YouSaid · the spoken record

Biang

lines on the record: 1,385
first: 2021-12-09
most recent: 2023-12-21
sittings or episodes: 203
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

“To achieve that, it is essential that the Council reconcile itself with its vocation. This is the Security Council, not a war council. The best way to avoid further deaths in Donetsk, Kherson and Mariupol is to stop the war.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“My country is very alarmed by the questioning by certain States of certain security agreements. That reinforces a trend that has been growing steadily in recent years and is undermining international disarmament efforts and reversing the gains made after the Cold War. My country calls on the parties to assume their responsibilities by respecting the laws of war and refraining from any action likely to fuel belligerence and undermine international security. We reiterate our opposition to war and continue to call on the parties to make use of the mechanisms of the Charter of the United Nations to solve disputes. We remain convinced that there is still time for diplomacy and dialogue to find a political solution to this war. Many human lives can still be saved.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča for his briefing. Fighting continues in Ukraine, concentrated in the eastern regions, with several indiscriminate attacks by shelling, drones and other explosive devices targeting residential housing, public buildings and civilian sites, including essential infrastructure. Civilians continue to be the hardest hit by these daily assaults. The incessant appeals of all those who, like my country, are calling for a cessation of fighting and, above all, respect for international humanitarian law, have gone unheeded, and the prospects of dialogue to bring the warring parties to the table remain just as remote. On the contrary, we are witnessing a resupply of weapons by all sides, each sharpening its weapons and strengthening its positions.”
2023-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9470 (2023) · source
“We encourage national initiatives that promote interaction between the entities and the Federation and enable Bosnia-Herzegovina to remain master of its own destiny. In conclusion, my country welcomes the renewal of the mandate of the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is an essential link in the peace and security architecture in Bosnia- Herzegovina in order to help the country overcome its security challenges.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“That obviously implies creating the conditions for mixed communities at all levels; reinforcing the security of returnees with a view to better integration; better preventing and protecting women against violence, sexual assault and gender- related crimes; protecting and guaranteeing freedom of expression, in particular freedom of the press; and preventing, combating and repressing hate speech and the rejection of the other. My country calls on all parties to focus their efforts on the search for lasting peace and security in Bosnia- Herzegovina and to conduct an uncompromising assessment of the current operating architecture to that end. Peace, security and prosperity in the country will not be achieved against the Bosnians, but with them and for them, in all their diversity and richness.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, the rights of each entity must be respected. That includes respect for beliefs, religious sites and memorial celebrations, as well as resolving the issue of missing persons. Fourthly, victims of war crimes must have access to justice. In that respect, my country welcomes the adoption of the law on the protection of civilian victims of war, which strengthens the rights of victims and grants equal social rights for children born of wartime rape. Fifthly, there must be stronger commitment to building trust and strengthening community life and social cohesion.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“Schmidt and the Republic of Srpska is no longer tenable and must end. We call on the Bosnian entities to overcome their antagonisms in order to move forward more resolutely and decisively and to prioritize nation-building, which depends on five essential factors. First, there must be progress in reforming the Constitution and State institutions, in particular in line with the political commitment formalized on 12 June 2022 in Brussels through the “Political agreement on principles for ensuring a functional Bosnia and Herzegovina that advances on the European path”. Secondly, we must find a lasting solution to the problem of public State property, which is the source of great tensions and many clashes, as well as solutions aimed at preventing political deadlocks on the formation of future Governments.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“The acceleration of the implementation of the 14 measures for integration into the European Union is in itself a significant step forward. At the same time, implementation of the 5+2 agenda must be expedited if Bosnia-Herzegovina is to emerge from international scrutiny and the unprecedented political situation in which it finds itself. The volatile sociopolitical context, the permanent mistrust and tension that characterize relations between the various entities and the central State, as well as between the latter and Mr. Schmidt, all contribute to creating a deleterious climate that poisons political life and delays progress towards normalization. There is an urgent need for the parties involved to find a lasting solution to this situation, which does not strengthen the rule of law. The constant tug-of-war between Mr.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I congratulate you, Mr. President, on China’s presidency of the Security Council for the month of November, and I pledge the full support of Gabon. I also congratulate Brazil for its remarkable presidency of the Council during the month of October. The Dayton Agreement remains the ideal framework and the best guarantee to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to overcome the challenges of its recent history in order to pave the way for a political future in keeping with its sociological reality and taking into account the aspirations of the two entities and the three constituent peoples. We therefore welcome establishment and operationalization of almost all the Governments and Parliaments at State and entity level following the most recent general elections.”
