YouSaid · the spoken record

James Roscoe

lines on the record: 197
first: 2020-04-07
most recent: 2021-04-30
sittings or episodes: 29
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

“It is critical that donors disburse their pledges promptly and consider additional funding for 2020. Donors must also commit new funds at the start of 2021, and not wait for a pledging conference. For its own part, the United Kingdom has already disbursed 81 per cent of its £200 million commitment for this financial year. Shockingly, in this context, severe humanitarian access constraints, particularly in the Houthi-controlled north, continue to hamper the humanitarian response. Aid and humanitarian workers must be able to reach those in need, otherwise vulnerable Yemenis will needlessly die. We also condemn any attacks on aid workers, including the two recent incidents in Aden. A senior officials donor meeting is taking place this week in Sweden, hosted by the European Commission.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“The Government of Yemen must set out a realistic and transparent budget, while taking steps to avoid further inflation. External support in the form of getting hard currency to the Central Bank of Yemen is also urgently needed so that food importers can continue to bring food into the country. The United Nations-led humanitarian response, as we heard again today, remains vastly underfunded, further driving the risk of famine. Only 43 per cent of the $3.3 billion appeal by the United Nations has been received to date. As a result, 12 of the 38 major programmes of the United Nations in Yemen have already closed or been significantly scaled back this year. If no further funding is received, more will close, denying life-saving assistance to long-suffering Yemeni children and adults.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“With 40 per cent of households across the country now not having enough to eat, the dire picture makes swift action — now, before it is too late — all the more important, particularly in terms of the economy, humanitarian funding and humanitarian access. With regard to the economy, urgent action is needed to ensure the availability and affordability of food, as we have heard. At present, Yemen’s economic problems are escalating and driving up the prices of such basic goods as food and fuel and putting additional pressure on the humanitarian response. The Yemeni rial has fallen, as we heard again today, to record lows against the dollar, and the hard currency reserves of the Central Bank of Yemen are effectively exhausted.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“Several sets of data were released last week, and it is clear that the risk of famine is growing. But, as Mr. Lowcock said, this is not about data or statistics for the people and children of Yemen, but a grim human reality. The latest acute malnutrition analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for parts of southern Yemen, as we have heard, predicts that malnutrition in the south is soon expected to reach its highest levels since the conflict began. We know how bad it has been, and it is getting worse. By the end of 2020, the number of children suffering acute malnutrition will grow by 10 per cent — risking the fate described just now by Mr. Lowcock. And as we heard from Mr. Beasley, the World Food Programme has also assessed that food insecurity is worsening faster than expected.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“Griffiths has said, we continue to see spikes in violence — in particular the Houthis continuing to launch persistent missiles and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and to pursue further territorial gains in Yemen, casting doubt over the Houthis’ commitment to peace. The recent arrival of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps envoy in Sana’a underlines this point and highlights Iran’s destabilizing role in the Yemen conflict. We therefore urge the Houthis to refrain from such behaviour and, instead, to place their efforts into dialogue. Another necessary step is the implementation of the Riyadh agreement. The United Kingdom therefore calls on the parties to rapidly form an inclusive Cabinet and implement the necessary military reforms. We also heard today about the dire humanitarian situation.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“I thank Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Lowcock and Mr. Beasley. I think the briefings left us in no doubt as to the scale of the humanitarian crisis, the human crisis in Yemen and the urgent need to find progress in terms of a political solution. The United Kingdom fully supports Mr. Griffiths’ efforts to make progress on a political solution. The recent success that he described in securing the exchange of over 1,000 prisoners demonstrates that face-to-face dialogue can indeed lead to positive outcomes. We therefore encourage him to do what he can to bring the sides together to finalize the joint declaration. It is clear from everything we have heard today that only an end to the violence can help us bring enduring humanitarian relief and hope to the people of Yemen. But as Mr.”
