by Da’esh and Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham along the front lines.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“Sadly, it has claimed more than 6,000 lives and injured many more. Hundreds of thousands have been rendered homeless in winter conditions, with more remaining unaccounted for after the disaster. There has never been a more critical time, in which the support of the international community is as urgently needed by Syrians, as now. The exponential rise in the number of people in need of humanitarian support following the disaster requires additional resources. All efforts geared towards rallying global support for the people of Syria should be given the needed backing by all. Accordingly, we thank all donors that have risen to the challenge to provide generous contributions, which as at 21 March stood at approximately $312.1 million of the $397 million needed through the Syria earthquake flash appeal.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African members of the Security Council (A3), namely, Gabon, Mozambique and my own country, Ghana. We thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and the Acting Director of the Operations and Advocacy Division of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tareq Talahma, for their briefings. We also welcome the participation in this meeting of the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye. The confluence of 12 years of conflict and a natural disaster of epic proportions in the middle of winter has magnified the suffering of the Syrian people. The earthquake unfortunately struck 15.3 million Syrians, representing some 70 per cent of the population, at a time when they were already in need of humanitarian support.”
2023-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9291 (2023) · source
“In conclusion, we reiterate our position that the paths for lasting peace and stability in the Middle East can be achieved only through the internationally negotiated two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side on the basis of the 1967 borders. However, the realization of the goals of the Middle East peace process require the Security Council and the wider international community to sustain the engagement of the parties, whose good-faith efforts are required to resolve this decades-long conflict.”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“We urge Israel to respect its commitment to refraining from establishing new West Bank settlements for four months, as well as to halting the authorization of outposts for a period of six months. We call on both parties to show maximum restraint and refrain from further unilateral actions by establishing a joint civilian committee that works to promote confidence-building economic measures. We wish to reaffirm our demand that all parties to the conflict fully comply with international humanitarian law, including the protection of the civilian population, the Charter of the United Nations and the many relevant United Nations resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016).”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“We deplore the high level of violence perpetrated against civilians and children on both sides. Ghana is particularly concerned about the near daily raids in the Palestinian refugee camps, the human rights abuses, the violations and the detentions without charge or trial in Palestinian cities and villages, especially in the north-western part of the West Bank, where fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian militias has been raging for almost a year, and in Gaza and East Jerusalem. As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, which this year coincides with Passover, we appeal to both the Israeli and Palestinian parties to respect the commitments that they made in Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh to establish a mechanism that will prevent violence, incitement and any disruptive action at Jerusalem’s holy sites.”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“The first is the repeal by the Israeli Parliament of certain clauses in the 2005 disengagement law, which ordered the evacuation of Jewish settlements, thereby allowing for Jewish residents to return to four settlements in the occupied West Bank. The second concerns statements made by notable and high-ranking Israeli politicians that undermine and threaten the prospect of the widely accepted two-State solution. The third is related to the escalation of settler- related activities and the fact that violence persists. Fourthly, the destruction of infrastructure and property in both the occupied Palestinian territories and in East Jerusalem continue unabated. Those drivers of instability have worsened the security situation and the already dire humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and beyond.”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“We welcome the commitment of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to working closely together without delay to prevent further violence and restore security cooperation in the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinian Authority had suspended last month in the aftermath of the deadliest attacks in recent history by the Israeli army. We also note the positive developments in the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran and encourage a rapprochement between those two countries in order to reduce regional tensions and promote regional stability. We are grateful for the roles that the Governments of Jordan, Egypt and the United States, as well as the Government of China, have played recently in the region. Notwithstanding the positive developments, there are situations of concern.”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“We are grateful to Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for his briefing to the Security Council on the overall situation in the Middle East, with emphasis on Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. We also thank the Special Coordinator for highlighting the detailed measures being undertaken to restore calm in the region. Ghana has followed with keen interest the recent positive developments in the Middle East, in particular the first in-person high-level talks between senior Israeli and Palestinian officials for some years, which were held in Aqaba, Jordan, on 26 February and subsequently in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, last Sunday, aimed at encouraging dialogue, the de-escalation of violence and the defusing of tensions in the region.”
