YouSaid · the spoken record

Lacroix

lines on the record: 1,191
first: 2006-08-31
most recent: 2023-11-14
sittings or episodes: 115
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 are also continuing to work to create more gender-responsive working and living environments, including through camp design. However, in order to address the remaining gaps in uniformed gender parity, we must intensify our concerted efforts to enhance the recruitment, training and career development of women in national security institutions. Missions have also prioritized gender analysis in informing decision-making. For example, the transition planned by MONUSCO is one of the most gender-responsive transitions planned to date. The missions continue to be constrained, however, by inadequate resources and personnel, including a shortage of gender advisers.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“As requested by resolution 2518 (2020), we are making progress systematically in documenting violations of status-of-forces agreements, commonly referred to as SOFA violations, including through the creation of a mechanism that can track and report such violations across missions. Turning now to the subject of women and peace and security, women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peacekeeping remains a key priority that is being mainstreamed throughout our A4P+ efforts. As of June, except for military contingents, most targets set in the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy have been met and in fact surpassed. Women now account for 21 per cent of military observers and staff officers, 31 per cent of individual police officers and 43 per cent of Government-provided justice and corrections personnel.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“We are harnessing the power of many platforms, including social media, to ensure maximum audience engagement, and using United Nations-operated radio networks to provide news to remote and vulnerable populations. We are also working to provide tools, guidance and training for missions. Given the increased importance of strategic communications, as reflected in the Security Council open debate on the issue in July (see S/PV.9090), as well as the subsequent presidential statement (S/PRST/2022/5), we are working to fully integrate it into planning and decision-making. Our efforts to step up cooperation with host States continue apace.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“The Secretariat will engage with Member States to discuss concrete commitments to resolve paternity-recognition cases and child support for victims. We are making progress in the development of a confidential mechanism to allow Member States to access information about allegations against their personnel more easily. Our sixth priority is strategic communications, which have become more important than ever in securing the support needed for missions in the face of a surge of misinformation and disinformation, a challenge that impedes mandate delivery and threatens the safety of both host communities and United Nations peacekeepers. To address it, we are proactively communicating on the tangible impact of peacekeeping in a compelling, human-centred way.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“In line with resolution 2518 (2020), we are developing an integrated base defence strategy that will improve the integration and interoperability of existing defence systems across mission components, a policy that is expected to significantly improve threat responses. We also seek the support of Member States in that context, particularly through their expertise on base defence and its exercise in high-threat areas. Accountability for peacekeepers remains a critical priority as we seek to better assess performance and recognize and remedy issues as necessary. In relation to the ongoing challenge of sexual exploitation and abuse, the trust fund in support of victims has established a project in South Sudan to offer psychosocial, medical and legal support.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“(spoke in English) Attacks on peacekeepers utilizing explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) persist and are tracking at levels as high as those of 2021. While MINUSMA remains the most dangerous peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA and MONUSCO are facing a sustained and ongoing threat. In a presidential statement in May 2021 (S/PRST/2021/11), the Council requested that the Secretary-General conduct an independent strategic review of United Nations peacekeeping operations’ responses to the threat of IEDs, and we are currently implementing its recommendations. We have made significant progress so far in improving capabilities to counter IEDs in missions where that threat is evolving. We will continue to take forward the recommendations of the review. However, we need Member State support to fully address the recommendations.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Work is under way with the Heads of missions to ensure that our staff members have the necessary mindset, and, in that regard, we have come up with performance standards, which concern both individual officials and the contingents of the formed military units. Our fourth priority concerns our responsibility vis-à-vis our personnel and the need to ensure their safety and security. Despite enormous efforts, the annual decrease in the number of losses of our peacekeepers has increased. We saw a positive trend between 2007 and 2020. However, in 2021 the number of deaths from malicious acts doubled as compared with the previous year, from 13 to 25. Unfortunately, that trend is continuing, with 21 deaths from malicious acts as of the end of August 2022.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Since then, we have made significant progress to be more proactive, agile and flexible, as seen particularly in the strategy in strengthening of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the reconfiguration of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the force adaptation plan of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). I call for the support of Council members to fill the critical gaps that we continue to face in the area of capacities, especially with regard to utility and armed helicopters.