YouSaid · the spoken record

Amde

lines on the record: 309
first: 2018-09-13
most recent: 2022-12-14
sittings or episodes: 42
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

“However, it is disappointing to learn from in the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/509) about the disturbing levels of serious violations 4 24,000 violations against children in armed conflict injust one year is distressing. That is, I believe, more than the size of the population of many towns around the world. We are seriously concerned about the continued impact of armed conflict on children, causing their forced displacement and giving rise to serious protection challenges. The activities of terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram, including recruiting and abducting children to use in asymmetric warfare and, worse still, deploying them as suicide bombers, continue unabated.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating Poland on having assumed the presidency of the Security Council. We also extend our appreciation to Foreign Minister Czaputowicz for presiding over the debate earlier today, and thank Poland for having convened this important debate as the first order of business during its presidency. We also wish to express our appreciation to Belgium for its commitment as Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. We thank Ms. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, for her presentation, and we thank all the briefers. It is encouraging to hear that close to 14,000 children have been released from different forms of captivity and reintegrated into society worldwide.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“This should forcefully underline the necessity of putting an end to unnecessary competition for roles in peace operation decision-making. It is very clear that the Security Council, TCCs and the Secretariat, as well as other major stakeholders, must work closely together to strengthen the system of United Nations peace operations. The Security Council and the Secretariat must listen properly to the experiences of the troop- and police-contributing countries. Regular, high-level meetings of all three elements, with conclusions being taken into account in any mission planning, must be a requirement. This is the first and most obvious step towards achieving the more effective and safer delivery ofUnited Nations peacekeeping missions and mandates. It needs to happen urgently.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“It is very clear, as the Security Council has recognized, that successful peacekeeping operations will increasingly require strong collaboration and dynamic consultation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, including the African Union. Continuous engagement and consultation with relevant actors - particularly the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, which significantly influence the standard and deployment of capabilities in the field - is indeed imperative. In conclusion, the deployment of peacekeeping missions in the context of escalating levels of violence and increasing asymmetrical threats has resulted in growing numbers of Blue Helmets paying the ultimate sacrifice.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“There should be field-level informal discussions that could address shortfalls in information flows and institutional arrangements. In this context, penholders should make it a priority to consult with TCCs in good faith and not overlook the significance of institutional arrangements. As our colleague from the United Kingdom mentioned earlier regarding the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), we have held thorough consultations with troop-contributing countries and I believe that has created ample opportunity for us to understand each other, as well as for the United Kingdom to take into consideration some of the challenges AMISOM. has faced in the field. It would also be sensible to strengthen the contribution of other mechanisms for effective mandate delivery.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“Earlier, Ambassador Heusgen mentioned the importance of field Visits, where one feels the heat and sees the challenges to and opportunities for peacekeeping. But the Security Council still takes decisions on the basis of reports, which are sometimes based on perception rather than reality. For successful mandate operations, it is necessary that the Security Council institutionalize regular consultations with the stakeholders. That must cover not just the mandates of operation, but also include areas such as the safety and security of peacekeepers, strategic force generation and gender, conduct and discipline. Proper consultations and institutionalization of this kind would also allow the resolution of disputes over mandate capabilities or national caveats. Equally, such discussions should not be confined to formal talks in New York.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“It might be added that this would also help to improve the perception of financers, which often seem to believe that countries are not doing enough to ensure efficiency. Such painful exclusion has created a sense of that life is compromised for money, which, unfortunately, is now prevailing in the situation of peacekeeping operations. I would also recall that United Nations peacekeeping operations would not be possible without the participation of troop-contributing countries. It is only common sense to guarantee their full involvement in planning and organizing, which would provide equality and fair treatment. Thirdly, I would suggest that there is still plenty of room for the further development of links within triangular cooperation. For example, the Security Council is not effectively represented at the field level of missions.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“However, it is still the Secretariat and the resolution penholders - and not those who will be involved on the ground -that present analyses of the political, security and humanitarian situations for a mission. Informal meetings may take place, but there is plenty of room for further input from troop-contributing countries. Indeed, if triangular cooperation is to be strengthened, that is imperative. Secondly, the lack of participation in the process of mandate preparation or renewal certainly affects performance, and negatively so. It damages the trust among the Security Council, the troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat. Peacekeepers need to know that authorized mandates have been set up as a result of full consultation and candid discussions, as well as further consultations on the challenges to be faced.