2023-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9290 (2023) · source
“It is not to punish the Sudan but to support the attainment of sustainable peace. The 1591 Committee reiterates its commitment to working together with the Sudan and all relevant stakeholders to make that a reality.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9288 (2023) · source
“Following the Committee’s discussions, the Committee considered the Panel’s recommendations and follow-up actions. The Panel’s final report was made publicly available on 7 February 2023. On that same day, the Committee received the Panel’s third quarterly update, and on 10 March, the Committee received the last quarterly update from the Panel. In all its reports, the Panel provided substantial information on the Juba Peace Agreement implementation process, the regional situation, the status of armed groups and the protection of civilians. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the Sudan for extending its full cooperation to the Panel during the past mandates. I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the sanctions regime was established for the sole purpose of helping to bring peace to Darfur.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9288 (2023) · source
“In accordance with paragraph 3 (a) (iv) of resolution 1591 (2005), I have the honour to brief the Security Council on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005), concerning the Sudan, covering the period from 7 December to today. During the reporting period, the Committee issued its annual report for the year 2022, which is available on the Committee’s website. It held informal consultations and received and considered the final report and the third and last quarterly updates of the Panel of Experts on the Sudan. The Panel of Experts on the Sudan submitted its final report to the Committee in December 2022. The Committee members discussed the content of the report presented by the Panel of Experts on 6 February during informal consultations.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9288 (2023) · source
“In that regard, we take note of the practical measures that have been suggested today in the briefing by Assistant Secretary- General Miroslav Jenča. While different stakeholders may have different interests on the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it must be obvious that a nuclearized peninsula is in no one’s interest. We must therefore work collaboratively to strengthen the unity of the Council on that matter and act faithfully on behalf of all Member States who have entrusted us with this powerful mandate to maintain international peace and security.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9287 (2023) · source
“As we have often said, the instruments of influence that the Council has wielded thus far, particularly its existing resolutions and sanctions, have not been fully successful in stopping the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s weapons programme or eliciting its cooperation. As a Council, we must therefore reassess our approach and recommit to our common objectives to achieve concrete progress in the furtherance of peace and security on the Korean peninsula. We believe that a principled and pragmatic approach based on diplomacy, dialogue and trust-building is needed to incrementally foster conditions that allow for constructive engagements between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the international community on its weapons programme.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9287 (2023) · source
“The acts of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to aggressively test, refine and expand its weapons and nuclear arsenal breaches international law obligations and the resolutions of the Council. We are gravely concerned by the situation and firmly deplore the actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We reiterate our call for a de-escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and reiterate our demand to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions, refrain from further ballistic missile launches and return to compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9287 (2023) · source
“I will begin by thanking Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing to the Council and welcoming the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea. We are three months into the year, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has already launched 11 short-range ballistic missiles and two intercontinental ballistic missiles, including its most powerful, the Hwasong-17. That development is a worrisome reflection of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s intransigence regarding the Council’s resolutions and its resolve to accomplish its 2023 goals, set out at the sixth plenary meeting of the eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, held earlier this year.”
2023-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9287 (2023) · source
“We therefore encourage the parties to negotiate directly in good faith and urge them to refrain from any provocations that could lead to an escalation in violence. The parties must continue to make concessions, strive to find common ground to renew and extend the truce agreement and ultimately find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the crisis.”
2023-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9282 (2023) · source
“We commend the United Nations and all stakeholders that have brought us thus far, and we note the shortfall of approximately $34 million still required for the emergency phase of the operation. The potential environmental and humanitarian damage and the resultant cost of clean-up of approximately $20 billion far outweigh the funding gap sought. It is therefore in the collective interest of the international community to raise the remaining amount as soon as practicable before the vessel’s arrival in Yemen in May. In conclusion, the A3 underscores the need for the parties to prioritize the interests of the people of Yemen over and above any other interest. The solution to the crisis in Yemen is political.”
2023-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9282 (2023) · source
“We deplore such propaganda against time-tested vaccines that have protected children all over the world from preventable diseases, such as tetanus, polio, meningitis and measles, among others. We call on those spreading the falsehood to desist from that act, and we urge the Yemeni Government to intensify its campaign against the spread of such malicious information. On the issue of the FSO SAFER oil vessel off Yemen’s Red Sea coast, we welcome the acquisition of a crude carrier by the United Nations as an initial step towards transferring the oil from the decaying vessel, and we look forward to its speedy arrival in Yemen. We urge the parties to allow the salvage operation to go ahead unhindered.”
2023-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9282 (2023) · source
“The risk posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war in Yemen remains high. One of the consequences of the reduction in hostilities appears to be the high incidence of landmine explosions as civilian activities and movements increase. As we call for increased international action to deal with the issue, we appeal for greater local support in the country to curb that threat. In addition to ensuring civilian safety, increased demining efforts will be required to help to free up the affected agricultural land for food production and facilitate the country’s early economic recovery. In recent times, childhood vaccines have become the subject of misinformation and disinformation in Houthi-controlled areas, threatening to undermine people’s confidence in vaccines and their willingness to vaccinate their children.”
2023-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9282 (2023) · source
“On a broader scale, we are concerned about the recurrence of various violations of women’s rights, particularly their fundamental rights to movement, expression, work and access to health care, as well as protection from gender-based violence. Supporting Yemen’s weak economy should remain a key part of the international community’s efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the country. Improvement in the socioeconomic conditions in the country will help to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid. On that note, we welcome the decision of the Yemeni Government to allow commercial imports into the Red Sea ports, as that will further boost the country’s economy. We reiterate our call for international support for Yemen’s economy as part of the efforts to improve the living conditions of the people.”
2023-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9282 (2023) · source