YouSaid · the spoken record

Michal Mlynár

lines on the record: 153
first: 2020-05-15
most recent: 2021-10-15
sittings or episodes: 23
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

“With regard to building States’ capacities and legitimacy to manage challenges in diverse societies, the main aspirations of this goal – promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels – are of utmost importance.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“We have to reaffirm our collective commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict, fragility, and violence and to creating clear pathways out of fragility and towards greater resilience, as a means of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this context, it is important to mention the Sustainable Development Goals and their role in accelerating progress in this area. Sustainable Development Goal 16 clearly indicates the important role that State institutions can play in peacefully managing diversity.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“Slovakia is convinced that the security sector is a key component in government responses to various challenges in fragile countries and regions. For years, Slovakia has identified security sector governance and reform to be one of the key elements for effective conflict prevention and successful post-conflict rebuilding and stabilization. The direct experience from many countries clearly shows that nationally led and inclusive security sector governance and reform is a key to developing security sector institutions that are capable of effectively responding to specific security needs and can actively manage drivers of fragility. In this context, we need to accord priority support to broadening inclusion and diversity so that peacebuilding processes are nationally owned in the fullest sense.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“For effective conflict prevention and peacebuilding, States need to be able to manage internal conflicts, whether ethnic, racial, religious, or even socioeconomic, among diverse populations. Moreover, States perceived as favouring one or some groups over others, or of failing to provide adequate basic services to all of their citizens, can become susceptible to identity conflict. The national responsibility for efforts to sustain peace must be broadly shared across all key social strata and divides. A wide spectrum of political opinions and national actors, in particular women and young people, must be heard. Early attention needs to be given to gender equality and to increasing women’s voice in political, social, and economic development in fragile and post-conflict settings.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“Slovakia attaches great importance to a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace, particularly through the prevention of conflict and addressing its root causes, national reconciliation and unity including through inclusive dialogue and mediation, gender equality and respect for, and protection of, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is important to underline the primary responsibility of national Governments and authorities in identifying, driving and directing priorities, strategies and activitie s for sustaining peace, and in this regard, to emphasize that inclusivity is key to advancing national peacebuilding processes and objectives in order to ensure that the needs of all segments of society are taken into account. Therefore, a critical determinant of success is fostering inclusive national ownership.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank you for organizing this important high-level open debate on the theme “Peacebuilding and sustainable peace: diversity, State-building and the search for peace”, which will provide an opportunity to share the insights and experiences of different actors and how these can inform the practical pursuit of peace building and sustaining peace. The number of conflicts and crises is on the rise and more people than ever have been forced to leave their homes due to injustice, lack of inclusivity, human rights violations, inequality, exclusion, climate change, poor management of natural resources and the absence of political settlements and capable institutions.”
2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source
“The Commission has proved to be one of the leading platforms for gathering international partners to sustain momentum and accompany the country’s reform efforts.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“Taking a phased and graduated approach that is in line with the security conditions on the ground and that fully considers the risks to civilians that arise during peacekeeping transitions and the capacity and priorities of the national Government and citizens is critical when cementing a sustainable peace. During transitions, the Peacebuilding Commission can play an important role in maintaining international support for a country to address its ongoing peacebuilding and development needs. The Commission is well positioned to provide a broad-based political platform for drawing greater international attention and align the United Nations system and its partners around common goals.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“A peace operation’s legacy in a country emerging from conflict depends, in part, on how and whether it has made it possible for local actors and international partners to succeed in consolidating any gains made during the United Nations mission presence. United Nations transitions should be planned and managed in a proactive, integrated and forward-looking manner, resulting in the United Nations being better positioned to provide effective support to host countries as they progress towards peace and sustainable development. Lessons can also be learned from recent transitions, which demonstrate the need for coherence and cooperation across the United Nations system and with regional, national and local stakeholders, in particular women as well as youth.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“The Security Council, in its presidential statement from 2017, recognized that the process by which a transition is undertaken is crucial, emphasizing the importance within peacekeeping mandates of clearly defined goals and objectives guided by specific agreed-upon milestones towards peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Specific attention was given to how a peacekeeping operation is tasked, including its engagement on transition-critical issues such as the protection of civilians; disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; and capacity-building in the security and justice sectors, as well as how it engages in integrated planning with local and national authorities, communities and civil society. All of these elements have been recognized as crucial when building towards a successful and sustainable transition.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“A shared vision of peace among national actors and the United Nations system, as well as agreement on the guiding principles and the role of the United Nations in contributing to this vision, is the baseline for the successful transition of peacekeeping missions. This shared vision encompasses a common understanding of the “end state” – the conditions that must be met in order for the mission to leave. Strengthened cooperation of all the partners aimed at developing this common understanding can help to set and manage expectations.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank the President for organizing a timely discussion that provides an opportunity for reflection on this important topic. It is crucial to underline that, in the 2020 review of the peacebuilding architecture, through General Assembly resolution 75/201 and Security Council resolution 2558 (2020), the Council reaffirmed that effective peacebuilding involves the entire United Nations system, including peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations support and create space for other peacebuilding actors and contribute to political solutions that advance peacebuilding goals. How a peacekeeping operation manages a transition shapes the durability of peace.”
