YouSaid · the spoken record

Gasana

lines on the record: 923
first: 1993-10-05
most recent: 2016-06-10
sittings or episodes: 118
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

“Now is the time to act and respond strategically and swiftly. We welcome all those gathered here today that have yet to endorse the Kigali Principles to join us in subscribing to them. The way forward may be filled with uncertainties and new challenges that attempt to rob us of our faith and values. Let us not allow for either. Let us move in a manner that speaks to our strengths. Today, let us choose a way forward that most effectively protects the lives of all civilians, for, as His Excellency President Paul Kagame has said, "The central purpose of peace operations is the protection of civilians. This cannot be said often enough".”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Let us also inspire our peacekeepers to continue engaging with civilians to fortify their relationship with and trust in us. This will result in the collection of data and other intelligence that is invaluable to any peacekeeping mission. Rwanda, as a top troop- and police-contributing country, and as a nation that witnessed first-hand the grave shortcomings of the United Nations, let me caution against not taking action. Remaining silent is a response. It conveys either complete disinterest or complete apathy. We have gathered here today to take stock of what is needed to succeed. Under the auspices of the recommendations of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, the Secretary-General's subsequent report and the best practices embedded in the Kigali Principles, the way forward has been paved for us.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“We owe it to peacekeepers and the civilians whose lives are at stake to have a clear and synchronized understanding of the use of force by the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries. Civilians expect peacekeepers to use force when their lives are threatened. When armed violence escalates, we must act. That proactive stance to peacekeeping will reap many benefits, including preventing future conflicts or further escalation of current ones. Lastly, we must become more centred if we are to undertake missions with mandates that seek to protect people. We must dispose of the old ways that hindered our thinking and halted decision-making or decision-taking that could have saved lives.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“That undeniably empowers uniformed peacekeepers to take the necessary measures to save lives rather than fearing the consequences of misjudged actions. That leads me to one of the most important points of the debate, namely, the unimpeded use of force. A pattern of not intervening when civilians are under attack must not and cannot become the norm. As one of the Kigali Principles denotes, troops should be "prepared to use force to protect civilians, as necessary and consistent with the mandate." That includes a show of deterrence to the inter-positioning of forces between armed actors and civilians. Clarity behind that principle will allow peacekeepers to discern and respond to armed violence.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Although their intentions are selfless and courageous, we are not doing our jobs correctly if they are on the ground with only those two values to shield them from threats and other dangers. Fourthly, we fully subscribe to applicable and contemporary training during predeployment and in-mission that includes the protection of civilians and sexual exploitation and abuse. If peacekeepers are properly trained on sexual exploitation and abuse, a culture will develop among peacekeepers that seek for them to exercise good judgment and holds them completely accountable for any misconduct. Fifthly, mission leadership must also be strengthened so that an effective chain of command can develop and respond to any threat or danger to civilians.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Secondly, the Security Council must oversee that all phases of the mandate include political solutions that will allow the country to move forward, guaranteeing that a relapse is not imminent. If prevention work is coupled with a substantial and consistent investment in understanding the root causes of conflicts, we can stop history from repeating itself and once and for all eliminate the reopening of historic wounds. Thirdly, peacekeepers have a right to clear and intelligible tasks that ensure the effective and thorough protection of civilians. That will also aid peacekeepers in comprehending how and why perpetrators may attack civilians, so that their responses can be intelligent and tailored. We can all attest to hearing stories of peacekeepers who have been spread too thin or who are ill-equipped to protect civilians.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“That, in turn, will prove to civilians that their needs can be met and surpassed with sound, effective and consistent peacekeeping. On a strategic level, there are necessary improvements to our peacekeeping missions that can produce clear and achievable mandates. First, we should produce clear and achievable mandates. That requires thoroughly assessing the needs on the ground and then pairing them appropriately with the roles and responsibilities of peacekeepers. Embedding phased and sequenced mandates into the process will ensure that the protection of civilians remains a top priority and is not constrained by other tasks or a lack of adequate resources.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“The plight of civilians is increasing, which means that our actions must not simply match but exceed the needs on the ground for long-term changes to materialize. It is not the armed actors or rebels, or even factions that most suffer in today's conflicts, bur rather civilians. It is not the towns that have been plummeted or the waterlines that have been shut off that most devastate a community; rather, it is the loss ofinnocent lives, of neighbours, ofloved ones who could have been you, or me, or anyone here in the Chamber. The violence facing civilians is growing in magnitude, intensity and frequency, while the majority of our actions in response remain the same. I believe that in adhering to the Kigali Principles we can implement the changes needed to see a real impact.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“Let me begin by commending your country, Sir, for convening this important debate, which provides us with an opportunity to exchange views on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I believe that in the past months we have come closer to wholeheartedly embracing a progressive protection-of- civilians agenda. The Council may recall that, on 14 May, 20 new troop- and police-contributing countries pledged their unwavering commitment to protecting civilians by supporting the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians. Their affirmation validates the prioritization of protection of civilian mandates. As we tread forward, we will continue to seek the support of countries, like France, that bear witness to the important role the Kigali Principles can play in the field. When lives are at stake, we must act.”
