YouSaid · the spoken record

Mlynár

lines on the record: 227
first: 2006-07-13
most recent: 2023-03-16
sittings or episodes: 34
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

“I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our continued strong commitment to and active involvement in United Nations peacekeeping endeavours in the future. Currently, the highest number of our military and police personnel is deployed in United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. I would also like to reiterate our Government's full support for the ongoing political process aimed at the reunification of Cyprus. In addition, we are proud to also serve in the Golan Heights and in Haiti. As a TCC/PCC, Slovakia has subscribed to many important initiatives as a practical matter, but mostly as a matter of principle, such as the Kigali Principles, Vancouver Principles and the more recent voluntary compact to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“In this regard, we welcome the report entitled Improving security of United Nations Peacekeepers of December 2017, and urge the Secretariat to implement its recommendations, in close cooperation with the troop-contributing countries (TCCs), the police-contributing countries (PCCs) and the Security Council. Slovakia has been an active troop- and police-contributing country since its admission to the United Nations 25 years ago, having deployed to a total of 19 United Nations missions, contributing overall more than 7,300 men and women. Slovakia has also participated in military and civilian missions of the European Union, which also operates under Security Council mandates and, together with the United Nations in many conflict situations, helps to maintain peace and security.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“It is imperative that we minimize the risk ofdeliberate attacks on United Nations missions or personnel, including through better early warning, intelligence and detection capabilities, and improved situational awareness and risk mitigation mechanisms. In line with the conclusions of the report recently issued by Lieutenant General Santos Cruz, as well as this year's deliberations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, we need to revisit the ways and means of ensuring the safety and security of our peacekeepers, making sure that the missions are sufficiently resourced and that personnel have all the training and equipment necessary to fulfil their mandates.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“I would like to congratulate the Netherlands on taking this important initiative and to thank the presidency for convening this very timely and relevant open debate, and in particular for its having been presided this morning by His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union, as well as with the statement delivered by the representative of Italy on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect. Last year, we witnessed an unprecedented number of peacekeeping fatalities. I would like take this opportunity to pay tribute to every man and woman for their sacrifice in the service of peace.”
2018-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8218 (2018) · source
“Although the primary responsibility in peace and security efforts lies with national authorities, the United Nations and the broader international community must effectively support those activities. We have a collective responsibility to make the United Nations more effective and efficient in addressing the real and immediate needs of populations on the ground. In that context, the debate you have convened today, Sir, and the specific linkages that we are focusing on show a very timely and practical approach.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“The Group ofFriends of Security Sector Reform, which is co-chaired by South Africa and my country, is planning to hold a high-level round table, proposed to take place on 23 April 2018, that will contribute to the sustaining peace activities of the General Assembly in that month, and will seek to build on the important insights of previous events and relevant recently developed policy and research in the areas of sustaining peace, prevention and security sector reform. To highlight just three key areas of our focus in that regard, I would mention genuine national ownership, effective partnerships and addressing SSR and different types of related linkages, primarily as political challenges and avoiding other, more technical, approaches.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“Last but not least, the Security Council should enhance its preventive and mitigating role - one of its most significant responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations. There are opportunities to sharpen and expand the preventive capacities of the United Nations. There is a need for deeper integration and coordination in preventive endeavours, including among the relevant components of the United Nations system. I have already mentioned the issue of security sector reform, which I would also like to highlight in the context of the link to sustaining peace, which is also reflected in resolution 2151 (2014).”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“We have seen that ourselves, for example in November 2014 when we partnered with the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and others in organizing the first Africa Forum on Security Sector Reform, which was a very positive contribution to debating some of the cross-cutting issues, such as security sector reform (SSR), justice, the rule of law and other related issues. In that context, we are committed to actively promoting even closer partnerships. Given that Slovakia will hold the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2019, we are particularly looking at how to further enhance the partnership between the United Nations and the OSCE.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“In that context, we firmly believe that both the Security Council and the General Assembly should take greater, more systematic and more in-depth advantage of the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council should furthermore promote greater integration, coherence and partnerships among the activities of the United Nations missions, the United Nations system and non-United Nations actors, including, of course, the relevant regional and subregional organizations, in particular the African Union, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Economic Community of West African States and others. Those partnerships are truly essential and their importance cannot be overemphasized.