YouSaid · the spoken record

Aisi

lines on the record: 253
first: 2002-11-21
most recent: 2015-02-23
sittings or episodes: 23
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

“The Advisory Group will advise and support Governments, civil society and other relevant players on the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the Asia-Pacific region. Our countries look forward to working with the members of the Group. In order to advance the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its related resolutions - and I would mention here, especially, resolution 1889 (2009) - in the Pacific region, it is important that we focus our work on approaches that reflect the reality of the situation on the ground in our island countries. We ask the United Nations to support the convening of a regional high-level meeting to develop and adopt a regional action plan on women and peace and security to support the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) at the country level.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States (Pacific SIDS) represented at the United Nations, namely, Fiji, whose representative has just spoken, Nauru, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and my own country, Papua New Guinea. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, and your delegation for convening this important event. I would also like to acknowledge Ms. Bachelet's presence amongst us this evening. The Pacific SIDS are committed to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We welcome the launch earlier this month of the Regional 10-60385 Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security in Asia-Pacific by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“However, we believe that the United Nations and the Security Council should, in their attempt to review their comprehensive policy on an effective peacebuilding strategy, look to the Bougainville peace process in order to understand some of the dynamics that continue to contribute to the continuing success of that process.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We would make the observation that, of course, article 52 does not impair the provisions of Articles 34 and 35 of the Charter. Your delegation's reference in its concept paper, Mr. President, to the need to ensure social stability along with political stability is critical, important and timely. There can be no peace unless there is peace among the population. The need to reinforce civilian capacities is therefore critical. Added to that is the need to empower women and, especially, youth. In the case of the latter, reintegration issues are critical if long- term peace is to be sustained. A peace dividend can only be realized if there is a concerted effort on the part of all parties concerned. In conclusion, the Bougainville conflict, its resolution and the current peacebuilding process do not loom large in the global context.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“This strongly underlines the view - and it is also our view - that any successful peace process must always have a strong element of partnership. In our view, along with the idea of partnerships, there is a need for stronger application of the provisions of Article 52 of the Charter, whose paragraph 1 provides for "regional arrangements for dealing with such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action provided that such arrangements or agencies and their activities are consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations". Paragraph 3 of the same Article also states that the Security Council should "encourage the development of pacific settlement of disputes through such regional arrangements".”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I am also pleased to report that the second general elections are currently under way, with the results to be finalized in June. The United Nations, through the Security Council and its agencies, especially the Department of Political Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, played pivotal roles in ensuring the continuing success of the peacebuilding process. Our neighbouring countries in the Pacific region - namely, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and your own country, Mr. President, Japan - along with our regional agencies also participated in that process, at different levels and in different ways, thereby contributing to the continuing success of the peacebuilding process.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“A few months prior to the end of the mandate, between 20 May and 9 June 2005, the first general elections for President and members of the House of Representatives were successfully completed, resulting in the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government. That historic election was made possible under the agreed constitutional arrangements between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the leaders of Bougainville - a process that was critical to securing the lasting peace that continues to prevail today. Contextually, the amending of our national Constitution was a testament to the notion that, ultimately, any peace process has to be nationally owned and driven. That a nation saw fit to amend its supreme law to facilitate a peace process remains a key factor in how the Bougainville peace process has been sustained.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We fully agree that we have to consider - as you, Sir, have rightly noted in your concept paper - "a comprehensive peacebuilding strategy to prevent the recurrence of conflict" (S/2010/167, annex) and that the Security Council should "conduct a comprehensive policy review on an effective peacebuilding strategy" (ibid., para. 1). On 16 June 2005, this Council wound up its seven-year mandate to oversee the resolution of the 10-year bloody civil conflict that had raged on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. Sadly and, indeed horribly, it is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people - and maybe more - including women and children and touching all Papua New Guineans, lost their lives in what could have been an avoidable national tragedy.