YouSaid · the spoken record

Albanai

lines on the record: 81
first: 2018-03-22
most recent: 2023-10-24
sittings or episodes: 14
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

“Geopolitical changes will not affect us, as their cause is just and their aspirations are legitimate. The State of Kuwait has been and will remain a loud voice of truth, as there is no other higher voice.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“The State of Kuwait has been a pioneer in supporting Palestinians, their just cause and their legitimate demands politically, humanly and morally. I am honoured to reiterate the announcement of an air bridge carrying tens of tons of humanitarian and relief assistance, as per the official instruction by His Highness the Emir of the country, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and upon direct instructions from the Crown Prince, His Highness Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In conclusion, I tell my sons and daughters of coming generations with pride and honesty that the political leadership, Government and all the people of Kuwait — everyone, young and old — carry their cause in their hearts and seek inspiration from their resilience. We will not forget them for as long as we live, and we will not waver in our support for them.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“The State of Kuwait calls on the international community to support the resilience of the Palestinian people and their continued presence on their territory. We warn against any attempts to displace them outside Gaza and further exacerbate the issue of refugees, whom should be granted their rights on the basis of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict that addresses all issues of final status pursuant to international legitimacy — which we all know by heart but many continue to ignore. The State of Kuwait also calls for collective resistance to any attempt to shift the crisis exacerbated by continued occupation to neighbouring countries. We still owe our brothers in Palestine a great deal as, despite all our efforts, we have not done enough.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“That is a firm, steadfast and principled position. We reiterate our call for complete and comprehensive peace based on what has been agreed in the Council’s resolutions and as per the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative until an independent, sovereign Palestinian State is established, with East Jerusalem as its capital and within the borders of 4 June 1967. I say confidently and transparently that there will be no peace, security or safety until the occupation ends. The State of Kuwait reiterates the importance of an immediate end to the Israeli war, Israel’s criminal practices against the Gaza Strip and the escalation in and around the Strip. We emphasize the need to work with the international community on immediate and urgent action to that end in accordance with international law.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“What is the message that the Council is sending today? What are the principles that the Council is enshrining in the minds of future generations? Have we reached a stage where geopolitical issues have become trade-offs to limit humanitarian suffering? Have we reached such an ugly stage in the history of this Organization that we no longer care that some States are above the law, and that there are different degrees of civilians according to nationality? Do not empty the Council of its substance, do not deviate its path and do not undermine its role. Keep your trust and responsibility to the fullest extent. That is the Council’s role, and it is not done out of kindness. The State of Kuwait expresses its solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people in defending their just cause and legitimate rights.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Today I address a number of my friends — the Ambassadors of the member States of the Security Council, both permanent and elected. I ask them to listen to me as someone who brings them advice, someone who does not want from his words anything but uniting behind the equal application of law, without exceptions, selectivity or double standards. I tell my friends and the Council that they have failed to take a clear and honest position about the continued violations faced by the unarmed Palestinian civilians. The Council was the safe refuge for small States and peace-loving States. I speak from personal experience. The Council was the United Nations organ that restored legitimacy and the rule of law to a State that is small in size, but big in contributions — the State of Kuwait — when we were invaded in 1990.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“What we are witnessing today in the form of a serious escalation of military operations carried out by the Israeli occupying authorities against our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the collective punishment they are suffering through the targeting of unarmed civilians by continued air strikes, leading to thousands of innocent victims, including children, women and men, as well as the continued targeting of basic services and the cutting off of electricity, water, food, fuel and the calls for the forced displacement of the Gaza Strip’s residents — all of these are not acceptable to any religion, law or human nature. The current events do not require regular statements that we hear time and time again. I quote Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, that a friend is one who is honest with you, not one who believes you.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, and congratulate your friendly country on the assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I wish you every success in leading the work of the Council towards promoting international law, pursuant to the principles and values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, amid the grave circumstances that we have witnessed during the past few days. Today we meet amid tragic developments resulting in the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people. Those developments have serious implications for security and stability in the region and, in fact, the entire world.”
