YouSaid · the spoken record

Mendonca E Moura

lines on the record: 93
first: 2014-10-23
most recent: 2016-12-20
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 national efforts developed by Portugal in combating trafficking in human beings have been recognized in several forums, and most recently by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. In conclusion, trafficking in human beings is one of the most heinous crimes against human dignity. Preventing and punishing trafficking in human beings is crucial to achieving a future of dignity, freedom for all and sustainable development, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and our collective efforts aimed at consolidating peace and security.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“In 2008, we created the Trafficking in Human Beings Observatory with the goal of collecting and analysing data on trafficking. Our third National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings, for 2014-2017, is currently being implemented and entails 53 policy measures focused around five strategic areas: first, prevention, awareness-raising, information and research; secondly, education and training; thirdly, protection, intervention and capacity-building; fourthly, criminal investigation; and fifthly and finally, cooperation. The third National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings reflects my country's commitments, in particular within the framework of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Portugal urges all delegations that have not yet done so to accede and ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The Protocol provides a broad basis for policies to address the issue and requires countries to take action against the traffickers, protect and assist the victims and help prevent trafficking. My delegation looks forward to the high-level review of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, set to take place in 2017. In 2007, with the involvement of several sectorial ministries, the private sector and civil-society organizations, we in Portugal developed its first National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“It is a global issue that demands collective action, not only from national Governments, but also from the international community, civil-society organizations, media, academia and other stakeholders. The crime of trafficking in persons is generally underreported and underrecorded. The overwhelming majority of victims of trafficking never see justice for what they have endured, nor receive the assistance and support they need. We must fight the culture of impunity for those who commit these crimes; those responsible must be brought to justice. To this end, law- enforcement and other officials need to be trained to identify and protect victims, and traffickers and their accomplices need to be prosecuted, and justice for victims needs to be secured.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“It turns individuals into commodities, dehumanizes them and exacerbates the multiple and protracted harmful effects of conflict-related violence on victims. And it must be stressed that a consistent mark of this crime is that most victims are women and girls. Any intervention, to be effective, must be based on common and coordinated efforts in the fields of prevention, awareness-raising, support, research and repression at the international, regional or national levels. Bilateral, regional and international cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination, as well as effective information-sharing, are crucial to addressing human trafficking resulting from conflict.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Every year, millions of men, women and children are victims of human trafficking for exploitation, which includes prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor and services, slavery and similar practices, involuntary servitude, and removal of organs and other forms of exploitation. It is a complex reality, transnational in most cases, often committed within the framework of criminal organizations, which prey on vulnerabilities and weaknesses of trafficked persons. Trafficking in human beings is often exacerbated in situations of conflict and humanitarian crisis and aggravated by factors such as poverty, unemployment, weak rule of law and poor governance. We note with concern that trafficking in persons in situations of conflict-related sexual violence has become a war tactic by violent extremist groups.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank the Spanish presidency for convening this ministerial open debate and congratulate you, Mr. President, on the adoption of the first Security Council resolution on trafficking in human beings in situations of conflict, which my country is proud to co-sponsor (resolution 2331 (2016)). I thank the Secretary-General, the Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Ms. Zainab Bangura, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, for their briefings. Trafficking in human beings is one of the most serious violations of human rights and constitutes an offence to the dignity and integrity of the human being.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Ensuring a gender perspective and women and girls' participation in all stages ofpeace processes, including in prevention and disarmament, protection in displacement settings, peacekeeping, policy-making and reconstruction, strengthens the protection efforts by United Nations peacekeepers, contributes positively to the achievement of sustainable peace, accelerates economic recovery and development and helps counter violent extremism.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“I would also like to point out the important role of civil society organizations in the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. They are often essential elements in preventing and reporting crimes committed against women, young women and girls and in alerting the international community to such crimes. Working in close collaboration with civil society organizations therefore becomes indispensable to enhance the results. In conclusion, 16 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we must redouble our efforts in consolidating and reinforcing the implementation of this agenda.