2016-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7711 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, let me reiterate my call for the Security Council to shift from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. With unfolding events in Burundi - and elsewhere, of course - it is inevitable that the Security Council try to improve its record with regard to fully understanding early warning signs of conflicts and responding through early action if it is to remain relevant. While there has been a huge increase in the level of international preventive diplomacy and diplomatic peacemaking, for the most part by the United Nations and more recently in partnership with regional organizations, those efforts will remain inadequate if they are not followed up by concrete actions on the ground.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“What we cannot agree with is this apparent desire to occupy our political space. No one will ever come to occupy our political space. It belongs to Rwandans and only to Rwandans. Ifa democracy is for the people, by the people, as she and her country's leaders have well stated, then please let the people of Rwanda have their own choice. Attempting to ensure the peace and stability of the country without taking into account the political, economic and historical factors would be a mere exercise that leads nowhere. We in Rwanda came to the realization that it has to be an ongoing process of education and dialogue with the people. It cannot, by any means, be a cut-and-paste exercise from one country to another; nor can it follow the same pattern, as a country's issues are unique to it.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Rwanda understood, as a vital element, that the only way to consolidate gains was to stay connected through a participatory democracy that enables people to have a voice in all matters concerning their well-being. That well-tested system has prompted the people of Rwanda to opt massively to keep this very precious man - the President we have today, namely, President Kagame - at the helm of the nation. If Rwanda has made the most progress in the world in terms of human development over the past 25 years - as Ms. Power stated well - it has done so through the President's leadership. We know what is good for Rwanda and Rwandans. One does not really have to agree with us, but one can respect our choices. There are some aspects of her country with which we do not agree, but there is nothing we can do about it. We leave it to them.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Drawing lessons from the bad politics that led to the genocide, it was imperative for the Rwandan people to build on a culture of ongoing dialogue with all citizens of Rwanda so as to enable them to have a voice, to participate, to redress any attempt to hamper their well-being and to have an opportunity to claim their rights when they feel their leaders are not responsive. With that approach, pluralism has been deepened in a consensual democracy in which citizen-led consultations have yielded tangible results in mending the social fabric and in addressing all issues of concern. Citizens of Rwanda have been afforded numerous platforms to convey their views and concerns.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Luckily, President Kagame went back home and stopped the genocide. Luckily, I went back home, too. In 1994, when over 10,000 people were killed on a daily basis, what did the Security Council do? Nothing. Nothing! We want that man there. He was the only one to take up his responsibility and come and stop the genocide. He is our hero. As I was telling a gentleman in the Chamber, we will never, ever accept anyone who tries to deny what the Rwandans want to achieve, or what Rwanda chooses.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“While we commend her remarks as to the positive trajectory achieved by Rwanda in the economic and social fields, and as to Rwanda's key role in the maintenance of peace and security in the international arena, there is a need to emphasize that Rwanda's achievement did not occur in a vacuum. Indeed, the success Rwanda encountered stemmed from many factors, including good governance and an enlightened leadership - led by His Excellency President Paul Kagame - that single-handedly put together solutions tailored to the Rwandan situation in the immediate aftermath of the genocide against the Tutsi. Had it not been for him, I would not be here talking to the Council today. Would the Council like me to tell my story, about why we Rwandans want him? My grandparents were refugees. My parents were refugees. I was born as a refugee.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Allow me, before I conclude, to respond to the remarks made by Ambassador Samantha Power and her analysis of the situation in four countries of the region, including my own. I hope she is watching this on the webcast. If not, I ask that the message of Rwanda be conveyed to her. First, I hope that she does not confuse her name with her assignment - Ms. Power does not have power over Rwanda. In reaction to her remarks, we need first of all to caution her against lumping together the approaches of the four countries. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in responding to the challenges confronting the region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“That was confirmed at a meeting of the ICGLR on the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources held in Kigali in November 2015. The country's Geology and Mines Authority has set up a mineral tagging and sealing scheme, which aims to curb illegal trading of conflict minerals such as tin, tantalum and tantalite. The project, called the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative, was set up by the United Kingdom tin industry to assist countries in the region, and the Government of Rwanda ensures that minerals from Rwanda are verified and traceable right from their source to smelters. We encourage counties in the region to adopt similar measures, which will contribute to the transparency of mineral trading in the region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The illegal exportation of resources can be a factor in prolonging - and, in some cases, fuelling - conflict, both in the areas of exploitation and, at times, across the borders with neighbouring countries. Armed groups in our region, such as the Allied Democratic Forces, the Mai Mai, the Lord's Resistance Army and the genocidal group FDLR, have benefitted from the illegal exploitation of resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in order to cause insecurity in neighbouring countries, including in mine. The Government of Rwanda has set up verification mechanisms that help to identify the origins of mineral resources on its territory. Rwanda is one of the most advanced countries in the region in the implementation of the ICGLR certification mechanism.