YouSaid · the spoken record

Lassen

lines on the record: 35
first: 2023-09-05
most recent: 2023-12-15
sittings or episodes: 7
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

“The Nordic countries are long-time supporters of work on restraining small arms and light weapons in a number of countries and regions, including through several United Nations programmes, research institutions, the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund, civil society actors and bilateral cooperation projects, and we will continue our support.”
2023-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9509 (2023) · source
“We are firm supporters of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, as well as of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the Treaty’s Diversion Information Exchange Forum, in which States parties share information on combating and preventing the diversion of weapons. As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, there is a strong connection between gender-based violence and small arms. Based on the data available, as much as 90 per cent of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence involve small arms and light weapons. That is only one example of the importance of advancing the integration of gender perspectives and the women and peace and security agenda in our work.”
2023-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9509 (2023) · source
“As the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights, uncontrolled flows of arms and ammunition are a global development issue that must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, including at the regional, national and local levels. The initiative of the African Union (AU) on silencing the guns, and its operational collaboration with the United Nations, is worth highlighting in that regard. The Nordics are long- standing partners of the AU, and we support that effort. At the global level, the policy brief of the Secretary- General, A New Agenda for Peace, is an important opportunity for renewed action on small arms and light weapons. The Nordic countries welcome the recommendations outlined by the Secretary-General.”
2023-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9509 (2023) · source
“On the contrary, we have seen a surge in civilian casualties, and the situation has been further aggravated by the Russian Federation’s ongoing illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine. As the report suggests, we must step up the control of small arms and light weapons and combat all irresponsible and illegal trade in or use of small arms and light weapons. We must pay special attention to the serious effects of uncontrolled arms flows on children and young people, and we encourage the Security Council to further examine the issue. Illicit flows of small arms and light weapons have far-reaching consequences and seriously hamper economic and social development.”
2023-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9509 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, namely, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. Let me start by thanking Ecuador for convening this important meeting and the briefers for their valuable contributions. The illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons continue to initiate, exacerbate and sustain armed conflict and violence at the national, regional and global levels. They derail States from their paths towards sustainable development, facilitate organized crime, impede humanitarian assistance and endanger civilians, including women and children. As evidenced in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2023/823), things are not improving.”
2023-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9509 (2023) · source
“We must provide economic development to offer better livelihood alternatives, in addition to improving governance and law enforcement. In conclusion, we must take a comprehensive and multilateral approach to transnational organized crimes and its causes and effects on international peace and security. We must enhance the work of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing. Those who speak up should be supported and protected. And finally, we can tackle the root causes only if we remain true to our values, ensure economic development and strengthen the rule of law.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Our second point is that the approach to transnational organized crime must be guided by the core United Nations values of human rights, good governance and the rule of law. The majority of the victims of both crime and conflict are civilians who are extorted, trafficked, kidnapped and become casualties in the fighting over the exploits of criminal activity. In addition, many low-level actors in transnational organized crime never wanted to be criminals; poverty drives some of them to make unsociable choices, others are pressured, some at gun-point, to participate in criminal activity. Our approach to transnational organized crime should distinguish between crime as subsistence and crime as a means to sustain conflict.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“We would like to see this international oversight strengthened. Furthermore, we encourage improved coordination and enhanced partnership between all United Nations entities, preferably to an even more effective United Nations interagency task force on policing. That said, local voices are often best situated to identify criminal networks and illicit trade flows, and they should be included in the work to hold criminal criminals accountable. Activists and civil society groups can inform and support efforts to tackle the impact of crime on conflict. Those are brave individuals who put themselves at risk in order to call out and combat criminal activity. Their protection must be ensured.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“We must curb transnational organized crime, both in the conflict zones and beyond. We, the Nordic countries, take this opportunity to highlight two key issues that should guide the multilateral approach. First, because transnational organized crime in conflict is a question of political economy, the response should be tailored accordingly. It must be comprehensive, and due consideration should be given to diplomatic, development, justice, anti-corruption and security measures. To tailor the response, the international community needs to know more about the transnational criminal networks and how to contribute to the spread of terrorism and fuelling of conflict dynamics. On this note we commend the work of the panels of experts and monitoring teams for relevant United Nations sanctions regimes for their valuable contributions.