YouSaid · the spoken record

Brown

lines on the record: 88
first: 2008-04-16
most recent: 2022-10-21
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“That notwithstanding, we intend to meet our target of an 8,000-strong police force, fully deployed all across the country from its current strength of 5,100, and to ensure a continuous commitment of the police and all other security institutions to training, including on the important element of safeguarding human rights and improved professional standards. The nearly 2,600 immigration officers will be further strengthened with the completion of training facilities in northern Liberia with a training capacity of 1,000 officers. And we are proud that our military is growing in professional competence with support especially from the United States and other friendly Governments, and with mentoring from Economic Community of West African States. Access to justice, which was non-existent in many parts of the country, is improving.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“There are concerns that a request for an extension may become recurring. There are concerns that the resources contributed to UNMIL are needed elsewhere, including in more troubled spots in Africa and around the world. Those truly are reasonable concerns. The failure of the Liberian State, which necessitated the deployment of UNMIL, also occasioned the greatest collapse in the productive capacity of any nation since the Second World War * an estimated collapse of more than 90 per cent. Corroded over time, national institutions were not simply defaced and rendered dysfunctional, they were effectively eviscerated. Dwindling public confidence was altogether lost, and hope in a democratic future was non-existent. Of course we have come a long way, thanks to the continued support of those present.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“One more year to enable our recovering and reforming institutions to continue to stand up as United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) draws down. One more year of the presence of UNMIL, which represents to many Liberians a brand of confidence that would assist in mitigating, if not deterring, the real risk of a disruption during the country's most sensitive political period. Only one more year of working together in what for Liberia is a successful partnership to properly prepare for a successor mission and a democratically elected Government to continue the useful partnership and build upon the progress we have already made. We understand the many concerns associated with our request for an extension. There are concerns about increasing dependencies by national institutions on the international community.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“I thank the Security Council for this opportunity to participate in the briefing. Essentially, the defining question of the current engagement of the Council is how and, importantly, when can a transition from full peacekeeping operations occur so that Liberia's progress and the success achieved at such high costs in lives and treasure are not unnecessarily risked and regrettably undermined. As to the important question of how, a number of measures have been recommended by the Secretary-General in defining the possible mandate of a successor mission. The Liberian Government finds those measures to be largely favourable. In response to the critical question of when, the Liberian Government is proposing an extension through a period of one year. Only one more year to continue the phased withdrawal.”
2016-12-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7824 (2016) · source
“And yes, we stand in need of the Council's understanding and support, as well as the understanding and support of our international partners, especially as we strive to recreate our society into one that is freer, more just, more equitable, more tolerant, more accountable and more democratic - an emerging society that respects differences in gender, religion, tribe and political association, and yet provides opportunities to all without discrimination. We have, no doubt, a long road to travel. But, as a people, we are determined to get there.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“Yet we are hopeful, increasingly and reassuringly at peace with ourselves and with our neighbours, unwavering in our determination and blessed with a resilient spirit to rise even when we were predicted to fall. In obvious recognition of Liberia's rising, for the first time since the establishment of our subregional organization, the Economic Community of West African States recently honoured the Government and the people of Liberia with the current chairmanship of its Authority of Heads of States and Governments. The Mano River Union has also conferred its current chairmanship upon our nation. We do not take those responsibilities lightly.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“The country is progressively changing. From a past of war, we are working for peace; from fear, we are experiencing freedom; and from hopelessness, we are becoming hopeful. Difficult as it often is, we are finding the strength to come to terms with, and are committed to working to avoid, the tragedies of our dark past. We are determined to embrace the promise of a brighter future of togetherness. Let there be no doubt: we are grappling with numerous anxieties and complexities, so that we can deepen a culture of democratic governance and change. That is made even more challenging by strains on available human and institutional capacities.