2023-11-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9466 (2023) · source
“We are all aware of the risk that the Israeli- Palestinian conflict poses to the peace and stability of the entire region and beyond. We must avoid a conflagration that would be a path of no return into chaos. I would like to conclude by reaffirming my country’s conviction that diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation, with a central role played by the United Nations, are and remain the essential channels for achieving a lasting solution to this deadly crisis. We reiterate our commitment to the two-State solution.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“Within the Council, we must move beyond the political and geopolitical alliances that lead us to inaction, as well as unproductive divisions and rivalries, to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance to those in need trapped in the ruins of Gaza. Gabon calls for the respect and implementation of General Assembly resolution ES-10/21, adopted by the General Assembly on 26 October. We commend the efforts undertaken by the countries in the region to ensure calm and echo the call of the Secretary-General for a humanitarian ceasefire. We reiterate our call for restraint and encourage all States with influence over the parties to redouble their efforts to lead the parties to choose peace and preserve human lives.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“The Council’s paralysis is inconceivable and unacceptable, at a time when 10,000 people, including 1,000 children, have been killed since the heinous attacks of Hamas in Israel on 7 October. It is high time that this bloodbath came to an end. Gabon reiterates its firm condemnation of all indiscriminate violence. We want to make it very clear that civilian populations must not be used as bargaining chips, human shields or objects of collective punishment. All hostages must be released unconditionally, and Israel’s right to legitimate self-defence must be exercised in accordance with international humanitarian law and the principles of proportionality, precaution and distinction. The dehumanizing cycle of violence against civilians must immediately cease.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Executive Director Catherine Russell and Director Lisa Doughten for their briefings on the situation in Gaza in the past hours. I am deeply moved by their various briefings and accounts. I would like to thank the United Arab Emirates and China for their initiative in organizing this emergency meeting, because we, as the Security Council, cannot stand idly by in the face of the unbearable scale of the horror unfolding before our eyes. The intensification of the Israeli air strikes, together with the ground operations of forces in Gaza, is dramatically increasing the heavy death toll of this heinous war, which is morally harrowing.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“Gabon’s vote in favour also reflects our support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which puts forward credible and reassuring elements that would allow not only for ending the current impact, but also for reaching a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution. Lastly, we encourage the Kingdom of Morocco to pursue its efforts towards maintaining the ceasefire and bolstering its cooperation with MINURSO. We call on all the other parties to do likewise, in the interest of security and stability throughout the region.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9460 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): Gabon voted in favour of the one-year renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), as a reflection of my country’s support for the political process aimed at arriving at a pragmatic, realistic, achievable and lasting compromise-based political solution to the situation concerning Western Sahara. As we pointed out during the negotiations, a balanced resolution that takes into account the efforts of all the parties will make it possible to support the efforts of Personal Envoy Staffan de Mistura with a view to relaunching the political process among the various parties. The Personal Envoy’s initiative should be built upon via the resumption of the round table process, with the participation of all stakeholders.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9460 (2023) · source
“I would therefore like to stress once again the urgent need to provide predictable and adequate financial support, based on the United Nations’ assessed contributions, to African Union peace operations. Africa, which is ready to assume its share of responsibility for protecting and guaranteeing the peace and prosperity of the continent, eagerly awaits the Council’s support in the form of the resources adequate to that end, because it is the Council that bears primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the importance my country attaches to regional, subregional and bilateral arrangements, and the need to enhance those important tools in service to international peace and security.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“The most emblematic of these is the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, whose highly evident achievements in several fields are well known and include the fight against terrorism, with the deployment in Somalia, for instance, of African contingents supported by the United Nations; peacebuilding in the Great Lakes region, which has its own dedicated United Nations regional office; and the trilateral United Nations-African Union-Intergovernmental Authority on Development mechanism, which was put in place to resolve the crisis in the Sudan. Cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union is an essential tool to ensure the effectiveness of the peace and security agenda in Africa, because it is based on the vital complementarity and subsidiarity of the partnership between those two organizations.