2020-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1109 (2020) · source
“The second question is to the Police Commissioner of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Mr. Yacouba. Recent developments with the Malian security forces, and his coordination with them, have probably changed in the current environment — in other words, after the coup. I wonder if he could tell us how MINUSMA is managing any challenges in relation to that? As things stand, does he feel he has the right resources to plan and conduct supporting activities when it comes to embedding the rule of law?”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“And if I may just come back as well to the Strategic Guidance Framework for International Police Peacekeeping, it would be very good to have an update on the status of this framework and to know when we can expect this to be finalized and published. Then, if I may, I will pose a couple of questions for our excellent briefers. The first goes to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Police Commissioner, Ms. Vuniwaqa. I would be very interested to understand what reflections on the process of capacity-building Commissioner Vuniwaqa has when it comes to the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS). In particular, how is UNMISS determining when and what kind of policing responsibilities should be shared with the SSNPS? So how do we get right that balance of transitioning or passing on of responsibilities?”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“Now, I am glad that we are having an interactive meeting because I would like to turn to a few questions, if I may, and the first is for Assistant Secretary- General Zouev. It is expected that demands on the United Nations Police Division will continue to grow, spanning both police operations and non-mission settings in the coming period. It would be very good to hear from him what priorities and extra resources the Department of Peace Operations is providing for the Division. Is there enough capacity to undertake the necessary planning for police deployments, including in relation to transitions?”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“Trust between UNPOL components and local communities can be more readily established if police reflect those they are serving. Our third point is that police performance must be prioritized. When personnel perform to the high standards we all expect, they are better able to deliver their mandates and ensure their own safety and security. We look forward to the implementation of the peacekeeping performance and accountability framework in respect of police, but we also stress the urgent need for the finalization of the policing strategic guidance framework. This guidance then needs to be operationalized, leading to the development of the right manuals and training tools to allow police contributors to understand what standards their personnel need to meet.”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“Missions must be able to undertake continuous assessment in order to ensure that policing activity remains appropriate to the needs on the ground. So we have just got to keep thinking about that. The second is about the pledges of personnel. These need to be tailored to the needs of the mission and to contribute to achieving the Secretary-General’s System- Wide Strategy on Gender Parity. Recruitment needs to be fair, timely and merit- based, selecting the right skills, capabilities and expertise that particular missions need. We welcome the use of tools, such as the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System, to help identify capability gaps and to seek pledges to fill them. The full, equal and meaningful participation of women in United Nations policing is not only a moral imperative, but a critical operational consideration too.”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom was a strong supporter of the 2016 external review of the United Nations Police Division, and we note that a number of those recommendations from the review remain outstanding. But today, I would like to highlight three important areas that we need to get right in order to ensure that United Nations policing can remain effective. A sustained focus on these issues will be critical to achieving the vision set out in the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping agenda. The first of these is that policing must be fully integrated into mission- planning processes throughout the life of a mission, from inception to transition. Police experts need to be at the table and to be supported by relevant intelligence, reporting and data.”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“In this sixtieth anniversary year of the creation of the United Nations police, we are reminded again of their enormous dedication, professionalism and courage as they continue their work against the challenging backdrop of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Now, United Nations policing is a fundamental part of peacekeeping, as we have heard again and again today. Police play a central role in helping to establish a protective environment for civilians in restoring security and justice and, critically, in re-establishing the rule of law in conflict-affected areas. We owe it both to officers deployed in the field and the people they serve to continue to enhance the effectiveness of United Nations policing through practical reform.”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“I thank all of our excellent briefers today for their thoughts and for sharing in particular their perspectives from the ground. This is an issue that is of real interest to me. It was actually the first thing that I ever worked on in our foreign service — international policing and particularly United Nations policing — and I have seen just how effective United Nations policing can be from the Balkans to Sierra Leone, so it is very good to have this discussion today. I also want to start by offering our thanks, through our Police Commissioners, to the women and men in United Nations police (UNPOL) components around the world who work on our behalf to protect and serve vulnerable communities.”
