YouSaid · the spoken record

Grauls

lines on the record: 515
first: 2008-06-05
most recent: 2013-02-12
sittings or episodes: 74
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

“Questions also remain with regard to the reintegration component of the DDR process - that is, the "R" of DDR. The funding provided by the international community through the United Nations Development Programme Trust Fund covers the costs of disarmament and demobilization. Currently, the European Union and the World Bank are jointly developing a reintegration strategy. I proposed to the other national and international partners that they integrate into that strategy their respective commitments to reinvigorating host communities and those affected by the conflicts. Such a document clearly goes beyond the issue of the reintegration of ex-combatants and also covers more general reintegration efforts.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“That is why, during my meetings, I advocated for DDR to start in the zones where security and weather conditions allow, in particular the areas controlled by the Armee populaire pour la restauration de la democratie in the North-West of the country. That suggestion was welcomed by the Government and the United Nations, and will have to be discussed in the DDR Steering Committee. I also discussed the possibility of reintegrating a certain number of ex- combatants into the national security forces, in particular in secondary functions, such as rangers or the gendarmerie, but also in the army itself. The minister in charge of defence was not opposed to that idea, but indicated that it would have to be executed according to applicable selection and quota criteria.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“The requisite gap between the start of DDR activities, on the one hand, and the holding of elections, on the other, could become problematic, given that some rebel leaders continue to hope to participate in a transitional Government if the elections are postponed beyond the constitutional time frame. Such calculations explain not only the continuously delayed start of DDR, but also the lack of progress in the Government's efforts to hold successful talks with the remaining rebel groups that have not adhered to the peace process. It would be desirable for the Security Council to put more pressure on all stakeholders, in particular the recalcitrant armed groups, to engage in the DDR process. The imminent onset of the rainy season will probably further delay the DDR activities in a large part of the country.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“In order to encourage the international community to further support the electoral process, it is important that those dates be urgently validated by means of a presidential decree to signify the Government's acceptance of the new calendar. That would facilitate the resource mobilization efforts that I have already begun and that seek to fill the $7.5-million gap in the total electoral budget, estimated at $21 million. While it is necessary to recognize the financial efforts made to date by the Central African Government, we must avoid allowing the signing of a presidential decree sanctioning the calendar to depend on financing by the international community. Another important matter that I discussed during my visit is the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“The international community supported that decision to postpone, given that it provides the time required for the proper preparation of credible elections. During my meeting with the Prime Minister and the President of the Independent Electoral Commission, I stressed that the holding of elections, including the setting of election dates, was a matter of the country's national sovereignty, and that the international community could play a supporting role by providing technical and financial assistance. During my mission, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission informed me of the new proposed electoral calendar. It envisages a first round on 24 October and a second on 19 December.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“First of all, however, allow me to express the Peacebuilding Commission's deep appreciation for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sable-Work Zewde, for her work in Bangui in sometimes difficult circumstances. That work helps us enormously in achieving the goals that we have set ourselves within the Peacebuilding Commission. I wish first of all to say something about the electoral process. As the Special Representative of the Secretary-General pointed out, the most recent postponement of the date for the presidential and parliamentary elections resulted from a consensual agreement among the national stakeholders involved in the electoral process, all of whom, moreover, are represented in the Independent Electoral Commission.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to address the Security Council in my capacity as Chairman of the Peacebuilding Commission's country-specific configuration on the Central African Republic. 1 went on mission to Bangui from 9 to 12 June. During that mission, I met with members of the Government, the Independent Electoral Commission, the Dialogue Follow-up Committee and the international community, as well as members of the United Nations leadership and country team, representatives of women's organizations and humanitarian partners. In my briefing this afternoon, I would like to highlight some of the issues related to the implementation of the strategic framework for peacebuilding in the Central African Republic discussed during my visit.”
