YouSaid · the spoken record

Juul

lines on the record: 1,152
first: 2005-02-17
most recent: 2023-07-27
sittings or episodes: 232
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We strongly urge those responsible — at all levels — to redouble their efforts and ensure a clear mechanism for implementing the 30 per cent quota in the lower house of Parliament. Somalia’s ambition should be to move well beyond what was already achieved almost five years ago. The call for the inclusion of women in political processes is not one imposed from the outside. As we heard again today, Somali women are expressing themselves loudly and clearly, including through the Somali Women’s Charter. We appreciate that the renewed mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is strengthened on the issue of women and peace and security and look forward to its implementation and reflection in future reports. Norway remains deeply concerned about the high levels of grave violations against children in Somalia.”
2021-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8907 (2021) · source
“A life-saving humanitarian response is critical, but long-term solutions can only be found through economic development, reforms, stabilization and reconciliation. At all levels, the Government needs to strengthen service delivery, implement sustainable mitigation strategies and focus on implementing the national stabilization strategy. I again thank Ms. Siyad for her account of the remaining challenges that must be overcome to achieve the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all parts of Somali society. Although there has been some progress, as compared to 2016, it is disappointing, as so many others have expressed, that the 30 per cent quota was not met in the Upper House elections.”
2021-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8907 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Swan, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Madeira and Ms. Asha Siyad for their insightful briefings. Somalia is still at a political impasse — one that has absorbed too much energy for too long. There is a high risk of power and governance vacuums in several areas, which could be filled by Al-Shabaab and severely set back the peace and State-building processes. While we recognize some progress, there is an urgent need to finalize the electoral process and to address fundamental security and development challenges in Somalia. Recurrent humanitarian crises, which are compounded by the effects of climate change and insufficient economic growth, continue to affect the lives of vulnerable Somalis.”
2021-11-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8907 (2021) · source
“As members of the Security Council, we must keep a particular focus on where early engagement can contribute to preventing escalation and draw on all the resources, as well as partners, throughout the United Nations system that we can.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“The integrity and independence provided by the good offices of the Secretary-General are also essential tools of the United Nations system to prevent conflict through mediation. The capacities within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Mediation Support Unit are of a high quality and merit our greater support. We have all witnessed how negotiating with authorities and armed groups in humanitarian crisis can provide safe and unimpeded access to those in need. We have also seen the difference that preventive diplomacy can make in the lead-up to elections, contested political transitions and the challenging implementation phases of peace accords. The Secretariat is well placed to provide that expertise and experience. Preventive diplomacy is more often than not resisted where it is most needed.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“As we look to join up approaches across the United Nations system, the clear mandate of the Human Rights Council to work through dialogue and cooperation, towards the prevention of human rights violations, is of the utmost importance. Greater interaction among the Security Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council is needed to facilitate early engagement and prevent conflict. The Peacebuilding Commission is another, may I say, underutilized tool within our conflict prevention toolbox. Working together with the Peacebuilding Fund, the Commission has proved its added value, for example, in supporting important prevention programmes in Africa, in line with the Silencing the Guns initiative.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“The use or threat of use of the veto also continues to prevent the Council from acting on vital topics. We call for restraint on the use of the veto, especially for actions aimed at preventing and ending mass atrocity crimes, which are at the very heart of the Council’s mandate. While, as we heard this morning, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security, it certainly does not stand alone. All parts of the United Nations system must work together to prevent conflict and build peace. There is no better guarantee for the prevention of conflict than for Member States to fulfil their human rights obligations.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“More effective sharing of information and insights will allow all members of the Council to participate on a more equal footing and contribute their valuable views and unique perspectives. In that regard, there is a key role for the Secretariat and the United Nations system briefers to use their interactions with the Council to bring emerging issues to its attention and sound the alarm. Indeed, the Secretary-General — the principal preventive diplomat of the United Nations — also has a defined Charter-based mandate to do so in accordance with Article 99. While better situational awareness may not fix political differences in how to resolve a conflict, it will build a common baseline of understanding and bring forward the point at which the Council first engages.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“Norway thanks you, Sir, for convening this important debate and in particular for bringing together so many important parts of the United Nations system. My thanks go to the briefers. This issue is of great importance to Norway. We firmly believe that preventative diplomacy should be at the heart of the Security Council’s work. As the Secretary-General set out in Our Common Agenda, investments in prevention and preparedness pay for themselves many times over in terms of both the human and financial costs that are spared. Early engagement with potential threats to international peace and security will also protect civilians, including children, and enhance the safety and security of United Nations personnel. In searching for ways to facilitate early responses, we need to improve the Council’s situational awareness.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906 (2021) · source
