YouSaid · the spoken record

Goledzinowski

lines on the record: 143
first: 2008-08-19
most recent: 2011-07-12
sittings or episodes: 21
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 are concerned that some persistent perpetrators cannot be held accountable through targeted measures, given the absence of designated sanctions committees. We call on the Council to address this accountability gap on an urgent basis. In conclusion, the Security Council and its Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict have made significant advances in ensuring the protection of children in armed conflict. However, while we celebrate our collective successes, we must also recognize that challenges remain. We all share the responsibility of ensuring that those who abuse children in times of conflict do not go unpunished. We look to the strength and the commitment of the Security Council to lead us in that regard.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia firmly believes that Working Group field trips, such as those recently undertaken in Nepal and Afghanistan, are powerful tools for securing commitments by listed parties. We hope that the Working Group will undertake further field visits in 2011. Like others, we would like to welcome the work of Special Representative Coomaraswamy on the protection of children in situations of armed conflict, including through her field visits, which represent an important means by which the Council's recommendations are realized and acted upon at the ground level. We look forward to increasing consideration by the Council sanctions committees of perpetrators of grave violations against children. We note that in 2010, for the first time, an individual in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was listed under the sanctions regime on such grounds.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The inclusion of both schools and hospitals reflects the relationship between access to education and medical services and the survival, development and well-being of children. We encourage the Working Group to fully utilize the toolkit available to it, including the use of emergency or irregular briefings, in line with the Group's terms of reference, to enable it to respond to surges in grave violations in a timely and flexible manner, particularly when they occur outside of the cycle of country reports and conclusions. The briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Working Group's formal meeting in May is a good example of how this could work in practice.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Despite those successes, in his latest report (S/2011/250) the Secretary-General notes that attacks and threats of attacks against educational and medical facilities are a growing trend and are of significant concern. We also note that such attacks are in contravention of international law. Clearly, there is still work to be done. Attacks on schools affect not only children and youth but communities as a whole, undermining efforts to reduce poverty. We therefore welcome the resolution adopted today (resolution 1998 (2011)), which expands the listing criteria to include the grave violations of attacks on schools and hospitals and credible threats or attacks against school children and educational and medical personnel.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In that regard, we congratulate Afghanistan for signing the comprehensive action plan to halt child recruitment and other violations by the Afghan National Security Forces, only 12 months after the Afghan National Police was listed by the Secretary- General on recruitment grounds. We also commend progress in the Philippines towards the development of an action plan with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines to ensure that children will not be recruited into the New People's Army or involved in the conflict there. We hope that the Government in Myanmar will allow Special Representative of the Secretary-General Commaraswamy to have access to non-State armed groups so that action plans can be negotiated, allowing some such groups in the country to be delisted.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this very important debate. We always say that, of course, but I think that this issue does have special resonance. Before I deliver my statement, I would like to say that, as a member of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict, we are very pleased to associate ourselves with the statement delivered this morning by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group. Australia welcomes the Security Council's demonstrated commitment to addressing grave violations committed against children in situations of armed conflict. That commitment has yielded notable and tangible results.”
