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2006-05-05

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2015-03-30

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1. “We also commend the your commitment to engaging with the media after consultations so to increase the transparency of the Council's work. Furthermore, we welcome the growing number of texts being initiated and developed by elected members of the Council and the functioning of the Council as a body made up of the 15. We wish Jordan every success during its April presidency and stand ready to support it in every effort, as we continue our work across the Council's agenda.”

   2015-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7422 (2015) · source

2. “While such engagement is useful, it is no replacement for continuous engagement between the two Councils, which is something that New Zealand is committed to continuing to strengthen at the practical level. We extend our thanks to Angola, which, together with the Council presidency, led the Visiting mission, and to the United States, which co-led the Burundi section. Thirdly, allow me to again congratulate you, Sir, once again on the outstanding way in which you and your delegation have led the Council's work in March, under particularly demanding circumstances. We consider that it is the manner in which the closed consultations are chaired and your decisive and responsive approach to the consultations and to members' requests over the month that can truly make a positive improvement in the working methods.”

   2015-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7422 (2015) · source

3. “The three legs of the visit were important opportunities for engaging with people on the ground and getting a real-life perspective on the issues on our agenda today. Significantly, the visit fulfilled an important political function in visibly demonstrating that the Security Council is maintaining its engagement in those countries. The visit to the Central African Republic was particularly timely, given the Council's scheduled renewal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic next month, under Jordan's presidency. The visit to Addis Ababa and the broad subject matter discussed with our partners on the Peace and Security Council underscored the importance we attach to building that partnership.”

   2015-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7422 (2015) · source

4. “Given the frenetic pace of the Council's work, wrap-up sessions can also provide an opportunity to reflect on cross-cutting items, but they are not the only opportunity for transparency provided by the presidency. The open debate on children and armed conflict (see S/PV.7414) was a great such example. It allowed all Members of the United Nations to contribute views as a basis for future action, and gave momentum to an important item on the Council's agenda. Secondly, the Council's visiting mission to Burundi and the Central African Republic - its first - and to Addis Ababa to meet with our partners in the African Union Peace and Security Council was one of the highlights of the month.”

   2015-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7422 (2015) · source

5. “We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this wrap-up session and for your revealing overview of this record-breaking month. We thank you and your colleagues for managing the extraordinary workload with considerable flare and efficiency. I will focus on three points that have struck our delegation in carrying out its work. First, New Zealand continues to support wrap- up sessions as tools with the potential to increase the Council's transparency to the broader United Nations membership, on whose behalf we act. We thank the presidency for scheduling this opportunity for the Council to live up to its obligation to meet the needs of the broader membership.”

   2015-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7422 (2015) · source

6. “Australia recognizes the vital importance of recovery and reconstruction efforts and the central role of the Palestinian Authority in this regard. That is why Australia was pleased to announce at Sharm el-Sheikh a contribution of $20 million to assist the efforts of the Palestinian Authority, with United Nations agencies and other donors, to meet the recovery and reconstruction needs of the Palestinian people. This assistance builds on the $10 million which Australia had already committed in January for emergency and humanitarian relief through United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations, and the $45 million provided in 2008. Australia stands ready to provide whatever further practical assistance we can.”

   2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100Resumption1 (2009) · source

7. “Australia believes that the priority for both sides remains just as much as ever the pursuit of a two-State solution to the conflict based on the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to a viable State of their own and Israel's right to live in peace within secure borders. It is also essential that members of the international community lend their support. In this regard, we recognize and commend efforts, such as the Arab Peace Initiative, towards a broader Middle East peace. We also commend the role Egypt has played and strongly support a durable and fully respected ceasefire, as called for in resolution 1860 (2009). We welcome Palestinian reconciliation, which should be consistent with Quartet principles.”

   2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100Resumption1 (2009) · source

8. “The Australian Government remains committed to the Middle East peace process and to the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. The tragic events of December and January have underlined yet again the vital importance of efforts towards Middle East peace. Australia was deeply saddened by the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel and its humanitarian cost. Australia condemns any ongoing rocket and mortar fire perpetrated by Hamas as a threat to peace in the region. We recognize the importance of the Gazan people's having access to humanitarian and other assistance so that rebuilding and reconstruction can take place, and call on Israel to do all it can to help increase the flow of humanitarian goods and other necessary supplies into the Gaza Strip.”