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The President's concept note (S/20l6/223, annex) for this open debate also highlights the linkage between natural resources and the forces of destabilization and conflict. Without a doubt, natural resources have served as the backbone for the efforts of countries so endowed to advance their development agenda and to lift their citizens out of poverty. In some parts of the world, including the Great Lakes region of Africa, those resources have been a blessing for some and a curse for others. Many resource-rich countries remain in abject poverty and continue to experience poor economic growth - and, consequently, a lower standard of living. The argument that the more resources a country has the greater its economic growth and prosperity will be does not necessarily hold true, just as it does not necessarily hold true in marriages.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“While we will welcome the transfer of Ladislas Ntaganzwa yesterday from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we can only note that nothing tangible has been achieved so far on the ground when it comes to dealing with the FDLR. Rwanda deeply deplores the lack of meaningful action in the neutralization of that genocidal group and terrorist organization, including its leadership. It is unfortunate that the international community, especially MONUSCO and its Intervention Brigade, has not followed through with any military action after the defeat of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M-23), as called for by the regional bodies and the Security Council. When we served in the Security Council from 2013 to 2014, we voted for resolution 2147 (2014).”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The persistent presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo of roaming predators under the name of the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) - by the way, the FDLR are also in Burundi today, working with the Government of Burundi, which started the crisis - and the inaction on the part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in implementing the decisions of the Security Council, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community have raised serious concerns about the commitment of the stakeholders to seeking sustainable peace and stability in the region.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“On our side, in order to avoid any misunderstanding of our intentions, we have requested the international community to work with us to plan the orderly and safe relocation of Burundian refugees to third countries. Let me just add that hatred and rhetoric directed against my country, or against my President, are unacceptable. He is our hero. Do not ever dare - ever - to treat him that way.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The fact that Burundi has now descended into a spiral of violence has not helped make the case for our collective ability and will to prevent conflict, or to protect civilians. By that I mean that the response from the international community has been geared more towards rhetorical exchanges than actions aimed at preventing the escalation and the commission of mass atrocity crimes. Nor has the response from Burundian officials been better. Instead of exercising leadership and living up to their responsibilities and obligations to protect their own citizens, they have opted to turn a blind eye to the daily killing of innocent civilians, and the carnage continues.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Burundi is in political turmoil, with State-sponsored armed militias murdering innocent civilians in broad daylight. Moreover, the unverified allegations from part II of the progress update in the January 2016 report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the rumours from Refugees International seek to externalize the responsibility for the current conflict and represent another failed attempt to shift focus away from the real causes of the instability. Rwanda has already demonstrated its obligation to protect and care for refugees. While my Government is committed to meeting its obligations under international humanitarian law, it should not be negatively exploited by those who expect to find solutions to the crisis.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“The situation in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa speaks for itself. It is a region that has been in turmoil since the 1950s. While various successive efforts have been deployed, very few of them have been aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis. For instance, the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region and the peace process in Burundi created hopes that the epoch of violence in the African Great Lakes region was finally drawing to an end. Howevr, progress in realizing those initiatives has been limited, if not disappointing. With regard to the current situation in Burundi since May 2015, political and security unrest in the country have proved that the Great Lakes region is far from being stable.