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Our impact depends on the coordinated efforts of peacekeeping operations and our partners that together are trying to prevent, mitigate and resolve conflicts. In line with the second A4P+ priority — strategic and operational integration — 11 out of 12 missions currently have integrated mission plans in place or results frameworks for the Comprehensive Performance Assessment System. Most of those plans take into account gender considerations and the women and peace and security agenda. Of course, we can fulfil our mandates only if the missions have the appropriate capacities at the right time, at the right place and with the right mindset — our third priority. In that regard, I thank all Member States for their continued support, particularly at the meeting on peacekeeping at the ministerial level held in Seoul in 2021.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Challenges of that scale will be overcome only by working together in order to find political solutions to conflicts in accordance with our A4P+ priority involving coherence underlying a political strategy. With regard to the increasingly complex geopolitical environment, I would like to stress two points. First, we must do everything possible to preserve the space needed for United Nations peacekeeping operations, which continue to visibly manifest a multilateral system in action on the ground. Secondly, we must stay the course in supporting peacebuilding in complex mission contexts — for example, in Mali and Lebanon — within the context of the extreme difficulties that have been encountered and have been exacerbated by the global situation.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“(spoke in French) The environments in which peacekeepers are deployed are complex and difficult. As we know all too well, the world today is facing many overlapping crises. We are facing the largest number of violent conflicts since 1945, with growing geopolitical tensions and phenomena such as the coronavirus disease pandemic and the destructive impact of the effects of climate change. In the middle of all of that, United Nations peacekeepers remain on the front lines and strive to prevent the spread and escalation of the scourge of war in the areas in which they operate. They protect civilians, support ceasefires, participate in national capacity-building, promote human rights and bring communities and countries together. They are facing unprecedented risks, including by being targeted by violent extremists.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“Based on research and strategic reviews of our missions, we decided to focus on seven priority areas in order to make tangible improvements to our impact. That led to the Secretary-General launching A4P+ in March 2021, not to replace A4P but rather to prioritize the areas that are most critical to addressing challenges faced in the area of peacekeeping. Today is an opportunity to update Council members on the highlights of our efforts and results so far. I hope that the A4P+ reports distributed to all Council members serve as a resource to provide a more detailed overview. We look forward to continuing to provide such updates on a regular basis, but I would like to emphasize that, as in everything we do, our own collective efforts and those of Member States are required for success.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to brief the Security Council on resolution 2378 (2017), as well as the progress and challenges concerning the implementation of the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative and, more recently, the Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiative. (spoke in English) Four years ago (S/PV.8218), before the Council, the Secretary-General launched A4P to make our missions stronger, safer and more effective. He invited Member States and relevant international and regional organizations to endorse the Declaration of Shared Commitments, as a clear commitment to work with us towards those objectives. Two years on, we took stock of the progress made and remaining gaps.”
2022-09-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9123 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to thank the Council for its continued support to UNISFA and to seek the Council’s support for the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of UNISFA for a further period of six months, until 15 October.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr and the women and men in his UNISFA team for their continued hard work, including overseeing and supporting the successful and challenging transformation of the mission into a United Nations multinational peacekeeping force in just a few months. The reconfiguration was in addition to their other mandated tasks, which they continued to carry out with sensitivity and determination. I would also like to thank Major General Kefyalew Amde Tessema and all Ethiopian peacekeepers for their contribution and the commitment they demonstrated to peace and security in Abyei over the years.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“I wish to end my remarks by strongly emphasizing the need to ensure the safety and the security of UNISFA’s peacekeepers as they carry out their difficult mandate in a complex operating environment. In the past two months alone, we saw three direct attacks on UNISFA patrols, resulting in the injury of one peacekeeper and one damaged vehicle and one attack — just last week — which involved a rocket- propelled grenade. Such direct, serious violence against United Nations peacekeepers must end immediately. I call on the relevant authorities, consistent with their obligations under the status-of-forces agreement, to investigate those incidents as a matter of priority.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“Turning to UNISFA’s other mandated area, namely, its support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, there has been no progress on re-operationalizing JBVMM team sites 11 and 12 and the headquarters of Sector 1 in Gok Machar after UNISFA was forced to relocate in 2021. A new JBVMM force is present in the JBVMM locations that are operational, and the force is ready to implement that important mandate in all locations previously agreed between the parties. It is key that the Government of South Sudan continue its efforts to enable the return of the JBVMM to those areas as soon as possible, as agreed during the Joint Political and Security Mechanism meeting of September 2021.