   2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100Resumption1 (2009) · source

9. “Given the importance of security sector strengthening, assistance to Timor-Leste's police and military forces will continue to be a particular focus for Australia's enhanced engagement. We also welcome the work to strengthen Timor-Leste's justice sector, which remains fundamental to consolidating the rule of law and preventing the re-emergence of political violence. Australia will continue to offer assistance in that regard. As Timor-Leste turns its mind increasingly to longer-term security and development challenges, the international community will need to remain fully engaged. Effective cooperation and coordination between donors are crucial in ensuring that Timor- Leste is well placed to address the challenges ahead.”

   2009-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6085 (2009) · source

10. “Australia sees itself as a steadfast friend and neighbour of Timor-Leste and will continue to be at the forefront of international efforts to assist it towards long-term stability and greater prosperity. Through our leadership of the International Stabilisation Force and with the strong support of New Zealand, we are pleased to have helped the Timor-Leste Government and UNMIT stabilize Timor-Leste's security environment. Also, Australia, as a leading development partner, will continue to take a long-term approach to addressing the many development challenges facing Timor-Leste, including in relation to youth unemployment and delivery of basic Government services.”

    2009-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6085 (2009) · source

11. “In Australia's view, nowhere is that more apparent than in the security sector. Australia welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendations for a 12-month mandate extension, with no reduction to the authorized United Nations police levels. We note that the United Nations is working with the Government of Timor-Leste to ensure a phased resumption of policing responsibilities, and we welcome the negotiation of clearly defined criteria between Timor-Leste and UNMIT to gauge the readiness of the national police (PNTL) to assume responsibility. The challenges facing PNTL should not be underestimated and will be ongoing. Until the police force has been significantly strengthened, it will be vital to retain an ongoing strong United Nations police presence to underpin security. Without that, other gains will be jeopardized.”

    2009-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6085 (2009) · source

12. “Improved stability has allowed the Government of Timor-Leste to focus on much needed socio-economic development. Australia would also like to take the opportunity to praise the efforts of Timor-Leste's partners, in particular the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), under the very able leadership of Mr. Atul Khare. It is UNMIT's ongoing support to the Timor-Leste Government that provides the enabling environment and stability to allow the Government to move forward. While Timor-Leste has made good progress, the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/72) makes clear that there is no room for complacency. We agree. Much needs to be done before its longer-term stability and economic development can be assured. Meanwhile, Timor-Leste will require continued strong support from the United Nations and bilateral partners.”

    2009-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6085 (2009) · source

13. “We once again appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Security Council's deliberations on Timor-Leste. Like others, we are particularly pleased to see President Ramos-Horta here today and take the opportunity to acknowledge his significant personal efforts to promote peace and national reconciliation in Timor-Leste. Australia is heartened by the Government of Timor-Leste's progress in addressing long-standing security and development challenges, including resettling internally displaced persons and negotiating a resolution with the petitioners. The Government's quick and effective response to the attacks on the Timorese leadership on 11 February 2008 has contributed to the current stable security environment in Timor-Leste.”

    2009-02-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6085 (2009) · source

14. “To take forward the Council's role, there is a need for it to be more receptive to early warning information from a wide range of sources, more willing to put country situations in which people are at risk on its agenda, and more prepared to take early action designed to address the situation at hand. And Member States, of course, need to support such Council action. We trust that all Member States can agree on the central premise that underlies this debate, namely, that civilians deserve our protection. Australia remains committed to working with partners in the international community to ensure that this premise is realized.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

15. “We expect the report to contribute to a shared conceptual understanding of the principle that was agreed by our leaders at the 2005 World Summit and to a shared appreciation of what is required on the part of Member States and the United Nations to implement the principle. While implementation of the responsibility to protect requires action by a wide range of actors, the World Summit Outcome and the Charter of the United Nations give the Security Council a specific role to play in its implementation. To prevent mass atrocity crimes, the Council must ensure it uses the means at its disposal in timely and innovative ways.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