2010-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6345 (2010) · source
“In this context, our country-specific configuration had planned a December 2009 visit to a demobilization centre for child soldiers in the Central African Republic, but an armed opposition group prevented us from conducting that visit. I close by expressing Belgium's hope that this year, the Working Group will carry out a first visit to a country of its choice, so that the Security Council may demonstrate once again that it wants to and can make a difference in defending children confronted by war.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“As Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's country-specific configuration on the Central African Public, I stress the very important role that the Commission too can play in mobilizing the international community and in facilitating coordination of its efforts regarding disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes and raising awareness in the countries on its agenda. As Chair of the country-specific configuration on the Central African Republic, I have established ongoing contact with Ms. Coomaraswamy and, whenever possible, I raise this issue with the authorities of the Central African Republic.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“And the final, critical, stage is that when children are snatched from the jaws of war they need to be reintegrated. For that, reliable financing is essential. Belgium has supported a number of projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, addressing issues including sexual violence. My delegation has thus followed with interest the efforts of France and UNICEF to mobilize donors in the area of reintegration, in line with the Paris Principles on children associated with armed forces or armed groups. Preventing recruitment and ensuring reintegration must be viewed over the long term through multi-year programmes. This leads me to say that the problem of children in conflict goes beyond the scope of action of the Security Council.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The third stage is for stringent sanctions to be adopted. As we read in the Secretary-General's report, in many countries there is almost total impunity with regard to grave crimes against children. Today we call upon the Security Council to take measures, without delay, to punish violators who have been listed for more than five years but have shown no intention to cooperate with the Special Representative. As the Secretary-General describes in his report, the Council's Working Group and sanctions committees must work together on this issue. I welcome the fact that in May the Special Representative spoke to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The international community, working closely with civil society - and we greatly appreciate its contribution - must roll up its sleeves. A first step has just been taken: the criteria set out in the Secretary-General's report. These will lead to greater clarity and transparency in the work of Ms. Coomaraswamy and the Working Group. The second stage is capacity-building for data collection on the ground. This should be done by streamlining and coordinating existing United Nations networks. But we must also be generous in providing greater resources to the United Nations lest our desire to act remain unrealized. In this regard, Belgium decided this year, through UNICEF, to fund capacity- building for monitoring and reporting on the ground, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan and the Sudan.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Last year, two new triggers were activated - sexual violence; and killing and maiming - that have strengthened the protection of children throughout the world. This also created a new challenge, which the Special Representative and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict have been determined to address vigorously. While thus far it has been relatively easy to define the issue of mobilized and demobilized children, it is clearly more difficult to catalogue and document the cases of killing, maiming and sexual violence systematically perpetrated by parties to conflict. Without reliable collection of data on these new categories of violence, the monitoring and reporting mechanism will not function properly and it will not be possible to put credible sanctions in place.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I also would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2010/181). My thanks go also to Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, and Mr. Atul Khare of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. I also stress the courage of Ms. Manju Gurung, who kindly spoke to the Council this morning about her experiences. Belgium aligns itself with the statements made by the representative of Spain on behalf of the European Union and by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends, which includes Belgium. On behalf of my country, I will stress a number of points related to today's debate.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): At the outset I would like to thank Ms. Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, for having organized this debate. It demonstrates the special interest that Mexico attaches to the issue of children in armed conflict. For more than a year now, Mr. President, your country has been chairing the Security Council Working Group on this issue, and the international community can only welcome the manner in which your delegation in New York has assumed its responsibilities. A single delegation cannot sustainably chair such a Working Group without long-term support. I thus take this opportunity to request the Secretary- General to provide the Working Group as soon as possible with the administrative support the Security Council has called for.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In all priority areas, considerable efforts are called for on the part of all partners in peacebuilding in the Central African Republic, with the assistance of the international community. I call on all of those actors to participate with conviction and the unanimous will to change the country.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“I would like to indicate finally that the Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission takes very seriously the situation of women and children, who are often the primary victims of conflict, and makes every effort to implement the resolutions of the Security Council on the fight against sexual violence, the protection of children in armed conflict, and the protection of civilians through the priority areas of the Strategic Framework. During our most recent visit, we were, unfortunately, denied access to a centre for demobilized child soldiers by the APRD, the armed group led by Jean-Jacques Demafouth with which those children were associated.