“Lastly, but importantly, military and security measures alone will never be enough to ensure stability and sustainable development in the Sahel region. As Norwegian author Olav Duun once put it: “evil cannot be killed with an axe”. Security cannot be the goal; it is merely a means to an end. We need to maintain a holistic focus on good governance, human rights, climate change adaptation and basic services. In the end, those are the things that matter for people in their daily lives.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Military operations must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Norway remains deeply concerned about attacks against civilians, including allegations of sexual violence against women and girls, reportedly also committed by members of the Joint Force. It is commendable that some such perpetrators have been prosecuted or removed from their positions. We encourage the scaling up of efforts to monitor and ensure accountability in order to prevent such incidents in the first place. The Force must become more aware of the impact of their operations on civilians and to prevent civilian harm. To that end, Norway continues to support the implementation of the compliance framework of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Given the concerning context, the Council spent the recent trip to the Sahel listening for solutions. We understand the need for flexibility, sustainability and predictability for the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel. Moreover, as a regional response to regional challenges, the Joint Force merits our attention and support. It is for those reasons that Norway supports the Secretary-General’s proposal of a support office for the Joint Force. We look forward to discussing that further, including how a support office could best supplement other and future bilateral and multilateral support. We know that the Joint Force operates in a challenging context. Nevertheless, any support that involves the United Nations must fully comply with the United Nations due diligence policy.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“I thank the briefers for their insights, not least those of our civil society briefer, Ms. Fatimata Ouilma Sinaré. Let me again express Norway’s deep concern about developments in Mali, which affect not only the country, but also the region and regional cooperation efforts. We continue to strongly support the leadership and peace diplomacy of the Economic Community of West African States. Let me also express our solidarity with our colleagues from the Niger after the horrific attacks last week. That is just the latest example of a deeply disturbing security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel. We also know that violent armed groups primarily operate in border areas in order to evade accountability. That is alarming as it poses the risk of this menace spreading even farther.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Creating a culture of public participation can also ease tension, reduce frustration and build trust, as can accountable institutions and competent, independent and impartial judiciaries, which are essential to upholding the rule of law and ensuring them that human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected. There is little hope of achieving peace and security as long as underlying political conflicts remain unresolved, especially those stemming from exclusion and inequality. We must all give higher priority towards promoting inclusive political settlements in our peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts.”
2021-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8900 (2021) · source
“The PBC acts as a bridge among the principal organs and relevant United Nations entities by sharing advice and peacebuilding needs and priorities. It is well placed to contribute to a holistic approach and should be better utilized. We encourage the Security Council to actively seek this view and support the PBC in its work. Inclusive societies are peaceful societies. Development and peace gains are not sustainable if a large part of a population is marginalized and if human rights are not respected. We know that exclusion is a driver of conflict, which is why promoting human rights is one key component of both Norway’s foreign policy and development policy. Women’s empowerment through direct and meaningful participation is fundamental and a well-proven way to build sustainable peace.”
2021-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8900 (2021) · source
“We are committed to the principle of the nexus, as exemplified in the Grand Bargain, the comprehensive refugee response framework and the reform of the United Nations development system. Better and more coordinating financing across the nexus is one way to move beyond institutional silos and deliver results together. Another way is by mobilizing grass-root movements and civil society, including women’s organizations. This is crucial to breaking cycles of conflict and fostering sustainable solutions for people where they live. These issues also form an important part of the United Nations preventive work, and, in this respect, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and the Peacebuilding Fund are both important tools for coherence.”
2021-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8900 (2021) · source
“Protracted armed conflicts, worsening climate change, systematic inequality and persistent poverty are affecting the peace and security of a growing number of people, and the coronavirus disease pandemic has further endangered the most vulnerable populations, compounding the root causes of conflict. To respond effectively, we must strengthen efforts across the work of the United Nations, from humanitarian assistance to development to peacebuilding and human rights, especially in order to tackle such complex issues as exclusion, inequality and poverty as drivers of conflict. For example, populations emerging from conflict need sustained investment in reconciliation as well as improved livelihoods, preparedness and resilience to respond to future crises. For this, Norway supports an integrated approach.”