16. “As the Secretary-General noted in his 2007 report (S/2007/643), where we are unable to prevent such abuses, we must at the very least ensure that the perpetrators and those who bear political responsibility for violence against civilians are held accountable for their actions. This is particularly the case in relation to sexual and gender-based violence. We must renew our commitment to ending impunity for such crimes. Finally, I would like to touch briefly on the principle of the responsibility to protect. We look forward to receiving the Secretary-General's report on the responsibility to protect in the coming days.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

17. “As a contribution to addressing this challenge, Australia, in partnership with Uruguay, will host a one- day workshop on 27 January focused on the implementation of protection of civilian tasks in peacekeeping missions. The workshop is intended to provide a forum for dialogue among Member States, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations with a view to promoting a common understanding of the challenges faced in the implementation of such mandates. In so doing, we hope to work towards closing the gap between mandate and implementation. We invite all Member States to participate in the workshop and to contribute to addressing this important challenge. Secondly, I would like to emphasize the need to end impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

18. “Too often we have witnessed a disconnect between the political understanding reached in the Council and the practical reality on the ground. At times, this disconnect is due to capacity constraints. At other times, it is due to different interpretations of the mandate and the absence of a common understanding regarding the types of tasks permitted and required by the mandate. This disconnect between the strategic and operational levels needs to be reconciled in order to ensure that reasonable expectations are being set and that United Nations peacekeeping remains a dynamic and effective instrument of international peace and security.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

19. “First, I would like to turn to the mandated task of protecting civilians, which has increasingly become a central feature of United Nations peacekeeping. Recent events in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have highlighted the critical importance of this mandated task. These events demonstrated the expectations of host populations and the international community associated with a protection mandate and they also starkly illustrated the constraints and challenges faced by United Nations peacekeepers. The Council is to be commended for its clarity in renewing the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the authorization of additional capacity. The challenge remains, however, in implementation.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

20. “Thank you, Sir, for convening this important debate. We welcome the opportunity to engage on this issue in the Council. This thematic debate is a valuable opportunity for the Council and the broader membership to take a step back from the task of implementation in country- specific situations and to consider the issue in a more strategic fashion. In this regard, we commend the efforts of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Council in updating the aide-memoire on the protection of civilians. We also thank Under-Secretary- General Holmes for his comprehensive briefing in this regard earlier today. Given the constraints of time, I will focus my remarks on three areas of importance for Australia.”

    2009-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6066Resumption1 (2009) · source

21. “On 1 January of this year Australia announced an immediate commitment of $5 million in additional assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip. This assistance will go towards providing emergency food and medical supplies, as well as cash assistance to conflict-affected families. Australia stands ready to provide further assistance as required.”

    2009-01-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6061Resumption1 (2009) · source

22. “Australia welcomes the active role of Egypt and France in working towards a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Australia is gravely concerned by the humanitarian implications of this conflict and notes that its expansion also exacerbated what was already a grave situation in the Gaza Strip. It is critical that Israel meet its obligations under international humanitarian law to the people of the Gaza Strip, ensuring that they have access to basic goods, food, medical supplies and humanitarian assistance. Australia welcomes Israel's announcement that it is establishing improved conditions for aid to flow into the Gaza Strip. Australia has been a long-time provider of assistance to the Palestinian people, doubling its assistance in 2008 to $45 million.”

    2009-01-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6061Resumption1 (2009) · source

23. “Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to contribute briefly to this very important debate. Australia has been deeply disturbed by the continuing violence in Gaza and southern Israel. The escalation of the conflict underlines the urgency of diplomatic efforts to find a resolution. Australia supports the actions of the United Nations in seeking to bring about an immediate ceasefire. Australia continues to believe that a resolution to the current situation must bring a halt to rocket attacks against Israel by Hamas, an end to arms shipments into the Gaza Strip and the opening of the border crossings into the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, any diplomatic solution must form part of a longer-term compact involving Israel and Palestine, based on a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestinian issue.”

    2009-01-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6061Resumption1 (2009) · source

24. “A legally binding, multilateral arms trade treaty would bring much-needed transparency and accountability, codify existing best practice in the responsible transfer of conventional weapons, and prevent human rights abuses and the destabilizing accumulation of arms.”

