YouSaid · the spoken record

Bermudez Alvarez

lines on the record: 198
first: 2017-11-17
most recent: 2019-08-02
sittings or episodes: 28
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

“Education offers valid alternatives for victims facing a future that often appears hopeless and uncertain. Through the transformative power of education, children and young people will acquire the skills and economic security necessary to break the circle of violence, while learning the values of humanity and coexistence that will allow them to build healthy, peaceful and sustainable societies.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“The International Criminal Court must be supported, and the Security Council must shoulder its responsibility to refer cases to the Court, when appropriate. To conclude, I should like to mention a central issue to the recovery of children affected by conflict, namely education. Nelson Mandela, a fervent champion ofpeace and dignity for all human beings, said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". The testimonies delivered by Ms. Mariatu Kamara and Mr. Majok Peter Awan, who put a face to the statistics and gave a voice to hundreds of thousands of victims, are proof of that. Together with health care and psychosocial care, we must invest time, effort and resources to ensure that education is available to all, and the international community must collaborate to that end.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“There is no place on that list for half measures, waivers or exemptions of any kind. In that sense, the ability of the instrument to respond to and prevent such violations will not be impaired. The Special Representative of the Secretary- General also has a decisive role to play. We recognize her continued efforts and those of her team, as well as her valuable initiatives, including the recently established Global Coalition for the Reintegration of Former Child Soldiers, and we reiterate our support for her work. We also commend the tireless work carried out every day by UNICEF in defence of the rights of children in conflict zones. Accountability is also essential to preventing and combating impunity.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“It is therefore necessary that we continue to work tirelessly on the disarmament agenda and carry out a review on the production and responsible trading of weapons. States must shoulder their obligations in that connection. The economic interests that fuel the manufacture and sale of weapons should not be allowed to prevail at the cost of the bloodshed and suffering of defenceless beings. Uruguay also values the role played by the instruments available to the children and armed conflict agenda. The monitoring and reporting mechanism is a powerful tool, as is the list annexed to the Secretary- General's annual report. In order to be effective, that list must be independent, impartial and rigorous and should include non-State and State actors alike when there is evidence that they have committed grave violations against children.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“To that end, it is essential to properly harness all instruments and mechanisms at the international community's disposal to protect children and defend their rights, as well as to monitor, investigate and punish the grave violations committed against them. Uruguay urges all States that have not yet done so to become party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols - especially that on the involvement of children in armed conflict - to implement resolution 2286 (2016) and to endorse the Paris and Vancouver Principles and the Safe Schools Declaration. The increase in the number of child fatalities and injuries is, to a large extent, a result of the growing use of explosive weapons, in particular mines and improvised explosive devices, as well as indiscriminate air strikes in densely populated areas.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Sexual violence continues to be perpetrated against children, often under the protection of ominous silence. Another illustrative fact is that while the number of violations committed by non-State groups remained steady, there was an alarming increase in those attributed to State actors and international forces. That bears testament to the fact that, sadly, it is States themselves that have been responsible for the increase in attacks on the most innocent and vulnerable victims, which is truly reprehensible. We must put an end to the suffering that is growing incessantly year after year and alleviate the critical situation of children mired in the tragedy of war.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Our thanks go to Poland for having convened this important open debate. I also wish to thank Ms. Virginia Gamba and Ms. Henrietta Fore for their valuable briefings, as well as the civil society representatives for their moving testimony. Uruguay aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict. The figures contained in the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/509) are alarming and overwhelming. In 2018, there were more than 24,000 verified cases ofgrave violations perpetrated against children. Cases ofmurder and maiming reached unprecedented levels. Attacks on hospitals and schools multiplied overwhelmingly in certain regions, including in Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen.”
