YouSaid · the spoken record

Majoor

lines on the record: 92
first: 2006-10-26
most recent: 2009-02-09
sittings or episodes: 12
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 integrated structure of UNIPSIL and the strategic leadership by the Executive Representative will continue to be extraordinarily important for effective United Nations support of peacebuilding in Sierra Leone.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“As a result, the Peacebuilding Commission will redouble its efforts to mobilize additional resources for peacebuilding in Sierra Leone, especially through broadening the donor base and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. We are considering ways to ensure that in the months ahead, as Mr. von der Schulenburg indicated. In conclusion, allow me to commend the Government of Sierra Leone and all the national stakeholders for their constructive engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission. Let me also use this occasion to thank UNIPSIL for assisting the Peacebuilding Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone in that regard.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Support from the United Nations is especially needed in the areas of youth employment and empowerment, addressing drug trafficking and organized crime and further good governance reforms, including support for the constitutional review process and the work of the Anti-Corruption Commission. In the current global financial environment, there may be pressures to shift limited resources from a relatively stable country such as Sierra Leone to other regions in the world where urgent crises occur. However, we must bear in mind that the peace consolidation agenda in Sierra Leone is not yet finished. There is a continuing need to maintain, and even expand, existing levels of donor support. Otherwise, we risk reversing the gains made to date and impacting not only the stability of Sierra Leone but the whole subregion.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Michael von der Schulenburg, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General, the United Nations family in Sierra Leone is taking critical steps in creating a truly integrated Vision and approach with regard to peacebuilding. The Joint Vision for the United Nations Family in Sierra Leone, which was welcomed by the Peacebuilding Commission, is a critical achievement in its own right and must be well resourced and implemented. In order to do so effectively, UNIPSIL must be fully staffed and work in close partnership with other bilateral and multilateral partners.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“It also establishes key priorities and assistance modalities for the country. Having charted a clear path towards reform, the Government must now show the resolve to act and deliver on its promises. In order to do so, it will need sustained support from its national and international partners. The Peacebuilding Commission has called on all stakeholders to rally behind the priorities and objectives of the President's Agenda for Change and to provide adequate support for its implementation. 5 The United Nations has played and must continue to play an important role in supporting Sierra Leone's efforts for peace consolidation. The creation of the first United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone is a groundbreaking innovation for the United Nations system. Under the leadership of Mr.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“The lack of progress in that area is particularly worrying in light of the increased use of Sierra Leone as a transit point for drug trafficking. An indolent youth population with few opportunities for advancement and gainful employment is vulnerable to becoming foot soldiers for and Victims of a drug culture. Furthermore, the global food and financial crises risk undermining the Government's efforts to meet the high expectations of the population and to provide the much-awaited peace dividends. The Government of Sierra Leone is aware of those challenges and emerging threats and is taking steps to address them. The President's Agenda for Change, which was welcomed by the Peacebuilding Commission at its review meeting, represents a comprehensive policy statement and a road map for reform.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Drawing on a comprehensive progress report prepared with the support of UNIPSIL and the Peacebuilding Support Office, the review meeting resulted in concrete recommendations for all relevant stakeholders, including the Security Council. As noted in the review meeting, significant progress has been made in further consolidating peace in Sierra Leone. However, impressive achievements in the areas of peace and security have not yet resulted in concrete peace dividends for the population. The country continues to face difficult socio-economic challenges, and the legacies of the decade-long civil war remain largely unaddressed. Youth unemployment and marginalization represent one of the greatest threats to Sierra Leone's stability.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to participate in today's meeting on Sierra Leone in my capacity as Chair of the Sierra Leone country-specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. I very much welcome this opportunity to brief the Council on the activities of the Peacebuilding Commission in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) in Freetown. On 15 December, the Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone undertook a review of the implementation of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework.”