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“Additionally, the kidnapping of two humanitarian workers near Birao shows that the deployment of military observers is not risk-free. I appeal to the Central African Republic Government to redouble its efforts to promote dialogue and mediation among the various ethnic and armed groups in order to create an environment conducive to the success of DDR, which should start, as scheduled, before the end of the year. No new delays are acceptable.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“However, although the technical preparations for DDR have been finalized with the arrival of military observers from the Economic Community of Central African States and their imminent deployment in the field, it does not appear that all the necessary political and security preconditions have been established. For example, the recent clashes between the Convention des patriotes pour la justice et la paix and the Central African Armed Forces in Ndele show that inter-ethnic tensions persist in the north-eastern part of the country. In the North-West, the ongoing roadblocks and the activities of self-defence groups serve as pretexts for the Armee populaire pour la restauration de la democratie (APRD) to not disarm.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“In this area, too, considerable efforts will be needed to mobilize the necessary resources for that project. In the next six months, we must concentrate on a restricted number of priority actions, such as the effective launching of the DDR process, the mobilization of resources for security sector reform in the framework of the donors' roundtable, the organization of free and transparent elections in 2010, and the genuine implementation of the development poles project. Those priorities are closely linked, and it is important above all to undertake the initial phases of DDR before the holding of presidential and legislative elections. A failure in DDR might compromise the electoral process and even destabilize the country.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“I also call on the international community to make contributions to the Trust Fund that the United Nations Development Programme has just established for the elections, and to provide technical assistance to the Independent Electoral Commission. Finally, the deployment of international electoral observer missions before, during and after the elections should be ensured. The preparation for the development poles project has made considerable progress and 2010 will finally see the realization of that project, which falls under the development pillar of our Strategic Framework. Those poles will improve the living conditions of the people, especially those who have suffered most in the conflict. The European Commission, the author of the concept and a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, has already announced a substantial contribution.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“In that respect, some Commission members have already announced contributions to support, in particular, the work of the Independent Electoral Commission, the members of which were appointed from the bodies that took part in the inclusive political dialogue. However, there are significant financial needs that must still be met and many difficulties to be overcome, such as the composition of electoral rolls and the logistical organization of the ballot. The Independent Electoral Commission still needs to set a calendar for the elections as well as a detailed draft budget. I call on the Central African Republic Government to honour its own financing provided for in the budgets for 2009 and 2010 and to give the Independent Electoral Commission the means and political space for a transparent composition of the rolls.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“In the area of good governance and the rule of law, progress has been made thanks to the joint efforts of the Government and its international partners, such as the International Organization of 1a Francophonie and the United Nations Development Programme. The vital campaign to combat corruption, one of the essential conditions for socio-economic recovery, is one example of that. Moreover, the adoption of the revised electoral code and the establishment of the Independent Electoral Commission are clear signals of the Government's resolve to hold elections next year within the constitutional timetable. The Peacebuilding Commission and its members have expressed their support for the organization of those elections.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“That was an important step showing that national ownership by the Central African authorities has become a reality at the technical and political levels. In the months to come, we will have to focus on the operationalization and financing of security sector reform. In that context, it would seem timely to organize a security sector reform pledging conference during the first half of 2010 to mobilize resources for the implementation of the national strategy. The Commission believes that the time has come to establish solid links between the DDR and security sector reform. The Peacebuilding Commission is working simultaneously on other priorities of the Strategic Framework. All are equally essential.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“I note that the latter subregional organization has provided military observers, who have already arrived in the Central African Republic. Thanks to these joint efforts of the Central African Republic authorities and the international community, the process is ready to get under way; it awaits the formation of a body responsible for coordinating the reintegration programme. The launch of this DDR programme is of the greatest urgency, because elections must be held before April 2010 and because it is necessary to establish security throughout the territory of the Central African Republic prior to the elections. In the broader area of security sector reform, the round table held in Bangui in late October enabled the Central African Republic authorities to adopt a national strategy in that sphere.