2021-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/783 (2021) · source
“The Charter of the United Nations sets out the rules and principles of international law of particular importance for the maintenance of peace and stability. There is no doubt that human rights apply online as they do offline and States must respect and defend those rights. Thank you, Madam President.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“Regional organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are being very useful tools in conflict prevention and strengthening cooperation between States. Regular communication and interaction between States in cyberspace help to avoid conflict and to deescalate potential rising tensions and, at the same time, they create a platform for dialogue. The international law is one of the main pillars of stability and predictability in relations between States. Slovakia strongly stands with those reaffirming that existing international law – notably the Charter of the United Nations in its entirety and international humanitarian and human rights law – do apply to actions of States in cyberspace.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“Our best efforts shall go towards holding transparent and constructive discussions, so that we can mutually benefit from each other´s experience, good practice and expertise. Slovakia is also a co-sponsor of the programme of action to advance responsible State behaviour in cyberspace within the Open-ended Working Group. We believe in an inclusive and constructive institutional dialogue focused on results, regularity and consensus-based approach. In our view, the programme of action proposal offers grounds for such dialogue across the whole United Nations membership. When it comes to confidence-building measures and capacity-building in cyberspace, Slovakia is of the opinion that these two are the most important measures in order to keep stability in cyberspace.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“The United Nations plays an important role in driving international debates to raise awareness of cyberchallenges to international peace and security, and to make progress on advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. Slovakia strongly supports multilateralism which helps to manage and tackle current and future challenges in cyberspace. We are convinced that the stability in cyberspace should be based on existing international law, including the Charter of the United Nations in its entirety, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. Slovakia fully supports the applicability of existing international law to State conduct in cyberspace as recognized by three consensus reports of Groups of Governmental Experts endorsed by the General Assembly in 2010, 2013 and 2015.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“The disruption of the functioning of critical infrastructure can cause serious consequences. Malicious cyberactivities against vital sectors and services have destabilizing effects and may ultimately threaten international peace and security. Since cyberthreats are largely transnational in nature, it is important to maintain international cooperation and dialogue between States as well as between States and the multi-stakeholder community. It is through our shared responsibility and joint efforts of the governments, private sector and civil society that we can effectively support the maintenance of international peace and security in cyberspace, and protect human rights.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“Slovakia associates itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We would like to make some additional remarks in national capacity. I would like to thank the President for organizing this timely discussion that provides an opportunity for reflection on the growing risks stemming from malicious activities in cyberspace and their impact on international peace and security as well as to address the global efforts to promote peace and stability in cyberspace. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has made the need to bolster the security and stability of cyberspace even more topical and pressing. The crisis has shown that digital capabilities have become crucial for the provision of essential services as well as for the continuation of effective governance.”
