YouSaid · the spoken record

Baeriswyl

lines on the record: 694
first: 2013-06-24
most recent: 2023-12-22
sittings or episodes: 128
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

“As part of that preventive approach, Switzerland is supporting the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which maps migration routes and coordinates the management of natural resources in order to strengthen communities’ resilience to climate shocks. In that respect, we welcome UNMISS’s commitment to raising the issue of climate change in community dialogues, as it did in Bor in June. That not only makes it possible to identify preventive measures but also to build confidence. Time is running out. The coming months will require joint efforts on the part of all players to complete the tasks needed to achieve a lasting peace. As we have heard today, the people of South Sudan aspire to a normal life, with the opportunity to do everything from playing on a basketball team to pursuing a professional career.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“International partners must do more to meet those needs. We welcome the solidarity shown by South Sudan with those fleeing the conflict, as well as the Government’s efforts to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Sudan. Thirdly, there is a clear link between climate change and security in South Sudan. Flooding, particularly in Jonglei, Unity and Lakes states, and droughts in Central Equatoria are increasing food insecurity, competition for natural resources and community tensions. The Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security has discussed those factors in depth, as well as possible preventive measures.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“It is imperative to strengthen the protection of civilians, and we look forward to the assessment of the implementation of the UNMISS protection-of-civilians mandate, while recalling that the primary responsibility for the protection of civilians falls to the Government. The work of UNMISS in strengthening the rule of law is also to be commended. We are also deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and condemn the repeated attacks on humanitarian personnel and convoys. All the parties must respect international humanitarian law. Safe, rapid and unhindered passage for humanitarian relief must be authorized and facilitated. As Ms. Wosornu emphasized, the conflict in the Sudan is putting further pressure on humanitarian needs, particularly in border areas, but also on the economy and social cohesion.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“Juan also said, a free political and civic space, guaranteeing freedom of expression, assembly and the press, is fundamental. We commend the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for facilitating round tables and radio programmes to provide that space. We encourage the Mission to continue to amplify the voices and contributions of the women who are so actively involved in the transition process. Secondly, security and stability are essential conditions for the success of the political transition and the holding of free and fair elections. We remain concerned about the persistence of subnational violence, extrajudicial executions, sexual and gender-based violence and the high number of serious violations of children’s rights.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“South Sudan is in a critical phase of peacebuilding, as we have heard, and at a decisive moment in its history, with the first general elections since it gained independence in sight. I would like to emphasize three aspects that we consider essential in that regard. First, despite some progress, key stages of the political transition have yet to be completed. It is important to ensure that the deadlines set out in the road map are met and the necessary legal frameworks and relevant bodies, such as the National Constitutional Review Commission, put in place without delay. As the Chair of the National Elections Commission pointed out last week, political will and a spirit of compromise are essential if progress is to be made. In addition, as Ms.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to join my colleagues in thanking Mr. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ms. Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, for their briefings. I welcome the presence here today of the Permanent Representative of South Sudan. We would also like to thank Ms. Racheal Juan for her remarks on behalf of the South Sudan Council of Churches — a much-appreciated and long-standing partner of Switzerland — and to express our gratitude for her efforts to promote an inclusive dialogue, which is so useful and essential for her country.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“The Council must continue to seek the unity that will enable it to take action to prevent and swiftly resolve conflicts in order to ensure lasting peace.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“In fragile contexts, it is also essential to strengthen the exercise of due diligence on human rights, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. For Switzerland, those principles fully apply to all our partnerships. In conclusion, I would like to once again underscore the responsibility of the Council. Experience with public-private partnerships is also discussed in the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. Once again, in that regard, we call for closer cooperation between the Security Council and the other organs of the United Nations system. Lastly, we always come back to the same key conclusion. I want to stress the Council’s essential role in conflict prevention with a view to reducing humanitarian needs.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“First, public and private players can and must adopt common approaches, in both the short and the long term, if we are to meet the specific challenges of fragile contexts. Such partnerships can make a difference for millions of people on the ground. Secondly, local actors must be at the centre of any humanitarian response. Their expertise and networks should be better integrated. Lastly, despite the progress made in the past 10 years, the potential of public-private partnerships remains underexploited. In fragile contexts, the ad hoc promotion of mixed financing models can help to reduce risks. In addition, raising awareness of ethical practices in the private sector remains important. Any action linked to private-sector involvement and innovative financing must be based on humanitarian principles and human rights.