YouSaid · the spoken record

Inga Rhonda King

lines on the record: 405
first: 2020-03-30
most recent: 2021-05-26
sittings or episodes: 71
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

“Those tools must be used innovatively and in the most efficient ways to allow for a fully effective Council. I look forward to hearing the voices of the wider membership and the various proposals that can be used to inform the deliberations of the Informal Working Group going forward. Our commitment to working together, not just among Council members but also in these valuable moments of constructive interaction with the United Nations membership, is evidence of our shared desire for a Council that functions transparently, efficiently and effectively. We must not allow ourselves to fall short of that ambition.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“I should note that ensuring transparency, efficiency and effectiveness are equally critical to the work of the Council, not just during this extraordinary period, but also for the Council’s everyday functioning under ordinary circumstances. More often than not, the Council operates under normal circumstances; as such, the ability of the Council to function effectively on a day-to-day basis is similarly important. It is timely that this open debate is taking place on the eve of the seventy- fifth anniversary of the United Nations. We must approach this moment in good faith, as we contemplate how best we can improve existing practices and procedures, while identifying and exploring new areas for development. Many tools remain at the disposal of the Security Council.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Over the years, open debates have been the flagship opportunity for the broader United Nations membership to weigh in on the working methods of the Council, with many of the interventions having been taken into consideration by the Informal Working Group in the past.At the initiative of the presidency of Estonia, and in collaboration with my delegation as Chair of the Informal Working Group, the Council is holding its twelfth open debate on working methods, on the theme “Ensuring transparency, efficiency and effectiveness”. The concept note (S/2020/374, annex) for today’s debate emphasizes the significance of those elements and introduces the concept of “agility” as a critical element for the effective functioning of the Council.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Pursuant to article 24 (1) of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council acts on behalf of the Members of the United Nations. As such, the holding of this debate demonstrates that the Council attaches significant value to the voice of the United Nations membership and remains sensitive to the opinion of the wider membership about the conduct of its work.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The letter, among other things, expresses its support for the continuation of the work of the subsidiary organs of the Council to the greatest possible extent. The extraordinary unprecedented circumstances in which we now operate have presented acute and unique challenges that go hand in hand with the responsibility to ensure that the heart of multilateralism continues to beat. This situation has provided food for thought as to how the Security Council can continue to improve its working methods regardless of the global challenge before us. In the light of the Security Council’s primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, we must not allow the Council to be paralyzed.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Similarly, it was agreed that there would be a negotiation of press statements or elements for the press after every Council discussion and that the President would thereafter deliver any agreed elements for the press orally through United Nations webcast. On 17 April, Council members further agreed to webcast open VTCs in their entirety; the first of which was fully livestreamed on 21 April. Moreover, under the Presidency of Estonia, the first-ever virtual ministerial-level Arria-formula meeting was held on 8 May. Most recently, the Estonian presidency has built further on the work done by China and the Dominican Republic with its own letter on working methods, dated 7 May (S/2020/372).”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Under the presidency of the Dominican Republic, and in the spirit of transparency, the Council further expanded the scope of its interim measures by, inter alia, introducing an informal VTC plan, including the open and closed VCTs that would have usually appeared as briefings and consultations in the Council’s programme of work, as reflected in the letter of the President of the Security Council of 2 April (S/2020/273). In the same spirit of transparency, it was agreed that the interventions of the briefers during VTCs moderated by the President of the Council would be streamed via United Nations webcast.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“To ensure the transparency of those VTCs, it was also agreed that the President would circulate, within 48 hours, a compilation document containing the interventions of the briefers and all the Council members who requested the inclusion of their statements in the document as an official document of the Council. As mentioned in the President’s letter, the measures are “temporary, extraordinary and provisional” to enable the Council to discharge its mandate and will not be considered as a precedent in the future.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The Council’s ability to discharge its mandate has come under scrutiny in this period, and measures to ensure its continuous functioning have been adopted under the presidencies of China, in March; the Dominican Republic, in April; and Estonia, now, in May. In its capacity as President of the Council for the month of March 2020, China took the initiative — on the basis of the agreement among Council members — to set forth a written procedure for the adoption of resolutions, as well as a set of working methods for the use of VTCs by the members of the Council, as reflected in the letter of the President of 27 March (S/2020/253).”