2021-06-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/621 (2021) · source
“Having ratified Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, endorsed the Paris Principles, the Safe Schools Declaration as well as the Vancouver Principles, Slovakia calls on others who have not yet done so to follow this action.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“With the long-term effects of the pandemic, the call for improved access to safe, quality education, including for girls, during armed conflict is even more acute. We continue to reiterate our unwavering call for all parties to armed conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to end violations against children. Accountability for all these crimes must be ensured, and perpetrators bring to justice and punished. We simply cannot accept the prevalent impunity for grave violations against children. We call for criminalization of grave violations in domestic laws and for the adoption of effective national accountability measures as well as for Member States to cooperate with international, regional and national accountability mechanisms.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“We also condemn wide-spread attacks on schools and hospitals, and strongly call on all parties to armed conflict to immediately cease those attacks. Strengthened monitoring and reporting of attacks on education as well as accountability and redress for it is crucial. The COVID-19 has further exacerbated children’s vulnerability to grave violations and complicated the implementation of child protection activities. We underscore the importance of prioritizing children’s rights and needs in global COVID-19 response and recovery programmes. In this regard we welcome the study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children in situations of armed conflict, launched last May.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“We may commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the children and armed conflict mandate, but children still remain the most vulnerable group in situations of armed conflict, and therefore we need to look ahead, on how to better implement the children and armed conflict mandate. Unfortunately, grave violations remain at a similar concerning level as last year and it is clear that urgent and effective measures to protect children in all situations of armed conflicts are needed. We firmly condemn the ongoing recruitment and use, killing and maiming of children as well as the denial of humanitarian access to them, as the three most prevalent grave violations verified in 2020. We express particular concern over dramatic increases in abduction and sexual violence, and the long-term negative impact these have on children.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statements of the European Union and of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict. We commend Estonia for convening this open debate on children and armed conflict and we thank the briefers for their insightful presentations. We also appreciate the role of the Secretary-General, and his Special Representative in child protection and promotion of their human rights, and for the strong and concrete engagement by all United Nations partners in advocating for practical measures to protect children. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General and voice our strong concern about the scale and severity of grave violations against children reflected in it.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“Therefore, their working methods should be further improved, especially in instances that can affect the human rights of the persons concerned and their right to due process. This is especially relevant for the various sanctions committees, considering, inter alia, the judicial review sanctions to which decisions have been subject in various jurisdictions. The role of the non-permanent members in shaping and codifying Security Council working methods has proved to be very valuable and constructive. I would like to wish the Chair and the Vice-Chair of the Informal Working Group all success in guiding the important endeavours of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“More specifically, we encourage the further strengthening of the substantive engagement of the Council with troop- and police-contributing countries to inform the decision-making of the Council and incentivize the general membership to support peacekeeping operations. The further development of more active and meaningful relationships with the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council and other relevant bodies could increase the effectiveness of the Security Council’s response to conflicts and strengthen its role in conflict prevention and sustaining peace. Third, the work of the subsidiary organs of the Security Council is crucial for the implementation of the Council’s decisions.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“This approach should, in our view, continue regardless of the existence of restrictions, as it offers a very efficient combination of the full participation of non-members with the effective management of time in meetings of the Council. Notwithstanding the specific matters that have arisen owing to the pandemic, my delegation wishes to underline the need to fully implement the existing measures and commitments set out in the updated note 507 ( S/2017/507), as well as in notes S/2019/900 to S/2019/997, all adopted on 27 December 2019. The improvement of the working methods and the pursuit of more transparency, inclusiveness, representation and accountability of the Council must remain a continuous process.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“Joining meetings of the Council via videolink seems to be much more efficient from the point of view of the briefers as well, as it causes much less disruption to their work schedules. It is further an efficient and cost-effective solution to the logistical constraints pertaining to travel to New York for briefers based elsewhere. Second, Slovakia has always supported efforts aimed at enhancing the openness of the work of the Security Council, including by strengthening the interaction between the Council and other Member States. In this regard, open debates have always played a central role. My delegation fully appreciates that the Council has enabled the presentation of the views of non-members of the Council during open debates held throughout the pandemic, via the submission of written statements.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“The effects of the pandemic on the functioning of multilateral institutions or, more generally, on the conduct of diplomatic relations itself, as well as the potentially long-term changes and trends that it has induced, must be subject to a thorough reflection. However, even at this stage, some of the working arrangements devised since March 2020 have demonstrated their value and should continue to be applied even after the restrictions on in-person meetings have been fully lifted. First, we encourage the continuation of the practice whereby briefers join meetings of the Security Council via videolink. It enables the Council to consider the participation of a larger pool of potential briefers. Thus, the Council may benefit from a wider range of information sources and views to inform its deliberations.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“The issue of working methods has become a central one as we try collectively to overcome the various challenges that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has presented to the international community. More than one year has passed since the pandemic struck the world and, at first, brought many activities, including at the United Nations, to a standstill. However, in retrospect, we believe that the Council has shown remarkable resilience, as well as a combination of creativity and formal rigour, to ensure that it can deliberate on the matters on its agenda in a timely manner while ensuring the necessary formal requirements commensurate to the responsibilities that the Council assumes under the Charter of the United Nations.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“I wish to congratulate Estonia on assuming the presidency of the Security Council and thank it for organizing this debate on the issue of working methods of the Security Council. I also wish to commend the leadership of Ambassador Inga Rhonda King of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in guiding the deliberations of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of the European Union. Working methods, not only of the Council but also of other organs of the United Nations, have always been an issue of interest for a large number of delegatio ns, as they are intrinsically linked to the functioning of the Organization as the global cornerstone of multilateralism.”