2023-10-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9451Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Kuwait commends the efforts of the Palestinian people and supports their legitimate struggle to realize all their legitimate political rights in defiance of the occupation. The State of Kuwait upholds the Arab, Islamic and international position that peace is the strategic option and that a lasting, comprehensive and just solution must be based on a two-State solution, in line with the agreed upon terms of reference, including the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. That will lead to realizing all the political legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their establishment of an independent State on their territory, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“We also call upon all States that do not recognize Palestine as a State to reconsider their positions and bring them into line with international law. Occupation does not change from one State to another. The legitimate right of self-defence does not change from one State to another. The implementation of resolutions of international legitimacy, especially those of the Security Council, should not differ from one situation to another. In conclusion, the leadership, the Government and the people of the State of Kuwait reiterate their support for the brotherly Palestinian people, as well as their historical and principled solidarity with the just cause of the Palestinians.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Given the bitter situation on the ground and the injustice that the brotherly Palestinian people endure, the State of Kuwait once again calls on the international community to take urgent action to provide them with protection. We call upon the Security Council to assume its responsibilities pursuant to the Charter of the United Nations and to hold the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for the consequences of their crimes and their illegal and provocative practices in Al-Quds and Al-Haram Al-Sharif, as well as the violations against the defenceless Palestinian people on their land and holy sites. The State of Kuwait strongly supports the State of Palestine in its quest for full membership in the United Nations.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Due to the arrogance of Israel, the occupying Power, and its continued criminal practices in violation of international laws and agreements, the international community is now further away from a political horizon that could lead to a just solution to the Palestinian question, which is the key question for Arabs and Muslims. As we have said before, it is as simple as that. There is no peace, security or safety under a continued occupation. We have seen in recent years systematic steps that take us further from peace by seeking to prolong the illegal occupation through the ongoing illegal building and expansion of settlements, in flagrant violation of international resolutions, above all resolution 2334 (2016). Those steps undermine the two-State solution.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“In addition, in yet another attempt to restrict Palestinians, the Government of the Israeli occupying Power has recently imposed punitive measures on the Palestinian people, their leadership and their civilian institutions in response to the adoption of General Assembly resolution 77/247, which requests the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on the issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. In that regard, we welcome the joint statement made a few days ago by a significant number of Member States and groups at the United Nations, which rejects the punitive measures imposed on the Palestinian people.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“A few weeks ago, we also witnessed the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard by a minister in the Israeli occupation Government under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. The State of Kuwait reiterates its strong condemnation and denunciation of that incursion and other repeated violations, since such actions constitute a provocation to the feelings of Muslims and a violation of the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. The most recent incursion is part of the continued attempts of the Israeli occupation authorities to alter the current legal and historical status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“The occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories has been clear to the Council for decades. The killings and criminal practices against Palestinians persist, human rights violations against Palestinians continue, and the systematic settlement policy has not stopped. The new year began with escalation and provocation by the occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territories. As we heard from Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland in his briefing today, in the past weeks a number of unarmed Palestinians were killed by the occupying forces. We strongly condemn that, and we reiterate the need for accountability for the daily systematic violations committed by the occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Israel, the occupying Power, continues to violate international resolutions in full view of the States members of the Security Council, particularly those of the Security Council. It continues its flagrant violations of the Charter of the United Nations, international law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and other international treaties and covenants. We have entered a new year, and the proud Palestinian people unfortunately continue to suffer from the most severe acts of aggression against them by Israel, the occupying Power. Israel continues its series of violations of all the rights of the Palestinian people with no response from the Council or attempt to put an end to such injustices. The facts before the Security Council are evident.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your presidency of the Security Council for this month and on the membership of your friendly country in the Security Council. I wish you every success in managing the rest of the Council’s work. I also cannot miss the opportunity to congratulate the newly elected members of the Security Council, namely, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland. I wish them success during their membership over the next two years. In that context, I would like to thank the Member States that concluded their membership in the Council, namely, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway. We appreciate their valuable efforts during their tenure on the Council over the past two years.”
