YouSaid · the spoken record

Jonathan Allen

lines on the record: 336
first: 2020-03-31
most recent: 2021-05-26
sittings or episodes: 49
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

“I would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your presidency for the month of September. I also thank Ms. Stephanie Williams, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing and for all the work that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) does. She has just delivered a powerful and compelling statement about the situation in Libya. She set out, I am afraid, a bleak picture, with few glimmers of light. But I want to thank her for her honesty and for her service to the people of Libya and to the United Nations. The situation in Libya is one of the biggest challenges that the Council faces. We, the international community, are collectively failing. We are failing to meet the obligations and commitments that we have freely entered into.”
2020-09-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/879 (2020) · source
“As this debate highlights, the peacebuilding approach is not just a nice to have. It is critical — it is fundamental — to responding effectively to the most pressing challenges of our time.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“We have said previously that COVID-19 represents a real test of the United Nations reforms initiated by the Secretary-General. It has brought into even sharper relief the importance of a One United Nations approach and cross-pillar work to build and sustain that. Those concerns have been at the heart of our engagement with the 2020 review of the peacebuilding architecture, and I take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his 2020 report (S/2020/773). I also take this opportunity to recognize the work of Canada as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. We have been impressed with the agility of the Peacebuilding Commission in its response to COVID-19 at a time when other United Nations bodies, including, dare I say it, the Council have been rather slower.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“We will work closely with our partners to do everything that we can, not only to prepare for, but also to prevent, catastrophic food insecurity and related instability. But the complexity of the COVID-19 crisis makes collaboration between the United Nations and the international financial institutions critical for an effective international response. The macroeconomic responses led by the international financial institutions and the socioeconomic responses spearheaded by the United Nations should be playing complementary roles. Again this requires, as a starting point, a shared understanding of risks and opportunity based on common analysis and with that common approach mainstreamed throughout, not only at the very top, not only at field level, but at all levels in between.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“It also means seizing opportunities for dedicated efforts to defuse conflict and build on peace initiatives. We should all be ready closely in the Council to take whatever action we can to support the United Nations in ensuring that countries do not tip into instability or, if we can, help them to build a pathway to that end. I want to reiterate the request that the Secretary-General provide further guidance to the United Nations system on this matter in the form of a policy brief on such an approach. The United Nations cannot prevent the loss of peace and development gains single-handedly. We need to work together to prevent destabilization. The United Kingdom is gravely concerned about the rising risk of famine in 2020, hastened by the impact of COVID-19.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“As I mentioned during the recent dialogue between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission — co-hosted with Germany, the Niger and your country, Sir, as President of the Council — the United Kingdom believes that the United Nations system still needs to do more to integrate peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity into the global humanitarian, economic and development responses to COVID-19. This means the United Nations and its partners supporting countries in order to generate a shared appreciation of conflict risks so as to ensure that responses do not inadvertently exacerbate drivers of instability. It means continuing to prioritize issues that we know to be central to a social contract, which underpins resilience, good governance, inclusion, respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“That is why, working with India, the United Kingdom pushed for an ambitious Group of Twenty action plan, including a $200 billion package of support from the World Bank and regional development banks for investment in health programmes and emergency fiscal support for the poorest countries. As our work on a vaccine continues at a pace, we should also keep striving for a framework that ensures equitable access for the world’s most vulnerable people.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“As a member of the Council and the only leading economy that meets the 0.7 per cent official development assistance target, the United Kingdom is committed to doing everything that it can to avoid countries tipping into crisis. In the case of COVID-19, that means playing our part to ensure coordinated, comprehensive and collaborative multilateral action. It means prioritizing support to the countries that are the most vulnerable to shocks. It means ensuring risk-informed, calibrated responses and mobilizing to prevent crises in a spirit of solidarity. The United Kingdom is concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the world’s most vulnerable people, and we are reprioritizing many of our existing programmes accordingly. Despite pressures on the global economy, we must mobilize resources for the countries most in need.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“I thank Indonesia for convening this debate at this time. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) presents a crisis of unprecedented scope and complexity. It has triggered health, humanitarian, economic, social, development, political and security challenges with both immediate and long-term ramifications. We are seeing how interwoven those challenges are. To quote from a recent article by the International Crisis Group: “[I]t would be a brave Ambassador at the UN who would bet that the health, economic and social fallout from COVID-19 will not lead to more political instability.” That is why we have to get the response right, because, if we do not, we may end up in a scenario that sees decades of progress on peace and development reversed amid protracted turmoil and human suffering.”