2009-02-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6080 (2009) · source
“Let us not waver, and let us offer whatever expertise or funds we can muster to ensure that the four countries on the Peacebuilding Commission's agenda will be irreversibly on track towards consolidated peace and stability.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“There is unwavering support for the Peacebuilding Commission's original mandate and a consensus that the Commission is on the right track. We are all anxious to see the Commission succeed, which in practice means that the countries on its agenda succeed. However, the Commission's success, unfortunately, is not determined by our vocal support or our endorsement of its mandate; it is determined by our readiness to make a contribution in the country concerned. When the time comes to thoroughly evaluate the Commission in the light of its original mandate - and that time will come - we must be confident that every effort was made to make it work. The time to make the Commission work is now. We have before us sufficient strategic documents to determine where our support is needed the most.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“Effective and continued leadership of the Office is of paramount importance. We cannot afford another gap in the leadership of that Office at such a crucial time. Sierra Leone offers a number of lessons on integration and collaboration between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council. Those lessons should be applied in the upcoming Council discussions on strengthening the United Nations political missions in Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic. In particular, the Guinea- Bissau Peacebuilding Strategic Framework should be used to guide the mandate renewal process for United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea- Bissau in the same way as the mandate for UNIPSIL took into account the peacebuilding priorities identified in the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework for Sierra Leone.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“In that context, I welcome the establishment of the first-ever United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) and the fact that UNIPSIL is mandated to work closely with the Peacebuilding Commission and support the implementation of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework and the Peacebuilding Fund's projects. Such a continued integrated United Nations presence in Sierra Leone is needed to consolidate the gains made thus far and provide coherent and coordinated support to the Government of Sierra Leone in its peace consolidation efforts. UNIPSIL needs to be fully staffed and operational as soon as possible. I welcome the commendable efforts of the Acting Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and express the hope that a permanent appointment will be made as soon as possible.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“What is needed at this point in time - and this should guide the Peacebuilding Commission's activities in the coming months - is concrete support from both existing and new donors to address the peacebuilding gaps that have been identified in the countries on the Peacebuilding Commission's agenda. We have so far done the strategic work for Burundi, for Sierra Leone and for Guinea-Bissau. We have committed to ensuring that the identified gaps will be addressed. It is now time to translate our commitments into concrete engagements. To do that, support from the United Nations on the ground will be crucial.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“That is, as has been reiterated many times before, the most effective way to prevent a relapse into conflict in countries that have been struggling to strengthen their stability and democracy since their conflict ended. That is therefore where the added valued of the Peacebuilding Commission ultimately lies, and that is the basis on which the Commission should be assessed. Taking that as our yardstick, and recognizing the considerable achievements that have been made both by the Governments of the countries on its agenda and by the Commission itself, we can fairly say that we are not there yet.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“Those efforts, which the Commission has had to undertake while operating in largely uncharted waters, have involved the active participation of all relevant stakeholders, ranging from the Governments in the countries concerned and the Peacebuilding Commission's members to the various stakeholders on the ground. While those in themselves are important achievements from which the Peacebuilding Commission should draw confidence, they are only a stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of the Commission. That goal is and must remain making a positive difference in the countries on its agenda by ensuring that the identified peacebuilding gaps are effectively addressed.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“From the outset, allow me to state that I align myself with the statement of France on behalf of the European Union. The Peacebuilding Commission has invested considerable time and effort over the past two years in implementing its mandate through the development of the appropriate strategic approach and implementation mechanisms. The result has been the conclusion of Peacebuilding Cooperation Frameworks for three countries on its agenda - Burundi, Siena Leone and, recently, Guinea-Bissau - based on an extensive mapping of peacebuilding gaps in those countries.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“Today's debate is important, especially considering the close relationship that exists between this Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. I gladly take this opportunity to share our views on the Peacebuilding Commission two years after it first became operational. I do so while expressing my thanks for the leadership of so many: Ambassador Takasu, the Chairman of the Peacebuilding Commission; his predecessor, the representative of Angola; Carolyn McAskie, who headed up the Peacebuilding Support Office so well; Jane Holl Lute, who has started so energetically in the same function; and, above all, the Governments of the countries on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission, and more specifically, the Government of Sierra Leone, represented here by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.”
