YouSaid · the spoken record

Ahmad

lines on the record: 388
first: 2000-03-09
most recent: 2023-11-29
sittings or episodes: 45
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

“And therefore, equally, let us commit ourselves to ensure we deliver sustainable peace. The United Kingdom believes in a negotiated settlement, in line with Security Council resolutions, leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State. We must now all work together to turn that vision into a reality — a reality of ensuring security, a reality of ensuring justice and a reality of ensuring peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. That must be our shared, long-term, deliverable objective. Peace may seem difficult, but peace is achievable. Peace is attainable. And we must work together to deliver that noble goal.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom also further echoes the call of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for a cessation of hostilities across the Blue Line and for a renewed commitment to implementing resolution 1701 (2006). The United Kingdom, from the start of the events through the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorism, but in doing so Israel must act in accordance with international law of which safeguarding civilian life is key and pivotal. Frankly, tragically, too many innocent civilians, including many children, have lost their lives, and we must work collectively to find solutions to this long-standing conflict. Ultimately, we must find that pathway to peace and ensure, yes, events such as 7 October never happen again.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“Equally, the United Kingdom’s position on Israeli settlements is also clear and long-standing. They are illegal under international law and contrary to the cause of peace. The United Kingdom is also clear that Iran poses an unacceptable threat to the region through its destabilizing activity and long-term support for its proxies and partners in the region, including Hamas, Hizbullah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. We condemn the unlawful seizure of the MV Galaxy Leader and call for the immediate and unconditional release of the ship and its crew. For our part, across the region, the United Kingdom is working intensively with all partners on this particular issue, on the importance of humanitarian relief, on the importance of hostage relief and on the importance of preventing further escalation.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“During their meetings, they discussed the importance of securing the release of hostages; addressing the humanitarian crisis, which included the British Foreign Secretary announcing a further $38 million in United Kingdom humanitarian aid; and also emphasizing the need to find a long-term political solution to the conflict based on the two- State solution. In Israel, he discussed the need to immediately de-escalate in the West Bank where tragically more than 200 Palestinians have been killed and to prevent further escalation, which disrupts regional peace and security — concerns we all share. And while we welcome statements condemning settler violence, the United Kingdom is clear: there must be justice, and Israel must hold those responsible to account.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“The agreement was an important opportunity for providing hope and relief to the families of the hostages and for allowing vital humanitarian assistance into Gaza. But that should not be a one-off. We must collectively build from it and create the opportunity for more, including follow- up and ensuring more humanitarian grounds for such cessation. Hostages must be released. Aid must get in. And civilians must be protected. I had the opportunity to visit Qatar recently to discuss this very conflict. I take this opportunity to recognize its pivotal role in this agreement, together with that of Egypt and the United States. Just last week, the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories where he met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“May I begin by thanking Secretary-General Guterres and Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for their detailed briefings. As we look towards the Middle East, a tragedy is unfolding in front of our very eyes. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history, and Palestinians are experiencing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as a result of the ensuing Israeli military action. Every life matters — Israeli or Palestinian. Every innocent civilian life lost — Palestinian or Israeli — is a tragedy. Indeed, we also collectively mourn the loss of all innocent lives lost, including those of United Nations personnel delivering vital life-saving aid in Gaza. Yet the past week has provided a much-needed respite in the hostilities.”
