YouSaid · the spoken record

Christian

lines on the record: 409
first: 2006-05-30
most recent: 2010-11-22
sittings or episodes: 64
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

“Indeed, if we are to succeed in fighting impunity, then it is imperative to promote universal participation in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and to strengthen other international criminal justice mechanisms, bearing in mind the link between justice and the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“This will enable the AU to give practical meaning to the relevant articles of its founding treaty and the Protocol on the establishment of the African Peace and Security Council, providing for the right of the Union and its member States to intervene in circumstances of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In closing, Ghana wishes to urge that measures to ensure the protection of civilians in armed conflict include the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators, with a view to deterring attacks on innocent civilians.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Therefore, steps being taken to ensure cost- effectiveness in peacekeeping must not sacrifice the effectiveness of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and other peace operations. There is the need for the international community to work closely with regional organizations such as the African Union to strengthen regional mechanisms designed to enhance the protection of civilians in armed conflict, to facilitate prevention of violent conflicts and intervention in them and to avert post- conflict relapse. To that end, Ghana would reiterate the need for the United Nations to heed the request by the African Union for logistical and material support towards the implementation of the African Standby Force arrangement.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In the long run, the protection of civilians must begin with a culture of prevention encompassing all the phases of armed conflict. This should include the strengthening of early warning mechanisms, immediate or rapid response in the early stages of a conflict to avert escalation and establishing mechanisms for post- conflict peacebuilding in order that countries emerging from conflict do not experience a relapse. Effective sanctions regimes must be put in place to ensure that armed groups and their sponsors do not profit from natural resources they illegally exploit in conflict zones. Peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies must be adequately resourced to fulfil their mandate in order that they can focus on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and not on their own protection and survival.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The States parties to the Kampala Convention are not only obligated to respect the right, which the African Union Constitutive Act confers on the Union and its member States, to intervene or request intervention in circumstances of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, but they also undertake to prevent other violations of international humanitarian law against displaced persons. Furthermore, States parties to the Kampala Convention are under a general obligation to ensure the accountability of individuals and non-State actors for acts of arbitrary displacement, in accordance with national and international criminal law. It is hoped that the Council and other United Nations entities with the mandate to protect internally displaced persons will cooperate with African States in advancing the objectives of the Kampala Convention.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Such atrocities are being committed in flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian and human rights law. The phenomenon of internally displaced persons, a category of civilians in need of protection in armed conflict, is of particular concern in Africa, where millions of people are at present displaced by violent conflicts. In order to address the gaps and weaknesses in the existing international legal framework on the protection of internally displaced persons, in October African States adopted in Kampala, Uganda, the African Union (AU) Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa with the purpose and objective "to promote and strengthen regional and national measures to prevent or mitigate, prohibit and eliminate the root causes of internal displacement".”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“As acknowledged in the valuable concept paper (see S/2009/567) prepared for this debate, though some modest progress has been made, more work remains to be done. As we speak today, millions of innocent people are suffering in various theatres of conflict and are denied humanitarian assistance. Many are deliberately targeted by armed groups and regular forces, in the face of the inability or unwillingness of their own Governments to come to their rescue. Children are being forcefully recruited as child soldiers or sex slaves; the raping of women and girls as a weapon of warfare persists; many victims have no access to food, water or schools, while others have been compelled to flee their homes, while humanitarian workers and peacekeeping personnel are deliberately killed or injured.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The timing and theme for today's open debate could not have been more appropriate, considering that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Security Council's initial consideration of the protection of civilians in armed conflict as a thematic issue under its resolution 1265 (1999). In the course of the past decade, Ghana has remained among the 10 top troop- contributing countries in peacekeeping, and many Ghanaians peacekeepers are among those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Ghana will continue to cooperate with other Member States in the implementation of the relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations aimed at enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Allow me to congratulate the Austrian delegation on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Ghana welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/277), as well as his statement this morning demonstrating his commitment to addressing the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement and with the statement to be delivered by the Permanent Representative of Zambia on behalf of the African Group.”
