YouSaid · the spoken record

Kelley

lines on the record: 105
first: 2011-11-09
most recent: 2023-12-30
sittings or episodes: 22
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 farcical that Russia would request a meeting convening us here today to discuss the implications for the prospects of the resolution of the conflict around Ukraine, when it is Russia that launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and when it is Russia that could end the war today by simply withdrawing its troops. This past Monday, we met in this Chamber (see S/PV.9431) to discuss Russia’s decimation of the Ukrainian village of Hroza, as just one example of its unrelenting attacks, which kill innocent people and destroy critical infrastructure. Russia’s invasion of and sustained attacks against Ukraine for more than 18 months are the real threats to international peace and security.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“It is the height of hypocrisy for a member of the Council — a permanent member, no less — that has invaded another Member State in violation of the Charter of the United Nations to raise questions about that very Member State’s inherent right to self-defence, as reflected in the same Charter. The Kremlin undermines the Council with continued irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, the procurement of arms from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of multiple Security Council resolutions on that country, the procurement of certain armed drones from Iran in violation of resolution 2231 (2015), and continued threats to global food security through its unilateral suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and endangering cargo vessels in the Black Sea.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“I thank the Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Ebo, for his briefing today. His continuing efforts to counter weapons diversion are critical. Nearly one month to the day since Russia previously called a meeting on this issue (see S/PV.9415), we are once again here at Russia’s request. Make no mistake, addressing security threats from the illicit proliferation of conventional arms is a long-standing United States international security priority. We take exception to Russia’s continued cynical effort to turn the Security Council into a pulpit for its ever-growing disinformation campaign.”
2023-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9436 (2023) · source
“That is why the United States is committed to finding a way within appropriate parameters for United Nations assessed contributions to partially fund AU-led peace-support operations authorized by the Security Council. The arrangement should define the respective roles of the AU, the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretariat in supporting an AU financing arrangement. It would enshrine commitments and responsibilities on human rights and define specific financial burden-sharing components. We welcome opportunities such as this to further discuss our cooperation and paths forward. The United States will continue to support close cooperation to advance peace and security in Africa between the United Nations, regional organizations such as the AU and subregional organizations.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“The Security Council and all Member States must be more active in supporting the AU and IGAD’s demands for a ceasefire, humanitarian access and a return to a democratic transition. We hope to see further cooperation on the issue of the Sudan between the AU and the United Nations in the Security Council. Regional peace operations remain one of the most important tools that the international community has to address new and emerging crises, and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia has continued to make a significant contribution to a more stable and secure Somalia. At the same time, the lack of predictable and sustainable financing has hindered their fulfilment of their mandates, constraining these missions’ potential for delivering on their promise.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“We also strongly urge the United Nations to prioritize the removal and disposal of lethal equipment and ammunition, which if seized by bad actors would only further destabilize the country and the region. Turning to the Sudan, the United States joins the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and partners in calling for the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately end the fighting, adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, respect human rights and allow unhindered humanitarian access. This is the time for the international community to stand with the AU, IGAD and the United Nations to consolidate pressure on the warring parties.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“We reaffirm our commitment to working with African partners, including local leaders and civil society, regional bodies and Governments to support democratic institutions. We recognize and support the Economic Community of West African States in leading efforts to bring about a solution that preserves constitutional order in the Niger. In Mali, we are deeply concerned about the rise in violence that has accompanied the drawdown of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. Mali has a responsibility to support the Mission’s safe and orderly withdrawal by fully cooperating with the United Nations and prioritizing the safety and security of peacekeepers.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“The Biden-Harris Administration has taken great steps to scale up World Bank financing and expand resources for low- and middle-income countries. That will help to boost progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and better address interconnected challenges such as climate change and fragility. We applaud collaboration among the United Nations, the AU, regional economic communities and regional mechanisms, as well as other partners, in support of conflict prevention and meditation. We also welcome efforts to include women, young people, civil society and other stakeholders in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes, as outlined in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2023/629). The United States is deeply concerned about the recent trend to democratic backsliding in West Africa and in other parts of the continent.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“I would like to thank our briefers Special Representative of the Secretary-General Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed and Mr. Solomon Ayele Dersso for their insightful views on how to enhance and improve coordination and collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union (AU). The United States shares the Secretary-General’s assessment that strong partnerships between our bodies are important to address global and regional challenges arising from climate change, food and energy insecurity, conflict, violence and terrorism. That includes the Secretary-General’s recommendation that international financial institutions must evolve to advance their core mission of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, while also refocusing efforts on transnational challenges.”