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“We continue to appeal for the Council’s continued support on that matter. The humanitarian situation in the Abyei Area has deteriorated since I previously briefed the Security Council. My humanitarian colleagues went from servicing 103,000 vulnerable people during the most recent reporting period to a stunning 240,000 currently. That was largely owing to the violence between the Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka communities near Agok in February and March, when 26 people were killed and many were more injured. It is also very concerning that two humanitarian workers lost their lives as a result of those events. Hundreds of humanitarian workers were evacuated, and the people in the Area are still deeply impacted by the significant decrease in medical services.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“The strategy, which is forthcoming, seeks to apply rule-of- law tools and mechanisms to advance the Mission’s core mandated tasks of increasing security and the protection of civilians, in line with resolution 2606 (2021). The strategy, which will be developed in consultation with all the relevant United Nations entities, including via the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law, will also inform any potential engagement by the Sudan and South Sudan United Nations country teams in Abyei on rule of law matters. Unfortunately, there was no progress during the reporting period on the deployment of the three formed police units, as mandated by the Security Council. Despite the continued efforts by the UNISFA leadership, visas have not been granted to the three formed police units or the additional individual police officers.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“On human rights, UNISFA continued to face challenges documenting human rights violations and abuses, due to its lack of human rights expertise. However, it was encouraging that a team of human rights officers was granted temporary visas to conduct an assessment mission to Abyei last March. There was also small but important progress with regard to the parties’ obligations towards improving the meaningful participation of women in decision-making — in the Ngok Dinka community, a woman was appointed in each of the 13 traditional courts. I am also pleased to inform the Council that, during the reporting period, a rule-of-law team from the Department of Peace Operations was able to successfully conduct a four-week assessment for the development of a rule-of-law support strategy.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“A team including representatives from the Department of Peace Operations, the Development Coordination Office and the United Nations country teams of South Sudan and the Sudan are at an advanced stage of consultations with women, youth, elders and other community members to ensure that the peacebuilding services proposed through the Abyei joint programme will benefit the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka in a conflict-sensitive manner, and where the needs are the greatest. I am encouraged by the political support for the programme from the Governments of South Sudan and the Sudan. I appeal for the Council’s continued political support to the programme so that it can have a lasting impact on peace in Abyei.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“I welcome the recent request for support from both parties towards organizing the next meeting of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee. I call on the leaderships of the Sudan and South Sudan to do their upmost to use that meeting to move forward on the issue of Abyei. Significant progress has been made in the development of the Abyei joint programme, proposed in the letter from the Secretary-General to the Security Council dated 17 September 2021 (S/2021/805), since my previous briefing to the Council (see S/PV.8887).”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“Those violent incidents occurred in Noong/Annam, Kolom, Leul/Al Luo, and the Amiet common market/Faydelzaraf areas. I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the victims and the families who were impacted. Those deaths and injuries could have been avoided had there been more trust between the two communities at all levels. To address those incidents of violence, the Mission continued its community engagement work, along with more frequent and longer-range patrols. The Force Commander/Acting Head of Mission engaged the parties at capital and community levels. He also encouraged the use of grass-roots conflict resolution mechanisms involving traditional chiefs, youth, women and girls. However, it is first and foremost for the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan to renew their engagement on the final status of Abyei.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“In line with the Security Council’s acknowledgement last December that UNISFA must intensify its support to intercommunal dialogue, the Mission worked tirelessly with the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan, as well as community leaders on both sides, to come to an agreement on this dry season’s migration route. It was disappointing that, at the last minute, the parties could not agree on a number of key points, which resulted in the cancelation of the intercommunal dialogue event that UNISFA had organized in Entebbe. Since last October, we have also seen incidents of intercommunal violence. For instance, last week we saw intercommunal violence that resulted in a total of 29 people killed, including two women, and 30 injured from both communities.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“Mr. Lacroix: I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the developments pertaining to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), including its support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) as well as the progress made on the design of the Abyei joint programme. I shall also update the Council on the latest developments since the publication of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2022/316). The overall security situation in the Abyei Administrative Area has remained calm, but the trust deficit between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities remains of great concern.”
