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 remain committed to continuing our support for the efforts of the Haitian authorities to rebuild the country. It is our hope that Haiti will soon emerge from its current problems and move towards stability and development.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, India made a cash contribution of $5 million to the Government of Haiti towards relief measures as a token of our solidarity with the people of Haiti. India has also contributed $500,000 every year since 2009 to the Central Emergency Response Fund, which continues to play an important role in the recovery work in Haiti. We have also undertaken a waste management project through a joint India-Brazil-South Africa initiative. In addition, India will soon undertake a project for the construction of low-cost housing units. In conclusion, the continuing support of the international community, coupled with stable and effective governance, remains critical for sustainable peace, security, stability and development in Haiti.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Against that backdrop, MINUSTAH should focus its efforts on supporting the political process, capacity-building and the consolidation of Haitian national institutions, including the national police force. The future force configuration of the Mission should be based on overall improvement of the security situation, as well as stabilization of the political and socio-economic situations. India has contributed three formed police units, totalling 458 personnel, to MINUSTAH. The performance of the Indian units has been widely appreciated in view of their exemplary dedication and devotion to duty. India also made a modest contribution to the efforts of the Haitian authorities to deal with the earthquake devastation in 2010.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“That will also help the national authorities deal with the reported emergence of new armed groups belonging to the disbanded army. We commend the leadership of MINUSTAH and its peacekeepers and engineers for doing excellent work in the most demanding circumstances. MINUSTAH has provided security for the distribution of humanitarian assistance to some 4.3 million Haitians and helped provide temporary shelter to 1.5 million people. Military engineering companies have played a significant role in removing rubble, repairing roads and setting up temporary shelters. MINUSTAH's important role in assisting the authorities to respond to the epidemic and the hurricane can hardly be overemphasized. We hope that the Haitian national institutions will gradually assume a larger role and ultimately take over MINUSTAH's responsibilities.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“We hope that the process of parliamentary approval for the new Prime Minister and the formation of a new Government will be completed soon. The need of the hour is for the Haitian leaders to set aside their differences and to work collectively for an effective administration that can implement the reforms necessary for economic growth and strengthen the capacity of rule of law institutions. Political stability is fundamental to effective governance, which alone can stimulate development, investment and the confidence of the international community. Given the prevailing situation, the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) continues to be critical to recovery efforts, to ensuring the overall security and stability and to the capacity-building of Haitian national institutions, particularly the national police.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Progress in recovery and reconstruction has, however, been slowed down due to the continuing political uncertainty in the aftermath of last year's elections. The delay in the formation of a Government for several months, the lack of understanding between two important organs of the Government and avoidable controversies are, unfortunately, affecting the overall gains made on the recovery front. That has affected donor confidence, and the appeal of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs was funded to the tune of only 55 per cent in 2011. The political infighting has also delayed the adoption of a number of legislative measures and preparations for elections to the Senate and local bodies appear stalled. The resignation of Prime Minister Conille last month has further exacerbated political tensions.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“Emergency food assistance now covers 4 million Haitians, and 5 million cubic metres of debris have been removed. That would not have been possible without the strong commitment and support of the international community. We commend the role played by the United Nations and its agencies, as well as the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission. The security situation has also improved, although it remains fragile and suffers from an insufficient policing capacity. Moreover, the country witnessed the peaceful transfer of power last year, which reflects the faith of the Haitian people in democracy. In December 2011, the International Monetary Fund noted that the economic situation in Haiti is improving, and it predicted positive gross domestic product growth for the year 2012.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“At the outset, I would like to join others in thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Mariano Fernandez for his comprehensive briefing on the recent developments in Haiti and for presenting the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2012/128). Despite periods of political uncertainty and the resultant instability during the past year, Haiti has made a notable recovery from the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Today, there are fewer people living in camps than last year. More than 1million people have been relocated so far. Several hundred schools have been rebuilt. Health services have improved. More than 100,000 temporary shelter units have been built to accommodate 400,000 affected persons.”