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“Bearing in mind the situation in that country and the recommendations of the inclusive political dialogue held in Bangui in December 2008, we have initially focused our attention on the security sector. The Peacebuilding Commission has kept a watchful but benevolent eye on the process that made it possible to finalize a document on the project for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants. The cost of the project is $27 million, with financing provided through contributions not only from the Peacebuilding Fund and some members of the Peacebuilding Commission, including from the European Union, but also and above all from subregional organizations such as the Central African Economic and Monetary Community and the Economic Community of Central African States.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“Since the adoption in May of our Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic, I have visited the field twice, first in late August, then more recently from 3 to 10 December, along with a delegation from the Central African Republic configuration comprising representatives of China, France, Gabon, Japan, Poland, South Africa and Belgium and of the International Organization of la Francophonie. I think I can say that since the adoption of the Strategic Framework - which to some extent is the road map for our work - the first six-month report is positive. There has been significant progress, although the situation in the Central African Republic continues to present enormous challenges.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“The Central African Republic configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission had called for the transformation of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) into the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) and welcomed the 7 April 2009 presidential statement (S/PRST/2009/5), which formalizes that transition. The integrated office will make it possible to better support the work of the Peacebuilding Commission in the Central African Republic. The peacebuilding effort requires coordination and consistency, and those are the two main focuses of the mandate of the new United Nations presence in Bangui.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): Let me begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for kindly inviting me to brief the Council as Chairman of the country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission on the Central African Republic. I welcome the presence of Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, who in just a few months has demonstrated that she is entirely equipped to carry out the difficult task before her. The report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic (S/2009/627), which Ms. Zewde has just introduced, correctly describes the situation in that country, including both recent progress and the central challenges of the day.”
2009-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6240 (2009) · source
“That is why the best strategy for exiting a post-conflict country is to strengthen its national capacities while gradually removing international assistance. The Peacebuilding Commission is the foremost advocate of rapid development of national capacities. In conclusion, it would, without a doubt, be useful for the Peacebuilding Commission, the Secretariat and the Security Council to engage in a dialogue on strategies and instruments for the prevention of conflicts, since, as we have long known, preventing violent conflicts is far preferable to, as well as much less costly than, curing their aftermath.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“In the same vein, the Commission could participate in the consideration of and follow-up on cross-cutting issues relevant to its work, such as issues relating to children and armed conflict or to sexual violence. To that end, more significant collaboration between the relevant working groups of the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission should be developed. Finally, I shall address the gradual withdrawal of the United Nations presence. The last phase that the Peacebuilding Commission should help to plan and implement is the withdrawal of the United Nations presence. We should bear in mind that a premature or ill-conceived withdrawal can in very quickly destroy the foundations of development that it took many years to build.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“There is no doubt that it would be worthwhile for the Council itself to endeavour to define what its needs are in this area, as the delegation of Japan has just suggested. In the countries on its agenda, the Peacebuilding Commission can strengthen the legitimacy and coherence of the activities of the various units of the United Nations system and other stakeholders involved. This task of coordinating the efforts of the international community is a difficult one but it is indispensable for making international support both more predictable and more flexible. With regard to its advisory role, the Commission could be involved to a greater degree by the Security Council in the preparation of Council documents relating to countries on the Commission's agenda.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“In the follow-up period after the initial phase, the role of the Peacebuilding Commission should include the monitoring of progress, coordination and advice. Here the Secretary-General's report states that the establishment of national peacebuilding and reconstruction frameworks should lay the groundwork for a follow-up mechanism which international and national partners could draw upon. In this context, the Peacebuilding Commission would have the role of strengthening the reciprocity of commitments and coordinating the monitoring and evaluation of progress made. So that this process may be oriented more towards partners of the Commission, in particular the Security Council, we will need to strike the right balance between benchmarks that are too detailed and objectives that are too general.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission is well placed to act as a point of contact for the various stakeholders involved in putting together the international response. At the request of the Security Council, the Commission could make recommendations to the various stakeholders and consider the immediate needs that a United Nations presence would have to meet. United Nations missions in countries on the agenda should be equipped with mandates and tools sufficient to effectively assist the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission on the ground. Recent efforts to transition towards integrated missions and mandates that incorporate support for the Peacebuilding Commission, as in Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic, are aimed at responding to precisely this need.