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“In its presidential statement of December 2015 (S/PRST/2015/26), the Security Council itself recognized that consultations among the three stakeholders were not working effectively. The Council recognized that, in principle, the experience and expertise of the troop-contributing countries could greatly assist in the planning of operations. That would especially be the case where political processes are weak or non-existent and the environment is dangerous and difficult. The Council also recognized that a sense of ownership over the mandate and the planning processes among troop-contributing countries offered a direct link to performance.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“That also emphasizes the importance of the further institutionalization of coordination to ensure policy and operational coherence across all United Nations systems. It is indeed absolutely essential that the Security Council, the troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat now work to streamline and coordinate their activities in the increasingly complex environment of peacekeeping. In that context, I would like to make a number of suggestions to encourage the spirit of partnership and interdependence and to animate stronger cooperation and confidence-building among those three elements: the Security Council, the TCCs and the Secretariat. First, we need to see greater involvement on the part of troop- and police-contributing countries in the mandating process.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“The report of the High-level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (see S/2015/446) recommended that the Security Council institutionalize a framework to bring in troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat early in the process. There is no doubt that a collective commitment to peacekeeping, based on a shared understanding of the objectives and mandates, remains critical to successful peacekeeping missions. Today, missions are deployed in an increasingly complex operating environment and with significantly increased security risks. That underlines the importance of a collective commitment and the need for a continuous and meaningful dialogue among those who create, coordinate, implement and finance peace operations.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“I would like to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council, and particularly on organizing this highly topical debate on working relations and cooperation among the Security Council, the Secretariat and the troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and police-contributing countries (PCCs). I would also like to thank Mr. Jean Pierre Lacroix and the two other briefers. Triangular cooperation was, of course, partially institutionalized with the establishment of the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations in 2001. As mentioned earlier by our colleague from Kuwait, there have been a number of additional resolutions and presidential statements adopted to promote understanding among those three elements.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“It will continue to supply well-trained and -equipped uniformed personnel, with a greater participation of women. Ethiopia currently has 800 women peacekeepers deployed in various missions.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Peacekeeping environments now feature armed groups, terrorists, organized crime, street gangs, criminal and political exploitation and other threats." Ethiopia has seen that first-hand in the African Union Mission in Somalia, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that we believe that the Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping initiative will provide a new impetus for addressing the evolving challenges of peacekeeping more effectively. I can also assure the Council that Ethiopia is determined to remain at the forefront in providing support for peacekeeping, including in partnership with other troop- and police-contributing countries.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Gaps in capacity and capability are major impediments to creating peacekeeping operations that are fit for purpose. Innovative approaches such as triangular partnerships and co-deployments may help to change some of the mistaken views of the performance of troop- and police-contributing countries. For example, Ethiopia is working closely with various partners, including Indonesia, to prepare itself more effectively for current and future global and regional peace and security challenges. I want to underscore a comment about the challenges we are facing made in the report by former United Nations Force Commander Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz entitled Improving security of United Nations peacekeepers: "The blue helmet and the United Nations flag no longer offer 'natural' protection.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Mandates and resource requirements for missions must be balanced if they are to achieve their aims. It is only then that the Security Council, the Secretariat and contributing countries can assess and identify problems, address gaps and determine the actual impact of delivery and performance. The fact is that the capacity to finance peacekeeping and the associated political processes, and support it with the adequate provision of technological capabilities, can make the difference between success and failure for a mission. I want to emphasize that Ethiopia understands from extensive first-hand experience that peacekeeping operations must be provided with adequate financial and human resources for the effective and efficient discharge of their mandated tasks. That must include the provision of equipment and other assets.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“All of that is very necessary for adequate peacekeeping performance. In that connection, I want to emphasize that the Security Council, the troop- and police-contributing countries, Member States and the Secretariat must work together to provide the necessary conditions for the deployment of well-trained and properly equipped uniformed personnel. The commitment to supporting the effective development and provision of peacekeeping training must include meeting the requirements for preparing personnel prior to their deployment. On the one hand, United Nations peacekeeping missions are facing growing demands for greater professionalism and delivering ever-increasing results. That is simultaneously coupled with demands that they ensure cost-effectiveness and operate with fewer resources. That is simply not realistic.