2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source
“The cooperation among United Nations agencies, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel during the first wave was welcomed, ensuring that essential medical supplies and staff were able to access Gaza and the West Bank. Faced with rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, we call on the parties to resume cooperation, while making joint efforts to protect equally both Israelis and Palestinians. I would like to finish by reiterating once again 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 lines with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both States and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“In instances where there have been accusations of excessive use of force by the Israeli authorities, as appears to be the case in the killing of the Eyad Falak in May, we expect full, transparent investigations. There must be serious reflection on what causes such use of force to be deemed necessary. Meanwhile, we saw a steady increase in indirect-fire attacks from Gaza into Israel from late May until early July. This shows the very real and unacceptable intent of militant Palestinian groups towards Israeli civilians. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains a serious and significant threat in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“And now is the time for the Palestinians to reach out to the United States and to Israel so that we can begin the journey back to negotiations. In creating the environment of trust needed for dialogue, we call on both parties to avoid further provocative rhetoric or actions. We call for accountability against incitement on both sides and for Israel to freeze all settlement activity, stop demolitions and actively prevent settler violence. The advancement of settlement plans, including in Givat Hamatos, Har Homa and Area E-1, is of particular concern. All settlements are illegal under international law. Settlement construction in those highly sensitive areas threatens to further undermine the viability of a future Palestinian State, with its capital in East Jerusalem.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“Preventing annexation and finding alternative ways for the parties to engage must be the top priority. I reiterate that the United Kingdom will not recognize any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties. Ultimately, we want to see both sides make meaningful steps towards a just, fair and agreed settlement. As my Prime Minister said to both Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas earlier this month, we want to see Israelis and Palestinians return to the negotiating table. The United Kingdom offers its full support in fostering such dialogue. Now is the time for Israel to make clear that it will not take any unilateral steps towards annexation. Now is the time for both parties to resume cooperation, particularly in regard to security.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“I would like to welcome you, Sir, to the Security Council today. I also thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing and, of course, for the continued efforts he and his team are making on the ground. I also wish to thank our two civil-society briefers, whose statements were very interesting and passionate, for their work. Finally, it is always nice to hear from my good colleagues, the Deputy Permanent Representatives of Israel and the Observer State of Palestine. As we have heard, this is a fragile and worrisome period. I want to say, first, that we remain deeply concerned about the prospect of annexation. Not only would that be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and run counter to international law, it would also compound the already fragile health and humanitarian situation.”
2020-07-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/736 (2020) · source
“We see that policy evidenced by data in the Secretary-General’s bi-monthly reports in response to our request for more detailed information on where the United Nations and its humanitarian partners are being denied sustained access. In addition, we call for strict adherence to the principles and parameters on United Nations assistance in Syria. We look forward to the Secretary- General’s updates to the Council and thank him for his leadership on this issue. It is a matter of great regret that Russia and China have chosen this week to play politics with humanitarian aid, at a time when the world and the region is battling coronavirus. Their actions will result in the loss of life and an increase in human suffering.”
2020-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/702 (2020) · source
“Over the past few days, we have heard of more confirmed COVID-19 cases in that area, so that loss will hamper the ability of aid agencies to respond effectively to the outbreak of the virus there. The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire. The further reduction of crossings places an added responsibility on the Syrian authorities to ensure that vital aid reaches all vulnerable populations. We urge them to improve cross-line access in keeping with the requests of United Nations agencies. We also urge them to cease their efforts to manipulate humanitarian aid to reward or punish communities that they view as loyal or disloyal.”