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Through those commitments, the various presidencies have recalled the provisions of note 507 and subsequent notes and have introduced different means to ensure and promote Council members’ adherence. The first meeting of the Informal Working Group of 2020 was held on 6 March and focused on the idea of action-oriented implementation, as well as the idea of striking a balance between transparency and efficiency, with the goal of enhancing the Council’s effectiveness. The second meeting was held on 30 April 2020 via video-teleconference (VTC).As we are all aware, since our last in-person meeting on 12 March (see S/PV.8745), the Security Council has had to adapt its working methods in order to maintain a state of readiness to convene and make decisions under unprecedented extraordinary circumstances.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Several topics were discussed during the retreat, such as intra-Council dynamics, the process of drafting outcomes, the issue of penholdership, inclusion and interaction among Security Council members, the Security Council’s relationship with the wider membership and effectiveness and efficiency in times of austerity, all of which were highlighted in the official summary. During the retreat, emphasis was placed on the critical importance of the implementation of agreed working methods as compiled in note 507. At the retreat, the members of the Informal Working Group embraced the idea of action-oriented implementation of note 507 and all relevant notes thereafter. This led to a furtherance of the growing practice of written monthly commitments by different presidencies.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines began its tenure with a joint retreat on the working methods of the Security Council, held in January 2020 in conjunction with the State of Kuwait as the outgoing Chair. The aim of the retreat was for members of the Informal Working Group to engage in an informal dialogue that would generate concrete proposals for the way forward. Consistent with Article 30 of the Charter of the United Nations, improving the Council’s working methods is a Council-led process, and the retreat presented an opportunity for members to explore in concert ideas that would result in practical proposals reflective of consensus. The joint summary, dated 3 March 2020, was issued as a document of the Security Council (S/2020/172).”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Most recently, under the Chair of Kuwait, in the context of the Informal Working Group, the Council agreed to issue eight additional notes, all dated 27 December 2019, on a wide variety of subjects, such as the fair distribution of work for the selection of Chairs of subsidiary bodies among all members of the Council, the use of an unofficial addendum to the Council’s provisional programme of work and the early involvement of incoming Council members in a broader range of activities. Each of the notes were negotiated and adopted in the spirit of maintaining transparency and efficiency in the Council’s work. I take this opportunity to recognize the dedication of Ambassador Alotaibi and the members of the Informal Working Group that led to the adoption of those notes.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions was established in 1993 to study and make recommendations for the improvement of the Council’s practices and working methods and has since become a key framework for revising and improving the Security Council’s working methods. One key mechanism for making Council working methods more accessible to the United Nations membership and the public was the agreement of the most recent iteration of presidential note S/2017/507, in 2017, under Japan’s Chair of the Informal Working Group. The note summarized developments in Council working practices, including by incorporating the content of a number of separate presidential notes.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Griffiths, I remain hopeful, on behalf of the Yemeni people, that sustainable peace can be achieved and their dignity restored.”
2020-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/411 (2020) · source
“Amid the COVID-19 response, there remains a need for a political solution to the protracted crisis. We welcome the extension of the ceasefire and emphasize the need for Yemeni responsibility and collective ownership over the political process in Yemen. That is the only path to a dignified advancement of Yemen, its institutions and political expressions. In order to strengthen the sociocultural rubric necessary for sustainable peace, it is critical that all groups in society be included throughout the political process. In conclusion, we once again underscore the need for progress in addressing concerns over the FSO SAFER oil tanker, which threatens the marine environment, as well as the lives of many people in the region. Like Mr.”
2020-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/411 (2020) · source
“The scaling down of some operations and the possible closure of others represent the difference between life and death, and we take this opportunity to thank those countries and agencies that continue to sustain aid operations through their donations. The impact of COVID-19 will be felt acutely across the country, where many are grappling with lost livelihoods. The situation in Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, and it is unthinkable that the humanitarian needs of people will be worsened with the impact of COVID-19. It is critical, therefore, that the international community assist in strengthening the capacity of the Yemeni Government to protect people’s lives and livelihoods in future, and we welcome the humanitarian pledging conference elaborated by Ramesh.”