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“Meanwhile, a speedy resolution can be expected to the ongoing impasse in the Lower House of the legislature, largely brought about by the indictment of the Speaker of the House on charges of corruption, so that much-needed legislative focus and attention can be returned to the passage of a number of crucially enabling pieces oflegislation affecting the elections and our overall peace consolidation efforts. Two of them include the possibility of a referendum on proposed changes to the Constitution, as well as a redefinition of land ownership and its associated rights, which will ensure, for the first time for indigenous families and communities, their right to the lands on which they have always lived * a right that extends beyond those of squatters. Today, growing pains notwithstanding, Liberia is safe and stable.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“We also urge the Council to support those critical undertakings. Currently, there are 23 registered political parties, each of which is a member of the Inter-Party Consultative Committee, a growing forum of political parties committed to working with the National Elections Commission and other relevant stakeholders to continuously explore avenues of cooperation and problem-solving in furtherance of maintaining a conducive and peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“In response to the dire economic constraints, we have continued to adopt a number of austerity measures, while intensifying our fight against corruption so as to curb waste and abuse, ensure transparency and accountability and identify and reallocate our meagre resources so that we can continue the reforms and implement the needed programmes. In October 2017, Liberia will conduct legislative and presidential elections. A successful election - one that is seen to be free, fair and credible by Liberians and by the international community - will be critical to consolidating Liberia's peace and its democratic transformation. The Liberian Government understands the significance of those elections and is determined to deliver a process and an outcome that are inclusive, participatory, credible, free and fair.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“As we move ahead on rebuilding our nation - grateful, as always, for the support of our partners - we know that the resolve of the Government and the resilience of the Liberian people are indispensable to our ability to continue along our chosen path of consolidating peace. The Government has continued to demonstrate its political will, and the Liberian people continue to be highly motivated in that regard. However, the current economic downturn has had the effect of undermining our ability to fully implement some of the programmes that could further advance our efforts towards achieving those objectives. They include accelerating the pace of the security- sector reforms as well as advancing programmes of reconciliation, decentralization, youth employment and local Government reforms.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“That is why, although the forecasted growth in our economy has been largely weakened by the devastation resulting from Ebola and the precipitous decline in the prices of our main exports, we have continued to prioritize and provide, within the limits of our means, support to the relevant security institutions, challenging them to work together with the various communities in ensuring the continuing peace and security of the country. To that end, the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization have continued, among other security measures, to recruit, train and deploy in many parts of the country. The judicial system is being reformed so as to improve access and public confidence and is also being extended to other parts of the country.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“The Liberian Government also wishes to reassure the Council and the broader international community of its renewed commitment to taking every measure necessary to safeguard its peace, security and stability. We are keenly aware of the invaluable linkages that we share in that regard with our subregion, and will therefore continue to act to ensure the security and stability of our neighbours. We embrace those responsibilities with unrelenting dedication.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“However, together we will continue to work for a future of peace, security and shared prosperity, which we know will ultimately rest in our own hands. We thank Mr. Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing and for his continued commitment and engagement throughout this period. Similarly, we thank the representative of the Peacebuilding Commission for the briefing delivered on behalf of the Commission. The Liberian Government appreciates the continued engagement of the Commission, remains committed to the statement of mutual commitments on peacebuilding in Liberia and urges international support for its successful implementation.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“On behalf of my grateful President and my nation, permit me to thank the Security Council for its support for Liberia's ongoing transformation. The assistance in the maintenance of peace and security provided by the Council through the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has been pivotal to Liberia's stability and progress, as well as to the security and stability of the West Africa subregion. We urge the Council to continue its close attention and support for Liberia as we strive to consolidate our cherished peace. On 1 July, the Liberian Government was proud to formally resume full security responsibilities for our country. Scarred by a protracted war and seared by a long history ofmistrust, it can be understood why some Liberians have not been as enthusiastic and optimistic as others about the security transition.”