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“At the same time, it recognizes, among other equally important tools, the usefulness of strong global and regional partnerships in addressing conflicts. Working together with the region in assessing the situation with regard to the implementation of the decisions of the Security Council can also help in addressing the sources of conflict as early as possible. The principles that we support will not bear fruit if they are not implemented in good faith with a cohesive, inclusive and effective strategy that brings on board all stakeholders. That is why early-warning mechanisms should guide the work of the Security Council in preventing conflicts from arising. That would not only improve the work of the United Nations, and of the Security Council in particular, but it could also be cost- effective when it comes to saving lives.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Conflict prevention and resolution have become central to the work of the United Nations, but in the wake of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the growing intra-State conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, the Central African Republic and South Sudan, we see that the concept of conflict prevention has been applied more in theory than in practice. The United Nations, especially the Security Council, was and still is much more focused on crisis management than on crisis prevention. The report (see S/2015/446, annex) of the High- level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, as well as the recommendations of the Secretary-General with regard to the Panel's report, rightly acknowledges the primacy of politics with a focus on mediation and conflict prevention.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank you and your delegation, Mr. President, for organizing today's important debate on conflict prevention and resolution in the Great Lakes region of Africa, and for the concept note you circulated to Member States (S/2016/223, annex). I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. His presence here today once again highlights his commitment to conflict prevention and resolution, particularly in our region. And I welcome the briefings by the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Mr. Smail Chergui, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes, Mr. Said Djinnit, and Mr. Vijay Pillai of the Office of the Vice President for the Africa region of the World Bank.”
2016-03-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7653 (2016) · source
“Allow me to also emphasize the role of regional and subregional organizations, which we believe could enhance the implementation of protection-of-civilians mandates due to their cultural and regional proximity and local knowledge of conflict dynamics, as well as their ability to deploy quickly. It is my hope that this organ will continue to maximize the use of their comparative advantages, involving them throughout the process of missions deployment, including consultations on mandate design. In conclusion, I wish to share the following words of President Paul Kagame: "We cannot turn the clock back, nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again."”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“We thank the Member States that endorsed the Principles at an early stage, including your country, Sir, Uruguay. We encourage others to join us in that endeavour. In collaboration with the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations and other Member States, we hope to streamline the Principles into the core of the protection-of-civilians agenda. That will help us overcome the challenges we face in the protection of civilians and the implementation of that mandate. In the coming months - in April, I think - we will co-host an international conference with the United States Africa Command and the Netherlands, which will serve as a follow-up to the protection-of-civilians conference held in Kigali last year. We look forward to Council members' participation.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Lastly, there often exists a gap between the expectations surrounding civilian protection and the actual capabilities possessed by peacekeepers. Both must be considered in the design of mandates. We believe that threats to civilians and solutions to them should inform mission mandates, strategies, structures and resources allocation, as set out in the benchmarks outlined in the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians. As the Council will recall, the Principles were the outcome of the high-level international conference that we hosted in May 2015. As the concept note (S/2016/22, annex) rightly puts it, the benchmarks set out in the Kigali Principles offer proactive, practical ways that could lead to addressing current challenges in implementing protection-of-civilians mandates.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Fourthly, while a lot has been done by troop- and police-contributing countries and the United Nations to improve the protection of civilians, the increasing violence against civilians has tested the fundamental principles and capabilities of our operations and demonstrated that much remains to be done. Our experience on the ground has proved that peacekeeping operations that are ill-prepared, with no adequate means to address large-scale violence directed against civilians, will falter and may even collapse. Fifthly, we must understand the root causes of the conflicts we face so that we can thoroughly protect civilians. Such an understanding will, in turn, allow us to understand the "hows" and "whys" of attacks on civilians, which, as the High-level Panel noted, that allows for identifying proper responses to threats against civilians.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, we must avoid template approaches that constrain protection-of-civilians mandates and the respective peacekeeping mission. Now is the time for us, the international community, to act boldly, strategically and flexibly. Applying tailored approaches means assessing the situation on the ground and the capabilities needed to properly protect civilians, and, as highlighted by the High-level Panel, to "build upon existing sources of resilience and local protection" (ibid, para. 94). Template mandates and missions must be left in the past.