2020-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/411 (2020) · source
“We welcome both of our briefers and thank them for their continued commitment to the Yemeni people. It is with regret that we must now accept that Yemen is fighting on two fronts. Years of war have destroyed many of the country’s institutions, and now the Yemeni people are contending with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the transmission of which continues to increase. As a result of the long-standing conflict, Yemen’s health-care system has been shattered and is under strain, with only half of its hospitals operational. Most of the population still desperately needs humanitarian aid, as they lack food, drinking water, fuel and access to health care. In that regard, the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief in accordance with international law is key for the survival of many people.”
2020-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/411 (2020) · source
“To that end, we encourage the Government to pursue accountability for violations of international law and encourage UNAMI to support the Government in that endeavour, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. In conclusion, we reiterate our support for UNAMI and encourage the countries of the region and the international community to help strengthen Iraq’s domestic capacities in order to promote its path to reconstruction. Last but by no means least, I wish to extend our condolences to the families of the Blue Helmets recently killed in Mali. May they rest in peace and may their good work always be remembered.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“In addition to fighting the pandemic, Iraq is still recovering from the war on terror, and we remain concerned that remnants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant continue to launch frequent attacks against the Iraqi people. We commend UNAMI for its constructive engagement in Iraq, including its commitment to resolve the issue of missing Kuwaiti persons and property, and recognize the commitment of Iraq’s Ministry of Defence and the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross in that regard. Regarding Iraq’s path to reconciliation and reconstruction, we stress that the exclusion of any group within Iraqi society can have a crippling effect. Impunity can also adversely impact the reconciliation process.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“We reiterate that the fight against COVID-19 is a shared one requiring close cooperation. We encourage the Government to keep human dignity at the centre of its efforts to combat COVID-19, to protect the most vulnerable people, including displaced persons, and to ensure that appropriate mechanisms and laws are in place for the protection of victims of domestic violence. We also emphasize the need for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to persons in need. Most persons targeted for humanitarian assistance under the humanitarian response plan are displaced persons, and we take this opportunity to underscore the need for the relevant authorities to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return and reintegration of displaced persons in accordance with international law.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“We, too, thank Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert for her informative briefing and her leadership under these extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I wish also to recognize my friend and colleague Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom, the Permanent Representative of Iraq. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines welcomes the political progress made in Iraq, including progress towards the formation of the new Government. Iraq is now grappling with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and we recognize and commend the Government’s early engagement to contain its spread. We also acknowledge the coordination between the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the World Health Organization to support the Government’s measures in this regard.”
2020-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/397 (2020) · source
“We also respectfully encourage those States not yet having done so to ratify the Rome Statute. The ICC remains at the centre of our international criminal justice system and is a primary mechanism to provide restitution to the victims and families of mass-atrocity crimes. In conclusion, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines stands in solidarity with the people of Libya and reiterates its commitment and support to the ICC, which remains a bastion of hope and justice that is critical for building and sustaining peace.”
2020-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/371 (2020) · source
“We also reiterate the importance of consolidating the United Nations three- point plan and the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, and encourage all influential external actors to assist in this regard. The difficulties faced in Libya today, as underscored in the ICC’s report, are made evident by the challenges encountered by the Office of the Prosecutor in effectively executing its mandate. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emphasizes the importance of cooperation and the principle of complementarity of the Rome Statute, which are essential for the Court to assume its functions. Accordingly, we call on all States to respect their treaty obligations, cooperate with the ICC and adhere to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2020-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/371 (2020) · source
“The situation in Libya remains extremely worrisome and risks being further exacerbated by recent developments, including the coronavirus disease pandemic. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines renews its call for all warring parties to commit to a ceasefire and engage in an inter-Libyan dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully. The escalation of violence — in particular the indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure — only aggravate the suffering of the Libyan people, especially the most vulnerable groups. We categorically condemn these acts of violence and demand the safety and protection of the civilian population in Libya.”