2012-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6732 (2012) · source
“In conclusion, to ensure lasting peace and security in Somalia, economic development has to form an integral part of our efforts. The international community should expand its development assistance to Somalia so that the Somali people directly benefit from the peace dividend. India, on its part, will continue to extend help to Somalia in capacity-building through human resource development. We have recently increased the number of scholarships for Somali students and experts. We have also contributed to the information technology sector in Somalia. We will continue to partner with the Somali authorities as they work towards turning a new page.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Such a strategy should involve the effective sanitization of the Somali coastline, the priority enactment of national laws to criminalize piracy as defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and United Nations- led anti-piracy forces to conduct naval operations and coordinate anti-piracy operations by various naval forces. India, on its part, continues to undertake anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and has deployed its ships in the eastern and north-eastern Arabian Sea. So far, the TFIs have paid little attention to this problem. We expect the TFIs to expeditiously implement the benchmarks on piracy contained in the road map on transitional tasks. We stand ready to help in capacity-building of the TFIs and the States of the region for effective measures to combat piracy.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Piracy off the coast of Somalia is adversely affecting that trade at a cost of several billion dollars, due to the rerouting of vessels into safer routes and increased costs of insurance and security. As we speak, a number of seafarers, including 33 Indians, remain hostage to pirates. Their humanitarian condition remains a source of serious concern to the Government and people of India. What is more worrisome is that attacks by pirates have been increasing in spite of counter-piracy operations. Given the growing scope and expanding coverage of piracy off the coast of Somalia, the international community has to think about the adoption of a comprehensive counter-piracy strategy.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“operations, Somali stakeholders have to build on the gains made in the field of security through progress on the political track. The TFIs should rid themselves of internal divisions and focus their energies on implementing the Kampala Accord and the road map. The drafting and adoption of a new constitution and its endorsement by a constituent assembly in a timely manner, as per the Garowe Principles, should remain a priority task. That process should be as broad-based as possible, taking into consideration the traditional social structure and security situation on the ground. Piracy off the coast of Somalia remains a serious problem for maritime security and trade. A large portion of the world's trade, including India's, estimated at about $120 billion annually, passes through the Gulf of Aden.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“The resolution will make available more sustainable and predictable resources for the troop-contributing countries and assist in the full implementation of the new strategic concept of AMISOM, including its limited maritime component. This would help AMISOM. to sanitize the Somali coastline and deprive Al-Shabaab of revenues earned from port facilities and the export of charcoal. We hope that the Council will agree to include naval assets for the reimbursement of contingent- owned equipment when it considers the extension of the AMISOM. mandate later this year. India made an uncaveated contribution of $2 million in 2011 to the United Nations Trust Fund in Support of AMISOM. We stand ready to provide further support to AMISOM. In parallel with AMISOM.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“and the forces of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia by urgently addressing the issues of governance and basic services in areas recovered from Al-Shabaab. That would also result in the emergence of organized economic activities and employment generation. For that to materialize, the international community must persevere and continue its effort for the people of Somalia. AMISOM, as the mainstay of security-related operations in Somalia, deserves our continued support. In that connection, we welcome the Council's adoption of resolution 2036 (2012), which provides for force enablers and multipliers for AMISOM. and also expands the United Nations support package.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“The extended transition period saw the adoption of a comprehensive road map by the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), in accordance with the June 2011 Kampala Accord. The effective engagement of the international community also helped to tide over the worst phase of the humanitarian crisis. Still, millions have continued to suffer from the crisis and the implementation of the road map has left much to be desired. In spite of the pressure it is under, Al-Shabaab with its recent affiliation to Al-Qaida remains a serious threat to peace and stability in Somalia and in the larger region. There is, however, an opportunity today in Somalia that has not been available for years. The TFIs could consolidate the gains made by AMISOM.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“I would also like to thank the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. Augustine Mahiga, for their comprehensive and valuable briefings. A few days back more than 50 countries, including my own, participated in the London conference on Somalia. The conference served a useful purpose in reiterating the support of the international community for the comprehensive stabilization of the situation in Somalia, while taking stock of the progress made so far in the political, security and humanitarian fields. The conference also reminded us of the difficult challenges that lie ahead. The past year has been a mixed bag for Somalia. There have been significant gains made by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Kenyan and Ethiopian forces in securing Mogadishu and other areas in southern and central Somalia.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“Let me start by congratulating the delegation of the United Kingdom on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March. I would also like to put on record our appreciation for the delegation of Togo, and in particular Ambassador Kodjo Menan, for their stewardship of the Council during the month of February. The political, security and humanitarian situations in Somalia and their consequences, particularly the problem of piracy and hostage-taking, are of serious concern to the international community. Today's open debate is therefore a timely endeavour to comprehensively address the situation in Somalia. We appreciate the efforts of the delegation of the United Kingdom in organizing the meeting and thank you personally, Sir, for presiding over today's deliberations.”