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“First, the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing initiative, launched in 2019 by the World Economic Forum at Davos, aims to encourage private capital investment in financially sustainable opportunities for communities in fragile contexts. Secondly, since the 1990s, Switzerland has been supporting cash and voucher assistance. By focusing on local markets and supporting and investing in small businesses run by women, that assistance enables people affected by a crisis or disaster to quickly cover their most urgent needs. It also stimulates local demand, while helping to create livelihoods throughout the value chain, from producers to sellers. Collaboration with the private sector has improved the efficiency of such assistance and should be strengthened. Based on our experience, we have drawn the following lessons.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“They make early-warning systems more effective, as they also do for the processing of data, whose collection, use and deployment must always be secure and responsible. In addition, we cannot underestimate the importance of stable and secure Internet connections, which enable people to access both information and the help they need to quickly reach others in need. At times, it is a question of survival. Today’s meeting is particularly timely if we are to take full advantage of technological innovation, because we need to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors. To illustrate Switzerland’s wealth of experience in that area, I will provide two quite straightforward examples.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“In 2022, not quite half of the world’s humanitarian needs were funded. My first observation is as obvious as it is alarming. The gap between humanitarian needs and the capacity to meet them continues to widen. We know the reasons for it — the adverse effects of climate change, weak governance, the consequences of the recent pandemic and armed conflicts. Conversely, any dispute that is resolved peacefully and any conflict for which a political solution is found help to reduce humanitarian needs. The Council is on the front line in that regard. My second, however, is encouraging. Humanitarian needs can be reduced if we invest more in anticipatory action, based on risk assessment and management, and if we work in partnership. We are all aware that new technologies can play an important role in that regard.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): We thank Albania for organizing today’s debate on a subject that is important for Switzerland, which has a long tradition of humanitarianism. And of course I also thank the briefers for their contributions. I believe it is now obvious, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Albania has reminded us, that we are facing a global humanitarian crisis. The world is being ravaged by more than 100 armed conflicts that are lasting longer and longer. The number of displaced people has more than doubled in the past 10 years. The number of people with humanitarian needs has increased more than fivefold, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme has shown us shocking statistics on food insecurity. And as suffering increases, funding decreases.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“As the conflict in the Sudan enters its sixth month, we must redouble our efforts to prevent it from falling back into the abyss of atrocious violations. I would like to reiterate Switzerland’s full support for UNITAMS and for the continued role of the United Nations in the Sudan. As the Special Representative just said, the Sudan is (spoke in English) “a country of tremendous potential”. (spoke in French) Switzerland remains determined to work alongside the United Nations and the Sudanese people so that they can realize their aspirations for peace, justice and democratic governance.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“In that respect, Switzerland welcomes the diplomatic efforts currently being made, which must be closely coordinated and complementary in order to achieve lasting results and put an end to the violence and destruction. We also support the Secretary-General’s appeal to all parties to include women, who are committing themselves to the cause of peace with courage and determination — of which we have heard many examples — in the ceasefire negotiations and throughout the future dialogue process. The joint press stakeout by the signatories to the statement of shared commitments on women and peace and security this morning reiterated the call for protection against any attack on their security.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“We also remain committed to the humanitarian response in the Sudan, as well as in the countries affected by the crisis. As we have just heard from our colleagues, we welcome the generosity with which countries in the region have been receiving people fleeing the conflict, which demands additional resources and requires borders to be kept open. We also welcome the access to North and South Darfur that OCHA has managed to negotiate in recent days. Thirdly, a return to an inclusive political process is the only credible and lasting solution to the conflict. In order to create space for dialogue, we urge the parties to the conflict to resume negotiations in good faith towards a sustainable ceasefire.