2020-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/371 (2020) · source
“My delegation expresses its gratitude to Ms. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), for her presentation on the nineteenth report to the Security Council pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011), as well as the work of her Office vis-à-vis the situation in Libya. In 2002, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC. Our position then, as it is now, was premised on the conviction that the ICC had a fundamental role to play in our collective quest for peace and justice. As we uphold the integrity of the ICC and the principles of international law, we stress the importance of investigating genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, ending impunity for perpetrators of these atrocities, and bringing justice to the victims.”
2020-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/371 (2020) · source
“Only through a credible, balanced and inclusive political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people can lasting peace and stability be achieved.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/353 (2020) · source
“It is commendable that the parties have reached an agreement on the agenda, and we urge all to continue to cooperate for the benefit of the Syrian people. Confidence-building measures are necessary to restore trust, promote active participation and contribute to the viability of the wider political process, as emphasized in resolution 2254 (2015). In that vein, we reiterate that the question of arbitrarily detained and missing persons ought to be addressed. It is essential that the Council support efforts aimed at realizing the goals of the resolution. We must also remain mindful that our actions must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syria will not know peace through military action.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/353 (2020) · source
“The political process is a complex one that requires dedication, mutual respect and compromise from all parties. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reiterates its support for the tireless efforts of the Special Envoy in the wider political process. Continued engagement with the parties will only serve to advance that process. We particularly appreciate the steps taken to consult with women’s civil society organizations to ensure their meaningful participation. It is well known that women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution can improve outcomes before, during and after conflict. The inclusion of women will undoubtedly lead to more constructive and equitable outcomes for all. We look forward to the convening of the third round of talks of the Constitutional Committee.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/353 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Mr. Pedersen for his briefing. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines echoes the appeal for a complete, immediate and nationwide ceasefire in Syria. The agreement of 5 March to address hostilities in the north-west was a welcome development, and we are pleased that it broadly continues to hold. However, we recognize that it is fragile and that a nationwide ceasefire is critical now more than ever. Indeed, a total cessation of hostilities is vital for the creation a safe and stable environment, which will help to further the political process. That is also the only way to truly enable Syria to effectively fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We are pleased to hear that, thus far, the number of COVID-19 infections across the regions is low.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/353 (2020) · source
“In addition, economic recessions and disruptions in supply chains lead to food crises for many vulnerable groups across the world. If we are to end hunger by 2030, a whole-of-system approach is required to tackle food insecurity both within and beyond situations of conflict. That means that the Security Council must make a greater effort to work alongside the Peacebuilding Commission and other entities such as the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the WFP to tackle the root causes of insecurity across the peace, security, development and humanitarian nexus.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/340 (2020) · source
“Our delegation proposes that a similar trust fund be designed and implemented, under the auspices of the World Food Programme (WFP), to cover budgetary shortfalls that stymie the assistance offered to conflict-affected and food- insecure populations. The recent announcement by the WFP to reduce by half food aid to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen due to reductions in donor support is an absolute tragedy. We must work swiftly and resolutely to ensure that all vulnerable populations in Yemen and elsewhere are afforded that much-needed support. We must be mindful, however, that, while conflict is a primary driver of acute food insecurity in some contexts, the hazards of climate change — including erratic precipitation, floods, drought and sea level rise — also serve to undermine agricultural productivity and create food insecurity.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/340 (2020) · source
“While our individual nation-States remain the primary medium through which our geographically dispersed societies interact, those constructs are merely products of human progress. To finance the eradication of hunger in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, our Government has worked with various partners and donors to implement a mechanism called the Zero Hunger Trust Fund. That initiative combines a number of social programmes that span education and training, health and wellness, housing, employment and productivity to create a social safety net for the most vulnerable groups, and has significantly reduced levels of undernourishment in our Vincentian society.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/340 (2020) · source
“In addition to the immense challenges posed by those emerging threats to international peace and security, our fight against hunger persists and the number of people affected by acute food insecurity continues to rise. We can and must do better to protect the most vulnerable. In the struggle for lasting peace and prosperity, we can claim no easy victories. Yet, it is in our darkest hour, when our struggles seem insurmountable, that we must work together — not in spite of our distinct interests, perspectives and priorities, but precisely because these demand constructive forms of engagement that yield creative and people-centred solutions. Let us remember that our entire multilateral system was designed by our forebears to serve the interests of people.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/340 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Mr. Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, for his statement. I commend the President for convening this very important meeting on protecting civilians from conflict-induced hunger. I also thank the briefers for their insightful, but very solemn, remarks. Today human civilization stands at an important crossroads as we face the greatest challenges of our lifetime — some of which will inevitably have repercussions for generations to come. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the likes of which we have not seen for over a century, continues to wreak havoc on our societies and economies, while the ever-growing climate crisis casts a precarious shadow over our lives and livelihoods.”
