YouSaid · the spoken record

Koenders

lines on the record

182

first

2007-04-17

most recent

2017-01-10

sittings or episodes

15

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

1. “The Government has strengthened its military presence and established a commission to investigate the Para attack, and UNOCI is providing technical assistance and forensics support. In response to the incidents in the west, UNOCI has boosted its military on the ground by reinforcing troops within Sector West, in line with our operational imperative to protect civilians and firmly deter any initiative to destabilize the country in different parts of Cote d'Ivoire. We are working closely with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to coordinate our activities, for which a detailed plan of action has been developed. On their part, the Ivorian and Liberian Governments have increased their military presence in the concerned area and are liaising closely to exchange information.”

   2012-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6808 (2012) · source

2. “Reports of the rearming and recruitment of former Ivorian and Liberian combatants and possible attempts against State security constitute matters of substantial concern for me. Attacks by armed men have been carried out in the villages in the border area, which is often characterized by violent inter-communal confrontations that have the potential to escalate into larger-scale conflicts as long as the underlying root causes, such as land tenure issues, are not effectively tackled. The situation experienced a dramatic deterioration last month when seven United Nations peacekeepers from Niger lost their lives in an attack by armed elements on the road from Para to Sao, along the border with Liberia, showing the need for continuous vigilance and enhanced action to ensure the protection of civilians.”

   2012-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6808 (2012) · source

3. “In the past couple of weeks, the country has been characterized by a certain degree of political anxiety, showing that the root causes of the conflict - land-related issues, unreformed security forces, impunity, and lack of national reconciliation and political dialogue - need to be tackled urgently and in a transparent manner to the benefit of all Ivorians. First, with regard to the security situation, it remains particularly volatile, especially but not exclusively in the west, at the Cote d'Ivoire-Liberia border, given the weak State authorities, large numbers of weapons, armed elements, former combatants, militias and dozos, as well as competition over the control of resources.”

   2012-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6808 (2012) · source

4. “I would like to start by saying that, as mentioned in my recent briefings to the Council, Cote d'Ivoire is making significant advances on the path to peace, stability and development. The economy is recovering, the country is progressively reintegrating into the West African region, and the overall security situation has improved since the end of the post-electoral crisis last year. Moreover, further to the legislative elections, the National Assembly began its work in April, with a commitment from its President for the Assembly to contribute to national reconciliation and provide effective oversight of the Government on behalf of the Ivorian people. Yet, this positive picture should not obscure the fact that the country continues to face important challenges and significant threats as it transitions to a peacebuilding phase.”

   2012-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6808 (2012) · source

5. “Mr. Koenders: It is a great honour for me to address the Security Council today following my last briefing on 26 January 2012 (see S/PV.6708). The thirtieth progress report of the Secretary- General on the United Nations Operation in C6te d'Ivoire (UNOCI) (S/2012/506), which is before the Security Council, provides members with an update on major developments in the country since the Secretary-General's special report of 29 March 2012 (S/2012/186). My briefing today will focus on the most crucial issues of the moment for cote d'Ivoire, particularly with regard to the security situation, the political situation and activities undertaken by the Government, with UNOCI's support, to put the country back on the path to peace and stability.”

   2012-07-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6808 (2012) · source

6. “Legislative elections mark the completion of a key aspect of the peace process and the implementation of 12-21574 the Ouagadougou Political Agreement. Notwithstanding the progress made in the past months, Cote d'Ivoire is still struggling to recover from the post-electoral crisis and will continue to need the Council's support in addition to that provided by other international and regional partners. I can assure the Council that the United Nations, through UNOCI, continues to make every effort to support the Government in addressing key challenges and to help the Government to materialize its vision towards reclaiming its historical role as a pillar of stability and prosperity in the subregion.”

   2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

7. “However, insecurity in the west, including criminal activities, and the threat of cross-border movements of armed groups and weapons has continued to pose a major challenge. A large number of weapons remain in circulation in Abidjan and throughout the country, a situation which has contributed to the high levels of crime and security incidents involving armed elements. The Government has begun to take measures to address security-related challenges, and we are currently discussing with the Ivorian authorities a concrete set of support measures that the international community could provide in this regard. Let me conclude by saying that Cote d'Ivoire has made significant progress towards restoring normalcy.”