2008-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5997 (2008) · source
“But their decisions will gain more weight and credibility once all relevant parties have been given the opportunity to make their inputs at the early stages ofthe decision-making process. As I said previously, I hope that the Council will consider these suggestions, together with the many other ideas and proposals that are already on the table.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Council may limit access to its deliberations to written contributions, which, as pointed out, should be all parties' basic right. This basic right can be denied only to those parties that have been blacklisted by the Council as terrorist organizations. With these few measures, my delegation believes that the Council can ensure the necessary democratization of its working methods. Most important, these measures can ensure that all parties that could be part of a political solution to a particular conflict are heard. I am talking explicitly about the right and need to be heard. It should be clear that the right to decide must remain exclusively with the members of the Security Council.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“They must be able to exercise that right by making a simple request to the Council, as appropriate and subject to the Council's agenda. Such a request should be granted automatically. This right should extend beyond the Council's subsidiary bodies and should include the Security Council's plenary discussions, either in closed or open meetings. But this right should not apply in closed consultations on Council statements or resolutions. Thirdly, and similarly, non-State parties to a conflict should also be given the possibility to address the Council at their request. However, in these cases, it must remain the Council's prerogative to decide which of these requests it is to grant and in which specific situations.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“First, as a general rule, State and non-State parties to a conflict on the Council's agenda, affected States, relevant regional organizations and interested non-governmental actors should have the right to be heard by the Council whenever it discusses a conflict and especially in the early stages of its consultations. "To be heard" should mean, as a minimum, that all of those entities should have the right to submit their views to the Council in writing and upon their own initiative. Such contributions should then be distributed as Security Council documents. Secondly, all States parties to or directly affected by a conflict on the Council's agenda, as well as relevant regional organizations, should have the right to speak before the Council.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“For instance - and this should be recognized - access to the Council for Member States with specific responsibilities in the Peacebuilding Commission has considerably improved. Also, as has been pointed out in the Belgian presidency's concept paper (S/2008/528, annex), it has become more common for countries directly concerned by a particular agenda item to take the floor before Council members. But more can be done, and there is a need for clear guidelines. I would suggest that the Security Council consider providing increased access to its work along the following lines. I hope that the Security Council will be willing to look at these proposals together with many of the other proposals that are already on the table.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Options for reform in this area should be pursued without delay in View of their importance to the legitimacy of the Council's deliberations and decisions in specific cases. Access to the Security Council by non-members can ensure an important infusion of credibility. The group of five small States - the 8-5 - has made very useful proposals in this regard. Others have made suggestions as well - some more radical than others, including by non-governmental organizations, such as Independent Diplomat, which has called for the introduction of a universal right of address. These proposals and suggestions have to be seen in the light of an already developing practice in the Security Council to be more accessible to non-members and their views.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Some members have been particularly active within the Security Council and deserve to be commended for their work - notably, the successive Chairs of the Security Council's relevant Informal Working Group: the representatives of Japan, Slovakia and now Panama. The importance of Security Council reform cannot be overemphasized, and I believe there is a broad consensus that, during the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, we should start negotiations on the various options and proposals on the table. Following your suggestion, Mr. President, I will focus in this debate on the particular aspect of the Security Council reform that concerns the involvement of States and other parties not members of the Security Council in the Council's work. That is merely one aspect, but an important one nonetheless.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I very much welcome the opportunity to participate in today's debate on the Security Council's working methods. I thank you, Mr. President, having taken the initiative to convene it, and I thank the representative of Costa Rica for having proposed it. This debate is timely, even though the broader subject of Security Council reform has been actively discussed at various levels since the 2005 World Summit. Many of us have played a role in moving the issue forward; I had the privilege of taking up the subject of the Council's working methods as a facilitator to the President of the General Assembly.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We strongly believe that the physical presence of UNAMA in Uruzgan will be a catalyst for the deployment there of other members of the United Nations Family and non-governmental organizations. We stand ready to facilitate that process where needed. For UNAMA to be able to put its Security Council mandate into practice, we agree with the observation of the Secretary-General in his report (S/2008/434) that it is now a matter of urgency that UNAMA be provided with the necessary means and staff. We should not allow bureaucratic obstacles to delay that. In that respect, we call not only on the United Nations family but on all of us to support UNAMA in establishing a more effective framework with the required funds and trained staff.