YouSaid · the spoken record

Guterres

lines on the record: 423
first: 2002-11-14
most recent: 2015-12-21
sittings or episodes: 28
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

“Our aim is to protect and prudently manage the petroleum sector to benefit the people of Timor-Leste and to ensure that those resources and revenues are properly accounted for and that global standards for good governance, transparency and accountability are met and implemented. Petroleum funds will continue to be managed pursuant to current laws, and any changes will be debated in our national Parliament. As a recipient country of aid, we have volunteered, together with six other fragile States, to become pilot countries to be monitored with respect to the Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations. The High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness held in Accra in 2008 endorsed an Agenda for Action to reform the delivery of aid and improve the effectiveness of development assistance.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“The other is a procurement portal that gives access to information on the procurement plans of the Government, providing the business community with equitable participation and adequate preparation time to complete applications and submit them to the process. Once the procurement process starts, it can be monitored and provide information to the public on how the procurement process was implemented, which procurement method was utilized, the process of evaluation, the names of companies and bidders, and the allocation to the successful bidder. 10-2486] The citizens and organizations of my country will be able to follow closely the budget execution and the procurement process in real time. We are working towards compliance with 18 requirements under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“A few days ago, executives from a Canadian management software company, Free Balance, visited Timor-Leste; they are providing accounting services to many countries. An agreement was reached by which they will provide software solutions for public financial and human resources management. These new solutions will produce at least two portals for the public via a web-based interface. One is called a transparency portal, where the public can access real-time information on how State funds are being executed, including such details as amounts allocated, the timing and location of projects, and under which programme the project is being implemented.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“Hundreds of Timorese are already working in that country, and we hope that other countries may follow the example of Korea. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao is finalizing the strategic plan for Timor-Leste. The plan will play a major role in the development of our country and in better preparing our people and nation to face the challenges of the present and the future. The budget for 2010 is approximately $637 million. The national priorities for this year are roads, water supply, food security, human resources training, access to justice, social services and administrative decentralization, good governance and public security. The Government of Timor-Leste aims to make the management of public finances among the most accountable and the most transparent in the world. We will try.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“In the meantime, annual average inflation is less than 2 per cent. The agriculture sector substantially increased its productivity by introducing high-yield and hybrid crop varieties and by improving irrigation systems. The Ministry of Finance improved the system of public finance management and budget execution, while at the same time remaining steadfast on the path of fiscal prudence and discipline. We are committed to maintaining growth in non-oil GDP for years to come and to investing in rural areas, human resources and basic infrastructures in order to reduce poverty and unemployment. Reducing unemployment is not an easy task; we need foreign, national and public investment. To minimize the high level of unemployment, we have made an agreement with the Republic of Korea to export our labour force.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“As a nation and people, we have been blessed by the kindness of the international community. As citizens of the world, we value the spirit of humanitarian solidarity. For that reason, the Government of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has on various occasions extended its financial support to the peoples of the region that have suffered natural disasters. After the earthquake disaster in Haiti, the Council of Ministers decided to provide to the people and Government of that country financial aid of $500,000. We could not remain silent in the face of the suffering of such magnitude of fellow human beings wherever they are. Despite the current world economic and financial crises, our economic growth in terms of non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) was 12.8 per cent in 2008 and, by our preliminary estimate, around 12 per cent in 2009.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“President, the Security Council, the Secretary- General and the international community at large for the continuing commitment to the success of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Timor- Leste in 2007 and had the compassion to visit the refugee camps in Dili. Today, those camps are closed and the internally displaced persons have returned to their homes and families. By working together with the United Nations and the international community, we were able to solve one of the most difficult and most complex problems in our county. We should like to take this opportunity also to thank the Secretary- General for his leadership, and his Special Representatives and Deputy Special Representatives for their contributions to the success we have achieved.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to address this Security Council meeting on Timor-Leste. For more than decade, the Security Council created various missions, from the United Nations Mission in East Timor in 1999 to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today. The Council gave each United Nations mission a different focus, a different composition and different objectives according to the realities of the time. 5 The report of Secretary-General (S/2010/85) before us confirms that stability and a peaceful political environment in Timor-Leste are realities. This is a demonstration that the Council's decisions have been right. In spite of the 2006 crises, in general we can say that the United Nations intervention in Timor- Leste has been very successful. I should like to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr.”
