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

“The identification and understanding of conflict are crucial in determining the potential areas for intervention and for the formulation of measures and policies for conflict prevention, management and resolution. The international community should work together in support of peace processes to prevent conflicts and resolve crises with a view to building and sustaining peace. I would like to reaffirm Slovakia’s support for the Secretary-General’s reforms aimed at making United Nations peace operations a more effective tool in promoting peace and security and in bolstering political processes in host countries. We highly commend the Secretary-General’s leadership in this domain, including the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping initiative, which has garnered a strong sense of ownership among the Member States.”
2020-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1090 (2020) · source
“These conflicts are often linked to global challenges and are no longer defined by national borders. We are witnessing the direct and secondary consequences of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as it interacts with pre-existing humanitarian crises, adding another layer of complexity to already fragile situations. The most vulnerable populations, who experience lack of access to basic services and health care, are disproportionately affected by weak governance and fragile health systems, which also has an impact on their livelihoods and social protection. The pandemic has put the gains of countries in transition and post-conflict countries in the areas of sustaining peace and development at the risk of being reversed.”
2020-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1090 (2020) · source
“I thank the President for organizing today’s important debate on contemporary drivers of conflict and insecurity, under the agenda item “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace”, in these unprecedented and challenging times for us all. I also wish to thank Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Mr. Ibrahim Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of New Partnership for Africa’s Development; Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies; and Mr. Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council, for their insightful briefings. The world is changing rapidly and fundamentally, while contemporary conflicts have become more complex and protracted. Around 2 billion people, circa one third of the world’s population, currently live in countries affected by conflicts.”
2020-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1090 (2020) · source
“We need to unite and work together and in solidarity to not only protect the women and girls of our world today but also to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights for future generations as well.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“The whole world is currently facing a surge of unprecedented crises engendered by the global coronavirus disease pandemic, which undoubtedly has impacted and continues to impact the peacekeeping work of the United Nations around the world. Nonetheless, the challenges that we faced prior to the pandemic but did not manage to resolve remain with us. It is our sincere hope that as an Organization we will centre our approach on solidarity and the protection of the most vulnerable, including in particular women and girls. In conclusion, my delegation believes that the United Nations must be equally representative of, and responsive to, the needs of not only all countries but also all human beings. In order for us to be successful in tackling the current health and socioeconomic crises, responsible, inclusive and emphatic leadership matters.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“Slovakia is financially supporting the implementation of the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons regional project aimed at strengthening gender equality in the Ministries of Defence and Armed Forces of selected countries of the Western Balkans. Slovakia is currently in the process of drawing up three key strategic documents on strengthening the role of women in society: the national strategy for equality between women and men and equal opportunities 2020-2025, its action plan and the national action plan for the prevention and elimination of violence against women 2020-2025.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“Reforming the security sector must focus on recruitment processes and an improvement in the delivery of security services to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence. The discussions also underscored the fact that women must be promoted as equal and strategic leaders, barriers must be broken down and S/2020/1084 S/2020/1084 stereotypes about women’s roles in societies, including their participation in peace processes, eliminated. Our support for gender equality and women’s empowerment is also reflected in Slovak development cooperation projects.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“I would also like to draw the Council’s attention to Slovakia’s standing in the Global Peace Index. As of 2020, my country has maintained its standing in the top 25, with a score of 1.57. Allow me also to reiterate the importance of having gender-sensitive security-sector-reform strategies throughout all planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases. We believe that Member States should redouble their efforts in that respect in order to not only address but also prevent sexual and gender-based violence. Women must continue to be promoted as equal leaders, and discrimination against and the stereotyping of women must be firmly and publicly denounced. Women are capable of so much if given the opportunity. It is our collective responsibility to provide and safeguard those opportunities.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“I am glad to share that my Government approved the first national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) for 2021-2025, and we therefore joined the 86 other States Members of the United Nations that have national action plans on resolution 1325 (2000). This is yet another tangible example of our commitment to the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. As I stated last year, increasing the number of women in our armed forces has been and continues to be a long-term policy on the part of Slovakia, which, despite the numerous challenges associated with the current global pandemic, remains active in peacekeeping around the world. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, for example, includes 241 members of the armed forces of Slovakia, including 25 women.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“Between 2017 and 2019, however, that number increased to approximately 70 per cent. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his 2020 report (S/2020/946) on women and peace and security and to commend his leadership and commitment to this important agenda. My delegation shares and supports the Secretary-General’s view that all approaches to conflict prevention, resolution and recovery efforts must have at their core women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and rights, including respect for bodily autonomy. This, however, requires more than tackling discrimination. Placing women at the centre of peacebuilding efforts must involve ensuring that there is a solid foundation on which to build for the inclusive participation of women.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statement submitted on behalf of the European Union (annex 38). Allow me to express my gratitude for the holding of this open debate on women and peace and security on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), focusing on its better implementation. In our view, it is essential that the Security Council continue to systematically and consistently advance, advocate for and promote a holistic women and peace and security agenda in its work and decision-making. It is significant to contemplate the fact that, in the first five years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), only 15 per cent of Security Council resolutions included explicit references to issues related to women and peace and security.”