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries — Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. We thank Ecuador for convening this open debate as well as our briefers today for their important interventions. Transnational organized crime and the political economy of conflict are closely linked. Opportunities for criminal enrichment often spur the onset of the resumption of hostilities, frequently over illicit drugs or natural resources. Even when that is not the case, conflicts attract criminal actors. Conflict actors need money and resources to sustain their ability to fight. Criminal activity provides that. Moreover, criminal actors are often based in neighbouring countries, thus regionalizing conflicts and spreading their destabilizing effects across borders.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“The fact that Russia — a permanent member of the Security Council — is still waging an illegal and brutal war continues to pose serious challenges far beyond Ukraine. It challenges the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Council, the Charter, and livelihoods, food and energy security across the globe. We support Ukraine’s peace formula and welcome the growing global support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the Charter and on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In conclusion, we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and our engagement to alleviate the global consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“It is vital to ensure safe transport for food exports from Ukraine, and we are pleased to see that the Black Sea corridor created and managed by Ukraine is working to sustain global food security. The Nordic countries also welcome the extension of the Grain from Ukraine initiative and are supportive of the European Union solidarity lanes. We continue to be committed to supporting humanitarian food assistance globally and engaging with partner countries in building longer-term food security. The Nordics would like to reiterate their strongest condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We will continue to support international efforts to ensure full accountability for all crimes committed in and against Ukraine.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian actors and facilities, are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law and must be brought to an end. As winter sets in, Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure are causing great concern. Tragically, it is not only in Ukraine that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are taking place. We reiterate the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times, in line with international humanitarian law. Russia’s war of aggression continues to create instability in global grain markets. Its bombing of Ukrainian agrarian infrastructure and grain export facilities constitutes a weaponization of food, in violation of international humanitarian law.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. We thank the presidency for the opportunity to address the Council, and the briefers for sharing their important updates. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause immeasurable suffering and aggravate the already dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs predicts that 40 per cent of the Ukrainian population — close to 15 million people — will need humanitarian assistance in 2024. The Nordic countries call for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, including to Russian- occupied areas.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“They not only make a meaningful contribution to peace and security, but they are absolutely essential to sustainable peace. Finally, we must redouble our efforts to achieve the full and effective operationalization of the humanitarian- development-peace nexus. Our collective efforts cannot hope to advance sustainable development and peace if our engagements are not based on a comprehensive, whole-of-system response. There can be no doubt that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, as recognized in the sustaining peace agenda. The Nordic countries will continue to work to promote a response based on greater cooperation, coherence, coordination and complementarity among development, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action and sustaining peace.”
2023-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9482Resumption1 (2023) · source
“In that respect, we should elevate the advisory, bridging and convening roles of the Peacebuilding Commission. Thirdly, a fundamental requirement for delivering on those agendas is financing and addressing the burden of debt that also affects countries in transition contexts. The role of international financial institutions and regional development banks in financing transitions towards sustainable development and peace is critical. It is also vital that we act to ensure that assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund become a reality. That is long overdue. Fourthly, the Nordic countries remain committed to working with partners to advance our work for inclusion, in particular on the women and peace and security and the youth, peace and security agendas.”
2023-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9482Resumption1 (2023) · source
“We must work urgently, as well as strategically, to better address the interlinkages between climate change, peace and security and sustainable development, especially in fragile contexts. The Nordic countries remain committed to supporting conflict-sensitive efforts for adaptation and mitigation in order to foster greater resilience. Climate-sensitivity is also an area in which coherent inter-agency analyses could be strengthened to underpin the work of peacekeeping operations and special political missions. Secondly, the New Agenda for Peace promotes key actions for addressing the link between peace and sustainable development. Delivering effective solutions for prevention, peacebuilding and sustaining peace requires multidimensional engagements. The Nordic countries remain committed to strengthening the peacebuilding architecture.”
2023-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9482Resumption1 (2023) · source
“There can be no sustainable development without peace, no sustainable peace without development and no peace or development without human rights. First, it is clear that we must address inequalities among countries. The global effects of climate change have worsened, and least developed countries bear the heaviest toll. They account for less than 4 per cent of total global greenhouse-gas emissions, yet they are the worst affected by climate change. The destructive impact of climate change is therefore a driver of growing inequality. It is also well known that some of the peoples facing the most serious consequences of climate change are those living in small island developing States. Finding workable solutions is the joint responsibility of every State. The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to international peace and security.”