   2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

8. “Now that the legislative elections have taken place, it is important to focus attention on some other priority areas, including national reconciliation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, security sector reform and consolidation of the security situation, particularly in Abidjan, the west and the border areas. It is, in my view, equally important to focus on addressing the root causes of the Ivorian crisis, including issues such as access to land and imbalanced development. The question of impunity also remains an important concern; it is essential that all those who are responsible for gross Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliation or camp. The overall security situation in C6te d'Ivoire has remained relatively calm.”

   2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

9. “I would also highlight the fact that the Ivorian security agencies provided effective security, in concert with UNOCI. 12-21574 The mission and the United Nations country team provided the same level of technical and logistical support to the Independent Electoral Commission as was the case during the presidential elections. In keeping with the mandate given to me by the Council to certify that all stages of the electoral process were held in accordance with international standards, I will yet have to certify these important elections, and I will do so after the national institutions have evaluated the process. The Constitutional Council, which is currently examining llO electoral complaints filed by candidates, has announced its decisions on the appeals filed by a number of candidates; their proclamation is expected in early February.”

   2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

10. “UNOCI worked actively with the Government and all political stakeholders, including the Facilitator, to help ensure that the legislative elections proceeded in a manner that contributes to securing lasting stability in C6te d'Ivoire. Although voter participation was lower than during the 2010 presidential elections, the turnout, approximately 36 percent, was similar during previous legislative polls in the country, in 1990 and 1995. UNOCI played an important role across the country in support of the authorities which were responsible for the organization and conduct of the polls, while providing the same level of technical and logistical support to the Independent Electoral Commission as was the case during the presidential elections.”

    2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

11. “The support of United Nations Operation in C6te d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is essential to help the Government stabilize the security situation, which includes the reconstitution and reform of security and rule-of-law institutions; the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; the protection of civilians; facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons; and fostering the crucial process of national reconciliation, early recovery and the promotion and protection of human rights. The holding of the legislative elections without delay and in a relatively peaceful atmosphere is, in our View, a significant achievement that marked a major step forward in the restoration of constitutional order, more inclusive governance, and the completion of a key unfinished aspect of the peace process.”

    2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

12. “The root causes of instability and potential triggers of violence have remained. Important challenges and issues relating to security and national reconciliation should not be underestimated and require, in my View, the political attention of the Council. The priorities identified by the President and his Government in areas where the United Nations is mandated to provide support remain valid and relevant.”

    2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

13. “The security situation is stabilizing, those displaced have started to return, the economy is starting to show resilience, and the legislative elections were held successfully and, I think, most importantly, after last year's crisis, in relative peace, although the final results have yet to be proclaimed and certified. President Ouattara has undertaken important steps to strengthen subregional cooperation, and I think that cote d'Ivoire is taking 2 steps towards reclaiming its historical role as a pillar of stability and prosperity in the subregion. That important progress notwithstanding, significant challenges remain. Cote d'Ivoire is still struggling to recover from the devastating crisis, which took a heavy toll on the country and its people, while many national capacities have been destroyed.”

    2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

14. “Mr. Koenders: Mr. President, let me start by stating that it is a great honour and pleasure to address you in person in my capacity as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in cote d'Ivoire since October last year. The first three months of my mission have, of course, focused on the legislative elections, but I would like to start by putting the situation in C6te d'Ivoire into a slightly broader perspective. Remarkable progress has been registered in cote d'Ivoire towards restoring normalcy since the end of the violent post-election crisis last year.”

    2012-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6708 (2012) · source

15. “In this respect, I would like to express my strong support for the Secretary-General's recommendation to establish a dedicated monitoring mechanism to increase the effectiveness of the Council's contribution to preventing and redressing violence against women in armed conflict. Last but not least, uncomfortable issues like rape and other forms of sexual violence against women should be openly discussed with and by Governments, members of parliament, militia leaders and opinion makers - by us. The Security Council has to raise its voice on this issue. The "big silence" has to stop. I hope that this debate in the Security Council will give a clear message to the international community. Let us join forces and implement resolution 1325 (2000). Let us end the abuse of women everywhere by stopping this "big silence" today.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

16. “The grave violation of women's human rights, through massive rape and other sexual violence, requires the immediate attention of organizations such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other relevant tribunals. The Security Council can play a role in this area by referring such cases to the ICC. We have to give a clear signal to the perpetrators that the international community is no longer tolerating impunity for these heinous crimes. In conclusion, I would like to underline the crucial role of the Security Council in addressing violence against women in conflict situations.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