2021-06-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/572 (2021) · source
“Last but not least, it is important to highlight the role of the security sector. When reformed and well governed, the latter can significantly contribute to the protection of civilians. The security sector plays a key role in preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of armed conflicts. Slovakia is a long-standing supporter of the reform of the security sector and is proud to co-chair, together with South Africa, the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform. It is important to continue the dialogue on the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict, but most of all the political will to take concrete steps and robust and bold action and globally address the adverse consequences of armed conflicts is an outstanding issue of the utmost importance.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We are convinced that the Security Council and the General Assembly both play an important role in helping reach consensus on R2P and promoting the development of the concept and an understanding by all Member States of their individual and collective responsibility to protect all people from the most heinous crimes. In addition to the authorization of the use of force to protect civilians, as a unique feature of United Nations peacekeeping, the unarmed approach to the protection of civilians through dialogue with parties to armed conflicts, training, monitoring and community policing highlight the local ownership of the protection of civilians. We recognize the progress made in the unarmed approach to the protection of civilians in Mali, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We witness far too often that the actions of the international community fall short of adequately deterring and preventing the commission of atrocity crimes. More needs to be done to address the preventive aspect of the responsibility to protect (R2P) in that regard, in line with the prevention agenda of the Secretary- General. After all, there is overall agreement that prevention is at the core of the responsibility to protect. Slovakia welcomes the recent adoption of General Assembly resolution 75/277, on the responsibility to protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“That also includes the elaboration and regular updates of military manuals, rules of engagement and training materials for armed forces, as well as conducting training in the area of international humanitarian law for armed forces and other relevant personnel. Slovakia strongly supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its pivotal role in addressing violations of international humanitarian law by bringing perpetrators to justice and closing the impunity gap. Achieving the universal jurisdiction of the ICC would be a major step towards ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law at the regional and international levels. We therefore urge all United Nations Members that have not yet done so to ratify and fully implement the Rome Statute.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“As the most vulnerable groups, children, women, persons with disabilities, journalists and victims of sexual violence were often hit the hardest. Respect for international law is essential for the protection of civilians, while the full implementation of its norms, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, can significantly contribute to avoiding civilian deaths, suffering and displacement. All parties to armed conflict must abide by their obligations under international law, and we call on them to do so without further delay. In order to ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law and to comprehensively address its violations and hold perpetrators to account, States must adopt and regularly review national legislation and institutional arrangements.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statement submitted by the observer of the European Union (annex 31). I will add several reflections in my national capacity. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General (S/2021/423) and note with concern the dire picture it paints. As the coronavirus disease spread across the world, the Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire, which was further endorsed by resolution 2565 (2021) and garnered broad support. Despite global understanding of the gravity of the situation, armed conflicts have continued to deepen vulnerabilities and have exacerbated the impact of the pandemic on its victims. Throughout 2020, civilians bore the brunt of military operations, and the toll of armed conflicts contributed to the deepening of human suffering.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In addition, SSR is directly linked to the protection of civilians and the rule of law — two critical tasks that have become an integral part of almost every peacekeeping operation.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“I would like to highlight that the members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic in Cyprus — our biggest presence in a United Nations mission, where we have been deployed for 20 years and since 2018 have been the sole troop- contributor in Sector 4 — already exceed the targets set in the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy for the period 2018 to 2028. Furthermore, for many years already, Slovakia has identified security sector reform (SSR) as one of the key elements for effective conflict prevention and successful post-conflict rebuilding and stabilization. The direct experience from many peacekeeping missions clearly shows that a nationally led and inclusive SSR process can progressively deal with the root causes of insecurity and fragility and create an enabling environment for sustainable development and peace to take place.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Slovakia strongly supports the equal and full participation of women in all efforts to create and maintain international peace and security and calls for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions that address this issue. Slovakia has been an active troop- and police-contributing country since its admission to the United Nations. Currently, we have peacekeepers deployed in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. We have also participated in military and civilian missions of the European Union, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“The implementation of Action for Peacekeeping Plus priorities — such as accountability of peacekeepers, the generation of right capabilities and mindsets and operational evaluation, with regular involvement of troop-contributing countries and police-contributing countries — has the potential to further increase the operationalization and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. The United Nations conducts peacekeeping operations in the twenty-first century, and peacekeepers therefore need to be supported by technologies worthy of the twenty-first century and must face conflict with a precautionary approach, before offenders of the peace threaten their lives.