2012-03-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6729 (2012) · source
“United Nations agencies in the region, particularly the United Nations Office for West Africa, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Maritime Organization, have an important role to play in regional counter-piracy efforts and in addressing the related problems of terrorism, the illicit trafficking of drugs and the proliferation of weapons, which all conspire together to destabilize the region. In conclusion, India stands ready to contribute to international efforts aimed at increasing the effective cooperation among States in the region in tackling the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“These efforts should be intensified and should include joint counter-piracy efforts ranging from patrolling and surveilling coastal waters to sharing information and intelligence and building the capacities of naval forces. In addition, it is also critical to strengthen the legal system to ensure effective and expeditious prosecution. Greater coherence among the regional States and organizations will help to support the full and sustained implementation of these efforts. In that connection, we welcome the Secretary-General's proposal to facilitate a regional summit of Heads of State. The United Nations should also assist in the mobilization of resources.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“In that connection, we welcome some of the steps that have been taken, such as the establishment of a subregional coastguard network in West and Central Africa, the formulation of the maritime security strategy of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the establishment of the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa, and the creation of the Gulf of Guinea Commission and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa. These initiatives have helped create a platform for Governments to formulate a collective approach to the problem. Also, the ECCAS maritime security strategy has yielded positive results in the zone comprising Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“While the two situations are quite different in proportion at this stage, it is quite possible that the failure of the international community to act decisively against piracy off the coast of Somalia could have spawned a new surge in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The time has now come for the Council's attention to addressing the problem of piracy to be translated into a concrete plan of action. It being a regional problem, the action taken to address it must involve the full cooperation of the international community, led by the United Nations, with the countries of West Africa and regional and subregional organizations.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Addressing problems such as the proliferation of weapons, poor naval infrastructure, and weak law enforcement and prosecution systems must become an integral part of counter-piracy efforts. Otherwise, like piracy off the coast of Somalia, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea can quickly assume the intensity and proportion of an organized cartel in the countries of western Africa. India has been at the forefront of highlighting the menace of piracy off the coast of Somalia and stressing the urgent need for the international community to work towards a comprehensive counter-piracy strategy. India is also concerned about the surge in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, including its economic and social costs.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Pirate attacks are thus adversely affecting the emerging oil industry of the region, as well as commercial shipping and mariners. The Secretary-General's report states that piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is already causing an annual economic loss of $2 billion, which is a significant amount when compared to the annual gross domestic products of the countries of the region. As regional stakeholders have said in their statements today, a large number of unemployed young people are becoming attracted to the business of piracy and maritime robbery. The evolving business model of piracy involves low cost and risk, but yields high returns. While such socio-economic issues as poverty and unemployment may be abetting piracy, the main causes have to do with the limited institutional capacity of the countries in the region.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Since then, there have been several new acts of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the problem has assumed more serious proportions. Its impact is felt increasingly by all littoral States, and its seriousness is demonstrated by the participation of a number of delegations in today's debate. I thank all participants for sharing their assessments with us. The piracy off both coasts of Africa illustrates the degree of instability prevalent in the region and the reach of organized terrorist and criminal groups. They are targeting oil and chemical vessels, as well as oil drilling platforms, in the Gulf of Guinea and perpetrating severe violence against their captives. The region produces more than 5 million barrels of oil per day and three-quarters of the world's supply of cocoa.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“At the outset, let me join others in commending you, Sir, and your delegation for organizing this meeting on an issue that is becoming a major threat to maritime navigation, trade and economic activities in the Gulf of Guinea. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe for his briefing and for introducing the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations assessment mission on the subject (see S/2012/45). I would also like to place on record our appreciation to the representatives of the Gulf of Guinea Commission and of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for their valuable statements. The problem of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea was first discussed by the Security Council during the Indian presidency of the Council in August last year.”