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“In that respect, I would like to encourage the Government of Pakistan, as the Minister mentioned in his contribution to this discussion, to follow an integrated approach in the border region. Besides military means, socio- economic development and a reconciliation process for all those who do not support terrorism and extremism are needed. Finally, let me say a few words about the United Nations. For many of the priorities I have mentioned, we believe that a strong United Nations footprint in Afghanistan is essential. We are particularly appreciative of the work of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Kai Eide and all United Nations staff in Afghanistan. We warmly welcome the announcement made last week of plans to open an office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Uruzgan.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Finally, Afghan leadership is urgently needed to tackle narcotics. In that respect, we wish to stress the importance of interdiction and of social, economic and rural development as prerequisites for a poppy-free society. On our part, we will continue to support Afghanistan and its people. Over the period 2009-2011, we will contribute â‚¬775 million in combined military assistance and development cooperation, depending on further progress in the areas I have just mentioned. Let me now turn briefly to relations between Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. We very much welcome the Foreign Ministers' participation in this important debate. Good relations and strengthened cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan are essential elements in tackling the insurgency in the border region.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“With our collective support, the Afghan Government will have to take the lead in tackling the most urgent issues. I should like to mention five of those. First, governance at the provincial and local levels must be a high priority. More qualified people are needed, especially at the local level. Secondly, justice and human rights are equally important. Substantial progress is needed to end the culture of impunity and corruption. Furthermore, reconciliation is a key element of Afghanistan's long-term sustainability. The Afghan Government should reach out to those groups and communities that disagree with the extremist ideology of the Taliban. Another core issue is the upcoming elections. The Afghan Government should make every effort to ensure that the elections will be a success and that every Afghan, woman or man, can vote.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing the Netherlands to take the floor in this debate. The Netherlands fully supports the statement made earlier by the representative of France on behalf of the European Union. Because of our substantial contributions, both military and in the field of development, we would like to make a few additional remarks. We can look back on a successful Paris Conference in Support of Afghanistan, which saw frank discussions on priority issues and nearly $21 billion pledged. We now have to speed up work on our mutual obligations. I share the assessment of Special Representative Eide. The international community has shown a long- term commitment to Afghanistan and has agreed to coordinate more closely and to work through Afghan structures as much as possible.”
2008-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5930 (2008) · source
“Finally, the apparently imminent nomination of a new Executive Representative of the Secretary-General will ensure the necessary steering in the transition process from UNIOSIL to the follow-on mission and will provide the high-level political support needed in the lead-up to the local council elections and in our collective peacebuilding efforts in support of the Government of Sierra Leone.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“In that regard, I would welcome continued support from the Security Council in ensuring the constructive engagement of all stakeholders in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission, in particular their active participation in the high-level consultation. I would also like to request that, in considering the mandate and the structure of the follow-on integrated peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone, the Security Council ensure that the office has the dedicated staff capacity to actively support the work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the implementation of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework. The follow-on mission must also have adequate operational capacity and logistical support to effectively carry out its mandate.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“Both the Government of Sierra Leone and the international donors on the ground are determined to improve and strengthen coordination mechanisms in Freetown, 6 including on Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund matters, also in informal settings. The challenges outlined above require our collective and timely action. I am confident that, given the commitment and the leadership of the Government of Sierra Leone and the continued support of the international community, we will be able to address them. In addition, the 19 May high-level stakeholders consultation and the 19 June biannual review of the Framework will offer opportunities for individual and collective action in response to some of these challenges.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“According to many stakeholders, that has limited the ability of the United Nations to take its leadership role and to be the main interlocutor with the Government of Sierra Leone at this critical juncture. The absence of an Executive Representative has limited the capacity of the United Nations to convene international partners in support of the Framework and, more generally, its coordinating role on the ground. The fifth challenge is the need for an informal coordination forum on issues related to the Peacebuilding Commission, which a number of stakeholders in Sierra Leone have recognized. This should build on the existing coordination mechanisms such as the Development Partnership Committee and the Peacebuilding Fund steering committee.