2023-11-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9489 (2023) · source
“President, of our good offices, and that the United Kingdom stands ready to support that crucial process in any way we can.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“At this time in particular, the United Nations and international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, can also provide vital and crucial assistance in addressing immediate and long-term humanitarian needs. The further use of violence will serve only to undermine the tentative, fragile progress towards a sustainable peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries, which is unquestionably in the interests of the entire South Caucasus. For its part, the United Kingdom welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a ceasefire. We therefore strongly urge all the parties to respect that ceasefire, end the violence and engage in urgent, open dialogue on a safe and secure future for the people of the region. And I assure you, Mr.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“However, that opportunity for progress was cut short by Azerbaijan’s announcement of the start of a military operation. Together with many of our partners, the United Kingdom has urged Azerbaijan to end its use of force, refrain from further escalatory action and, importantly, to return to dialogue. While we fully recognize the issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, military might cannot be used to resolve tensions between communities. Direct dialogue is the only way to find genuine, sustainable peace and solutions. It is therefore now vital for talks to resume with representatives of the Karabakhi Armenians on the basis of a credible plan to ensure the rights and security of everyone in the region and to allow them to live in peace.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his update to the Council. We welcome in particular the participation of Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov in today’s important discussion. It is good to see them both again today — although we wish it was under slightly different circumstances, of course. Like others around this table, the United Kingdom has been alarmed by the formidable pressures faced by the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The humanitarian needs on the ground are immense, and they are growing. Earlier this week — as we heard already from the Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates — we were all indeed encouraged by the news, albeit small, that a small-scale movement of humanitarian goods had taken place, via both the Lachin and Aghdam roads into Nagorno-Karabakh.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“Conflict-related sexual violence, in particular, has spiralled in recent months, and the ability of normal people to live their lives, to move freely or to go to school or to hospitals, has been tragically disrupted. That is why the United Kingdom, like others, welcomes the resolution and looks forward to considering, in due course, the options presented by the Secretary-General. I now resume my functions as President of the Council.”
2023-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9377 (2023) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is pleased to have voted in favour of resolution 2692 (2023), which extends and strengthens the mandate for the Organization’s vital work in Haiti. It is particularly welcome that the resolution paves the way for the Council to respond to Haiti’s request for security support, in the context of the steeply deteriorating security, humanitarian, political and economic situation. Only last week the Council heard powerful accounts from civil society and the region on the appalling human rights abuses being committed by gangs in Haiti (see S/PV.9368).”
2023-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9377 (2023) · source
“The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2692 (2023). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.”
2023-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9377 (2023) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Haiti to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2023/519, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Ecuador and the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Albania, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Russian Federation, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America”
2023-07-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9377 (2023) · source
“But ultimately, together, as the United Nations, we have the tools and the means at our disposal to prevent and end conflicts today, restore stability, deliver accountability and justice, give hope back to civilians and give civilians their lives back. It is our moral imperative to do just that.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“I assure the Council that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting those facing the brutal effects of climate change, as we heard about from Ms. Mounkaïla, and which drives conflict in many parts of the world. We have seen that quite starkly around the Lake Chad basin. Tomorrow, the United Kingdom will join the United States, Italy, Qatar and the Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to also focus attention on the crisis in the Horn of Africa. We must raise urgent humanitarian funds to save lives now. And we must also invest in long-term solutions to build resilience for the future, as we have again heard today from a number of representatives, including, importantly, those from across Africa.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“Ultimately, we can deliver peace only with efficient and sustained diplomacy. And we will not be able to deliver sustainable peace without ensuring humanitarian support to guarantee sustainable livelihoods. For its part, the United Kingdom is steadfast in its commitment to supporting countries in recovering from conflict. In that regard, in London next month we will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will also be engaging the private sector in terms of reconstruction. Our well-intentioned words must be followed by swift action. Civilians caught up in conflict need protection now. They need food now. They need essential services, not tomorrow but today. And they need them to be delivered promptly.