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I commend you, Mr. President, and the delegation of Japan for convening this important meeting of the Security Council. I would also commend the statement just delivered by our colleague, the Ambassador of Bangladesh. This statement is in large part a reflection of our recent tragic experiences in the Bougainville conflict. But more importantly, in the context of this debate, the resolution of the Bougainville conflict under the auspices of the United Nations, this Council and our regional partners stands as a testament to a number of the core issues that this debate is centred upon.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Lastly, there is a need, we argue, to tie into this debate the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and their achievement. Specifically, we note the need to leverage the great opportunity offered by MDG 8: that of partnerships. It is good, strong and strategic partnerships that will help to strengthen the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009).”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“I would also mention that it is commendable that in our region, many NGOs and civil society groups play effective facilitation roles in enhancing the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) and, we would argue, should be continuously engaged in that role. All too often, women and children, including girls, have been at the forefront of too many conflicts. As innocent bystanders, they have been traumatized, injured or killed and are often passed off as "collateral damage". The United Nations and its agencies - the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF and, especially, the United Nations Development Fund for Women - continue to do good work in the area of conflict. While much has been achieved, much more, obviously, needs to be done.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Recently, the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, at their fortieth Forum, adopted a comprehensively packaged provision to address sexual and gender-based violence, noting in paragraph 63 of their communique that that phenomenon is "now widely recognized as a risk to human security and a potential destabilizing factor for communities and societies alike. It remains pervasive across the Pacific, and as it is still considered a sensitive issue in most Pacific cultures, its prevalence often goes underreported. There is an urgent need to acknowledge the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in the Pacific at all levels of the community, whether occurring in the domestic context or during conflict and post-conflict situations".”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“However, in the context of today's debate, I wish to make the observation that perhaps there is a need for more specific references to the provisions and the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). There should be more clarity as to where and in which specific areas women and girls should contribute in this project. On a regional basis, and in the wider application of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter - especially in relation to the provisions of Article 52 ~ the Pacific has made and continues to make every effort to implement the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“As we continue to consolidate the peacebuilding phase through the efforts of the Government of Papua New Guinea, the autonomous government of Bougainville, the United Nations, non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and other development partners, high demand will continue to be placed on all parties to ensure that the hard-won peace is never lost. We commend the current United Nations project entitled UN Project Bougainville, which aims to provide "support to continue to find ways to address the long-term psychological impact that the recent conflict has had on people through loss of education, disruption to social services, livelihood and income; successful completion of the weapons disposal plan; implementation of a number of peacebuilding initiatives and restoring social services".”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In April 1998, the Security Council mandated a United Nations observer mission to assist in and oversee the resolution of the conflict and the peacebuilding process. The mission was successfully completed in 2005. As we approach next year's fifth anniversary of the withdrawal of the observer mission, we are mindful of the observation made by Secretary-General in his 2009 report on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304), in which he noted that threats to peace are often most imminent in the earliest post-conflict stage. This period offers a crucial window of opportunity to ensure the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). While the restoration of peace continues on Bougainville, we would respectfully submit that the fragility alluded to by the Secretary-General cannot be underestimated.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We also make the observation that, even in the pre-conflict stage - especially when the international community becomes aware that a conflict is brewing - the voices of women should be sought to determine the nature and degree of the impending conflict situation. As we alluded to in our statement in the debate on the responsibility to protect held this year in the General Assembly, too often, the voices of women are not heard in the first instance, with this neglect having a detrimental effect on many societies which eventually fall into conflict. Papua New Guinea's own relevant but unfortunate experience is borne out by the 10-year conflict on the island of Bougainville, providing us with an opportunity to reflect on the provisions of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“While we note the foregoing, we also agree with the important observation that your delegation makes, that the situation is far from satisfactory, with gaps and challenges remaining, particularly in the post-conflict period, when women's potential contribution to peacebuilding is constrained owing to their exclusion from the decision-making process and to inadequate recognition of and financing for their needs. There is no doubt that the international community has fully accepted the fact that the participation of women in conflict resolution and in the post-conflict and peacebuilding process is an integral - if not critical - part of the way forward in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. We will continue to support the mainstreaming of the participation of women in the process.