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“The United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, is also - and necessarily - in the process of reviewing its capacity and available technical expertise in this area. The 19 May high-level consultation represents a good opportunity to further explore various proposals and to arrive at a common approach. Fourthly, although Security Council resolution 1793 (2007) mandated the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) to actively support the work of the Peacebuilding Commission and the implementation of the Framework, that has sometimes been difficult, due to lack of capacity and a temporary absence of leadership at the highest level. The post of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General for UNIOSIL has not been filled since December of 2007.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“Titov referred to this as well - the timely procurement by the United Nations of supplies necessary for holding the local elections needs urgent attention and action. Thirdly, in the area of youth employment - which is a critical peacebuilding priority area - differences persist on how to best address this challenge. Currently, there is no coherent overall policy framework on youth employment and empowerment, nor is there yet a clear focal point in the Government of Sierra Leone addressing the issue, and the international actors are divided in their approaches. The Government has the intention to establish a national youth commission to address the employment and empowerment of young people.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“In that context I would underline the importance of continued budget support by those donors in a position to provide that to the Government of Sierra Leone. Secondly, the preparations for the local council elections scheduled for 5 July have been marked by some inter-party and intra-party political tensions. Sierra Leone remains divided along ethnic and geographic lines, requiring intensified efforts for national reconciliation and unity. Isolated episodes have also been recorded, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Those developments underline the importance of continued political engagement by the Peacebuilding Commission with the country. Also - and Mr.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“The United Nations and other international partners would need to support the Government in ensuring that food security issues do not destabilize the country, especially in the lead-up to the local council elections. The Government has set up a task force on food security. On the issue of economic recovery, I would also like to note that much of the international assistance to the country continues to be provided through projects, in the absence of sector-wide strategies, programmes and funding mechanisms. The Peacebuilding Commission's high-level stakeholders consultation on Sierra Leone on 19 May will explore specific opportunities for sector-wide support through multi- donor funding mechanisms.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“Over the last three months, the Government of Sierra Leone, with the support of the United Nations and other partners, has made significant progress in implementing several commitments contained in the Peacebuilding Framework. Impressive developments have taken place in the areas of justice and security sector reform, anti-corruption and energy sector development and in the preparation for local council elections. However, there are also a number of challenges that must be addressed in the next few months. I would like to highlight five challenges here today. First, the overall economic situation in Sierra Leone remains fragile, especially in light of the rising prices of rice and fuel. President Koroma has stressed that from June 2008 agricultural development and food security will become a new top priority of the Government.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“In preparation for that meeting and in order to obtain first-hand information on the status of Framework implementation, I visited Sierra Leone from 21 to 25 April. The programme for the visit included meetings with the President, the Vice- President, other senior representatives of the Government and the majority and minority leaders in parliament, as well as with representatives of the international community and civil society and the private sector. The visit reinforced the commitment of the stakeholders on the ground to the implementation of the Framework and identified some concrete challenges requiring immediate attention from the Government of Sierra Leone and the international community.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“As the chair of the Sierra Leone country-specific meetings, I undertook ambassadorial-level bilateral meetings and visited key capitals - Washington, London, Brussels, Berlin and The Hague - to raise awareness about the Framework and to garner political and financial support for its implementation. The Government of Sierra Leone did the same and approached various bilateral, regional and multilateral stakeholders for support for the implementation of the Framework. Those advocacy and resource-mobilization efforts will culminate in a high-level stakeholders consultation on the implementation of the Framework in New York on 19 May, in which, I hope, the members of the Security Council will participate actively.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“With the successful adoption of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework, the engagement of the Commission with Sierra Leone has focused on three primary objectives: generating support for the implementation of the commitments contained in the Framework, broadening of the donor base in Sierra Leone, and triggering new activities or up-scaling existing activities in peacebuilding priority areas. To that end, the Commission agreed on a work plan outlining a focused resource-mobilization, outreach and advocacy strategy. The Framework was transmitted to all relevant stakeholders through a joint letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and the Minister for Development Cooperation of the Netherlands.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“Mr. Majoor: Thank you very much, Madam President, for inviting me to participate in the consultations in my capacity as the chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's country-specific meetings on Sierra Leone. My last statement in this capacity before the Security Council dates back to 14 December 2007 (see S/PV.5804). On that occasion I briefed the Council on the adoption of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Peacebuilding Commission. Today I would like to brief the Council on a number of key developments since then, in particular the advocacy and resource-mobilization efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission and the findings of my recent visit to Sierra Leone.”