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom reports voluntarily on its own compliance with humanitarian law, and we are encouraged to see many other States doing the same. To tackle conflict- induced hunger, we also need a greater focus on the relevant aspects of international humanitarian law. In that respect, we are also developing a legal handbook to achieve part of that objective. Secondly, we can make better use of our early- warning systems. As we have already heard, resolution 2417 (2018) is our warning system for conflict-induced hunger, and reporting under it needs to be much quicker. The Security Council must act more promptly on the information it provides in order to save lives. Thirdly, we must ensure coherence and coordination among our diplomatic, humanitarian, development and peace initiatives.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“There are three areas that the United Kingdom believes should be prioritized. First, we must do more to improve compliance with international humanitarian law. And we must do more collectively to show that non-compliance is truly a red line. Parties to conflict must be held to account. We welcome initiatives in countries such as Somalia, where the Government is showing true leadership by strengthening the focus on civilian protection and stabilization and planning predeployment training in humanitarian law for its own troops. Even in the Sudan, where we have immense and grave concerns, we welcome the fact that the parties to the conflict are recognizing their responsibilities under international law and committing to allowing and facilitating humanitarian assistance.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“As the United Kingdom’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, I assure the Council that I shall never accept it as an inevitable consequence of war, and nor should anyone. Working with our partners and friends, we will continue to support the survivors of sexual violence and help them secure justice and rebuild their lives. Mr. Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has also unleashed other consequences, such as inflation and shortages of food, as we heard just now from the Minister for the Interior of Ghana. And that has had an impact on food security far beyond the continent of Europe. We therefore once again urge Russia to end its occupation and enable life-saving Ukrainian exports to continue in the future. The Black Sea Grain Initiative is an important part of that, and it must continue to operate.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“This is what is going on in 2023, and all of it can be avoided. As we have already heard, the destruction of infrastructure, health care, economies and food production causes untold suffering — a point well outlined by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. This year a quarter of a billion people are experiencing the most acute levels of hunger, caused by conflict. Together with Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, I, like others, saw that recently when we visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And a great many of those suffering are women and girls. It is women who tend to eat last and eat least, or who end up not eating at all. In conflict, tragically, women and girls are also exposed to high levels of gender-based violence, including abhorrent sexual violence.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, highlighted some of the practical steps and challenges she faces and the responsibilities of coordinated responses with member States. Ms. Mounkaïla provided unique insights from Africa, which are extremely valuable, as we see drivers of climate change as a key consequence, which then drives conflict itself. The Secretary-General himself paints a bleak picture, and rightly so, of the conflicts that rage around the world. More than 20 major live conflicts are currently gripping the globe, from across all continents — in Myanmar, Mali, Ukraine, the Sudan, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Somalia, to name but a select few. As we heard from Secretary- General Guterres, the numbers of affected civilians suffering and dying from disease, malnutrition and impoverishment are larger than those who succumb to military operations.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“It is a pleasure to join today’s open debate under your stewardship, Mr. President, and I thank you and Switzerland, for convening this important debate at this important time and acknowledge your contribution and those of His Excellency the President of Malta and His Excellency the President of Mozambique. Seeing stewardship at the Head-of-State level also indicates the importance of this particular subject. I was also particularly moved by the quite specific contributions of Minister Dery of Ghana, who outlined quite specifically the requirements of Member States regarding how we can do more in resolving conflict. Of course, I acknowledge the valuable insights of our expert briefers. The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ms.”
2023-05-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9327 (2023) · source
“Twenty-three years on from the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we must not resolve just to stabilize and strengthen rights. We should work to ensure that we put women at the heart of every conflict resolution and of building stability and security around the world. Let us not look back in another 25 years to say that we squandered the opportunity. Indeed, I know that we will not do that. We owe it to those who suffered in the past, to the women and girls who suffer today and to all the incredible women and girls around the world who suffer at the hands of repressive, regressive regimes. We must not let this tremendous opportunity pass us by. We must act now. Simply put, it is our duty and our obligation.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“I therefore call on my colleagues and all nations represented here today to join us in strengthening that alliance to ensure that those incredible, courageous survivors of sexual violence are not just given a voice but are pivotal and central to building our international strategy to ensure that we prevent sexual violence in conflict. We ensure that accountability is inherent and that we fully engage with survivors’ voices. I ask Governments to embed survivors’ voices in their own peacebuilding systems. We would be glad to share our experiences. For me personally, working with such incredible survivors has demonstrated that, through their direct input and action, there is a direct impact on our policies and programmes in a most positive way, enriched by their experience and their valuable advice and courage in speaking out.