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“President, as we approach the tenth anniversary of the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) next year, we commend your delegation for this timely debate and, specifically, for focusing our collective attention on the theme "Responding to the needs of women and girls in post- conflict situations for sustainable peace and security", under the umbrella of the larger topic of women and peace and security. Your delegation rightly notes in the concept paper for this meeting (S/2009/490, annex) that significant gains have been achieved in the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), "particularly in enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including women and girls, and promoting the participation of women in peace and security processes" (para. 2).”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Sir, I wish you and your delegation well during your presidency of the Council for this month. We also commend the delegation of the United States of America for its leadership during the month of September. I should also like to make two acknowledgements. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered later on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States. I also acknowledge my colleague from Australia for having mentioned my country in his statement and for all the assistance that his country is giving us. Mr.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In Vanuatu, a Family protection act has been enacted; in my own country, there have been many advances in the legal arena, such as through the establishment of a family sexual violence unit; and in Solomon Islands, a sexual assault unit and a family violence unit have been established. Finally, Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Palau have volunteered their soldiers and police in support of Security Council peacekeeping missions. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our support for the Council's initiative in making the elimination of sexual gender-based violence an integral part of peacekeeping.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In June this year, the Pacific Islands Forum Regional Security Committee discussed the issue of gender-based violence and reaffirmed that sexual gender-based violence is a growing and serious concern and requires concerted national and regional response. Just this week, at the fortieth Pacific Islands Forum group meeting held in Australia, our leaders, together with those of Australia and New Zealand, reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating sexual gender-based violence. The Forum communique acknowledged sexual gender-based violence as a threat to human security in the region. The leaders welcome collaborative efforts at the local, national and regional levels to address the issue and would like to increase their engagement with global initiatives to address the issue. Following are some examples of the initiatives taken in our region.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In countries with high rates of sexual gender-based violence, the economic capacities of women are often diminished. In many developing nations, the traditional role of women and their relationship to land make them important contributors to food production and economic growth. And it has been recognized that the economic empowerment of women is an effective way to combat sexual gender- based violence. However, we find that the current United Nations programmes are unsustainable and often being cut short when funding is depleted. We in the Pacific in particular would therefore like to encourage the United Nations to invest more resources and to strengthen existing agencies in order to promote the link between women's economic empowerment and security. Pacific leaders are committed to the eradication of sexual gender-based violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The United Nations system and the Security Council must strengthen their resolve to collect evidence-based data to support accounts of sexual gender-based violence. Deployed soldiers and peacekeepers need to be properly trained and debriefed. As far as participation is concerned, we believe that we need to encourage women's engagement in conflict resolution and prevention and in the negotiation of peace agreements, as their participation greatly increases the prospects for sustaining peace during times of conflict. Engaging women in post- conflict dialogue and policies will ensure their participation in creating a system-wide effort that includes results-based monitoring and social provisions. We believe that there is a direct link between poverty and security.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“One of the obstacles preventing the full implementation of resolution 1820 (2008) is the tendency of Governments and military personnel to treat gender-based violence as a by-product of war, not as a crime. We believe that there is an ad hoc approach to women's security in times of conflict. Until recently, gender-based violence was often an afterthought following the occurrence of conflict. There is a need to protect women and children by building protection policies into national security strategies, legislation and peace negotiations. Secondly, with regard to protection, we believe that there is a need to establish a firm and clear international norm when it comes to the prosecution of crimes involving gender-based violence in times of conflict. Perpetrators cannot go unpunished.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Recently, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro, in her address to the Security Council in April this year on United Nations support for advancing the national implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), put forth a practical framework involving the "three Ps": protection, participation and prevention in developing national action plans. We believe that the three Ps provide a broad and practical framework that can also be applied to Security Council resolution 1820 (2008). Allow me to briefly highlight some of the relevant aspects of the three Ps. In the area of protection, we recognize the need to strengthen our collective determination to treat rape and sexual assault in conflict situations with the same determination as that with which we address any other factors of war.