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“We need to clearly and thoroughly confirm what is entailed, particularly when the threat to civilians may arise from groups that claim to be affiliated with the host Government. We seek a common mindset. Secondly, we must achieve sound and effective rapid deployment. Even if we are to obtain the necessary number of troops, the required contingent- owned equipment and more, none of it matters if we cannot rapidly deploy. As the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations noted, "Truly rapid and effective deployment capacities will always come at a cost, but a more reliable system for responding quickly to save lives and arrest emerging conflicts can potentially avoid a larger, more costly response later." (S/2015/446, para. 197).”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“While we understand that the responsibility to protect civilians lies primarily with the host country, our main source of frustration today is the continued inability of the international community, in a timely manner, to rapidly respond to conflicts that may turn violent, which could serve to effectively protect civilians. I would like to now take the time to touch upon some challenges that we believe significantly impact the implementation of the protection-of-civilians mandates in today's peacekeeping missions. First, we are still divided over what the use of force entails. That is worrisome, considering the thousands of peacekeepers entrusted with saving the lives of civilians throughout the world.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“In my own region, the Great Lakes region, we have a peacekeeping mission that is supposed to provide protection to civilians entangled in armed conflict, but we have seen time and again that it has struggled to deliver on that crucial promise to protect. Despite the presence of the largest peacekeeping force - the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade - which are equipped with all types of equipment and enablers, we are still facing roaming predators against civilians, mainly the so-called Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda, the former genocidal forces in Rwanda.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“Since the establishment of the United Nations, some 70 years ago, the Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions and strategies to protect civilians in armed conflict, including landmark resolution 1265 (1999). However, in 1994 more than 1 million were killed during the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. That was one of the darkest moments in the modern history of humankind and of peacekeeping. Today, more than 20 years since the genocide against the Tutsi, we keep asking ourselves - why? Why did the United Nations do little to nothing to protect Rwandans? Why did the international community not step in and prevent the fastest-moving genocide of the twentieth century? To this day, we still have no clear answer.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“We believe that you, Sir, also hold this conviction, Uruguay being one ofthe first signatories ofthe Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians. May I start by sharing how I view the protection of civilians mandate is understood among the international community. Some troop- and police-contributing countries believe they are deployed to protect by their presence - an idea that suggests a more static approach to protection of civilians. Other troop- and police-contributors adhere to a more proactive approach to the protection of civilians, by implementing a robust approach in the implementation of their mandate. However, those differing views on the protection-of-civilians mandate are not new.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“I would like to join others in thanking you, Sir, and your delegation for organizing this important debate. I would also like to express my appreciation to Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson for his briefing, which reaffirms his unwavering commitment to the protection of civilians agenda, especially in promoting a culture of prevention. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Ms. Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Ms. Eveline Rooijmans, Oxfam Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor, for being here with us today and for their work, despite the challenges and the risks involved. Our history has informed our resolve to advocate for and contribute, where possible, to the protection of civilians entangled in today's armed conflicts. One life lost is one too many. We can all agree on that point.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The Sustainable Development Goals should serve as effective tools in realizing inclusive development for all and in determining the right course of action to follow as we strive to achieve an inclusive and widespread economic development that gives more people a greater stake now in avoiding violent disruption, while offering them credible hope for a better future for themselves and their children.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 70/ 1), along with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, builds on the premise that an integrated approach that addresses peace, security and development is necessary. Goal 16 specifically recognizes that sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security and that peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development. Improving the conditions for social justice, in particular, is fundamental to the promotion of peace in a variety of contexts throughout the world.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“We note with appreciation the recommendations of the Advisory Group of Experts on the 2015 Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture (see S/2015/490), which proved once again that the architecture is inadequate, underresourced and largely neglected by Member States, as well as by the Security Council. It is our hope that the international community will rise to the occasion and find ways to effectively implement the review's recommendations. Lastly, with billions of people still living in poverty around the world and with growing populations, the depletion of natural resources, the adverse impacts of environmental degradation and the recent crises in public health and migration and the spread of all types of extremism, including terrorism, there is clearly a need for strong and effective global cooperation.