YouSaid · the spoken record

Byrne Nason

lines on the record: 1,154
first: 2018-04-16
most recent: 2022-07-29
sittings or episodes: 170
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We call on Serbia and all States to fulfil their obligations under international law, cooperate fully with the Mechanism and assist in its efforts to arrest and surrender the remaining fugitives. Those who commit atrocity crimes must be brought to justice. Ending impunity is imperative to sustaining peace and stability in the region. Last Thursday, the United Nations marked the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide. Ireland strongly supports the Mechanism’s role as a preventative tool against future acts of violence. The Mechanism contributes to prevention by ensuring justice for those crimes within its remit and establishing facts, but also through its commitment to promoting education and remembrance in the fight against genocide ideology.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“However, despite the many instances of positive cooperation with the Mechanism demonstrated by Member States such as the Niger and by regional organizations, as well as the provision of assistance by the Mechanism to national jurisdictions, the Security Council’s call on States to intensify their cooperation with and provide all necessary assistance to the Mechanism to achieve the arrest and surrender of all remaining fugitives remains outstanding. In particular, Ireland remains deeply concerned that following the Mechanism’s referral of Serbia to the Council, due to non-cooperation in the surrender and arrest of Mr. Jojić and Ms. Radeta, no action has been taken by Serbia.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“I want to welcome President Agius’ announcement today that, after many years and his own significant efforts, it has been possible to find a lasting solution for those acquitted and released residing in the Arusha safe house. In particular, I must commend the Niger for facilitating those persons’ safe relocation. States have an obligation to cooperate with the Mechanism in its investigations and prosecutions.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“I want to thank President Carmel Agius and Prosecutor Serge Brammertz for their comprehensive briefings this morning. We are pleased to welcome them both back to the Chamber among us today. We commend and acknowledge the leadership that they have shown in guiding the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals through this difficult period, marked by the pandemic, with significant progress made in judicial proceedings over the reporting period. In particular, we note the decisions in the Mladić case and the judgments in the Stanišić and Simatović and the Nzabonimpa cases during the reporting period. We welcome also the ongoing work to harmonize approaches between the Mechanism’s two branches.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8927 (2021) · source
“Through the processes that brought us to this point today, we have consolidated support at the United Nations and can galvanize work to focus on the issue in the future. For our part, we remain undaunted. Despite the result today, let us be clear: climate change is already firmly on the Security Council’s agenda. The Council has recognized its impacts on peace and security in a number of country-specific and regional contexts. The Council can and must continue to build on that to ensure that climate-related security risks are addressed as part of the Council’s work. Ireland will continue to press for a strong and robust approach to climate and security across the entire Council agenda.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“Discussions on the topic have been ongoing for 14 years, but today is the first time a thematic draft resolution has been tabled for adoption. Today was the first opportunity for the Council to show the international community that it is ready to take on its responsibilities. As we have worked with partner countries both inside and outside the Council in the past year, we have become more convinced than ever that the United Nations must understand and take action on the security implications of climate change. The support of the 113 United Nations Member States that co-sponsored the draft resolution demonstrates the expectation among the majority of United Nations Member States that the Security Council should factor the security risks of climate change into its decision-making processes.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“We regret the use of the veto in all circumstances and we very much regret its use today. The fact that the majority of the United Nations membership — 113 countries — co-sponsored the draft resolution that the Council has now rejected is telling. Today is another reminder — as though we needed one — that the Security Council sorely needs reform. Ireland, with our co-penholder, the Niger, did not set out on the process thinking we would see a veto. We believed that the weight of evidence would bring the Council to consensus. We worked tirelessly to deliver on that. Sadly, despite months of discussion, we did not achieve the result that we and 113 other United Nations Member States wanted to see. We continue to believe that bringing forward the draft resolution was the right thing to do.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“Today was an opportunity for the Council to recognize for the first time the reality of the world that we are living in and that climate change is compounding insecurity and increasing instability. That is a real and present threat to the maintenance of international peace and security. We could have met our responsibility to accept this reality in our work. Adopting the draft resolution would have been a modest first step, enabling the Council and the Secretariat to understand more clearly the impact of climate-related security risks, start asking the right questions and seek to identify answers. Instead, we have missed the opportunity for action and we look away from the realities of the world we are living in. Ireland’s view is clear: the veto is an anachronism.