2011-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6581Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We believe that the regular horizon-scanning briefings from the Department of Political Affairs can enhance the Council's capacity in this regard. We would also like to add our voice to those who have expressed support for the conflict prevention initiatives of regional organizations, which, given their comparative advantages, can play a unique role in preventing conflicts and their harmful effects on civilians.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Events in Cote D'Ivoire have demonstrated the need for the use of force in response to imminent threats to civilians. The challenge now in Cote d'Ivoire is shifting towards supporting the Government on longer-term protection challenges, such as security sector reform. After a decade of mandating explicitly for the protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations, there has been considerable progress, but it is important that undertakings made in New York flow through to the field. The establishment of a new United 11-33111 Nations mission in southern Sudan provides an important opportunity to ensure that we draw on the lessons we have learned and the best practices we have developed in the field from the very beginning. Ultimately, the best way to protect civilians is to prevent armed conflict in the first place.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Thirdly, a coherent and comprehensive approach by peacekeeping missions to protection of civilians is critical. This includes the clear articulation of roles and responsibilities within a mission and with other relevant players. The Strategic Framework for Drafting Comprehensive Protection of Civilian Strategies, which was also recognized by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations this year, is an important tool in that regard. Fourthly and finally, peacekeeping missions are there to support the host Government in building capacity to protect its civilians. This requires a clear understanding of the longer-term needs of the host Government. We would argue that it is important to work towards defined benchmarks that can, in the long-term, assist transition planning.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Secondly, engaging local communities, including women, in discussions on protection requirements is key both in the planning stages and while peacekeeping missions are deployed in the field. Engaging the community builds trust and lines of communication; it assists in ensuring consistency with efforts which communities already have under way, and can help manage expectations about what peacekeeping missions are able to do, which can assist in preserving their credibility. The development of community alert networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a good example of local engagement that allows isolated communities to contact local authorities and bases of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when under threat.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We would like to highlight four aspects of this work which continue to require sustained attention from all of us. First, peacekeepers need to know how to protect civilians in increasingly complex operational environments. Guidance and training are key. Australia is very pleased at the progress made this year by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, which recognized the need for guidance for peacekeepers on the protection of civilians and noted the important 2 work under way to develop training modules for peacekeepers on this issue. To assist in supporting these broader training efforts, Australia has been pleased to partner with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research to develop a documentary on the protection of civilians in peace operations.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Recent debates have highlighted the importance of the concept of the responsibility to protect and the seriousness with which Governments must take their responsibilities in relation to their populations. However, given the broader topic of this debate, I would like to focus today on a separate subject: the distinct body of work on the protection of civilians in armed conflict that has been developed in the United Nations over recent years. The protection of civilians during times of armed conflict is firmly rooted in international law. Our efforts towards this objective have come a long way, but there is still much more to be done. Australia has worked closely with others on concrete steps and actions to enhance the protection of civilians by peacekeeping operations.”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia welcomes the opportunity to address the Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, a subject which should be at the centre of our collective efforts in the field of international peace and security. I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this debate and all of the speakers for their contributions today. Discussions about the situation in Libya and in other places quite rightly have occupied the attention of Governments and peoples from around the world. Australia is firmly on the record as a supporter of the strong action taken by the Council on Libya through its resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011).”
2011-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6531Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Gaza does not need ad hoc assistance measures, even if well- intentioned; it needs predictable and adequate flows of goods and materials. The United Nations will continue to have a critical role to play in addressing the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. In conclusion, the changes in the wider region underline the urgency of achieving progress towards peace. Australia calls upon Israelis and Palestinians alike to recognize that it is in their mutual interest to return to direct negotiations so that a just and enduring peace can finally be realized.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It is clear that this institution-building must be matched by political progress towards peace - political progress involving both sides, negotiating directly on final status issues. In this context, both sides must refrain from actions which undermine confidence and the prospects for achieving peace, including the construction of illegal settlements. Settlements undermine the prospects for achieving peace and compromise the future of a two-State solution. They should stop. Australia also remains concerned at the humanitarian situation, particularly in Gaza. We continue to welcome the relaxation of some Israeli restrictions on access to and from Gaza and recognize Israel's legitimate security concerns. However, the restrictions remain a barrier to peace.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia is deeply concerned at this recent surge in violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories, including rocket attacks on southern Israel by militants in Gaza and the killing of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem. Violence undermines the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Above all, all of us must condemn terrorism in all its forms; there can never be justification for the wilful killing of innocent civilians through such brutal acts. As a strong supporter of Palestinian State- building efforts, Australia welcomes the remarkable progress made by Prime Minister Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority since 2009 in building the institutions necessary for Statehood.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“There is a now an urgency to achieving progress towards peace - an urgency that our Government conveyed to Israeli and Palestinian leaders during our Foreign Minister's visits to the region in December 2010 and again in March 2011, and in regular conversations since then. Australia continues to urge all sides to exercise maximum restraint, avoid all civilian casualties and return to negotiations as soon as possible. If these steps are not taken and credible progress towards peace not made, there is a real risk that the surge in violence we saw in March will be repeated, with unacceptable civilian casualties on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on the work you are doing as President of the Council, including chairing this debate, which comes at a critical juncture. The region has undergone some dramatic changes since the last Council debate on the situation in the Middle East (see S/PV.6484). As events show dramatically, the people of the region have made it clear that their aspirations are to greater political, social and economic opportunities and that they must be addressed. But in the face of these regional tectonic shifts, one crucial issue - the peace process - has stalled. Australia has consistently supported a just and enduring peace based on a negotiated two-State solution, allowing Israel and a future Palestinian State to live side by side in peace and security.”