2020-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1092 (2020) · source
“One can only imagine what they are capable of in Al-Assad’s dungeons. Before supporters of this regime raise the question of sanctions and the lifting of sanctions, let us again reiterate that the path to the removal of sanctions is clear. Rather than interfering with aid, bombing schools and hospitals, detaining and torturing people, the Syrian regime must heed the calls of its population and engage seriously with Special Envoy Pedersen and the United Nations-led political process to achieve a peaceful end to the conflict.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“Given that October and November are the sowing seasons for wheat and barley, and with the fires destroying large swaths of arable land, there is a risk now of devastating famine and further impacts on people’s livelihoods. So, the picture is bleak. It is vital that the Council come together to prevent a worsening of the humanitarian disaster as we approach the winter months in Syria. As a priority, civilians and aid workers urgently need to be given the access and tools they need to alleviate suffering while there is still time to prepare for the coming months ahead. Finally, I am glad that Ambassador Heusgen raised the ongoing trial in Germany. The reality is that the testimony there represents the tip of the iceberg. The Syrian regime, as we know, is willing to indiscriminately bomb innocent civilians in schools and hospitals.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“Let us be clear — the obstruction is calculated. It is also unacceptable. The United Nations must be given unfettered access and must be allowed to deliver aid to those who need it most. Like others, we remain concerned about persistent water and electricity shortages and disruptions to the Allouk water station. We urge all parties to take steps to swiftly resolve water supply disruptions and to deconflict and minimize further conflict-related damage to civilian infrastructure. At the last Council meeting on this issue (see S/2020/758), we talked about the 9.3 million people who are currently food insecure. Fires have since then ripped through north-western Syria.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“Indeed, the report further shines a light on the brutal crimes against humanity that the regime continues to commit through enforced disappearances, murder, torture and imprisonment. If we ever needed evidence that the regime does not have the best interests of its people at heart, then this is it. As we also heard today, access problems persist in north-eastern Syria, with a continued lack of cross-line access into the regions where vulnerable people need it most. It was striking to hear Under-Secretary-General Lowcock’s example of Al-Tabqa. It is especially galling to hear of 100 aid trucks being delayed from crossing into north-east Syria because of bureaucratic procedures. That is another sign that despite the assurances of the allies of the Syrian regime in the Council that we could make cross-line access work, obstruction continues.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“This increased pressure on aid workers comes against the backdrop of devastating reports of avoidable civilian deaths, which further add to the humanitarian caseload. As we heard from Under- Secretary-General Lowcock, the combination of the devastated health system and the challenges of COVID-19 can result in many more unnecessary deaths and illness. We were also deeply saddened to hear of the 11 deaths caused by a car bomb in Afrin. It is unacceptable that pro-regime forces continue to launch indiscriminate attacks that result in the death of civilians. As the Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry again makes clear this week in its latest report (A/HRC/45/31), these attacks may amount to war crimes.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“That support is all the more important as aid workers continue to work in incredibly challenging circumstances, having to deal on a daily basis with obstructions to their vital work and threats to their health and safety. In particular, I want to condemn the attack against the Turkish Red Crescent Society in Al-Bab on Monday, which resulted in the death of an aid worker and the wounding of another. The deliberate targeting of aid workers is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, and such attacks are abhorrent. We call on all parties in Syria to uphold their obligations. We also remain concerned about the lack of adequate personal protective equipment and medical equipment, as well as the continued rise in cases of COVID-19 among United Nations staff and aid workers.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to compound the humanitarian crisis across Syria. As I mentioned before, we are doing what we can to support the Syrian people and we provided $30 million to tackle the threat of COVID-19 in Syria. That is in addition to almost $400 million this year in humanitarian support. That support is a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to the Syrian people and to the aid community. I want to join others in expressing our steadfast support, in particular, to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization, both of which play a critical role in the coordination of the humanitarian and health responses in Syria.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/915 (2020) · source
“I join Christoph and others in saying that we hope that the representative of South Sudan can join us in December to give us the Government’s perspective on these issues and also to hear directly the Council’s concerns and the briefings. The South Sudanese people deserve lasting peace and stability. We call on all parties to redouble their efforts to realize that aim in the spirit of cooperation envisaged in the 2018 peace agreement.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“Ultimately, the primary responsibility for protecting South Sudan’s citizens rests with the Government of South Sudan, including with respect to those currently living in United Nations protection-of-civilians sites. The Mission’s plan to re-designate protection-of-civilians sites should be implemented through close consultation with the communities affected and with humanitarian actors in a transparent process that prioritizes safety and security. Again, we were encouraged to hear Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer talk about how the Mission can adapt to its operating environment and find new ways to deliver on its mandate. As others have said, it is also critical that South Sudan cooperate with rather than inhibit UNMISS and ensure that the Mission can deliver on its protection- of-civilians mandate.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“The other impediment is the limits of humanitarian access that hurt those who need it most. Again, it was good to hear that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is innovating to deal with challenges and provision, but it is also vital that South Sudan’s Government ensure that humanitarian workers can access communities in need and that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) can carry out its mandate unhindered. Finally, on the protection of civilians, it was incredibly worrying to hear about the spike in violence, particularly the presence of actors from outside South Sudan exacerbating the problem.