YouSaid · the spoken record

Mitch Fifield

lines on the record

27

first

2020-07-17

most recent

2021-09-14

sittings or episodes

5

sources

un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

1. “We commend the advocacy of the United Nations in obtaining guarantees from the Taliban authorities this week for continued humanitarian access to those Afghans most in need and for the safety and security of humanitarian staff, including for the critical work that will be delivered by female humanitarians. The role of the United Nations is more important than ever as Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis.”

   2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source

2. “This is vital to the stability of Afghanistan and the region. We urge the Taliban to recognize that the only path to legitimacy is through constructive engagement in the political process and a fully inclusive, representational government. We urge the Taliban to recognize the benefits of a more inclusive government and society, where the gains made over the past 20 years are maintained and built upon, in line with international norms and standards. Australia’s Special Representative on Afghanistan will be leading Australia’s diplomatic work from our embassy in Doha in Qatar, where Australia’s interim admission to Afghanistan is currently located.”

   2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source

3. “We will judge the Taliban by their actions, and we will work with you to require the Taliban to adhere to their commitments. The announcement of the interim regime is a very poor start. The new cabinet includes senior members of the Haqqani Network, well known for its criminal and terrorist activities; no members from the Hazara community, which comprises 20 per cent of the Afghan population; few from other ethnic minorities; and no women at all. This is in no way an inclusive government. Without such, Afghanistan will not be able to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict. As an international community, we need to hold the Taliban responsible for its actions, particularly for violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including specifically the rights of women and girls.”

   2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source

4. “Like many, we are now focused on those who remain in Afghanistan and those who want to leave. The international community needs to work together to establish protection and support to foreign citizens and to visa holders, to facilitate their lea ving Afghanistan safely and freely, should they so wish. We call on the Taliban to uphold their promise of free passage. We want to work with other nations on very clear and firm engagement with the Taliban regime, including ensuring that there are consequences for violations of the norms of international conduct. Counter-terrorism is a significant focus for Australia, deterring any transnational terrorism resurgence. A key component is to ensure that funding for terrorism is stifled. We are particularly concerned about any potential impacts in South-East Asia.”

   2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source

5. “The people of Afghanistan are facing a looming humanitarian crisis. Our interests, and those of the international community, are best served by reinforcing regional stability. This includes through our humanitarian support mechanisms, with the effective distribution of aid to those who are in need. We must ensure that humanitarian assistance does not fund or contribute in any way to terrorist objectives. Now, more than ever, we need to be working together and coordinating responses, in particular to ensure that women and girls continue to participate fully in public life, including through access to work and education. When women are fully included in decision-making, societies are more likely to prevent and resolve conflict. Women should have the opportunity to decide on policies and programmes that determine their safety and security.”

   2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source

6. “In this respect, where international courts or tribunals have rendered binding decisions, we call on the parties to those decisions to abide by them. The maritime security challenges raised in this Security Council debate cannot be addressed alone. They require collective, coordinated and determined effort. Australia is committed to working with all States to enhance maritime security and protect the marine environment.”

   2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

7. “The foundation of maritime security and cooperation is the respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes. As we affirm each year in the General Assembly resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. It contains clear rules that apply to all countries for maritime claims, the lawful uses of maritime spaces, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Adherence to international law is fundamental to the continuing peace, prosperity and stability of our region. It allows all States – big and small – to resolve disputes peacefully, whether in the South China Sea or elsewhere.”

   2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

8. “Whether that is working together in support of the maritime pillar of the Outlook on the Indo Pacific of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with its focus on the cooperative management of marine resources and transnational crime; or working with India under its Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative, with its strong focus on mar itime security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific; or collaborating with Pacific Islands nations through the Pacific fusion centre, working with States, territories and regional organizations to analyse and respond to security challenges in our region. Just as we cooperate to meet challenges to maritime security, so too do we need to work together to uphold the rules and norms which underpin an open and stable maritime order.”

   2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

9. “In South-East Asia, we have launched a regional illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing programme that will provide education, training and improved capacity to partner nations. Piracy and armed robbery remain a significant risk to global maritime security. In our region, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia reported 97 incidents of piracy or armed robbery in Asian waters. As a party to the Agreement, Australia supports efforts to share information, promote cooperation and build capacity across the region. We recognize that we cannot solve these problems alone. Working in partnerships – bilateral, regional and multilateral – is vital.”