2011-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6520Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In that regard, Australia supports Colombia's call for the maintenance and reinforcement of the special character that the Security Council has wisely given that mandate. Australia welcomes the United Nations continued work to build the mechanisms to support the rule of law in Haiti and the Security Council's mission to reinforce Haiti's peaceful and sustainable recovery. In conclusion, as the Ambassador of the Bahamas said just before me, Haiti's success will be our success, too.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In our view, Colombia rightly raises questions about how the international community can ensure that Haiti does not become reliant on foreign intervention. In all recovery and capacity-building efforts, the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission and the Haiti Reconstruction Fund must remain central to decision- making. We need to encourage and reinforce Haiti's ownership of its own reconstruction. The Haitian Government and people are best suited to charting the future of their own country. Haiti does not face unique challenges, but coupling those challenges with disaster recovery on such scale is unique. While MINUSTAH was originally deployed to prevent a civil war, its mandate is now focused on recovery, rebuilding and unifying a country that has been rent by social and economic instability.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It should catalyse debate on better coordination of the international community's efforts, as well as lessons learned, MINUSTAH's unique mandate and the challenges of rebuilding a peaceful, sovereign State without perpetuating dependence on foreign capacities and resources. One great lesson learned pertains to the coordination of relief efforts by non-governmental organizations, regional organizations and donor countries. In that regard, the United Nations Special Representative for Haiti has worked tirelessly to coordinate all actors on the ground. I would also like to pay tribute to the United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti, President Bill Clinton, who has coordinated all the various organizations to elicit funds and to ensure the notion of building back better, and that that remains a Haitian-led process.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“An independent judiciary and transparent and truly representative Parliament are necessary elements of good governance, which will allow the Haitian people to enjoy some of the same economic, human, social, civil and political rights as their Caribbean neighbours. As we are all aware, MINUSTAH's mission is far from complete. While the relative success of last month's presidential and legislative elections was a significant step forward for a country steeped in a history of political and civil instability, United Nations troops were needed to restore order in some areas. An orderly transition to democracy is essential to launch a new chapter in Haiti's history. I would also like to welcome the concept paper submitted by the delegation Colombia as President of the Security Council on a way forward for Haiti (S/2011/218, annex).”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently warned that Haiti's recovery was far from assured and that, while much has been accomplished, more than 800,000 people continue to live in tented camps, more than 1 million people need emergency access to water and more than 1 million children rely on donor-provided food rations. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his mid-term report on Haiti (S/201l/183*), which underlines the serious challenges ahead. We endorse his view that strengthening the rule of law in Haiti will help to achieve sustainable peace and long-term development. Australia firmly supports the Secretary- General's call for the prosecution of all those involved in crimes against their own people, to show the Haitian people there can be no impunity.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“In a broader region-wide development assistance package, Australia is working with key partners in the Caribbean and Latin America to address the challenge of climate change, reduce the risk posed by disasters, build economic resilience and enhance the capacity of key institutions. Twelve months on, I am personally proud to report that Australia has fully funded our promised commitments. In addition to the Government's assistance package - and this statistic is even more telling, in my view - the Australian public also donated over $26 million as they watched, half a world away, Haitians bravely rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. Australia is a country that does what it says. We likewise call on all donors to honour their pledges and disburse their funds where they are still badly needed.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia would like to reiterate its condolences to the people of Haiti, not only for the losses they suffered in January 2010 but also for its aftermath and continued crises: 2.3 million people displaced, floods, a near brush with Hurricane Tomas, the outbreak of cholera and the various challenges posed by an election in very difficult circumstances. Despite our geographic distance from those events, Australia was one of the first to respond, with a $24 million package of relief efforts, divided between emergency relief and early recovery and reconstruction, through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Community.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I would like to convey Australia's gratitude to Colombia for convening this debate on a very important subject. Over a year has passed since the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti, killing 220,000 of its citizens and setting back years of nation-building and development. The earthquake devastated a fragile economy and destroyed vital infrastructure. At a time when we are counting fresh losses to the United Nations family, we can also never forget that the quake also decimated the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which is tasked with stabilization and post-conflict recovery.”