2019-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8591 (2019) · source
“International law plays a critical role in the resolution of this and all conflicts. It is the civilized way we have devised to support and promote peace and development. We should not forget that. It is high time to begin to overcome hatred and its incitement, disillusionment, despondency and frustration. Any gain in territory or exercise of misconceived sovereignty is worthless if it is achieved at the cost of peace and prolongs the struggle of the peoples that inhabit the region.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“Seventy years ago, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (11). Thanks to the impetus of that international legal act taken by the Organization, Israel and Palestine have continued to consolidate their identity, rights and obligations as States and recognized legal entities. As was the case 70 years ago, when it was eager to find a solution and favoured this one, the international community today remains ready and expectant. It is not helpful when leaders take action contrary to the path forward that the international community has set out for them in good faith and promotes. We disagree with those who rebuff international consensus or reject provisions adopted in the Security Council, the General Assembly or the judgments and opinions of the International Court of Justice.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“We condemn acts of violence and terrorism against Israeli civilians, including the firing of rockets and explosive devices from the Gaza Strip. We equally condemn the increased settler violence against Palestinian civilians, as well as the excessive use offorce in Israel's response. The incitement and glorification of all violent acts deserves our total condemnation. For all the foregoing reasons, we would once again like to call on both parties to adopt measures and take steps to gradually de-escalate and alleviate tensions, which is the only way to reach a mid- and long-term definitive solution to the conflict and a just and lasting peace amid the long-standing dispute between Israel and Palestine.During the most recent open debates on this issue, Uruguay has proposed a set of 10 measures to that end, and we reiterate them today.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“We once again reaffirm the right of Israel and Palestine to live in peace within secure and recognized borders in an environment of renewed cooperation and free from any threat or act that undermines the peace. To achieve this goal, the current negative trends on the ground must be reversed. Otherwise it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Palestine to territorially consolidate its State. The intensified development, approval and construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as the legal measures underpinning them, is extremely worrying. The evictions of Palestinian families and the continued demolition and confiscation of their properties, as occurred yesterday in Sur Baher or in Wadi Yasul in April, exacerbate the situation and increase the risk of plans for future annexation.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“We once again recognize the potential contribution of multilateral, regional and unilateral initiatives, whether in force, being proposed or not yet devised, but we are still a long way from reaching a solution to the conflict. More importantly, it is necessary to resume direct negotiations in order to clarify the outstanding issues. We know that this will not be easy, but remaining in the state of paralysis and stagnation that we are currently witnessing and which has gone on for too long, will be even worse. The two-State solution continues to be the only viable option; there is no plan B that can replace it. Uruguay has strong ties of friendship with both the State of Israel and the State of Palestine.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Uruguay consistently monitors the various situations that make up the Council's agenda with regard to the Middle East, all of them complex and multidimensional. We would like to thank Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, for her informative briefing. We would also like to recognize, as we routinely do, the work of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, who has the full support of Uruguay. The few, if not non-existent, positive measures taken by the two parties have been insufficient to reverse the negative trends on the ground, which is why the viability of the two-State solution is at serious risk.”
2019-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8583 (2019) · source
“In short, and with this I will conclude my speech, the strengthening of triangular cooperation should be in the interest of the three parties given that they will benefit from enhanced dialogue, which in turn will have a positive impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. The meeting rose at 5.40 pm.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“The Secretariat, particularly through its Department of Peace Operations, also has a key role to play in convening meetings with members of the Security Council and TCCs/PCCs as and when needed, for example in the context of strategic reviews of missions or when there are abrupt changes in an operational environment. Finally, within the scope of the General Assembly, the Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations constitutes a useful body that brings together the three actors of triangular cooperation and from which recommendations and political directives can be issued on the topic.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“We believe that this practice, which we understand continues to be used, albeit sporadically, should be more systematized in the work of the Security Council, for example through an update to note 507 working methods, which contains a section dedicated to this topic. The Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations is also a viable platform for strengthening triangular cooperation through discussions on specific issues, such as the protection of civilians, the security of peacekeeping personnel, the use of technology or environmental management in peacekeeping operations, among others.