2023-10-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9435 (2023) · source
“Russia has repeatedly claimed that it is seeking an impartial investigation, despite its own premature attempts to place the blame on certain countries. It is no surprise that it selectively promotes narratives in the Council that comport with its preordained conclusions while dismissing alternative views. Any country where such an incident occurred within its territory would expect to first conduct its own investigation. The Council should ignore the accusations and speculation and allow Denmark, Germany and Sweden to conclude their work. Russia’s disingenuous statements feigning concern are intended to undermine the ongoing investigations in an attempt to prejudice their results.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9424 (2023) · source
“We regret that the Russian Mission continues to call repetitive meetings on this topic, despite the many other pressing matters on the Security Council’s agenda. The United States reiterates its concern about the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that took place in September 2022. Out of respect for the Council’s time, I will keep my statement brief and refer members to our prior statements on the matter. The United States continues to have confidence in the ongoing investigations led by the Governments of Denmark, Germany and Sweden into the facts of what happened. The attacks took place in the maritime zones of Denmark and Sweden, and those Governments are conducting thorough and impartial investigations.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9424 (2023) · source
“With respect to human rights, the final report of the Human Rights Council’s Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya (A/HRC/52/83) is dismaying. The enumerated violations and abuses of the human rights of men, women and children — and particularly migrants — are horrific, and the situation appears to be getting worse. The impunity with which State and non-State actors have operated demonstrates an utter lack of regard for the welfare of human beings in the pursuit of money and power. There must be accountability for those violations and abuses if national reconciliation is to be achieved. The people of Libya have waited long enough. It is time for Libya’s leaders to show progress and demonstrate a willingness to put their nation’s interests above their own.”
2023-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9306 (2023) · source
“We applaud the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI for the diversion of vessels found to contain arms and related material that could enable renewed conflict in Libya. The United States welcomes the ongoing work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission to unify Libya’s security forces and fully implement the ceasefire agreement. The withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries remains an essential element in maintaining stability throughout Libya. The expulsion of Wagner Group mercenaries is critical. The war in Ukraine has laid bare what civilians in Libya and elsewhere in Africa have known for years, which is that the Wagner Group is a brutal organization that seeks only to advance its own interests — and those of Russia — in Africa.”
2023-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9306 (2023) · source
“It is time to build on past achievements and the current momentum by constructively engaging in the inclusive process outlined by Special Representative Bathily towards a United Nations-facilitated road map to elections as soon as is feasible. The United States urges the 6+6 committee to contribute to that United Nations- led effort by immediately addressing the remaining barriers to elections. On sanctions, we remain concerned about the uptick in trafficking both in illicit petroleum and arms. We urge all Member States to prevent any illicit petroleum shipments outside the National Oil Corporation, which often fund destabilizing actors in Libya and steal resources that rightly belong to the Libyan people. We also continue to support strict adherence to the arms embargo.”
2023-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9306 (2023) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Bathily for his briefing on the situation in Libya, as well as the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) on Libya for his report. We continue to unequivocally support the Special Representative’s efforts to reach the political consensus needed for Libyans to hold elections as soon as possible. The frustration among the Libyan people over the political stalemate is evident. Powerful actors continue to undermine the path to elections. The interference has only become more public since the failure to hold elections in December 2021.”
