YouSaid · the spoken record

Louise Blais

lines on the record
23
first
2020-08-12
most recent
2020-09-17
sittings or episodes
2
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. “We must recognize that each individual armed conflict has its own specific underlying causes and that no one-size-fits-all formula applies when it comes to building and sustaining peace. The PBC will therefore continue to improve its convening, bridging and advisory role to sustain international assistance in support of national peacebuilding priorities.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  2. “This is the time to stand by the side of the Governments and the people whose lives and livelihoods could be challenged by climate change and environmental degradation. We need to support collective action, guided by ambitious mitigation and adaptation strategies, based on the best available science, and to promote local resilience, in accordance with nationally defined development priorities. We must also bear in mind that the conditions that may lead to peace or conflict are complex by their nature and specific to each situation. Hence, an in-depth, country and region-specific understanding of the various social, economic and cultural variables at play in their unique specificities is required. The analysis of the root causes of a conflict is a comprehensive exercise.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  3. “In regions such as the Lake Chad basin, a collective and coordinated effort by States Members of the United Nations, international, regional and subregional organizations, international financial institutions, civil society and, where relevant, the private sector is required to fully realize the African Union-Lake Chad Basin Commission strategy for the stabilization, recovery and resilience of the Boko Haram-affected areas. As we seek collectively to build stronger and more resilient societies in the face of environmental challenges and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our efforts will be jeopardized without adequate, predictable and sustained financing for peacebuilding and for humanitarian and development efforts.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  4. “Many Governments in the Pacific region have requested additional support from the international community in order to address these issues. At a time when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, including by negatively affecting food security through supply- chain disruption, these have become urgent requests. As outlined during the ongoing 2020 review of the peacebuilding architecture and in the report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding and sustaining peace issued last Friday (S/2020/773), we cannot overstress the need for coordinated efforts among humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actors in accordance with their respective responsibilities and mandates. This has always been true and is even more true in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  5. “In numerous PBC engagements in support of the Sahel, representatives of affected States have highlighted the need for further assistance to address the combined effects of land degradation, reduced and erratic rainfall and lack of sufficient funding for sound environmental and development policies, all of which complicate national and regional efforts aimed at managing natural resources effectively and ensuring resilient pastoralism. In a recent PBC meeting on the Pacific islands, representatives of the region warned about the impacts of sea-level rise, the increasing frequency and intensity of S/2020/929 droughts and storms, ocean acidification and consequent damage to coral reefs and fisheries — all of which have devastating effects on peoples’ safety and livelihoods.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  6. “The dangerous challenges facing women and girls in the subregion, where they are overrepresented in the informal sector and are less likely to benefit from COVID-19 recovery programmes, should not be underestimated. For this reason, it is important to ensure women’s equal access to education, health care and decent work, strengthen their role in sustainable development and guarantee their full, effective and meaningful participation in the pandemic response as well as in political and decision-making processes.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  7. “It has become clear that in the Lake Chad basin initiatives that aim to support national and local actors to improve management of cross-border transhumance by building resilience to climate change and environmental degradation and strengthening community engagement remain critical to overall efforts to implement the regional stabilization strategy and require continuous support. The complex challenges in the Lake Chad basin are affecting the lack of access to such fundamental social protections as basic health and education services, particularly for women and girls. Environmental degradation could hinder women’s livelihoods and exacerbate their vulnerability, a situation that is now further complicated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  8. “In numerous past interactions, national actors have highlighted that building climate resilience can also be seen as conducive to peacebuilding. Just last week, during a PBC meeting on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on peacebuilding in the Lake Chad basin, briefers and stakeholders from the region painted a vivid picture of the multidimensional challenges facing the Lake Chad region, particularly regarding security, humanitarian and development issues accompanied by environmental change and degradation, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As in previous PBC discussions, during last week’s meeting a number of speakers emphasized the importance of helping to mitigate tensions and address disputes between herders and farmers, which in the Lake Chad basin have been exacerbated by environmental degradation.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  9. “I would like to congratulate the Niger on its presidency of the Security Council this month and for organizing today’s debate. In my capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), I would like to bring to the Security Council’s attention some of the Commission’s observations and recommendations in the context of different regions on its agenda, including the Lake Chad basin, the Sahel and the Pacific islands. In a number of contexts where the PBC has been engaged, environmental and climate-related challenges were considered as factors that could have a negative impact on peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts. Addressing these challenges in country-specific or regional contexts can therefore also contribute to these efforts aimed at peacebuilding and sustaining peace.”