2022-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9020 (2022) · source
“Those contributions are valuable and have helped to fill important capabilities gaps and shortfalls. However, in the light of the serious crisis unfolding in the region, a comprehensive and collective approach is needed to support a collective security initiative.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“It should also seek to provide opportunities and fulfilled lives for the many young people in the region. I would therefore like to reiterate the call of the Secretary-General for the establishment of a dedicated political forum, comprising representatives of the G-5 and other international and regional organizations, such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the United Nations and the European Union, as well as members of the Security Council. Such a forum would both promote regional ownership and foster enhanced international support, while ensuring that the operations of the Force are aligned with important political processes, including the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. Many donors and partners provide bilateral support to the G-5 Sahel member States.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“The establishment of the Human Rights and Conduct and Discipline Compliance Framework and the strict application of the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces have been instrumental in that regard. Of course, much still needs to be done in that area. But, once again, the establishment of a dedicated support office would provide an opportunity to scale up not only logistical and operational support, but also efforts to protect civilians, promote human rights and ensure greater coherence among military, political and development efforts. Security efforts alone are not sufficient to address the crisis in the Sahel. A holistic approach that honours the primacy of politics and addresses governance deficits and the root causes of poverty and exclusion is required.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“I would like to emphasize that the dedicated support office is our first recommended option, and that the advisory office is our second-best option in the case that the Security Council is not able to assist the support office. The advisory office could also assist with efforts to strengthen institutional governance within the G-5 and, as such, it would be an important step towards the setting up of an enhanced full support package in the medium to long term. Important strides have been made by G-5 Sahel States in the prevention and mitigation of human rights violations by members of the armed and security forces while carrying out counter-terrorism operations, as well as in protecting civilians through enhanced patrolling.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Setting up a support office, should the Security Council decide to do so, would require the full cooperation of all relevant entities of the G-5 Sahel, including the Defence and Security Committee and the Executive Secretariat, and further efforts to strengthen and clarify civilian oversight and command and control and to reinforce mechanisms to protect human rights. In the immediate term, the G-5 Sahel States could also capitalize on comparative advantages and pool and share their resources and military equipment in support of the Joint Force. In his letter, the Secretary-General also proposes the establishment of an advisory office, which would provide technical and expert assistance to the Executive Secretariat of the G-5 Sahel in a number of cross-cutting areas, including the pooling and sharing of resources.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“It relies on donor financing, the future of which is, as per its definition, unpredictable and cannot meet all the Joint Force’s needs. We remain convinced that only a dedicated support office, funded through assessed contributions, can provide the Joint Force of the G-5 Sahel with the support that it needs and that would also enable it to become more effective and enhance the scope and reach of its work. At the same time, enhanced support also requires strengthened collaboration and continued efforts by the G-5 Sahel States to enhance ownership and improve institutional governance and dialogue.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“It is the collective responsibility of the international community to support the commendable efforts of the G-5 Sahel member States. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has spared no effort in supporting the Joint Force within the framework of its mandate. In that regard, I would like to express gratitude for the European Union’s crucial financial support, which has made the support of MINUSMA possible. Since the previous briefing of the Council on the Joint Force, the Mission has undertaken all the necessary steps to ensure that contractors can deliver life-support consumables to all seven battalions deployed under the Joint Force command. However, there are limits to that support model.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“(spoke in English) In his letter dated 4 October, the Secretary-General presented you, Mr. President, with the key findings of an assessment carried out by the Secretariat, under the lead of the Department of Peace Operations. During that exercise, the assessment team evaluated the operationalization of the Joint Force and possible avenues for enhanced support. The Joint Force is now at a crossroads, and there is a risk that it will lose the gains that have been made. The Secretary-General is clear, in both his letter and his recent report (S/2021/940), that the Joint Force remains a vital part of a collective security response to the multiple challenges facing the region — terrorism, weak border security and trafficking in persons, illicit goods, weapons and drugs.