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“We very much welcome today's focus on those important linkages. First of all, we think that the Security Council should deal with these issues in a more systematic and targeted fashion, including by exploring and identifying the linkages, synergies and correlations among them. Each and every conflict scenario is different: there is no one-size-fits-all. However, we should strive to identify and address the root causes and drivers of conflict that hinder the path to peaceful, durable and sustainable solutions. The increasing impact of those cross-cutting challenges to international peace and stability calls for an updating of the tools at the Council's disposal in order to better integrate diplomatic, economic, military and capacity-building responses in conflict resolution and peacebuilding endeavours.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“That is something that I believe we all need, both in the Council and in the Assembly. Slovakia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I would like to add a few points in my national capacity. The Security Council, as the primary United Nations organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, plays a leading role in shaping United Nations action in this area. As pointed out in your concept note (S/2017/1016, annex), Sir, in recent years the Security Council has repeatedly discussed and expressed its views on a wide range of non-traditional - put better perhaps as "cross-cutting" - threats, including those concerning public health, the exploitation of natural resources, climate change, transnational crime, poverty and underdevelopment, and forced displacement.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“The General Assembly took an important step today in adopting resolution 72/ 199, which will help the Secretary- General to take his reform proposal for the United Nations peace and security pillar to the next phase and allow him to further elaborate his reform proposals in that area. Adopted by consensus, the resolution reflects our collective determination to revitalize the United Nations to better serve the needs of peoples around the world. Together with the Permanent Representative of Rwanda, I was honoured to co-facilitate the process of informal consultations on the drafting of the resolution in an open, transparent and inclusive manner, with the aim of ensuring Member State ownership and support for that important endeavour, while building trust and consensus.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“First of all, I join other delegations in most sincerely thanking you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate towards the end of your Security Council presidency. I wish you, Sir, every success in your responsibilities as Council President. This debate is important, as it significantly contributes to building a common understanding and the required consensus about the need for a comprehensive and concerted approach to the maintenance of international peace and security. This meeting is also timely in the light of our ongoing constructive dialogue on the reform of the United Nations.”
2017-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8144 (2017) · source
“It is our view that working individually, but at the same time in a coordinated manner and in close cooperation, is the only way in which we will be able to start referring to human trafficking in the past tense.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“We have to improve the protection of victims by providing them with special assistance and aprofessional approach, but we have to work also on their ability to self-identify as victims. Our action against perpetrators must be resolute, coordinated and effective. We have to improve the knowledge of procedures and the methods and forms of detection and prosecution on the national level and enhance international cooperation and joint investigations of transnational organized criminal networks and illicit financial flows. In conclusion, human trafficking is, as I stated earlier, present in almost every country in the world, and every country in the world must, therefore, do its part to tackle it.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Less than two months ago, we agreed here at the United Nations on the political declaration on the implementation of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (General Assembly resolution 72/1). We emphasized the need to address the factors that increase vulnerability to trafficking, particularly poverty, unemployment, inequality and conflicts. In that connection we must focus our efforts on prevention rather than on response. When needed, the protection of victims and prosecution of perpetrators must be timely, accurate and comprehensive. Raising awareness about the existence of human trafficking reduces the risk of becoming a victim of that scourge. Education, awareness-raising campaigns, events focusing on human trafficking and informing specific groups are but a few of the means of prevention.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Slovakia remains deeply committed to combating human trafficking. After ratifying all of the major international treaties and having implemented the relevant European Union legislation, we have also strengthened our national laws in order to increase the protection of victims. Our State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior is the national anti-trafficking coordinator, who covers the national referral mechanism in Slovakia and chairs the expert group on combating trafficking in human beings. We are pursuing the objectives and steps contained in the national action plan for combating human trafficking, which covers the period 2015-2018.