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We will continue to promote the women and peace and security agenda and to raise awareness on the importance of establishing national actions plans on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in all the relevant international forums we belong to, including the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and NATO. Portugal also reiterates its pledge to continue conducting training programmes for national personnel and members of the armed and security forces assigned to international peacekeeping missions on gender equality and violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, gender-based violence and trafficking in human beings.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We would also like to commend Spain for its initiative in the establishment of the national focal point network for women and peace and security, which constitutes an important platform for sharing good practices, and with which Portugal is pleased to be associated. Portugal has been a firm and consistent supporter of the women and peace and security agenda. We adopted our first national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in 2009, and a second one in 2014, which is in force until 2018. We consider it critical to ensure the active and meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects and stages of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict processes.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“The women and peace and security agenda is a critical, yet underutilized, tool for preventing conflict and shaping more effective responses to today's complex crises. That is why it is now more than ever essential to sustain and develop the progress already achieved and maintain the commitment to the agenda by Member States, regional organizations and the entire United Nations system. In that regard, Portugal welcomes the settomg up of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security, established pursuant to the 2015 high-level review, as a key step in the implementation of resolution 2242 (2015) with a view to strengthen oversight and coordination on the women and peace and security agenda.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Today more women are included in peace talks, more peace agreements contain provisions in support of women's human rights and more security- sector personnel are trained to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. However, since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), the peace and security context and the nature of conflict have evolved - at times dramatically - characterized by entrenched cycles of conflict and fragility, daily violations of human rights and humanitarian law, growing humanitarian crises, mass-scale displacement of persons and refugees, and new threats, such as increasing violent extremism and terrorism, which disproportionately affect women and girls.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank the Russian presidency of the Security Council for conveying today's open debate and to thank today's briefers. Portugal is encouraged by several very positive developments with regard to the women and peace and security agenda, such as the fact that the issue is a consistent feature in Security Council resolutions and peacekeeping mandates, as well as the fact that gender- sensitive reporting is now understood as a fundamental element for a thorough understanding of the gender dimensions of conflict and that reinforced efforts are necessary to shape adequate responses at the local and international levels.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“We cannot remain indifferent to these gross violations of children's rights. We thank Malaysia for its leadership in the efforts to consolidate the mechanisms at the disposal of the Council to deal with one of the most appalling scourges of our time. Protecting children from the ravages of war is a moral imperative and an issue of international peace and security. I would like to conclude by recalling the words of Graca Machel: "We needto embrace anewmoralitythatputs children where they belong - at the heart of all agendas. Protectingchildrenfromtheimpactofarmedconflict is everyone's responsibility - Governments, international organizations and every element of civil society."”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Portugal reiterates that the International Criminal Court (ICC) can play a fundamental deterrent role, complementary to the roles of tribunals at national and international levels, and that further institutional dialogue between the ICC and the Security Council is fundamental in that regard. On peacekeeping operations, Portugal strongly supports the inclusion of child-protection advisers in the mandates, as well as mandatory pre-eployment training on the protection of children to ensure that the situation of children affected by armed conflict is adequately addressed in peace missions by promoting advocacy, mainstreaming, training, monitoring and reporting. We also support effective screening of peacekeepers to ensure that individuals who have committed grave violations against children no longer serve with the United Nations.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, we must address the issue of impunity. While Member States have the primary responsibility in fulfilling their international commitments to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and of international humanitarian law, the Security Council has the political and ethical role of sending a clear message that abuse against children is unacceptable and of combating, though its action, the sense of impunity among belligerents responsible for atrocities and abuses committed against children. Where national authorities fail to take the necessary steps to ensure accountability, the Security Council can, as appropriate, play a more proactive role.