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“During our participation as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2016 and 2017, we had the opportunity to develop an initiative proposed by New Zealand that consisted of convening, on the part of the penholder, an informal meeting among troop- and police- contributing countries, members of the Council and the Secretariat well in advance of the renewal of a mandate. That informal format, with the combined presence of diplomatic delegates and military and police advisers, has been proven to foster a more fluid exchange among stakeholders and is a suitable complement to the formal meetings with TCCs/PCCs organized by the Security Council.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“In that regard, we believe that first-hand information and experience, as well as the perspectives of countries whose personnel are deployed in conflict zones, are of great use to the Security Council in its process to better understand the situation and consider the opportunities and threats arising on the ground. Furthermore, we should not underestimate the importance of having a broad base of support for the mandates approved by the Security Council, particularly taking into account the characteristics of the new tasks that have been incorporated into those mandates, which are more complex and involve more robust rules of engagement, such as in the case of the protection of civilians. Allow me to very briefly share some ideas that my country believes could contribute to improving the quality of triangular cooperation.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“We have reached the point at which peacekeeping operations are working in increasingly complex and changing operational environments and facing threats of all kinds. Peacekeepers require a high level of preparation and training for the various mandated tasks and in the use ofmore sophisticated equipment and new technologies. Greater efficiency and effectiveness are also being demanded of peacekeeping operations while the budgets allocated to finance those operations are being reduced year after year and the Organization faces serious problems in making timely reimbursements to troop- and police-contributing countries. In Uruguay's view, addressing these challenges in the current context requires strong triangular cooperation among the Council, the Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“Moreover, those broad efforts, based on theoretical discussions, have been accompanied by the creation of various mechanisms to bring triangular cooperation into practice. However, in spite of all those precedents, there remains a shared perception among the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries that the current consultations fall short of expectations and are yet to reach their full potential. As we said earlier, although the topic of triangular cooperation has regularly formed part of our debates for several years, we wish to underscore the greater importance today more than ever of improving those mechanisms, given the particular challenges faced by peacekeeping missions today.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“Among those precedents, I should like to mention the Brahimi report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (S/2000/809) of 2000; the Capstone Doctrine report of 2001; the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (see S/2015/446) of 2015; the New Horizon initiative of 2009; and the Secretary-General's Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative of 2018. At the Security Council level, we note the creation of the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations in 2001, the adoption of resolution 1353 (2001) in the same year, presidential statement S/PRST/2015/26 of 31 December 2015 and the update to note 507 on the Council's working methods (S/2017/507, annex). At the General Assembly level, since 2010 the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations has dedicated a section of its reports to triangular cooperation.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“Cooperation among the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries - known as triangular cooperation - is not a new concept. On the contrary, it has been a regular element of the deliberations of the United Nations since at least 1990, almost 30 years ago. It is not my intention to reiterate concepts that have already been mentioned by delegations that have spoken before me, but I do wish to at least emphasize that there are a number of precedents on this topic - documents and initiatives emanating from the Security Council itself and from the General Assembly.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“We have also taken careful note of the statements delivered by members of the Council and those troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) that have spoken before us. I wish to reaffirm Uruguay's commitment to the United Nations peacekeeping system and peacekeeping operations. Our country has already deployed more than 50,000 troops to more than 20 operations around the world in our long history as a troop- and police-contributing country. As of today, Uruguay's contribution of troops places our country as the main contributor from the Americas and very close to being among the top 20 in the world. That effort, which has been sustained for decades, has afforded our country a very rich experience in this field.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me at the outset to express our gratitude to the presidency of Peru for having organized this debate on triangular cooperation in the context of peacekeeping operations, as well as for having invited Uruguay to participate in it. We wish you and your delegation every success, Mr. President, in leading the Council during this month of July. I also thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix; the Force Commander of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre; and the Senior Fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations of the International Peace Institute, Ms. Alexandra Novosseloff, for their briefings.”