2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The United Nations can only continue to be a source of hope for the unfortunate victims of conflict by adapting to the ever- changing nature of peacekeeping through innovation and flexibility. Indeed, ongoing reforms will invariably determine the continued capacity of the United Nations to sustain its flagship undertaking. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a favourable outcome to the process. The Council's critical role cannot be overemphasized.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“In that connection, we commend the progress made so far to address that challenge and encourage the Secretariat to continue to enhance its capacity, especially with regard to the gathering of operational and tactical intelligence, which is essential to pre-empting potential threats and ensuring the safety and security of both peacekeepers and civilians. We owe it as a duty to the gallant men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of United Nations operations to strive to reduce fatalities, especially those resulting from hostile acts. Regrettably, a critical assessment of current geopolitical developments indicates that United Nations peacekeeping activities are not likely to abate in the coming years. Rather, they could experience an increase in both scope and nature.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Undoubtedly, in this current era of intra-State conflict, peacekeepers are required to operate in precarious security environments where non-State entities and spoilers act with impunity. Given that grave atmosphere, it is unrealistic and incongruous to place the responsibility for the safety and security of peacekeepers in the hands of host authorities or signatories to a peace accord. In my delegation's candid opinion, the United Nations should assume that responsibility until relative normalcy is restored to conflict areas.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Council should therefore, as a matter of urgency, consider further strengthening cooperation with those bodies within the framework of Chapter VIII in order to make the best use of the comparative advantages of the United Nations and regional arrangements, with a view to maximizing the effectiveness and synergies for peacekeeping 09-3860] operations. In that regard, we express our support for the continuing efforts to strengthen African peacekeeping capacities, and emphasize the importance of joint action plans to address constraints identified by African Member States. The safety and security of peacekeepers is of paramount concern to my country, and indeed to all troop and police contributors. The continued fatalities are regrettable and indefensible, given the selfless services rendered by peacekeepers.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Another important factor to that end is the extension of political support and commitment to missions by Member States. History has unambiguously demonstrated that the existence or absence of that element determines the success or failure of peacekeeping operations. In the wake of the surge in demand and complexity of peacekeeping operations, it is an irrefutable fact that regional and subregional organizations can play a vital role in ensuring a more effective and comprehensive response to conflict situations in the world. The proximity of the member States of regional organizations to conflict areas gives them a better understanding of the complexity of the issues. It also enables them to respond to crises in a timely manner. We should bear in mind, however, that regional actors can sometimes complicate the resolution of conflicts.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We consider Security Council resolutions 1327 (2000) and 1353 (2001), dealing with cooperation and consultations among TCCs and PCCs and the Council and the Secretariat, as critical to the ultimate outcome of peacekeeping operations. While we welcome the deepening of that trilateral framework, we are convinced that that could further be enhanced to ensure the attainment of the optimal goal. TCCs and PCCs should be involved early and fully in all stages and aspects of mission planning, since that would contribute to a more inclusive decision-making process. It therefore behoves the Council to critically examine the current working methods, with the aim of eliciting the views of potential TCCs and PCCs before its consideration and adoption of mission mandates, as well as prior to the renewal or review of existing mandates.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“With the ever-evolving nature and scope of peacekeeping operations, it is incumbent on the Council, within the purview of its responsibility, to consider refining mission mandates to account for the envisaged challenges of the field, including by adjusting the rules of engagement for field personnel as and when the need arises, practical deployment timelines and increased authority for field operations. As a mandate is not an end in itself, its objective can only be realized through the provision of the requisite human and financial as well as logistical resources. Logistics difficulties confronting most troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and police- contributing countries (PCCs) in mission areas have been identified as a major impediment to prompt and effective deployment.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Unquestionably, it would have been more difficult for the United Nations to discharge that onerous responsibility creditably without the appropriate reforms, starting with those outlined in the Brahimi report (S/2000/809). Although my delegation applauds the great strides that have been made to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping operations, we also acknowledge that much remains to be done if we are to attain the ultimate goal. The ability of the United Nations to surmount current and emerging challenges, and also to bridge the gaps between United Nations capacities and the expectations of the world community, depends largely, but not exclusively, on the adoption of unambiguous, realistic and achievable mandates and exit strategies in tandem with a parallel and inclusive peace process.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“It is without doubt that United Nations peacekeeping operations have contributed immensely towards our Organization's efforts in attaining its fundamental goal of maintaining international peace and security, as well as the promotion of sustainable development and human rights. Its accomplishment, widely acknowledged as one of the indisputable hallmarks of the Organization, has also raised expectations, even as it takes on complex and multidimensional mandates in more challenging environments. Indeed, the ever-growing demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations is affirmed by the confidence and respect that the Blue Helmets enjoy worldwide, despite the inherent constraints and weaknesses, as well as some regrettable shortcomings.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Permit me, at the outset, to commend the Permanent Representative of Turkey for successfully steering the affairs of this Council during this month and for organizing this meeting, given the close link between the theme and the Council's fundamental responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Let me also thank Under-Secretaries-General Alain Le Roy and Susana Malcorra for their eloquent presentations, which not only focused on the status of United Nations peacekeeping operations, but elucidated the strategies to surmount challenges posed by the multidimensional facet of United Nations peacekeeping operations. 1 would also wish to express my delegation's gratitude and honour for the invitation to participate in this important meeting.”