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“Regional and subregional mechanisms also provide an ideal platform for peace negotiations and mediation. The role of regional and subregional organizations in the peaceful settlement of disputes is increasingly valued, given the growing relationship between the United Nations and several organizations.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“It is also important to underscore the leading role of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, which serves as a platform for exchange and proposes coordinated solutions to such regional threats as the fight against terrorism and extremism, transboundary water management and climate change, and the promotion of the youth, peace and security and women and peace and security agendas. Regional and subregional arrangements thus appear to set the standard for peacebuilding partnerships, particularly as they incorporate the specificities of each situation and grasp the real needs of stakeholders, especially women, young people and the most vulnerable communities, whose participation in the peace process is a crucial element.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“The activities carried out by the United Nations Office for Central Africa, headquartered in Libreville, which are aimed at reducing tensions between States as well as sustaining peace, stability and development in the region, are particularly valuable. Likewise, the centrality of the Luanda and Nairobi processes in resolving the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo shows that subregional frameworks remain credible channels for international action.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“In that regard, re-establishing bonds of trust has become an imperative in enabling diplomacy to strengthen and unite efforts aimed at effectively preventing and repelling threats to peace and security in our world. Gabon continues to afford great importance to the role of regional and subregional organizations in the quest for peace, which is why we have established mechanisms in our subregion for the prevention and management of crises and conflicts. They include the Central African Early Warning System, which is headquartered in my country, and the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa. The work of United Nations regional offices, whose mandate includes the mission of prevention, is crucial.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“Dialogue is a privileged means for the prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts. However, as indicated in the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, the mistrust and distrust that have gained a foothold over the course of clashes and violations of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights, combined with expansionist logic, have clearly contributed both to the atrophying of States’ commitment to cooperating in favour of peaceful solutions to international crises and to reducing the potential of multilateral solutions. We all know that trust is the key to building a sustainable collective security system.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“The crisis in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas poses a challenge in terms of the scale of the risks created and the extent of the responsibilities to be assumed. That is the interest and scope of this important debate, which offers us an opportunity to revisit our values and commitments, restore trust, reinvigorate diplomacy and breathe new life into the prevention and peaceful resolution of disputes. Beyond the maintenance of peace and the use of force, the Charter of the United Nations offers a range of tools, enshrined in particular in Chapters VI and VIII. We should explore their use in greater depth, especially in view of the rise in tensions in regions already weakened by recurring crises, notably in Africa and the Middle East, as well as the visible tumult in areas of Europe that seemed to have been spared until now.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“It was in order to spare future generations from the scourge of war that the peoples of the world undertook the responsibility to lay the foundations for harmonious coexistence, bolstered by a set of values articulated around peace, development and human rights. Even today, peace and security remain threatened by pandemics, the recurrent effects of global warming, the rise of terrorism, particularly in the Sahel, and tensions in the Middle East, as well as a number of intra- and inter-State crises that undermine international relations and are reaching increasingly worrisome dimensions. We are witnessing risks of a shift into global instability with potentially chaotic consequences.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I congratulate you, Mr. President, on the initiative to convene this high-level debate, offering us an opportunity to consider the contribution of regional, subregional and bilateral arrangements to the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes. I thank Assistant Secretary- General Khiari for his briefing, and former Presidents Bachelet and Mbeki for their enlightening contributions to this debate. I listened attentively to Ms. Echavarría Álvarez’s presentation. The United Nations was built and consolidated around a rejection of the worst atrocities, barbarism and hegemonic ambitions that inflicted unspeakable suffering on humankind during the Second World War.”