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Next week, the G-5 Sahel Defence and Security Committee is set to approve the Joint Force’s 2022-2023 workplan, which contemplates several major operations in each of the Joint Force’s three sectors. In recent weeks, the Joint Force has also demonstrated its ability to quickly launch an ad hoc operation — Operation Serres d’Aigle — in order to respond to an imminent attack on the people of Burkina Faso. Nevertheless, as the Secretary-General noted in his letter to the Security Council (S/2021/850), the Joint Force continues to face significant challenges. The return of foreign fighters from Libya, domestic challenges and political uncertainty, as well as major shortfalls in equipment and capacities, weigh heavily on the armed and security forces of the Sahel that make up the Joint Force.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Combating terrorism is among the greatest challenges of our time. The way that the international community responds and addresses the root causes will be a decisive test. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, many fear being left behind while old systems break down. We are only beginning to understand this phenomenon and how we can halt the rise and spread of terrorist movements. In that context, the important decision of the G-5 Sahel member States to take in hand their security challenges by creating the counter-terrorist Joint Force of the G-5 Sahel is a significant accomplishment. Since it was first deployed, in 2017, the Joint Force has continued to sustainably ramp up its operations despite major challenges.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“Since the previous meeting of the Security Council on the Sahel (see S/2021/484), the situation in the region has remained extremely volatile. Insecurity and instability are a major impediment to growth and development, and the civilian population is paying the highest price. Every day, many lives are lost to terrorist attacks. Millions are displaced, children can no longer go to school and primary health care remains inaccessible to many, even as the pandemic rages on. The armed and security forces of the member States of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G-5 Sahel) are meeting this threat with determination and courage in a situation where the odds seemed stacked against them. They deserve our solidarity. Today I wish to pay tribute to them, acknowledge their sacrifice and salute their bravery and strength.”
2021-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8903 (2021) · source
“The next ministerial-level meeting on peacekeeping, to be held in the Republic of Korea, will be a very important opportunity for Member States to do that. We have circulated a list of expected pledges, which includes a number of pledges related to UNPOL. We certainly look forward to Member States doing their best to help us meet those needs.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“The relation of United Nations police with the host countries is very specific in the sense that UNPOL does a lot in terms of building relevant, credible and strong rule of law-related national capacities. That is absolutely the key condition to creating the context of withdrawal and the gradual drawdown of our peacekeeping operations. I believe it to be an important aspect that I would like to highlight. Of course, we need the support of the Council when we have issues with host countries. I am highlighting this aspect in the light of the recent and unacceptable incidents that some our United Nations police personnel have been facing in the Central African Republic. Lastly, I would like to highlight the fact that we need our police-contributing countries, and Members States in general, to provide us with the capacities we need.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“We need to ensure that we fully roll out and make the best use of that instrument, but it is also important to enhance joint planning, the joint collection and processing of information, joint action, particularly in the area of the protection of civilians, and a joint presence, as too often, in the context of the protection of civilians, we tend to rely only on the military presence. I believe that we need to increase the joint presence of police, civilian and military components, especially in remote areas with protection-of-civilian challenges. I would also highlight the importance of a more integrated and networked communication policy at the level of our missions. Another aspect, which is also a top priority for the A4P+ initiative, concerns the relation with the host country.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“One of the top priorities of the A4P+ initiative is the enhancement of our efforts related to integration within our missions and beyond, together with the other components of the United Nations system in the field and other non-United Nations partners. We currently have a tool for the improvement of integrated planning, that is, the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System, to ensure that, within missions, there is a shared understanding of the key priorities relevant to the mandate implementation.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“I want to join those who, as I did yesterday, congratulated Superintendent Sangya Malla, of Nepal, as the awardee for this year. On the question posed by the representative of Ireland regarding which area of Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) would be particularly relevant to UNPOL’s efforts, all of them are of course extremely relevant. I mentioned safety and security, performance, mindset, capacities, conduct and discipline, as well as the cross- cutting priority of A4P+, which is the women and peace and security agenda. However, I would like to highlight but a few aspects. One of them is integration.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“But I will say that the United Nations Police Division is intensifying its efforts, together with other relevant departments, in particular the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance and the Department of Operational Support, and of course the Victims’ Rights Advocate, so that we step up our efforts, including on the question of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations police. I can say that now more than ever that is our top priority, especially in the context of what I said earlier. Finally, it is also important to recognize the role of women in UNPOL. The role played by the Woman Police Officer of the Year award is important in that regard. We are looking at ways to enhance our recognition of outstanding performance. We are currently in the process of working out several proposals.