    2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source

25. “We encourage all States to support the work of the Commission and to draw on the formidable expertise of its membership in our cooperative efforts on non-proliferation, peaceful use and nuclear disarmament. We cannot discuss progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation without acknowledging the need for conventional armament regulation. Australia hopes that the encouraging steps we have seen in the area of conventional weapons in recent years can continue. While we see many potential opportunities for further global action, we particularly urge States to continue the momentum, recently demonstrated by the resounding majority of member States in this year's First Committee, to work towards an arms trade treaty.”

    2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source

26. “The Review Conference offers us an opportunity to re-energize the non-proliferation and disarmament regimes for the greater security of all. That opportunity cannot be lost. As members of the Council will be aware, Australia and Japan have joined together to establish the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. The Commission promises a fresh and imaginative vision. It is aimed at helping to change the formulaic and unproductive nature of much of the current nuclear debate. The Commission seeks to help shape a global consensus in the lead-up to 2010 and beyond. Commissioners from a broad range of countries, including members of this Council, will work towards that goal.”

    2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source

27. “We have seen significant achievements, including the conclusion of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), conventions on biological and chemical weapons, five protocols to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the universalization of the Geneva Conventions and the 08-60947 emergence of a number of regional security agreements. However, more must be done. The international community now stands at a crossroads. We cannot accept anything other than a successful outcome from the 2010 NPT Review Conference, not only in order to ensure progress on the non-proliferation i both horizontal and vertical - of weapons of mass destruction, but for regional and global security more broadly.”

    2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source

28. “The Australian Government is committed to strengthening international peace and security. Multilateral organizations, and in particular the United Nations and its Security Council, play a vital role in this regard. We welcome the Costa Rican initiative to sponsor this open debate of the Council on collective security and armament regulation, an important element of the Security Council's work. Given the time constraints, I want to focus this afternoon on the armaments regulation issue. We have made progress in that regard over the past 60 years.”

    2008-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6017Resumption1 (2008) · source

29. “In our bilateral and multilateral engagement with regional countries, we offer assistance to further improve and strengthen capacity and expertise where we can, and we continue to expand and enhance our dialogue on non-proliferation and counter-proliferation issues with our regional partners. At the broader level, as an active member of all export control regimes, permanent Chair of the Australia Group, current Chair of the Missile Technology Control Regime and one of more than 90 participants in the Proliferation Security Initiative, Australia works actively with other Governments to strengthen international counter-proliferation frameworks in support of the goals of resolution 1540 (2004).”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

30. “Australia particularly welcomes the 1540 Committee's continued focus on facilitating assistance to Asia-Pacific countries to fulfil their obligations under resolution 1540 (2004). We commend the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs for organizing, in cooperation with the Governments of Thailand, Norway and the European Union, the Asia-Pacific 1540 regional implementation workshop for border, customs and regulatory officials, held in Bangkok between 27 and 31 October. Australia was pleased to be able to participate and address the workshop on practical, operational measures for border control and support of export controls. Such workshops complement Australia's own outreach on non-proliferation in the Asia-Pacific.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

31. “Australia commends the Committee for its efforts to disseminate information on listed individuals and entities and to provide updates of existing listings to Member States in an effective and timely manner. Australia welcomes the greater transparency that will be brought to the listing and de-listing processes through the implementation of resolution 1822 (2008). We encourage Member States to designate terrorists domestically and to implement their obligations to freeze the assets of individuals and entities that commit and support terrorist acts. The effectiveness of the 1267 Committee is directly related to the relevance and currency of the consolidated list and we encourage further efforts to that end by the Committee in its outreach to and dialogue with Member States.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

32. “We support CTED's close cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Action Group of the Group of Eight in helping to deliver more targeted capacity-building assistance to Member States. We welcome other innovations, such as the draft technical guide to the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) that is under development. We also appreciate the transparent approach being taken by the Committee and CTED through their programme of outreach and regular briefings to Member States, the most recent of which was held last week. Australia recognizes the vital work of the 1267 Committee in United Nations counter-terrorism efforts and is committed to ensuring full compliance with Security Council resolution 1267 (1999) and its successor resolutions. We welcome the Committee's efforts to engage more closely with Member States and regional bodies.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