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“The international community has an important role to play, in that it should assist in building local capacity for peace-sensitive development in order to enable Governments to formulate and implement policies that take the realities of conflict into account, thereby minimizing the risk of the need for development interventions. Conflict sensitivity entails ways of reducing conflict, helping communities to build peace and enabling institutions to address the structural causes of conflict. In that regard, we value the Peacebuilding Commission's sustained efforts in post-conflict situations since 2005, despite the considerable challenges.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“At the national level, we are of the view that advancing governance and the rule of law, combating corruption, improving transparency and accountability, and building confidence in our people lay a strong foundation for sustainable development, durable peace and security. That has been true in our case, and all the economic and social progress that we have been able to achieve in the past 21 years rests on our leadership's commitment to ultimately ensuring that all citizens enjoy safety, security and inclusive and democratic governance.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“As His Excellency President Paul Kagame recently stated at the Peace and Democracy Prize event in Tangiers, Morocco, which was held under the theme "From shocks to co-emergence", "Peace is the starting point for growth and development It is a condition produced when citizens are taken seriously as individuals, as stakeholders, and mobilized towards good politics and fully included in governance". In many situations, however, those goals are pursued separately, which then renders them unsustainable. Simply put, policymakers and practitioners do not agree on which should be the higher priority. We believe that current global trends necessitate a pro-active approach to making peace, security and development a mutually reinforcing and intertwined package, at both the national and the international levels.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“That nexus is a fact in that, since the end of the Cold War, the pursuit of lasting peace has become, together with sustainable development, a global imperative. Today, it is obvious that peace is conducive to development and vice versa. Indeed, development, if achieved, contributes decisively to the elimination of several ofthe root causes of conflict, and if poverty is reduced, social inequities diminish, which allows for a more optimum allocation of scarce resources, which, in turn, can certainly help to prevent many of the situations that exacerbate conflict.”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“Rwanda would like to join others in thanking you and your delegation, Madam President, for organizing today's important debate. On behalf of my Government and the people of Rwanda, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Government and people of France, especially the families affected, for their losses in the terrorist attacks on Friday. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. His presence here today once again highlights his commitment to peace, security and development as a core part of the work of his Office. I would also like to thank my good friend Ambassador Skoog, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Ms. Ouided Bouchamaoui for their briefings. The concept note provided for today's open debate pertinently highlights the nexus between peace, security and development (S/2015/845, annex).”
2015-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7561 (2015) · source
“Allow me to quote our President Paul Kagame, speaking at the sixty-seventh session of the General Assembly in 25 September 2012: "When we see leaders work with the people in an inclusive manner; when development can proceed unhindered by conflict; when regional groupings take greater responsibility in tackling their own issues; and when international cooperation takes place in a spirit of true partnership, I believe that the results will speak for themselves" (A/67/PV.7, p. 2). With that said, Rwanda stands ready to work with other Member States in sharing its very humble experience.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source
“National Governments often require substantive support in strengthening their technical and institutional capacities to address the challenge of security and protection as well as to practice participative and accountable governance in support of conflict prevention. In that regard, the Peacebuilding Commission is well placed to offer such support. We hope that the upcoming review of the peacebuilding architecture will identify and disseminate best practices and models for inclusive development. Rwanda, of course, stands ready to work with other Member States in sharing its experience.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source
“That is why all stakeholders in the peace process, including the Security Council and the Secretary-General through his good offices, should ensure that those processes are inclusive and that they incorporate broad sectors of society at varying levels of negotiation. That will allow for the greater likelihood of long-term peace and stability, which is the foundation of sustainable development. The lack of such competence would expose the whole process to greater risk of relapsing into conflict, as was the case in Iraq and Libya. In countries emerging from conflict, the role of the international community is critical in ensuring inclusivity.”
2015-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7361 (2015) · source