YouSaid · the spoken record

Hickey

lines on the record: 466
first: 2016-02-29
most recent: 2019-08-29
sittings or episodes: 82
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 would also encourage the opposition to engage constructively with the Electoral Commission when it comes to making the best of the electronic voting machines. Secondly, there are questions around voter registration. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to implement the recommendations of the International Organization of la Francophonie. Thirdly, as the Ambassador of Kuwait highlighted, the 31 December agreement contained a number of confidence-building measures, especially with regard to the freedom of assembly and expression. We very much welcome President Kabila Kabange's commitment to the Council that his Government would allow peaceful rallies to take place in the run-up to the election.”
2018-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8370 (2018) · source
“But there remains distrust among opposition figures, civil society and the Government, and many Congolese clearly feel that the conditions for credible elections do not currently exist. There remain a number of unresolved issues. First, with regard to the electronic voting machines, Special Representative Zerrougui mentioned the Westminster Foundation for Democracy study into the machines and the recommendations it put forward. We would urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to implement those recommendations on how to improve the machines and encourage it to undertake outreach with the opposition and civil society on how the machines work and how the Commission is going about implementing the recommendations.”
2018-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8370 (2018) · source
“It will serve as a foundation on which to build peace, stability and prosperity. I believe it is important that we, as the Council, recognize the progress that has been made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular the publication of the list of candidates for presidential, provincial and parliamentary elections and the fact that all parties so far have stuck to the electoral timetable that has been set out. But if I personally took one thing away from the Council's visit to the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo, it is that there is still much work to be done. For elections to be credible, there needs to be an environment conducive to holding free and fair elections.”
2018-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8370 (2018) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary- General Zerrougui for both her briefing and the excellent assistance and advice she gave the Security Council during our visit last week. I would also like to thank Special Envoy Djinnit for his briefing and for the work he has been doing in the region to support the implementation of the 31 December agreement. There are only 73 days left before the elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, elections that will be crucial for both the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the prospects for peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. If successful, as the Ambassador from France has said, it will prove to be a historic turning point: the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's history.”
2018-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8370 (2018) · source
“We therefore fully support the recommendation to deploy three formed police units to the three major population centres in the Abyei Area. Thirdly, and finally - again as other speakers have said - only a political settlement can address the underlying causes of the conflict and ensure that long- term stability for the people of Abyei is a reality. It is therefore the responsibility of the Security Council to ensure that the mission is resourced appropriately to support that overarching aim. We very much welcome Special Envoy Haysom's sense of optimism, which I detected, with regard to the fact that the Sudan and South Sudan are now more willing and more able to make progress on the political track. I look forward to hearing from the representatives of both those countries today as to how they intend to do that.”
2018-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8357 (2018) · source
“We also acknowledge the Secretary- General's recommendation to deploy a civilian Deputy Head of Mission. We commend UNIFSA for improving the security situation in Abyei and for reducing the need for a large military presence in the Area. We therefore welcome the Secretary-General's recommendation that the UNIFSA military component concentrate its deployment along the borders of the Abyei Area in the light of the finding that cross-border military action is the most likely threat to security in the Area. Despite the improvements to the security situation, like many other speakers, we are concerned by reports of increased criminality within the Abyei Area and about the continued delays to establish the joint administrative arrangements, including the Abyei police service.”
2018-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8357 (2018) · source
“While the efforts of both Governments are essential to progress, we recognize, as Special Envoy Haysom said, that the wider dynamics, including both the commendable focus of the two Governments on the South Sudan peace process and a lack of agreement among the local communities for the JBVMM. team sites, have contributed to the delays. We therefore believe that it is essential, as the representative of France said, that UNISFA and the JBVMM. engage the local communities so that their concerns can be considered and their support garnered. Secondly, let me touch on the Secretary-General's recommendations for UNISFA, which, broadly speaking, we welcome. We support the recommendation to augment the civilian component of UNIFSA, particularly through the deployment of community liaison officers.”