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“Ireland is deeply disappointed that the Security Council has failed to adopt draft resolution S/2021/990, on climate and security. We regret the decision of certain countries to use their right of veto to block the adoption of this groundbreaking draft resolution. We believed that the weight of evidence and clarity of argument would bring the Council to a consensus. However, despite months of consultations — I underline that, months of consultations — and the strong support of the majority of United Nations Member States, that was sadly, not the case. Today could have represented a point of inflection. Today should have represented a point of inflection.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“Doing so would leave the Council weakened in its ability to deal with this issue. Over 113 Member States have now co-sponsored this draft resolution today — a clear, majority of the countries of the world sharing our collective determination to take this important step and adopt this draft resolution. Not all Security Council members share or are of the same views on this question, but we hope that we can recognize the common ground in our positions and allow the draft resolution to be adopted. Our plea — a plea backed by the majority of the members of the General Assembly — is for all Security Council members to support this text.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“Many organizations recognize the importance of addressing the security implications of climate change, including the African Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Pacific Islands Forum, the League of Arab States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union. Every one of us here today has a role in one or another of those regional organizations and is part of the work under way there. It is now time that the Security Council also step up. Finally, Ireland and the Niger are firmly of the view that consideration of the draft resolution must proceed this morning. Time is not on our side in any aspect of climate issue. We cannot afford to delay in addressing the ways in which climate-related security risks are undermining international peace and security.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“It has been suggested that there is no clear scientific basis for linking climate change with international peace and security. We refute this. The data is there and it is compelling. What the Council needs is a framework to enable the capture and consideration of this evidence. We need to better understand this link. Ignoring or rejecting the facts will not achieve that. This is not an issue facing only one region or only one country. We need to look at it globally, as well as in regional and country contexts. Regional action is, of course, important.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“This coherent action, which the international community collectively has called for, must include the work of this important organ. It is inconceivable that the Council should look away. Today, 113 Members of the Organization have joined in co-sponsoring this draft resolution. Council engagement on this issue would reflect the will of the majority of United Nations Member States. As an elected member that is here to represent the interests of all United Nations Member States, we see it as our responsibility to bring this draft resolution to the table today. We have heard first-hand the voices of those living the reality of climate-related insecurity around this very table, many times now, not least from the presidency of the Niger, representing a country tragically impacted.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“It is long overdue for the principal organ of the United Nations dealing with international security to take responsibility for integrating climate-related security risks across its conflict resolution, prevention and mediation work. It could not be clearer from discussions at the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Agreement that we are facing a climate crisis. It is a crisis of today, not only of tomorrow. The Glasgow Climate Pact, adopted by consensus last month, is clear that, as temperatures rise, impacts from climate and weather extremes, as well as slow-onset events, will pose an ever-greater social, economic and environmental threat. Glasgow recognizes the importance of coherent action to respond to the scale of needs caused by the adverse impacts of climate change.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“We have no doubt as to the appropriateness of the Council considering this topic. It is argued by some that the Council is not the right forum and that, in addressing climate change and its impacts, the Council would establish a separate process to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We respectfully but resolutely disagree. The draft resolution is about enabling the Security Council to address climate change with the tools it has within its mandate. The Council has already taken steps to integrate climate-related security risks into some of its mandated operations. However, we must go further.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“I take the floor on behalf of Ireland and the Niger, the co-penholders for draft resolution S/2021/990, which is before the Council for its consideration this morning. Many months of effort have gone into bringing this text to the Council table today. However, as we all know, it has taken years of leadership and engagement by many countries to reach this point. I thank colleagues around the table for their engagement and support. Today, we come to the Council to ask it to take the modest first steps to strengthen its ability to begin to assume its own responsibility on the defining issue of this generation: climate change. The draft resolution is aimed at responding to the climate-related security risks affecting the conflicts on the Council’s agenda — no more, no less.”