2012-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6723 (2012) · source
“Globalization has affected both men and women, but women bear the double burden of inequality and marginalization. Empowering them is therefore both crucial and urgent. In considering the role of women in peace and security, the Council, I am certain, will bear in mind the wider perspective of women's empowerment, development and peace.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“India will continue to contribute positively to United Nations efforts in protecting vulnerable sectors of the population, particularly women and children, in conflict and post-conflict societies. I would also like to emphasize that the international community needs to enhance cooperation by providing new and additional financial resources, sharing experiences and building capacity in the areas of justice and the rule of law. The women and children in our lives ensure our future. They must live in security. While there is much talk of the need to safeguard the interests of women and children, there is less talk of cooperative efforts to ensure sustained economic growth, which alone can eradicate the poverty and deprivation that cause their exclusion. Several studies point out that most of the global poor are women.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“I might add that we are willing to increase our contribution of female FPUs. The Secretary-General, in his report, referred to efforts to establish a framework of early warning indicators specific to conflict-related sexual violence. The United Nations has also developed a set of indicators as global markers of progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We have taken note of those efforts. The development of such indicators, benchmarks and guidelines should involve a process of broad intergovernmental scrutiny and approval before their eventual adoption. In that connection, one must be cognizant of the difficulty in obtaining credible and verifiable data from conflict situations.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“On the part of the United Nations, there has been modest progress in areas such as gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations and training of peacekeeping personnel on gender perspectives. In that context, we commend Special Representative Wallstrom for having brought a new synergy in addressing the issue of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. 12-2393] My country has taken a lead in that process, while conscious of the need to incorporate essential elements of the gender-mainstreaming policy in the predeployment training of its peacekeepers. India's formed police unit (FPU) of 100 personnel in Liberia was the first of its kind among United Nations peacekeeping operations. As the largest troop- contributing country in United Nations history, we are very proud of the exemplary record of our peacekeepers.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“By definition, it is States that are parties to the treaty-based system of international law. By and large, they respect them, and when they do not, penalties arise under provisions of the relevant treaties. However, the most egregious crimes against women in times of conflict have been and are being committed by non-State actors, often warring against Governments. They obey no laws and, as experience has shown throughout the past decade, are immune to coercive or punitive measures. The Council therefore needs to consider, in practical terms, how non-State actors, who are responsible for the bulk of the crimes that continue to be committed against women, can be effectively tackled.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“That abhorrent behaviour, whether perpetrated by the parties to the armed conflict or by others, must be unequivocally, unambiguously and resolutely condemned. There should be no tolerance for gender-based violence. All such cases must be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted. Some argue that human rights law and international humanitarian law do not offer enough protection to women and children. Such postulation is a bit extreme. Women's rights and needs have received the attention they deserve in the codification of international law. The challenge is the effective implementation of the laws and the availability of adequate resources for capacity-building wherever required. That alone will ensure the real impact of our efforts on the ground.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Others are more long-term and structural, involving, inter alia, the encouragement of democratic ideals and practices, effective improvements in economic and social conditions and 12-2393] expansion of opportunities for education and productive employment. Situations of conflict vary. Each has its own causes and consequences. Clearly, there can be no off-the-shelf remedies or panaceas. We need to take practical and effective steps to mitigate the impact of conflict on women and to enhance their ability to restore and preserve peace. It is a matter of deep regret that the international community must repeatedly debate the issue of sexual and other forms of violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“That is perhaps a function of the gender imbalance in our societies, which is reflected in positions of power and influence. Despite that, women should not be Viewed solely as victims of war. They also have to assume the key role of ensuring family livelihoods in the midst of chaos and destruction. They are particularly active in peace movements at the grass-roots level and in cultivating peace within their communities. Therefore, the absence of women at the peace-negotiating table is unconscionable. Some of the aspects highlighted by the landmark Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) - in particular the greater participation of women in areas of conflict prevention, peace negotiation and post-conflict reconstruction - are central to the issue. Some solutions need to emerge from the conflict- affected societies themselves.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“It is a cross-cutting issue with a multisectoral dimension and requires the active participation of all Member States. I would therefore like to thank you, Mr. President, and the delegation of Togo for organizing this open debate, which affords Member States an opportunity to discuss the progress made in the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010) and contributes to our ongoing consideration of the subject. It is estimated that today close to 90 per cent of current casualties in wars and situations of armed conflict are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children. Obviously, women bear a disproportionately large share of the burden of conflict, but they have only a marginal say in matters of war and peace.