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Portugal believes that the Council must continue to strive to find the best way to promote the protection of children affected by armed conflict and better respond to the magnitude of the challenges posed by the tremendous brutality of the acts of violence committed against them. In so doing, we need to take a certain number of points into account. First, action plans are an important tool for engaging with armed forces and non-State armed groups and can play a positive role in ending violations against children. Secondly, we note with growing concern the prevalence of attacks on and the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes. Governments and all other actors must protect schools and hospitals by upholding the provisions of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“The harmful and widespread impact of armed conflict on children and its long-term consequences for durable peace, security and development are undeniable. Because of their vulnerability, children not only suffer directly the consequences of armed conflict and of the collapse of the social fabric, but are being deliberately targeted and subject to forced recruitment, displacement, killing, sexual violence, maiming and abduction, among other appalling brutalities. This situation has been exacerbated by the action of extremist non-State armed groups and by massive forced displacements.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Portugal is deeply committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and to international humanitarian law. In fact, the first debate held in the Council on the issue of children in armed conflict was promoted by Portugal in 1998 (see S/PV.3896). We were then already convinced, as we remain today, that this issue has serious implications for international peace and security. Despite the significant progress achieved and the establishment of a strong normative framework and a mechanism for monitoring, reporting and responding to grave violations against children, we note that huge challenges remain, due in particular to the changing nature of conflicts, protracted conflicts, the prevalence of violent extremism and forced displacement, as the latest Secretary-General's report (S/20l6/360) highlights.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“Let me start by thanking today's briefers for their presentations. I should also like to seize this opportunity to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, for her briefing, and take this occasion to commend her work and efforts to ensure the protection of children in situations of ongoing armed conflict. Portugal aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union, but let me underline some aspects of particular significance to my country. For the past 20 years, since Graca Machel presented her study on the impact of armed conflict on children (see A/51/306), much has been done by the Council to protect children in situations of armed conflict and for the promotion and protection of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
2016-08-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7753 (2016) · source
“It therefore needs to be framed by the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1) Goals, in articulation with African blueprints connecting peace, security and development, such as the African Union's Agenda 2063. It also means that greater attention should be paid to the processes of transitional justice in the aftermath of clashes with a strong ethnic or communitarian component. The promotion of healing and reconciliation is key to minimizing the risks of relapse into conflict.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“The principle of African ownership should also direct our attention to the importance of the local and community level in peacebuilding efforts. Academic studies and political practice coincide in identifying the root of lasting peace and social stability in the political foundations and public culture of the society. If local communities and civil society are not centrally engaged in a peacebuilding intervention, it will surely face the risk of bearing the taint of political illegitimacy. No strategy to address the drivers of violent conflict can be disconnected from the general framework of sustainable development.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“The United Nations should increasingly engage with the relevant African regional and subregional organizations in a spirit of partnership and complementarity of efforts and resources. We should not only derive profit from the existing structures implemented by the African Peace and Security Architecture but also strive to enhance the capabilities of the regional economic communities and other relevant regional mechanisms, many of which have developed security and early-warning instruments. In this respect, initiatives such as the joint United Nations-AU framework for enhanced partnership in peace and security or the recent, inaugural direct funding provided by the PBC to the AU Commission to support human rights observation in Burundi may well be the way forward.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“As an active member of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, Portugal knows full well the important role that the United Nations peacebuilding architecture plays in supporting peace and stability in African countries and in keeping them on the international agenda. The Senegalese Minister this morning referred to the crucial role that the Economic Community of West African States Mission in Guinea-Bissau is playing in that country and the importance of EU support in this regard. This is a good example of what we can do jointly. But the Guinea-Bissau experience also tells us that the responsibility of African States to provide peacebuilding efforts in their own jurisdictions cannot and should not be diluted.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“Inter-State warfare has declined and economic prospects have steadily increased, despite sluggish world growth and commodity-price volatility. Nevertheless, it is also true that the continent still faces major unresolved challenges. Devastating conflicts endure and the incidence of relapses into conflict remain worryingly high. One of the main principles that should underpin our common endeavour is that sustaining peace and preventing the recurrence of conflict should not be seen as requiring exogenous solutions to African problems but as a joint effort between African countries and the international community, essential for the full ownership and effective sustainability of the solutions to be found.