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“(5/2009/304, para. 82) Following this report, the Council asked the Commission, inter alia, to make more room on its agenda for its advisory role. We believe it is important, in the context of the five-year review, to consider and to specify in greater detail the modalities of the relationship between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. I should like to speak of the links between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Council in the various stages of United Nations and international responses to post-conflict periods: start-up, follow-up and the gradual withdrawal of the international presence. First of all, I shall concentrate on start-up. As stressed in the report of the Secretary-General, once the main conflict has ended, many critical peacebuilding activities are only beginning.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“We have taken these areas fully into account in the Central African Republic country-specific configuration. However, relations between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission should be better articulated and further intensified despite the already frequent participation of Chairs of country-specific configurations in Council debates. In this connection, the report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict states that: "The Security Council should consider more proactively how the advice of the Commission could contribute to its work during the early phase of the Council's consideration of post- conflict situations, for example, by providing an integrated peacebuilding perspective and specific suggestions for the Council's own engagement with the country on its agenda".”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“In recent years, the Council has shown growing interest in peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflicts. This is a welcome development. Both within the Council and beyond, there is broad consensus on the purpose of the Peacebuilding Commission: the task of filling the institutional void that arises during post-conflict transition by giving attention to security, development, good governance and the rule of law. Successive presidential statements of the Council have mentioned the role that the Peacebuilding Commission should play in various contexts, such as addressing problems relating to gender, children and armed conflict, conflict mediation and resolution, and the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Last week, during the debate in the General Assembly on the reports we are discussing here today, I had the opportunity to present the principles that will guide the efforts of Belgium in the context of the five- year review process: first, to draw on the vision which in 2005 was the basis for the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission; secondly, the evolving and dynamic nature of the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission; and, thirdly, the need to view the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission in the context of the overall picture, taking into account in particular the developments over the past years in the other areas of United Nations reform. Today, I should like to take these thoughts a little further by focusing on the relationship between the Commission and the Security Council.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“As Chair of the Central African Republic configuration I often have an opportunity to remind my listeners that the Commission must report to two bodies, the General Assembly and the Security Council. I am in front of one of them right now. Moreover, the thematic nature of the Commission makes it a natural interlocutor for the Economic and Social Council.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): At the outset, Mr. President, I would like to thank you for organizing this annual debate. Its importance is even greater, given the five-year review of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in 2010. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the Chair of the Commission, Ambassador Munoz, and the new Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Cheng-Hopkins, two people whose vision and tireless efforts are very much appreciated. Belgium fully aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union (EU), which sums up the starting point of the EU's contribution to the United Nations five-year review of the architecture of the Commission.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“In conclusion, with regard to developing such national action plans, Belgium wonders whether the Peacebuilding Commission could play a more significant role in the countries in which it is active. In the Central African Republic, the Commission, Chaired by Belgium, has already striven as far as possible to ensure the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). It would take but a small additional effort to develop a national action plan in partnership with the national authorities, and Belgium is prepared to help.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“We must allocate sufficient resources to women's programmes. This is an effort which it behoves each and every one of us to undertake with urgency, not only here but also at the national level. Thirdly, we must support and encourage the growing presence of women among the Blue Helmets and police officers in peacekeeping operations. We can all strive in this regard to develop women's units and enhanced expertise on gender issues within our own armed forces and police forces. Fourthly, Belgium cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance and usefulness of developing national action plans for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Belgium is proud to announce that it developed such a plan of action last year and is ready to share its experience with any Member State that may be interested.