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Its victims would, in fact, constitute one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population of more than 40 million people. Its revenues are comparable to those of the top 20 companies in the world at $150 billion annually. Those figures clearly show that we are dealing with a phenomenon of massive proportions that really requires concerted efforts from the international community as a whole. Research estimates that we would need to spend only 15 per cent of the profits from modern slavery to completely eradicate that evil practice, a task that could potentially take us two decades. But what we need most are political will and determination translated into concrete action on the ground, as well as further enhanced international cooperation, as I have already mentioned.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to the Italian presidency for convening this important open debate focusing on today's very critical issue. Last but not least, I would also like to thank Council members for adopting resolution 2388 (2017), which helps to sustain the momentum and attention on this important agenda. Trafficking in persons is one of the worst crimes among the violations of human rights. It violates a person's dignity and undermines his or her basic humanity. That heinous phenomenon has spread worldwide and is present in some form in almost every country in the world - in other words, no one can say that they are immune to that particular scourge. Human trafficking counts millions of victims and provides enormous profits.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Let me begin by adding our voice to those expressing their solidarity and condolences to the Government and the people of Nigeria in relation to the recent senseless terrorist attack. Like others, we have been extremely worried about those developments, and we need to continue our joint efforts to address the issue of international terrorism. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union, and we would like to share a few additional points in our national capacity. At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary- General, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, for their briefings.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“After all, children are our future and we are obliged to do our utmost to provide the best possible prospects for them. If we do not, the price to pay will be high. In conclusion, I would like to recall one of my earlier visits to Juba, in South Sudan, where we have been supporting a vaccination campaign for the children most in need - those that suffer on a daily basis and are not only poor, but truly experience hunger and are affected by it in their everyday lives. It is our obligation to children in places like South Sudan and elsewhere to do more to provide them with things that we consider normal. I would like to end by quoting former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who said, "Education promotes equality and lifts people out of poverty. It teaches children how to become good citizens.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“We should support the global consensus to end the military recruitment and use of children, and promote the straight-18 standard. Last but not least, we should all engage in the release and sustainable reintegration of children following their terrible experiences of recruitment or other violations. We must keep in mind that, first and foremost, they are victims in need of specialized psychological and social assistance, and we must therefore provide them with professional help, support and education. That is the only way they will be able to resume their lives and focus on their future, without being affected by their past. Violence against children, as well as their placement or even their active role in conflicts terribly affect the children themselves, but also all humankind.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“That is the natural set-up for all children, and we must do our best in order to achieve that. We urge all State and non-State parties to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. All perpetrators should be named and held accountable for violating the rights of children. That is an important step, and I would therefore like to commend the Secretary-General for providing in his report a list of the parties that have committed one or more violations against children. We should work with those parties and prepare, sign and implement action plans in order to eradicate this malpractice. We should hold recruiters, kidnappers, sexual offenders and all other perpetrators accountable in a court of law for their crimes against children.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Attacks on schools, their damage or destruction, as well as threats to, attacks on or abductions of scholars and academics undermine the right to education and have far-reaching consequences. The main purpose ofthose attacks is to spread fear - the fear of receiving education - because the perpetrators know that education and knowledge are cornerstones of progress. Education helps to eliminate regional inequality. It provides tools for girls and boys alike to move forward towards a better future for their families, communities and countries. On the other hand, a lack of education increases the risk of the radicalization and recruitment of children. Their place is not on the battlefield and their tools are not bombs and firearms; they should be at their school desks with a pen and a book in their hands.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Tens of thousands of child soldiers have been released and almost 30 action plans have been signed with parties to conflict, leading to a situation wherein the recruitment or use of child soldiers no longer exists in five countries where it existed earlier. But this is certainly not the end of the process. On the contrary, there is much more that remains to be done. That is confirmed clearly by the Secretary-General's report and the report of Special Representative Virginia Gamba (A/72/276). We must acknowledge that a lot remains to be done to achieve desirable results. Less than three weeks ago, we heard the eerie testimony of Joy Bishara, one of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped from a secondary school in the town of Chibok, in Borno state, Nigeria. The civilian character of schools is supposed to be the guarantee of their sacredness.