YouSaid · the spoken record

Hardeep Singh Puri

lines on the record: 886
first: 2009-11-25
most recent: 2013-02-12
sittings or episodes: 121
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 look forward to greater efforts to bring together interrelated aspects of the operational mechanism of the 1267 Committee, the 1540 Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee and their dovetailing with the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force. It is our earnest hope that all such efforts within the United Nations will be integrated more closely with the core tasks being taken forward by specialized bodies, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization and others. We strongly affirm the importance of collective effort, focusing on technical assistance to help a State implement the mandates of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1540 Committee and related instruments.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“We support the anti-terrorism mechanisms established by the United Nations, including resolution 1267 (1999), related to sanctions against Al-Qaida and the Taliban; resolution 1373 (2001), which led to the establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee; and resolution 1540 (2004), which addressed the issue of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We also support the subsequent resolutions that renewed, strengthened or amended those three original resolutions. India's regulatory and legislative framework is fully geared towards implementing the obligations under those resolutions.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“India has an abiding interest in expeditiously concluding the long-pending comprehensive convention on international terrorism. The early adoption of the convention is in the interests of all Member States and would provide impetus to multilateral and collective action to countering international terrorism efforts. Nearly all the elements of the proposed convention have passed muster by legal experts. What is required now is the necessary political will to ensure the early adoption of the convention.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“There are deep concerns about the potential nexus between clandestine proliferation and terrorism and the ever-present danger of such weapons or vulnerable nuclear materials falling into the hands of non-State actors. If the scourge of terrorism is to be effectively combated, it must be resolutely opposed, resisted and overcome through the undiluted commitment and effort of the international community. International solidarity and shared determination are absolutely imperative to combat this scourge effectively. It is important to bear in mind that the successful implementation of counter-terrorism measures not only requires the fullest collective effort of the entire membership, but also its fullest participation in processes that affect the collective security of all nations equally.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“Madam President, allow me at the outset to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council. I would also like to thank the three Chairs of the Committees established pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) for their painstaking efforts in steering the work of their respective Committees. This periodic stocktaking is timely and critical. We are happy to participate in today's open debate. Terrorism poses an extremely serious threat to all States and all societies. It threatens democracy and democratic values. It aims to destroy lives and reverse development. The backdrop of the latest terrorism- related incidents once again underscores the fact that terrorism is a global threat and requires a coordinated and concerted global response.”
2010-05-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6310 (2010) · source
“In the absence of such comprehensive reform, a fundamental improvement in the working methods will either elude us, as it has for more than 60 years, or, even if miraculously achieved, would not last without the institutional memory, continuing commitment and peer example of new permanent members.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“This only strengthens our view that the many flaws in the Council's working methods are merely symptoms of a deeper malaise rooted in its structure and composition. Clearly, genuine and lasting improvement of the working methods of the Council can be possible only as part of a comprehensive process of Security Council reform, based on both the reform and expansion of its composition in the permanent and non-permanent categories. Until there is a change in the real power structure of the Council - its permanent membership - we cannot realistically expect the deep-seated changes that the large majority seeks. We invite the 8-5 and others to work closely, actively and in lock-step with the wider international community seeking comprehensive reforms of the Council.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“My delegation is supportive of the ongoing efforts, including and particularly those of the group of five small countries (S-5), to bring about improvements in the Council's working methods. Such efforts have succeeded in keeping the issue of working methods high on the reform agenda. Yet we must acknowledge that real progress has been minimal, despite years of efforts. Some permanent members continue to argue that the reform of the working methods cannot be discussed by non-members. Even many of the decisions adopted by the Council in the note contained in document S/2006/507 remain unimplemented, and there appears to be little appetite for the far-reaching reforms that the large majority is demanding.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Fourthly, it should make available to non-members draft resolutions and presidential statements, as well as other draft documents that are submitted at the Council's informal consultations of the whole for action on its agenda items, as soon as such documents are submitted or earlier, if so authorized by the author of the draft. Fifthly, it must hold frequent, timely and substantive briefings for non-members on the matters discussed in the Council and its subsidiary organs, including briefings on its ad hoc missions, their terms of reference and the findings of such missions. Sixthly, it should hold regular consultations with the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Further, it is important for the Council to submit, when necessary, special reports to the General Assembly, in accordance with Article 24 (3) of the Charter, for the consideration of the Assembly in accordance with Article 15 (l) of the Charter. Apart from the specific areas of reform that I have already mentioned, my delegation believes that the Council should urgently undertake the following measures. First, as a general rule, the Council must meet in meetings open to all United Nations Member States. Secondly, it must implement Articles 31 and 32 of the Charter by consulting on a regular basis with non-members, especially those with a special interest in the substantive matter under consideration by the Council. Thirdly, it must grant non-members access to its subsidiary organs, including the right to participate as appropriate.