2023-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9482Resumption1 (2023) · source
“I thank the presidency of the Security Council for convening us today and the briefers for their insights. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries — Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. The Nordic countries have long recognized the nexus between sustainable development, peace and respect for human rights. But the stark reality that we are facing today, at a time marked by a rising number of armed conflicts, emphasizes the urgency with which we must act. If we are to address the underlying drivers of insecurity, the promotion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals must remain our all- encompassing priority.”
2023-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9482Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Thirdly and finally, it is the responsibility of Member States, with support from the United Nations, to address all cases of violence, harassment, intimidation or threats, both on- and offline, against women peacebuilders and human rights defenders. The Nordic countries emphasize the importance of ensuring zero tolerance for such harassment and the need for strengthened accountability mechanisms in that regard. We reaffirm the Secretary-General’s call to dismantle oppressive power structures, which stand in the way of progress on gender equality and women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in political and public life. The Nordic countries remain committed to working with partners, including women’s and feminist organizations, to advance the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452Resumption1 (2023) · source
“We must do more to ensure that those groups can participate meaningfully in all political processes — including track 1 processes — not least by providing flexible funding, for example through mechanisms such as the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, access to capacity- building and protection against reprisals. It is equally important to exert political pressure when women are excluded. Secondly, the United Nations must take concrete steps to ensure greater diversity and representation of women, including young women, in the mediation teams it leads or co-leads. The United Nations must set and lead by example to achieve a fundamental normative and practical shift. Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation is ultimately about breaking power structures and sustaining peace.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452Resumption1 (2023) · source
“All over the world, women have successfully contributed to more robust democracies and longer-lasting peace. Positive political change and development are in high demand, and women must be in the driving seat. We would like to highlight three lines of effort. First, local women-led groups play an indispensable role in preventing conflicts and building peace in communities, fostering dialogue and responding to crises. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, local mediation can be a key entry point for women’s participation in peacemaking when high- level negotiations are deadlocked.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Women human rights defenders and peacebuilders continue to be exposed to violence, including sexual and gender- based violence, harassment, reprisals, threats and intimidation online as well as offline. Women’s rights organizations remain critically underfunded. Yet it is evident that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all levels in political and peacebuilding processes, as well as in peacekeeping, is essential to lasting peace and security. In that regard, we would like to draw attention to the open letter of 16 October signed by 617 civil-society organizations, and echo its call to support women’s full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership. History has taught us that inclusive peace processes are more likely to produce sustainable results.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452Resumption1 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries — Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. We thank Brazil for convening this important debate and our briefers for their insightful remarks. In a time shaped by the proliferation of armed conflict, we must redouble our efforts to implement resolution 1325 (2000). That is essential if we are to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and succeed in meeting the ambitions of the Secretary- General’s New Agenda for Peace. The full framework of the women and peace and security agenda is robust and extensive. However, progress on its implementation is unacceptably slow. The report of the Secretary-General (S/2023/725) is clear. A majority of peace processes continue to take place with no women mediators, negotiators or signatories.”