2018-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8357 (2018) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the maintenance of standing clearance for all UNISFA air and ground patrols, along with the support of both Governments for the mission, particularly in ceasing to obstruct the movements of the mission, as we saw in previous reporting periods. However, as the representative of the Netherlands said, the lack of progress against other benchmarks has been disappointing. We urge both Governments to devote their efforts to changing that. Establishing the four remaining JBVMM. team sites and holding two meetings of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism must be a priority.”
2018-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8357 (2018) · source
“I would like to begin by thanking Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing. I would also like to thank Special Envoy Mr. Nicholas Haysom both for his briefing and for his excellent work during his tenure to support peace and stability between South Sudan and the Sudan. We look forward to working with him in his new role. I would like to touch on three issues. First, I would like to talk about the progress that has been made by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and particularly by the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), against the benchmarks set out in resolution 2412 (2018).”
2018-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8357 (2018) · source
“On issues such as the development of draft legislation, which will clearly require longer-term support beyond the MINUJUSTH mandate, we wonder if it may be worth considering whether it already makes sense to transition that work to the United Nations country team. We note that the forthcoming United Nations strategic assessment mission, due in February, will be critical to facilitating the timely planning and implementation of the transition, and we look forward to the report of that assessment mission.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“We now have just over 12 months before MINUJUSTH is expected to leave Haiti, which leaves little time to make sure that the transition is a success. As we have said before, Haitian ownership and delivery of those critical reforms is essential if the transition is to be successful. We therefore believe that it is vital that all parties, and especially the Haitian authorities, intensify their efforts to ensure that those benchmarks are met. Thirdly, and finally, we urge the Secretary- General to be realistic and clear about the division of responsibilities across the United Nations system and to support the United Nations to fill the gaps identified in the capacity and capabilities of the United Nations country team, which will be key to a successful transition.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“Secondly, regarding the benchmarks and the MINUJUSTH transition, as I said, we welcome the detailed assessment of progress in the report, but we share the concerns that progress against the benchmarks has been uneven. I was particularly struck by the details on the benchmark about the number of police officers per one thousand citizens. When the Security Council Visited last June, I remember there was a particular focus on increasing the number of police officers, and at that point there was some optimism that the number would go on increasing. Given the centrality of that particular indicator, it is very concerning that, over a year since the Council's Visit, the performance on that indicator is actually worse.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“First, it is very clear that the political and security situation in Haiti remains extremely fragile, as evidenced by the recent events in July, and the Secretary-General's report (S/2018/795) points to an increase in gang-related Violence and raises human rights concerns linked to the police. We would therefore encourage the Secretary- General, his Special Representative and MINUJUSTH to closely monitor such risks to security and stability over the coming 12 months, in close cooperation with the Haitian Government, to avoid backsliding into conflict. With regard to the governance or stability pact that the report mentions, we strongly encourage the Haitian Government to advance the sector-based dialogue that the report has addressed to support the identification of priority steps to agree on the pact as an urgent priority.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“We also welcome the progress that the Mission has made as it works towards its two-year exit strategy, and in particular we welcome the joint transition planning with the Government, the United Nations country team and external partners. I endorse all the points that have already been made today by the representatives of France and the Netherlands when it comes to strengthening the police, improving justice and increasing respect for human rights. I would also echo the points made just now by the representative of Bolivia about the importance of tackling sexual violence in Haiti, including sexual exploitation and abuse. But let me just make three additional points.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Bintou Keita for both her briefing and the handout on benchmarks; it is particularly useful. We talk a lot about benchmarks in the Security Council when it comes to peacekeeping missions, but we do not always analyse performance against those benchmarks as clearly as she has done here. I therefore thank her very much for that. Like other speakers today, we continue to appreciate the support that the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) has offered to the Government of Haiti in its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and further develop the Haitian National Police.”
2018-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8342 (2018) · source
“The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today's meeting. I thank Council members for their valuable contributions to the statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2018/l7. The meeting rose at 10.15 am.”
