YouSaid · the spoken record

Amrit Bahadur Rai

lines on the record: 75
first: 2020-05-27
most recent: 2021-10-15
sittings or episodes: 12
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

“We emphasize the effective implementation of the agreement and reiterate the need to accelerate our collective efforts aimed at achieving a cleaner and greener planet. We can no longer afford to delay climate action. We must make the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow a success.S/2021/198 Fifthly, the Security Council must lead by example both in maintaining international peace and security and in addressing climate-related security risks. Nepal calls for political will and commitment, particularly from the five permanent members of the Council and the large emitters, to raise ambition and address climate- related security challenges.”
2021-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/198 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, while the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States are the countries least responsible for generating the climate crisis, they comprise the group of countries most vulnerable to the crisis. Special attention should therefore be given to address their vulnerabilities. Financing will be crucial to build climate resilience and net-zero economies. Nepal calls for simplified and accessible finance and technology transfer to countries in special situations. Fourthly, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the imperative to scale up our ambition is greater than ever. Nepal welcomes the decision of the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement.”
2021-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/198 (2021) · source
“We must also realize that climate action is not only critical for the health of the planet but also for the safety and security of people. Climate action should therefore not be just an afterthought or an add-on to our policies; it must be at the core of our development efforts. In this context, I wish to highlight the following points. First, COVID-19 recovery and climate action should go hand in hand. Green recovery from COVID-19 can be a sustainable solution in eliminating climate- related risks. Secondly, investing in adaptation and resilience strategies, particularly at the community level, is critical to conflict prevention. The role of new technologies in improving climate-related risk-forecasting is equally important.”
2021-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/198 (2021) · source
“The hazardous and existential threats of climate change have long been established, particularly for countries in special situations such as least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States. These countries are compelled to bear the brunt of the catastrophe disproportionately, as they have the least capacity to deal with the problems. Climate change is also a threat multiplier and accelerant to instability, contributing to humanitarian and socioeconomic crisis, conflicts and forced migration. It triggers a security risk and poses serious challenges to international peace and stability. To mitigate such risks, we must understand the interlinkages between climate and security.”
2021-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/198 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the United Kingdom presidency for convening today’s open debate on the important topic of climate and security. I also wish to thank the briefers for their insightful briefings. The climate crisis has become an existential threat for all of humankind in this Anthropocene age. It is a global crisis. The fate of humankind is at stake. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has reminded us of our nexus with nature. Even during the pandemic, there has been no respite from the climate crisis. The sea level is rising, snow-capped mountains are melting, glaciers are retreating, and flood and drought are becoming widespread.”
2021-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/198 (2021) · source
“The draft includes a framework for monitoring, reporting and evaluation as well as a budget breakdown for different components, strategies and activities. It fits well with national and sectoral policies outlining a localization plan. After its adoption, the second national action plan will also be localized at the provincial and local levels.S/2020/1084 In conclusion, I want to express Nepal’s readiness to share its experience and lessons learned through the constructive engagement of women in conflict- prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“As the first country in South Asia and the second in Asia overall to do so, Nepal adopted its national action plan in 2011 to implement resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). We have made explicit efforts to localize our plan and mainstream the women and peace and security agenda in Government institutions. Nepal’s national action plan has been an example of a transparent, inclusive and participatory process with the close involvement of conflict victims and civil society organizations. This experience has been widely shared with countries in the region and beyond. Nepal has finalized a draft three-year national action plan for a second phase. The draft of the plan builds on the experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of the first-phase national action plan.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“Ensuring timely medical care, equal access to vaccines and robust recovery plans that take care of the economic and social needs of women and girls are necessary.” Nepal appreciates the exemplary strength shown by women from various walks of life in combating COVID-19 within their communities. In particular, we commend the selfless service of women peacebuilders and peacekeepers in educating local communities about containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 while delivering on their peacekeeping mandate. This has proved that, during the crisis, we need more women leaders, peacebuilders and peacekeepers. From the days of the Council’s adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), Nepal has been a proactive supporter of the cause of women and peace and security.