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“They include the need to strengthen and coordinate a systematic approach by international organizations, including the need to strengthen the coordination of regional organizations and mechanisms in dealing with sexual- based violence in conflict situations. We also believe that there is a need to strengthen national priorities, legal frameworks, personnel training and public advocacy to exterminate the practice of sexual-based violence. Finally, we believe that there is a need to increase the participation of women in conflict resolution, peace negotiation, peacekeeping troops and the rebuilding and reintegration of soldiers and communities.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“At the country level, it supports joint strategy development and programming by United Nations country teams and peacekeeping operations, including building operational and technical capacity. In the area of advocacy among the public at large, it takes action to raise public awareness and generate the political will to address sexual violence as part of a broader campaign to stop rape now. Through learning by doing, which is important to many of us, it creates a hub of knowledge on the scale of sexual violence in conflict and on effective responses by the United Nations and its partners. We believe that more can be done to fully attain the objectives outlined in resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). Currently, there are a few outstanding issues that should be further addressed.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We also commend the work implemented by the recent United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative. United Nations Action unites the work of 12 United Nations entities with the goal of ending sexual and gender-based violence in conflicts. It takes a holistic approach to sexual violence in conflict by coordinating the efforts and work carried out by individual United Nations agencies on the matter. Such systemic coordination and cooperation improve accountability, amplify programming and advocacy, and increase support for national efforts in the prevention of sexual gender-based violence. United Nations Action takes the following actions to attain the objectives of resolution 1820 (2008), which we recommend to the global community.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Council has communicated to the leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the global community at large that sexual and gender-based violence in times of conflict is intolerable. We commend the Council for providing assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in monitoring incidents of gender-based violence. Furthermore, we are also encouraged that the issue of sexual and gender-based violence has now become an integral element of the Council's assessment and evaluation of peacekeeping missions, increasing the legitimacy and accountability of peacekeeping troops. We commend the Secretary-General's concerted effort to promote a more coordinated and systematic approach towards gender-based violence.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“It has compelled the international community to finally recognize sexual violence committed during conflict situations as a crime punishable by law. Sexual and gender-based violence is no longer a by-product of war and conflict. It can no longer be seen as collateral damage of war. We, the international community, have decided that enough is enough, that sexual violence in war and conflicts is intolerable and that the practice must be prevented at all costs. We commend the Security Council and the Secretary-General for engaging in high-level diplomacy and advocacy. The recent developments in integrating the issue of sexual and gender-based violence into the peace process in countries such as, for example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are a strong step forward for the Security Council.”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Pacific small island developing States represented at the United Nations, namely the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu and my own country, Papua New Guinea. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the United Kingdom on its assumption of the presidency and on presiding over this debate on the subject of women and peace and security. I would also like acknowledge the Secretary-General's recent report (S/2009/362) on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008). Resolution 1820 (2008) builds on resolution 1325 (2000).”
2009-08-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6180Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We support the position of the Non-Aligned Movement on the functionality of the Peacebuilding Commission, and we seek the Commission's support in assisting us in strengthening the peacebuilding process on Bougainville, in Papua New Guinea.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“So the connection between the need to maintain focus on reintegrating ex-combatants and the need to assist the wider community in developing a range of skills, especially vocational skills, is an important focus area. It is important to underline the importance of a gender perspective in the process of post-conflict peacebuilding. There is a global consensus that a gender perspective is critical in the development agenda; so too it would seem critical in the conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes. Much of Bougainville is matrilineal. When the women of Bougainville were re-empowered, the peace process could be better facilitated. Perhaps the toolkit of response measures for conflict resolution and peacebuilding should include a realization that local customs and traditions must be better understood.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“That said, it seems the more critical issue here is the third point covered in the concept paper: that of "a demonstrable improvement to the lives of local people" (8/2008/291, annex, paragraph 2). I would suggest that this point presents a potential gap that could hamper national, regional and international efforts. The situation on the ground on Bougainville remains one that requires constant vigilance and attention. The danger is that recurring incidents of minor violence always have the potential to provoke larger acts of violence that could lead to wider instability. We have seen instances and signs of this in the last three years. Fortunately, the incidents have been contained so far.