2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source
“We have also recently seen reports of renewed border clashes in Al-Fashaqah, with numerous deaths. At a delicate time for the region, the last thing we need is for an intensification of Ethiopia-Sudan tensions. Cool heads should now prevail for the benefit of the people of both the Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as for regional stability. Ireland stands fully behind the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan and, most important, the Sudanese people, in the task of restoring the democratic transition in the Sudan. The Security Council should be ready to use the tools at our disposal to create the space needed to achieve that. We will continue to monitor progress in the coming months.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“The current political violence is taking place in the context of a new wave of violence and mass displacement in Darfur, including very worrisome reports of dozens of people being killed in West Darfur just this week, and we are seeing rising humanitarian needs across the country. Promises made on the protection of civilians in Darfur cannot be forgotten. The National Plan for the Protection of Civilians should be implemented as a matter of the utmost urgency. The Juba Peace Agreement remains vital to building peace and addressing the underlying causes of conflict in Darfur and throughout the Sudan. In our view, the undertaking of the parties to the agreement to extend full and unlimited cooperation to the International Criminal Court is particularly critical.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“To get there, we will need a broadening of the political consultation on the future of the transition and a truly inclusive political settlement. The voice of the people is at the heart of the transition. They should be fully heard in future negotiations. Crucially, women should be involved at all levels, and in particular in high-level decision making. Women have been at the core of the transition in the Sudan, and they are vital to its eventual success. To repeat a phrase that I say often in this Chamber: they should be in the room and at the table. In the longer term, we need to see decisive security sector reform, a framework for effective transitional justice and the holding of inclusive and democratic elections. That is in the Sudan’s own interest and, certainly, it is in the interest of the people of the Sudan.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, we need to see the release of all political detainees and a halt to the campaign of arrests. Fourthly, there needs to be respect for human rights, an end to the communication blockade and full respect for the right to freedom of assembly and peaceful protest. And fifthly, the violence against civilians, which we have seen escalate across the Sudan since the coup, including against peaceful protesters — that is something we have to highlight — cannot continue. Accountability for this violence will be needed. Attacks by the security forces — for example, on hospitals, the wounded and on doctors — must cease. Ultimately, we want to see a return to the constitutional order. The people of the Sudan themselves have made clear, time and again, their desire for an open and free political environment.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“The reality, however, is that the agreement does not entirely reverse the steps taken since 25 October to dismantle the transitional framework and institutions. In our view, the future of the transition — and indeed of stability in the Sudan — still very much hangs in the balance. And as Special Representative Perthes said himself this morning, the next steps will be crucial. We need to see a return to constitutional order as soon as possible. To get there, we now need to rebuild trust and create an enabling environment for a genuine political settlement. To achieve that, we see the following steps as critical in the short term. First, the state of emergency should be lifted. Secondly, Prime Minister Hamdok should be allowed to freely exercise his powers as Prime Minister.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“I want to thank Special Representative Perthes for his briefing and for the valiant and tireless work we know he is doing in very complex circumstances. I also thank Sven Jürgenson for his report and his excellent stewardship over the past two years. I am delighted to welcome our colleague from the Sudan with us this morning. When we last came together in this Chamber to speak about the Sudan (see S/PV.8887), the Sudan’s democratic transition had received a huge blow. Since then there has been a welcome step back from the brink, in particular as a result of the 21 November agreement between Prime Minister Hamdok and Lieutenant General Al-Burhan. Most civilian leaders — but not yet all — have been released, and the Prime Minister has been reinstalled.”
2021-12-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8925 (2021) · source
“The Council must recognize and accept its role in the fight against climate change. We need to integrate climate-related security risks into our conflict resolution, prevention and mediation efforts. Doing so will help maintain international peace and security, while failure to do so is unconscionable. To those on the front lines of the crisis, I want to say that we hear them and we believe their testimonies. To our fellow Council members, the time to act is now.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“Ireland’s draft resolution is an important opportunity to strengthen the Security Council’s ability to better understand and address climate-related security risks within its mandate. Increasing the data and evidence base over time will allow the Council to take informed actions. It will also increase the Council’s capacity to understand its own responsibilities in relation to the implications of climate-related security risks. I echo the call of President Bazoum and others here this morning to all colleagues, both at the table now and joining the debate today, to support that critical draft resolution. In conclusion, it is clear that the threats to international peace and security have changed since the Council first came together in 1945. However, our responsibility to tackle them has not.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“This year alone, 13 Council products have addressed and included important language on the adverse impacts of climate change. However, to prevent and resolve conflicts that are exacerbated by the effects of climate change, we need to do more. We need a basic structured and systematic approach. We are struggling to play our part here at the Council, as well as, critically, on the ground. I call on all Council members to support the work under way and the climate security adviser in South Sudan, which Ireland has directly supported through the United Nations Climate Security Mechanism. Meaningfully addressing this complex issue means that we must also deepen our understanding of it.