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In addition, such constructive consultations can and will have a salutary impact on the ongoing efforts to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the Council's work. Another area that cries out for urgent reforms relates to the Council's annual report to the General Assembly. At present, the annual report continues to be a statistical compilation of events - a bland summary and listing of meetings and outcome documents. It is important that the General Assembly be aware not only of what decisions were taken, but also of the rationale, efficacy and impact of the Council's decisions in terms of crystallized take-aways for the membership of the General Assembly.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“India associates itself with the growing clamour for early reform of the working methods of the Council, which is an integral part of the broader imperative of the comprehensive reform and expansion of the membership of the Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. The overwhelming majority of the membership of the United Nations has already reiterated its support for such reforms. The Council will render great service to the cause of maintaining international peace and security by deepening and enriching its consultations with troop- and police-contributing countries in the devising, revision and implementation of the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate on an issue to which we attach great importance. We thank the Japanese presidency for the concept paper (S/2010/ 165) and for its continued stewardship since 2009 of the Council's Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. The very fact that the Security Council is holding an open debate on the issue of its working methods is in and of itself of some significance. While we acknowledge the prerogative of the Council to set its own working methods, we have always argued that, since the Council acts on behalf of the United Nations membership, it is both natural and legitimate for the latter to discuss the Council's working methods.”
2010-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6300Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It is therefore imperative that we ensure that peacebuilding and the institutions that constitute the peacebuilding architecture are successful.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We will continue this active association with the PBC and the PBF with a view to enabling those institutions to fulfil in their entirety the tasks assigned to them by the General Assembly and the Security Council. Further, we are of the view that the Fund should act as a catalyst for good governance. In this regard, we note with approval the creation of the Senior Advisory Group for the Review of International Civilian Capacities, in fulfilment of the agenda for action outlined by the Secretary-General in his 2009 report on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict. We need to be cognizant that peacebuilding is still a concept in its infancy and is continuously evolving. The international community has taken on board the idea of peacebuilding to fulfil the important need of handling post-conflict situations.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In particular, the Council would do well to really consult major troop- and police- contributing countries, both individually and through the instrumentality of the PBC, while formulating and revising the mandates of United Nations missions. India has shared its unique nation-building experience and expertise with a number of countries transiting from conflict to peace. We are very happy to continue to make available our capabilities in nation- building to countries in post-conflict situations and to cooperate with the United Nations in its various peacebuilding activities. Ever since the creation of the PBC in December 2005, India has actively participated in its work as a member of its Organizational Committee and by contributing to the resources of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Let us be clear and acknowledge the fact that the lack of funding continues to be a major impediment to the success of peacebuilding initiatives. It goes without saying that other elements - such as human resources, technical assistance, managerial assistance, assistance in kind and other programmes of assistance through the provision of appropriate technologies - are also important. Given the sensitive nature of such peacebuilding tasks as security sector reform and development administration, there must be a high degree of coordination within the United Nations system. Work in the country-specific configurations has been a positive dimension.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It also means that, even in cases where it is difficult to locate national ownership, international peacebuilding efforts are geared towards strengthening the capacity of a post-conflict State to govern effectively and to govern well. Capacity-building also assumes importance especially in instances where countries find it difficult to completely utilize the financial assistance with which they have been provided. My delegation is therefore of the view that the international community, acting through the instrumentality of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), must always strive to ensure that there is effective two-way dialogue between countries on the agenda of the PBC and the Commission itself through all stages. Another key issue is that of financing.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate on post- conflict peacebuilding and for your concept note (S/2010/167). At the outset, let me echo the Secretary-General's assertion in his report last year on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict. The imperative of national ownership and the anchoring of international peacebuilding efforts at the country level cannot be overemphasized. Security is a key pillar of peacebuilding. It is equally important to focus on building economic opportunity, particularly for young people, along with political and social stability. This requires a holistic approach that is sensitive to the economic, social and political milieu of the post-conflict situation. It is also critical to ensure that there is a real stake for the country involved in the peacebuilding efforts.”