2009-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6153Resumption1 (2009) · source
“National ownership also enhances prospects for mobilizing the support of civil society groups while enhancing the impact of international assistance. We must take responsibility for that resolution and all that it asks of us. It is easy to request the United Nations to act, but as Member States, we should also acknowledge what is required of us to ensure the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Civil society ought to be mobilized and actively involved in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), because its members have important roles to play as advocates, activists and programme implementers in building the political will necessary to bring about real change. Effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms should be engaged to ensure the sustainability of positive changes in the situation and role of women in conflict and post- conflict countries. 3 The critical role of Member States in the full and effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) cannot be overstated, as national ownership is a prerequisite for the success of gender mainstreaming activities over the longer term.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In order to ensure that peacekeepers are better informed and resourced to address gender-specific challenges facing women in the post-conflict period, our national strategy also underlines the importance of pre-deployment training on gender for peacekeepers. Linkages should be established between the activities carried out by the United Nations system and the efforts of Member States to implement resolution 1325 (2000), particularly in conflict and post-conflict situations. We must also ensure the creation of effective institutional arrangements that will not only guarantee the protection of women and girls, but also enhance their full and equal participation in peace processes, including negotiations and decision-making.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Member States and the United Nations have to include targeted gender-related activities in strategies and programmes on peace and security by, for example, increasing the number of women considered for United Nations peacekeeping operations. It is indeed beyond doubt that the deployment of female military and police personnel facilitates outreach to women in local communities. Ghana participates in nine United Nations peacekeeping operations and currently is the highest contributor of women to military peacekeeping operations, contributing approximately 12 per cent of the total number of female military personnel. We believe in the beneficial effect of women peacekeepers in post-conflict countries and will therefore strive to deploy more women police and military personnel.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We recognize that some commendable efforts have been made on policy, norm setting and reforms, and institutional development. But we still have not arrived at a situation in which the equality and empowerment of women can be ensured. One of the crucial objectives of resolution 1325 (2000) is gender mainstreaming in all aspects of peace and security. Its realization calls for deliberate, 08-57549 purposeful and sustained interventions, especially on the part of Member States, with the active collaboration and support of the United Nations and other relevant actors. In order to develop long-term strategies to increase women's participation, we should focus considerable attention on the following fundamental issues.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I would like to commend China for organizing this open debate on women and peace and security. We thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2008/622). We are also grateful to the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and to the other officials who addressed the Council this morning. Women and girls who have played little or no part in creating armed conflict continue to be victims of grave forms of sexual violence and assault and to suffer the worst forms of hardships and displacement during warfare. Notwithstanding those abuses, women contribute meaningfully to efforts aimed at mediation, reconciliation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and the rebuilding of national institutions.”