2021-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8900 (2021) · source
“I thank the President for honouring us with his presence in the Chamber today. I extend my appreciation to Mexico for organizing today’s debate and putting this important topic on the Security Council’s agenda I also thank the Secretary-General and Ms. Guala for their insightful remarks. Today’s debate strongly resonates with the Secretary-General’s report, Our Common Agenda, which lays out how the lack of trust, the absence of justice, deepening inequalities, exclusion and marginalization can lead to, in particular, instability, fragility and conflict. We agree with these analyses and support moving this agenda forward, including in the Security Council.”
2021-11-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8900 (2021) · source
“The obligations of all are made clear: incidents must be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. All parties to the conflict must fully respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law, even in the most dire circumstances. Every day that the fighting continues and the rhetoric grows only makes a credible accountability process and a viable transitional justice mechanism more vital. Those mechanisms will be of the utmost importance to future national reconciliation. The people of Ethiopia, and indeed all people in the broader region, are dependent on the ability of the parties to urgently find a path to sustainable peace. And we stand ready to assist.”
2021-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8899 (2021) · source
“At least 2 million persons are displaced in Tigray, and hundreds of thousands in Amhara and Afar. Access to food, health care and other basic services must be restored. And all possible modalities for that must be explored. We call on all parties to immediately facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. We know that the suffering of the Ethiopian people also goes beyond the current humanitarian crisis. Norway is appalled by the findings in the joint report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. While limited in time and geographical scope, it outlines a pattern of the killing of civilians and the widespread and systematic use of sexual and gender-based violence.”
2021-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8899 (2021) · source
“We specifically call on the Tigray Defense Forces, the TPLF and forces from the Oromo Liberation Army not to attempt an attack on Addis Ababa. We also urge the Government of Ethiopia to refrain from imposing any measures or restrictions upon civilians of specific ethnicities, including Tigray and Oromo. Norway fully supports the AU peace initiative and the mandate and efforts of the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa. We call on all parties to fully cooperate with the High Representative, immediately stop fighting and make the necessary concessions for a negotiated cessation of hostilities. The humanitarian situation is extremely dire. Hundreds of thousands in Tigray are facing famine-like conditions, and there is a serious risk of large-scale famine.”
2021-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8899 (2021) · source
“There can be no military solution. That should be evident to all parties: from the federal Government to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army. Further escalation of the fighting will not lead to victory; it will only inflict more unnecessary suffering on the Ethiopian people. We are deeply concerned by reports of increased ethnic profiling and discrimination. Ethnically charged statements inciting violence will only deepen divisions, perhaps to irreversible levels. Divisive actions today make peace more difficult tomorrow. We urge Ethiopian leaders to recognize the need for a future inclusive dialogue and reconciliation process. All parties must exercise maximum restraint and immediately work to de-escalate the conflict.”
2021-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8899 (2021) · source
“I thank the three African members of the Security Council — Kenya, the Niger and Tunisia — as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Ireland, for leading the call to add this item to our agenda. This is indeed a time when a strong and united message from the Council is critical. And I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa for their briefings, and not least the efforts by the African Union (AU). The development of the crisis in Ethiopia is threatening the stability and the very integrity of the country. It is hitting the civilian population hard — and certainly the most vulnerable the hardest. As a close friend and decades-long partner to Ethiopia and the Ethiopian people, Norway is deeply concerned, both by the magnitude of the crisis and its potential regional impact.”