2018-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8328 (2018) · source
“The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today's meeting. I thank Council members for their valuable contributions to this statement. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, Which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2018/16. The meeting rose at10.10 am”
2018-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8327 (2018) · source
“On that basis, I would like to ask the Syrian authorities and Russia to do three concrete things: first, ensure safe, immediate, unimpeded and sustained access to Quneitra for the United Nations and its humanitarian partners; secondly, ensure safe, immediate, unimpeded and sustained access for the United Nations and its partners to priority areas that have recently changed control, including Douma and the towns of eastern Ghouta, southern Damascus and northern, rural Horns; and thirdly and finally, give the Council assurances - and I hope that we might hear such assurances from the Syrian representative later in this meeting - that humanitarian workers in areas that have recently changed control will be protected and that humanitarian services for the populations in those areas will continue.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“I would like to echo the call made by the representative of France for Russia and Syria to provide the United Nations with the necessary security assurances to continue using the Al-Ramtha crossing from Jordan. This Council has mandated the United Nations to use the crossing. Resolution 2393 (2017) remains in force and is a key element to ensuring that aid is delivered to those in need. In concluding, let me say that it is clear from today's briefing that there are several ways in which the Syrian authorities and their allies could improve the humanitarian situation in the country.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“We are particularly concerned about the lack of humanitarian access to areas that have recently come under regime control. We urge Russia to use its influence to secure rapid and unhindered access to those areas for humanitarian agencies. Such access needs to be sustained rather than one-off token convoys. The delivery of aid also needs to be transparent and subject to appropriate accountability and oversight. Cross-border aid represents a significant proportion of all United Nations humanitarian deliveries. It is essential that humanitarian assistance be able to reach people throughout Syria through the most direct routes. In that regard.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“We expect the regime and Russia to ensure the safety and security of all those in southern Syria, including the safety of humanitarian actors and those active in civil society. Like the representatives of Peru, the Netherlands and others countries who spoke today, we are extremely concerned about the situation in Idlib, where, as we heard from Staffan de Mistura the other day, close to 3 million civilians are in fear of attacks by the regime and its backers, and more than 50 per cent of the population have been displaced from their homes, in some cases multiple times. The dire humanitarian situation will continue unless real, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access is allowed. We urge Russia and pro-regime forces to comply with de-escalation and remove all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“We, like others, are deeply concerned about the Russian-backed offensive by the Al-Assad regime into the de-escalation area in south-west Syria. Over the past month, that offensive has had a devastating impact on civilians living in the area, with more than a quarter of a million civilians displaced. UNICEF has reported that approximately half of all those who have fled the recent wave of violence are children. People fleeing fighting must have freedom of movement to be able to choose where they go and be allowed to return home once it is safe to do so so that they can reclaim their property and rebuild their lives. They must be protected against regime reprisals and have access to essential supplies and basic services.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“Wejoin the United States and others in condemning the appalling terrorists attack claimed by Da'esh in Al-Suwayda province on 25 July, which killed many innocent civilians. Such callous disregard for human life is horrifying. Our ministers have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed our commitment to peace in Syria and Da'esh's lasting defeat. The Kuwaiti Ambassador has already reminded us that in February, all Council members voted in favour of resolution 2401 (2018) whereby we demanded a cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access. It is to our deep regret that the Syrian authorities have made no effort to abide by the terms of that resolution or, indeed, those of the de-escalation agreement reached between Russia and the United States last year.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“Gamba's conclusion that most of the killing and maiming of children has been attributed to the Syrian Government and pro- Government forces. I would strongly echo her call on the parties for three things: to respect international humanitarian law, to comply with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol and to allow access for civilian child protection actors to children deprived of liberty for their association with armed groups. Given the presence of the representative of the Syrian Government in this Chamber today, I would hope that in his statement he could commit his Government to fulfilling those three requests that she made.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“I thank Under- Secretary-General Lowcock for his very detailed briefing. Iwould also like to thank Special Representative Gamba for her briefing. It was particularly useful to be reminded of the horrific suffering of Syrian children throughout the conflict. We should all remember that one of the sparks that lit the flame of this conflict was the arrest and detention by Syrian Mukhabarat of schoolchildren from Dar'a simply for posting anti-regime graffiti on a school wall. We should all remember the horrific recruitment and enslavement of children by Da'esh, and we should all remember the appallingly high number of children killed and maimed by indiscriminate aerial bombardment, whether in Aleppo, eastern Ghouta or other areas, by the Syrian regime and its allies. I was particularly struck by Ms.”