2023-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9452Resumption1 (2023) · source
“Technological advances in the private sector hold similar promise for humanitarian actors. Thirdly, the growing complexity of today’s humanitarian emergencies is so vast that an adequate response is impossible without the coordinated action of all relevant actors, including the private sector. We need to ensure that we have an inclusive humanitarian architecture in place that enables the meaningful participation of the private sector. Where relevant, our programming and operating models should streamline private-sector engagement across sectors and provide openness and predictability on opportunities for collaboration. That is especially important in the context of the Nordic countries’ commitment to developing localized solutions, which truly engage and empower communities for the benefit of peace and stability.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“We deplore Russia’s decision to withdraw from it and call on Russia to resume the Initiative. Secondly, the private sector creates 90 per cent of job opportunities in the developing world and thereby provides an essential pathway to self-reliance. Businesses bring expertise and resources to build local markets that can provide sustainable access to goods and services. The further development of local economies benefits and empowers communities and reduces dependency on humanitarian aid. The private sector is helping to innovate further in several key areas of humanitarian action, from logistics and shelter to communications and information technology. The Council has often discussed the digital transformation of peacekeeping, which is inspired to a large extent by the technological advances available within the private sector.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“First, in a world where humanitarian needs are fast outpacing the funding available for life-saving aid, as we have heard today, there is an urgent need for all actors to step up. In recent years we have seen an increase in private-sector funding for humanitarian emergencies, based on the principles of solidarity and responsibility-sharing. That trend is a welcome and much-needed development. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of providing humanitarian relief and are frequently among the top humanitarian contributors globally. However, we can all do more to create synergies and further collaborate with the private sector. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was an example where the public and private sectors came together to avoid a further deterioration of the global food crisis.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“On behalf of the Nordic countries — Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and, my own country, Denmark — I would like to thank Albania for convening today’s open debate and for the opportunity to advance the Security Council’s discussions on public-private partnership solutions and their role in addressing humanitarian needs in the context of international peace and security. Let me also thank all the briefers for their valuable insights. We would like to focus on three issues — the private sector as an invaluable actor in saving lives, the private sector as a key source of innovation and the need for strengthened coordination among all actors, including the private sector, in addressing current and future humanitarian needs.”
2023-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9418 (2023) · source
“In conclusion, we encourage Council members to continue to innovate and engage through the Working Group to create a more transparent, inclusive, accountable and therefore more effective Council, and we want to see its working methods implemented consistently. We also hope that the recommendations made today by the broader United Nations membership will be taken into account in the Council’s future work through adapting and improving its working methods.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, with regard to the right of the veto, the Nordic and Baltic States are of the view that the use of the veto should come with transparency and accountability. Permanent members should refrain from using it in cases of mass atrocities, including the crime of aggression. By adopting the veto initiative through its resolution 76/262, the General Assembly introduced an important accountability mechanism. We would encourage the formal adoption of the special reports produced to ensure their appropriate reflection in the Council’s annual report. Going forward, we would also like to see the Council consistently implement Article 27, paragraph 3, in line with the Charter’s overall objectives, particularly Article 2, paragraph 4. We would also welcome a chapter dedicated to the veto in the Council’s annual report.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“Their ability to participate meaningfully in the Council’s work is indispensable, and we commend Ireland and the United Arab Emirates for their recent publication of the Interactive Handbook of the Working Methods of the Council for its elected members. In that regard, we align ourselves with the important recommendations made by the Secretary-General to the Security Council in his New Agenda for Peace, particularly on the need to democratize its procedures. That includes more burden-sharing among all Council members in terms of penholderships, systematic consultations with countries affected by Council decisions, such as host and troop- and police-contributing countries, and promoting greater accountability for permanent members in their use of the veto.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“In addition to providing written advice, its Chairs should be invited to brief the Council whenever possible, and there is room for the Council to make better use of that advice. We also urge for a more inclusive approach on the acceptance of rule 37 requests. We welcome the presidencies’ regular interactive wrap-in and wrap-up sessions. We also welcome efforts to include more female briefers from civil society. Continued attention to ensuring their safe participation and the deeply concerning issue of reprisals is critical to that end. Secondly, elected members continue to bring invaluable innovation to the Council.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“But we have also seen that they can be used to render it paralysed on the most important matters of international peace and security. With a view to improving the performance of the Council and strengthening its working methods at this juncture, the Nordic and Baltic States would like to highlight three priority areas that demand our collective attention. First, opportunities for the wider membership to engage meaningfully in the work of the Council remain key to ensuring that the Council can draw on their perspectives, knowledge and capacity, in line with Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations. In that regard, the Peacebuilding Commission can offer valuable advice and cross-cutting perspectives in support of the Council’s work.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic States — Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark. I would first like to commend Albania for convening this annual debate and for its efforts as Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions. As the past year has shown, it is vital for the Security Council to engage with all Member States on how to deliver on its mandate and become more transparent, effective, and inclusive. The recent engagement with the co-Chairs of the intergovernmental negotiations process is a small step in that direction. It is the Council’s working methods, and their continuing innovation, that enable the Council to function.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source