   2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

10. “Unchecked, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatens the long-term sustainability of global fish resources and marine biodiversity. Coupled with environmental damage, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatens food security and livelihoods worldwide. And it can lead to tensions between States. In the Pacific, Australia supports the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency to help monitor fishing fleets to support sustainable fishing and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, we are gifting 21 new patrol vessels to 12 Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, as well as providing contracted aerial surveillance.”

    2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

11. “The blue economy, which depends on healthy oceans, has never been more important for livelihoods and economic growth. This importance will only grow, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimating that $3 trillion will be generated by ocean based industry by 2030, doubling from $1.5 trillion in 2010. At the same time, maritime security threats – traditional and new – are growing. They are more interconnected than ever before. And they demand cooperation – between States but also non-State and private actors. Terrorism, trafficking, people-smuggling and other transnational crimes are persistent challenges. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing takes $10–23 billion of fish out of the world’s oceans.”

    2021-08-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/722 (2021) · source

12. “The future of the country lies in the hands of the Afghan people. Australia urges the parties to allow the Afghan people’s voices to be heard through democratic processes. We call on the parties to seize this opportunity, to end the bloodshed and to bring a just, durable and resilient peace to Afghanistan.”

    2021-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/601 (2021) · source

13. “The attack on the Sayed ul-Shuhada girls’ school on 8 May, which killed over 80 students, was a tragic example of such violence. We call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to targeted killings and for the Taliban and the Islamic Republic to work together in responding to the third wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the growing humanitarian crises. Australia has provided $1.5 billion (to May 2021) in development assistance to Afghanistan since 2001. Afghanistan will receive $50.0 million from the 2021/22 development budget allocations, aligned with our long-term commitment of $200 million over 2021–2024 in development assistance, which was announced at the 2020 Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan. Afghanistan continues to be the seventh-largest recipient of Australian bilateral aid.”

    2021-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/601 (2021) · source

14. “We urge the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to remain united in defending the constitution. We urge the Taliban to recognize that the only path to legitimacy is through constructive engagement in the political process. This is essential for continued international support for Afghanistan. We condemn, in the strongest terms, the high levels of violence in Afghanistan, particularly the ongoing targeting of human rights activists, women, children, humanitarian workers and minorities. In the first quarter of 2021, UNAMA documented 1,783 civilian casualties (573 killed, including 151 children). Targeted assassinations rose by 40.1 per cent, to 297, with victims including civil servants, two university lecturers in Kabul, three female polio vaccinators in Jalalabad and the head of the Takhar Ulema Council.”

    2021-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/601 (2021) · source

15. “Australia remains committed to supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan- owned peace process, which charts a course towards a safe, secure and prosperous future, eventually allowing millions of displaced Afghans to return home. When women are fully included in decision-making, societies are more likely to prevent and resolve conflict. Women should have the opportunity to decide on policies and programs that determine their safety and security, including thr ough peace processes. We urge the parties to recognize the benefits of a more inclusive society, where the gains made over the past 20 years are maintained and built upon, in line with international norms and standards. We encourage all parties to return to the negotiating table and continue progress towards a political settlement.”

    2021-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/601 (2021) · source

16. “Australia appreciates the opportunity to comment on the situation in Afghanistan and applauds the efforts by the Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Deborah Lyons, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues, Jean Arnault, and the whole United Nations family for trying to bring the p arties to the conflict in Afghanistan together. A peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan can only be achieved through adherence to international norms and standards, especially in human rights, which includes the rights of women, children and minorities. There is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.”

    2021-06-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/601 (2021) · source

17. “The Global Counterterrorism Forum’s efforts to support the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the United Nations counter-terrorism framework more broadly by States Members of the United Nations have proved particularly effective, leading to a number of joint United Nations- GCTF initiatives. We have come a long way together as a global community since the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), and the institutions and initiatives built on the framework of that resolution have proved resilient and flexible as the terrorist threat evolved in the intervening years. Australia looks forward to continuing that vital work in cooperation with the United Nations, relevant bodies and Member States.S/2021/48”

    2021-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/48 (2021) · source

18. “The spirit of global solidarity encapsulated in resolution 1373 (2001) has also inspired global, regional and bilateral cooperation to counter terrorism that complements the United Nations work. Australia is proud to be a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), which works with United Nations bodies, Member States and civil society to develop international best practice, guidance and toolkits, supporting the implementation of Security Council obligations, including resolutions 1373 (2001) and 2178 (2014) and their successor resolutions.”