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Political commitment at the highest levels of our Government continues. The civil service and senior officials on both sides continue to maintain, within the framework of joint meetings, the process of steady devolution of powers under the constitutional arrangement. The people of Bougainville have also taken part in the national election process, the most recent being during the middle of last year. Our regional partners continue to assist us in areas such as police training, and the United Nations, through its agencies, continues to deliver in various areas, such as girls' education. The national Government continues to provide for Bougainville in its annual budget.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Added to this, the critical political support from both the Government of Papua New Guinea and the leaders of Bougainville was also an important aspect. Over the life of the United Nations mandate, three successive Papua New Guinea Governments affirmed that the resolution of the Bougainville conflict was critical to the stability of Papua New Guinea and thus saw it as a bipartisan imperative. In the end, this continued strong commitment saw the required amendment to the Papua New Guinea constitution to effect the Bougainville peace process overwhelmingly supported by the national parliament. The current situation is that, as we move towards the third anniversary of the dissolution of the United Nations mandate over Bougainville, next month, the peace process continues.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“One element that the United Nations was able to bring during the formulation of the peace process was an independent perspective, which assisted all the parties to agree on critical aspects of how the peace process was to be structured. A very strong regional dimension, especially the involvement of our immediate neighbours in the Pacific, contributed strongly to the success of the peace process. By the time the United Nations mandate was wound up, countries such as Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Solomon Islands had assisted in some way or another, with major logistical support provided by both Australia and New Zealand, which enabled the maintenance of all personnel on the ground in Bougainville. Japan also assisted.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Uniquely, the same constitutional arrangements provide for a referendum to be held amongst the people of Bougainville within 15 years of the election of the first Autonomous Bougainville Government. To some extent the three points raised in paragraph 2 of the excellent concept paper from the United Kingdom Mission (S/2008/291, annex) had been met when the United Nations mandate was wound up. Those points are, first, rapid implementation of the peace agreement to maintain the commitment of the parties; secondly, the re-establishment of stability and the rule of law; and, finally, a demonstrable improvement to the lives of the local people. The overall involvement of the United Nations during the mandate, although small in both manpower and budget, was very effective.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“A few months earlier, between 20 May and 9 June 2005, the first general elections for the President and members of the House of Representatives had been held to form the Autonomous Bougainville Government. That historic election had been made possible under constitutional arrangements agreed between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the leaders of Bougainville. The United Nations was also a critical part ofthat process. The agreed constitutional arrangements also allows for the devolution of powers in areas such as land, the judiciary, finance, transportation and communications, to name but a few. The powers relating to defence and foreign affairs continue to remain national functions.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I thank you, Madam President, for convening this important meeting on a subject that continues to challenge all of us in one way or another. I also wish the United Kingdom all the very best during the remainder of its term as President of the Council. On 16 June 2005, the Security Council wound up the seven-year-old United Nations mandate which had overseen the resolution of the bloody 10-year civil conflict which had raged on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. Sadly, it is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 - and maybe more - people, including women and children, lost their lives in a national tragedy that could have been avoidable.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Security Council, charged with protecting human rights and the integrity and security of States, is the paramount international forum available to us. We do not expect the Security Council to get involved in the details of discussions in the Framework Convention on Climate Change, but we do expect the Security Council to keep the matter under continuous review so as to ensure that all countries contribute to solving the climate change problem and that their efforts are commensurate with their resources and capacities. We also expect that the Security Council will review particularly sensitive issues, such as implications to sovereignty and to international legal rights from the loss of land, resources and people.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“The dangers that small islands and their populations face are no less serious than those faced by nations and peoples threatened by guns and bombs. The effects on our populations are as likely to cause massive dislocations of people as past and present wars. The impacts on social cohesion and identity are as likely to cause resentment, hatred and alienation as any current refugee crisis. Pacific peoples have inhabited their islands for thousands of years and have rich and vibrant cultures. We are likely to become the victims of a phenomenon to which we have contributed very little and which we can do very little to halt. We are taking action on renewable energy and energy efficiency and in seeking to avoid deforestation, but our primary focus is on adaptation and preparing for the worst.