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“We are grateful to those who continue to risk their lives to document the facts on the ground, and we encourage the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan to continue its support for those activities. Secondly, humanitarian efforts in the Sudan and the region remain at the centre of our concerns. We have indeed heard the tragic accounts from Ms. Wosornu. We remind all the parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to facilitate safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need and to protect medical personnel and infrastructure. Switzerland urgently calls on the parties to the conflict to explore all possible options in order to agree on measures to be taken to that end.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“We condemn all violence against civilians and reiterate our call on all the parties, especially the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. We continue to hear reports in Darfur of ethnic killings, summary executions and sexual and gender- based violence. It is all a déjà-vu nightmare for the people of the Sudan. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights rightly pointed out in June, yesterday’s impunity has fuelled today’s cycle of violence. To break that cycle, those responsible must be prosecuted and brought to justice. All allegations of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law must be investigated thoroughly, impartially, independently and without delay.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“As the Secretary- General says in his report (S/2023/644), it is critical to ensure that the voices of civilians are not drowned out by the sound of bullets. Their testimonies remind us of our collective responsibility to protect civilians and support them in their aspirations for lasting peace. I would like to tell Ms. Adil that we have indeed heard her moving testimony and her appeal to us. I would like to emphasize three points. First, as my colleagues have said, the fighting must stop immediately, and the parties must abandon their pursuit of a military victory. The high number of casualties and displaced persons among the civilian population, the appalling increase in serious violations of children’s rights and the large-scale destruction of infrastructure paint a bleak picture.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank our colleague from Ghana for his briefing (see S/PV.9416). I also thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Volker Perthes and the Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Edem Wosornu, for their briefings. I am grateful to Ms. Mayada Adil for giving such a strong voice to the victims. First of all, like others, I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to Mr. Perthes for his unwavering commitment to peace in the Sudan. I wish him all the best for the future. I would also like to thank all United Nations staff for their efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.”
2023-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9417 (2023) · source
“The parties to the conflict still have an obligation to respect international humanitarian law and human rights. In the territories under its control, Russia is also obliged to respect its specific obligations as an occupying Power. In particular, it must respect Ukrainian legislation in force. Rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid must be guaranteed to all civilians in need, including in the occupied zones. Once again, we call on Russia to refrain from any attempt to alter the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, to reverse the decisions taken to that end and to finally withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territory. As my Ghanaian colleague put it: (spoke in English) “There is no alternative to winning the peace of Ukraine”.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“That was the case two days ago, when a devastating mid-afternoon attack on a market in Kostiantynivka killed and injured dozens of people. In the south of the country, schools and homes, as well as port and grain infrastructure, have been damaged as a result of Russian strikes. Switzerland therefore urgently reiterates the legal imperative to protect the civilian population in armed conflicts. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has documented reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including in occupied zones. To date, the Commission has visited Ukraine more than 10 times and has provided detailed reports, the most recent of which was issued last week. Many of the violations found may constitute war crimes. All perpetrators of such crimes must be held accountable.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“Switzerland will not recognize the results of the illegal elections, which are taking place in a context that prevents any free and fair voting. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, in particular through the prohibition of the use of force and the acquisition of territory by force, are fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. By adopting a resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine in October by a very large majority (General Assembly resolution ES-11/4), the General Assembly, as many others have mentioned, defended those principles, which form the basis of our multilateral order and of relations among the States Members of the United Nations. If those principles are not respected, it is the population that suffers most.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“Our position was clear a year ago and remains just as clear today: as the Assistant Secretary-General also just reminded us, the annexation of Ukrainian territories declared by Russia following those votes constitutes a serious violation of international law. Switzerland condemns such a violation and does not recognize the integration of the Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation. Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya, as well as Crimea, are part of Ukraine. As we meet today, actions are under way to try to further cement those illegal acts and legitimize military control. Switzerland rejects the decision of Russia’s Central Election Commission to hold local elections in the occupied territories. In the meantime, those so- called elections have begun in the occupied Ukrainian regions without any valid legal basis.