2011-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6510Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia supports all efforts to ensure that those who work in support of Afghanistan's future are able to do so with the security necessary to complete their challenging tasks.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Improving the economic well-being of Afghanistan is key to improving the livelihoods of Afghans and, in turn, their prospects for a safe and stable society. Australia's engagement is but one example of the international community's long-term commitment to Afghanistan. I would like to take a moment to remember those civilians who have been killed or wounded in Afghanistan since 2001. I refer to the recent report by UNAMA and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, which urges all parties involved in the armed conflict in Afghanistan to strengthen their efforts to protect Afghan civilians. Finally, I also take this moment to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of UNAMA personnel working in Afghanistan.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Australia will deliver $123.1 million in development assistance to Afghanistan this fiscal year, with the Australian Agency for International Development's country programme growing by 50 per cent, to $106 million. During 2010, Australia tripled its civilian capacity in Afghanistan to some 50 people. An Australian civilian leads the provincial reconstruction team in Uruzgan, where we are seeing slow but steady progress in improving standards of governance and development. It is heartening to see discussion of Afghanistan's prospects for increased trade and investment. I refer in this instance in particular to the Afghanistan International Investment Conference, hosted by the United Arab Emirates late in 2010, which was attended by my Minister for Foreign Affairs.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“As the Council knows, Australia is the tenth- largest contributor of troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the largest non- NATO troop contributor overall. Two weeks ago, my Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kevin Rudd, visited Afghanistan. His trip was focused on Kabul and on Uruzgan province, where Australia is engaged as part of the ISAF-flagged Combined Team-Uruzgan. Mr. Rudd visited Australian soldiers and civilians working in Tarin Kowt, in Uruzgan province, and saw first-hand the positive effects of the international community's efforts. To quote the Minister, there is "clear evidence of progress being made in our mission". That is what we believe. We are also seeing progress in our development and governance efforts.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“For example, UNAMA's logistical support, via the Salaam Support Group, has enabled the High Peace Council to undertake an active programme of regional and provincial visits. These visits are improving local and regional support for reconciliation and reintegration processes. Afghanistan's neighbours and regional partners, from whom we have just heard, play an important role in supporting the reconciliation process. Australia commends the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to promote regional engagement in accordance with UNAMA's mandate. I would like to briefly draw on Australia's engagement in Afghanistan in the period since we last addressed the Council on this issue.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“We encourage President Karzai and all who serve in the Afghan Government as they work to continue to rebuild their country and to strengthen the foundations of sustainable peace and constitutional democracy. Strengthening Afghan governance and development will be critical to sustainable, irreversible transition. The United Nations has a key role in the international civilian effort to enable greater Afghan capacity and leadership in support of transition, including in responding to requests by the Afghan authorities for support to the electoral process. We have come a long way down that path, but there is still a long way to go. Reconciliation and reintegration are a part of Afghanistan's future, and these processes must be Afghan-owned and led. UNAMA is providing essential support to the Afghan Government's efforts.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“At the December debate on Afghanistan (see S/PV.6464), we welcomed the release of the final results of the Wolesi Jirga elections. The National Assembly performs a vital role within Afghanistan's system of governance. Since that time, we have been pleased to see the election of a Speaker to the Wolesi Jirga, who we understand has made an excellent start in his work. We note that further investigations into the September 2010 parliamentary elections have been referred to a special tribunal. It is vital that, if any further investigations are pursued, they be in full accordance with the Afghan Constitution and other relevant Afghan laws. The continued development of democratic institutions based on the rule of law and the separation of powers is crucial to a stable Afghanistan.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“Australia welcomes the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to international efforts in Afghanistan and supports the renewed UNAMA mandate for a further 12 months. 11-2662] This discussion takes place at an important time for the partnership between the international community and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Next week, the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, we understand is due to announce the first provinces to begin the transition of responsibility for security to Afghan leadership. This announcement will mark the beginning of a process to fulfil President Karzai's goal for the Afghan National Security Forces to take the lead in conducting security operations across Afghanistan by the end of 2014. This is a goal which the international community fully supports, and 2011 is the lynch pin of that goal.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to address the Council today. Given the hour, I will somewhat reduce the length of my printed statement. However, I would like to begin, as other have done, by extending the condolences of my delegation to the delegation, Government and people of Japan. They are going through a very difficult time, but we know that they will recover from this period because that is who they are. I would also like to thank Ambassador Tanin for his presentation, and to commend the Special Representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for the important work he is doing in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan.”