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“In January, we marked the tenth anniversary of the Paris Commitments and the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups. A month later, in February, we marked the twentieth anniversary of the General Assembly resolution 51/77, which created a mandate dedicated to improving the protection of children affected by conflict. Those documents were pivotal in galvanizing the interest of the global community in the children and armed conflict agenda, delivering tangible and measurable results. In the past 20 years, a tremendous amount of work has been done.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Mubin Shaikh for his briefing, which was much appreciated. Of course, I would also like to thank the French presidency for convening this open debate. Slovakia is deeply committed to the protection of all children, particularly those affected by armed conflicts. We have been championing, since its adoption in 2011, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure, which has been signed by 36 States so far. Therefore, we call on other Member States to ratify the Optional Protocol, which allows individual children to submit complaints regarding specific Violations of their rights under the Convention and its first two Optional Protocols.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Slovakia aligns itself with the statements that will be delivered by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Norway, on behalf of the group of States endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration; and with the statement made earlier by the Permanent Representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict, of which Slovakia is a very active member. At the outset, I would like to thank Secretary- General Antonio Guterres for his timely briefing and recent report (S/2017/821), covering the impacts of armed conflicts on children in 2016. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, for her remarkable and tireless efforts in focusing on the protection of children in armed conflict, and Mr.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“With that aim in mind, my country is planning to host a workshop in New York in early 2018 specifically dedicated to the issue of gender in relation to the SSR strategies. In conclusion, the United Nations is facing unprecedented challenges to global peace and security. Civilians, most of all women and girls, are paying the highest price in the face of systematic violence and oppression. We all need to redouble our efforts to deliver changes on the ground in favour of women and girls, in particular in societies in conflict-affected areas.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“I wish to stress that gender-sensitive security-sector reform is key to developing security-sector institutions that are non-discriminatory, representative of the population and capable of effectively responding to the specific security needs of diverse groups. A United Nations approach to SSR must be gender-sensitive throughout its planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases. Security-sector reform must also include the reform of recruitment processes and improvement in the delivery of security services so as to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence. There is a need for sharper focus on developing gender-sensitive SSR strategies and achieving tangible results in the field.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“As one of the Chairs of the Group of Friends of Security Sector Reform (SSR), Slovakia wishes to re-emphasizethatthisparticularaspect-security-sector reform - is essential to post-conflict peacebuilding and to creating the conditions needed for reconstruction and development. At present, the United Nations supports a rapidly expanding range of field missions aimed at assisting national and regional efforts in SSR, particularly at the sector-wide level. Resolution 2151 (2014), on security-sector reform, underscored the importance of women's equal and effective participation and full involvement in all stages of the security-sector reform process.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“Last but not least, it is of the utmost importance that we collectively make progress on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDGs 5 and 16, while recognizing gender equality and peaceful, just and inclusive societies as global development priorities. Slovakia is currently in the process of drawing up its national action plan on women, peace and security. Meanwhile, the Government continues to promote all national efforts aimed at strengthening the role of women in society through the national gender- equality strategy for the period 2014-2019 and the gender-equality action plan. In addition, the Ministry of Defence has approved its own gender-equality plan, with its implementation under the responsibility of the general staff of the armed forces and with sustained, allocated funding.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“We are of the View that four of the themes of the women and peace and security agenda - participation, conflict prevention, protection, and relief and recovery - need accelerated attention and action by the United Nations and its Member States. I should also like to highlight other critical areas, such as disarmament, efforts to create greater space for women's civil-society organizations and the need for stronger information and analyses on women, peace and security. The current refugee challenges create specific environments for women, and further action is necessary to address women's lives in those conditions.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“As the French delegation stated in its concept note (S/2017/889, annex), despite the substantial efforts undertaken to implement the women and peace and security agenda and the progress that has been made in the past 17 years, critical challenges remain, ranging from increasing the number of women at the highest levels of decision-making to ending impunity for gender-based violence. Moreover, gender-responsive and protective environments for women remain lacking, and women, peace and security efforts continue to be unpredictably undervalued and underfunded. These are areas where we believe we need to further enhance our concerted efforts.