2010-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6276 (2010) · source
“Finally, as President Ramos-Horta has stated many times, Timor-Leste will continue to need the presence and support of the United Nations until 2012. We would like to take this opportunity to praise the countries and Governments of Council members for their support for peace, stability, democracy, transparency, the rule of law, gender equality, human rights, justice and development in Timor-Leste.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“His weekly meetings with President Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Speaker Fernando "Lasama" and opposition leader Mr. Mari Alkatiri are deeply appreciated. I thank Deputy Special Representatives Finn Reske-Nielsen and Takahisa Kawakami and all members of UNMIT for their continuous support. I have had the honour of participating with the Special Representative and his colleagues in the Trilateral Coordination Forum to discuss the security challenges and threats in Timor-Leste. We have learned much from him. We - and I personally - believe that the international community will continue to rely on his expertise, experience and intelligence. We wish Mr. Khare and his family a successful journey, whatever the missions or challenges they may embrace or encounter in the future.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“That international cycling event took participants to the villages, mountains and valleys of our country. Thousands of Timorese came to our roads with warm smiles, welcoming and applauding participants from many nations. President Ramos-Horta has already announced that next year, Timor-Leste will organize an international fishing competition. Through such initiatives, we hope to achieve a new and better image for our country: that of a peaceful and caring people. We are ready to share with the world the beauty of our people and our landscape. I would like to thank Mr. Atul Khare, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his great and invaluable contributions to peace, stability, democracy and harmony in our country.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“We will continue to invest in education, health and gender equality. In order to improve budget execution, efficiency and professionalism in public service, parliament has approved a proposal by the Government to create a civil service commission, which is an independent body. Parliament has also approved a proposal by the Government to create a national anti-corruption commission to combat and prevent corruption in State institutions and in our society. With all those systems and institutions in place and operational, we might say to the world that we as a people are saying a final goodbye to conflict and welcoming development with an open-hearted smile. In August this year, Mr. Ramos-Horta, President of the Republic, took the initiative to organize the Timor-Leste Tour.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Next year, we will establish a national oil company and invest in the creation of the basic infrastructure needed to develop our petroleum and gas industry. Economic data of the World Bank indicate that Timor-Leste's economic growth rate was 12.8 per cent in 2008. This year, we hope to achieve growth of 8 to 9 per cent. The national budget for 2010 will be debated in the national parliament next month. A total of seven national priority areas have been identified: roads and water; food security, focused on productivity; human resources and development; access to justice; social services and decentralized service delivery; good governance; and public safety. We expect to maintain our economic growth. We will invest in infrastructure needed for development. We will create more jobs for our people.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Some scholars and experts say that it may take a generation, but we are confident that we are going in the right direction and at the right speed. In order to achieve lasting and sustainable peace and stability, we also need to invest in the development of the country. As a nation blessed with natural resources, we have allocated our own resources to the financing of the national budget. Petroleum and gas revenues have been our main source of income. The petroleum fund reached $5 billion in July this year; the fund's annual return was 4.17 per cent. Just a few days ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Timor-Leste became a member of the International Gas Union to better protect our interests.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“A draft national security law is before the Parliament, laying out the roles and responsibilities of the respective forces. The process will lead to civilian oversight and professional defence and security forces. The United Nations and the Government have agreed on a mechanism to progressively hand over responsibilities to the National Police Force of Timor- Leste (PNTL). So far, three districts and one unit of the police academy have been handed over to PNTL control. By investing in human resources and providing better infrastructure, equipment and salaries to our defence and security forces, we will help them fulfil their obligations under our Constitution. This reform is a long-term process.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“The Timorese National Electoral Commission did a great job in supervising the elections, and the Technical 09-573 62 Secretariat for Electoral Administration did a great job in organizing these elections. Security sector reform has been a priority since the inauguration of the current Government. Progress has been made in the defence area. The draft national security law and national defence law are now before the national Parliament. The new Ministry of Defence and Security structure, the military police law, a military service law and amendments to the military service law were approved. There is ongoing discussion on the drafts of the new Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste structure, the concept and system of training and the new concept of employment.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“The Government has allocated $16.25 million for this programme. From January to August of this year, 3,267 veterans and the families of the martyrs have received their pensions. The total potential number of beneficiaries is 12,540. The Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Gusmao, believes that by implementing these social policies, we are also investing in the stability and social harmony of our country. Social harmony and stability, the values of democracy and respect for the rule of law were recently demonstrated by our people in every village in Timor-Leste during the successful and peaceful Suku elections that were held this month. We thank the United Nations system, United Nations volunteers and the international community for their support.