2020-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1084 (2020) · source
“We have to continue identifying ways of proactively addressing environmental issues in humanitarian action, seek necessary global policy responses and develop new approaches with the aim of being better prepared. Slovakia is committed to advocating for the protection of the natural environment in armed conflict through supporting compliance with international humanitarian law and by taking all appropriate measures to address the protection needs of civilians.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Therefore, we believe that the Security Council should use its potential for conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies. The United Nations, through the Joint Environment Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, works at the interface of the environment and emergencies, liaising closely with humanitarian and environmental actors to strengthen the sustainability of humanitarian responses. The ways in which crises are caused by and affect people and the natural environment in which they live are increasingly complex. Action is needed now to prevent and mitigate foreseeable humanitarian crises, and in particular to avoid environmental damage, which can result in forced migration.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“The summary by the Chair of the World Humanitarian Summit recognized that humanitarian assistance alone will never adequately address or sustainably reduce the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people; rather, a new coherent approach is required based on addressing root causes, increasing political diplomacy for prevention and conflict resolution and bringing humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts together. The humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach aims to address the root causes of disaster-related displacement and minimize its impact. We have a range of important tools at our disposal. We need to continue to prioritize the environmental care and sustainable management of natural resources for preventing conflict and building peace.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Ecosystem and biodiversity loss, deforestation, water, air and soil pollution, the overuse of natural resources, as well as demographic pressure and urbanization, trigger a serious set of social and humanitarian consequences. Slovakia recognizes that the effects of environmental degradation increase the risk of humanitarian crises, displacement and conflict and have a severe impact on the most vulnerable populations. The integration of the environment into humanitarian action is critical to ensure the effectiveness, sustainability and accountability of humanitarian operations.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Slovakia commends the initiative of the Niger to organize an open debate on humanitarian effects of environmental degradation and peace and security. My delegation associates itself with the statement submitted on behalf of the European Union (annex 21). Conflicts around the world are increasing in number, becoming more protracted and fragmented and pushing unprecedented numbers of people into humanitarian need. Factors such as environmental degradation contribute to humanitarian crises. The impact of climate change has become increasingly visible. It poses existential risks for future generations and is having real impact on more and more people around the world. Changes in climate have a multiplier effect, leading to other problems, with effects impacting areas ranging from ecosystem stability to food production and human conflict.”
2020-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/929 (2020) · source
“Multilateralism is a key tool that can and should deliver on global solutions, including climate change. Slovakia is fully committed to playing a part in that collective responsibility.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“The latest report, Gender, climate and security: Sustaining inclusive peace on the frontlines of climate change, issued by UNEP, UN-Women, UNDP and DPPA, reveals the close links between gender, climate and security. The report shows that women on the front lines of climate action are playing a vital role in conflict prevention and sustainable, inclusive peace. Supporting local ownership, improving leadership and broadening inclusion in conflict and fragile settings, with special attention to gender and youth, remain vital. To the best of its ability, the United Nations should lead in facilitating and coordinating global efforts on climate action, working with regional partners and other stakeholders, including non-State actors such as businesses and local authorities, which play an increasingly important role in this field.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“Alongside Germany and several other partners, Slovakia would like the Secretary-General to present a report on this issue every two years before the General Assembly and the Security Council. The report would provide not only a clear assessment and analysis of specific risks, but also recommendations for action. The United Nations response should work hand in hand with the Security Council, and focus on preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, peacekeeping and resilience. Institutional and sectoral divides must be overcome to work in a more integrated fashion to link humanitarian, development, climate mitigation, peace and security action. The final issue I would like to mention is the heightened vulnerability of women and girls to the impact of climate and security.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“We should integrate short and long-term climate and environmental risk factors in the assessment and management of threats to peace and security at the country, regional and international levels. We encourage the international community to draw on the expertise of the whole United Nations system and to strengthen the Organization’s missions on the ground in order to find operational responses to those risks. Thanks to the work of the Climate Security Mechanism, under the leadership of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), we have managed to make some progress in that regard. We have to continue identifying ways of addressing the impact of climate change on conflict and to seek necessary global policy responses.