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“In this regard, the African continent and the European Union have set up a strategic partnership enshrined in the joint AfricafEuropean Union strategy adopted in Lisbon in 2007. This partnership of equals is unique among its kind in terms of its dimension, its strategic scope and its ambitious goals. The partnership has already produced tangible outcomes that are visible in terms of not only conflict prevention and resolution, but also in bridging post-conflict reconstruction and incentives to deal with the underlying causes of strife, particularly in the field of good governance, accountability and sustainable development. If we take stock of the evolution of Africa in recent years as concerns peace, security and economic development, we have to conclude that the progress made is quite remarkable.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“At the same time, and this is seldom underlined, Africa has reason to be a central actor in terms of peace and stability both inside its borders and at the global level. Africa is a contributor of about half of the total number of peacekeepers deployed worldwide. Africa has developed the African Peace and Security Architecture, a unified structure at the continental scale endowed with peace-consolidation instruments. Africa has a number of regional institutions that go beyond economic integration to focus also on peace and security, and Africa has proved to be a pre-eminent security provider, developing a number of important peacekeeping operations, increasingly through partnerships between the African Union (AU) and other international stakeholders, including the European Union.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“By extending the scope of peacebuilding to encompass every stage, from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction, it has shown that peace can be better preserved if it is understood as an integrated and systemic concept that goes beyond the mere cessation of hostilities. In fact, only by jointly engaging the three pillars of the United Nations and avoiding silos can the peacebuilding approach succeed. Africa has been at the heart of the United Nations peacebuilding system since its inception. African countries are currently the sole focus of the Peacebuilding Commission's (PBC) agenda and therefore the main beneficiaries of the Peacebuilding Fund. They are also the primary recipients of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“I wish to thank Japan for having convened this open debate, which is extremely pertinent and timely. A large number of African countries continue to struggle with cycles of poverty and refugee issues as a result of conflicts that have undermined socioeconomic development efforts and afflict millions of men, women and children. The international community must take a stand and face this challenge. The continuous effort to implement sustainable peace in Africa has to be a common endeavour. The peacebuilding concept introduced at the United Nations in 1992 remains to be fully developed. The recent review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture represented important progress.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“Let me conclude by expressing our full support for this initiative and by thanking you once again, Sir, for your commitment to improving the Security Council's working methods.”
2016-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7740 (2016) · source
“We think that this is an important element of transparency, already reflected in paragraph 44 of note 507, but where some further efforts concerning its implementation should be exerted as a matter of regular practice. The second is the suggestion that at briefings members of the Council express publicly their views following the briefers' public statements. That would allow the members of the Council to put on record their views on the subject under consideration, which otherwise might be expressed only in informal consultations, of course notwithstanding the possibility of Council members convening subsequently in informal consultations on the same subject, whenever appropriate and if still necessary. These are two concrete suggestions in view of the future updating of note 507.”
2016-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7740 (2016) · source
“Very recently, we had an example of such efforts in the form of the adoption of presidential note S/2016/619, under Japan's tenure, with concrete measures to facilitate the preparation by newly elected members of their mandates and the appointment ofthe new Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, aiming at improving the transparency, efficiency and inclusiveness in the Council. In this vein and responding to your invitation, Mr. President, to make practical suggestions on the implementation of note 507, I would submit two concrete ones, both in view ofincreasing transparency: The first has to do with making available to non-members of the Council draft resolutions and presidential statements as soon as they are introduced within informal consultations, or earlier.”
2016-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7740 (2016) · source
“When the time comes to start the discussions to update note 507, we must acknowledge that positive developments have occurred since its adoption in 2010, prompted by an active commitment by Council members and the contribution and support of the wider membership, including that of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group, of which we are a part. The Security Council working methods have proved to be a subject of interest to us all, and we appreciate the Security Council's efforts to continue to push it forward.”
2016-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7740 (2016) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate on the implementation of presidential note S/2010/507. The inclusion of this debate in the programme of work is a sign of Japan's commitment to the issue and to the efforts made by the Japanese delegation towards improving the Security Council's working methods. I wish to also express our recognition for the work recently undertaken by the members of the Council to move this agenda forward, in particular Angola as the previous Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Matters, and Spain, which organized the productive debate on the implementation of note 507 in October 2015 (see S/PV.7539).”