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Over the past two decades, the scope and intensity of conflicts have changed dramatically, peacekeeping operations have faced increasing challenges and traditional and non-traditional security factors alike have posed serious threats to the safety and security of peacekeepers. Effective preparation for peacekeeping operations must begin with preparation for the defence of one’s own State. Furthermore, situational awareness in the field is crucial for peacekeeping operations, which are often deployed in environments characterized by volatility, significant security risks and present hostility. Maintaining situational awareness requires “feeling of the pulse” on local communities, which can have significant impact of the entire peacekeeping process.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Current safety and security risks that members of peacekeeping operations often face include insufficient predeployment training, scarce material and technological support and hidden caveats that still pose an unpredictable risk to the military and police components of peacekeeping operations. Slovakia lauds improvements that have been made, especially in the establishment of assessments of troop readiness and force generation. Yet, more than three years after the publication of the report by Lieutenant General (Retired) Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz entitled Improving Security of United Nations Peacekeepers, we are still struggling with predeployment training to conduct peacekeeping operations, caveats and insufficient capacity for operations led primarily by peacekeeping intelligence.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Slovakia welcomes this open debate on improving the safety and security of peacekeepers. For more than 70 years, as an effective means for maintaining international peace and security, United Nations peacekeeping operations have played an important role in the political settlement of conflicts. The safety and security of those who devote their lives to protect the peace, human rights and lives of civilians is our ultimate responsibility. More action and concrete and practical steps are therefore required for ensuring their safety. In April this year during a Security Council working group meeting on the occasion of the implementation of resolution 2518 (2020), we named and specified concrete needs to improve the safety and security of peacekeepers.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“The Security Council can play an important role in helping the international community focus on those who are affected by conflict and insecurity and have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic. That includes bringing attention to the devastating effects that the pandemic has on people in fragile settings and remaining open to considering the role that peace operations can play in that context.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“Reviews of existing mandates of the United Nations missions in countries facing complex challenges must consider the existence of exit strategies that seek to help lay the foundations for long-term and sustainable peace. For years, Slovakia has identified security sector reform as one of the key elements for effective conflict prevention and successful post-conflict rebuilding and stabilization. The direct experience from many United Nations peace missions and operations, including in African countries, clearly shows that nationally led and inclusive security sector reform is key to developing security sector institutions that are capable of effectively responding to the specific security needs and can actively manage drivers of fragility.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“In that context, we need to ensure the predictable and sustained financing of United Nations peacebuilding activities at a time when the impact of the multifaceted crises posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in African conflict-affected countries is so significant and the work of the United Nations, including in peacebuilding and sustaining peace, has become more challenging. The United Nations system and relevant actors must stay the course in their support to peacebuilding and sustaining peace efforts. At the same time, Slovakia is convinced that the security sector is a key component in Government response to various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic in fragile African countries and regions.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“I would like to underline the fact that the EU played a leading role in setting up the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, considering it the best vehicle for delivering on international vaccine solidarity, including to African countries. While dealing with the menace of the pandemic, maintaining peace and security in Africa remains paramount. Despite increased peacebuilding efforts in recent decades, violence and conflict, at times exacerbated by terrorism and the spread of violent extremism, transnational organized crime and weak institutions, continue to pose a challenge in some areas and will inevitably complicate efforts to tackle the consequences of the pandemic.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“The direct and secondary consequences of the pandemic interacting with existing security and humanitarian crises are adding another layer of complexity to already fragile situations. Overall, the pandemic risks setting such countries even further behind in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis that requires a multilateral response. Solidarity and close cooperation are crucial. Rapid, safe and fair access to health care and vaccinations for all is an investment in health, as well as an investment in peace and security. To win the battle against this pandemic, vaccines and health security should be accessible to all across the globe.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank the Chinese presidency of the Security Council for organizing this timely open debate, which could generate more focused attention on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on conflict- affected countries in Africa, as well as on the various challenges faced by vulnerable countries and populations on the African continent. Slovakia associates itself with the statement of the European Union (EU) (annex 24). Allow me to make a few additional observations. This is a critical time for African countries affected by conflict. The challenges that they face have been multiplied by COVID-19. Many countries and regions are confronted with escalating humanitarian crises, high levels of displacement, food shortages and collapsing economies.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“In conclusion, the whole world is currently facing a surge of unprecedented crises engendered by the coronavirus disease pandemic, which continues to have a grave impact on women and girls, both within and outside conflicts. The international community must come together to tackle those challenges. Civilians, among them women and girls, are paying the highest price, facing systematic violence and oppression. We need to redouble our efforts to deliver changes on the ground in favour of women, girls and societies in regions affected by conflict.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source