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“I was therefore delighted when my friend and colleague James Cleverly, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, announced a new three-year initiative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, backed by more than £12 million in new funding, to build accountability and justice around the world. Looking ahead, it is important that we hold ourselves to account through the new international alliance, which I am delighted to announce, on preventing sexual violence in conflict, and which will bring together leading Member States. I am delighted that we are also joined in the Security Council by my friend the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, who again, as we were reminded by the Minister for Women and Human Rights of Ecuador, has made great strides on this important agenda.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“As the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, I was honoured and humbled to host our recent conference in November 2022, which demonstrated a sustained international resolve to ending those heinous crimes. We saw 53 countries come together, and Pramila Patten, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, signed the political declaration. Forty countries made tangible national commitments on steps they intend to take. The truth is that it is a fundamental and tragic fact that in 2023, sexual violence in conflict is real. It is happening.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“But the issue is not only about our commitment overseas. We are embedding the same principle in ensuring that women are central and pivotal to all solutions in every facet of society — in our democratic domestic systems, military cooperation and international diplomacy. Frankly, all countries that talk that narrative will have to walk the walk together if we want to make genuine progress by 2025. One of the key objectives of our new plan is to prevent gender-based violence, including conflict- related sexual violence, and, importantly, to support its incredible and courageous survivors in their recovery and in seeking justice to rebuild their lives.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“The Taliban should realize that point and face the reality that their country’s progress will be guaranteed only when the rights of women and girls are secure in all their elements. We are also seeing the suppression of the rights of women through the tragedy of war and the weaponizing of rape in conflicts such as that in Ukraine. The war on Ukraine continues and the rights of women continue to be suppressed. In other areas, such as Tigray and Yemen, where conflicts continue, we are also witnessing a regression in women’s rights. It is therefore important that we recognize, as we are doing at the current session of the Commission on the Status of Women, that those threats are not just limited to national contexts. There are also transnational threats in areas such as climate and cyberspace.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“I was delighted that we launched our fifth national action plan only last month, setting out how we will ensure that we put women at the centre of conflict resolution and peacebuilding programmes over the next five years. It is a new and reinvigorated plan for a new global context. Our colleagues have listed the tragedies of conflicts around the world — from the suppression of the rights of women in Iran to the tragedy of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, where we have seen the Taliban’s suppression of the rights of women and girls, using the false, erroneous narrative of trying to justify their abhorrent actions through religion and culture. Let us be absolutely clear in saying that there is no religion or culture that calls for the suppression of women’s rights.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“We are seeing concerted efforts to weaponize gender and attempts to weaken the international system and destabilize the principles and fundamentals of democracies around the world. For its part, the United Kingdom has resolved not just to protect but to strengthen gender equality, and that should remain an absolute commitment for us all. I therefore call on all my colleagues and the nations represented here to stand together against the rollback of fundamental human rights. When the rights of women and girls are pivotal and central to society, societies and countries progress and prosper. The United Kingdom is committed to and passionate about seeing and ensuring progress on women and peace and security in all its aspects.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“The Security Council knows that time and time again, mediation, conflict prevention and conflict resolution have proved more successful when they are inclusive. They work better and last longer when women are central to peace and to building progressive societies. The evidence is staring us in the face. Yet it is an undeniable fact that tragically, as we sit here in 2023, we are seeing a stagnation of the women and peace and security agenda and a regression in women’s rights around the world. As we were most notably reminded, that is happening not just through the barrel of a gun, but as Ms. Gbowee reminded us, through a shared denial of women’s rights, whether economic, social or educational.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“I would like to begin by first thanking you, Madam President, and Mozambique for taking the lead in our vital discussions today and setting our sights on the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). And in doing so, I join others in recognizing the insightful, valuable and expert contributions of Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN-Women; Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; my dear friend whom I see on the screen, Ms. Diop — it is always good to see and hear from her — and, of course, the inspirational Leymah Gbowee. Peace and security mechanisms must be built on the needs of all people everywhere, and they must be shaped by the voices of all people. Indeed, those were the founding principles of the very Organization in which we sit today, the United Nations.”