2016-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7740 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, let me underscore that Portugal currently holds the presidency of the Group of Seven Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, coinciding with Japan's Group of Seven chairmanship. During our presidency of the Group, we will strive to promote synergies and capacity-building along the lines I mentioned here, in close coordination with the Yaounde process members, the Economic Community of West African States, Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and all the other relevant international actors and initiatives.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“I would like to reiterate Portugal's engagement in contributing to the international efforts to help the coastal States in the Gulf of Guinea in facing the important challenges that have brought us here today. Our long-established technical, military and legal cooperation with countries in the region - namely, with Angola, Cabo Verde and Seo Tome and Principe; the know-how that we have acquired in managing a very wide exclusive economic zone and in defining one of the largest continental shelves in the world; and our experience in participating in and leading piracy-fighting missions in the Gulf of Aden are good references of our capabilities in that respect.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Secondly, we must foster cooperation among national authorities and promote capacity-building, while trying to make good use of all available mechanisms. Capacity-building should entail both the public and private sectors, which are are the main targets of pirates and of the armed robbery incidents. Thirdly, we must assist individual countries and regional organizations in the creation of common legal approaches at national and regional levels, so as to give them the appropriate means to deal more effectively with the ever-changing nature of threats to security and stability in the region. Finally, we must raise awareness of the importance of the blue economy for coastal States and to facilitate cooperation in the establishment of concrete sustainable blue economy projects for the benefit of local communities.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In that regard, let me add a few thoughts on what we think the role of the international community, and of the United Nations in particular, should be in contributing to regional efforts. First and foremost, we must concentrate on mobilizing support to the Yaounde process, the relevant regional organizations and the coastal States. That encompasses the Interregional Coordination Centre for Maritime Security in Yaounde and the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa, in Pointe Noire, Congo, and the Regional Maritime Security Centre for West Africa , located in Abidjan, as well as all of the planned multinational coordination centres, of which only those located in Cotonou - Zone E - and in Douala - Zone D - are active so far.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In line with the resolutions I just mentioned, and considering the African Union 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy, several efforts have been undertaken to promote synergies among regional and international actors in the Gulf of Guinea. Those efforts have had noteworthy results, namely, in the outcome of the Summit of Heads of State and Government on Maritime Safety and Security in the Gulf of Guinea, held in Yaounde in June 2013, which agreed on the establishment of an integrated interregional maritime architecture, with four interconnected and mutually reinforcing layers. We believe that the interregional framework, design and agreed to in Yaounde, should be the linchpin of any international approach and support to the organizations and States in the region, with respect for regional and local ownership.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The geopolitical features speak for themselves: 6,000 kilometres of coastline, 17 coastal States, 2 island States and 5 landlocked States, all depending on the Gulf of Guinea for their survival. It is therefore of the utmost importance to continue to actively support regional efforts in the Gulf of Guinea. Three elements remain crucial in that endeavour. First and foremost, there is a need for political will and engagement with a View to achieving concrete results. Secondly, there is a need for technological means to ensure security. And, thirdly, there must be coordination of the different actors and initiatives.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“Pirates and individuals involved in armed robbery at sea have been developing their weaponry. In the case of the Gulf of Guinea, they have increased the violence employed in the attacks. In addition to small firearms, pirates are now using machine guns and rocket- propelled grenade launchers. With those technologies, their attacks can be completed much faster, sometimes in less than 20 minutes. Preventing and avoiding those kinds of attacks will be successful only when we address the root causes that motivate those individuals to put their own lives and those of others at stake. But the Gulf of Guinea is too large, and we will not prevail until and unless we act together.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“The increasing number of unlawful events in the Gulf of Guinea during the current year is a reality. The destabilizing effects of piracy and the corruptive influence of transnational organized crime are being felt widely in region. Hence, it is high time we all take effective measures to prevent those criminal activities. Resolutions 2018 (2011) and 2039 (2012) both express the deep concern about the threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and the economic development of States in the region. In 2015 in the Gulf of Guinea, 81 per cent of the reported incidents of unlawful acts took place within the territorial and internal waters of coastal States. Therefore, their role in coping with that scourge is more and more demanding.