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“If implemented seriously, these resolutions have the transformative potential to bring about women’s empowerment and equality without leaving them behind. The current pandemic has disproportionately affected women and girls, particularly those in fragile and conflict-affected areas. In addition, a hidden pandemic of gender-based violence is also growing, and women are being excluded and marginalized from all areas of decision-making, including in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response and recovery efforts. Together, these issues have threatened the decades of progress made in women’s rights and equality. As our President stated at the high-level event on Beijing+25 last month, “[w]e should not let the pandemic stall our progress.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the Russian presidency of the Security Council for organizing today’s meeting to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. I thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2020/946) and the briefers for their updates. The year 2020 is a time to reflect on the achievements made on this agenda since the Security Council recognized its importance back in 2000. The hallmark resolution recognized for the first time the importance of the participation of women in peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts. The resolution also paved the way for an additional nine resolutions that further recognized the crucial roles of women in conflict prevention and resolution, while addressing different dimensions of conflict affecting them.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“My country is also committed to increasing the number of female peacekeepers in order to meet the United Nations goal of gender parity. It has also been deploying female engagement teams in formed units and gender focal points in battalions. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the centrality of human rights in United Nations peace operations. We call upon troop- and police-contributing countries, host countries, the United Nations and other international partners to work in unison to ensure the protection and promotion of the human rights of civilians in peace operations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“As the fourth major troop- and police-contributing country, Nepal is aware of its responsibility to uphold the human rights of civilians. Nepal has endorsed the Action for Peacekeeping joint Declaration of Shared Commitments on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians. Similarly, it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse on the ground. Nepal is also committed to providing well-trained and well-equipped uniformed personnel. Predeployment courses cover human rights law and international humanitarian law, including child protection, the protection of civilians, sexual exploitation and abuse and conflict-related sexual violence. Nepal also conducts weekly in-mission trainings for all its troops on the issue of human rights.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Secondly, overcrowded internally displaced persons camps are breeding grounds for human rights violations and crimes. Thirdly, national security forces tend to lack the necessary training and infrastructure to instil confidence in the locale population. Their weakness impedes the effectiveness of the joint operations conducted by peace missions and national security forces. Lastly, the question of the impartiality of peace operations also mars their effectiveness since armed groups consider joint operations between the peace operations and the national security forces as an act of partiality that gives an unfair advantage to national forces. That perception prevents armed groups from coordinating and working with peace operations to uphold civilian rights.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Peace cannot flourish or be sustained where there are rampant violations and abuses of human rights. In fact, peace materializes through human rights. Countries have the primary responsibility to protect and promote the rights of their civilians. The rights of special groups such as children, women and older people require special attention. The international community, including United Nations peace operations, should support the efforts of national Governments. Human rights violations and abuses should not be used as a means to achieve political ends. Its perpetrators must be held accountable in all circumstances. Peace operations face certain challenges in their efforts on the ground to protect the human rights of civilians. First, peace operations often cannot physically cover the numerous hotspots throughout a country.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank the German presidency of the Security Council for organizing this open debate. I also thank Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the other briefers for their insightful presentations. When the first peacekeeping mission was established, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was being drafted by a committee set up by the United Nations. Since then, human rights have constituted a core function of United Nations peace operations, whether explicitly mentioned in mission mandates or not. The critical role played by United Nations peace operations in the protection and promotion of human rights cannot be overemphasized. Without ensuring people’s basic rights to life and dignity, peace has no real value.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the importance of providing children with education, skills and livelihood opportunities in order to help them build a dignified life. This is also crucial for the success of peacebuilding and prevention efforts as well as for ensuring a peaceful today and tomorrow.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Nepal’s Children’s Act (2018) has ensured all rights for children, requires the State to make necessary arrangements for their basic needs and includes the maintenance, protection, health and education of children in need of special protection. The Act also guarantees that no child shall be deployed in the army, the police or in any armed group, or be used for armed conflict or political purpose directly or indirectly. It prohibits an attack on or hindrance to the operation and management of any school, including the place, services or facilities of schools, which are always to be used for the best interests of children, without excuse during times of armed conflict or in any adverse situation whatsoever.