2023-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9448 (2023) · source
“The exchanges of fire between Israel and Hizbullah, in southern Lebanon, are extremely worrisome in that respect. There is an urgent need for the Council to act to prevent the situation from becoming bogged down. We must move beyond the strategic interests of each member and the range of emotions in order to achieve de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities, without delay. We must silence the weapons. Diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation, with a central role for the United Nations, are the essential channels for reaching a solution that guarantees the rights and interests of the parties. For Gabon, the two-State solution remains the only credible alternative.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9443 (2023) · source
“We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors to help the civilian population in Gaza. All parties must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and allow unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Gaza. I would like to take this opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to the humanitarian workers who are courageously carrying out their activities in difficult conditions, risking their lives in the process. The flare-up of violence between Israel and Hamas threatens peace, security and stability beyond its epicentre. The international community must show greater commitment to preventing other fronts or centres of violence in the region, which would make the situation even more intractable.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9443 (2023) · source
“My country recognizes Israel’s right to self- defence, which must be exercised in accordance with the principles of proportionality and distinction between combatants and civilians. Eleven days after the outbreak of this conflict, the scenes of war, marked by indiscriminate shelling, exude horror on both sides, with tragic consequences for civilians. The number of dead and wounded is in the thousands, and the atrocities committed against women and children and the destruction are immeasurable. In addition to the cynicism of using human shields and the barbarity of taking women and children hostage, millions of people are now under siege in Gaza, without water, food, gas or electricity, with death as their only prospect. It is time to put an end to the deadly cycle of violence and unbearable distress.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9443 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths for their briefings. Yesterday’s air strike on the Anglican hospital in Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinian civilians dead and many wounded, illustrates the extreme brutality and gravity of the war between Israel and Hamas. Gabon strongly condemns that odious attack. Responsibility for it must be established. We recall also that medical units and their personnel must be respected and protected in all circumstances, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Since the barbaric, unjustifiable and unacceptable attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October, the indiscriminate deadly violence against civilians has reached an unsustainable level.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9443 (2023) · source
“Our position has been clear since the Council’s first meeting following the 7 October attack. The taking of hostages is unacceptable, unjustifiable and indefensible, and we reiterate that they must be released without conditions or blackmail. We regret that the Council was unable to transcend its divisions and fragmentation. We will certainly have to demonstrate greater responsibility in finding a solution to the crisis in the Middle East, which is so chronic that it puts our credibility in question and damages our reputation. For Gabon, a two-State solution remains the only viable alternative. We can and must achieve it through good-faith diplomacy and negotiations and by overcoming the fears and vested interests that distance us from our collective responsibility to maintain peace and security in the region and beyond.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9442 (2023) · source
“My country voted in favour of the draft resolution submitted by the Brazilian presidency (S/2023/773), as well as the two proposed amendments (S/2023/775 and S/2023/776), because it is crucial and urgent to act, after our firm condemnation of the barbaric attacks on Israel on 7 October and our recognition of Israel’s right to self- defence while respecting the principle of proportionality and distinction between combatants and civilians. It is our firm belief that given the magnitude of this deadly violence — which in just a few days has caused thousands of deaths and immeasurable humanitarian distress — we need to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for opening humanitarian corridors to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9442 (2023) · source
“The Council has offered no reaction to the horror and the cries of distress from the civilian population in the face of one of the most serious crises in the Middle East. We are watching helplessly as the tolls of death and destruction rise. The Council has provided no coherent response that gives a glimmer of hope to the children, women, hostages and people of the world who scrutinize our deliberations for their survival and safety.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9442 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): The Council finds its credibility being put to the test this morning in the face of the scale of the deadly violence in Israel and Gaza and the extreme gravity of the crisis in the Middle East, whose shockwaves threaten peace and security throughout the region and beyond. As the Security Council, our mandate is to stop wars — if not prevent them — and to alleviate the human suffering resulting from such crises. This morning the Security Council has failed to live up to its mandate. The rhetoric around this table has been of no help or recourse to civilians in Gaza, who are being crushed beneath indiscriminate missile and rocket strikes and deprived of any means of survival. Once again, all things political and geopolitical have paralysed the Council’s capacity for action.”