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“The interaction between climate change, the loss of biodiversity and international security must absolutely become a key item on the conflict-prevention agenda. It is the only way to anticipate tomorrow’s threats and help the most vulnerable countries. With climate already adversely affecting security, we need the United Nations and the Security Council to play their part. We thank Germany for their great leadership in the field of climate and security at the Security Council. The international community needs to act fast. We encourage the Security Council and the United Nations to create a comprehensive database on climate-related security risks.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“Climate disasters lead to humanitarian disasters, food shortages and economic, social and demographic shocks, and can exacerbate already overwhelming challenges, especially for underresourced, fragile State Governments. The 2019 Climate Action Summit was a crucial advocacy moment to shape the climate agenda. Slovakia is a strong proponent of climate action, peace, human rights and the rule of law. That commitment to values, peace and leaving no one behind was reaffirmed by our President, Ms. Zuzana Čaputová, at the Climate Action Summit. In her words, “if we succeed in uniting on our action for climate, we can generate a new sense of solidarity in other areas. This can become a basis to overcome divisions among nations, and bring new opportunities”.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“Slovakia commends Germany for its initiative in organizing the open debate on climate and security to underscore the nexus between human security and environmental security. My delegation associates itself with the statement submitted by the European Union (see annex 18). We are living through an extraordinarily difficult period in global history. The coronavirus disease reminds us that life is precarious and interconnected. Our world was already fragile, but violent conflict, humanitarian need and displacement — influenced and intensified by climate change — have all increased over the past decade. The growing impact of climate change became visible with frequent droughts, floods, warmer temperatures, rising sea levels and extreme weather events.”
2020-07-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/751 (2020) · source
“To understand the full effect of sexual violence in conflict situations, we must first understand the societal norms and practices that exist outside war. Research shows that inequalities between men and women increase the likelihood of rape in war.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“With the support of the Slovak chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2019, the OSCE Mediation Support Team and Gender Section launched a new toolkit focused on boosting the meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes. The toolkit assesses the state of women’s participation in political and settlement processes throughout the OSCE space and makes recommendations to the OSCE Chair, secretariat and participating States. In addition, a photography exhibition dedicated to the women and peace agenda was displayed in Vienna in 2019 to increase awareness. Last but not least, we must turn our attention to identifying the remedies not only for the symptoms but, more importantly, for the root causes of this issue.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Their leadership and representation in decision-making processes at the national, regional and international levels are required in order to recognize and address gender-specific aspects of conflicts and mitigate their adverse impacts on the communities. Furthermore, we stress that women are key pillars in peacebuilding for the effective and long-term sustainability of activities within communities, as well as in all activities for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Greater participation of women in peacekeeping missions is an area where we need to double our ongoing efforts. In order to achieve consistent and substantial results, it is necessary to also engage dedicated gender specialists in peacekeeping missions, including gender advisers and women protection advisers.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Similarly, steps to end impunity and dismantle the enabling environment allowing such violent acts to take place are falling short. It is concerning that, even with the adoption of resolutions, rulings in international criminal courts and existing international frameworks, there is still no robust approach to the elimination of sexual violence. It continues to be used as a tactic of war to terrorize populations, destroy the social fabric of communities and even amount to a business practice through trafficking and sex slavery. Slovakia would like to emphasize the important role of the full and meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict reconstruction activities.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on organizing this important open debate and on bringing this topic back to the forefront of the discussions of the Security Council. Under international humanitarian law, women and men, civilians and combatants alike, have equal protection. Nearly 20 years ago, resolution 1325 (2000) identified protection from gender-based violence as a key pillar for peace. Through the adoption of resolution 1820 (2008), conflict-related sexual violence was declared a war crime and a crime against humanity. Despite the ever-increasing international recognition of the serious impact that conflict and post-conflict sexual violence poses to international security and the maintenance of peace, concrete initiatives to prevent or mitigate these incidents are still not yielding the desired outcome.”