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. My colleagues who spoke before me have already said it, but I believe it is important to repeat the truth: almost a year ago, Russia held so-called referendums in the occupied regions of Ukraine in contravention of the relevant international standards and provisions of Ukrainian law and despite urgent calls from the international community to desist from doing so. As the armed conflict raged on, Ukrainians in the occupied regions were forced to vote in an environment that was described by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine as one of fear and coercion.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“Or, as was said on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of peacekeeping, “Peace begins with me, with you, with all of us”.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Switzerland is committed to an in-depth discussion of peacekeeping reform. That is why we organized a workshop on the subject with the International Peace Institute during our presidency. The discussion highlighted the need to develop the capabilities of regional forces, strengthen current structures and rationalize mandates. As Karin Landgren, Executive Director of Security Council Report and former head of several peace missions, said at the debate on peace operations in November last year, “Peace operations fit for contemporary times need to devise new approaches that include responsiveness to the underlying causes and drivers of conflict” (S/PV.9181, p.7). The New Agenda for Peace provides us with a unique opportunity to do so, and Switzerland will continue to contribute to it actively and constructively.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, there are now legitimate expectations for proof of the effectiveness of missions. Effectiveness is not only a first line of defence against disinformation but a moral responsibility to the populations affected and to our taxpayers. Switzerland’s provision of an expert in that area to the Department of Peace Operations underlines our support for the implementation and development of the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System. The aim is to strengthen the link between performance assessment, planning and budgeting. We also welcome developments in the area of environmental performance, in line with the strategy of the Department of Operational Support. That helps to reduce the environmental footprint of peacekeeping operations and better manage natural resources. Greening the missions is now a guiding principle.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“That is also why, during our presidency, we organized a debate on the subject presided over by our Vice-President (see S/PV.9315). Secondly, the protection of civilians in the broadest sense must remain at the centre of our focus. All missions authorized by the Council have an obligation to respect the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law. That must be a precondition for the provision of funding and support by the United Nations and it requires adequate structures, processes and resources. The United Nations human rights due-diligence policy is particularly relevant now, for example in the context of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which the question of support to non-United Nations forces has been raised.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“I would like to outline three points that we consider essential. First, it is up to the Council to ensure that peace operations are guided principally by politics and that those operations support a clearly defined political process, which, of course, includes women. It also entails reimagining partnerships with regional organizations in general and the African Union in particular, in order to develop modular and flexible mission models. In that respect, Switzerland recognizes that predictable, sustainable and flexible funding for African Union-led peace-support operations would be an important instrument for the Council. Needless to say, we will support all of the efforts that our colleague from Ghana just described.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“That is why in his New Agenda for Peace, as my colleague from Ecuador just mentioned, the Secretary-General states that “the gap between United Nations peacekeeping mandates and what such missions can actually deliver in practice has become apparent”. We therefore need to adapt our instruments to swiftly close that gap. That is a task for the Council, the United Nations itself and all Member States. I thank the Under- Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his briefing, in particular for reminding us of all the peacekeeping success stories. I welcome the third progress report on the implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative. The initiative must continue, and we fully support it. Recommendations from the Secretariat show that we need to reflect in depth on peacekeeping reform.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): The idea of United Nations peacekeeping operations was born when the Cold War imposed itself on the work of the Security Council. Those operations have saved the lives of millions of civilians over the past few decades. I would therefore like to begin by thanking the Blue Helmets for doing extraordinary work every day, often in difficult conditions and at times at great personal cost. As many of my colleagues have underscored, since the concept of peacekeeping operations was established 75 years ago, the nature of conflicts and the mandates of missions have changed considerably.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Their work is fundamental, and their integrity and professionalism are beyond doubt. Since the adoption of resolution 2118 (2013), the regular meetings of the Council have served as a reminder of a central issue: preventing the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and ensuring their transfer and destruction. Switzerland therefore calls on all parties to the conflict to refrain from using such weapons and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Adopted 10 years ago, resolution 2118 (2013) reminds us that “those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic should be held accountable”. Their impunity remains unacceptable to this day.