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“It gives me great pleasure to address the Security Council on behalf of Portugal as part of this timely initiative by the Chinese presidency, co-sponsored by Angola and Senegal. Portugal shares the view that security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea region have to continue to be tackled in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Although the main focus of the international community has been directed at the problem of maritime security, in particular as it pertains to the safety and security of navigation, the region faces broader security concerns that go well beyond the coastline. In fact, the problems of piracy and interrelated phenomena - such as armed robbery at sea and oil bunkering - are a ramification of the broader threat of transnational organized crime in West Africa.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“We know that the Council is an action-oriented body, not a debate forum, but the inclusion of these bodies' perspectives in Council meetings can, if efficiently conducted, be extremely important to more coherent decision-making in the United Nations. The diversity of the United Nations is its strength. Today, security is linked to many aspects that we see dealt with across the United Nations system. The Security Council should not insulate itself from such experience, indeed, it can only benefit from it. We hope that the members of the Council can reflect on that fact and establish a practice that allows such interaction to occur regularly, without of course overburdening the Council's already heavy workload.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Fourthly, the Council's consultation with the PBC and the Economic and Social Council could become part of a much broader aspect, conflict prevention. And to respond to the challenge issued this morning by the representative of the United Kingdom to put forward concrete suggestions, we propose that the Council do some thinking on how to make better use of the subsidiary bodies, including existing Working Groups, to capture the signs of emerging challenges to peace and security that are closely connected to the larger development agenda - such as climate change, pandemics, illegal trafficking and organized crime - and submit timely reports on them to the Council when they deem action to be necessary. I want to emphasize that we are not talking about endless meetings that merely prolong decision-making.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source
“We therefore fully agree with the statement made on behalf of other Council members by the representative of Angola highlighting the crucial role of Council presidencies when preparing their programmes of work. Thirdly, concerning the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council specifically, we see merit in organizing periodic meetings to discuss issues relevant to both their agendas. We are encouraged to hear that the next presidency of the Security Council, the United Kingdom, will continue to focus on these important interrelations between security and development. Such interaction could also be channeled through the subsidiary bodies, such as the Sanctions Committees and Working Groups, particularly those on peacekeeping and conflict prevention.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Indeed, the proposed format builds on presidential note S/2012/922, which is aimed at increasing efficiency, interaction and transparency in the outcome of open debates. Secondly, with their specific knowledge of the situations and areas they cover, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and the Economic and Social Council can bring new and complementary perspectives to the Council. The Council has already recognized the importance of interaction with them; that is not new. What we need to do now is to put that into full practice and for the presidencies of the Security Council to promote such interaction through their monthly programmes ofwork, regularly scheduling the Chairs of the PBC and its configurations, and the President of the Economic and Social Council, as briefers in meetings or participants in informal dialogues, as appropriate.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source
“First, open debates such as today's can prove very useful for listening to the general membership's views on various subjects and situations relevant to peace and security and, on the other hand, for enabling Member States to better understand the measures the Council adopts and helping to strengthen their commitment to their full implementation. However, we have to make open debates more efficient. We should be able to conclude a productive debate in a single morning session if we all cooperate in helping to focus on the messages we deem important. So we support the format that Spain has proposed for use in future open debates and, like many others, including Council members, we will abide by the shorter time allotted.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source
“While it is a principal organ of the United Nations, the Security Council is, however, restricted in its composition. It acts on behalf of all of us, the Member States - hence the need for transparency in the Council Vis-a-vis the general membership to which it is accountable. As a member of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, we associate ourselves with the statement delivered earlier on its behalf by the representative of Switzerland and wish to touch briefly on the following four complementary aspects.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539Resumption1 (2015) · source