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“They need to be fit for purpose and be aimed at assisting those people and communities most in need. I want to emphasize that all of our efforts simply must ensure the full participation of women. Women are key actors in this challenge of our lifetime, as they represent half of our global population. We already have evidence that with nothing less than the meaningful participation of women can we ever expect to deliver on the scale of that challenge. Women should be in the room and at the table where these issues are discussed. Moreover, we cannot afford not to harness the leadership already shown by youth on climate action. The Council has taken important strides in recognizing the complex links between climate and conflict.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“With the right information in hand, we can take the bold and decisive action needed to address that complex and growing challenge. That is our responsibility here at this table — no more, no less. We have some concerns about the risk of counter- terrorism being misused to criminalize environmental human rights defenders and civil society organizations working on climate change issues. Counter-terrorism legislation should not be misused to target those defending or exercising their human rights — and, of course, counter-terrorism measures should always be in full compliance with international law. In order to be effective, steps to address climate change need to be sufficient and transparent. Importantly, they should be administered through inclusive, accountable and non-discriminatory approaches.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“We at the Council have a responsibility to break that vicious and self-reinforcing cycle. As President Bazoum said this morning, we should remain mobilized and determined. As vital resources such as water and fertile land diminish in certain regions, we also see the threat of their weaponization growing. Terrorist groups show that they can leverage access to those resources to increase their influence and generate funds. Economic incentives may be exerted to recruit those whose traditional livelihoods are adversely affected by climate change. The Council has already acknowledged the adverse effects of climate change and ecological challenges on the stability of certain regions, such as the Lake Chad basin. What is needed now is a better grasp of the problem and further empirical analysis.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“We know that, in any given context, climate change can exacerbate existing socioeconomic tensions. Its effects can degrade environments and livelihoods and weaken political institutions. In certain situations, those effects provide the space for terrorist groups to flourish and extend their reach, particularly where governance is weakened. That is a tragedy. We are seeing that the lack of adequate Government response to increasingly frequent and extreme weather events can also weaken the social contract between citizens and the State. Such weakening helps provide traction to cynical terrorist initiatives and narratives. In turn, situations of conflict exacerbated by climate change provide breeding grounds for such terrorist groups. We heard what President Bazoum said clearly to us this morning.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“We are now faced with a new challenge that is global, immediate and puts our collective security at risk. It is our responsibility, as we sit around this symbolic horseshoe table, to step up and deliver on that promise, which has given hope to millions across the globe — and to step up now. Put simply, climate change is the defining challenge of our time. It acts as a threat multiplier. It exacerbates existing inequalities, vulnerabilities and insecurities. It impacts the enjoyment of human rights. And it is felt most acutely by those who are already living in poverty and conflict, those who are marginalized and those who lack the capacity and resources to build resilience. Women and girls are disproportionately affected. Women and girls bear the brunt, whether in Niamey in the Sahel or Apia in Samoa.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“Their experiences as well as those of others, such as the small island developing States, are absolutely critical to shaping our collective response to the growing threat. We should listen to those who know what this means every day. In 1945, our forebears came together in a spirit of unbridled optimism to pursue a common and noble agenda. Their goal — their vision —was as ambitious as it was inspiring. Their promise — the promise of the Charter of the United Nations — to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war is as relevant today as it was then. Seventy-five years later, the responsibility on the shoulders of the Council is just as momentous. As we know, however, time does not stand still, and neither should our ambition.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“(spoke in English) I want to start by thanking President Bazoum for convening us today. Ireland has been proud to work hand in hand with the Niger over the past 12 months in advancing the critical issue of climate and security at the Security Council. I want to thank the Secretary-General for once again sounding the alarm on the urgent need to address climate change in all of its manifestations, including in relation to peace and security. I can assure the Secretary-General that his calls have not fallen on deaf ears. I thank Chairperson Faki Mahamat and Executive Secretary Nuhu for demonstrating the very real and present challenges of the interplay of climate and conflict from the perspective of their respective organizations. The African continent has long been at the forefront of the crisis.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“Ms. Byrne Nason (Ireland) (spoke in French): I would like to begin by sincerely thanking the Niger through you, Sir, for the warm and generous welcome that you extended to us during the Security Council’s visit to the Niger last month. I express my deepest condolences to you and the families of the Nigerien soldiers who were killed this week and the communities affected by the recent attacks. I would also like to offer my condolences to the families of the seven Blue Helmets of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, who were killed yesterday in central Mali. I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. I am deeply saddened by the death of another peacekeeper who was killed this week in a heinous attack that led to the deaths more than 30 civilians, including women and children, in central Mali.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source