2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Ghana, for its part, will do all that is possible at the diplomatic, policy and operational levels, as we have done since the dawn of United Nations peacekeeping, to bring about the desired change and impact on peacekeeping operations, aimed at ending sexual violence against women. We also take note of the provision to strengthen access to justice and services for survivors of sexual violence as well as the emphasis on regional cooperation. Ghana believes that the draft resolution to be adopted at the end of this debate constitutes a good basis for our work, and we support the recommendations contained therein. We are particularly pleased to recognize the emphasis on the role and conduct of peacekeeping missions, including related recommendations for troop-contributing and police-contributing countries.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“National-level responses must ultimately aim at reducing women's economic vulnerability and dependence as well as their exposure to exploitative relationships and sexual abuse. In that connection, protection should not only be a reactive, band-aid solution; efforts should be made to empower women and girls in the long term. As clearly stated by the Secretary-General in February 2008, at the launch of a multi-year campaign to end violence against women, Member Governments, the private sector and civil society can effectively support increased actions on the ground to end such violence, prevent this affront to humanity and ensure that women and girls have the right to a life free of violence.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“States should review and, when necessary, revise or create applicable laws to ensure that sexual violence against women is always criminalized. Bolstering the role and capacity of both the United Nations and regional security institutions is also essential. Our region, for example, has benefited from action at the regional level. The African Union has demonstrated its zeal in helping to end conflicts on the continent, and cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union has been positive and should continue to improve and give meaningful protection for women. Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) is premised on the twin pillars of protection and empowerment.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Better liaison with women's constituencies can improve access to operational intelligence and can serve as force multipliers in the achievement of mission objectives. Increasing women's voice in security and governance structures can help weed out the root causes of violence and discrimination. Gender- sensitive protection efforts should be recognized and rewarded to help ensure that peacekeeping forces accord high-priority to the protection of women and girls. Failure to prosecute is a licence to rape. Consistency in prosecutions and in referrals to justice mechanisms shows that the Security Council takes this matter seriously. All perpetrators and would-be perpetrators must know that the international community, particularly the Security Council, is watching and is ready to act to end impunity for sexual violence.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“One innovative strategy Ghana endorses is fostering closer coordination between public institutions that deal with peacekeeping and those that deal with women's affairs. We must put security institutions in closer working relationships with women's organizations. We underscore the importance of security sector reform as an essential element of peace and security. But to be sustainable, such reform must be gender- sensitive. Women are the glue that holds families and communities together, even in the midst of war. There is a need for greater recognition of the roles women play in peace consolidation, and they should must be consulted in all activities undertaken on their behalf and be equitably represented in strategic responses to violations.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Troop-contributing countries must take responsibility for deploying well-trained peacekeepers. The term "well-trained" must be redefined to include having gender awareness. Gender training should also take place in national staff colleges; it should be realistic and based on exercises, case studies and split- second decision-making. Greater representation by women is therefore required not only as a matter of principle, but also as a practical matter, in order to strengthen the effectiveness of peacekeeping. In this respect, Ghana has made concerted efforts to increase the integration of women in its armed and security forces and would endeavour to deploy more women as peacekeepers.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“This challenge calls for fresh thinking aimed at finding more appropriate measures to enable the United Nations to discharge its mandate more effectively and with maximum flexibility and efficiency. As the representative of a major troop-contributing country, allow me to briefly share my Government's experiences and its perspective on ways to improve the response of peacekeeping personnel to the scourge of sexual and other forms of violence against women in situations of armed conflict. We wish to emphasize that women peacekeepers serve as role models and encourage girl soldiers and victims to embrace programmes to disarm former combatants and generally have a salutary and positive impact on security sector reform, electoral support and gender mainstreaming in broken societies where women are even more marginalized.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“As expressly set out in the concept paper prepared by the United States (S/2008/364, annex), there are practical challenges that we have to grapple with in order to make meaningful progress in dealing with gender-based and sexual violence, which remain an important part of resolution 1325 (2000), considering the almost daily and disturbing reports on rape and other forms of sexual abuse emanating from several of the conflict situations in the world, particularly in Africa. Improving the response to the scourge of sexual and other forms of violence against women poses a great challenge, particularly to developing countries, which are the major troop contributors.