2021-11-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8899 (2021) · source
“We welcome the fact that all signatory parties have now joined the Action Plan Against the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict. We also commend Mali for signing the Safe Schools Declaration. The Declaration was the topic of an international conference in Abuja this week. Norway stands ready to further support Mali’s efforts on those important issues. Finally, let me also express our support to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2374 (2017) concerning Mali and its Panel of Experts. It is important that its work, which is mandated by the Security Council, be allowed to continue. We are concerned about the delayed appointments of new Experts and encourage a swift resolution of that issue.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“Building on some positive examples, inclusivity must also continue to be enhanced, including for women. Secondly, concerning the protection of civilians, Norway is alarmed by increasing attacks against civilians and human rights violations and abuses. The number of internally displaced people in Mali has also quadrupled in two years. Thanks not least to the strong leadership of the Niger, earlier today the Council adopted resolution 2601 (2021), on the protection of education in conflict. Let me stress that close to half a million children in Mali alone are affected by almost 1,600 schools remaining closed. Without schools, children are more vulnerable to abuse and recruitment and use by armed groups.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“Let me highlight two issues: the democratic transition and the protection of civilians, in particular children. First, with regard to the democratic transition, the only way to ensure legitimacy for key political reform is to hand over power to a civilian-led Government. We would strongly advise Mali’s transitional authorities to never lose sight of that fact. That means putting forward a credible plan for how and when elections will take place. The Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the Council and Mali’s own Transition Charter have all been clear on the issue. In addition, the Algiers Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali was signed by all parties and must be respected. We call on all actors to speed up and scale up its implementation across the whole country.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“I too would like to thank Special Representative Wane for his briefing, not least his insights and valuable support during our visit to Bamako. We touched upon a lot of issues during the trip, so I will keep my remarks brief. Our main takeaway from the visit was the urgent need for the current leaders to move in the direction of constitutional Government and rule of law. The need for political and institutional reforms is also apparent, but in order to keep the foundations for peace, it will be key to keep the transition process on track. After two coups, the transitional leaders now have a huge responsibility towards the Malian people. Their political decisions will also be consequential for the security situation of the broader region.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8893 (2021) · source
“We must do more to safeguard educational institutions from military use and attacks and ensure the continuation of education during conflicts, including by investing in education in situations of crisis and conflict.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8889 (2021) · source
“A few days ago, we — the members of the Security Council — visited the Sahel. From this experience, I am convinced that this resolution could not be more timely. Four thousand schools in the Sahel countries are closed and more than 13 million children are deprived of their right to education. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has worsened risks and increased protection needs, and threatens to undo gains previously made in ensuring access to education and the protection of children in armed conflict. Our work as the Council clearly does not end today. We must ensure that the resolution is fully implemented and that we use this momentum to move forward.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8889 (2021) · source
“More than 11,000 attacks, harming more than 22,000 students and educators in at least 93 countries, were reported between 2014 and 2019. The destruction of educational facilities and the denial of access to education have immediate, as well as long-term negative impacts on the lives of children and youth, their communities and society as a whole. And this has been recognised by the Council today. For the first time, the Security Council has adopted a resolution uniquely dedicated to the protection of education. The resolution calls upon Member States to protect schools and education facilities from attacks, and recognizes the need for concrete measures to mitigate the negative consequences caused by the military use of schools. It also places an important emphasis on the vulnerability of girls.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8889 (2021) · source
“Let me start by thanking all Council members for their contributions and constructive spirit in the lead-up to today’s adoption, with 98 sponsors. I must also, of course, thank our dear co-penholder, the Niger, for its great cooperation and long-standing commitment to addressing this topic. We also sincerely thank our education partners from civil society and non-governmental organizations who have supported the work on resolution 2601 (2021) and who, every day, make a difference by providing education opportunities for children in armed conflict. We are confident that the resolution is a strong contribution to the Council’s clear voice on addressing the disruption of education. Education is under attack around the world.”