2023-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9306 (2023) · source
“This is not the first and will not be the last time Russia seeks to abuse its Council seat to spout disinformation and vitriol. Much like what happened at the meeting of the Group of 20 earlier this month, it convinces no one. Each excuse will not hide the fact that Russia seeks to destroy its neighbour and fulfil its imperialist expansionist ambitions. The people of Ukraine, a sovereign, independent State that is part of the United Nations community, will continue its brave defence of their country. And the United States will stand with them for as long as it takes.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“Russia has created a string of propaganda to try to justify its war to the Council over the past year, including some truly ridiculous conspiracy theories. Each excuse is intended to mask its true goal: to erase the sovereign independent State of Ukraine from the map and violently subjugate its people. Putin has said as much, denying that Ukraine is a State and calling for the return of so-called lost territories. Ukraine’s self-defence is an appropriate and necessary reaction to Russia’s malign, destabilizing and dangerous invasion. It is a needed response to an illegal war of aggression that violates the Charter of the United Nations and has caused the unspeakable suffering of, and abuses against, the people of Ukraine.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“The evidence is plain to see in Bahkmut, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Bucha and many other Ukrainian cities. If the Russian delegation were serious about highlighting the most gruesome and repulsive aspects of its brutal invasion of a sovereign United Nations Member State, it should call a meeting to discuss the many war crimes, crimes against humanity and other abuses committed by its forces. It should explain to the Council why its forces have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, including children, to Russia. It should explain why its forces have tortured civilians in detention through beatings, electric shocks and mock executions. And it should explain why its forces have raped civilians and committed execution-style killings of Ukrainian men, women and children.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“In English, there is a better word to describe such a statement — and it also includes the claim made by Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, at a Group of 20 meeting earlier this month, when he said that this war was somehow launched against Russia, and not the other way around — and that word is “gaslighting”. Over the past year, the world has endured a parade of Russia’s excuses and absurd justifications for its war of choice against Ukraine. We have heard claims by Russia that it is not the aggressor, that it is trying to stop the genocide in eastern Ukraine, that it must de-Nazify the Government of Ukraine and that it must fight against drug addicts and Satanists. No matter what today’s obfuscating excuses are, they cannot hide the fact that Russia is not the victim it pretends to be.”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“We listened carefully to the briefers, and we would like to thank Mr. Snyder for his thoughtful presentation today. The United States welcomes serious discussions on the detrimental impacts of hate speech and harmful rhetoric — and we regret that today’s meeting is a missed opportunity to do so. The Russian delegation called this meeting today by claiming that Russophobia is “one of the most gruesome and repulsing aspects of the Ukrainian crisis”. Are we to take that statement seriously, as Russian missiles rain down on Ukrainian cities and kill civilians, and as Russian forces have committed crimes against humanity, including the systematic rape, murder and torture of civilians?”
2023-03-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9280 (2023) · source
“We remain committed to the Sudanese people and will continue to work closely with the Government of the Sudan, our fellow Council members and all stakeholders to facilitate peace for the country and the region.”
2023-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9278 (2023) · source
“The fundamental causes of the conflict persist, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues and the Sudanese authorities are often unable to provide security for civilians. Robust monitoring and reporting by the Panel of Experts therefore remain essential. The resolution we adopted today establishes realistic, achievable and relevant benchmarks to advance peace and security in Darfur. Those benchmarks are anchored in commitments that the Government of the Sudan made in the Juba Peace Agreement and the National Action Plan for the Protection of Civilians. Progress in those areas would move the Sudan and its people towards the peace and prosperity they deserve.”
2023-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9278 (2023) · source
“The United States wishes to thank Council members for their constructive engagement on a resolution (resolution 2676 (2023)) to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts. The text adopted today incorporates the views of all Council members following nearly two months of consultations and negotiations. The Panel of Experts continues to play a critical role in reporting on conflict and promoting peace in Darfur. We welcome the extension of its mandate for a further 12 months. We believe this resolution will facilitate further progress in the Sudan, not only by providing crucial insight on the implementation of the arms embargo and ongoing security concerns but also by highlighting the progress that we hope the Sudan will make on political and security commitments in Darfur. The situation in Darfur remains extremely fragile.”