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“A total of 450 improved traditional houses will be built this year. Next year, we will continue to expand this programme so that better housing will be available to our most vulnerable people. We are also providing assistance to poor households to prevent malnutrition during the lean season. We have provided food assistance this year to almost 90,000 households. A special programme has been created for widows and single mothers, particularly those who are ill and whose circumstances prevent them from earning an income to support their children. Assistance is provided for them to purchase food, clothing and school materials for their children. As of today, 7,050 families have received assistance under this programme. A social security programme this year will benefit almost 65,000 elderly persons and a total of 5,355 disabled citizens.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“With the assistance of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, the European Commission, many countries and other partners, the Ministry of Social Solidarity was able to reintegrate all the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and close all the IDP camps this year. The Government has invested its best efforts and allocated $35.8 million to provide support for their reintegration. Today, many of their houses have been rebuilt. We are now preparing to deliver the second phase of assistance to the 16,500 registered internally displaced families. By the end of 2009, we will provide recovery assistance for the possessions and assets destroyed. We have also developed a social housing programme to support the elderly, the disabled, widows and chronically ill.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Although there is no question that they foresee the need for continued advice and assistance from the international community, they are motivated by a vision of a justice system run by the Timorese. This is a goal worth striving for and is a cause that deserves the continued support of the international community." One of the major challenges we as the people of Timor-Leste have encountered was the crisis of 2006. Some 150,000 Timorese fled their homes and 65 internally displaced person tent camps were established in Dili and other districts.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“On 13 October, an independent comprehensive needs assessment team comprised of four judicial and legal experts from the international community, led by Judge Rapoza of the United States, published their report. Many recommendations were made; some will take many years to be implemented. Some are already included in the Government's plans. I would like to quote the conclusions of the report: "As noted throughout this report, a significant amount of progress has been made in developing the overall justice system of Timor- Leste. Although a number of challenges and needs continue to exist, the Timorese with whom the team interacted demonstrated a high degree of dedication and commitment.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“The decisions taken were based on the Constitution of our country and our national interests. The former militia leader was not released but was transferred to the Indonesian embassy, since he is an Indonesian citizen. As of now, he remains at the Indonesian embassy, waiting for legal procedures to take their course. Before I came on 20 October, Minister of Justice Lucia Lobato and I had a meeting with defence lawyer Sergio Ornay. He informed us of the two petitions he had delivered to the Tribunal requesting the release of his client for health reasons. No decision has been taken by the Tribunal to date. We commend the Government and the embassy of Indonesia in Dili for their understanding of the legal complexity of the case.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Speaker Fernando "Lasama" de Araujo, the leader of the Democratic Party and a member of the current majority coalition, convened a session of Parliament to debate a motion of no confidence in the Government, tabled by the opposition party FRETILIN. Their stated reason for the motion was the unconstitutionality and illegality of the Government's decision to grant freedom to a former militia leader accused of taking part in the massacre at the church in Suai district in 1999. It was a lively debate that lasted almost an entire day, and it was broadcast live on national television and followed by thousands of Timorese. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao successfully defended the Government's actions. The motion was rejected by the national Parliament by an absolute and solid majority.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Allow me to first congratulate you, Mr. President, and your country on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. It is a great honour for me to be back in this Chamber and to share with Council members our opinion on the current developments in Timor-Leste, as well as some of our ideas and actions for the near future. The Security Council has been following the question of Timor-Leste since December 1975. Many decades have passed, and together we have overcome many difficulties and challenges. Today, we live in an independent, peaceful and democratic country. On 12 October, democracy and accountability were put to the test in our national Parliament.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“Recently, I had a minor infection and tried to solve the problem with aspirin, but aspirin did not clear it up. I needed an antibiotic. The tragedy is that at UNHCR we have only aspirin. The Council has the antibiotic.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Of course, this means the naturalization of their children and grandchildren, but it shows that there is generosity from host countries, which the international community must support, because integrating such a high number of refugees poses extremely complex development challenges. I would also underscore what the President said about the responsibility to protect. I hope that the African example can be very significant in establishing a climate of trust that will facilitate a useful debate on that subject. I would like to underscore, too, all that the President said about humanitarian access, the humanitarian space, security for humanitarian action and the protection of civilians in general. I would also like to say sincerely that when I look at the Security Council, I am a little envious of it.