2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source
“Negotiating and mediation teams need access to gender expertise — I have already referred to the women mediator networks — and women therefore should be included in all national delegations. In that regard, the United Kingdom continues to prioritize its work on the women and peace and security agenda and is currently developing its next national women and peace and security action plan, which is due for launch in early 2023. Finally, let me assure the Council that we, the United Kingdom, commit to truly demonstrating the leadership we claim on women and peace and security and to ensure that that agenda, that priority, is a golden thread throughout all of our work on resolving conflict, building security and stability and, ultimately, for peace across the world.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“After all, if we cannot protect the briefers who come here to speak before the Security Council, they are being undermined and the purpose of the Security Council cannot be met. We must ensure that their protection is prioritized. We have already heard, and rightly so, that the Afghanistan crisis has thrown a harsh light on the challenges before us. I have had the honour, as have many in the Chamber, to work directly with many women from across Afghanistan. Now that the Taliban is in control in that country, we must ensure that the rights of women and girls are central to any discussions with the Taliban. Women must be intrinsic to the conversation — intrinsic to the nation’s future. And it is vital that their voices be not just heard, but be at the heart of Afghanistan’s future.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“Those women have the knowledge, yet what we fail to do is leverage that expertise effectively for peace around the world. More must be done. Furthermore, the United Kingdom joins in the calls condemning the persistent attacks on women human rights defenders — a point well reflected in the contributions of the Executive Director of UN-Women. We need to robustly tackle impunity and hold perpetrators to account when reprisals occur. And that work begins right now, at this time, right here in the Chamber. The United Kingdom supports the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in tackling reprisals, in particular those committed against Security Council briefers. That work includes a specific focus on the gender dimensions of intimidation and reprisals.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“From those grass roots to the international stage, we encourage the United Nations, as a leading light, to lead by example and make women’s direct participation a requirement — a fundamental requirement — across all peace processes it support. And it should be priority. The United Kingdom has supported the Peacebuilding Fund since its inception, committing over £175 million to empower women and, indeed, young people. We also support the incredible women mediators networks and we continue to fund women mediators across the Commonwealth this year. But let us be clear. Recently, in 2019, we amalgamated those mediator networks of women, and we must get women mediators at the front line of ensuring that we resolve conflict. Those women have the expertise and insight.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“We also recognize that Kenya is deploying such inspiring officers, who serve as an example not just to women, but to men and women across the world. In that respect, I am delighted that the United Kingdom has supported and continues to support the Elsie Initiative since its launch, and has provided over £4.7 million since 2019 to encourage more women into peacekeeping and peacebuilding roles. We are also further committed to meeting the United Nations uniformed gender parity targets in that respect. To help, the United Kingdom is conducting a gender barrier study to better understand the obstacles faced by women in the United Kingdom Armed Forces deploying in peacekeeping operations.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“Velasco reminded us, the Security Council, of our obligations on this important agenda. Let me assure all colleagues that the United Kingdom remains fully committed to the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making and the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, indeed, across the peace in all peace efforts. Increasing the number of women peacekeepers and women in leadership roles should not just be a key priority. It is essential. It is the right thing to do. It is vital to ensure operational effectiveness. I understand that the annual United Nations award for a champion of women in peacekeeping went to Major Steplyne Nyaboga of Kenya. Through your good offices, Madam President, we congratulate the Major on that achievement.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“Amina Mohammed, and in doing so also welcome Her Excellency Sima Bahous to her new role as Executive Director of UN- Women. I can report to the Security Council that we have already met on the important issue of Afghan women and we look forward to strengthening that relationship in that respect. Allow me to also join in the tribute that we have already heard being paid to Ms. B1neta Diop. I have had the honour and pleasure to be on several panels with Ms. Diop over many years, and her personal passion, advocacy and expertise are beyond excellent. We need to ensure that we really encompass that as we fulfil the ambitions, and indeed our obligations, for women and peace and security around the world. I also welcome the contributions that we heard from Celia Velasco. It was important that Ms.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“Allow me to say, first, what a great pleasure it is to be attending this meeting of the Security Council under your stewardship, Madam President, and I congratulate your good self and, indeed, Kenya on choosing investing in women peacekeepers and peacebuilders as today’s theme. As we have already heard, we are all clear that women’s participation is fundamental to sustainable peace. Indeed, the evidence in support of that fact is abundantly clear. I also therefore really welcome His Excellency the Secretary-General, and it is always a pleasure to hear from him. I know of his personal commitment to this important agenda. Without women, there can be no lasting, sustainable peace. I pay tribute to his team, the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“All the arms of this great institution that is the United Nations, including the Security Council, have a critical role to play to meet this existential threat. We must act effectively. We must act urgently. And we must act together. It is that critical action that is required. Indeed, it is our collective moral duty, for it falls on all of us — all of us here today — as custodians of the future we are choosing and building for our children and generations to come.