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“We strongly believe that risks to the safety and security of peacekeepers can be controlled and managed though effective training and appropriate manoeuvres. That can also be applied to enhancing the capacity of peacekeepers to deal with threats to civilians, whether in or outside their operational areas. In addition to training and capacity-building for peacekeepers, providing peacekeeping missions with realistic mandates and sufficient resources remains critical to their success. All missions need a combination of uniformed and civilian peacekeeping personnel and the capacity to use equipment effectively to facilitate the implementation of the mandate. Another requirement is strong and competent leadership at all levels, along with proper coordination, and that must also include United Nations Headquarters.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“United Nations missions can now be tasked with a much wider range of protection activities, which can include military activities such as ceasefires, withdrawals of foreign forces, cantonment and force disarmament and demobilization. They may also have to deal with national reconciliation, refugees, humanitarian relief and local administration as well as numerous other tasks. All of that means that the mandates for peacekeeping missions must be carefully and effectively defined, with clearly designated aims and proposed achievements. Investing in training and capacity-building activities is critical to improving both the safety and the performance of peacekeepers. Training and equipment determine performance. Ethiopia, for example, has well-established military and civilian training systems for peacekeeping deployment.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“We would like to thank the Indonesian presidency for organizing this debate, and the Secretary-General, Lieutenant General Martins Filho and Mr. Holmberg for their comprehensive briefings. We also appreciate the presence of Her Excellency Mrs. Marsudi, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, who was with us here this morning. Peacekeeping has always been one of the essential tools available to the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. That has been the case since the early 1950s, and peacekeeping missions have been remarkably successful in many ways. At the same time, in recent years much has changed. The objectives and functions of United Nations peacekeeping have changed considerably over the years, and that has of course had a significant impact on the training and support required for peacekeepers.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“We also appreciate and support his suggested measures to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and his call for a policy of zero tolerance. At the same time, we reiterate the necessity that we should agree to a strong and clear framework of action to respond effectively to these challenges.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“One aspect of that should be the continuous training of all peacekeeping personnel, whether on United Nations or AU missions, on issues related to gender and conflict-related sexual violence. I am glad to be able to say that that has been prioritized in Ethiopia's deployment of peacekeepers. Finally, let me once again affirm the commitment of Ethiopia to criminalizing sexual violence and working with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and others, to prevent conflict-related sexual violence. We welcome the Secretary-General's commitment to increasing women's representation in United Nations activities, whether as special representatives and envoys, in field operations or among military observers, police and human rights and humanitarian personnel.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“The Security Council should continue to encourage prevention and capacity-building to address the root causes of conflict. Those, of course, include persistent problems of gender inequality and even backward discriminatory practices. There is also a very real need to encourage and promote the meaningful participation of civil society organizations. They are absolutely necessary to bring about changes in structural gender inequality practices. The Council should employ all and every means at its disposal and make every effort to enhance and sustain a global response against conflict- related sexual violence. In that connection, the African Union (AU) has demonstrated its commitment to fighting impunity and holding accountable those responsible for conflict- related sexual violence.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“At the same time, as reports from the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa currently make clear, it is Africans who are most affected by this problem today. It is obvious that we need to apply much greater efforts to stop the activities of armed groups and other parties to conflict. We must take action - urgent action - to deal with those areas. In the context of Africa, we strongly welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation of engaging religious and traditional leaders to help mitigate the suffering of survivors. Equally, we believe that a central part of any recovery plan must be to strengthen the capacity of the national institutions of conflict-affected countries by providing finance and technical expertise for their prevention efforts.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“We sincerely hope that it will allow us to draw up a clear framework of commitment and seriously address the challenges involved in the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence. Sexual exploitation, abuse and violence in conflict situations demands the strongest possible actions and responses. One of those responses must be the mobilization of international efforts to galvanize effective and organized prevention measures to deal with those challenges. We all know that sexual violence is a common part of the tactics of terrorist organizations in conflict and post-conflict situations everywhere. The need to intensify efforts to prevent such violence and hold accountable those who are responsible requires global attention.