2008-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5887 (2008) · source
“In that respect, the efforts in the framework of the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development are 08-32416 mentioned as being encouraging. The signatories to the Declaration, which come from all regional groups, have started to work on measurability in the field of armed violence and are currently reflecting on the possibility of developing so-called security for development goals. Those goals could be complementary to the Millennium Development Goals and, as such, bridge the gap between security and development. It is our hope that the understanding of the correlation between armed violence and development will become firmly rooted both in United Nations standards and in international action on small arms proliferation.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Armed violence has a major impact on the often vulnerable countries that suffer from it, as it affects economies, health sectors, budding democracies and, in general, the fabric of society. To deal with small arms and light weapons effectively is to recognize the myriad ways in which armed violence affects society and to act on it accordingly. If the international community is serious about achieving the Millennium Development Goals * which I believe it is - we need to start looking beyond the efforts directly aimed at achieving those goals and realize that armed violence will thwart any substantial improvement in levels of development. The Secretary-General recommended that we develop key indicators for the area of small arms and use those to determine a set of measurable goals.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Prins ~ who is sitting next to me - deserve follow-up, While our ambitions for a legal instrument should not be abandoned. And we need to weigh and reweigh our methods of curbing the proliferation of small arms in the light of the knowledge we have gained. In recent years, the international community has become more aware of the connection between armed violence and development. It is increasingly understood that the problems arising from small arms need to be addressed not as a separate technical issue, but as an issue that is embedded within a broader development approach. The 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1) is a confirmation, at the highest level, of the new consensus that security and development are intimately linked.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881Resumption1 (2008) · source
“In particular, my delegation welcomes the broad approach to the issue, the connection to capacity-building and development, the 2 focus on improving cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and the inclusion of issues such as ammunition flows and poor end-use verification. The problems arising from small arms proliferation are still plentiful. We need to continue striving for full implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action. We are confident that the upcoming Biennial Meeting of States will propel and steer action on international cooperation, marking and tracing, stockpile management and surplus disposal, and illicit brokering. The recommendations made by last year's United Nations expert group on illicit brokering, which was chaired by my fellow countryman Mr.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for providing my delegation with the opportunity to participate in this open debate. The recent developments regarding possible arms shipments to Zimbabwe have shown once again how topical this issue is, both in the context of the General Assembly and for the Security Council. Building on the statement made this morning by the representative of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union, I would like to emphasize that we agree with the Secretary-General's analysis of the current state of affairs regarding the issue of small arms. The Netherlands fully supports the recommendations made in his report (8/2008/258), and we are pleased and encouraged by his fresh approach to this important topic.”
2008-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5881Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Progress in ending such violations can be measured, allowing for de-listing: an incentive for change. But more important, we cannot remain silent in the face of such hideous acts. What more reason do we need? We may be encouraged by our efforts so far, but we should remain outraged at the continuing violence against children in armed conflict. There is no room for complacency or even a business-as-usual approach. We urge the Security Council to continue to address this issue and to fill existing protection gaps. If the political will to do so is to be found anywhere, it should be here at the core of the United Nations, in the Security Council.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Child soldiers are the focus of much international concern, and rightly so, but they constitute a relatively small share of affected children. The Security Council should give equal consideration to all categories of grave violations against children in armed conflict and should include in the annexes to the Secretary-General's reports a comprehensive listing of parties to armed conflict responsible for any of these grave violations. An initial expansion of the trigger mechanisms could include the crime of rape and other grave sexual violence against children. There are several reasons for this. Like the recruitment and use of child soldiers, rape and other sexual violence are intentional acts committed by individual perpetrators. Parties to armed conflict can take action to hold such perpetrators accountable for their actions.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source