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“In 2008, UNHCR's priority policy was precisely the situation of long-term refugees, and we hope that the next session of the Executive Committee will be able to adopt the outcomes of the thinking and dialogue that we had with the Member States, non-governmental organizations and other actors in December. But, certainly, the key issue is to find both political and humanitarian solutions. Last year, we helped 735,000 refugees return home - 735,000 helped by UNHCR worldwide. That is quite an impressive number. We presented 100,000 requests for resettlement prepared by UNHCR. We note that in some States, and sometimes States that have huge development challenges, local integration is becoming acceptable. The most remarkable example is Tanzania, which accepted the naturalization of 170,000 Burundians from groups that had fled Burundi in 1972.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“We give protection and support to refugees who have fled conflict in many areas, and we try to help them endure their plight, and, one day, find a solution to their plight. But in this conflict people do not even have the right to flee, which, of course, makes the humanitarian dimension of the situation even more tragic. (spoke in French) I would like once again to thank the President for the invitation and also say that we have extensive cooperation with France as a country of asylum. Last year, France received the highest number of requests for asylum in Europe, and France also provides great supports to us in many of our activities throughout the world in various areas. The President mentioned the issue of long-term refugees.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Water resources are being shared by the Chadian population with a number of refugees from Darfur, who in many areas outnumber the Chadians themselves. So very strong solidarity with local populations is a key instrument to preserve asylum space. The ambassador also mentioned the need to guarantee the sustainability of voluntary repatriation. I can only repeat what I said in that regard. I would like to mention again his appeal for full support for UNRWA. I also want to say that when one looks at the Gaza situation from the point of view of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - there are many other perspectives that are beyond my mandate, but, from my perspective, what is more shocking is that that population does not even have the right to flee.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“As a matter of fact, when one looks at the 1951 Convention and its various aspects - non-refoulement, the civilian character of asylum, the need to protect not only refugees but families and to respect property - everything can be found in the Holy Koran and the Sunna and the Hadith of the Prophet. I think that publication will be a very important instrument, not only to strengthen refugee protection but also to pay tribute to what is a very important tradition in regard to recognition of refugee rights. The ambassador mentioned the need to support local populations and to avoid tension between local and refugee populations. I think that is a key question. The majority of refugees are in the South, in the developing world, and local populations in many cases share very scarce resources. Just look at eastern Chad.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I really hope that that will be an example that will bear fruit in the international community and will allow for a more effective approach by the international community as a whole to the questions of internal displacement. I also wish to underline the very important comments on prevention. Again, apologizing for not speaking Arabic, I thank the ambassador of Libya for his intervention. We have established very important cooperation with the League of Arab States. In the very near future - hopefully next month - the result will be the publication of a common book on the roots of modern refugee law in Arab tradition and Islamic law.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“That summit will, hopefully, approve 4 I think all the conditions are now met for that - an AU convention on internal displacement. I think that will be an extremely important step. As I said in my intervention, it will be the first legally binding international instrument on internal displacement. As a matter of fact, as the ambassador said, it represents an effective translation of the responsibility to protect, at the African level. I believe that the debate on the responsibility to protect has been a victim of the lack of trust in the international community. There are different understandings about how the responsibility to protect can be implemented. One thing is clear. In the African Union there is now an agenda, a clear commitment to a strongly human-rights-minded approach to internal displacement.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I wish to express my deep gratitude also to the representative of China - and apologize also for not being able to speak in Mandarin - and to say how much we noticed his two comments, first on solutions and the importance of different groups of solutions in our action - I thank him for the recognition of our role on that - and then on the very strong linkage between conflict mediation and peacekeeping and refugee protection and humanitarian action, and the importance of dialogue between the Security Council and humanitarian agencies in order for that to be fully effective. Once again I express my deep appreciation to the ambassador of Uganda for his country's decision to host the African Union summit on forced displacement.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“In this year's edition of our protection challenges dialogues, we had an extremely constructive contribution by the high-level Croatian delegation - two Vice Prime Ministers and the Minister of Justice, very strongly committed to engage in dialogue in order to find a durable solution to end situations that, we believe, no longer have a justification. Sometimes history goes ahead and some people are left behind, and it is time to bring the people back into history. I can only underline the importance of Croatia's contributions for that purpose.