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“First of all, let me express our heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of Sri Lanka on the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated on innocent civilians by cowardly groups. We condemn it in the strongest terms, and we stand in solidarity with the people and Government of Sri Lanka. We are greatly indebted to Germany for organizing this important debate on the women and peace and security agenda and the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence. We must also thank the Secretary- General for his comprehensive tenth annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2019/280), as well as all those who have provided briefings for us this morning. The report of the Secretary-General clearly highlights the current trends and our concerns about sexual violence in conflict.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Let me conclude by highlighting the importance of appreciating and supporting initiatives of the African Union Peace and Security Council geared towards the implementation of the Continental Results Framework for Monitoring and Reporting on the Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Africa.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“It is evident that the growing risk of violence and threats to the physical safety of women and their exposure to sexual abuse in conflict situations should be addressed with utmost urgency and priority. We strongly believe that mainstreaming the women and peace and security agenda requires effective coordination and consistent engagement among relevant stakeholders in regional and subregional organizations, as well as States, development agencies, women's interest groups and peace and security partners within the framework of the women and peace and security agenda. Accordingly, cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations is instrumental in integrating a regional approach into the women and peace and security commitments.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“That is the reason why Ethiopia is working for gender parity in our uniformed personnel, which aligns with the United Nations gender parity strategy in peace operations, which sets a target of 15 per cent for women among contingent troops, as well as a goal of 20 per cent for women in formed police units by 2028. The progress made in mainstreaming a gender perspective in the work of the United Nations since the adoption of landmark resolution 1325 (2000) and succeeding United Nations resolutions on the effective participation of women at all levels across conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes mustbe reinvigorated by all States Members of the United Nations. Structural barriers that marginalize women and hinder their effective participation, including legal and cultural obstacles, must be resolved expeditiously.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“That has been proved in the performance of the more than 800 Ethiopian women peacekeepers currently deployed in various United Nations missions, as well as the African Union Mission in Somalia. Though Ethiopia is a leading contributor of female peacekeepers, we recognize that a lot remains to be done. In that context, I wish to reaffirm our commitment to continuing to enhance women's participation in the military, police and civilian components, including in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We absolutely agree with the vision that underscores the fact that long-term peace and stability will be achieved where the international community is able to make sure that women enjoy equal opportunities in their participation, including in decision-making processes.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“We trust that the meeting contributed to drawing the attention of defence ministers from around the world and other heads of delegation who underlined the need to execute concrete measures in the advancement of the women and peace and security agenda. We remain committed to the women and peace and security agenda, which is one of the eight priorities identified under the Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping initiative. As the co-Chair ofthe Group of Friends on Action for Peacekeeping and a major troop- contributing country to United Nations peacekeeping operations, Ethiopia is supporting efforts towards the implementation of that initiative. We firmly believe that the full and effective participation of women is essential to peacekeeping performance.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“We extend our appreciation to the German presidency for organizing this important debate and prioritizing the role of women in conflict situations, including their protection and empowerment. We are also grateful to the Secretary-General for his Action for Peacekeeping initiative, with women in peacekeeping as one of its pillars, and also the gender- equality implementation schemes he has introduced in the structures of the Organization. Ethiopia co-hosted, together with Canada, the 2019 Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting on women and peace and security in Addis Ababa on 28 and 29 January.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“We believe that the United Nations engagement in the peacebuilding efforts of the country is important, and we hope that it will be taken into account in line with the recommended United Nations reconfiguration during the renewal of the UNIOGBIS mandate in February 2019. We commend all international partners, as well as subregional and regional organizations, especially the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, for their considerable efforts in facilitating dialogue and generating collective pressure for the implementation of the Conakry Agreement. Finally, we reiterate the importance of the Conakry Agreement in addressing the political and institutional challenges the country is facing. Therefore, we call on all stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau to respect and comply with the Agreement.