2010-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6299Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Let me thank you again, Sir, for organizing this debate. India pays tribute to peacekeepers who have fallen, most recently in Haiti, and reiterates its commitment to contributing, through its peacekeepers and its national capacities, to the promotion of peace and security and to the role of the United Nations.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It is a complicated political undertaking with many imponderables. The Security Council is not bound by benchmarks on when and where it decides to intervene. Each decision is unique and subjective judgments are involved. Similar subjective judgments will have to be involved on when an operation can be wound up. I would like to conclude by referring to the issue of accountability. Should there not be an accountability requirement for those who mandate? Surely, their responsibility cannot end with the generation of mandates. If unachievable mandates are generated for political expediency or if adequate resources are not made available, who should bear responsibility? A deficit in the willingness and ability to enforce mandates is leading to an erosion of the credibility of the United Nations itself.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“This capacity must be developed and will require a multidisciplinary approach involving the development pillar of the United Nations and greater cooperation with countries in the global South. It is very difficult to use objective parameters to determine an exit point from complex peacekeeping operations. A peacekeeping operation will have succeeded if there is durable peace. Durable peace can follow only from a successful peace agreement. The conditions that can lead to a successful peace agreement are also difficult, if not impossible, to define. Peace processes and political settlements cannot be subjected to budgetary discipline and evaluation by administrators. The creation of peace, as we are all learning in many different parts of the world, is not a business process.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It needs very little imagination to grasp the utter insufficiency of 17,000 peacekeepers in the task of providing support to national authorities in an area of responsibility roughly the size of western Europe. It is evident that resources for peacekeeping are utterly inadequate. It stands to reason that an increase in the number of quality troops is the first requirement. It also stands to reason that troops require proper equipment and enablers. We would like to see an increase in the deployment of police and rule-of-law capacities. The current composition of the DPKO as it exists today does not have the capacity to plan for the nation- 10-23924 building activities that are central to peacebuilding.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In the case of economic development, national authorities, as the experience of the Peacebuilding Commission indicates, are capable of developing strategies and plans. What they need is resources and social investment. Peacekeeping, which is the main contribution of the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security, has a budget of $7.8 billion. This is a little more than 0.5 per cent of worldwide military expenditures. As the concept paper circulated by the President points out, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a ratio of one peacekeeper to 3,500 inhabitants. This is also the equivalent of one peacekeeper for every 120 square kilometres.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The Council and the Secretariat must not just listen more to national Governments; they must also listen carefully. There is no substitute for national capacities. The only role the United Nations can play is to help in creating conditions where these capacities can be exercised. We believe that support for national authorities is key in two areas. One is security sector reform and the other is in providing primary inputs for socio-economic development. Security sector reform, in particular, needs far greater coordination, cohesiveness and unity of purpose. The training, equipment and working methods of national police and other rule-of-law institutions must be structured in a manner that is consonant with the wishes of national authorities and not the priorities of donors.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It is our understanding that both need to continue simultaneously over extended periods of time. Precipitate withdrawal of peacekeepers is a recipe for disaster and a temptation that should be avoided at all costs. As a peacekeeping operation gathers momentum, it requires more resources, not fewer. The military component will have to be supplemented, and not supplanted, by police and rule-of-law capacity and by a capacity for development administration. By development administration capacity, we mean the ability to respond 8 to the basic aspirations of the people beyond law and order. It is also important to remember that United Nations operations are essentially in aid of national authorities and national capacities. National authorities usually have a good idea of what they require.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It stands to reason that successful post-colonial nation-building experience is the most relevant to understanding how to approach the successful management of complex peacekeeping operations. I am proud to represent a nation that has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping since 1956 and has contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to 40 United Nations operations. I also speak on behalf of a country that is a well-established and successful democratic polity that responds to the aspirations of one of the most diverse populations of the world and that is among the fastest growing economies of the world. Imperialist thinking at the height of the colonial era described all such countries as ungovernable. Facts and history speak otherwise. Peacekeeping and peacebuilding are not mutually exclusive.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It is evident that the Council requires a new paradigm and new approaches if it is to discharge its responsibilities. We first need to recognize that there are no shortcuts to peacekeeping. We are not dealing with classic belligerents who are looking for a quick victory. We are dealing with forces that have a stake in continuing instability. We are dealing with forces that flourish in the absence of the rule of law and in the presence of violence and intimidation. We cannot deal with these forces unless we are committed to the long haul. Transition and exit strategies need therefore to be approached accordingly. Eighty per cent of United Nations peacekeeping resources, financial and human, are deployed in post- colonial societies. The problems they face are not unique and have been confronted in many nations in Asia and Africa.