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“Secondly, on the humanitarian situation, the stalled peace process and increasing subnational violence have exacerbated the stark deterioration of the humanitarian situation. As we have heard today, the situation is desperate: 7.5 people million in humanitarian need, economic deterioration and a growing risk of famine. That has been amplified by the impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic, by desert locusts and by flooding. Already, more than half the population faces acute food insecurity, and some areas now face the very real prospect of famine-like conditions. This must be addressed without delay. I was impressed by Under-Secretary-General Lowcock’s innovative approach to dealing with those challenges. But the bottom line is clear: they need more resources.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“We are deeply concerned by the increased violence that has led to so many civilian deaths in recent months. We call on the Government in Juba and all those involved to make concerted efforts to stop the killing and address the root causes of conflict through effective governance and dialogue at the national and local levels. This includes addressing outstanding issues under the peace agreement, notably the appointment of a governor in Upper Nile state. We also call on non-signatories to engage in the Rome process and for all sides to respect the cessation of hostilities. With thousands of South Sudanese lives at risk, compromise and collaboration is needed now more urgently than ever.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“But we know that without them, countless more lives would have been lost. I should like to touch on three issues. The first is the implementation of the peace agreement. Two years ago the Council welcomed the leadership shown by all sides in signing the peace agreement. Despite significant delays, we also welcomed in February the leadership by the parties in forming the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity. Since then, we have seen some positive steps taken to build state-level institutions. However, the people of South Sudan need to see the dividends of peace. We have heard this a lot from colleagues today. Implementation of the peace agreement must now be accelerated, and we stand ready to support further progress. But ongoing violence is the key driver of humanitarian need in South Sudan.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Shearer and Under-Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings, and I am particularly grateful to Ms. Tai for bringing her story and her pragmatic and clear vision to the Council. Between them, they illustrated the dire and deteriorating humanitarian situation faced by millions of South Sudanese and the urgent need for the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. I also want to convey the United Kingdom’s gratitude for the work of the humanitarian community in South Sudan. We have heard today how challenging the humanitarian environment is; with seven aid workers killed this year alone, it is a sad fact that South Sudan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be an aid worker.”
2020-09-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/914 (2020) · source
“They facilitate engagement with the local population, lead to better situational awareness and help peacekeepers deliver on mandated responsibilities, such as the protection of civilians, while ensuring their own safety and security. The United Kingdom will ensure that we have the right language capabilities among our peacekeepers deploying to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali later this year, and we urge all our fellow troop- and police-contributing countries to do likewise.”
2020-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/893 (2020) · source
“The United Nations, the Francophonie and all international partners should work with stakeholders in both countries in the coming months to encourage them to uphold the democratic values and human rights that underpin peace, stability and prosperity. And in Mali, the international community must do all it can to encourage a timely transition to a civilian, democratically elected Government that can meet the needs of the Malian people and strengthen the social contract between citizens and the State. Finally, I would like to turn to peacekeeping and the importance of ensuring that all relevant Member States deploy peacekeepers who are fully trained, equipped and prepared to deliver their mandates. Language skills are essential in this respect.”
2020-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/893 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom, also hopes to see the Francophonie join the United Nations in encouraging the consolidation of democratic governance and in upholding the importance of human rights. This will be vital in Burundi, where the peaceful transfer of power earlier this year has created a window of opportunity for strengthening governance, accountability and human rights. But it is also critical in countries where we see signs of rising instability as elections approach. As we made clear in the Security Council in July, we have been alarmed by the violence in Guinea in recent months and, more recently, troubled by the violent clashes breaking out in Côte d’Ivoire.”
2020-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/893 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom encourages the Francophonie, along with the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Commonwealth, to continue to support efforts to end violence and restore peace in Cameroon’s North- West and South-West regions. The Francophonie can also make valuable contributions to United Nations efforts to assist countries emerging from conflict to hold successful elections and strengthen the role of democratic governance — for example, in the Central African Republic, where elections due this December will constitute a critical milestone in the implementation of the peace agreement. It is vital that all of the Central African Republic’s partners work together to ensure that those elections are free, fair, inclusive, transparent and credible, and conducted in a climate of peace.”
2020-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/893 (2020) · source
“I thank you, Mr President, Assistant-Secretary-General Keita, Secretary- General Mushikiwabo and Minister Mnatsakanyan for their informative briefings. The United Kingdom welcomes the strong relationship and cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie. The equality, complementarity and solidarity among the Francophonie’s 88 member States is a powerful force for good in the world. The Francophonie undoubtedly has a role to play alongside the United Nations and other organizations in the fields of conflict prevention, mediation and the exercise of good offices, including in settings such as Cameroon.”