33. “The long-term objective of Australia's international counter-terrorism engagement is to develop the ability of partner countries to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. As part of that effort, Australia works collaboratively with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to implement Security Council resolutions and international instruments to combat terrorism. Australia strongly supports the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in advancing the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) and its successor resolutions. We welcome CTED's proactive approach to implementing its mandate and support the renewed emphasis on the delivery of technical assistance.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

34. “I thank you, Sir, for again allowing us the opportunity to express our appreciation of and strong support for the work of the Security Council's counter-terrorism committees and their respective expert groups. They work to give practical effect to the United Nations counter-terrorism framework and the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force also has an important role to play in ensuring system-wide coherence within the United Nations in tackling terrorism. Australia encourages the committees and their expert bodies to continue to explore ways in which to work more closely together, especially in relation to streamlined reporting regimes, assessment missions and the facilitation of technical assistance.”

    2008-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6015 (2008) · source

35. “We call on the United Nations system, Member States, regional bodies and civil society to enhance efforts to mainstream gender perspectives at all levels of peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

36. “Neither can we continue to allow victims to be the subject of court systems that do not take account of their needs, nor can we condone situations in which the systematic intimidation of survivors and reprisals by perpetrators are condoned. We also strongly support the Secretary- General's zero-tolerance policy. As you requested, Mr. President, we have summarized our distributed statement and direct the attention of members to additional matters addressed in it, particularly the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in all negotiations. One half of the population simply cannot be excluded from peace processes and nation-building in post-conflict societies.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

37. “The Secretary-General's report highlights the ongoing and egregious incidences of sexual and gender-based violence. Australia welcomes the measures that some Member States have taken to prevent and respond to such violence. Gender training for security forces and judicial officials, developing meaningful measures to protect and rehabilitate 08-57549 survivors, increasing public awareness about sexual violence and removing its stigma are key elements in tackling that scourge, but perhaps most crucial is the need to end impunity for its perpetrators. As a global community, we cannot continue to allow the perpetrators of such violence to go unpunished.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

38. “We particularly acknowledge the work of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) in that area. Australia fully supports their efforts, and we recently committed additional support to assist with the DPA's engagement with African regional organizations on conflict prevention. Australia is also working in the Pacific region with the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme Pacific Centre to strengthen the work of regional organizations on crisis prevention and recovery, conflict analysis, strengthening regional security, mainstreaming gender considerations and implementing violence-reduction policies and interventions. Australia also values and supports efforts by regional organizations such as femLINKpacific.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

39. “That millions of women and children continue to account for the majority of casualties in hostilities, that the targeted use of sexual violence is increasingly used as a potent weapon of war and acts as a destabilizing factor in conflict and post- conflict societies, and that impunity remains for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence are facts of which we, as the global community, should be ashamed. The report does, however, provide some encouragement. Following the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) in 2000, a culture of gender equality and women's empowerment in peace and security areas is slowly taking hold. Australia welcomes the leadership role that the United Nations and other entities have taken in strengthening internal strategies and guidelines.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

40. “Australia welcomes the Secretary-General's report on women and peace and security. We appreciate this debate and also the 2 briefings that were given this morning. The report has particular poignancy, given the adoption earlier this year of resolution 1820 (2008), which recognized the security dimension of sexual violence when such violence is used as a tactic of war. I reaffirm our strong support for resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008). The Secretary-General's report (S/2008/622) makes for sobering reading.”

    2008-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6005Resumption1 (2008) · source

41. “We encourage the Council to maintain attention and seek further progress on those areas where children continue to be affected by armed conflict, including in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. Australia welcomes the progress made on the issue and encourages all key stakeholders to continue their efforts to ensure that all children are protected from harm and exploitation and to hold those who would abuse them to account.”

    2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936 (2008) · source

42. “We encourage the Security Council to continue to call on relevant States to prepare time- bound action plans to stop violations against children and to consider targeted measures which may be taken against those persistent violators of child rights. On the tenth anniversary of its creation by the adoption of the Rome Statute, we also stress the important role of the International Criminal Court in investigating and prosecuting violations against children in armed conflict that fall within its jurisdiction. We commend the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict for her continued commitment to her mandate, and we welcome her recent efforts to shed light on the situation of children in Afghanistan.”