2019-07-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8570 (2019) · source
“In Syria, we support the efforts of Special Envoy Geir Pedersen to move forward the peace process and the future integration of a balanced and credible constitutional committee, in line with resolution 2254 (2015). Finally, the recent military escalation in Libya, encouraged by the support that some Council members and important actors in the region have offered to one of the parties - a party that does not respect binding international agreements - is endangering the United Nations-supported Government of National Accord and pushing the country closer to another civil war.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“Any territory gained or exercise of misconceived sovereignty is worthless if it is achieved at the cost of peace and prolongs the struggle of the peoples that inhabit the region. Before concluding, allow me to briefly touch upon the situations in Yemen, Syria and, owing to its geographical proximity, Libya. The humanitarian crisis in Yemen shows no signs of improvement. While the Stockholm Agreement marked a beacon of hope in the long and bloody conflict, the parties must respect what has been agreed and avoid actions on the ground that harm civilians and carry the risk ofincreasing famine, cholera and other afflictions. This month's attack against a school in Sana'a is yet another example of the plight of millions of Yemenis every day.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“The experience demonstrated today by the representatives of EcoPeace Middle East should serve as a role model for that. Seventy years ago, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181 (II). Thanks to the impetus of that international legal act taken by the Organization, Israel and Palestine have continued to consolidate their identity, rights and obligations as States and recognized legal entities. As was the case 70 years ago, when it was responsive and eager to find a solution, the international community today remains ready and expectant. A positive outcome is not advanced by leaders taking action without considering their consequences, while the international community supports and promotes them in good faith. It is time to put aside hatred, mental blockages and frustration.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“Last October, Uruguay presented a set of 10 measures in that regard, which we wish to reiterate today, including ending the launching of industrial and homemade missiles from Gaza and ceasing all actions that could be classified as terrorist; refraining from the disproportionate repression of demonstrations in Gaza; suspending the settlement policy in the occupied territories; suspending demolition orders for Palestinian homes; fully recognizing the State oflsrael; returning prisoners or their corpses, as a minimum demonstration of humanity in the conflict; consolidating reconciliation agreements between Fatah and Hamas to promote Palestinian unity and dialogue; and working for the economic potential of the region and options for cooperation.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“We condemn the fresh acts of violence and terrorism against Israeli civilians, including the firing of rockets and explosive devices from Gaza, and the increase in settler violence against Palestinian civilians, as well as the excessive use of Israeli force in response. We categorically reject the incitement and glorification of all violent acts. For all those reasons, we would once again like to request both sides to adopt measures and make gestures that gradually de-escalate and ease tensions, which is the only way to reach a definitive solution to the conflict in the medium and long terms and a just and lasting peace to this long-standing disagreement.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“To achieve that goal, we must reverse the current negative trends on the ground that are clearly detailed in Special Coordinator Mladenov's most recent report, as it will otherwise be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Palestine to consolidate its State territory. The intensification of the development, approval and construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as the illegal measures that sustain them, is extremely worrisome. The eviction of Palestinian families and the continuous demolition and confiscation of their property compound that scenario, while stoking speculation and heightening the risk of plans for a future annexation.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“The two-State solution remains the only viable option; there is no plan B that can replace it. Uruguay maintains strong ties with both the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. We once again reaffirm the right of Israel and Palestine to live in peace within secure and recognized borders, in an atmosphere of renewed cooperation that is free from any threat or act that might breach the peace. We must return as soon as possible to the table for direct negotiations that can clarify all pending issues. That will be difficult, but to continue in the state of paralysis and stagnation that we are currently witnessing will be even worse.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“The ninth quarterly report (S/2019/251) of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016) - the second report submitted in writing in the permanent format that my country requested when it previously took the floor in the Council - provided a disappointing outlook last month in that we have seen no improvements since December 2016. The few positive measures that have been adopted have been unable to reverse the negative trends on the ground, as a result of which the viability of the two-State solution is in serious jeopardy. We once again recognize the potential contribution of the different multilateral, regional and unilateral initiatives - both those in force and those that are taking shape - but we are clearly still very far from achieving a solution to a conflict that has already lasted more than seven decades.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Uruguay attaches great importance to the different matters on the Security Council's Middle East agenda, which are always complex and multidimensional. We wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, for her informative briefing, as well as the co-Directors of EcoPeace Middle East, Mr. Gidon Bromberg and Ms. Nada Majdalani, for their briefings. We also wish to thank the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, for his continued and dedicated work, which Uruguay fully supports.”