2020-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/702 (2020) · source
“It is distributed by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners according to need and across all of Syria, whether in areas controlled by the regime or not. We believe that cross-border and cross-line access is vital for getting aid to north-east and north-west Syria, particularly given the need to prepare and respond to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The loss of the Al-Yarubiyah border crossing six months ago has crippled the health-care system in parts of north-east Syria. The United Nations has been clear that cross-line deliveries from within Syria have not adequately filled the gap left by the termination of cross-border assistance by Russia and China earlier this year. The loss of the Bab Al-Salam border crossing today deprives 1.3 million people in north-west Syria of cross-border humanitarian assistance that they rely on.”
2020-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/702 (2020) · source
“We are disappointed that the Council was left with no choice but to approve a resolution that does not meet the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. It reduces humanitarian access and puts lives at risk. We reiterate our thanks to the co-penholders for their unstinting efforts: this situation is the responsibility of Russia and China. The United Kingdom has committed over £3.3 billion in response to the Syria crisis since 2012, which includes support for saving lives through shelter, medical help, water and food for victims of the violence across Syria and the surrounding region. Humanitarian aid is not a political tool to be bargained with and should be based purely on humanitarian need. The United Kingdom’s substantial assistance to the United Nations Syria appeal is not politicized.”
2020-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/702 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom is grateful for the determination and skilful diplomacy shown by the German and Belgian delegations on resolution 2533 (2020). The co-penholders worked tirelessly to deliver what the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have told us they need in order to meet the needs of millions of people in Syria. Unfortunately, the co-penholders have been blocked in this task by Russia and China. Twice this week, they have vetoed draft resolutions that commanded overwhelming support in the Security Council. Twice they voted to block the flow of aid to some of the most vulnerable people in the world today. Twice they put their own political calculations above saving human lives.”
2020-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/702 (2020) · source
“Full and prompt implementation of the peace agreement by leaders working together in genuine unity with the best interests of their people at heart remains the best hope for South Sudan and its people in these uniquely challenging times.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“The delay in appointing state governors, for example, has created avoidable power vacuums that have exacerbated subnational tensions and fuelled violence. The United Kingdom urges the Transitional Government of National Unity to redouble its efforts aimed at making progress on the transitional security arrangements, strengthen its messaging to counter hate speech, misinformation and incitement to violence, and tackle impunity through enhanced accountability for sexual and gender-based crimes.S/2020/582 The United Kingdom remains committed to South Sudan. In March, I said, “now the hard work begins”. Three months on, much of that hard work remains to be done. The longer the parties delay, the harder it will become.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“The violence in the Equatorias stemming from the breakdown of the ceasefire has killed and displaced hundreds more. There have been shocking reports of sexual violence carried out by forces on all sides, which, of course, has a critical role to play in successfully reducing these conflicts and mitigating their impact, including through facilitating community dialogue and patrolling hotspots. Furthermore, COVID-19 is inevitably affecting the Mission’s ability to carry out these vital tasks. It is therefore all the more urgent for the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to expedite implementation of the peace agreement, even if that means confronting a series of difficult decisions.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“COVID-19 also poses obvious risks to the health and safety of peacekeeping personnel. We hope the Secretariat will continue taking all steps necessary to guarantee medical- and casualty-evacuation arrangements for all personnel as part of its efforts to ensure that UNMISS can keep delivering on its mandate. The United Kingdom is deeply concerned at recent increases in violent conflict. Since the beginning of the year, thousands of South Sudanese have been killed or injured in hundreds of separate incidents of serious violence, including, most recently, in May, in Jonglei state. I note that among those killed in Jonglei were three non-governmental organization staff, which underscores once again the dangers faced by humanitarian personnel as they go about their life-saving work in South Sudan.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“COVID-19 has already had an impact on lives across South Sudan, from the highest levels of Government to ordinary men, women and children. And UNMISS has also been affected, including through the sad death of a civilian staff member. It is important that the measures taken to limit the spread of the virus allow life- saving services to continue. We are particularly concerned by the risks COVID-19 poses to those who have been made more vulnerable by forced displacement, including those living in protection-of-civilian sites. We thank UNMISS and all humanitarian actors on the ground for their efforts to mitigate those risks and hope that the South Sudanese authorities will make every effort to work with partners on preventing the spread of the disease, protect health-care workers and enable humanitarian access.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Shearer and Mr. Yakani for their briefings today. I also wish to convey the United Kingdom’s gratitude for the work that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to do under immensely challenging circumstances. In March, the Council unanimously commended the South Sudanese parties for demonstrating leadership. The formation of the revitalized Transitional Government Of National Unity was a significant moment in South Sudan’s short history, and it gave the people of South Sudan renewed hope for a brighter future. But in the past three months, the world has changed. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected all of us. South Sudan is no different.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/582 (2020) · source