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Without significant efforts in that direction, it will be a sad anniversary indeed that we celebrate next year. What can we do in one year? Probably a great deal more than we imagine. First, several essential measures can be taken easily, almost overnight, and at very little cost to the United Nations. Such measures might include, for example, increasing the number of women in United Nations mediation teams and in particular the appointment of a female chief negotiator. Similarly, a gender adviser should be appointed in the Department of Political Affairs. Secondly, and in order to ensure that the specific needs of women are truly taken into account and earnestly responded to in peacebuilding and reconstruction processes, we must put our money where our mouth is when it comes to gender budgeting.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“If we make the effort to look beyond our New York bubble and cast an eye towards the situation on the ground, we are forced to recognize that the situation of women living in countries in conflict or emerging from it has not really improved since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) nine years ago. For Belgium, this status quo is unacceptable. It is specifically the lives of such women that we committed to improving when we adopted resolution 1325 (2000). As far as Belgium is concerned, the situation is very simple. A year from now, we will celebrate the passage of 10 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). We therefore have one year left to fill the gap that exists between the programmes envisioned in New York or our capitals on the one hand, and, on the other, their financing and implementation on the ground.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“However, as far as the implementation of this resolution goes - excuse me for speaking frankly, Mr. President - the international community really has nothing to be proud of. We must keep our eyes on the bigger picture. Of course, some progress has been made. Fifteen years after the Beijing Conference, notably thanks to the industry of the Commission on the Status of Women, we can affirm that questions relating to gender have found their place in official United Nations discourse. We also recognize the efforts that have been made by the Secretary-General to ensure greater representation of women at a high level in the United Nations administration, even though there remains a long way to go.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Belgium, which had the privilege of participating in the drafting and adoption of resolution 1820 (2008) while it held a seat on the Security Council, welcomes the cohesion and vision the Council has demonstrated in this field throughout this period. We hope for the swift appointment of the new special representative of the Secretary-General on sexual violence and establishment of the team of experts called for in resolution 1888 (2009). We are ready to assist these two mechanisms in carrying out their missions. The fight against sexual violence is one thing; the broader question of the role of women and their place in peace negotiations, peacebuilding and reconstruction processes is quite another. Resolution 1325 (2000) is and must remain, in our view, the key instrument guiding our actions in this area.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Mr. Grauls (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium fully aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union, and thanks the Secretary-General for his report (S/2009/465) on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Belgium also wishes to thank your delegation, Mr. President, for having taken the initiative to organize this very important debate. With regard to the fight against sexual violence, this past year will be a landmark in the annals of the United Nations. In just over one year, the Security Council has adopted resolution 1820 (2008), expanded the follow-up mechanisms of resolution of 1612 (2005) and recently, with the adoption of resolution 1888 (2009), provided the United Nations with practical tools to tackle sexual violence in the field.”
2009-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6196Resumption1 (2009) · source
“I express the hope that the new integrated structure will be established as soon as possible in order to facilitate the implementation of the Peacebuilding Commission's strategic framework. It would indeed be regrettable to waste time. With the death of the President of Gabon, the late El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, the Central African Republic has lost a founding father of its peace process. I salute the vision and untiring support that the late President gave to the Central African Republic in recent years in order to help it turn towards a more hopeful future. The peacebuilding process will continue to require the full attention of the Government of the Central African Republic and its international partners in the coming months and years.”
2009-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6147 (2009) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission advocated the transformation of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic into the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office, and in that regard welcomed the presidential statement of 7April (S/PRST/2009/5), whereby the decision was taken in principle to establish the new Office as soon as possible. The Commission is pleased to note that the new structure for the Integrated Office, as proposed in the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/309), will allow us better to assist its work. The Commission especially welcomes the establishment of a Human Rights and Justice Section, to include prison experts, among others, and of a Security Institutions Section. The creation of the posts of Gender Adviser and Child Protection Adviser are also very welcome proposals.”
2009-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6147 (2009) · source
“I have noted an upsurge in interest in the Central African Republic, a country that, perhaps with reason, was long considered an orphan of international assistance. It is important to involve non-governmental organizations in those awareness-raising efforts. At the most recent meeting of our configuration, two important international non-governmental organizations confirmed that they would increase their presence on the ground in the country. Some countries have also conveyed to me their willingness to consider specific proposals for a new or increased involvement in the Central African Republic, pursuant to the priorities of the strategic framework. I feel that, while it may yet appear to be low-key, this renewed interest of the international community in the Republic must still be underscored.”
2009-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6147 (2009) · source