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We are in this situation because every so often the Council has mandated operations without a clear understanding of what was required. In the rush to do something, it has got into situations where objectives have been confused. Mandates have been unrealistic; time frames have been too ambitious. A band-aid approach has been used and the resources allocated to the task - financial, logistical, and above all, human - have been pegged at minimal levels. Our conclusions are reinforced by the joint study by the DPKO and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, entitled "Protecting civilians in the context of United Nations peacekeeping operations", which states that "Confusion over the Council's intent is evident in the lack of policy, guidance, planning and preparedness".”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I am optimistic that this spirit of cooperation will find reflection in the forthcoming deliberations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. The concept paper (S/2010/67) circulated by the French presidency for today's debate is both comprehensive and useful. My delegation would also like to take this opportunity to align itself with the statement made by the representative of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Council today has to manage its primary responsibility of responding to threats to international peace and security in an environment that has changed very substantially since 1945. The Council has to deal with situations that have complex, multidimensional aetiologies. They cannot be easily labeled or categorized. They have also proved very tenacious and have defied straightforward solutions.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We would like to thank the French presidency for organizing this thematic debate on the issue of peacekeeping. This is the fourth time in seven months that my delegation is speaking in the Security Council on peacekeeping, a fact that attests to the centrality of this activity in the United Nations. I would also at the outset like to thank the French delegation for its recent efforts, which have led to improvements in the consultative mechanisms of peacekeeping. My delegation appreciates the spirit behind these initiatives. We also note with appreciation the efforts of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to reach out to Member States in the ongoing work of developing operational concepts.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We are very happy to continue to make our capabilities in nation-building available to countries in post-conflict situations, and to cooperate with the United Nations in its peacebuilding activities, including those in the areas of development, social sector reform, and the rule of law and security. Let me conclude by stressing two important imperatives. First, we must always strive to ensure that there is an effective two-way dialogue at all stages between the Peacebuilding Commission and the countries on its agenda. Secondly, we need to constantly improve the governance structures of the peacebuilding architecture. It should be in a position to respond swiftly and with greater efficiency so that all available resources geared towards peacebuilding in post-conflict situations are properly harnessed in the shortest possible time.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“We are happy to note that the Secretary-General's annual report on the Peacebuilding Fund observes that its revised terms of reference have enabled the Fund "to serve as a fast-disbursing, agile, responsive and risk-taking peacebuilding instrument" (S/2009/419, para. 55). In all our endeavours, it is important that the relationship with the Peacebuilding Commission and all donors be managed creatively, so as to utilize synergies in existing peacebuilding strategies. In its own unique experience of nation-building, India has developed multifaceted capacities relevant to peacebuilding and development. We have shared this experience and expertise in a number of countries transiting from conflict to peace.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“We will continue our active association with both the Commission and the Fund with a view to enabling those institutions to fulfil in their entirety the tasks assigned to them by the General Assembly and the Security Council. India has always held the view that the setting up of the Peacebuilding Commission filled an important institutional gap and that the Commission can and should make an important contribution to the recovery, reconstruction and development of countries emerging from conflict, wherever it agrees to act upon a request for advice and assistance by any such Member State. It was with this conviction that India has been proactively engaged in revising the terms of reference for the Peacebuilding Fund and sponsored General Assembly draft resolution A/64/L.72 in that regard in May.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304) rightly acknowledges the imperatives of national ownership and of anchoring peacebuilding efforts at the country level. Equally significant is the fact that the Peacebuilding Commission is trying to cooperate and coordinate with other United Nations agencies as well as other international institutions and is trying to expand the web of stakeholders as well as their involvement in the peacebuilding process. As a contributor to the Peacebuilding Fund and as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, India has remained actively engaged in the critical task of peacebuilding.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“We appreciate the timely scheduling of today's debate on the annual report of the Peacebuilding Commission (S/2009/444). Let me begin by placing on record our appreciation of the good work being done by Ambassador Heraldo Munoz, Chair of the Commission, who brings a wealth of experience to this assignment, the new Chairs of the country-specific configurations and the Chair of the Working Group on Lessons Learned. I also wish to congratulate Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins on her appointment as the head of the Peacebuilding Support Office. My delegation will remain constructively engaged in the process and assures them our fullest cooperation and support.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source