2020-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/340 (2020) · source
“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reaffirms its support for this peace process and stands in solidarity with the people of Yemen.”
2020-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/313 (2020) · source
“While the people of Yemen are threatened with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also suffering from the consequences of a five-year conflict. Sustaining humanitarian aid at this juncture is critically important. Before concluding, we express our continued concern over the inaccessibility to the FSO SAFER oil tanker, which represents a looming marine environmental disaster. For Yemen, the region and the protection of our global commons, that remains an issue that must be urgently addressed. We conclude by underscoring Mr. Griffith’s assessment that “an opportunity has emerged to bring peace to Yemen”. Let us seize it. We reiterate our support for the work of the Special Envoy and encourage all parties to the conflict to resume negotiations towards a sustainable and inclusive peace.”
2020-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/313 (2020) · source
“We also welcome WHO’s efforts to build the capacity of the intensive care units in hospitals, as well as the training of health-care workers. Furthermore, we welcome the announced ceasefire by the coalition and the subsequent commitment of the Government of Yemen to the ceasefire. We encourage all parties to engage and implement a permanent cessation of hostilities in good faith amid the efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. We also encourage safe and unhindered access for health-care workers and humanitarian personnel operating to slow the rate of infection and provide life-saving assistance. In that vein, we emphasize the important role of donors, which secure and sustain that critical aid.”
2020-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/313 (2020) · source
“It threatens to further deteriorate the living conditions of the Yemeni people and undermine the humanitarian response. Yemen’s infrastructure has been devastated during the years of conflict, making it extremely vulnerable to the adverse impacts of this pandemic. In that regard, we encourage cooperation between all relevant national agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO) to contain the spread and stress the need for regional and international collaboration in this shared fight. We take this opportunity to welcome the cooperation between the United Nations, WHO and the Yemen authorities in managing preparedness for the coronavirus, including through the provision of thousands of tests to all the governorates of Yemen and the establishment of a quarantine facility in Aden.”
2020-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/313 (2020) · source
“We thank Martin Griffiths and Mark Lowcock for their invaluable updates on the situation in Yemen. It remains critical, particularly at this moment, that we continue to remain fully aware of all developments amid the ongoing pandemic. We have also seen the devastating flash floods in Sana’a, where the people are in urgent need of assistance, and we express our solidarity with those who are suffering. We must do all that we can to assist in efforts to help to overcome the damage caused by the flash floods and to mitigate the chances of increasingly severe weather patterns. The coronavius disease (COVID-19) and its far-reaching consequences add another layer of complexity to the conflict and dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.”