2020-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/893 (2020) · source
“We are also working closely with Finland, the United Nations and other partners to prepare for the meetings later this year to secure Afghanistan’s immediate financial stability and set out the future parameters of the international donor communities’ medium-term support for Afghanistan. Yesterday in London, the United Kingdom created the new Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. We will continue to bring the best of our diplomacy and development expertise to support the people of Afghanistan as they stand at this crucial juncture. We join Mr. Mohseni and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons in their pragmatic and cautious optimism.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“With regard to the roles of the United Kingdom and the international community, for its part, the United Kingdom stands ready to provide its support at any stage of the upcoming peace process. We also lend our full backing to the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons and the United Nations in supporting the talks. As one of the largest donors in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom is providing assistance via the United Nations Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19 and, with our partners, we are planning how we can support Afghanistan in mitigating both the immediate health impact and, critically, as Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons said, the severe socioeconomic effects.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“We note the continuing efforts to form the Cabinet and the High Council for National Reconciliation and hope both can be fully established and begin their work swiftly. However, there are two sides to this negotiation. Let me emphasize that the Taliban, too, must demonstrate that they are a credible partner for peace. That means the following. First, they must end the violence now. They cannot expect to be accepted back into Afghan society when they continue to attack and harm Afghan men, women and children. Secondly, they must fulfil the commitment to countering terrorism by completely breaking with all terrorist groups, including Al-Qaida, and condemning all acts of terrorism in Afghanistan, which continue to claim too many innocent lives. Thirdly, they must engage in good faith in the upcoming negotiations.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“We were glad to hear from Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons that the intra-Afghan negotiations will start within days. Afghanistan and its people potentially stand on the threshold of a new beginning. As Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons said, we have more reason than ever to hope for an end to conflict. But we also stand at the beginning of a process that will be long and challenging. It will require the support of all of us. We commend the Afghan Government for taking the bold steps to remove obstacles that have allowed this moment to happen. We also commend the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for its preparations, including outreach to women’s groups and other civil society actors across the country.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“It also means that groups that suffered so much under Taliban rule must be able to have confidence that their rights will be protected. That is why the United Kingdom, as co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Women of Afghanistan, has made the participation of women and girls in the peace process and the protection of their rights such a priority here in New York, as well as in Afghanistan in the work of our Embassy in Kabul. I take this opportunity to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons for her participation in the Arria Formula meeting on this issue that we co-hosted with Afghanistan, Germany and Indonesia in July. That is the vision, and today we are closer than ever before to achieving it.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“We — the Afghan people and the international community — are not working towards an end to conflict alone, vital though that is. We are working to ensure that Afghans of all ethnicities, tribes, sexes and backgrounds can live in a country at peace where they can trust well-governed, accountable institutions, where they can enjoy the full extent of their fundamental human rights and where they can build their own future for themselves, for their families and for their communities. For that reason, it is essential that the upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations be fully inclusive and lead to a long-lasting and sustainable peace. That means ensuring effective and timely transitional justice for the victims of conflict and the protection and advancement of rights, such as the freedom of expression, as Mr. Mohseni highlighted today.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons for the remarks. I commend you, Mr. President, for taking the initiative to invite Mr. Mohseni to brief us today and to offer a perspective of Afghanistan’s dynamic and, as you heard, a vibrant civil society and media. I was really struck by his vision of a peaceful Afghanistan where the Afghan people can be free from war and are able to reach their full potential. I was also struck by the polling that he set out for us that tells us what the people of Afghanistan really want for their future. I think it is important that we in the Security Council listen to and reflect on that. I thought his vision clarified for us the objectives of the Afghan peace process, which we are all eager to support.”