17. “I recently created a fund for women's rights and empowerment, and I hope other donors will follow this example, so that we can really pool our efforts. Thirdly, I would like to call for the speedy conclusion of ongoing consultations on the new gender entity of the United Nations - it is taking a long time - and to stress that this entity will have to make violence against women an urgent issue. We should also support United Nations agency programmes directed at violence against women, especially the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, administered by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Finally, we have to stop impunity.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

18. “We have already provided the Department of Peacekeeping Operations with funds for gender expertise in order to integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations. Second is the matter of empowerment. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, women risk their own lives to encourage others to report sexual abuse to the proper authorities. We need to create safe havens for women who have suffered from violence and help them reintegrate into their societies. As Council members know, they are often isolated. We have to support women who set up their own networks for conflict prevention and for dealing with trauma. And, even more, we need to ensure that women get the place they deserve at the table in formal peace processes. In Liberia, women played an essential role in the peace process, bringing people together across factional lines.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

19. “First, we need to include women in our security strategies. This means investing more strongly in security sector reform and in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes in post-conflict countries to ensure that violence against women does not continue after a conflict has ended. I have seen the urgency of the need for this in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If there is not more security sector reform, the army indeed preys more on the population than it protects the women. We need to train armies and soldiers, making them aware that violence against women is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Netherlands will allocate extra funding for security sector reform, DDR and training programmes in fragile States.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

20. “Violence against women is only one aspect of resolution 1325 (2000) - although a very important one - but it deserves the immediate and urgent attention of everyone in this room, for it is the most prominent aspect underlining the little progress we have made since the adoption of the resolution in the year 2000. We have been telling ourselves for seven years now that it is more than words on paper. It is a clarion call to arms, a catalyst. In the Netherlands, we are developing a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), in consultation with all relevant ministries and civil society. I assure this Council that it will not remain merely another piece of paper. More than anything else, we need leadership. Let us set an agenda for action here today - an agenda that I believe should focus on four issues.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

21. “Violence against women is more than a violation of human rights. It is also a security issue, and that is why we are here today. Over the last decade, violence against women has become endemic in conflict zones. It has become a weapon of modern warfare that specifically and structurally targets women. That is why it is so important that it be discussed here. Doctors two weeks ago spoke to me about a horrible epidemic. The United Nations Security Council took a big step forward when it unanimously adopted resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

22. “Approximately one third of all women in the Congolese province of Kivu have been raped. In the Sudan, tens of thousands of women in the last years have been molested, mutilated and sexually abused, and not a single person has been held accountable. Recently, I visited the Democratic Republic of Congo. Even though I knew all the statistics, I was still horrified by what I saw in refugee camps and local hospitals. Unfortunately, this pattern of abuse is found in nearly all of the world's conflict areas. Wherever hostilities erupt, women and girls are most vulnerable. In the former Yugoslavia, women were purposely raped to bear the enemy's children. In Central America, violence against women is increasing with dramatic figures, and we find similar grave situations around the world. The responsibility to protect is an urgent call here.”

    2007-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5766 (2007) · source

23. “I invite the Secretary-General not only to alert the Security Council of risks to peace and security, but also to instruct United Nations agencies to support preventive measures. I strongly encourage him to continue working towards a world summit on climate change. Such a Summit and today's debate must contribute to addressing the problems of climate change. We owe it to our children and future generations. The billions of fellow citizens who will experience the huge Live Earth event on 7 July. They will rightly ask us to do that.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

24. “The Netherlands will be happy to facilitate conferences and policy debates in The Hague, the legal capital of the world, and take a political initiative to further that. I highly appreciate the discussion today in the Security Council. Prime Minister Tony Blair underlined the mismatch between the global challenges we face and the global institutions available to confront them. The United Nations needs to be streamlined to meet those challenges effectively. We wholeheartedly applaud the decision of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make climate change one of his priorities. Climate change requires us to reassess security risks, so that we can take adequate preventive and corrective measures.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

