YouSaid · the spoken record

Lambert

lines on the record
9
first
2009-11-11
most recent
2011-07-20
sittings or episodes
2
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “It would be irresponsible to reduce climate change to its negotiating aspect. An overall framework for preventive diplomacy is indispensable to alleviate the consequences outlined in the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, especially for the most vulnerable countries. We have to take concrete steps towards a coherent approach within the United Nations system. Our international institutions should be prepared to respond to the impacts of climate change and the scarcity it will cause. Today we welcome this debate, which paves the way for future Council action on this issue and promotes a structured approach by the United Nations system to the security aspects of the Climate challenge.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  2. “Scarcity of natural resources is in some cases a threat multiplier; in other cases it is itself a threat. The stress on crops and the lack of fresh water will first affect the most vulnerable populations. Indeed, the impact of climate change will not be spread evenly. Scarcity might lead to a breakdown of coping mechanisms of groups and individuals, carrying with it an increased risk of instability and conflict. Today, we know that a wide range of factors - such as ethnic tensions, transborder disputes, inequalities in societies, population movements and failed States 4 can lead to armed conflict. But climate change will become an ever more important factor among those root causes. How can the United Nations respond? This major challenge for mankind should be addressed in a holistic and preventive way.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  3. “We are now expecting others to join these efforts. Beyond that essential action, we have to increase our readiness to cope with the effects of climate change. Some of them are already felt today. In the Pacific, the relocation of the populations of small islands has already begun. The same is happening in some villages of Alaska. The succession of droughts and floods worldwide has intensified over the past years and has led to an increased number of humanitarian emergencies. The effects of climate change are also threatening the very resources that are so vital for human life. Throughout history people have fought over natural resources. Climate change is threatening the availability of those resources. Water, fertile land, food and energy supplies are all at risk.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  4. “Continuing with business as usual puts us in danger of a 3° change by the end of the century. What is worrying is that past changes in the Earth's climate have always been non-linear and unpredictable, with sudden shifts when key thresholds were reached. That makes planning even more challenging for policymakers. We are at risk of an abrupt climate change that could cause a rapid dieback of tropical forests, a precipitous melting of polar ice sheets or glaciers and greatly accelerate the rise of sea levels. What can we do? The first avenue for prevention is indeed mitigation. Major steps were agreed to in Cancun and are now being implemented. However, the negotiations in the Framework Convention should be stepped up. The European Union has set itself on track to a low-carbon and energy-efficient economy by 2020.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  5. “Climate change has returned to negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Despite the notable progress in that forum, we should admit that this question is no longer given a high priority in our debates in New York. We recognize that the Framework Convention is the proper forum for dealing with climate change, but other organs 4 this Council and the General Assembly - should remain seized of aspects of this matter that fall under their jurisdiction. Climate change acts as a threat multiplier. Some might argue that those threats are remote, but that is not the case. We should not close our eyes to what science is telling us. Average global temperatures have increased by 0.7°C since pre-industrial times. Emissions already in the atmosphere will lead to a further increase of 0.6°C.”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  6. “Mr. Lambert (Belgium) (spoke in French): Let me start by thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. The effects of climate change indeed require renewed mobilization, and Belgium welcomes this opportunity to give this question the attention it deserves. Belgium fully associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the European Union, and I will therefore limit myself to a few points. Many speakers today referred to the debate held in April 2007 (see S/PV.5663), and rightly so. The 2009 report of the Secretary-General requested by the General Assembly (A/64/350) was also a major milestone: it made the case for enhanced action on the part of the United Nations system. What has happened since then?”

    2011-07-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6587Resumption1 (2011) · source

  7. “Belgium attaches great importance also to the safety, security and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel. We were particularly pleased that that aspect of the protection of civilians was more fully reflected in today's resolution. Another requirement in the sphere of the protection of civilians is the fight against impunity. That challenge must be taken up at both the national and the international levels. Here, Belgium stresses the fundamental role of the International Criminal Court. Finally, I recall that Belgium attaches great importance to the principle of the responsibility to protect, for which the General Assembly has just reaffirmed its support and which is intended to protect civilians from the most serious crimes: genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

  8. “Belgium believes that Security Council resolution 1894 (2009), adopted today, marks a significant step forward in a process the Council began 10 years ago when it added protection of civilians in armed conflict to its agenda. Although over the past 10 years the United Nations has undeniably made real progress on the protection of civilians, civilians remain the principal victims of conflict. Hence, a great deal remains to be done. We therefore hope that today's resolution will make it possible to genuinely strengthen the protection- of-civilians portion of the mandates of peacekeeping operations and to implement those mandates on the ground. The study recently prepared by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations is a useful tool for helping us reach that goal.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source

  9. “Mr. Lambert (Belgium) (spoke in French): My delegation fully associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Sweden on behalf of the European Union. We wish to offer a few additional comments to highlight Belgium's support with respect to this matter, which is one of great importance to us. Belgium welcomes the Security Council's recent adoption of resolutions 1882 (2009), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009), which in our view reflect increased political will to reduce the devastating impact of armed conflict on civilians. In that connection, Belgium thanks the Human Rights Council for its adoption in October of its resolution 12/5, on protecting the human rights of civilians in armed conflict.”

    2009-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6216Resumption1 (2009) · source