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Margot Wallstrom, for her comprehensive and valuable briefing and for the report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2012/33). We welcome the efforts of the Special Representative and share the principles and objectives she outlined. I would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Ladsous, and the representative of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, Ms. Megheirbi. We think the deliberations today will promote our common interest in the subject. India has been actively participating in the Council's debates on the agenda item on women and peace and security.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“In conclusion, we think that the United Nations should become a more effective partner of the AU in the resolution of African conflicts. The relevant United Nations agencies should support regional and subregional organizations and assist in their capacity- building and in facilitating their implementation. The United Nations offices in the region, including UNOWA, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and the United Nations Office to the African Union, should look into practical and concrete ways to strengthen the efforts of national Governments and regional institutions, to bring greater coherence and coordination.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“In that connection, we welcome the efforts of the United Nations through the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and UNODC to create synergies with Governments and regional organizations to tackle transnational organized crime. It is necessary that regional initiatives by ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States be implemented fully and that technical support be extended to develop coherent action plans for addressing transnational problems. Steps by regional and subregional organizations, such as the AU plan of action on drug control and crime prevention for 2007-12, the ECOWAS regional plan of action to address illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and drug abuse for 2008-2011, the ECOWAS counter- terrorism strategy and the West Africa Coast Initiative, are welcome and need to be fully implemented.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“The countries concerned should implement all legal and administrative measures to combat organized crime and related issues in accordance with resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant regional and international instruments. The promotion of democracy and the rule of law will not only help to establish peace and security, but also help in socio-economic development. Development and employment-generation programmes should be undertaken so that youth can be weaned from criminal activities, and their energies channelled properly. Simultaneously, the strategy should facilitate regional cooperation under the auspices of the relevant regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“Illicit drug trafficking and its growing links to the financing of terrorism, the proliferation of weapons as a result of conflicts in Cote d'Ivoire and Libya, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and so on, demand action at the national and regional levels, with the constructive assistance of the international community. The United Nations should lead the international efforts and focus on institution- and capacity-building and on the provision of adequate resources to national authorities and regional and subregional organizations. A comprehensive strategy to deal with the problems should include the creation of effective Government institutions, particularly in the fields of security, law enforcement, security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“In a relatively short period of time, the countries in West Africa and the Sahel have had to contend with the influx of nearly half a million returnees and a large inflow of arms and ammunition. The loss of remittances and the high unemployment among youth have exacerbated security problems, food insecurity and the nutrition crisis. Those have put tremendous burden on Governments in the region and strained their limited capacity to deal with transnational organized crime. Recovering from the after effects of those conflicts will require concerted action by the international community. A number of problems, including the proliferation of arms, terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, et cetera, have a regional dimension and need to be tackled through regional cooperation.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“Over the past year, several problems in the region have been accentuated. Those problems transcend national boundaries and may pose long-term threats. Transnational organized crime, including illicit drug trafficking, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and arms trafficking, are undermining efforts of Governments and international community to ensure peace and stability. Military operations carried out ostensibly for the protection of civilians have clearly resulted in millions of civilians being adversely affected in the Sahel, Maghreb and West Africa regions. They have resulted in a deterioration of the security, economic and humanitarian situations in the entire region.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“While countries in West Africa and the Sahel are more democratic today than in the past and have achieved respectable rates of economic growth, they continue to suffer from a number of problems that have political, security and socio-economic dimensions. The importance of enduring peace, security and stability in West Africa and the Sahel region therefore cannot be overemphasized. Addressing those problems will not only help the region, but will also have a positive effect on democracy and development in Africa as a whole. A number of countries in the region, including Mali, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, face crucial elections this year. We hope that elections will be held in a peaceful manner and will further strengthen the roots of democracy in those countries and in the larger region.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“At the outset, I would like to welcome you, Mr. President, to the Security Council and to thank you for presiding over this meeting. I also want to commend your delegation's leadership in organizing this timely debate and for preparing a comprehensive concept paper (S/2012/83, annex) for our deliberations today. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing on the subject and for his several important initiatives to address the problems of transnational organized crime in West Africa and the Sahel region. I would also like to thank Mr. Yuri Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for his valuable statement.”