2023-10-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9442 (2023) · source
“We must certainly show greater commitment in finding a just response to the humanitarian distress that is in line with our mandate. We must demonstrate greater commitment to silencing the guns and determining responsibility. We must demonstrate greater commitment to finding a lasting solution commensurate with the severity of the humanitarian situation, which must be addressed by the Security Council if we are to avoid a catastrophe with irreparable consequences.”
2023-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9439 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): Gabon voted in favour of a draft resolution (S/2023/772) that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, firmly condemns the violence and hostilities targeted at civilians and acts of terrorism, calls for the unconditional release of hostages and for unfettered access to humanitarian assistance for the civilian population that needs it. We are convinced that it is an action that responds to the immeasurable despair and an extremely serious crisis, which in the space of a few days has caused thousands of deaths and immeasurable human distress. It is an action that, following our strong condemnation of the barbaric attacks against Israel on 7 October, is in line with our obligations under international humanitarian law. We regret that the Council was not able to reach a consensus on the draft resolution.”
2023-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9439 (2023) · source
“We call upon all parties, including the regional and subregional organizations of which the warring parties are members, to create conditions that will enable dialogue and negotiation in order to silence the guns in Ukraine and guarantee peaceful coexistence between all parties.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“Such dangerous backtracking flies in the face of the efforts in which we have engaged together that are manifested by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the cornerstone of the international disarmament architecture. A genuine leap forward is essential, and we invite every member of the international community to participate in order to reconnect our Organization with its primary vocation, namely, to save current and succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The war in Ukraine must cease as soon as possible. The suffering and destruction must be brought to a halt. And that can be done only by activating channels of diplomacy and through negotiation.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“It goes without saying that defining new norms and red lines at the global level is an absolute priority in the current context, which is marked by the resurgence of conflict, particularly in the Middle East. My country calls upon all parties to redouble their efforts to prevent the effects of the mass circulation of conventional weapons by intensifying measures for tracking and marking. My country is worried to observe the trend towards normalizing the use of military force with increased recourse to weapons of mass destruction and massive rearmament, and to the review by certain countries of their military doctrine with a clear interest in nuclear deterrence.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“It is of fundamental importance for us to be able to reconcile ourselves with the vocation of the Security Council, which is the Security Council and not a war council. In that regard, the call of the Secretary- General, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross, asking States to apply new international rules with regard to autonomous weapons systems must engage all members of the international community because such weapons strike their targets indiscriminately and lead to a high number of civilian victims, including after conflicts. By limiting their use, we will help to limit their inhumane effects. We call upon the warring parties to keep to their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Mr. Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, for his briefing. I listened carefully to the briefing by Mr. Nixon. We are very concerned by the intensification in recent weeks of the bombings and other attacks against civilian infrastructure, populations and essential infrastructure, including grain storage units. Whether offensive or counter-offensive, indiscriminate strikes do not spare children, women or older persons, as we saw in the recent attacks in the village of Hroza. The reconfiguration of alliances and military rapprochement, as well as the changes made by certain countries to their arms policies, are worrisome signs of the scale of the retreat from international commitments in the area of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“We are convinced of the urgent need to define new red lines on a global scale and to more strictly regulate the use of certain types of weaponry in order to reduce their inhumane effects. We call once again on the parties to strictly respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, to facilitate the movement of humanitarian workers and to allow unhindered access to areas and populations in need of humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our call for dialogue and encourage all parties, including the regional and subregional organizations to which the warring parties are members, to create the conditions for negotiations in good faith with a view to achieving a cessation of hostilities and guaranteeing lasting peace and peaceful coexistence in Ukraine.”