2023-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9246Resumption1 (2023) · source
“We believe that such implementation is necessary for the region as a whole. We must closely monitor the situation during the upcoming period and look into all means at the disposal of the Council to ensure regional stability. In terms of addressing the root causes ofinstability, there is a need to achieve development throughout the region, focus on strengthening governance, counter poverty, open up economic opportunities for the people and put an end to threats related to climate change. We need to see progress on that track as well as at the military level over the coming period.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“We encourage the Joint Force to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms with United Nations bodies, specifically MINUSMA, which has provided support to the Force. We believe that ongoing cooperation between the Joint Force and MINUSMA will facilitate such support, especially given that MINUSMA is conducting a risk assessment and ensuring compliance with human rights principles prior to providing the requested assistance. To that end, a mechanism could be adopted to improve coordination between the United Nations and the Joint Force. To conclude, many issues need to be dealt with in order to achieve stability in the region, including in the military and development areas. Progress must also be made in the political process in Mali, and the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation must be implemented.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“I would like to address the need to step up international and regional cooperation to counter shared challenges facing the States ofthe Sahel region, ofwhich there are multitude. Information-sharing mechanisms and best practices must be enhanced, especially given that terrorist groups have cross-border networks through which they accrue revenue by trafficking in illicit goods in order to bankroll their activities. Regional initiatives are important and positive, such as the Economic Community of West African States Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism, held in September. That is an important step forward to coordinate regional efforts. We believe that such cooperation will enhance the efforts of the Joint Force and other regional initiatives, such as the Accra initiative and the Joint Force initiative.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“We are also eagerly awaiting the 2020 action plan, and wish him and the Force success in its current operations, all the more so given that the security situation continues to unravel throughout the region, in Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso, and to extend into the coastal States. In that regard, I cannot fail to commend the efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in delivering the necessary support for the Joint Force. We further welcome the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to enhance compliance with principles of human rights in the region. We also stress the importance of honouring the pledges to the Joint Force to ensure that it can fully shoulder its responsibility with the necessary resources, without being stymied by financial shortfalls.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“In our view, there is no doubt that the G-5 Sahel Joint Force plays a critical role in countering security challenges in the Sahel region. We commend the efforts of all members of the Force to operationalize it. The Force has undertaken five operations since May, notwithstanding the administrative and financial challenges that it has encountered. We stand ready to consider the methods and tools at the disposal of the Security Council to buttress the efforts of the Force and ensure its administrative and financial stability over the long term. We also welcome the measures adopted by the new Force Commander, General Oumarou Namata, specifically through the plan of action for the upcoming period.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to begin, Mr. President, by welcoming His Excellency Mr. Barry's among us. We thank him for his briefing and the other briefers for their statements. We were pleased to hear a variety of speakers shedding light on the overall situation in the Sahel, specifically the challenges facing that region, including the humanitarian situation, in which 12 million people are in need of humanitarian and security relief owing to the activities of terrorists, which target not only civilians but military personnel in Mali and Burkina Faso. I would like to address three points today: the efforts of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel), regional cooperation and the steps to be taken.”
2019-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8670 (2019) · source
“It is necessary that the provisions of today's resolution be implemented by all States, regardless of any differences in their positions, as the resolution is binding under the Charter of the United Nations. We hope to arrive at a time when we will no longer need to extend that sanctions regime, which is a means to reach our objective of lasting peace in South Sudan. In conclusion, I would like to sincerely congratulate you, Mr. President, as well as your team and friendly country, for conducting the work of the Council wisely and with distinction during this month.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): Kuwait voted in favour of resolution 2471 (2019), on extending the sanctions regime as provided for in resolution 2206 (2015), although we would have liked to see its unanimous adoption. We call upon South Sudan to continue the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and to expedite it. We also call upon the signatory parties to work together so that the pre-transitional process will be successful in leading to the establishment of the Government of national unity. We call as well upon non-signatory parties to sign the Agreement as soon as possible.”