2023-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9278 (2023) · source
“Russia’s attacks against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure have left families in Ukraine without heat and electricity during the coldest, darkest period of the year. Later this week, countries will vote in the General Assembly a on a draft resolution reaffirming the Charter of the United Nations and calling for an end to hostilities in Ukraine in a manner consistent with the Charter’s principles. That should be our priority. Instead of indulging conspiracy theories, we should focus on ways to diplomatically resolve this conflict in a way consistent with the United Nations Charter and fully restore the territorial integrity of a United Nations Member State.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“Russia, yet again, is abusing its position as a permanent member of the Security Council by using this meeting as a platform for disinformation and conspiracy theories. It is regrettable that with everything else on the Council’s agenda this week — North Korean ballistic missiles, tensions in the Middle East, a humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria following devastating earthquakes — that Russia is again deliberately wasting the Security Council’s time. Russia’s claim to be concerned over the sabotage of critical infrastructure rings hollow. For months, Russia has relentlessly attacked its neighbour, striking cities and towns across Ukraine, damaging and destroying residential areas and medical facilities.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“Resources for United Nations investigations should be preserved for cases when States are unwilling or unable to investigate genuinely. Let us not be fooled by Russia’s claim that it only wants an impartial investigation. Its draft resolution clearly implicates the United States and mischaracterizes statements by United States officials. Russia does not seek an impartial investigation. It seeks to prejudice ongoing ones towards a predetermined conclusion of its choosing. The expedited timeline on which the Russian delegation demanded we discuss this issue casts significant doubt on the seriousness of its intentions. The Nord Stream pipeline ruptures occurred five months ago. Now, as we approach the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia claims it is urgent the Council discuss it this week.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“As the world unites this week to call for a just and secure peace in Ukraine consistent with the United Nations Charter, Russia desperately wants to change the subject. This is not the first time that Russia has used its seat on the Security Council to amplify conspiracy theories from the Internet. We wish it would apply the same urgency shown over the past three days, instead, to the myriad credible reports of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law caused by its invading forces. However, let me state clearly and plainly: accusations that the United States was involved in this act of sabotage are completely false. The United States was not involved at all. Competent authorities in Denmark, Germany and Sweden are investigating these incidents in a comprehensive, transparent and impartial manner.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“We thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. We listened carefully to the other briefers today. We recognize their past history and service, though we question their relevant knowledge to speak as an expert briefer on the topic at hand. The United States is deeply concerned by the sabotage that took place on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines last September. Deliberate actions to damage critical infrastructure cannot be tolerated. But let us be clear why we are really in the Security Council Chamber today. Later this week, as we near the one-year anniversary, the General Assembly will debate the impact of Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today’s meeting is a blatant attempt to distract from this.”
2023-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9266 (2023) · source
“To the contrary, the arms embargo in South Sudan is carefully tailored to facilitate the Government’s access to the weapons necessary to provide security for its citizens. There is a clear exemption procedure that the South Sudanese Government can follow to secure swift approval for any necessary supplies. Furthermore, the provision of non-lethal military equipment for humanitarian or protective use requires only advance notification to the Committee. The United States remains committed to the cause of peace and to the people of South Sudan.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“It is critical that the region, through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU), play an active role in holding South Sudan’s transitional leaders to the commitments they have made. We therefore call on IGAD, the AU and the international community to press the transitional Government to implement critical reforms to establish Government institutions, implement economic and public financial management reforms, protect human rights and maintain security. With respect to the sanctions regime, we continue to reiterate that the arms embargo does not prevent the South Sudanese Government from obtaining the military equipment needed for defence, and neither does it impede its ability to undertake critical security sector reform.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“On the political situation, we reiterate our disappointment with the decision of South Sudan’s leaders to extend the transitional period for another two years, despite failing over the past four years to deliver fully on the commitments they made in 2018 in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Each missed implementation benchmark further calls into question the political commitment of South Sudan’s transitional leaders. We urge those leaders to meaningfully engage with civil society and other Agreement stakeholders in order to make the transition to a more inclusive process.