“Finally, let me say that the United Kingdom remains committed to doing its part to meet the needs of the 50 million internally displaced persons across the globe, 90 per cent of whom are displaced as a result of conflict and violence. We are a long-standing advocate and supporter of the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Internal Displacement, which we believe represents a critical opportunity to galvanize political attention, tackle the growing challenge of internal displacement and find solutions that all countries can take forward.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“This remains important and urgent, given the increasing desperation in the camps in Cox’s Bazar, S/2020/560 the threat posed by COVID-19 and the perilous boat journeys that refugees continue to risk in the Bay of Bengal, facilitated by ruthless traffickers, for which a recent regional solution is essential. We have urged the Government of Myanmar to set up a transparent and credible long-term plan to advance those priorities. We hope they will use their report to the International Court of Justice to do that and will publish it as part of the commitment to transparency. Let me pay tribute to, and again thank, the Government and the people of Bangladesh for their incredible generosity in supporting so many refugees on their territory.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“In north-west Syria, where over 1 million civilians were displaced because of the most recent chapter in the conflict, preserving the ongoing ceasefire and extending the mandate of the United Nations cross-border aid mechanism are our priorities for averting further displacement. In Myanmar, the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine and Chin states has led to significant new displacement. This uptick in violence risks setting back efforts aimed at creating conditions conducive to the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees. We welcomed Myanmar’s recent announcement that the memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme and UNHCR has been extended until June 2021. However, more progress is required on creating conditions to allow for Rohingya repatriation.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“The entrenched conflict in Syria and the failure to reach a political solution, or even a lasting nationwide ceasefire, continues to prevent large-scale returns. While we hope that Syrians will ultimately be able to return to their homes, we agree with the United Nations assessment that conditions in Syria do not currently allow for this to occur. We continue to look to UNHCR to uphold the principles and the thresholds that should be met before facilitating returns, and we agree with the High Commissioner on the importance of measures to avert the ongoing acceleration of forced displacement.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“We agree that a continued focus on solutions remains critical. We have consistently emphasized the importance of longer-term development measures that increase refugee self-reliance as well as the importance of access to key services and opportunities, including education, work and training, delivered in a way that also looks to support generous host communities and countries. In this respect, I wish to commend Jordan’s recent announcement that, in its continued support for refugees across all sectors, it will allow all registered refugees, regardless of nationality, access to subsidized public health care. Indeed, we commend the generosity of all countries in the region that have hosted Syrian refugees for so long.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“We have provided $184 million for the new United Nations appeals, including $25 million for UNHCR, as part of an overall $1 billion contributed to the COVID-19 response since the crisis began. That money for UNHCR and the United Nations appeals will help install handwashing stations and isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps, provide protection and education services to forcibly displaced children and increase access to clean water for displaced people in areas of armed conflict. As the High Commissioner set out, efforts to build and sustain peace are the key to resolving displacement. The COVID-19 crisis is therefore an opportunity for us to redouble our conflict-prevention and peacebuilding efforts in support of the Secretary-General’s vision of building back better.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“I thank High Commissioner Grandi for his briefing, although I regretfully missed it because I was carrying out my democratic duty to elect new members of the Security Council. I thank him for the tremendous efforts that he and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are undertaking across the globe to help those most in need, particularly in the light of the huge impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The United Kingdom is a strong and steadfast supporter of UNHCR, and last year we contributed $122 million in core and country-level funding. I wish to echo the concerns expressed today about COVID-19’s impact on refugees and internally displaced persons.”