2023-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9431 (2023) · source
“We reiterate that war is not a lawless situation and call on the belligerents to show restraint and strictly respect international humanitarian law by sparing those who are not parties to the fighting, refraining from using weapons of mass destruction and threatening to use nuclear weapons. The information relating to the conclusion of new military alliances and the reversal of certain countries’ arms policies are worrisome signs of the extent of the retreat from international commitments to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. In that respect, my country endorses the call by the Secretary-General, which was conveyed and confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross, for States to impose new international rules on autonomous weapons systems.”
2023-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9431 (2023) · source
“Mr. Biang (Gabon) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya for their respective briefings. The 52 people killed in the village of Hroza adds to the terrible and unbearable list of suffering of the deadly war in Ukraine. In recent weeks, the bombings and the drone attacks have intensified in Ukraine, indiscriminately targeting civilian populations and infrastructure. We are concerned about the allegations of the risk of destroying the electrical system as winter approaches, plunging innocent populations into appalling conditions and further aggravating the already alarming humanitarian situation. Such a situation would be unacceptable.”
2023-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9431 (2023) · source
“In accordance with paragraph 104 of the annex to presidential note S/2017/507, the Committee issued seven press releases containing a brief summary of the informal consultations held on 9 and 22 December 2022 and on 16 February, 9 and 19 May, 19 July and 8 September 2023.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“At its meeting held on 19 July with regional and other interested States, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the main findings and recommendations contained in the report, after which the members of the Committee and representatives of States of the region shared their views on the report. At the meeting held on 8 September, the Committee heard a briefing by the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on its programme of work for the remainder of its mandate ending on 1 August 2024, in accordance with resolution 2688 (2023), adopted on 27 June. In addition, the members of the Committee met with the Head of the follow-up mechanism for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Petit, within the framework of three informal consultations held at the Permanent Mission of Gabon on 17 April, 27 June and 14 September.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“At the meeting held on 9 May, the Committee heard a briefing by representatives of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), namely, members of the Joint Mission Analysis Centre, the Arms Embargo Cell and the United Nations Mine Action Service, as well as the Senior Natural Resources Adviser. At its meeting held on 19 May, the Committee heard a briefing by the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on its final report (see S/2023/431) and considered the conclusions and recommendations contained therein.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“I would like to reaffirm the Committee’s continued support for the mechanism, which is assisting the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their investigations into the March 2017 murders of two former members of the Group of Experts, Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp, and the four Congolese nationals who were with them. I would now like to say a few words about the meetings that were held in 2023. At the meeting held on 6 December 2022 with regional and other interested States, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts presented an overview of the main findings and recommendations contained in the midterm report, after which the members of the Committee and representatives of States of the region shared their views of the report.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“At its meeting on 22 December 2022, the Committee considered the report of its Chair on his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda from 7 to 18 November. The Committee also held three informal consultations at the Permanent Mission of Gabon at the end of 2022. On 2 November 2022, delegations were briefed by the Secretariat ahead of the Chair’s visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. On 4 November and 7 December 2022, the members of the Committee met with the Head of the follow-up mechanism for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr. Robert Petit.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement in my capacity as Chair of Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I propose to give an overview of the Committee’s work since my previous briefing to the Council on 30 September 2022 (see S/PV.9142). Since my previous briefing, the Committee held two meetings in the remaining period for 2022, and five meetings since the beginning of 2023. At its meeting on 9 December 2022, the Committee heard a presentation by the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on its midterm report (see S/2022/967) and considered the conclusions and recommendations contained therein.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9427 (2023) · source
“It is important to ensure that cooperation and the exchange of information prevail over all other considerations, with a view to encouraging the truth to emerge.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9424 (2023) · source