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“With full respect for UNRWA's mandate, I strongly appeal to the international community to give UNRWA all it requires in the extremely difficult circumstances in which it currently operates, with enormous courage on the part of its staff. Again, I wish to underline what I said about the clear distinction we make in relation to our refugee mandate and our actions with regard to internal displacement and the civilian character of asylum, and the need to preserve the integrity of asylum by preserving its civilian nature. I would also like to thank the ambassador of Croatia.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I would also underline what the representative said about the need to support countries in the developing world that have been receiving huge numbers of refugees. He mentioned Syria; I would add Jordan in the same context, and Iran and Pakistan. We could go on - Uganda, Tanzania; many others around the world share their meagre resources. Many of them are not even signatories of the Convention but show a meaningful solidarity in relation to refugees. The need to cooperate with UNRWA was mentioned. I can assure the representative that we are actively cooperating now, supporting UNRWA's activities in full respect for UNRWA's mandate. I think it is also very important from the point of View of UNHCR not to create confusion, which would not help solve the problem.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Many times, it must be said, we are still far from having the full capacity to implement the mandates established by this Council in many of the operations. (spoke in English) I am extremely sorry I cannot speak in Russian, but I will try to address the intervention of the representative of the Russian Federation in English. I wish to say how much we cherish our cooperation with the Government in relation to refugee protection. Indeed, the responsibility attributed by the 1951 Convention is attributed to the Governments themselves, and UNHCR has just a monitoring and supplementary role when Governments have not the capacity - namely, the economic capacity, in many parts of the world - to provide protection and assistance to the refugees. So indeed, cooperation with Governments is very high on our agenda.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Unfortunately, many leaders have irrational attitudes that do not allow them to consider the positive aspects of migration. To deal with the positive aspects of migration, to guarantee movement of regular migrations - much more important today in the context of irregular migration - is a very important contribution to the protection of refugees, who, in mixed movements of people, are often victims of situations in which human rights in general are difficult to apply. We have discussed mandates. I think the issue of mandates is very clear, very important, the robustness of mandates, their clarity. But I would say that just as important as mandates are the practical material conditions in which mandates can be effectively carried out.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“In that context, the response too must be global. In that global response, the whole issue of people in movement must, in my opinion, be at the centre of the concerns of the international community. I am in complete agreement on that matter. It is not just a matter of the problems of refugees or of forcibly displaced persons; what about the rights of economic migrants? That also requires attention. I am speaking of a matter completely outside my mandate, but as a citizen of the world. I would say that in the near future the mobility of labour will make a greater contribution to world development, to the reduction of poverty than will other types of mobility. I think the international community should have a rational attitude toward migration in general.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I would say that it is predominantly linked to the fact that economic development, job opportunities and access to education and health care are far from being guaranteed in post-conflict situations. Even though there has been enormous progress in the United Nations mechanisms to address these situations - with peacebuilding, with very important concepts such as that of human security - I think that we still see a combination of poor local government and dysfunction in the actions of the international community, which undermines the sustainability of returns and of solutions in general. (spoke in Spanish) I would like to thank the representative of Mexico for his comments. It is true that there is a global crisis, whose elements include conflict, the environment, the economy, energy and food.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I am also very hopeful with respect to the work of the Council in guaranteeing a smooth transition between the European Union military operation in the Republic of Chad and in the Central African Republic and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad in relation to the protection requirements we have in eastern Chad and the northern Central African Republic. With respect to the lessons learned about sustainability, I think that it is important to underline that we are far from happy with the present sustainability of returns. In many circumstances, people return from a refugee situation to become irregular migrants in the next few months or in the next few years. The reason for that is not always linked to security.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I would also like to thank the representative of Austria and to tell him how much I appreciated the clear linkage he established between peace, security and forced displacement, and the importance that he gave to climate change as a key factor in its influence on all global trends for the near future, in particular on trends related to displacement. Climate change generates displacement, and climate change is a factor that exacerbates conflict, which in turn generates displacement. Because of that, when we look at peace and security and when we look at displacement, I do not think we can forget the present and future impact of climate change on the mega-trends we will be witnessing in the twenty-first century. I am very happy that, as was noted, the Council will be debating energy security and climate change in April.