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“We believe that this is a step in the right direction to enhance women's participation in political affairs and decision-making processes. The growing threats caused by drug trafficking and religious extremism, which undermine the peace and stability of the country and the region, are a matter of serious concern. In this regard, we stress the need for concerted efforts of relevant bodies at the national, regional and international levels in order to address the challenge. We express our appreciation to the United Nations strategic assessment mission for undertaking its work in consultation with all stakeholders, including the African Union, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Economic Community of West African States and the European Union.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“We note the postponement of the 18 November legislative election due to delays in the voter registration process. However, we underline the need for the holding of timely and credible legislative and presidential elections, in accordance with the Constitution and national law of Guinea-Bissau, in order to consolidate sustainable peace and national reconciliation. In this regard, we take note of the Economic Community of West African States communique issued on 12 December, which calls upon the Bissau- Guinean authorities to set a new date for the election by 22 December. The decision ofthe President to implement a gender-parity law, which establishes a quota of 36 per cent for women candidates for Parliament and women's representation in public-sector institutions, is indeed commendable.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“We support the continued role of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and his good offices in support of efforts aimed at sustaining peace in Guinea- Bissau, in collaboration with regional, subregional and international partners, through the promotion of inclusive national political dialogues, constitutional and democratic reforms and transparent and peaceful electoral processes. It is evident that strong political will and a sense of ownership remain critical to supporting peace consolidation in Guinea-Bissau. We take note with concern of the challenges encountered by UNIOGBIS in delivering its mandate, and we call upon all Bissau- Guinean stakeholders to exert collective efforts towards that end. Currently, the political environment in Guinea- Bissau is dominated by the electoral process.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“Let mejoin others in thanking Assistant Secretary-General Taye-Brook Zerihoun and the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Mauro Vieira, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, for their comprehensive briefings on the situation in Guinea-Bissau. We take note of the overall developments and political trends in Guinea-Bissau, as well as the activities of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) in the country.”
2018-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8438 (2018) · source
“For the sake of the Syrian people, who have endured so much over the last eight years, we hope that all actors will finally work together to find a common path to end that continuing tragedy. Such action is very long overdue.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“That remains the case. There is no military solution. The Syrian parties must engage constructively and in good faith with the newly appointed Special Envoy, Mr. Pedersen. We wish him every success in discharging his responsibilities. Equally important, other Member States with influence over local actors must also support the search for durable peace in Syria. Regrettably, forging agreement on Syrian issues has been very difficult. I do not have to remind members that the Security Council is the body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. Its unity, particularly agreement among the permanent members, is central and critical to making progress in Syria.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“We stress the importance of convening a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned constitutional committee, essential for reviving a comprehensive political process, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). There are changes on the ground, and the relative calm in Syria is encouraging. Nevertheless, it is clear that there are also areas with very serious challenges relating to ongoing hostilities. Millions remain in desperate need of humanitarian aid; millions more are refugees and internally displaced. The full implementation of the demilitarization agreement on Idlib is critical if we are to avoid any possible humanitarian catastrophe. We have repeatedly stressed during our time on the Council that the Syrian crisis can be effectively and sustainably addressed only through a comprehensive political dialogue facilitated by the United Nations.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“Indeed, the honest assessment and reflection so eloquently presented today will be extremely useful for advancing the intra-Syrian political talks under the auspices of the United Nations. When Mr. De Mistura told the Council of his decision to move on (see S/PV.8373), he also promised to do all he could up until the last day of his mandate to convene a constitutional committee - a stepping stone towards the revitalization of the political process. That is precisely what he has been doing, engaging with the Syrian parties, the Astana guarantors, the members of the small group and other stakeholders. He has been advancing the possibility of creating a credible and inclusive constitutional committee. However, as he recently pointed out, there is an extra mile to go in that marathon effort.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“We thank Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura for his comprehensive briefing. This is his last briefing. It is also our last statement on the Syrian issue as a Council member. I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Special Envoy for his dedicated and highly professional diplomatic efforts to facilitate a political solution to the Syrian conflict. For more than four years, he has devoted his full energy and his decades of experience and knowledge to facilitating a peaceful end to the crisis. We are deeply grateful for his determined efforts and for his continued sense of optimism while dealing with what has been one of the most difficult of diplomatic assignments. His work will, we believe, make an excellent starting point for his successor.”