“I conclude by emphasizing once again Ireland’s support for the stalwart work of UNHCR, reflected also by our pledge this morning to UNHCR for 2022, in advocating for the worldwide protection of refugees. For those refugees living in overcrowded refugee camps, for those IDPs dwelling within host communities under strain and for the families of those who have lost their lives fleeing insecurity, we need to step up.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“As the High Commissioner told the Council last year, when leadership fails, when multilateralism — which we in the Security Council represent in theory — fails day in day out, the consequences are felt by the most vulnerable, those with the least power, by those who quite literally have no refuge. Ireland remains committed to an approach that is principled and emphasizes the rights of refugees. At the core of that is the need to protect citizens, improve humanitarian conditions and respect international humanitarian law. Any return of refugees and internally displaced persons must be safe, voluntary and dignified. Displaced persons should retain as much autonomy and control as possible.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“We know that insecurity drives displacement globally, but we cannot discount other related factors, such as hunger and climate change. The Security Council is only starting to fully grasp of how climate-related security risks are impacting its mandate and the people we serve. We thank UNHCR for meeting with the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security, chaired by Ireland and the Niger. That meeting last month enlightened members of the group on the interlinkages between climate displacement and security, particularly in the Sahel. It is vital that the Security Council continue to draw on evidence from the field to inform its decision-making.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“While we have seen some welcome, if limited, access for food aid in recent days, the Security Council must remain united in its demand to all parties to respect international humanitarian law and for sustained, safe, unhindered humanitarian access. We at this table here also have a responsibility to prevent any further worsening of that crisis. Without concerted action by all sides to seek a pathway to peace supported by the region and by the Security Council, forced displacement will surely have catastrophic consequences for neighbouring countries and throughout the Horn of Africa. In our view, we cannot afford to let such a catastrophe unfold on our watch. We have heard today the importance of addressing the root causes of displacement.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“The vulnerability and hardship endured by those who have been internally displaced in Syria is now exacerbated in tragic ways during this winter period, as we see harsh winter conditions destroying tents and schools; and, of course, we see loss of life. That demonstrates once again — as if we needed a reminder — the fragility of that situation and the imperative of ensuring that help can reach those most in need, regardless of political considerations. In Ethiopia, too, violence and instability over the past year have driven people from their homes, as lives and livelihoods have been lost, with the denial of humanitarian aid, in particular, leaving many, many thousands of individuals with no choice but to flee.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“They are fleeing to secure the dreams they hold for themselves or for their daughters, fleeing a regime that would deny them an education. Today is day 81 when Afghan girls cannot attend school. And some, particularly those women who speak out, are literally fleeing for their lives. It is those women and girls — their rights, freedoms and political voices — who we need to keep in mind in the Security Council as we determine the future mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. We are also now 10 years into the devastating conflict in Syria. Almost half of that population remains displaced.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“In Afghanistan, almost 700,000 people have been newly displaced over the past year — women, girls, boys and men, joining almost 3 million existing internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 2.2 million Afghan refugees. That means about 6 million Afghans are now affected, more people than the entire population of the country I come from, Ireland. The scale, let alone the human cost, of that is truly shocking. The level of humanitarian needs confronting those, we have heard today, is seismic. The urgency of our response must match the level of need. The Security Council has a responsibility to act and to remove barriers or blockages preventing the provision of urgent, unhindered life-saving and life-sustaining aid. Many of those fleeing Afghanistan, we know, are women and girls.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“We recognize the strain it places on host communities and on the refugees themselves, as we have heard this morning. We are deeply respectful of the solidarity those countries show on behalf of all of us, and particularly on behalf of those of us at this table who have the capacity to make decisions that we do not always rise to. Since the Security Council last heard from the High Commissioner (S/2020/560, annex I), the number of those forcibly displaced has increased again — a record high of 84 million people. Conflict — and I want to underline our collective failure to prevent or resolve it — is the reason for that. Indeed, looking at our agenda over the past year, it is surprising, frankly, that the increase has not been more pronounced.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“It was very good to hear from the Foreign Minister of Norway earlier. I also want to thank the High Commissioner for his briefing and particularly for the warnings he delivered this morning. As always, Mr. Grandi has been honest with us. He tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, and that is no surprise. I think the challenges that are faced by the High Commissioner and his staff on a daily basis are really immense, and I want to pay tribute to the tremendous and tireless work of all staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and their implementing partners in what is really an increasingly complex and dangerous environment globally. I also want to recognize the deep generosity of the countries hosting very large refugee populations.”