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“We must act now to secure the financing to help vulnerable States adapt to our changing climate. The United Kingdom is already demonstrating how that can be achieved. We welcome other recent announcements, including those from the United States this week. Last year, we committed to cutting emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030, the fastest rate of reduction of any major economy. Our climate financing commitments for the next five years stand at more than $16 billion. The new Adaptation Action Coalition, which we launched in January, will target action on priority sectors. However, as we have heard today, and, indeed, as the Council has repeatedly shown since its inception, global threats can be countered only with united global action.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“As all members are aware, the United Kingdom is truly honoured to be hosting the twenty-sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, but a few weeks from now in Glasgow. At that Conference, as our Prime Minister articulated only yesterday in his speech to the General Assembly (see A/76/PV.9), we are approaching a crunch point, where those efforts need to turn into urgent action from us all, irrespective of who we are or where we are. We must act now if we are to stop temperature increases breaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We must do that by bringing forward the net- zero commitments, ambitious, nationally determined contributions and, most important, the policies and actions needed to deliver them. We must act.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“We also need the right people with the right training and experience within United Nations missions to anticipate and respond to the climate crisis that exists. Of course, those missions should be as clean and as green as possible, through responsible stewardship. To serve our shared interest in international peace, the Security Council should listen to those countries experiencing at first-hand the impact of insecurity compounded by climate change. It is also crucial that women and girls play a full and meaningful role in the work to address climate change and resolve conflict, if we are to address gender inequality and truly achieve our set objectives. Inclusive and united, we can show global leadership in the face of global threats.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“And as we heard so powerfully from Ilwad Elman and as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, it was particularly poignant to hear from her how we continue to see sexual violence tragically still used as a weapon of war, as a weapon of conflict. The world is therefore looking to the Security Council to act — and act swiftly. We welcome the efforts in many areas that the United Nations, under the leadership of the Secretary-General, has made to address this issue. But, as the Secretary-General has once again advocated, there is much more still to do. In that regard, the Security Council must play its important part. We need the United Nations system to report comprehensively on the links between climate and security so that we have the best information to inform our decisions.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“With institutions failing, communities displaced and societies insecure, conflict-riven nations are ill equipped to cope with the impacts of climate change. It risks pushing fragile regions over the edge. It threatens to displace millions of people. Cities, towns and villages could be erased from the map. And, as we have already heard, the consequences of climate change hit the most vulnerable people. They hit women and girls particularly hard, from the risk of violence in camps for displaced people to the threat of child marriage when parents are plunged into poverty.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I should like to thank the Secretary-General and Ms. Ilwad Elman for their very powerful and insightful contributions, which have really set the tone of today’s important debate. With the climate crisis posing an existential threat, not just to our shared environment but to our common security, this debate is absolutely critical. I therefore thank you, Taoiseach, and Ireland for convening this very important debate in a very timely fashion. As we look around our world, the nations suffering most from this crisis were already counted among the world’s most fragile. A dozen of the most vulnerable are already enduring the weight of armed conflict. Climate change acts as a cruel multiplier in such cases, making bad situations much worse.”
2021-09-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8864 (2021) · source
“I hope that the Council can now work constructively with the African Union and partners to ensure progress on these most critical of issues and turn around the situation for the sake of the people of Tigray and for the sake of all Ethiopians.”
2021-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8812 (2021) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the proposed inquiry of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and it fully supports the ongoing joint investigation between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. We will also co-sponsor a draft resolution on Tigray at the Human Rights Council in Geneva this month. Transparency and accountability will be vital if Ethiopia is truly to move past this most tragic of conflicts. We collectively owe that to the victims. We owe it to the survivors. Our message is clear: it is time for all sides to put down their weapons; it is time to allow unrestricted access for humanitarian aid; and it is time now to put the interests of Ethiopian people first.”
2021-07-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8812 (2021) · source