2016-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7761 (2016) · source
“A legally binding agreement must be reached at Paris, one that also takes into account our special case and vulnerabilities as small island developing States. We are engaging with you, Mr. President, and with the Security Council with sincerity. We seek its understanding, and we hope that it will reciprocate with sincerity.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“I look forward to initiatives to improve the fisheries management framework to that end. We cannot address peace and security without considering the obvious threat of sea-level rise and other adverse impacts caused by climate change. Those impacts range from the serious to the catastrophic. The increasing acidification of the oceans threatens our food and pir economic security. the intensification of cyclones can wipe out decades of infrastructure development progress. Receding shorelines will eventually mean the complete disappearance of islands. We are already experiencing those impacts on our islands. We cannot stress enough the urgent need for the global community to confront the climate change crisis. We share this world, and the world does not end at our respective borders. Give us a fighting chance against the changing climate.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“The Cook Islands has made significant progress in delineating its maritime boundaries, and is has signed treaties with its neighbours where our borders are shared. It is our belief that, given our experience ofillegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries, we will be better served with a buffer no-fishing zone between our individual and collective maritime boundaries and international waters. We have raised that issue at the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and will continue to advocate for it in various settings. We implore the international community to extend its support in advancing stronger measures to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries. Furthermore, I welcome your comments, Mr. President, on encouraging greater returns to Pacific Island countries from their fisheries resources.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“We are leading the world in marine-resource management, with innovative initiatives such as the regional vessel-monitoring system, ship rider agreements with the United States Coast Guard, the Pacific-wide boat- and aircraft-surveillance Kurukuru programme and our own quadrilateral observation relationship with New Zealand, Australia, the United States and France. However, those national and regional efforts can be futile without the cooperation of distant-water fishing nations in ensuring compliance with signed agreements. Equally important is the attitude of the international community with regard to our collective Pacific call for stronger control over the high seas and the international waters bordering our respectivejurisdictions.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“Nonetheless we are trying. Fisheries for the Cook Islands - as with the rest of our Pacific family - are a mainstay of our economy. The riches of our ocean are primary resources that we are taking major steps to utilize in a sustainable manner. That is why the Cook Islands has declared its entire exclusive economic zone as the Cook Islands Marine Park. We are certain that the Marine Park will provide the necessary framework to promote sustainable development by balancing economic growth interests such as tourism, fishing and deep-sea mining with conserving core biodiversity and natural assets in the ocean, on our reefs and islands. The establishment of areas of sustainable management is a trend that is spreading across the Pacific.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“That is in essence what we are asking for: to be given the chance by the rest of our global family to live on in our own islands and to guarantee that we can still say "kia orana" long into the future. We the Pacific islanders are the custodians of 165 million square kilometres of ocean and the last remaining healthy fishery stocks in the world. The Cook Islands is steward to 2.2 million of those square kilometres. That in itself is significant coverage for a small island nation. Despite our best efforts at vigilance in guarding that space, not only for our own good but also for our neighbours and the wider global community, we cannot deny the fact that we are disadvantaged in terms of the readily available resources to police our area as effectively as we desire against transnational crime and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“Mr. Brown: Please allow me, Mr. President, to greet you in my mother tongue of the Cook Islands and say "kia orana". I thank you, Sir, and the members of the Security Council for this opportunity to share the Cook Islands perspective of security and how it relates to our islands and to the broader Pacific islands and the small island developing States family. If I may, I should like to provide a very brief explanation of the meaning of "kia orana" which I believe encapsulates the spirit of why we are here before the esteemed Council. "kia orana" is how we greet each other and visitors to our islands. Literally it means "may you and your lineage live on". That is a blessing that a Cook Islander will bestow upon those that we come into contact with.”