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“Given the gravity of those crimes, we urge the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) to facilitate a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as mandated in resolution 2633 (2022). The humanitarian situation continues to worsen each year, with 9.4 million people in need of aid. We urgently call on South Sudanese officials to allow and facilitate the safe access and delivery of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan. We strongly encourage the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to work closely with humanitarian workers to facilitate the provision of essential services and protection to civilians in need.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“We also urgently call on UNMISS to proactively deploy peacekeepers in hot spots in keeping with its mandate in order to protect civilians who are under the threat of violence. Time is of the essence to prevent any further loss of life. Any attempt to obstruct the Mission from providing life-saving work is simply unacceptable. We are deeply disturbed by recent reports of human rights violations and abuses by Government and allied forces, particularly in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei States. We have heard about killings, abductions and sexual violence, including, as we have tragically heard, the rape and gang rape of girls as young as eight years old. We strongly condemn all forms of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, which disproportionately affects women and girls, and we call for immediate accountability.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“South Sudan’s transitional leaders must deliver the result they committed to in the peace agreement and address such immediate issues as the ongoing violence in Upper Nile State and the dire humanitarian situation we just heard about from Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haysom and Ambassador Gituai. We are gravely concerned at the escalating subnational and intercommunal violence, including in Upper Nile and Jonglei States, which reportedly killed an estimated 500 civilians and displaced another 15,000 in Upper Nile State alone. It is abundantly clear that South Sudan’s leaders need to resolve this crisis. We urgently call on these leaders to act now and end the violence.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank Special Representative Haysom and Ambassador Gituai for their briefings today. (spoke in French) We thank Ambassador Biang for his update on the activities and programme of work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan. (spoke in English) The United States expresses its gratitude to the leadership of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and to the women and men of the Mission and the police- and troop-contributing countries who serve at great personal risk to protect civilians in South Sudan and mitigate conflict in many volatile areas.”
2022-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9219 (2022) · source
“That violence demonstrates the urgent need to implement the Agreement, including security sector reform, robust international monitoring and reporting mechanisms, the full deployment of the security keeping forces in Darfur and comprehensive, inclusive and transparent transitional justice processes.”
2022-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9211 (2022) · source
“We call on the Government to create a more conducive environment for negotiations by releasing political detainees, ceasing violence against protesters and reversing the recent administrative decisions that undermine the Sudanese Bar Association and other professional organizations. The United States condemns the actions of spoilers inside and outside the Sudan attempting to restrict political space and undermine the Sudan’s stability and democratic transition. Similarly, we condemn the recent violence in Darfur and Blue Nile states, to which the Special Representative of the Secretary- General just referred, which exacerbates the dire humanitarian situation and erodes the gains of the Juba Peace Agreement.”
2022-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9211 (2022) · source
“We fully support the role of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in facilitating the next phase of dialogue and concluding negotiations. The United States reiterates the need for the Sudanese Government, including the military and security services, to fully respect the freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly. The Government and the military must also fulfil their responsibility to protect the population and hold those responsible for violence against civilians accountable.”
2022-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9211 (2022) · source
“I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Perthes for his comprehensive briefing. The United States welcomes the announcement by the Sudanese parties of an initial political framework agreement. That is an essential first step towards re-establishing the Sudan’s democratic transition. There is now a credible path to a final agreement that would take the Sudan out of its current political crisis. We commend the parties’ efforts to garner support for the framework agreement from a broad range of Sudanese actors and their plans for an additional phase for continued inclusive dialogue on key issues of concern. But time is of the essence. We urge all Sudanese actors to engage in dialogue in good faith and to establish a civilian-led transitional Government as soon as possible.”