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“As the High Representative has just informed us, despite recent contacts — notably in Beirut in June — the OPCW’s Declaration Assessment Team is still waiting to be able to deploy its full workforce to Syria and to organize the twenty-fifth round of consultations with the Syrian authorities. Switzerland calls for those consultations to be held as soon as possible. We also call on Syria to provide answers to the 20 points left unresolved in its initial declaration. Those outstanding answers constitute one of the conditions for Syria to regain its rights and privileges as a State party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Providing those answers is also an obligation to the Council. Switzerland would like to reiterate its full confidence in the OPCW and its support for all its missions.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“Over the past 10 years, obligations under the Convention have been violated on several occasions, and some 25 chemical attacks documented by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have taken place in Syria. The missions and mechanisms of those organizations have concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that nine of those attacks are attributable to the Syrian Government. Among its obligations as a State party to the Convention, Syria must provide full cooperation to the OPCW. The Security Council unanimously reaffirmed that obligation in resolution 2118 (2013), which was also adopted 10 years ago.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): As Switzerland takes the floor in its national capacity for the first time this month, I wish, like my colleague from Mozambique, to express our gratitude to the United States delegation for having guided the Council’s work in August. I also wish to assure you, Madam President, of our full support during your presidency. Almost 10 years ago, as others have mentioned, Syria acceded to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. As the High Representative — whom I wish to thank for her briefing — has just reminded us, its accession came just a few weeks after the large-scale use of such weapons in the suburbs of Damascus, in particular against civilians, including children. It constitutes one of the most devastating examples of the use of chemical weapons.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“In view of the withdrawal of MINUSMA, we call on the Malian authorities and all stakeholders to harness their political capital to enable a peaceful transition and work towards achieving stability in the region.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“That is also the conviction of Switzerland, which has been present in Mali for more than 40 years. We will therefore continue to work with the Malian authorities and all stakeholders to that end. The progress that Mali has made, together with the international community, must not be jeopardized. In the interests of the protection of the civilian population and peace and security in Mali, Switzerland will constructively pursue its commitment to finding a compromise text. It calls on all other members to do likewise. In particular, we underscore that, when the Council adapts sanctions measures, its decisions should take into due account the information provided by the Group of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2077), which assesses their implementation, including the humanitarian, political and security situation.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“Switzerland regrets that the use of the veto by one member of the Security Council calls into question the renewal of sanctions measures, which are aimed at supporting Mali in the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, especially against the backdrop of growing insecurity, which is leading to the displacement of the population, and the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) under tense circumstances. The purpose of adopting today’s draft resolution was to maintain sanctions measures aimed at fostering the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation. Upholding and implementing the agreement by all parties is key to achieving long- term stability and security in Mali and the region.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by thanking the co-penholders for their facilitation and consensus-building efforts. We also acknowledge the commitment of the members of the Security Council. Switzerland voted in favour of the draft resolution (S/2023/638) because, like the vast majority of other members, we believe that it represents an acceptable compromise.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“As a long-standing advocate of international humanitarian law, Switzerland will continue to work for its promotion and strict application.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“Accordingly, as we heard at last week’s briefing on artificial intelligence (see S/PV.9381), new technologies have interesting potential. By helping to better understand the human environment, such technologies bolster early warnings and therefore the prevention of violence against civilians. In that context, we would like to ask the Force Commanders how they see in concrete terms the future use within their Missions of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in order to counter disinformation and improve the protection of civilians, while at the same time ensuring that the risks linked to their use are minimized. In conclusion, we would like to remind everyone that the protection of civilians is an obligation under international law in all situations of armed conflict.