    2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source

  10. “In that connection, the initiative of the Peacebuilding Support Office to fast-track support for joint United Nations-World Bank data and risk assessment and analysis has been welcomed. At a time when the impact of the multifaceted crises posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on conflict-affected countries is significant and the work of the United Nations, including in peacebuilding and sustaining peace, has become more challenging, the PBC’s response to COVID-19 has demonstrated the value of the convening platform that it provides to foster unity and solidarity among Member States, the United Nations system and relevant actors to stay the course in their support to peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts. I thank the members of the Security Council for their continuous support to the work of the Commission.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  11. “The consultations have also encouraged Governments to take into account the needs of all segments of society concerned when designing their COVID-19 responses and implementing nationally owned peacebuilding priorities. The meetings demonstrated the value of the PBC as a flexible, demand-driven platform that allows for collaboration across the different pillars of the United Nations system and among diverse actors, such as the World Bank, other financial institutions, local civil society organizations, the private sector and regional organizations, so as to ensure multipronged and coordinated political and financial support to countries in addressing conflict risks and delivering on national priorities.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  12. “The Commission underlined support for a coherent and coordinated approach among all relevant actors, within and outside the United Nations system, consistent with their respective mandates, and the Charter. The PBC also called for predictable, sustainable and coordinated financial support and, in that respect, welcomed the Peacebuilding Fund’s quick positioning to help address the peacebuilding and sustaining peace dimensions of its work in the context of the pandemic. The constructive nature of those discussions, based on the principles of national ownership and partnership, have encouraged new countries and regions to seek consultations with the PBC, leading to the PBC’s first regional discussions on Central Africa and the Pacific Islands, with the consent of all countries concerned.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  13. “Consequently, resources could be shifted away from longer-term investments in building the institutions that help sustain peace to short-term humanitarian and emergency response. Countries affected by conflict are already the furthest behind in attaining the SDGs, and this pandemic risks setting them back even further. They need predictable, sustainable, coordinated financial and technical support. During the consultations, the PBC highlighted the urgent need to support countries in safeguarding their capacities to fight the pandemic, while continuing to accompany them in the advancement of their medium- and long-term national peacebuilding priorities.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  14. “In every country and region where the PBC is engaged, we have heard remarkable stories that testify to the resilience of communities, the role of civil society and the innovation of the private sector. The various consultations have served as a valuable platform for the exchange of lessons learned, good practices and innovations among countries to build back better, including lessons from the successful fight against Ebola in West Africa. We must continue to support, learn from and replicate these success stories. Finally, it is important to respond to this crisis through strengthened partnerships and financing. There is great concern that the coming years will see a global recession and reduction of official development aid flows.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  15. “Several countries where the PBC is engaged are at risk of seeing double-digit contractions in economic growth, and there is no social safety net or economic stimulus package that can make up for the destruction of livelihoods of entire communities. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ 90 per cent of the workforce in Africa, are suffering severe consequences and are often overlooked in recovery plans. This requires us to pay attention to livelihoods, incomes and inclusive economic development. The PBC will consider, where relevant, socioeconomic risks in its future advice to the Security Council. Fourthly, the news is not all bad.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  16. “If national responses are perceived to be slow, inadequate, ineffective or unfairly distributed, existing tensions could be further exacerbated. It is important that Government responses to the pandemic and international assistance in that regard not replicate or exacerbate existing inequalities or social division. This means strengthening the United Nations socioeconomic response, as well as better understanding and addressing the possible root causes of conflict. Attention is also needed to mid- to long-term efforts to strengthen inclusive and accountable national institutions. Thirdly, the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic has been severe. Even after decades of international peacebuilding support, many countries are only one or two shocks away from falling into deep crisis.