2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source
“The restoration of a permanent ceasefire is essential for unhindered access to the affected population and the safety of humanitarian personnel and aid delivery.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“By implementing the pre-transitional period tasks, as stipulated in the peace agreement, the implementation matrix would lay the foundations for a successful transitional period. The longer the pre-transitional period, the smaller the chances will be of making meaningful progress. We hope that the parties will stay committed to the agreement signed, and we encourage them to do so. In conclusion, ensuring the further reduction of conflict and the total cessation of hostilities is critically important. That will facilitate the unhindered delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance. The parties need to prioritize the implementation of the permanent ceasefire on the cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian access.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“We still hope that the Council will respond positively to that request. As I said earlier, I would like to make it clear that it was mainly the determination of the parties to be flexible and accommodate one another that led to the signing of the peace agreement. The positive trends and developments that followed the peace agreement have further strengthened our faith in the parties and encouraged us to redouble our efforts in supporting them to fully implement the revised agreement. We are also encouraged by the confidence-building measures being taken by the parties. However, time is not on our side. The parties should accelerate their efforts so as to compensate for the time lost.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“That raises the question how it can be reasonable for an entity to fiercely advocate the implementation of an agreement when that entity did not go the extra mile in welcoming the agreement in the first place. Of course, we understand that there may have been doubts among Council members with regard to the commitment of the parties to the implementation of the agreement, but being a bystander is not the solution. We believe that the Security Council has a particular role to play in supporting the implementation of the revised peace agreement. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development summit requested the support of the Council with regard to ensuring the full deployment of the Regional Protection Force and a further review of its mandate so that it might be in a better position to support the implementation of the revised agreement.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“Maintaining that unity of purpose still remains vital during the post-revitalization period. The support of the two organizations should be extended to the implementation of the revised Agreement as well. It is unfortunate that the same cannot be said of the Security Council. In recent memory the Council did not heed the call of the region protesting the timing of the imposition of an arms embargo on South Sudan. We have all heard, either directly or indirectly, including from the Secretariat, the repercussions of that unfortunate timing. Yet again, the Council failed to pronounce itself on the revised peace agreement. That is very regrettable, and we have not seen a valid reason for that. Ironically, the Council's members are the first to demand its implementation and ask the region to do more.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“That is exactly why we have been stressing for quite some time and reiterate once more before we finish our tenure on the Council, that all of our collective efforts should be directed towards ensuring the full implementation of this revised Agreement. We truly appreciate - in fact, we are extremely grateful for - the steadfastness of the African Union and the United Nations, including at the highest leadership level, to work hand in hand with the region in order to resolve the conflict. We have been advocating throughout our tenure on the Council for the three organizations to maintain their unity of purpose in the search for lasting peace in South Sudan, and we would be the first to affirm that the progress achieved so far in the peace process would not have been possible without that generous support.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“Pondering over who to blame or dwelling on the failures of past attempts to bring about peace will not get South Sudan out of the quagmire it is in or bring a sigh of relief to its people, who have suffered so much for far too long. As the Secretary-General has rightly pointed out in his 90-day report, "the Revitalized Agreement provides an unparalleled opportunity to end the conflict in South Sudan" (S/2018/1103, para. 71). It was concerted regional efforts and the dedication of the parties to turning the tide that led to the signing of the revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source
“We thank the Under Secretary-General, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten, for their respective briefings. We would also like to add our voice in condemning in the strongest terms the incidents of sexual and gender-based violence against women near Bentiu, and we call for the perpetrators of those egregious crimes to be held to account as a matter of urgency. We hope that the expressed commitments of the parties to combating sexual and gender-based Violence will be translated into action by conducting a thorough investigation into the incidents. The prolonged conflict in South Sudan has brought about huge devastation in the country and exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation and the economy there.”
2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8431 (2018) · source