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Within other multilateral processes, there is also scope for some of those issues to be addressed to increase international cooperation in finding solutions. All the impacts that I have enumerated are considered in different forums, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This debate in the Security Council suggests that there are additional avenues for discussing one of the most critical issues for the survival of our Pacific island communities. The Security Council and the General Assembly have accepted the principle of the responsibility to protect.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“The negotiations on future commitments for the international community as a whole should be based on the following priorities: to give equal priority to adaptation and mitigation; to slow the rate of warming and sea-level rise; to avoid positive climate feedbacks and their destructive consequences; to convince developing countries that industrialized countries are serious about addressing climate change and finding ways to reduce emissions in all countries; to maintain public credibility in the climate Convention; to stop further delays in taking action; to minimize the economic costs to developing countries of preventing dangerous climate change; to stop investment by the developed world in long-lived carbon-intensive capital equipment and infrastructure; to promote a massive worldwide expansion of renewable energy; to provide greater flexibility to future generations; and to send strong signals to industry that climate change is a serious issue and that it needs to find solutions.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“It has been said that, for the Pacific island countries, all areas affected by climate change are priority areas. In order to build a shared and sufficiently robust understanding of what needs to be done, Pacific island countries see the need for progress in a number of mutually supportive areas. We need to continue to build a stronger and more comprehensive international climate change regime within the Framework Convention on Climate Change that uses the best scientific knowledge and assesses its implications.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Many of our island communities have begun strengthening the resilience of natural systems in that manner in order to protect themselves against waves. Coral reefs and mangroves are the first line of defence against storm surges and erosion, and those are being protected through marine parks and coastal zone management. But coral reefs exist within a very narrow band of temperatures and are very sensitive to sea- temperature increases, as shown by the numerous bleaching events in past years. Mangroves, on the other hand, are very sensitive to sea-level changes, and their capacity for inland migration may be obstructed by the settlements they currently protect. Our best protection against extreme climatic events is thus being undermined by climate change.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“They often did so by learning and understanding the natural system, using existing traditional knowledge, or else by sailing on to new islands. Traditional knowledge in the region is passed on verbally and is particularly important for increasing understanding and awareness of climate risks at the community level and in the local language. Traditional knowledge by necessity fills a gap in small islands, where pure science data collection is sparse. In terms of managing climate risks, our traditional leaders have clear roles to play in our risk-management programmes, in mobilizing community response, and in increasing ecosystem resilience through indirect methods, such as defining traditional marine protected or no-harvest areas for reefs that are vulnerable to sea- level rise, coral bleaching, and run-off sedimentation.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“That is sensible from a risk-management perspective, and through projects such as the Global Environment Facility and the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change, such things as cyclone shelters and communications equipment, as well as the incorporation of climate proofing, where possible, in infrastructure design, will be implemented in the Pacific in the coming years. Individuals and communities should be empowered to adapt by ensuring that they possess a water tank to better deal with drought or floods, allowing setbacks or building on poles if homes are in coastal areas. Risk assessments to see which communities are vulnerable, and taking steps to address those risks, are essential. Our Pacific ancestors living on those islands and voyaging across the Pacific dealt with a great deal of climate variability and adapted to new environments.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“The Canadian Government funded the relocation, and the new settlement has been made more resilient through improved water storage, new agricultural practices and better-constructed houses, but many Pacific communities have no higher ground to move to. Moreover, most of our economic activities - such as tourism, shipping and infrastructure - are located in the coastal zones. Even in the higher islands, there are limits to what can be physically moved. There are also limits to what our Governments can afford. In some areas of the Cook Islands, such as Manihiki Atoll, where 3 per cent of the island's population was killed by eight-metre waves washing over the island during cyclone Martin in 1997, more concrete preparedness or adaptation measures are required.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“We know and understand many of the impacts, but there is still much more knowledge that is necessary. We also need to ensure that our communities are well briefed on those impacts and that they are empowered with the capacity to plan for mitigation and adaptation. Our Governments will establish overall climate change policy, but it is the communities that will have to agree to and implement appropriate measures. We in the Pacific islands are not standing idly by. Together with our development partners, some steps are being taken. For example, as a means of adapting to present climate variability and climate change, in 2006 the village of Lateu in Vanuatu was relocated further inland in order to avoid storm surges, frequent inundation, coastal erosion and flooding.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source