2020-09-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/891 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to enforce remaining restrictions rigorously, including on the proliferation of arms to non-State actors covered by other Security Council resolutions, ballistic missile restrictions under annex B, and the European Union-United Kingdom arms embargoes that will remain in place until 2023. We continue to work with the remaining JCPOA participants and the Council to seek a path forward to address arms restriction expiry in October.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“I would like to also make clear that we share the United States’ concern about the expiry of the arms restrictions on Iran in October this year. As E-3 Foreign Ministers have said, the expiry of the restrictions could have serious implications for regional security, given Iran’s continued destabilizing activities. The latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2020/531), which the Council discussed back in June (see S/2020/644), detailed how Iran has continued to violate annex B of resolution 2231 (2015), including through illicit arms transfers in the region, ballistic missile proliferation and attacks on its neighbours.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“As E-3 Foreign Ministers set out in their statements on 19 June and 20 August, we do not support a move to snapback at this time, which would be incompatible with our current efforts aimed at preserving the JCPOA. With regard to the question of my Russian colleague on the letter set out by the United States on 20 August and your own summary, Mr President, I would like to align with the position expressed by France and Germany. It is the United Kingdom’s opinion that the United States ceased to be a participant in the JCPOA following its withdrawal from the deal on 8 May 2018. Our position regarding the effectiveness of the United States’ notification pursuant to resolution 2231 (2015) has been very clearly explained to the presidency and all Council members.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“Second statement by the Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, James Roscoe I thank the President on his brief update to the Security Council just now, with which the United Kingdom concurs. I want to say a few other things. The first is that the United Kingdom remains resolutely committed to the full implementation of resolution 2231 (2015), through which the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was endorsed in 2015, with a view to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, which is our priority. In order to preserve the JCPOA, Iran must return to nuclear compliance without delay. Along with its E-3 partners, France and Germany, the United Kingdom urges Iran to engage urgently and constructively through the dispute resolution mechanism.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“We are also concerned by continued acts of violence and we were alarmed to hear of the shooting at the Qalandiya checkpoint on 17 August of a Palestinian who was unarmed and deaf. The use of lethal force should only be deployed as a last resort. I would like to finish by reiterating the United Kingdom’s long-standing position on the Middle East peace process. We support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both States, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting such efforts towards peace in the Middle East.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“The current situation continues to have a particularly devastating impact on the people living in Gaza. As ever, dialogue can be the only way to address the situation. We call on Israel to lift movement and access restrictions and allow fuel to enter the Strip, which is vital to power hospitals, water delivery and sewage treatment. More broadly, we encourage the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel to urgently resume cooperation across all files — security, economic and civil — at this critical time. While the shadow of annexation appears to be lifted, we remain concerned about the potential for further settlement advancements, continued demolitions and evictions.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“We therefore profoundly hope that this moment can be used as a step towards direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as there can be no substitute for direct talks in trying to reach a two-State solution and lasting peace. My Foreign Secretary is in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories today, encouraging both leaders to push forward on the momentum created by this announcement. The United Kingdom stands ready to support this endeavour. Despite this positive development, we are concerned by other negative trends on the ground. The number of coronavirus disease cases continues to rise across the region. Meanwhile, Hamas has been launching improvised explosive devices and firing rockets into Israel. Such actions by Hamas are unacceptable, and we call on it to cease them immediately.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“Turning to the topic of today’s discussion, I would like to start by welcoming the announcement on 13 August, as set out by Ambassador Kelly Craft of the United States of America, of the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and, in particular, the suspension of Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. As my Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have said, this is a historic step that contemplates the normalization of relations between two great friends of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has consistently made clear in the Security Council its firm opposition to annexation, which would have been contrary to international law, counterproductive to securing peace in the region and a severe blow to the prospects of the two-State solution.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“I thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing. As others have done, I would like to say a few words about Lebanon. As Mr. Mladenov set out, the devastating explosion in Beirut has caused enormous suffering and damage. Our sympathies go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy and who have lost loved ones. The United Kingdom stands with the Lebanese people in this hour of need. Our £25 million package of humanitarian support, as well as the deployment of our technical experts within days of the explosion, will help to address some of the critical needs of the most vulnerable in the country. Further, the deployment of one of our naval ships, the HMS Enterprise, on 10 August, complements these efforts. Our support for the Lebanese army as it endeavours to respond to the disaster is also critical.”
2020-08-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/837 (2020) · source
“Of course, the international response to COVID-19 should not divert vital resources from other critical work that seeks to tackle the underlying drivers of poverty and instability, so we were grateful to hear that United Nations-wide coordination with regard to the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel has improved. It is essential that the entire United Nations system, including critical development entities, such as the United Nations Development Programme, mobilize in support of peacebuilding efforts in the region. Mr. Chambas and the United Nations system across his area of responsibility have an incredibly difficult job in a region with a complex nexus of challenges. We thank him for all that he and the United Nations operations across the region are doing to tackle those challenges.”
2020-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/706 (2020) · source