2011-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6497 (2011) · source
“As a final note, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. 1 did not know Ambassador Holbrooke, but I did have the honour of meeting him. As President Obama said during his remarks to launch the review on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Holbrooke's memory will be honoured and his legacy will be long-lived.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“In this regard, the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to encourage regional countries to cooperate in halting the narcotics trade and the illegal movement of people and to support Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve security and stability are extremely welcome. As I said at the beginning, this has been a critical year for Afghanistan, and 2011 will be equally important. But we have a real opportunity to build on the progress we have made in Afghanistan over the past 12 months. This progress could not have occurred without the dedication of all those involved in Afghanistan, in both civilian and military roles. We thank them sincerely for their efforts in 2010 and pay tribute to those who have paid an extremely high price in terms of loss of life and limb.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“And while it is true that Taliban intimidation did affect voter turnout in some districts, the insurgency clearly failed to make good on its threat to derail the elections, thanks in part to the solid performance of the Afghan security forces. Now that the results are final, it is time for the international community and the Afghan Government to return their focus to long-term electoral reforms that will pave the way for successful elections in the future. We cannot lose sight of the fact that sustained progress in Afghanistan depends critically on the engagement of Afghanistan's neighbours in the region, from whom we have heard today. All of Afghanistan's neighbours share critical interests in Afghanistan's security and long-term stability, and can play a constructive role in promoting Afghanistan's social and economic development.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Australia has committed $25 million to the Peace and Reintegration Trust Fund. Additionally, we are consulting with the Afghan Government about providing support for a deputy chief executive officer of the joint secretariat for the Afghan peace and reintegration programme. Australia, like others, welcomes the release of the final results of the Wolesi Jirga elections. Although the elections were far from perfect and the extent of fraud has been well-documented, it is important not to lose sight of the positives. This was the first Afghan-led election in the post-Taliban era, and the Afghan electoral authorities did a good job in very difficult circumstances. Around 400 women stood for office, and millions of Afghans voted across the country despite the risks. This showed how much the Afghan people value democracy.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“The Australian Government has made clear our commitment to continuing supporting Afghanistan well beyond transition. The United Nations also, of course, has a key role to play in the international civilian effort to enabling greater Afghan capacity and leadership in support of transition. Australia fully supports the United Nations civilian mission in Afghanistan, and will continue to do so. The conflict in Afghanistan will not be won without a strong political strategy. Australia welcomes the Afghan-led progress on reconciliation and reintegration, aimed at winning over supporters of the insurgency through targeted programmes. The Afghan national Consultative Peace Jirga, held in June, and the inaugural session of the High Peace Council in October were important steps towards this goal.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Our military is also involved in providing force protection for civilian efforts and in conducting and supporting operations more broadly across the southern region. Australia is under no illusions that the decision to begin transition in 2011 will be an easy task. Transition will be a gradual process, to be achieved when the conditions are right, on a province-by-province and district-by-district basis. We look forward to ongoing consultations with the Afghan Government and our partners in the International Security Assistance Force on the transition process. Importantly, as you yourself said, Madame, transition does not mean a withdrawal from Afghanistan. After transition to Afghan security lead, we must recognize that Afghanistan will continue to require support in training, defence cooperation, aid and development.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“This financial year, our development assistance expenditure there is expected to reach $20 million, and our total development assistance in Afghanistan this year will be approximately $106 million. We are committed to channelling at least 50 per cent of our development assistance through Afghan Government systems. These civilian enhancements build on Australia's military contribution in Afghanistan, which is approximately 1,550 troops. Australia will continue to assign high priority to efforts to building the capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces through both our mentoring and training of the Afghan National Army's Fourth Brigade in Uruzgan province and our substantial contribution to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“We welcome the findings of the recent United States strategy review, and agree with the assessment that progress is being made. We also strongly support the review's key themes of ensuring that the gains of stabilization are irreversible. In October, Australia held its own full parliamentary debate on Afghanistan - the first of its kind, actually. While a range of different perspectives were aired, the consistent message was one of support for Australia's continuing civil and military contribution to international efforts in Afghanistan. In the past 18 months, Australia has increased its civilian commitment in Afghanistan by 50 per cent. Our work continues to be focused on Uruzgan province, where we are assisting the provincial Government to improve service delivery and increase its accountability.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Madame President, for convening this important debate and for inviting us to participate. It has been a busy year for the Council, but nothing more important than the subject of this debate has been discussed. We thank everyone very much for their contributions. I should also like to thank, as others before me have done, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, both for his briefing and, more importantly, for the extraordinary work he is doing in Afghanistan on behalf of all of us. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Ambassador Tanin for his important remarks. Since the last Security Council debate on Afghanistan (see S/PV.6395), we have seen a number of important steps towards our shared goal of a stable and secure Afghanistan.”