2019-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8517 (2019) · source
“For every survivor's shocking story, there are many silent stories of anonymous victims who are waiting for us to put an end to those crimes. The time has come to show them that they are not waiting in vain.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Uruguay has set an imperative to collaborate with the Security Council as much as possible in order to ensure the proper functioning of peace operations, including troop training before deployment in the areas of human rights and international humanitarian law, with an emphasis on protecting children and on sexual and gender-based violence. Uruguay is ofthe view that further concerted action among the various bodies, agencies and mechanisms of the United Nations would be beneficial, within the framework of their respective powers to strengthen research initiatives and ensure accountability. To conclude, the moving stories of Ms. Nadia Murad and Dr. Denis Mukwege are vivid and first- hand reminders of the reason why we must all fulfil our responsibility to combat sexual violence in all its forms.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“My country also wishes to express its support for the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and her dedicated team. The Security Council, for its part, has a fundamental role to play. It must use all the tools at its disposal to eradicate sexual violence in conflict, ensuring that the topic is examined in its sanctions committees and that they systematically include the names of the perpetrators of such crimes on their lists. It must also refer such cases to the International Criminal Court and include the prevention of those crimes in the mandates of its peace missions.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Governments must exert efforts to strengthen their justice systems and ensure the prosecution of perpetrators, both nationally and internationally, and must promote the reporting of such crimes. There are very few weapons with the same destructive capacity and devastating effect on social structures as sexual violence. We must therefore address the issue together. States have the primary responsibility to prevent sexual violence, but the seriousness of such crimes, their complex causes and serious and persistent consequences require the support of the international community. Uruguay values the fundamental role of civil society organizations that help victims and emphatically condemns the threats and attacks perpetrated against them.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“In particular, they must provide medical assistance that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, such as access to emergency contraception, the safe termination of pregnancy and the prevention and treatment of HIV, as well as psychological care that allows victims to cope with trauma. Programmes for effective reintegration into society must also be provided. All of those measures need to be victim-centred and address the specific needs of different groups, such as women and girls and men and boys who have been victims of sexual violence, children born out of war, refugees and stigmatized and marginalized communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals - a group that is especially susceptible to that type of violence. Accountability is another priority.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“With that in mind, laws relating to human trafficking, sexual violence and other violations of human rights, as well as the care and reparation of Victims, were recently adopted in Uruguay. All of those issues will be included in the next national action plan on women and peace and security, which will also establish new future goals. Moreover, Uruguay will present its tenth periodic report to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 2020. When prevention fails, it is essential that States equip themselves with effective mechanisms that allow for victim recovery.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Resolution 2467 (2019), proposed by Germany, covers a wide range of provisions that will allow for progress against sexual violence and breath a new lease of life into the women and peace and security agenda. That is why Uruguay chose to co-sponsor the resolution. The most effective way to combat sexual violence in conflict is through prevention. The common denominator of sexual violence is that it finds fertile ground where there are pre-existing patterns of inequality and discrimination. States must therefore take measures to promote respect for Victims' rights and foster access to education, work and decision-making processes for women. Uruguay believes that that requires ongoing efforts to strengthen progress, including by peaceful countries.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I wish to thank Germany for organizing this open debate. Uruguay aligns itself with the statements to be delivered by the representatives of Canada, on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, and of the State of Qatar, on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect. Today's speakers have depicted a tragic and devastating state of affairs. Sexual violence, which is perpetrated by non-State armed groups and Government forces, continues to prevail in conflict situations and is often systematically used as a tactic of war and terrorism. Sadly, despite efforts, it has not been possible to stamp out that crime, which violates the most basic principles of human dignity. We must therefore undertake effective action to combat such activity.”