2020-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/560 (2020) · source
“I would just like to hear his assessment of the impact the COVID-19 is likely to have on rates of voluntary departures of civilians from protection-of-civilians sites and whether he expects COVID-19 to have a significant impact on how the force divides its resources between static and mobile protection tasks. Let me just say that the United Kingdom is very much looking forward to the deployment of our 250-strong long-range reconnaissance forces, with a view to working under MINUSMA command late this year.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“What are the implications for mandate delivery in the second half of the year? Thirdly, this is another question for the UNMISS Force Commander, but it is also relevant for all. We have continuing concerns about sexual and gender-based violence in several missions’ areas of operations, including, for instance, the recent violence reported in South Sudan. I know my Indonesian colleague asked about this, but I was wondering if the Force Commander could comment on how situational awareness and intelligence can be used in the field, both to prevent and deter sexual and gender-based violence and to respond to emergencies. Finally, I have yet another question for the UNMISS Force Commander.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“We naturally want to ensure that everything possible is done to guarantee the safety and security of all peacekeepers in the field, particularly with respect to illness and injury, but we are concerned about the impact COVID-19 is having on medical evacuation pathways. Does the Force Commander have confidence that the clinical pathways in place provide an adequate level of assurance? And if not, what can any of us do to help unblock issues and provide support? Secondly, we have noted the impact of COVID-19 on rotations with potential consequences on mission effectiveness and welfare. Bearing in mind that, in several mission environments, the virus may reach a peak in the coming months, what are the Force Commanders’ expectations for the period following the 30 June, when the freeze on rotations is due to be lifted?”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“We must therefore keep strengthening our delivery on protection-of-civilians mandates, which should include full implementation of the peacekeeping-intelligence policy and the revised Department of Peace Operations protection-of-civilians policy. We should also continue to implement the latest iteration of the action plan on the safety and security of peacekeepers. Finally, we should keep working to smoothen the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in such settings as the Sudan, increase our support for the Peacebuilding Fund and ensure a joined-up approach across the United Nations system, donors and other stakeholders.Like others, I have a few questions. The first, which I think is relevant to all missions, but I address it now to the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), is the following.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“We look forward to the promised roll-out of the new United Nations integrated performance policy framework later this year to address the performance of uniformed and civilian peacekeepers and overall mission performance, as well as to enhance transparency and accountability. In addition, we note, particularly in this twentieth anniversary year of resolution 1325 (2000), that we should also continue pursuing measures to increase the numbers of uniformed women peacekeepers deployed and ensure their full effective, meaningful participation at every level. As the Council heard recently in our annual debate on the protection of civilians (see S/2020/465), civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflict worldwide.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“The initiative can continue to provide a solid basis for ensuring our United Nations peacekeeping missions can and do fulfil all that we ask them to, even now, in these challenging circumstances. First, a central priority when it comes to reform must be enhancing planning and improving the collection and use of data across the board, in order to support evidence-based decision-making, both at Headquarters and in all mission settings. This will help improve the analysis and recommendations provided to the Member States. Connected with that is the issue of performance and the provision of better data on both outstanding performance and underperformance.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“I very much welcomed the comments in the briefings on how the missions are rising to meet these new challenges and how we as individual Member States, the Security Council and the Secretariat can best support the missions. The crucial challenge is how to continue supporting the safety and security of our peacekeepers while ensuring that they can complete their important work in fulfilling their mandates, both to protect civilians and provide stability in conflict- torn environments. We cannot afford to let up on either imperative. While we address these pressing challenges, we must not lose sight of the longer-term commitments we have all made as part of the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative, which seeks to reform peacekeeping to make it fit for the twenty-first century.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“First of all, let me thank the Force Commanders for addressing us today and, through them, I would like to thank their troops for the work they are doing to help protect civilians and support stability in some of the toughest environments in the world. I wish to join my colleagues in paying tribute to the 25 peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the field this year, including those in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) who recently lost their lives as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19, of course, has posed a range of additional challenges in every mission setting.”