    2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936 (2008) · source

43. “28 Children in armed conflict and children displaced by conflict are vulnerable, as noted, not only to recruitment as child soldiers but also to other grave violations, including killing and maiming, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals. They may also suffer as a result of the denial of humanitarian access. The United Nations system must continue to coordinate its efforts to address all these egregious violations, and monitoring and reporting mechanisms should be triggered when any of them occur. Many of the parties who commit violations against children in situations of armed conflict have been cited repeatedly in reports of the Secretary- General.”

    2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936 (2008) · source

44. “I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Australia remains deeply concerned about the plight of children affected by armed conflicts, and we remain dedicated to ensuring the protection of all children from harm and exploitation. We welcome Council's adoption on 19 June of resolution 1820 (2008), recognizing that children in situations of armed conflict are vulnerable not only to recruitment as child soldiers but also to other grave violations, including rape and other acts of sexual violence. We echo the call in that resolution for all States to comply with their obligations regarding prosecuting persons responsible for acts of sexual violence.”

    2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936 (2008) · source

45. “We will increase our support for the Afghan National Police and counter-narcotics initiatives through a substantial increase to the number of Australian Federal Police officers deployed to Afghanistan. In conclusion, the challenges facing Afghanistan are enormous, but we are making progress. It is clear that our collective efforts require significant resources and better integration - a fact reflected in both the Bucharest and the Paris outcomes. We firmly believe that the United Nations has a crucial role to play in marshalling and coordinating civilian resources, and we look forward to working with the Special Representative and his UNAMA team to help bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source

46. “ISAF partners and the Afghan Government have an important responsibility to help establish the conditions to support the delivery of United Nations and civilian programmes. Australia is firmly committed to doing its part. We are making a major contribution to international military efforts in Afghanistan through the deployment of around 1,000 Australian Defence Force personnel, largely to Uruzgan Province. At the Paris Conference, our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Smith, announced that Australia would provide $250 million over three years to support the implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, bringing Australia's total commitment in aid and reconstruction in Afghanistan to $600 million since 2001.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source

47. “We believe that strengthening Afghanistan's democratic processes, particularly by ensuring credible elections, should be a key priority for the international mission and the Afghan Government. We also strongly support United Nations focus on building Afghan institutional capacity to provide basic services, such as water, roads and power; training to improve public administration and local governance; and initiatives to reduce Afghan economic dependence on narcotics. Those are priority areas where the United Nations, working with other international donors, can and should make a difference. At the same time, we need to be realistic, given that, without basic security, meaningful development activity and sustained progress on the ground will not be possible.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source

48. “We welcome the announcement by the Secretary- General of his intention to expand the reach of UNAMA through the establishment of new provincial offices, including in Uruzgan, where Australian personnel are deployed. In our view, that approach sends a clear signal of the United Nation's commitment to providing more direct humanitarian and development assistance through programmes and outreach at the community level, where help is most needed. Australia also welcomes and supports the priorities identified for UNAMA in the Secretary- General's report. We recognize that Afghanistan's challenges are of an enormous scale and that civilian efforts are best focused on those sectors that can underpin and help to drive Afghanistan's longer-term economic and social development and, through that, help to combat the insurgency.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source

49. “Importantly, in our view, the Conference clearly underlined the importance of Afghan leadership and, ultimately, ownership of efforts to address the key challenges facing Afghanistan - security, lack of institutional capacity, corruption and narcotics. It also critically reaffirmed a central role for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and the United Nations more broadly, in the coordination and implementation of reconstruction and development assistance activity in Afghanistan. Australia strongly supports UNAMA and the recent decisions of the Council to reconfirm and extend the Mission's mandate. We believe that continued progress in Afghanistan depends vitally on strengthened and expanded United Nations engagement.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source

50. “Thank you, Sir, for the chance to participate in this debate. In view of the time, I shall abbreviate my circulated statement. Australia believes that the Paris Conference delivered good outcomes that will contribute to a more comprehensive approach and complement the political/military plan agreed to by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partners at the NATO summit in Bucharest in April. In endorsing the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, the Conference sent a strong message of the international community's continued commitment to Afghanistan's long-term development and to providing the resources to implement the Strategy's key priorities.”

    2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source