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“I join previous speakers in commending the delegation of the United States for convening this timely open debate, which seeks to address the grave sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. We welcome the presence of United States Secretary of State Rice and Deputy Secretary- General Asha-Rose Migiro. This gathering reinforces our shared belief in the inherent dignity of every human being whether in time of peace or in time of conflict. Indeed, the inclusion of a range of sexual violence offences in the Statutes of both the International Criminal Court and the ad hoc international criminal tribunals was itself a strong affirmation of our shared value that there should be no tolerance for impunity.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Thus, the Peacebuilding Commission, the other United Nations organs, including the Council, national authorities and regional organizations involved in issues of peace and security, should understand the value of preventive diplomacy on the basis of article 1 of the United Nations Charter, both in countries experiencing conflicts and in those witnessing peace, in order to save succeeding generations, including our generation, from the ravages of war.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“More attention should therefore be given to integrating the diaspora as indispensable stakeholders in post-conflict peacebuilding processes. Addressing such obstacles to the consolidation of peace in post- conflict countries should also include a commitment to mechanisms for transitional and criminal justice and national reconciliation. In closing, the truth is that too often political will or goodwill are lacking. Where there is political will underpinned by good faith and good will there is a way. Political will should underpin our collective will to bridge the implementation gaps when decisions are taken. Conflicts often assume very complex and complicated dimensions once they occur and may not necessarily fall into any neat categories of critical gaps identified by various speakers today.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“That is why the Peacebuilding Commission should continue to contribute to the Secretary-General's efforts to mobilize resources to increase the level of funds in the Fund. The capacity gap is a critical gap that has received increased attention. The shortage of national human resources to help rebuild post-conflict countries may be addressed through the promotion of the return of the critical mass of skilled and unskilled citizens, who flee the conflict zone when civil war breaks out. Psychological damage can take much longer to overcome than material damage. Affected and victimized populations are reluctant to return to their homeland for fear of a relapse to violent conflict and have limited confidence in the peace processes. Some may seek vengeance or revenge.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In this context, peacebuilding efforts in post- conflict countries in Africa should pay due attention to the AU Framework for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, which places emphasis on tackling the root causes of the conflict to ensure sustainable peace. The international community should more actively support regional and subregional initiatives aimed at expediting the reaction time to crises when they occur. The need to address the financial resource gap cannot be overemphasized. The establishment of the Peacebuilding Fund as a form of trust fund available for speedy disbursement and quick impact projects, especially in the immediate post-conflict phase, is essential for ensuring sustainable peace.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Growing efforts are being made by the Commission to bridge the critical gap in regional engagement or regional ownership, as reflected in the recent interactions between the Peacebuilding Support Office and Commission on the one hand, and the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council on the other in Addis Ababa and New York to exchange views on ways to forge closer cooperation and partnerships in dealing with countries currently on the Commission's agenda, all of which currently happen to be African countries. But such regional engagement should be reflected at the working level in the field by ensuring a more active involvement of regional and subregional organizations in integrated peacebuilding strategies and in steering committees set up to address post-conflict recovery.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“While the founding resolutions may have rightly emphasized the principle of national ownership, the fact remains that these founding resolutions also acknowledge the need for the Peacebuilding Commission to work closely with regional organizations, as many conflicts have triggered instability in neighbouring States and regions. Surely, when it comes to regional organizations, the Commission can learn from the experiences and lessons of the Security Council, which has, of late, given priority to forging closer partnerships and cooperation with regional organizations, in particular the African Union, when dealing with countries on the Council's agenda.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As clearly articulated in its founding resolutions, the Peacebuilding Commission serves as an international advisory body designed to play advocacy, mobilizing and coordinating roles for the benefit of the international community by offering assistance to countries emerging from violent conflicts. We must accept that the Commission has been uniquely and carefully crafted to ensure a holistic approach to peacebuilding, in a manner that recognizes the interdependence of political rehabilitation, socio- economic revival and sustainable peace. To promote the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Peacebuilding Commission in carrying out all aspects of its mandate and mission, such conceptual, knowledge or informational gaps, which usually are not openly articulated, should be addressed.