    2021-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/48 (2021) · source

19. “The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on terrorism is one such challenge, as terrorists and violent extremists have sought to exploit the pandemic in their narratives and to assist in their mobilization in many places. As Australia’s Foreign Minister noted, COVID-19 has highlighted the major role of international institutions in addressing and coordinating a global response to a global problem. Twenty years on, the United Nations continues to play a key role in addressing ongoing and evolving counter-terrorism challenges, and Australia remains pleased to support the important work of the United Nations, the Security Council and its Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and other relevant entities.”

    2021-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/48 (2021) · source

20. “Australia commends the presidency of Tunisia and the Security Council for organizing this virtual open debate on international cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001). This year, as we approach 20 years since the tragic events of 11 September and the prompt response of the international community, including the Security Council’s adoption of resolution 1373 (2001), it is important to reflect on the progress that Member States have made in combating terrorism and to renew our commitment to continuing to work together. Sadly, terrorism continues to pose a threat to international peace and security, and the methods and tactics of terrorist groups continue to evolve and present new challenges.”

    2021-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/48 (2021) · source

21. “In 2020, commemorations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the agreement of the Beijing Platform for Action and the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) provide important opportunities to highlight the intersections between these two important agendas. We call on the United Nations system and all Member States to intensify efforts to eradicate sexual violence in conflict.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

22. “Women from diverse backgrounds must be involved in all aspects of our efforts to end sexual violence and in the design and implementation of services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict. At a time in which COVID-19 has the potential to deepen fragility and conflict, Australia stands in solidarity with, and advocates on behalf of, victims, survivors and those working on the front lines of conflict to advance gender equality and the women and peace and security agenda, and end sexual violence in conflict. We are pleased to continue to fund UN-Women’s Women, Peace and Security Global Facility and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, alongside a large number of other Member States, to leverage change.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

23. “Gender advisers are critical in peace operations, the military and police, for advancing prevention and protection, compliance and accountability, and justice for survivors. In this regard, we welcome the recent launch of the Handbook for United Nations Field Missions on Preventing and Responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. We remain committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment; it is our collective responsibility to act in ethical and transparent ways, building respectful working relationships that reject inappropriate behaviours. Australia commends the extraordinary work of survivor-advocates, civil society organizations and human rights defenders. We call on Member States to listen to their voices and support their work.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

24. “Access to the full range of quality reproductive and sexual-health care, services and information is critical for the recovery of survivors and for the restoration of their dignity and bodily autonomy. Respecting and upholding these rights, particularly the right to services and information, can be the difference between life and death. We need to identify solutions and approaches that are context specific, inclusive and informed by experience, especially that of survivors. Our actions must be survivor-centred and recognize diversity in experience and need. For example, children born of rape and their mothers have particular needs, and we must not forget that male survivors, including boys, have their own barriers to accessing services.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

25. “It is used as a tactic of war, particularly against women and girls, human rights defenders or individuals on the basis of perceived political affiliation, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Gender equality is key to the prevention of sexual violence in conflict. Research clearly shows that gender inequality, including violence against women and girls, harmful norms and inequality structures, is a direct cause of sexual violence in conflict and the strongest indicator of a country’s risk of conflict. We must promote and protect women’s and girls’ rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are vital human rights and of central importance for all people in conflict situations, particularly survivors of rape and sexual violence.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

26. “However, the rights of women and girls around the world continue to be compromised and sexual violence in conflict prevents women from exercising their rights to full, equal and meaningful participation in efforts to secure sustainable peace. Furthermore, we are concerned that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis is intensifying violence against women and girls, particularly in conflict and humanitarian settings — an emerging shadow pandemic that risks setbacks to the women and peace and security agenda and gender equality. Australia is deeply concerned by the persistent and widespread occurrence of sexual violence in armed conflict. A climate of impunity discourages reporting, undermines assistance and abets further violations. Sexual violence in conflict is part of a continuum of violence.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source

27. “We thank Germany and the Dominican Republic for their strong leadership on this agenda and for co-organizing this important debate on moving from commitments to compliance on sexual violence in conflict. Australia welcomes the Secretary-General’s renewed commitment to the eradication of conflict-related sexual violence and the analysis and recommendations contained in his recent report (S/2020/487). We align ourselves with the statement submitted by Canada on behalf of a group of Member States (see annex 20). The women and peace and security agenda is central to the eradication of sexual violence in conflict. It recognizes that conflict has a disproportionate impact on women, but also that women are powerful mediators, peacebuilders and leaders.”

    2020-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/727 (2020) · source