2019-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8536 (2019) · source
“The lack of economic opportunities, fragile governance and the impact of climate change, if not addressed, are but a few of the factors for instability and conflict. We are pleased about the preliminary efforts of the G-5 States with respect to the Priority Investment Programme, and the efforts of the United Nations through the implementation of its Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. Progress must be achieved in tandem with the military aspect of the G-5 Sahel in order to guarantee the achievement of comprehensive progress.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“In this regard, I would like to join previous colleagues in expressing condolences to the friendly French Republic on the recent loss of two of its soldiers in Burkina Faso. Lastly, in order to address the current situation in the Sahel region there are several issues that must be tackled, including the military and the development aspects. On the political process in Mali, the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali is important to the entire region, as noted by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2019/371) on the Joint Force. He notes that progress in the security sector in Mali would positively affect the operations of the Joint Force. On the root causes of instability, we emphasize the need to achieve development throughout the region.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“The international community must support such cooperation in order to prevent the further expansion of terrorist activities. In Mali, we have recently witnessed successful military operations by the military forces against terrorist groups, but they have not, unfortunately, improved the security situation. There have been increased incidents of violence during the recent period, the most important of which was the Ogossagou village massacre, which took place during the Security Council visit in March. In Burkina Faso, we heard closely from the Government during our visit about threats faced by the country. We understood that the threats in the region are similar and interconnected, and that addressing them in a coordinated and cooperative manner is therefore crucial.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“With regard to the support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to the Sahel Joint Force, we applaud the positive response of the Mission to all support requests from the Joint Force, in accordance with the technical agreement pursuant to resolution 2391 (2017). The resolution restricts support to Malian territories alone, which increases the pressure on the Joint Force. On the security situation, we are deeply concerned about the increase of attacks in the region. There has been a rapid spread of violence in the Sahel region, from Burkina Faso to the coastal States of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. That highlights the importance of regional cooperation to address the threats in the region.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“Those issues are important for restoring trust among the people, which will in turn support the efforts of the Joint Force We understand the difficulties faced by the Joint Force, particularly with regard to the lack of sustained funding to guarantee its continued operation. We welcome the proposal of the Secretary-General to establish a dedicated United Nations support office for the Joint Force. We must consider that proposal or other ways to identify how the Council can support the Joint Force, guarantee stability in the region and prevent the further spread of terrorism throughout the region.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“I would like to address three main aspects of our discussion today: the efforts of the Joint Force, the security situation and the measures to be taken. On the activities of the Joint Force, we welcome the resumption of its operations in January, particularly after the difficult situation that followed the attack on its headquarters last year. We also welcome its efforts to reach 75 per cent of operational capacity. We encourage the Joint Force to maintain that positive approach in order to confront the terrorist threats that are expanding in an unprecedented manner throughout the region. We also welcome the recent measures taken by the Joint Force to deploy a police component and operationalize the human rights compliance framework and investigate violations.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, we welcome the presence here today of His Excellency. Mr. Alpha Barry, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Burkina Faso. We would also like to express our thanks to all the briefers for their valuable remarks. It is pleasing to listen to the diverse group of speakers today representing different organizations and experiences, which gives us a better understanding of the situation in the Sahel region and helps us understand the different roles of actors in the region, as well as the needs of the Sahel region at large. As has been made clear to the Security Council from the briefings today, there are issues that we can support to achieve stability and security, promote development and tackle the root causes of instability.”
2019-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8526 (2019) · source
“We must consider the internal situations in both countries through the adoption of a draft resolution that defines an applicable mandate amid the current circumstances. In conclusion, Kuwait stands ready to cooperate with the Sudan, South Sudan, members of the Council and the Secretariat to reach a final settlement in Abyei.”