2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source
“Improved coordination between human rights officers and military and police personnel can enable missions to use different types of expertise in order to maximize their mission’s impact with regard to the protection of civilians. We are convinced that the protection and promotion of human rights should be key functions of peacekeeping operations. The human rights aspects of these operations have immense potential for enhancing conflict resolution through peaceful means.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“The failure of peacekeeping missions to consistently and effectively respond in cases of gross human rights violations and to anticipate the threat of atrocity crimes highlights the need to develop the capacity of peacekeeping personnel to conduct threat assessments and improve monitoring mechanisms. The effective monitoring of violations of international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law should make clear the gravity and scale of threats to particular groups of civilians and provide information on perpetrators. Monitoring should also include the analysis of historical trends and patterns in relation to targeted populations.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“As we see a rising trend in including human rights tasks in the mandates of the Security Council and substantive human rights capacities or components in missions, appropriate training becomes inevitable for all troops and should therefore be made mandatory. The United Nations should not replace host countries in their primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights, although it has an obligation to become involved in case of absence of such conduct by the host country. The adequate training of host country authorities helps to bridge the gap and is necessary for good cooperation with the human rights capacities of peacekeeping missions.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“In 2018, the Secretary-General announced the launch of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative, underlining the clear role of human rights in peacekeeping efforts. Slovakia endorsed the Action for Peacekeeping Declaration of Shared Commitments on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. The focus on the human rights aspect is one the main optics in our national implementation of that initiative, which serves as a blueprint for the United Nations peacekeeping agenda and helps to overcome the critical challenges that peacekeeping faces today. Human rights and international humanitarian law are an integral part of the regular and predeployment training of the Slovak Armed Forces, which without a doubt helps to fulfil humanitarian and human rights tasks where those are a part of the mandate of the peacekeeping mission.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union (see annex 25) and would like to present some additional remarks in its national capacity. We welcome the participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the debate, and we express our appreciation for her briefing, as well as the briefings by Special Representative Shearer and Mr. Dismas Kitenge Senga. Human rights are not only one of the three pillars of the United Nations work but also a fundamental pillar of all peacekeeping operations. While primarily intervening to seek a peaceful settlement in troubled areas, members of United Nations peacekeeping missions also have to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights.”
2020-07-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/674 (2020) · source
“We urge the United Nations and its Member States to develop, in collaboration with host communities, reintegration programmes that emphasize psychosocial support, education and training opportunities. In this regard, we welcome the efforts of the Global Coalition for the Reintegration of Child Soldiers as well as the “Act to Protect children affected by conflict” campaign.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Criminalization and accountability are key elements to eliminate these grave violations, and Member States have to ensure them proactively at the national level as well as by deeper cooperation at the international level. Therefore, it is important that the naming of perpetrators — an important step, but only the first one — be followed by the more important step of accountability. Another worrisome trend is the growing number of children in detention, often as the result of allegations of those children being associated with armed forces or groups. These children need to be treated first and foremost as victims. All Member States should support the release and reintegration of child soldiers through demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“This year we also celebrate fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark resolution 1612 (2005), on children and armed conflict, establishing the United Nations-led monitoring and reporting mechanism and the Working Group of the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict. The monitoring and reporting mechanism, together with the Secretary-General’s annual report and the annex thereto, has been useful in deterring grave violations against children. Regrettably, numbers of grave violations committed against children are still not decreasing, and the Secretary-General’s latest report highlights that they tripled in the last decade. There is still a huge lack of compliance with international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Slovakia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, endorsed the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, the Safe Schools Declaration as well as the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, and we call on others to join us in this regard. As we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict this year, there is no better time to reiterate the call for its universal ratification, and we encourage those States that have not yet signed or ratified the Protocol to do so without delay.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statements submitted on behalf of the European Union and of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict. We thank the Secretary-General for his latest report on the impact of armed conflict on children (S/2020/525) and for providing clear recommendations. We appreciate the briefings by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba de Potgieter, and the Executive Director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore, as well as their tireless work for children.”