25. “Mitigation and adaptation will require new funding, based on the principle that the polluter pays. Those who are most responsible for climate change should also be the ones to pay the most towards mitigating its effects. Carbon markets play an important role here. As an innovative way of funding adaptation, a levy on carbon dioxide emissions and other innovative financing mechanisms might be further studied. I propose that the World Bank and the United Nations actively continue exploring ideas for innovative financing. International legal instruments are also needed to deal with the consequences of climate change. Extensive knowledge already exists in the field, and we need to bring the experts together with the policymakers, politicians, diplomats and non-governmental organizations.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

26. “The Dutch Government will continue to take action to secure it from the effects of further rises in sea level. We are willing to share our knowledge with other delta countries, particularly in the developing world. But the Netherlands is not only preparing for threats from the sea. We are also taking account of our rivers - the Rhine, for instance - that flow into the Netherlands from our neighbouring countries. Water availability in catchment areas will change, and that might well influence stability between countries - even between regions. We are working with countries such as those in the Nile, Zambezi and Mekong basins to cope with climate change and ensure water-supply stability. The aim is to build confidence and promote peaceful, mutually beneficial solutions.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

27. “The United Nations negotiations for a post-2012 arrangement will be crucial if we are to make that commitment together, and we urge Member Sates to take the political initiative to make that possible. Climate change is making it more difficult and more expensive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It means that poverty will prevail longer, and that is unacceptable. We have to stand by the goals we set for ourselves in 2000. Addressing climate change means addressing the Millennium Development Goals. The IPCC also points out that sustainable development can make countries less vulnerable to climate change by enhancing their adaptive capacity and increasing their resilience. As is well known, the Netherlands has a special relationship with water. Much of the country is below sea level.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

28. “In my View, it is unacceptable and irresponsible that negotiations for a post-2012 arrangement are deadlocked. We cannot wait. As the German European Union presidency just stated, the EU has shown leadership in an effort to overcome the deadlock. Without waiting to see what other countries would do, the EU leaders decided this spring that emissions must be cut by 20 per cent by 2020. The Netherlands even wants to achieve a 30 per cent cut. That should reduce the risk of climate change to an acceptable interim level, but efforts need to be continued beyond that date. However, everything will depend on the commitment of every country concerned. I am referring here not only to the large industrial countries, but also to all economies that contribute to the growth of C02 emissions.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

29. “Not only individual countries but also United Nations agencies, the World Bank and other institutions have an important role to play in ensuring full-fledged disaster preparedness. Now, in order for this to happen, the 2005 Summit called for a culture of prevention. Timely addressing of climate change and identifying its potential security risks can help prevent conflicts. We urge the Secretary-General of the United Nations to alert the Security Council of climate related crisis situations which might endanger peace and security. The two main priorities of today, in dealing with climate change and related security risks, are to reduce emissions and to adapt to the impact of climate change. It is urgent, now, to mitigate current trends.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

30. “The report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) refers to an 80 per cent chance that availability of water in subtropical areas will substantially decline. By 2050, billions of people will be coping with an inadequate or even non-existent water supply. It is obvious that this will have not only social, economic and humanitarian, but also security implications. Climate, peace and security are, in our view, global public goods of crucial importance. Though the poorest countries have contributed the least to climate change, they will be the most seriously affected by it. And they lack the knowledge, capacity and resources to deal with it. That problem must be addressed. We have to ensure that countries can cope with the risks posed by climate change. This is of immediate importance.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

31. “The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report clearly shows, more strongly than ever before, that action is urgently needed. The world is being exposed to the increasingly devastating effects of climate change. Climate change may have far-reaching and potentially dramatic consequences for security in regions throughout the world, such as shortages of water and food, health problems, population movements, and environmental and social stress. New sources of conflict may emerge. Disasters might occur more frequently, with more devastating effect. According to United Nations estimates, by 2010 the world will have 50 million environmental refugees, even without taking the impact of climate change into account.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source

32. “The Netherlands welcomes this important initiative to hold a debate on energy, security and climate. It has come at the right time. The primary responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain peace and security. Understandably, the Council tends to focus on current conflicts. Sometimes, however, we need to look beyond the horizon of current conflicts to explore the challenges and threats to security that the future may bring. I refer here to the very useful discussion in the Council on the impact of HIV/AIDS on peace and security in Africa. Millions of people will listen to and watch the Live Earth concerts on 7 July. They will wonder what world leaders are and will be doing to reduce the risk of climate change. The discussion here today underlines the Council's commitment.”

    2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source