2022-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9211 (2022) · source
“The OPCW-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism and the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) have independently confirmed the regime’s use of chemical weapons on eight occasions. The IIT’s work is ongoing, and we look forward to its future reporting. We call on the regime to end its intransigence and comply with its obligations under both resolution 2118 (2013) and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Doing so would be a positive step towards enhancing our collective security and would help to ensure that the horrific scenes of chemical-weapon attacks — which we have too often witnessed in Syria — are never repeated.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“The United States reiterates its call on the regime to immediately and without preconditions allow the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team back into Syria so that it can resume its important work of verifying the complete declaration and destruction of Syria’s chemical-weapons programme. The Al-Assad regime’s persistent obstruction of the OPCW’s work is an affront to the OPCW, the Council and the international community. Yet the regime continues to enjoy the full support of the Russian Federation as it openly flouts its international obligations. The regime’s actions pose real-world threats, undermine our collective security and make the world less safe.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“Given Syria’s track record, it has had to amend its declaration of chemical weapons 17 times at the behest of the Declaration Assessment Team. The OPCW will have to corroborate any further Syrian declarations with on-the-ground follow-up by the OPCW’s impartial and exceedingly qualified experts. The Al-Assad regime, however, has prevented any such developments since 2021 — a clear violation of its obligations under resolution 2118 (2013), which requires Syria to accept personal designation by the OPCW and to provide it with immediate and unfettered access and the right to inspect any and all sites.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“Just last month, the regime agreed to a meeting with the OPCW Technical Secretariat in Beirut to identify opportunities for the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team to conduct activities within Syria in the coming months. Despite initially accepting the invitation, the Al-Assad regime promptly sank any prospect for engagement by stating that it would not attend unless the OPCW Technical Secretariat paid for the travel of Syrian officials — a request that the regime knew the OPCW could not fulfil. Such antics have become typical of the regime’s approach to the OPCW and the Declaration Assessment Team. That such a meeting even needed to occur in Beirut, rather than the Team visiting Syria itself, demonstrates how unnecessarily difficult the regime has chosen to make the process.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“The OPCW Director-General was quite clear in his opening statement to the Conference that the Syrian regime has made no effort to resolve the outstanding discrepancies with its declaration or taken any steps to ensure the verified destruction of its chemical-weapons programme. We were grateful to our French colleagues for delivering a statement on behalf of 57 countries at the Conference, reminding Syria of its obligations under the CWC and rightly admonishing it for its appalling lack of cooperation with the OPCW. Unfortunately, obfuscation and delay continue to be the only terms we can use to describe the Al-Assad regime’s effort to address its chemical-weapon stockpiles.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“I thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her informative briefing. We appreciate her persistent efforts, as well as those of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), to provide independent, thoroughly researched and detailed information about serious progress, or the lack thereof, towards Syria’s complete and verifiable elimination of its chemical-weapons programme. As we saw last week at the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the international community overwhelmingly supports continuing to hold the Al-Assad regime to account for its use of chemical weapons against civilians, including many children. Those efforts must continue.”
2022-12-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9207 (2022) · source
“The 1540 Committee, in particular, should make such information available to all members through briefings to interested Member States and through the 1540 Committee’s website and other forms of outreach.”
2022-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9201 (2022) · source
“In particular, resolutions 1810 (2008), 1977 (2011) and 2325 (2016) reiterate the need to enhance ongoing cooperation between the 1540 Committee and other subsidiary bodies, including through enhanced information-sharing, coordination on visits to countries within their respective mandates, technical assistance and other issues of relevance to all three Committees. Increased cooperation, including through more regular meetings, more frequent joint visits and sharing of information regarding current and emerging non-State proliferation trends will help all three Committees more effectively assess and address those threats. However, knowledge of those trends should not be exclusive to current Committee members.”
2022-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9201 (2022) · source
“Turning to the Counter-Terrorism Committee and CTED, we highlight the critical work of CTED in assessing Member States’ implementation of their counter-terrorism obligations. The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities use those assessments to prioritize capacity- building in order to make the greatest impact and avoid duplication. The Council has explicitly encouraged cooperation among the 1267, 1373 and 1540 Committees in order to advance broad counter-terrorism initiatives.”
2022-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9201 (2022) · source
“Likewise, we urge the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts to continue to support Member States in their efforts to control weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in order to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks. We can contribute to peace and security in Africa and internationally by supporting United Nations listings of Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham and Al-Qaida affiliates of their supporters that continue to pose serious threats to peace and stability in the region, and indeed, globally. Unfortunately, the 1267 Committee has only agreed to designate one entity since the beginning of this year. The important work of that Committee must remain free from politicization, which only benefits the terrorists.”
2022-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9201 (2022) · source
“Given the diverse global threat terrorists pose today, it is more important than ever that those three Committees coordinate their efforts in mutually reinforcing ways, while avoiding duplication. We should all be very concerned that a permanent member of the Council would seek to obstruct the prospect of cooperation by the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts, with the 1267 Committee and its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team and the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, despite their clear mandates for that kind of collaboration. Over the past year, the global terrorist threat has evolved to include, notably, an uptick in attacks by terrorists worldwide. We urge the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the 1267 Monitoring Team to continue to closely monitor the threat.”
2022-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9201 (2022) · source