2012-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6717 (2012) · source
“In the past decade or so, the OSCE has expanded its activities significantly in our neighbourhood, under the Asian Partners for Cooperation and the Asian Contact Group. We have noted the OSCE's cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, of which India is a member, on matters related to confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy. We also welcome the OSCE's partnership with Afghanistan in border security management and electoral assistance. We wish the OSCE great success in its efforts and activities towards the promotion of understanding, peace and security among member and partner countries. We also extend our good wishes to the Irish chairmanship of the OSCE and to Mr. Gilmore personally. We hope that, under his stewardship, the OSCE will continue its important work.”
2012-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6715 (2012) · source
“Gilmore covered a wide canvas of issues, several of them concerning our immediate and extended neighbourhood. Naturally, those are of great interest to my delegation. We appreciate the work that the OSCE has been doing to promote security in its political, military, economic, environmental and human dimensions. It has addressed a wide range of security- related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental issues. The OSCE has contributed to managing some of the most important problems in the post-cold war period and world.”
2012-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6715 (2012) · source
“I, too, would like to join my colleagues in welcoming His Excellency Mr. Eamon Gilmore, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, to the Security Council this afternoon. I thank him for his comprehensive briefing on the activities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and his priorities in the months to come. India supports the role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security and their cooperation with the United Nations under Chapter VIII of the Charter. Article 54 of the Charter enjoins those organizations to keep the Security Council fully informed of their activities for the maintenance of international peace and security. We therefore warmly welcome the briefing by the OSCE's Chairperson-in-Office. Mr.”
2012-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6715 (2012) · source
“Other agencies in Kosovo - the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Kosovo Force, EULEX and others - should continue to cooperate and coordinate with UNMIK in accordance with their respective mandates. We reiterate the call on the parties to resolve all issues concerning Kosovo through consultation and dialogue without resort to unilateral action. Only thus can the aspirations of the Kosovars be met and lasting peace and stability established in the region, creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“We have noted that these talks have resulted in forward movement on the agreements reached previously and in a new agreement on integrated management of crossing points. We hope that the implementation of those agreements will further facilitate the daily lives of the Kosovars. We have taken note with satisfaction that the Lead Prosecutor of the Special Investigative Task Force of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to investigate allegations of organ trafficking has assumed office and has started his work in earnest. We reiterate our stand that a thorough and impartial investigation should be carried out into all aspects of the matter. In conclusion, I would like to express our support for Special Representative Zarif and UNMIK.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“In order to deal with that volatile situation, we urge all United Nations bodies and international agencies to use persuasion and negotiation, rather than force. Further, all sides must try to avoid taking unilateral steps to change the status quo. All sides should show creativity in finding a compromise on the contentious issues. In that connection, we appreciate the helpful position taken by the Government of Serbia on the issue of roadblocks and on the proposed holding of a referendum in northern Kosovo. We applaud the concerned parties as well as the European Union for successfully holding two rounds of dialogue in Brussels in November and December 2011, despite the prevailing tensions.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source
“We commend Special Representative of the Secretary-General Zarif and UNMIK for their ongoing efforts to improve the situation in northern Kosovo and for the services the Mission is rendering in areas such as document certification, mutual legal assistance, determining the fate of missing persons, the protection of architectural and religious sites, promoting UNESCO's activities, and facilitating Kosovo's interaction with INTERPOL, other international bodies and non-recognizing States. Those services serve to better the lives of all Kosovars and should be continued in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999) and other relevant decisions. As the report of the Secretary-General notes, the situation in northern Kosovo continues to be tense and potentially unstable.”
2012-02-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6713 (2012) · source