2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source
“To conclude, I would like to express Uruguay's appreciation and gratitude to peacekeepers, especially the women who act with dedication and sacrifice far from their homes and children, inspired by a strong vocation to serve in the name of peace.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“To facilitate the participation of female staff with young children, our country is analysing the possibility of relieving such women after three months of peace-mission deployment. It should also be noted that challenges often develop into opportunities. It has become clear that we could enhance the empowerment of local women, who follow the example set by female personnel working in operations on par with and as efficiently as men. Another initiative that deserves special attention is predeployment training. The National Peace Operations Training Institute of Uruguay offers mandatory courses to all troops to be sent into the field. Women particularly benefit from that training, which allows them to tactfully cope in situations that necessitate their action, especially to prevent and respond to violence against women and children.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“I can confirm that Uruguay is one of the troop- contributing countries with the highest percentage of female personnel deployed in peace missions. That expansion has gone hand in hand with the increasing presence of women in the Uruguayan armed forces and police, thanks to the Government's adoption of gender- equality State policies that have allowed women to participate in all activities, including those traditionally performed by men. Today, on the basis of merit, women freelyjoin the armed forces and police-training schools. Moreover, Uruguay is seeking to tackle the challenges faced by female personnel on the ground, such as performance in difficult operational environments, and in sociocultural situations in which the participation of women as negotiators is rejected or in which their rights are simply not taken into account.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“During the preparatory meeting, particular emphasis was placed on training Blue Helmets in topics related to women and peace and security and on specific training for female peacekeepers. Moreover, Uruguay joined the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, launched by Canada. We will also be honoured to join Canada in co-chairing the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network in 2020, which coincides with the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), and in coordinating actions linked to peacekeeping operations. Allow me to touch upon some of the initiatives that my country has carried out domestically, which have allowed us to progressively improve the participation of women in our contingents in terms of quantity and quality.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“At the international level, Uruguay supports the Secretary-General's system-wide strategy on gender parity, along with the efforts of the Department of Peace Operations through its uniformed gender- parity strategy initiative, launched in January. Together with a group of countries, Uruguay co-facilitated the consultation process on the Action for Peacekeeping initiative in 2018. Uruguay also joined the Secretary- General's Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse. With regard to our joint initiatives developed with other countries, Uruguay organized a preparatory meeting for the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial with the United Kingdom in Montevideo in December.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“Moreover, our experience confirms the unique capacity of female uniformed personnel to interact with local communities, thereby illustrating their particular sensitivity and ability to build trust, particularly when dealing with situations involving women and children. Conscious that there is still a long way to go, Uruguay will continue working to foster greater participation by women in peacekeeping forces. Major efforts are under way aimed at supporting and developing joint strategies and initiatives with the United Nations and with other Member States, while others focus on the domestic context.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“Moreover, in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women contingents have participated in operations to negotiate the establishment of relations with armed groups and conducted tasks to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence and human rights violations. In these challenging contexts, many women are deployed as military staff officers, doctors, dentists, nurses, translators, drivers, radio operators and soldiers, among many other roles. Indeed, they excel in performing the most difficultjobs on an equal footing with men.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“Mr. Bermudez Alvarez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me, at the outset, to congratulate Germany for having convened today's open debate. Uruguay endorses the statement delivered by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. I will focus my statement on Uruguay's experience as a troop-contributing country and on our actions to increase the participation ofwomen in peace operations. Fully cognizant of the valuable contributions that women make to peacekeeping and peacebuilding, my country has deployed military observers to oversee ceasefires, disarmament and access to humanitarian aid.”
2019-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8508 (2019) · source
“Uruguay is convinced that adequate and flexible cooperation between the different organs, programmes and specialized agencies ofthe United Nations is crucial to addressing climate degradation processes that affect conflicts, starting with tackling their underlying causes. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently stated that climate change is the definitive issue of our time. If we do not act soon, and in a coordinated and joint manner, it will be too late to combat this existential threat hanging over us all. Future generations have the right to inhabit a safe planet, ripe for sustainable development. To conclude, we would like to underscore the importance of the climate summit, to be held in September, as a way to reinforce the commitments already made and intensify joint efforts in the fight against climate change.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source