2019-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8519 (2019) · source
“We are well aware of the current critical phase, the specific circumstances and the time frames facing the Sudan and South Sudan. We therefore believe that the Council should not rush either country. We welcome the progress made by both countries in implementing the border-demarcation benchmark. We look forward to the implementation of the remaining bilateral agreements in order to establish all the relevant institutions in Abyei and support its people, while mitigating any conflict and defusing any tensions. We reiterate our position that any future steps should be taken in consultation with the parties to secure their consent before the steps are taken, which is one of the three peacekeeping principles.”
2019-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8519 (2019) · source
“We call as well for a careful and gradual approach to developing the mission so that it can maintain security for Abyei and its population and establish peace there. We welcome the implementation of resolution 2445 (2018) in reducing the military personnel of the mission and the selection of Jordan as a police-contributing country to provide a formed police unit. We hope that the unit will begin its work in Abyei as soon as possible. We also reaffirm the need for Council members to agree on addressing the recommendations in the report before including them in a draft resolution on the mission mandate. We are grateful to the United States delegation as a penholder for engaging with all parties and seeking consensus on the mandate renewal.”
2019-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8519 (2019) · source
“We hope that the two countries will continue to regularly hold meetings within the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and implement the benchmarks set out in resolutions 2445 (2018) and 2465 (2019). We welcome the presence of the Special Envoy, Mr. Onanga-Anyanga, among us today. We stand ready to cooperate with him in order to consolidate peace and stability in the entire Horn of Africa, which is a vital part for our Arab countries and their strategic neighbourhood. We also welcome the central role that UNISFA plays in Abyei, and we take note of the Secretary- General's recommendations contained in his report before us. We stress our support for the mission and its officials and call for facilitating its work.”
2019-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8519 (2019) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): I thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for their briefings. I will focus today on three issues: the situation in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the development of the mission and the way forward. We appreciate the stabilizing role of UNISFA in Abyei. The Security Council must therefore focus its attention on the Abyei region to protect it from any surrounding events causing instability. We express our concern about the reference contained in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/319) on the presence of military elements from outside the region, which demonstrates the need to accelerate the establishment of the Abyei police service.”
2019-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8519 (2019) · source
“We also hope that they will seek a comprehensive and balanced solution to the issue through dialogue, in line with article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group, with a View to making immediate progress in every area. In that regard, we commend the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and its efforts on the ground, especially in facilitating dialogue among all the parties to the conflict.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“We therefore urge both parties to refrain from any provocative action that could exacerbate the ongoing conflict or prevent progress being made in implementing the Minsk agreements, which represent the only agreed framework for a regional settlement of the conflict. Demonstrating the necessary political will to recommit fully to the Minsk agreements is still the only way that regional security and stability can be maintained. We renew our commitment to Ukraine's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and to non-interference in its internal affairs. We hope that all the relevant parties will fully implement resolution 2202 (2015), the Minsk agreements and presidential statement S/PRST/2018/12, of 6 June 2018.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Ms. Ursula Mueller and Ambassadors Apakan and Sajdik for their valuable briefings on the situation in eastern Ukraine. We have been following the continued instability in eastern Ukraine, now in its fifth year, with concern. The situation there has had significant humanitarian and economic consequences that affect residents' daily lives and have damaged its infrastructure. As Ms. Mueller said, more than 3.5 million of 5.2 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, along with more than 1.5 million who are internally displaced.”