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“The presence of all Force Commanders in New York today is an opportunity for the Council to draw on their extensive experience to establish best practices and ensure that they are disseminated and applied across all missions. The protection of civilians must also be guaranteed during transitional phases. In this respect, the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali must under no circumstances lead to a deterioration in the condition of civilians in the country: the Malian Government must immediately ensure that the functions in this area for which the Mission was responsible continue to be carried out. Thirdly, and finally, strategic mission communication also contributes to the protection of civilians. As we have heard, misinformation and hate speech weaken and undermine efforts.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“The root causes of conflict and the political, socioeconomic, gender and other dimensions must be taken into account right from the initial planning phase of a mission, as stressed by the UNIFIL Force Commander. In this context, the presence of protection-of-civilian advisers on mission staffs is particularly important to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach between the various components and external partners. In addition, respect for human rights and international humanitarian law must be an integral part of peacekeeper training, as this is everyone’s responsibility. Secondly, beyond the specificities of each mission, it is important to define and systematically implement common standards for the protection of civilians, including against gender-based violence.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“First, protecting the civilian population is one of the primary tasks of peacekeeping missions. This priority must be reflected in the allocation and use of available capacities and resources. The protection of civilians must be the subject of a comprehensive, integrated approach involving all the military, police and civilian components of a mission. The focus should not be on reacting to acts committed against civilians, but, as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan emphasized, on preventing such acts. That said, even when a United Nations mission is present, the fundamental responsibility for protecting the civilian population lies with the Government of the host country.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“Unfortunately, civilians still represent the vast majority of victims of armed conflict, and their protection is therefore more necessary than ever, as well as more difficult than ever, as we have just heard. The protection of civilians is also one of Switzerland’s priorities on the Security Council. The New Agenda for Peace provides us with the conceptual framework for considering how peacekeeping missions can further strengthen the protection of civilians in future. This is also our main question: how can we, States Members of the United Nations and also members of the Security Council, support this reflection as part of the discussions we have on the New Agenda for Peace in the coming months? I would like to mention three avenues in this regard.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“Mrs. Baeriswyl (Switzerland) (spoke in French): I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s debate. I would like to begin by thanking the Deputy Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Lacroix, and the three Force Commanders, Generals Subramanian, Rodrigues de Miranda Filho and Lázaro Sáenz, for their briefings. In addition to these three Generals, I would like to thank all the Heads of Mission and Force Commanders, who are doing a remarkable job, often in very difficult conditions. I would also like to express our condolences to the Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to the Government of Ghana and above all to the family of the peacekeeper who died in an accident this morning.”
2023-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9389 (2023) · source
“The extension of the mandate in January attests to the Council’s continued support for the mission. Switzerland stands ready to promote dialogue among stakeholders to explore the possibility of delegating certain tasks that have been carried out by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali to UNOWAS, if appropriate. In addition, as co-penholder, and together with Ghana, we will continue our efforts to adopt a presidential statement as soon as possible, in order to underline the Council’s strong interest in the region. After two years, it is time to reiterate our collective support for the valuable and important work of the regional Office in all areas of its mandate.”
2023-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9384 (2023) · source
“Aïssatou Diouf told the Council in May, “It is no longer relevant to address the crisis in the Sahel on the basis of security issues. We need multisectoral responses that take into account current and future climate issues.” (S/PV.9322, p. 6) That will allow for an easing of the pressure on humanitarian aid in the long term and help communities to recover. In that regard, and in order to strengthen the resilience of more than 700,000 people in Burkina Faso, Switzerland is supporting a programme aimed at de-escalating disputes between farmers and herders by adapting breeding methods and livelihood means to climate challenges. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/490) once again highlights the importance of the role of UNOWAS in overcoming the many challenges in the region.”
2023-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9384 (2023) · source
“Lastly, we are facing a serious humanitarian crisis as a result of instability, conflict, forced displacement, food insecurity and climate change. The crisis is affecting millions of people in the region. The situation of young people and children in West Africa and the Sahel remains particularly worrisome. Attacks on schools are often committed in tandem with other serious violations, such as sexual and gender-based violence. In general, we are seeing a deterioration in access to health and education services. We cannot remain indifferent to those developments. Switzerland welcomes the work of UNOWAS on climate change, peace and security in the context of the Dakar Call to Action. My country welcomes the ongoing analysis of climate security risks. As Ms.”
2023-07-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9384 (2023) · source