2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source
“In that regard, Ireland is particularly interested to observe how MONUSCO and the United Nations country team, in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, continue to operationalize the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in Tanganyika and Kasai provinces. (spoke in French) Fourthly, and finally, Ireland welcomes the positive assessment of the performance of MONUSCO and its police components. We join in the Secretary-General’s condemnation of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations operations, and we welcome the implementation by MONUSCO of preventive and disciplinary policies to help eradicate such behaviour.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“We welcome the progress that continues to be made on the women and peace and security agenda, with some positive indications around the meaningful participation of women in political processes. We will continue to work for that and to monitor it. Ireland sees transitions as a gradual process that builds towards a reconfiguration of the strategy, footprint and capacity of the United Nations in a way that should enable and support long-term peacebuilding efforts. We welcome the continued engagement by MONUSCO and the United Nations country team with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to that end. We hope that resolution 2594 (2021), adopted by consensus during our Council presidency in September, represents an important contribution as to how we can approach sustainable transitions.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“The recent tensions linked to the appointments are regrettable, and MONUSCO should continue to engage with key actors to promote timely, transparent, inclusive and peaceful political processes. My third point is that Ireland commends the publication of MONUSCO’s conditions-based transition plan. It is crucial that there be sufficient flexibility in the plan to allow for setbacks and unexpected challenges. We insist that women, young people and civil society continue to be fully included in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the important transition. In particular, Ireland notes the Special Representative’s work to include women’s voices, for which we thank her, and their perspectives in the transition plan and conflict-resolution processes.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“Violence and insecurity in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including persistent attacks on civilians, continue unabated, with significant repercussions. Reports of gender-based and gender-specific violence and other serious human rights violations and abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including by State actors, are deeply worrisome. Ireland condemns those violations and abuses in the strongest possible terms. MONUSCO’s work to document such acts and support survivors is essential. (spoke in English) My second point is that the planned 2023 elections can become a pivotal moment for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The appointment of 12 members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, including four women, is significant.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“First, Ireland is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The state of siege was introduced as an extraordinary and temporary measure, but it has been renewed 13 times. The findings of the National Assembly’s assessment of the state of siege raise significant concerns about the long-term impact of the state of siege, particularly with regard to the accountability of members of the security forces who collaborate with armed groups. Corruption and impunity are never acceptable. We note Uganda’s recent engagement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and stress the need to ensure the protection of civilians during operations.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“Ms. Byrne Nason (Ireland) (spoke in French): I would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, whom it is a pleasure to see here among us this morning, and Ms. Kalala for their briefings. Ireland is very grateful for the work of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). I also thank Ms. Keita for the information that she provided on the current situation in the country. I would also like to thank Ambassador Abarry of the Niger, as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for his briefing regarding the Committee’s recent visit to Kinshasa. I wish to highlight four points today.”
2021-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8918 (2021) · source
“As a member of the European Union, Ireland is concerned that such a short time frame could threaten the continuation of the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta, which conducts a crucial counter-piracy naval operation in the region. Ireland takes note of Somalia’s wish to amend the current coordination in the fight against piracy and, in that regard, looks forward to productive discussions with Somalia on ways to achieve our shared objectives.”
2021-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8917 (2021) · source
“We welcome the adoption today of resolution 2608 (2021) to renew the authorization of international counter-piracy measures in Somalia. We express our appreciation for the efforts of the United States as penholder. Ireland strongly supports our continued cooperation and partnership with Somalia in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea. Ireland also supports collaboration with the Somali authorities to tackle the underlying causes of piracy. As the report (S/2021/920) of the Secretary-General reminds us, while there have been no piracy incidents over the past year, that is due to long-term collective efforts. The risks have not been eradicated. While we welcome today’s adoption, Ireland regrets that the mandate was renewed for only three months.”
2021-12-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8917 (2021) · source