YouSaid · the spoken record

Erki Kodar

lines on the record: 7
first: 2021-04-08
most recent: 2021-04-08
sittings or episodes: 1
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

“In 2020, Estonia continued its contribution to UNMAS to support the mine action programmes in Iraq and Syria. To conclude, mine action is a precondition for achieving peace and development in post-conflict situations. We commend the work of Viet Nam in arriving at the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2021/8, which reminds us that our work and support has to continue, since landmines and explosive remnants of war remain a threat in many parts of the world.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Certain adverse environmental impacts also derive from demining activities — clearance or removal of vegetation, soil erosion from excavations and in-situ demolition. We would encourage incorporating environmental perspectives into mine action programmes to mitigate such adverse effects. For Estonia, mine action is a priority area in our Government’s strategy for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Over the years, we have gradually increased our contributions, including financial support to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) as well as to the clean-up of various explosive remnants of war and mine-clearance activities under bilateral and international humanitarian projects in Mali, Gaza, Libya, Lebanon Iraq, Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In providing necessary support and assistance, it is therefore important to ensure that all concerns and needs of all age and gender groups are acknowledged and addressed. These may relate to priorities for clearance and post-release land use or access by survivors to health-care systems. An equally welcome development pertains to the increasing number of women now working in humanitarian demining S/2021/346 S/2021/346 programs. More women need to be involved in peacebuilding activities in order to make communities work and prosper. An area that needs more awareness-raising pertains to mine action and its environmental impact. The adverse effects of climate change, such as intense rainfalls and flooding, cause mines to move. As a result, new areas become contaminated.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“improvised explosive devices pose a growing threat. Although they might target security forces, they equally affect peacekeepers, humanitarian aid providers and civilians. Countering IEDs should not be limited to stopping or neutralizing a device once it is already in place, but should also be aimed at identifying and disrupting the networks that create and initiate IEDs. Stringent national measures and close international cooperation are key in denying terrorists and criminal groups access to weapons and explosive precursors. We are pleased to see that gender-sensitive perspectives are increasingly taken into account when planning, implementing and monitoring mine action activities. Women, girls, boys and men are affected differently by landmines and other explosive hazards.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction — also known as the Ottawa Convention — has brought about clear results on the ground through mine clearance, stockpile destruction and victim assistance. Since the establishment of the treaty, more than 30 formerly contaminated countries have been declared mine-free, more than 50 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed and the official trade in anti-personnel mines has ceased to exist. In order to support the Oslo action plan for the implementation of the Ottawa Convention, a European Union Council decision was adopted in February that puts forward a concrete action plan to achieve a mine-free world by 2025. We call on all States that have not yet done so to accede to the Ottawa Convention.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Many of them sacrificed their health during peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations; with the blue hepatica initiative we additionally support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. I also wish to thank today’s briefers for their insightful interventions. Long after wars end and conflicts cease, landmines and other explosive ordnance continue to kill and maim indiscriminately. The fear of their presence prevents people from using potentially valuable land for agriculture and from rebuilding infrastructure and prevents displaced persons from returning home. As a result, economic, social and health development is hampered and further tensions, and conflicts are likely to evolve. Estonia strongly believes that instruments of international law have an important role in protecting against the proliferation of landmines.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Very warm congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your appointment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam. Allow me to thank Viet Nam for convening today’s open debate on this important topic. Estonia shares the concerns regarding the impact of landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to peacebuilding, peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. As such, this topic fully deserves the attention of the Security Council, and hopefully our discussion today will contribute to the efforts towards mitigating the threats posed by these weapons. This debate is very timely as well because in Estonia every April we wear a blue hepatica flower to recognize our veterans who have participated in international operations.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source