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Often, the gaps in the implementation of peacebuilding strategies or framework are inherent in the terms of the peace agreements negotiated as a basis for the peace process. A hastily negotiated agreement, perceived to have been imposed on the parties to a 08-34772 conflict lacks the desired long-term commitment needed to make it durable. Equally important, and not to be overlooked, are the conceptual and operational questions regarding the appropriate relationship between the Peacebuilding Commission and other United Nations organs, as well as between the Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund, which, together with the Peacebuilding Support Office, constitute the peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“These include the gaps in leadership on the ground, defined as the lack of effective coordination among the various stakeholders in post-conflict countries, be they governments and other institutions of national governance; the United Nations agencies; civil societies; the international financial institutions; bilateral donors or the private sector. Also the need for skilled and rapidly deployable civilian capacity, coupled with rapidly deployable military contingents, cannot be overemphasized. Of course, the absence of adequate funding and of the mechanisms for swift disbursement and allocation of the limited but available financial and other material resources remains a formidable challenge to post-conflicting stabilization and peacebuilding.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The founding resolutions also mandate the Commission's pivotal and unique role in mobilizing sustained international attention and engagement to help countries recently emerging from conflict to face the formidable challenges in achieving durable stability and sustainable peace. It has long been recognized that sustained international engagement and a strong national commitment are vital ingredients for success in any post-conflict peacebuilding endeavour. The critical gaps already alluded to in the concept paper are very germane to our discussion.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I wish to join others in congratulating the delegation of the United Kingdom on its assumption of the Presidency for the month of May and commend its initiative in organizing this open debate on post-conflict peacebuilding. The objectives of this debate, as stated in the concept paper, are to identify and address some of the critical gaps in international efforts to help post-conflict countries to stabilize and build sustainable peace as they emerge from conflict. The letter and spirit of the founding resolutions, adopted by the General Assembly (resolution 60/180) and the Security Council (resolution 1645 (2005)), charge the Peacebuilding Commission, a subsidiary body of these two principal organs of the United Nations, with the responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Ghana is proud to be among the African countries that have so far subscribed to the African Peer Review Mechanism in the context of NEPAD - a process by which the quality of national governance in our country is subjected to external scrutiny. It is our firm conviction that it is only through such constructive processes that Africa will emerge stronger and more resilient. We are optimistic that the goals of the African renaissance, namely, peace, stability and prosperity, will be attained sooner rather than later throughout the entire continent of Africa.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In that regard, we acknowledge the important contribution of the Peacebuilding Commission, of which Ghana is a current Vice-Chair, to the ongoing efforts to rebuild Burundi, Sierra Leone and Guinea- Bissau, aimed at ensuring sustainable peace in those countries, which remain on the agendas of both the Security Council and the Commission. Africa's development blueprint, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), reaffirms the commitment of African States to the tenets of good governance and democracy, underpinned by the promotion of economic and social justice and scrupulous respect for human rights and the rule of law, as prerequisites for durable peace and security.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As recent reports of the Secretary-General have shown, the cost of prevention is far less than the cost of resolving conflicts. Therefore, the need to pursue a strategy of prevention, which entails tackling the underlying causes of conflict and instability, should receive the priority attention of the international community. To that end, we call upon the international community, in particular the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, to actively support the African Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy Framework, adopted in 2006, which focuses on tackling the root causes of conflict and thereby preventing the occurrence or recurrence of crises.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In that connection, it is my delegation's view that, if we are to ensure more effective resolution of conflicts in Africa, there should be a calculated and conscious strategy aimed at promoting the interdependence of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. That requires, among other things, full implementation of the 10-year capacity-building framework for cooperation concluded between the Secretary-General and the African Union Commission in November 2006. The lack of resources, coupled with other factors, has undermined the deployment of African Union peacekeeping operations in Africa. Therefore, we urge the United Nations Security Council and the international community to step up their efforts to address the critical resource gaps.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source
“While there has been significant progress in the resolution of some conflicts in Africa, the current situation in other parts of the continent demands our most urgent attention. The role of the United Nations remains crucial in Africa's quest for a new era of peace and stability. Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, which explicitly prescribes a role for regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security, dictates the need for a close and symbiotic relationship between the United Nations and the African Union, given the current situation on our continent.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868Resumption1 (2008) · source