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“There, the key security questions require the action of other actors, namely those with respect to which the Security Council has the authority to take decisions. I would also like to thank the representative of the United States for his comments on how to maintain the humanitarian space. I think that the distinction made between the strategic dimension and the operational dimension can probably be a very important one. Clearly, there must be strategic coherence within the United Nations when it acts together in a given setting. But in some circumstances it is absolutely essential to preserve operational autonomy to make sure that the humanitarian space and humanitarian principles are fully preserved.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I would also like to underline the importance of his comments on sexual and gender-based violence. In UNHCR's internal reform, one of our main concerns was to make sure that we would shrink our headquarters and spend less and less money on the organization and more and more money on our beneficiaries. We had 1,050 people in Geneva; we are now about 750, and in 2009 we will be reducing that to less than 700. What we are trying to do is to use the savings we make through our internal reform to address gaps in our action for beneficiaries. One of the gaps we tried to address with these savings was exactly the question related to sexual and gender-based violence in many of our programmes where, let us be honest, we are far from being successful, mainly because we do not have the capacity to deliver in such complex environments.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“First, he commented on protection challenges for refugees, for displaced persons and for the security of humanitarian staff, and he expressed concerns about internal displacement and the need to make sure that our work on internal displacement does not undermine our mandate regarding refugees. I must say that I do not see any contradiction between what we do with refugees and what we do on internal displacement. There has been no crowding-out effect; there has been no movement of resources from refugee programmes into internal displacement programmes. I think there has been a great deal of positive synergy: in many circumstances, we address problems that are similar within groups of population that stay together, even if their displacements are of differing natures.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I think there is much to be done and much room for improvement in that regard. As I said with respect to the statement made by the representative of Costa Rica, there is a need to support host countries and communities that often share their meagre resources with refugees. I would also stress the need for rehabilitation * including environmental rehabilitation - in regions affected by refugee issues, once displacement has come to an end. (spoke in English) I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the statement made by the representative of the United States.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“(spoke in French) I would like to thank the representative of Burkina Faso for his statement and to say that his region is one where, fortunately, we are seeing greater progress in addressing refugee problems. There have been massive returns to Liberia and to Sierra Leone, and there is hope for a solution bringing lasting peace to Cote d'Ivoire. There is reason for optimism regarding his region. I believe that the regional cooperation mechanisms that have been put in place are to a great extent responsible for success, with respect not only to conflict but also to humanitarian protection programmes and to the resolution of refugee issues. I fully agree with what the representative of Burkina Faso said about the need to train personnel of peacekeeping operations.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“Statelessness is a forgotten plight. It is dramatic for many people not to have nationality, not to have citizenship. They tend to be forgotten people, and their rights tend to be forgotten. My Office is doing its best to improve our capacity and our action in that regard. But I would like to draw the attention of the Council, and the international community as a whole, to the need to be much more effective - especially at country level - in addressing the problem of statelessness and in providing solutions for it. And I can only agree fully with what the representative of Viet Nam said in relation to the need to strengthen cooperation within the United Nations system and to ensure full respect for humanitarian principles: the very principles I underlined in my briefing.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“I would say that we might not need new international laws in relation to forced displacement when it does not relate to typical refugee situations as foreseen in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. But obviously, there are protection gaps, and we need to make sure that, through adequate forms of partnership and cooperation, those protection gaps are filled. States have a key role to play on that. But it would also be interesting to discuss whether some improvement in international law could be useful, for instance in relation to temporary protection, just to give one example. There, I believe, there are some areas in which some clarification might be useful with respect to international legislation. I thank the representative of Viet Nam. First of all, he made a reference to statelessness.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source
“In relation to internal displacement, we are a member of a team, working together with other members of the team - never forgetting that the primary responsibility is the State's, but that, of course, the international community has a contribution to make. We are totally committed to the cluster approach and to the development of its potential. Partnership is important not only in relation to internal displacement; as members said, it is important in peacebuilding and in early recovery. We are also fully committed to peacebuilding; from the very outset, we provided a member of our Office to the Peacebuilding Support Office. And, ifI can be absolutely frank on this, we are extremely anxious to see early recovery work. I know that the United Kingdom Government is also very committed to this.”
2009-01-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6062 (2009) · source