2010-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6464 (2010) · source
“Next year a report could, for example, document action and achievements in addressing conflict-related sexual violence, including the development of terms of reference for the new women's protection advisers and any actions they undertake. Real and effective action to address sexual violence in conflict-related situations requires ongoing dedication to action. We look forward to the Council in particular taking forward that action on behalf not just of the United Nations or States Members, but the entire international community.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source
“That is the scenario-based training referred to in the Secretary- General's report. We are also supporting the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in implementing a strategy to combat sexual violence in communities of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North and South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNHCR's strategy of creating a common framework and actions for all those involved in combating sexual violence in that country could be applied in other situations involving IDPs. Much more needs to be done to address this vital issue, as we have heard this evening. We look forward to further reporting and briefing on how the United Nations system has gone about translating into action the list of proposals in the Secretary-General's report. Annual reporting is needed.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source
“Operational guidance, training and resources must be provided to mission leadership and peacekeepers so that they are prepared to take action in response to threats against civilians during conflict, including sexual violence. We were very pleased to support the joint analytical inventory developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Fund for Women under the auspices of the inter-agency network United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is a key tool for the Organization to use in improving its ability to protect civilians from conflict-related sexual violence as part of peacekeeping operations. We are supporting our United Nations partners in fully operationalizing this tool, including by incorporating it into predeployment training for peacekeepers.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source
“As we know, the Special Advisers on the prevention of genocide and on the responsibility to protect are also undertaking relevant and important work in this field. A coordinated and comprehensive approach to early warning will enhance the response capacity of peacekeepers on the ground. The Secretary-General's report (S/2010/604) was particularly valuable because it identified practical, pragmatic ways in which this issue can be tackled. Australia is a firm supporter of tangible, practical solutions. There remains a gap between our collective expectations on what United Nations peacekeeping should be able to do and the actual capacity of peacekeepers on the ground.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source
“We look forward to the United Nations system putting those indicators into action to collect data on sexual violence, as well as to inform policy and programmatic responses. Early warning signs of conflict-related sexual violence are often received. But as the mass rapes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in July and August sadly demonstrated, our coordinated and comprehensive analysis of those signs must be strengthened in order to improve the prospects for preventing attacks on civilians. Sexual violence is not unique in that regard. We encourage all relevant parts of the United Nations system to collaborate in identifying a comprehensive matrix of early warning signs and recommended responses.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source
“The proposal for the United Nations system to set up a mechanism, on which agreement has now been achieved, to better monitor, report and analyse data on sexual violence and to ensure that information flows effectively to the Security Council is particularly important. We urge the Council's sanctions committees to give due regard to relevant information they receive through this mechanism. We recently witnessed the first listing of an individual by the Council's Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee on children-and-armed-conflict grounds. Similar listings of individuals on sexual-violence grounds would be an important deterrent to others. Of course, information flowing to the Council should be reliable. The Council's endorsement in October of the comprehensive set of indicators was a significant achievement in that regard.”
2010-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6453 (2010) · source