2020-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/313 (2020) · source
“In conclusion, the A3+1 reaffirms its support to the Government and the people of Colombia in their pursuit of lasting peace, as well as to the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia and the country team in assisting with the comprehensive implementation of the final peace agreement. We reiterate: the onus of a successful peace process remains on the Colombian people. Furthermore, it is important that the parties remain committed and that they strengthen efforts to implement the peace agreement in order for communities to continue to benefit from a more peaceful and secure environment, particularly in the context of the spread of the global pandemic.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“We also renew our call for the strengthening of institutions, thus guaranteeing the safety of the most vulnerable groups, for preventative actions and prosecution and for regular meetings of the National Commission on Security Guarantees. Finally, we observe with distress the forced recruitment and displacement of children and adolescents, sexual violence, the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the interruption of education services owing to the actions of illegal armed groups and crime syndicates. It is fundamental that our most vulnerable always be protected, and as such, we encourage the Government to redouble its efforts to combat these scourges.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“Thirdly, the A3+1 is disturbed by the continuing acts of violence, particularly against social leaders, human rights activists and the most vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, women and children. We condemn the assassination of indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders, as well as former FARC-EP members. We acknowledge the progress made by the Special Investigation Unit in the investigation of several cases of killings of former FARC-EP members, and we welcome the launch of the road map for the effective protection of social leaders from the departments with a view to tackling violence against communities, social leaders and human rights defenders.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“In that context, we welcome the continued progress with regard to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, within the principles of transitional justice, aimed at promoting justice, reconciliation and sustainable peace. Hearing the different views and versions of events of all communities in Colombia will ensure that the road to peace is based on an inclusive political process. The A3+1 remains concerned that women, including former combatants, continue to face significant challenges in their enrolment in educational and training programmes owing to structural limitations surrounding childcare and employment. We reiterate our view that women have been instrumental in the peace process and are central to its success, and we call for their increased, safe and unhindered participation in it.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“We also echo the call by the Secretary-General for strengthening efforts towards longer- term reintegration, with benefits made available to all former combatants, which will ultimately determine the long-term sustainability of peace in Colombia. Secondly, we welcome the advances within the transitional justice mechanisms. We support the full implementation of all aspects of the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparations and Non-Repetition aimed particularly at ensuring S/2020/305 that communities and victims of the conflict are priorities in the peace process. Furthermore, we commend the efforts thus far in addressing the accreditation of former FARC-EP combatants and implore the authorities to build on the momentum in order to resolve the legal situation of those individuals pending definition.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“Holistic rural reform, including agricultural and land reforms, access to economic projects for former combatants of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and the implementation of the National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops, is paramount for the social and economic transformation of the rural communities where violence and social inequality are prevalent. Equally, we urge the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization and the National Reintegration Council to address delays in the allocation of lands, as well as the situation concerning former combatants residing outside of the territorial areas for training and reintegration. These outstanding issues are crucial for the collective social and economic reintegration of former FARC-EP combatants.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“The peace process is at a critical stage, and neither Colombians nor the people of Latin America and the Caribbean region can afford for it to relapse. In view of the foregoing, the A3+1 makes the following points. First, we urge all stakeholders to comply with their obligations and make full use of the follow-up mechanism, the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Final Agreement, to deepen dialogue and settle differences. Furthermore, we welcome the measures effected as part of the comprehensive rural reforms, particularly the road map for stabilization and the development programmes with a territorial focus.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“The Colombian peace process remains a global exemplar of bringing together parties that have been divided by a deep-rooted social and political history, including extreme violence. As Colombians strive for lasting peace, we stress the importance of the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. We remain encouraged by the spirit of compromise exhibited in reaching the final peace accord and by the progress highlighted in the Secretary-General’s recent report (S/2020/239. In that regard, we wish to reiterate that the only viable sustainable solution to the conflict in Colombia remains in the implementation of the peace agreement and an inclusive political settlement that is nationally led by, and in the interests of, the people of Colombia.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“It is an esteemed privilege to deliver this statement on behalf of the African members plus one (A3+1) — the Niger, Tunisia, South Africa and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We extend warm greetings to Her Excellency Ms. Claudia Blum de Barberi, Minister for Affairs of Colombia, and thank both our briefers this morning. The A3+1 welcomes the decision of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) to heed the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We hope that this decision will culminate in a permanent ceasefire and re-open channels for constructive dialogue. We also laud the decision by the Government to continue implementing the peace-related programmes despite COVID-19. Additionally, we call on the international community to support Colombia in fighting the pandemic.”
2020-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/305 (2020) · source
“We therefore consider it absolutely necessary for the international community to mobilize sufficient financial support to assist countries that are affected by climate change. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, strategies to build resilience and mitigate the hazards of climate change must be developed and implemented in order to strengthen our efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.”
2020-03-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/268 (2020) · source