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“As far as UNPOL is concerned, as was mentioned by our colleague from the United Kingdom, we currently have seven pending allegations for this year. They are pending because they are currently being investigated. Unfortunately, we have the same number as in 2020, which is not encouraging because we would have liked to see fewer allegations this year. However, some of the 2020 allegations were substantiated, while others were not. That is to say that the investigations of allegations this year of sexual exploitation and abuse regarding United Nations police are ongoing.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“The role that we play in building local police capacities and, through such efforts, putting an emphasis on building gender-sensitive local and national police capacities, with a focus on combating gender-based violence, is critically important. The fourth aspect is clearly to keep enhancing and strengthening our efforts to fight sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping. As members know, we recently had to make a difficult decision, concerning not the police but the military, with the repatriation of an entire contingent in one of our peacekeeping operations as a result of a very serious allegation. That was a stark reminder of the fact that we are far from solving problems of sexual exploitation and abuse. I believe that our efforts must be reinforced, and we are looking at ways in which that could be achieved.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“A number of innovative practices are being implemented in several missions, resulting in female community liaison assistants, counting on local networks of women interacting with their association, all of which constitute best practices that I believe must be enhanced and applied in as many missions as is relevant. Thirdly, it is also important to emphasize the importance of combating gender-based violence. That implies more efforts to sensitize our own police forces and personnel, as well as how we train local police and our emphasis on accountability, which also has to do with their training of the local judiciaries.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“As was mentioned by several speakers, that raises the question not only of resources — and we of course call on Member States, particularly police-contributing countries, to increase the number of female police officers that they can provide, including in formed police units — but also as to what more we can do to ensure that there is be a more welcoming environment in our peacekeeping missions, including by working on improving facilities. The second point concerns the importance of continuing our efforts to involve more women in our work to resolve local conflicts and to protect civilians. The role of United Nations police, in particular female officers, is extremely important in ensuring that we involve more local women in those efforts.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“That also raises issues that should be better dealt with by United Nations police. Thirdly, we have an increasing role in capacity-building. Of course, the key capacity that we seek to build in host countries relates to the rule of law, justice, police and correction. Regarding the question from the representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who asked what kind of proposal we would have to enhance gender-sensitive policing in peacekeeping operation, there are a couple of points that need to be highlighted. First, we should continue our efforts to increase the number of women in peacekeeping within United Nations police.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“Mr. Lacroix: I would like to thank all Security Council members for the support that they have expressed for United Nations police (UNPOL). I also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all UNPOL personnel serving in the field and at Headquarters. I want to concur with the speakers who highlighted the increasing importance of United Nations police in peacekeeping for a number of reasons. First, the kind of challenges facing our missions on the ground, particularly the emerging drivers of conflicts, such as organized crime, multilingual issues, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, increasingly call for a police response. Secondly, our operations deal with situations with a higher population density, either in urban areas or refugee or internally displaced persons camps.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“Through this, we are better placed to address today’s challenges to peace and security and, ultimately, to improve the lives of the people we serve. I thank all Council members for their continued dedication to implementing their respective A4P and A4P+ commitments. We are grateful for the Council’s support for our efforts, and we hope that we can continue to count on it.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source
“Gender-responsive policing efforts by the United Nations police ensure that the different security needs of men, women, girls and boys are considered. With the support of our Member States, the United Nations police has already achieved its gender parity targets for 2025, and I am very pleased that five of our police components are currently headed by women, including Police Commissioners Lusala and Boughani. We will continue to count on the Security Council’s assistance in helping us expand and sustain those numbers. A4P aims to refocus peacekeeping on realistic expectations, make peacekeeping missions stronger and safer, and mobilize greater support for political solutions and for well-equipped, well-trained forces.”
2021-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8901 (2021) · source