2015-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7499 (2015) · source
“But if we rise to this challenge, then our generation - a generation that has known all too often only the horrors of conflict and the perils of proliferation - will be remembered not for the years of tension, but for the years of progress. And we will be remembered for the time we came together to secure the future of our world for generations to come.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“I pledge today that the United Kingdom will retain only the absolute minimum credible and continuing nuclear deterrent capability. As a demonstration of that pledge, I can say that today, subject to technical analysis and to progress in multilateral negotiations, my aim is that, when the next class of submarines enters service in the mid-2020s, our fleet should be reduced from four boats to three. I have therefore directed our National Security Committee to report to me before the end of this year. This conference today recognizes that we are at a watershed moment. The choices being made now by each nation will determine whether we face a future arms race or a future of arms control.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“We need to be more transparent if we are rapidly and verifiably to reduce nuclear weapons globally. The United Kingdom has already taken some major steps towards disarmament, reducing by 75 per cent the explosive power of our stockpile. France has made important progress too. And, of course, the United States and Russia have made strong progress on negotiating a new treaty on strategic offensive arms. The current plan to reduce warhead stockpiles to fewer than 1,500 should, in our view, be followed by further reductions of all nuclear-weapon types. Thereafter, we believe, the talks should be expanded to include all other countries. Britain is determined to play its part in full, making our deterrent part of a broader negotiation. We stand ready to participate and to act.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“I warmly welcome President Obama's initiative to hold a summit on nuclear security next year. Today, the United Kingdom deposited with the United Nations our instrument of ratification of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, and I hope that other countries will do likewise. But there is a third obligation in these future negotiations. Nuclear-weapon States must pursue active disarmament with a credible road map that will command the confidence of all non-nuclear-weapon States. We should commit to making irreversible the steps on disarmament that we have already taken; we should work together to map out the next steps on the road to the elimination of nuclear weapons. Credibility is the key, and the International Atomic Energy Agency already undertakes detailed inspections.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“Iran must not allow its actions to prevent the international community from moving forward to a more peaceful era. And, as evidence of its breach of international agreements grows, we must now consider far tougher sanctions together. I believe that, in future, the onus of proof must be on those who breach the non-proliferation Treaty, and we must give the International Atomic Energy Agency the resources it requires to meet and discharge its responsibilities. I hope that we can also make more progress on securing the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and make real advances on a fissile material cut-off treaty. And we must take collective action together to enhance nuclear security globally to ensure that terrorist groups cannot gain access to nuclear materials.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“Our country recently published ideas on how that might be done and how we might establish a new partnership among industry, academia and Governments to solve the technical and policy challenges in this area. I hope that others will join us in this work. Secondly, accompanied with access of non- nuclear-power States to civil nuclear power, we must strengthen the non-proliferation regime, for increased access to civil nuclear power must not mean increased risk of the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. I believe that the lesson of recent months is that we cannot stand by when Iran and North Korea reject the opportunities of peaceful civil nuclear power and instead take steps to develop nuclear weapons in a way that threatens regional peace and security. Today, I believe, we have to draw a line in the sand.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“First, we have to be clear that civil nuclear power remains an essential part of any solution to the challenges of climate change and energy security, that that means that access to this affordable, safe and dependable energy source must be expanded and that, as we have heard from Africa today, we should be prepared to offer access to civil nuclear power to non-nuclear-weapon States. In doing so, I believe that we must, as the international community, be completely confident that we are able to ensure effective mechanisms for multilateral control of the entire fuel cycle, safeguarding fissile material and preventing proliferation with tough and immediate sanctions for those who break the rules.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“So, as we prepare for next year's summit in Washington, DC, and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons - and, I am pleased to say, on the advice that we have received from the great statesmen who are here today, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Perry, Mr. Kissinger and Mr. Nunn, as well as from all the countries around this table - I believe we should be prepared to act now to renew and refresh for our times the global bargain that is at the heart of the non- proliferation Treaty. It is a bargain under which we affirm the rights and responsibilities of those countries which forgo nuclear weapons, and it is a bargain under which there are tough responsibilities to be discharged by nuclear-weapon States. I believe that there are three elements to the renewal of the non-proliferation Treaty.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“With the unanimous agreement today, under the leadership of President Obama, and with the great speeches that have been made around this table, we are sending a united, unequivocal and undivided message across the world today that we, as leaders of nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States, are together committed to creating the conditions for a world free from nuclear weapons. Today's meeting is also a recognition that we are at a decisive moment. We face the risks of a new and dangerous era of new State nuclear-weapon holders and perhaps even non-State nuclear-weapon holders.”