2018-07-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8320 (2018) · source
“We look forward to continuing to work with President-elect Duque and his Government on continued implementation over the months and years ahead to consolidate gains already made for the Colombian people and to continue to inspire peacemakers around the world.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“I also note that negotiations with the National Liberation Army continue in Cuba. We will welcome any developments that lead to an end to violence. Let me conclude by paying tribute once more to President Santos, who took the bold step of coming to the Security Council to ask for our support in 2016. His Government started an extraordinary journey that belongs to all Colombians, and the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting them all the way to the end. The Council has been incredibly proud to support Colombia's peace agreement over the past two and half years. In a world where conflicts destroy so many lives and cause untold suffering, Colombia's peace process offers inspiration and hope to us all.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“I welcome the steps taken by the Government to reduce that violence, including the recent commitment by both President Santos and President-elect Duque to new special protective measures for social leaders in rural areas. We hope that the measures will help to address that challenge and we welcome the recruitment of more women officers in the National Protection Unit as a positive step. As the Special Representative mentioned, on social economic reintegration of FARC members, we agree with the priorities that he has set out for the coming months and we hope that the parties will seize the opportunity to inject renewed momentum into improving security and accelerating the reintegration of former combatants, socioeconomic development and crop substitution programmes.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“We recognize the enormity of the achievements in the implementation of the peace agreement to date, but as set out in the Secretary-General's report (8/2018/723), we also recognize the significant work that remains. Although the elections were the most peaceful in recent history, a significant achievement, we are concerned by the security situation in some post-conflict areas, particularly due to the proliferation of illegal armed groups. Violence between these groups has brought new fighting to some areas and displacements, especially in the Pacific coast region. That has claimed the lives of an increasing number of human rights defenders and social activists, who in many cases are targeted because they champion the rights of local communities.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“The speed of the transition continues to surprise and inspire all who follow this journey, but as with all such transitions the challenges remain considerable, and as the special representative has just said, the 2018 elections mark the beginning of a new phase of consolidating the peace process and broadening its ownership to all constituencies. Dialogue and cooperation will continue to be an essential part of that work and FARC's presence in Congress will enable its voice to join others in building a consensus about the future. We commend the statement of President Santos on Friday welcoming the FARC to the Congress and landing its commitment to working within Colombia's Constitution and democracy. We welcome President- elect Duque's rejection of polarization and his commitment to working for unity.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“On behalf of the British Government, I would like to congratulate President- elect Ivan Duque Marquez on his electoral victory and also Vice-President-elect Marta Ramirez - the first woman to take up that office in Colombia. For the first time in a generation, elections were not dominated by the conflict but defined by campaigns about issues affecting ordinary people. We also warmly welcome another remarkable milestone brought about by the peace process. For the first time, the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Comun (FARC) participated in elections and, last Friday, joined the new Congress.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“Let me begin by welcoming His Excellency Vice-President Oscar Naranjo Trujillo back to the Council, and allow me also to thank him warmly for the personal leadership he has shown in implementing the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and in working very closely with the United Nations and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. I would also like to thank Special Representative Arnault for his briefing today and for all the excellent work he and his team have carried out in recent months. The United Kingdom welcomes the congressional and presidential elections held between March and June, which were the least violence and most inclusive in Colombia for decades.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8319 (2018) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for those five very clear recommendations. In conclusion, we believe that it is vital that the Council remain closely engaged on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the coming months in the run-up to the elections. Like Ethiopia, we support plans for a Council visit later this year. We must continue to urge all parties to abide by the Constitution, to respect the 31 December agreement and to take concrete steps on the ground to create an environment for free and fair elections.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“We are very concerned by all ofthat, and we all need to work together to do more to encourage women's participation. Finally, the Secretary-General makes some very specific points about the role of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). We take those concerns very seriously. I am not able to give a detailed response to each of them right now, but we will certainly take away those points and reflect on them. We welcome the important role that MONUSCO is playing in helping to prepare for the elections so far; however, as with other speakers, we note that challenges remain and we continue to call for cooperation between the Independent National Electoral Commission and MONUSCO as we prepare for those elections.