2020-06-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/594 (2020) · source
“The security sector plays a key role in preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation or recurrence of armed conflict, which is the most effective way to protect civilians. Slovakia is a long-standing supporter of the security sector governance and reform agenda and is fully committed to continuing to co-chair the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform, together with South Africa. The protection of civilians is incumbent not only upon warring parties, but also upon Governments, which must find the much-needed political will and support to ensure better todays and tomorrows for those unwillingly affected by armed conflict.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“We strongly support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its role in the fight against impunity and in bringing perpetrators to justice. Achieving the Court’s universal jurisdiction would be a major step towards ensuring accountability for violations at the national, regional and international levels. We once again urge all States Members of the United Nations that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Rome Statute. It is also important to highlight the role of the security sector. When reformed and well-governed, it can significantly contribute to political dialogue, arms control, the protection of civilians and respect for human rights, which are the foundations of all States.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Zuzana Čaputová, is one of the 87 members of the Secretary-General’s circle of leadership on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping operations. International law is essential for the protection of civilians, and strengthening compliance with its norms, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, can significantly contribute to avoiding civilian deaths, suffering and displacement. All State and non-State parties to conflicts must abide by their obligations under international law. States should establish appropriate legislative and institutional arrangements to comprehensively address violations of international humanitarian law and hold accountable those who violate it.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“As an active troop- and police-contributing country to United Nations missions, Slovakia endorsed the Declaration of Shared Commitments on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in September 2018 and remains committed to working further on their implementation, including through the effective performance and responsible and disciplined conduct of our peacekeepers in United Nations missions and operations. We subscribe to the initiatives such as the Kigali Principles on the Protection of Civilians, the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers, and the Secretary-General’s voluntary compact to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse. The President of the Slovak Republic, Ms.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“They remain at risk of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, which continues at shocking levels. The COVID-19 pandemic poses extreme risks for women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected situations, particularly as the pandemic makes it more difficult for protection to be provided and for humanitarian workers to reach vulnerable populations. Women and women’s organizations should be at the centre of the pandemic response, and socioeconomic plans should be designed with the lives and future of women and girls in mind.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“We also appreciate other tools for Member States to ensure that human rights are at the centre of the response to the pandemic, including the policy briefs on COVID-19 and human rights, the impact of COVID-19 on women and children, and the guidance note on addressing and countering COVID-19-related hate speech. The Secretary-General’s call to action for human rights, issued in February, is also key. We have witnessed the impact of COVID-19 on peace operations, including limitations of troop rotations and restrictions of movement in order to protect the health, safety and security of United Nations personnel. That unfortunately impedes their fundamental task of maintaining peace and security wherever deployed. Often, civilians pay the highest price.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I would like to share a few additional reflections in my national capacity. The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis not only raises global health and socioeconomic concerns, but also impacts the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Civilians in armed conflict are already vulnerable and the pandemic puts them at even greater risk. COVID-19 exacerbates the suffering caused by conflicts and can potentially lead to the emergence of new conflicts. The Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire is therefore timely and urgent. Slovakia strongly supports it and urges all parties to conflicts to do the same.”
2020-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/465 (2020) · source
“The role of the non-permanent members in shaping and codifying Security Council working methods has proven to be very valuable and constructive. Having said that, I would like to wish the Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions, as well as you, Mr. President, as Vice-Chair, every success in guiding its important endeavours.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“We are convinced that the expertise, insights and recommendations of the Peacebuilding Commission should be used more frequently and more effectively by the Security Council, as they represent a very important contribution to better-informed deliberations of the Council. Such an approach should not be limited to country-specific configurations, but extend to thematic issues like women, peace and security, youth, peace and security, and security sector reform. Sixthly, further consideration should be given to ways of improving the work of the subsidiary organs of the Security Council, which are crucial for the implementation of Council decisions. That is especially relevant for the various sanctions committees, considering the impact and the scope of the sanction regimes and their effects on human rights and due process.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Fourthly, reporting cycles for various reports of the Secretary-General should be adjusted so that they reflect the situation on the ground more genuinely. Otherwise, the unnecessarily frequent submission of some reports may result in their not constituting a meaningful substantive contribution to the deliberations of the Council. In contrast, the Council may benefit from shortening the reporting cycles on matters of priority or urgency. Fifthly, further development of more active and meaningful relationships with the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council and other relevant bodies could increase the Security Council’s effectiveness in responding to conflicts and strengthen its role in conflict prevention and sustaining peace.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“Interaction and dialogue between the Security Council and States that are not members of the Council, in particular those directly concerned and affected, should be further enhanced and broadened. Secondly, substantive engagement of the Council with troop- and police- contributing countries should be further improved to strengthen the basis for decision-making in the Council and increase the incentive for the general United Nations membership to support peace operations.S/2020/418 Thirdly, the timely submission of the annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly would enable more substantive consideration of the report, in line with the mandate of the General Assembly as the main deliberative organ of the United Nations. The discussions on such an important report must not be conducted in a perfunctory manner.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source
“The latter note, adopted on 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507), addresses nearly all aspects of Security Council practice. It is important to continue to strengthen efforts to implement the existing measures and commitments set out in S/2017/507. Similarly, the improvement of the working methods and the pursuit of greater transparency, inclusiveness, representativeness and accountability of the Council must remain an ongoing and consistent process. While recognizing achievements made and mindful of remaining challenges, my country is of the view that, in future, more attention should be given to the following areas. First, efforts aimed at enhancing openness in the work of the Security Council, including the work of its subsidiary bodies, should continue.”
2020-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/418 (2020) · source