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  17. “Recognizing that an integrated and coherent approach among relevant political, security and development actors, within and outside the United Nations system, consistent with their respective mandates and the Charter of the United Nations, is critical to peacebuilding and sustaining peace and essential to improving respect for human rights, gender equality, empowering women and young people, strengthening the rule of law, eradicating poverty, building institutions and advancing economic development in conflict-affected countries, it is important to continue cross-pillar support to United Nations peacebuilding activities in the field, while acknowledging that each pillar has its intrinsic value and specific mandate. In countries where the PBC has engaged, the impact of the crisis has been most severe on the poorest and the most vulnerable.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  18. “Most of the countries and regions where the PBC has engaged are already confronted with escalating humanitarian crises, high levels of displacement, food shortages and collapsing economies. It is urgent that we act to save lives and prevent the reversal of peacebuilding gains. Secondly, this crisis cuts across the United Nations traditional silos and requires a coordinated, multisectoral global response. This is also true for conflict- affected countries, where governance capacities and institutions are weak and societies are deeply divided.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  19. “In that connection, it is particularly important to ensure that the impact of the pandemic does not reverse progress on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. In addition, since April, the PBC has convened a series of consultations to hear directly from countries and regions, including in the Central African region, West Africa and the Sahel, the African Great Lakes and the Pacific Islands, how they are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Allow me to share some observations on the basis of those discussions. First, conflict-affected countries are in crisis, as the challenges they face in delivering on their national peacebuilding priorities have been exacerbated and multiplied by COVID-19.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  20. “At its thematic meetings on the impact of COVID-19 on peacebuilding and the socioeconomic consequences of the crisis, the PBC echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire and urgent action within the framework of his plan and report Shared Responsibilities, Global Solidarity: Responding to the Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in order to fight the pandemic and deliver on national priorities. The PBC has been advocating for strengthened partnerships in support of coherent, conflict-sensitive and inclusive responses that recognize the importance of leaving no one behind and ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected and empowered.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  21. “Overall, the pandemic risks setting such countries even further behind in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The PBC has been extraordinarily active over the past several months, convening virtual ambassadorial-level meetings and adjusting its work plan to focus explicitly on the impact of COVID-19 on the abilities of Governments and their partners to deliver on emergency and national peacebuilding priorities. The PBC was among the first United Nations bodies to rapidly shift to using virtual platforms in response to the pandemic. Within a few weeks of the closure of the United Nations, we were able to convene an ambassadorial-level video-teleconference meeting that focused on how to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in peacebuilding contexts.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  22. “Today I will update the Council on the PBC’s continuing efforts to support national and regional stakeholders in addressing peacebuilding challenges in conflict-affected contexts exacerbated by the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and on observations from the work we have done to date. As noted in resolution 2532 (2020), this is a critical time for countries affected by conflict. Hard-won peacebuilding gains are at risk, as in several cases the impact of the pandemic has destroyed livelihoods, threatened social cohesion, strained the capacity of governance institutions and contributed to risks of increased instability. The crisis may potentially exacerbate underlying tensions and inequalities, while compounding already dire humanitarian situations in affected countries.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source

  23. “I would like to congratulate Indonesia on its presidency of the Security Council this month and for organizing this timely high-level debate. In my capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), I wish to express my appreciation for the constructive informal interactive dialogue between the Security Council and the PBC, organized by Germany and co-hosted by Indonesia, the Niger and the United Kingdom on 22 July, and the enhanced collaboration between the two bodies, notably to help address the present public health emergency and contribute to durable peace and sustainable development.”

    2020-08-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/799 (2020) · source