2020-06-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/514 (2020) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to work constructively with the European Union and all other United Nations Members to achieve this.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“Collaboration through training, partnerships and complementary security initiatives can multiply efforts to further stability, allowing different actors to play distinct but supporting roles. In the Sahel, for example, we value the work of the EU training mission in its efforts to train the Malian armed forces, to which the United Kingdom continues to provide support. We are proud to be partnering with France in Operation Barkhane and to be deploying a 250-strong military contingent to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali later this year. This will provide situational awareness and information provision for the benefit of all international actors on the ground. An effective United Nations that is able to tackle so many global challenges is in the interests of us all.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“I want to acknowledge the points made by the High Representative and my E-3 colleagues, France and Germany, on the United States decision not to renew nuclear waivers, and I underline the importance of continued engagement on the way forward. While we recognize the agreement’s limitations, we continue to work closely with the remaining parties to the deal to find a diplomatic way forward. We have always been clear over our concerns about Iran’s destabilizing behaviour, including in Yemen, and are consulting partners on the broader implications of the expiry of the arms embargo in October 2012. Finally, we know that EU-United Nations cooperation can be particularly effective in the field of peacekeeping.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“We support efforts to enforce the United Nations arms embargo led through the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI, and we recall that the tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean continues to be a matter of deep regret. On Iran, we are working urgently with all parties to use the dispute-resolution mechanism to find a way forward on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We regard the agreement, which was the product of many years of painstaking diplomacy, as a vital instrument in neutralizing the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. We thank the European Union for its ongoing role as coordinator.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“We also underline our support for efforts through the Normandy process to facilitate a negotiated end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine and for the work of the Trilateral Contact Group. The High Representative mentioned the work of the European Union in Libya. The EU and the United Kingdom have continued to work closely on Libya, including through engagement with the Berlin process. We look forward to further cooperation with our European partners to urge the Libyan parties and their backers to de-escalate, commit to a lasting ceasefire, ensure unconditional access for humanitarian aid and return to the United Nations-led process.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“We welcome the decision to open EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, the political agreements in Bosnia and Herzegovina to work on the EU opinion, and efforts to normalize the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo through the EU- facilitated dialogue. NATO remains the cornerstone of Europe’s collective defence, and we were pleased to welcome North Macedonia to the alliance earlier this year. Turning to Ukraine, the United Kingdom will continue to work with the European Union and other partners in support of international law and the wider rules-based international system to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Alongside our international partners, we will continue to make clear to Russia that we do not, and will not, accept its illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“Some colleagues have mentioned sanctions. Let me simply say that sanctions are a targeted foreign policy tool used as part of a comprehensive and proportionate strategy, with careful exemptions for humanitarian activity. The United Kingdom strongly supported EU sanctions as a member of the European Union and now continues to implement them nationally for the duration of the transition period. Turning to some of the other points raised by the High Representative, on the Western Balkans we join international partners in supporting the goal of a stable region, continuing its progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“As part of our global efforts to tackle the virus, the United Kingdom will make a direct contribution of almost $25 million to the AU’s Africa anti-COVID-19 fund to help efforts to slow the spread of the virus on the continent and to save lives. We must ensure we make a green, clean recovery from COVID-19 in order to meet the challenge of climate change and ensure an ambitious, successful and inclusive twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26). As President of COP 26, the United Kingdom looks forward to working with the United Nations and the EU to deliver the ambitious outcome the world so urgently needs. We consider our European partners as close allies in combating climate change and in leading the world in low carbon transition.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“International collaboration keeps supply chains functioning, supports finding and distributing a vaccine and guides the vital health, humanitarian and development operations of United Nations funds, programmes and agencies in the field. Demands on them will only grow as the crisis deepens. Our response must include supporting the most vulnerable countries, particularly those directly affected by ongoing conflict. In that regard, we welcome the role of the African Union (AU) in the cooperative relationship among the EU, the United Nations and the AU in supporting African leadership in States and regions affected by conflict.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source
“I would like to draw the attention of all Council members to the joint statement that Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab issued earlier today with his United States, Canadian and Australian counterparts, which sets out our concerns in more detail. We hope that China will now pause to reconsider, take steps to rebuild trust and heal divisions across Hong Kong society and live up to its responsibilities and obligations as a leading member of the international community. In the meantime, the United Kingdom will remain in close contact with all our international partners about the next steps. To end the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to work with all our international partners, including the EU and the United Nations.”
2020-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/489 (2020) · source