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“In two of the recommendations, the Secretary- General calls on us, as the Council, to do more to promote women's participation in politics and to materially support the organizations that do so. Again, we very much agree with those. As the Council, we all made clear when we adopted resolution 1325 (2000) that women needed to be encouraged to meaningfully participate in all stages of the peace process, and that youth also needed to be engaged. We are therefore very concerned to hear of the increase in sexual violence. I am concerned by the points raised about the impact of the electoral law on women's participation and also by the point made by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Zerrougui about the shortage of women candidates that have so far been declared.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“The Secretary-General also made a recommendation about the need for all parties to respect the 31 December 2016 political agreement and the rule of law. Again, we strongly agree with that. We welcome the limited progress so far and the steps taken by the Government towards organizing the elections, especially when it comes to voter registration. At the same time, we continue to be very concerned over the lack of progress in the implementation of the confidence-building measures in the 31 December 2016 political agreement. We call on all parties to remain committed to the agreement, including by respecting fundamental rights and the electoral timeline, not just with words but also with actions.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“I thought she made some really interesting and clear recommendations at the end of her speech, and I would like to try to respond to each of those five recommendations in what I say today. First, she spoke about the need for the Council to ask the Government to respect human rights. We strongly agree with her and we share the concerns that she has expressed and that Special Representative Zerrougui has expressed about human rights violations and abuses committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In particular with regard to the increase in sexual exploitation and abuse, we call for all those allegations to be swiftly investigated and for those responsible for them to be brought swiftly to justice.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“Let me begin by thanking Special Representative Zerrougui for her very clear briefing. I would also like to thank the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo (MONUSCO) for all the important work it does in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I further thank the Ambassador of Kuwait for her briefing. Sanctions remain an important tool that the Council has at its disposal to address threats to international peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would particularly like to thank Ms. Bihamba for her really clear and incisive briefing to the Council and in particular for the very brave work that her organization does on the ground to support and advocate for women.”
2018-07-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8318 (2018) · source
“It is clear that UNRWA needs a broader pool of financial support from donors to achieve sufficient, assured and predictable financing. It is also clear that UNRWA needs to continue to promote realistic and technical cost-saving reforms. The United Kingdom continues to support UNRWA and remains one of the top five donors. We have delivered our pledge of $37.5 million and have brought forward $13.5 million to help meet the urgent needs of Palestinian refugees. We encourage members of the Council to consider what more they can do to support Palestinian refugees and alleviate the current financial pressure facing UNRWA.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“Such action would strike a major blow to the prospects for a two-State solution and make it difficult to believe that Israel wants progress towards peace. Finally, I want to reiterate that the United Kingdom remains firmly committed to supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. The United Kingdom welcomes the important contributions that Member States are providing to UNRWA. However, the Agency's deficit remains at $217 million, meaning it will shortly have to make a decision about whether to open schools in September. The increased demand for UNRWA's services and growing instability across the region make support for UNRWA even more important.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“Due to severe planning restrictions, many Palestinians have no option but to build without permission. That needs to change. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and in all but the most exceptional of cases are contrary to international humanitarian law. The village of Khan Al-Ahmar is a case in point, an example that has also been raised this morning by the French and Dutch ambassadors. We continue to urge Israel to abandon demolition plans entirely and instead provide a transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C. Not only could demolition constitute forcible transfer, it will also pave the way for settlement building in E-l. In accordance with our long-standing policy, we would have to condemn such a move.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“The international community also has responsibilities, including the need to rally around Special Coordinator Mladenov's plans to improve the situation in Gaza and in supporting Egyptian efforts on political reconciliation and longer-term arrangements for calm in Gaza. The risk of tensions boiling over into a full-blown conflict are very real and very dangerous. Every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties. Nobody around this table wants to see another Gaza conflict. At such a highly sensitive time, we urge calm and restraint. We appreciate Egyptian efforts in calming tensions, and we urge Egypt to do more by improving movement and access through the Rafah crossing. We are also deeply concerned by continued demolition of Palestinian property by the Israeli authorities.