2009-09-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6191 (2009) · source
“As the Secretary-General has said, the credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate Government. Therefore, let a single clear message go out from here in New York that we are and will be vigilant for democratic rights, that we stand solidly behind democracy and human rights for Zimbabwe and that we stand ready to support Zimbabweans in building a better future.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Three weeks ago, the people of Zimbabwe sent a strong message of their commitment to democracy. In line with President Kikwete's comments today, Britain supports those in the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who are working to ensure that the will of the Zimbabwean people is upheld. We will do everything to encourage those efforts. I am pleased that SADC is to meet again this weekend. We should also respond to the Secretary- General's suggestion that the United Nations can do a great deal to help in support of the African Union and SADC. I welcome the Secretary-General's statement today. Having seen the results at polling stations, no one thinks that President Mugabe has won this election. A stolen election would not be a democratic election at all.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“A single envoy is given authority for coordinating international efforts on peacekeeping and recovery in post-conflict zones, and a United Nations fund is created to provide immediate support for reconstruction, to which Britain will contribute. In the same way that we have military forces ready to respond to conflicts, we should agree to have civilian experts ready on standby to deploy quickly to help rebuild countries emerging from instability. For that purpose, Britain will lead the way by making available a thousand-strong United Kingdom standby civilian force including police, emergency services, professionals, judges and trainers. I have alluded to the work done in Kenya, Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other parts of Africa.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“History tells us that fragile and conflict States need not only humanitarian aid and peacekeeping, they need to combine that with help for stabilization and reconstruction. For countries where breakdown has occurred, it is now right to agree major changes in the way the international order responds, so that we can systematically combine humanitarian aid and peacekeeping with help for reconstruction and development. Therefore, during our presidency of the Security Council next month in May, Britain will propose that when Security Council resolutions authorize peacekeeping missions, the whole United Nations system also is able to authorize action on stabilization and reconstruction.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“But if we are to honour our responsibility to protect behind borders where there are atrocities, we need to ensure more systematic support for peacekeepers, and we need to build the capacity of vulnerable nations to prevent conflict. Therefore, in addition to training 12,000 African peacekeepers, Britain will step up its contribution to the joint European Union-African Union training exercises in support of the African Union's Peace and Security Directorate. But I believe we also need agreement on more predictable and sustainable sources of funding, as has already been mentioned around this table. I welcome the Secretary-General's proposals for a senior panel, which should, among other things, examine the creation of an international trust fund with United Nations oversight.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Work by the African Union, which I applaud, has laid the foundations for a political solution in Kenya in recent weeks, and it has helped create the conditions for recovery in Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other areas of the continent. But we recognize that the African Union needs more support, which, as President Mbeki has said, must be part of a wider endeavour. Today there is still a gaping hole in our ability to address the illegitimate threats and use of force against innocent people. It is to our shame that the international community did not act in Rwanda. Darfur shows the urgent needs that yet have to be met. Today there are 28,000 African peacekeepers.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“I want to start by thanking President Mbeki for convening this event and for his important and pivotal role in the creation of the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development, both of which are essential to ensuring African solutions to the challenges that Africa faces. 7 Six decades ago, the United Nations declared its ambition to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and recognized that peace and prosperity are indivisible. Today's discussion is an opportunity to forge a new consensus on the support that is now needed to prevent conflict, to resolve conflict and to rebuild from conflict afterwards.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source