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Nepal stresses the need for adequate resources and international cooperation for protecting children and ensuring them better lives, education and well-being. Children should be protected during both conflicts and crises alike. They are an important pillar of all peaceful and prosperous societies. Nepal has always supported international efforts aimed at ending the involvement of children in armed conflict. It is party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and to the Paris Principles and Commitments on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups. Nepal also welcomes the “Practical guidance for mediators to protect children in situations of armed conflict”, launched by the Secretary-General on 12 February 2020.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“During conflicts, they may be killed, maimed, sexually abused, abducted or even recruited as child soldiers. Furthermore, they may be denied their rights to education and health and access to humanitarian support. The report of the Secretary-General highlights that in 2019 there were over 25,000 cases of grave violations against children. It underlines the serious concerns about the violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. During such crises as the coronavirus disease pandemic, children are disproportionately affected. They bear unfathomable losses due to disruptions in education systems and other socioeconomic impacts. Such impacts have long-lasting effects not only on the lives of this generation but also on future generations.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“I wish to begin by congratulating France on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June. I welcome the convening of this high- level video-teleconference on children and armed conflict. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter, for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the topic before us (S/2020/525). We also extend our thanks to Ms. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, and the civil society representative for their briefings. Children are among the most vulnerable population groups in conflicts and crises. Because of the profound effects of conflicts and crises on their physical and mental well-being, they may easily become victims.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Moreover, inclusive policies relating to all issues of social life, including in public governance, must be adopted and promoted. As one of the major contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations, Nepal takes every measure to prevent the exploitation of civilians by keeping its peacekeepers highly professional, including through vetting, predeployment and in- theatre awareness training on applicable provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights law as well as through robust punitive measures for those convicted in sexual exploitation and abuse cases. In conclusion, I wish to highlight the importance of providing peacekeeping missions with proper and adequate resources for implementing their mandates, including their protection-of-civilians mandates, at this difficult hour.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“In this regard, States Members of the United Nations and regional institutions should share their experience and good practices with each other. Nepal’s experience from its nationally led peace process has proved the significance of the promotion of social harmony, tolerance and understanding for ensuring the protection of civilians in conflicts and peace processes alike. The local community should be informed and involved, as they are directly or indirectly affected by conflicts and their aftermaths. Local community leaders, youth and women’s organizations have a crucial role to play in strengthening the social fabric. Furthermore, the investments in education, awareness programmes and employment generation are the most prudent that can be made to protect civilians in the long run.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Moreover, civilians’ right to food and unhindered access to health and medical facilities should not be compromised under any circumstances. Above all, the principles of international humanitarian law and human rights law should be upheld in all circumstances. Nepal expresses its support for the international normative framework for the protection of civilians and underscores the need to reinforce existing standards and their effective implementation. The State has the primary responsibility for protecting its civilians and preventing violence against them. Perpetrators should be held accountable and brought to justice. The capacity of national Governments to develop and implement national policy frameworks on the protection of civilians should be strengthened.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“The impacts of this invisible enemy threaten to reverse the achievements of years of rigorous diplomatic efforts aimed at sustaining peace. Poor and vulnerable countries had already been struggling when they had to take up the fight against this pandemic and strive to provide proper health services and economic relief to their citizens. In addition to this, there is a danger that the pandemic will support destabilizing factors that fuel frustration and create instability. The cases of gender-based violence and discrimination against the vulnerable segments of populations are already on the rise. In this context, we must ensure that the pandemic not be used as a pretext to inflict pain and suffering on civilians. The most vulnerable people, particularly children, women, the sick and the wounded, should be given special attention.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking the Estonian presidency for organizing today’s high-level video-teleconference on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I also thank the Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer, and Nobel Peace Laureate and member of The Elders, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for their briefings. I also welcome the annual report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2020/366). We are at one of the most difficult junctures in human history. Due to the coronavirus-disease pandemic, the protection of civilians has become the foremost priority of every country, whether it be at peace or in conflict.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source