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“No one wants to see a return to conflict, which will inevitably have devastating consequences. We call on the parties to take the following urgent actions to avoid escalating the conflict. First, Hamas must bring an immediate and permanent end to rocket fire and the sending of incendiary devices into Israel. Secondly, Israel must reverse its punitive measures and work with the international community to ease conditions in Gaza, including opening movement and access and reducing economic restrictions. Thirdly, the Palestinian Authority must resume salary payments and work to restore its presence in Gaza.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“We urge the parties to take immediate steps to reverse the current negative trends on the ground and commence renewed and meaningful peace negotiations. Now more than ever, we urgently need a political process that delivers a two-State solution. As Council members, we must seize the opportunity presented by the prospect of a United States plan. The United Kingdom stands ready to support and contribute to all credible efforts to restart the peace process. We urge others to do the same. The United Kingdom position on the peace process is unchanged. We support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian Statem, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“I thank Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing and for his recent work with Egypt to secure a renewed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It is essential that the ceasefire be respected and maintained by all sides. The people of Israel and Gaza deserve peace and security. The escalation seen at the Gaza perimeter last Friday, including the killing of an Israel Defence Forces soldier, is deeply concerning. Hamas must cease all acts of violence and terror and decide whether it is prepared to demonstrate its commitment to achieving peace and ending this conflict. The most recent escalation and exchange of rockets into southern Israel and the economic and kinetic response by the Israelis are also both concerning.”
2018-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8316 (2018) · source
“We must work together to ensure that our efforts are complementary so that we maximize the impact they can have to give us the best chance to address the enormous challenge of achieving peace and security in Africa and in silencing the guns.”
2018-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8314 (2018) · source
“We encourage more joint United Nations- AU field visits, as well as increased coordination between United Nations Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and AU Special Envoys, particularly ahead of decision points on mandates or sanctions regimes and ahead ofthe issuing ofreports. The African Union's knowledge of the region is invaluable. With that in mind, we encourage more interaction between the Council and the AU Peace and Security Council, including on reporting, so that we can consider the views of the African Union. The challenges that Africa faces remain significant. Only last year, 15,000 people were displaced every day, 75 per cent of them due to conflict.”
2018-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8314 (2018) · source
“In particular, with respect to the Union Military Observer Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), we note the report of the Secretary-General's Special Envoys on AU financing, future financing and the recommendation for the AU to lead on funding and for non-traditional donors to contribute. As the report concluded, United Nations assessed contributions are not an option in the short term. Therefore, we need to see the international community step up and provide vital contributions to AMISOM. in the short and medium terms. The United Kingdom warmly welcomes the cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations, as demonstrated by the joint field visits of the United Nations Secretary-General, Chairperson Faki and others.”
2018-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8314 (2018) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the close work between the United Nations Secretariat and the AU Commission on compliance frameworks and that a conduct and discipline policy and a sexual exploitation and abuse policy have been agreed. We eagerly await the completion of the accountability and oversight frameworks so that we can move forward in considering the use of United Nations-assessed contributions to partially fund AU-led peace-support operations on a case-by-case basis. In that regard, we warmly welcome the AU's commitment to funding 25 per cent of peace-support operation costs by 2020, and I also welcome the detail set out by Commissioner Chergui earlier in this meeting.”
2018-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8314 (2018) · source
“As Commissioner Chergui has already highlighted today, resolutions 2320 (2016) and 2378 (2017) outline the principles of United Nations-assessed funding for AU-led peace support operations. Resolution 2320 (2016) agreed that cooperation between the AU and the United Nations on peace-support operations is key to delivering and maintaining peace in Africa. As set out in the resolution, we look forward to progress towards a United Nations- AU decision-making process that respects Security Council primacy on mandating and deploying missions. We support the AU's efforts to ensure robust standards that are comparable to the United Nations and are adhered to across the organization.”
2018-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8314 (2018) · source