2021-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8889 (2021) · source
“Sadly, Afghan women are not alone in that situation. The same calls for protection and participation are clearly heard from Myanmar, Yemen, Syria and Somalia, to mention but a few places. Protection and participation are interlinked and mutually reinforcing and require the strong commitment of the international community. There have been numerous calls for a dedicated funding mechanism for women human rights defenders working in crisis, conflict and post-conflict situations. Norway is responding to that call. Today we are making another commitment: to provide seed funding for a new mechanism by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund. That mechanism will provide flexible funding to support women human rights defenders at risk for both their participation and protection, not one at the cost of the other.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“For example, in Colombia, Norway has committed to support the efforts of UN-Women and the Ombudsman’s Office and to work directly with women’s organizations in enhancing early-warning systems and ensuring a gendered approach in implementing security measures. That is vital for women peacebuilders who have been risking their lives to defend the central commitments of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. Even here in the Council, just a year ago, at this very open debate, we heard Afghan civil society activist Zarqa Yaftali echoing the calls of many before her for the international community to ensure that women’s rights and participation are not traded away for false promises of peace (see S/2020/1084). A year later, many strong female voices have had to flee in fear of the Taliban.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“We remain committed to the Action for Peacekeeping initiative, which guides our collective aim of increasing women’s participation in peace operations. It will also make missions better reflect the populations they serve and increase their effectiveness. That is not only a matter of numbers, but a matter of ensuring that women at all levels have direct and substantive influence on implementation. We are equally committed to ensuring women’s participation in all aspects of the protection of civilians, which is critical to address the root causes of conflict. We should never sacrifice women’s right to participate in the name of protection. On the contrary, we should include them from the very start in the design of security measures and responses.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“For example, when the informal talks in South Sudan turned into revitalized peace talks, South Sudanese women demanded a seat at the table. That resulted in the inclusion of gender provisions and quotas in the final text of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Today there are several women in South Sudan in key political positions. Our partners already had the capacity and competency — what they needed was access and our collective support to make it happen. We particularly welcome Kenya’s emphasis today on investing in women peacebuilders and peacekeepers. They are truly key to advancing women’s direct participation in all aspects of peace and security.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“Therefore, in our next national action plan for women and peace and security, Norway will quadruple the target for funding in this field. Nevertheless, addressing the lack of funding alone is not enough. Norway is present in more than 50 countries affected by conflict and crises, and we directly or indirectly support a number of peace processes. In every single one, we are deeply committed to women’s full and substantive participation. We set the bar high, but we can clear it only through close cooperation with the United Nations, especially UN-Women, and local communities. Conflicts and peace processes are prone to abrupt change, yet women peacebuilders always adapt, and we are committed to adapting our approaches with them.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“I want to thank Kenya for convening today’s debate, in particular for facilitating the participation of the broader membership. It is vital to the Security Council’s work that we hear from everyone. In that respect, allow me to thank Secretary- General Guterres, Executive Director Bahous and Special Envoy Diop for their briefings. I also extend a special thanks to Ms. Umenza Velasco. It is time to get serious about women’s participation. This year’s report (S/2021/827) highlights the trend of increasing global military spending. If achieving peace and security is our aim, we should invest more in women’s participation and protection, not as an end in itself but as a prerequisite for peace and stability. You asked us, Madam President, to bring commitments today.”
2021-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8886 (2021) · source
“The endorsement of the recommendation by Heads of State and Government at the upcoming Extraordinary Summit of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), together with the existing mechanism under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region and the ICGLR, may further contribute to curbing the revenue of armed groups and advance the transparent and sustainable management of natural resources in the region. Norway encourages all stakeholders to work together to ensure implementation. In conclusion, we welcome the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2021/19 today. Norway reiterates its support for the work of the Special Envoy and the ICGLR. Their efforts are crucial to ensuring peace and stability in the Great Lakes region.”
2021-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8884 (2021) · source
“Furthermore, it strengthens armed groups, leading to the additional suffering of the civilian population. The illicit trade in gold, timber and other natural resources also leads to a loss of public revenue for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. That, in turn, has serious consequences for States’ ability to protect their populations and provide essential services. The cross-border dimension of the illicit trade cannot be overlooked. In that respect, it was encouraging to see the recommendation from the high- level workshop on natural resources, held in Khartoum, in August. We must enhance ownership of such regional initiatives.”
2021-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8884 (2021) · source
“We commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for applying a gender-sensitive approach to DDR in the recent transition plan. We look forward to working with the Special Envoy and all relevant actors, including civil society and women, to ensure the implementation of those important initiatives. Thirdly, the illicit trade in national resources generates hundreds of millions of dollars per year. It is the root cause of conflict and must be addressed. It fuels intercommunal violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, contributes to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and hampers the consolidation of peace and security.”
2021-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8884 (2021) · source
“Secondly, the adoption of the United Nations Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region and its accompanying action plan is a good starting point for fostering closer regional cooperation. The action plan’s focus on involving key financial partners, such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Union, will be helpful in delivering on promises. We also welcome the intensified activity of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and planned actions on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) within the Peacebuilding Fund.”
2021-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8884 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Envoy Huang Xia, Executive Secretary Caholo and Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee for their briefings. I will also focus on three points today. First, we recognize the positive advances in cooperation in the Great Lakes region. The bilateral diplomatic outreach and high-level visits within the region are a testament to that. We also see stronger security cooperation and coordination of military and non-military actions against armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. That is encouraging, especially given the violence, human rights violations and abuses and dire humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is vital that the United Nations system and the international community support efforts to address the situation, including through regional cooperation and coordination.”