2019-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8516 (2019) · source
“Moreover, regional organizations and the Peacebuilding Commission have fundamental roles to play in the implementation of development strategies.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“We hope that all efforts - international, regional and those of the United Nations - will be coordinated with Guinea-Bissau. We are ready to take account of all the recommendations contained in the report when the Security Council considers renewing UNIOGBIS mandate during February 2019. In conclusion, I commend once again the efforts made by UNIOGBIS and its cooperation with the various active elements in Guinea-Bissau. We stress the need for all parties to cooperate in order to guarantee the success of the transition plan, as proposed by the strategic assessment, because many challenges in the country are long term and require the participation of various United Nations offices, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“We renew our full support for the five organizations - ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and the Community ofPortuguese-speaking Countries - seeking to achieve progress in resolving the political crisis in the coming period. I also commend the support of the neighbouring countries in funding the electoral process. We look forward to the outcome of the ECOWAS summit with regard to the Guinea-Bissau situation Secondly, with regard to the strategic assessment, I thank the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for his report (S/2018/ 1086) submitted pursuant to resolution 2404 (2018). We take note of the recommendations contained therein pertaining to the reconfiguration of UNIOGBIS after the presidential elections are held next year and the drawdown plan for the upcoming two years.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“In that regard, we welcome yesterday's announcement by the Government of Guinea-Bissau of its intention to hold the legislative elections on 10 March 2019. Over this year, we have noted the progress made in the implementation of the Conakry Agreement and hope that the postponement of the elections will not impact it, especially given that the date for holding the presidential elections in 2019 is fast approaching. The concurrent holding of legislative and presidential elections would have an impact on all the political actors in the country. Therefore, work must be done mow to ensure that the elections are held on the date set according to the most recent electoral calendar.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“First, with regard to the political situation, we regret the slow pace of preparatory work for holding the elections, especially the voter registration process, which is necessary for holding the legislative elections. We also regret the Government's decision to postpone those elections, which were supposed to be held on 18 November, as well as its non-compliance with the electoral calendar. In that regard, the State of Kuwait appreciates and supports the role that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is playing to resolve that issue. We also support the ECOWAS request to the Government of Guinea-Bissau to schedule the date for the elections before the next ECOWAS summit, to be held on 22 December.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“Mr. Albanai (Kuwait) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Mauro Vieira, in his capacity as Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), for their valuable briefings on the latest developments in Guinea-Bissau. I would also like to commend the pivotal role that the PBC is playing in Guinea-Bissau. I will comment on two fundamental aspects concerning today's subject: the political situation and the strategic assessment of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“However, it is also facing many challenges, particularly the presence of armed groups and illicit trafficking networks, that threaten some States' stability and security. We commend and encourage UNODC in its efforts to combat transboundary crimes and the United Nations Office for West Africa for its contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, with a View to achieving stability and development for the peoples of the region. We fully support their work in that regard.”
2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source
“We also welcome the midterm report of the UNODC Regional Programme for West Africa, which covers the most recent developments regarding efforts by regional countries to enhance their capacities to combat these threats. We commend the 924 activities that UNODC carried out between July 2016 and July of this year, and we urge the Office to continue its efforts to advance the priorities outlined in the report, including combating corruption, strengtheningjudicial frameworks and supporting the Group of Five for the Sahel in the area of cooperation between the police and the judiciary. In conclusion, the West African region has great potential that if used well can undoubtedly bring about steady increases in economic growth and development.”
2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source
“Therefore, the focus must be on building the capacities of West African States. We appreciate the efforts that are being made by the United Nations through UNODC and the United Nations Office for West Africa. We also appreciate the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to combat drug trafficking. We would like to point in that regard to its Regional Response Action Plan to address the growing problem of illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and drug abuse in West Africa for the period from 2016 to 2020, and we call on the States of the region to continue their efforts to implement it. We welcome the ECOWAS Drug Unit's recent meeting in November on the issue.”
2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source
“Continued instability in certain States of the region creates an environment that could be exploited by organized criminal groups to step up illegal drug trafficking, and gives them the opportunity to strengthen the use of commercial routes to forward drugs to their final destinations. Those groups use some States of the region as drug distribution centres, especially since its geographic location puts it strategically at the heart of established trade routes and networks. There is an inherent relationship between corruption and drug trafficking. Political and security instability in certain States of the region directly contributes to facilitating drug trafficking. Weak Governments and failure to enforce the law in certain States allow criminal groups to use the region as part oftheir criminal network.”
2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source