2021-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8884 (2021) · source
“Norway will host a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for the Coordination of the International Assistance to Palestinians on 16 and 17 November in Oslo to address the deteriorating fiscal situation of the PA and consider how to strengthen the Authority. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the parties, donors and development partners to agree on concrete steps forward on both on the economic and political aspects of Palestinian State-building. The two-State solution is the only solution that will ensure long-term stability, which will benefit not only Israelis and Palestinians but also the region as a whole.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8883 (2021) · source
“We are also deeply worried about the increased violence, including settler violence, in the West Bank. We remind Israel of its responsibility to protect civilians, especially children, and call on it to stop the use of live ammunition against Palestinian protesters. We call also on the Palestinian Authority to uphold human rights and to refrain from limiting the civil- society space. Norway welcomes the renewed high-level dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and we were encouraged to hear from Tor Wennesland that there have also been recent contacts in the Quartet. We stand ready to assist in further strengthening dialogue.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8883 (2021) · source
“Norway welcomes the signals from the Israeli Government that it will support improving living conditions in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority (PA) will remain our partner for development efforts in Palestine, including in Gaza. We are deeply concerned about Israeli plans to implement the E-1 settlement plan. Such settlements would cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and undermine the viability of a contiguous Palestinian State. Israeli settlements on occupied territory constitute a violation of international law. We urge Israel to halt settlement activities, house demolitions and evictions. Those actions have not only inflamed the recent escalation around Gaza; they go against international efforts to stabilize the situation and resolve the conflict.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8883 (2021) · source
“The current relative calm in Gaza, as well as the recent increase in imports and the number of work permits issued, is a positive development. The distribution of cash assistance to tens of thousands of vulnerable families has also been successful. However, as the Special Coordinator has highlighted, that situation is not sustainable. The closure of Gaza must be lifted. To improve the lives of Palestinians living in Gaza, we must spur economic growth by allowing many more Gazans to seek work in Israel and in the West Bank; generating good jobs in Gaza itself; and easing import and export restrictions. We call on all actors to contribute to keeping the calm and averting further hostilities, and we support all efforts to secure a long-term and stable ceasefire. Calm is a prerequisite for true progress in rebuilding Gaza better.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8883 (2021) · source
“I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his very thorough although slightly concerning briefing today. I also thank Daniel Levy and Hanan Ashrawi for their very valuable contributions. Let me begin by reiterating Norway’s enduring commitment to a broad political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conflict is often overshadowed by seemingly more urgent crises on the Council’s agenda, yet it is critical that we keep focusing on the need to address the underlying issues here as well. We reaffirm our support for a negotiated two- State solution on the basis of the 1967 lines; the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2334 (2016); international law; and internationally agreed parameters, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, within secure and recognized borders.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8883 (2021) · source
“Granting the Commission another seven months of operations will provide valuable time to comply with its mandate. Hopefully, its report will serve to heal wounds and become a point of departure toward a peaceful future. Finally, rest assured that Norway remains committed to accompanying Colombia in its efforts to ensure the peace agreement is comprehensively implemented.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“Providing dignified living conditions for former combatants is imperative. Making sure that the signatories to the agreement are able to provide food and adequate housing for themselves and their families is of utmost importance. And we are pleased to learn that steps are being taken to overcome differences. We encourage both parties to make the best possible use of the various formal and informal spaces created by the agreement, not least the National Reintegration Council and the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement. We are again pleased to highlight the progress made by the integrated system for transitional justice. The Truth Commission provides an invaluable space for truth telling and encounters between victims and perpetrators.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source
“The implementation of the Comprehensive Security System for the Exercise of Politics, as stipulated in the agreement, would be a significant step. We hope the political parties can, once again, rally around a platform of non-violence. People taking to the streets to peacefully protest is a legitimate expression of political participation and must be respected, not met with disproportionate use of force. An inclusive political dialogue requires the participation of community leaders, civil society and human rights defenders. We know that women and peace and security is a high priority for Colombia. We acknowledge the work undertaken to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful participation, and encourage even more resources be allocated to strengthen security guarantees for women, human rights defenders, ex- combatants and social leaders.”
2021-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8879 (2021) · source