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“At the margins of the general debate of the General Assembly, new initiatives on gender parity and conflict prevention were launched in which my country also participated. The second meeting of the Women, Peace and Security National Focal Points Network took place in September with an important focus on conflict prevention, the security sector and its integration in national action plans and national strategies on women, peace and security. Also, the heads of the armed forces of approximately 100 Member States met at the United Nations this year to discuss the issue of increasing the number of female peacekeepers and integrating the gender perspective.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“We welcome and strongly support the Secretary-General's vision of peace and security grounded in long-term conflict prevention, inclusivity and gender equality, as well as his victim- centred approach to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. I would add that we were very happy to see that the Secretary-General decided to spend United Nations Day with people on the ground, in particular in the Central African Republic, where these issues are perhaps more important than in other parts of the world. That focus is certainly very much appreciated. I would like to welcome the practical innovations at the level of the Security Council, such as the convening of experts in the Informal Expert Group and the inclusion of women civil-society representatives in country-specific briefings.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, for her briefing, and the other briefers for their very insightful, very practical and extremely interesting contributions to today's debate. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the significance of UN-Women and the importance that this entity plays in making sure that there is stronger engagement with the Member States, and with the Security Council in particular. Furthermore, we would like to commend the Secretary-General for his report (S/2017/861), but, more important, for his strong commitment and leadership related not only to the issue of gender parity but also specifically to the women and peace and security agenda, pursuant to the recommendations and commitments made at the 2015 high-level review, in the global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and in resolution 2242 (2015).”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“My delegation fully associates itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. We wish to thank you, Madam President, as well as France for taking the leadership in organizing this annual debate on women and peace and security. It is indeed crucial that the Security Council continue to systematically and consistently advance a holistic women and peace and security agenda in its work and decision-making, and we certainly do not take it for granted that 17 years after the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), we still have points to focus on. Indeed, we need to redouble our efforts to ensure that the resolution and our work really matter and that it is implemented in a manner that makes a difference for the people on the ground. I would like to thank the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, Ms.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, let me say that it is clear that in the current security environment the United Nations can no longer solely rely on traditional methods to counter emerging threats and challenges. We need to continue being innovative, to adjust and remain flexible. We need to face the new challenges before spoilers disrupt delicate peace processes, before we risk losing even more Blue Helmets and, more importantly, before peace on the ground is endangered.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“For over 10 years now, Slovakia has identified security sector reform as one of the key elements for effective conflict prevention and successful post- conflict rehabilitation and stabilization. The lessons learned from many peace operations and missions clearly show that a nationally led and inclusive security sector reform process can progressively deal with the root causes of insecurity and fragility and create an enabling environment for sustainable peace and development to prevail. In addition, security sector reform is directly linked to the protection of civilians and the rule of law - two other critical tasks that have become an integral part ofalmost every peace operation. There is also a close linkage with peacebuilding.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of internal United Nations coordination. To do so, peace operations need to be part of an integrated approach. Missions must be linked to other available instruments for promoting peace, security and stability, including integrated planning, and implementation and assessment to ensure consistency and coherence. The High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations made important recommendations on reforming and strengthening United Nations peace operations through an effective political strategy, improved design and implementation of mandates and enhanced partnerships to make them much more effective, agile and responsive to the current realities.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“The mandates need to evolve and adapt so as to reflect operational and political realities on the ground. We shall always keep in mind the entire continuum of the conflict cycle, thinking one step ahead, but also looking one step back. That means that before we engage in a peacekeeping effort, we need to know why the conflict broke out, why the prevention endeavour did not work out, and also how we plan to arrive at a sustainable, long-term, durable solution. In other words, we need to ask questions such as the following: what are the benchmarks of progress? And, what is our exit strategy? Peacekeeping represents only one ofthe ingredients of the recipe for a sustainable solution. Maintaining peace and security is a complex endeavour, where various strands of United Nations assistance have their relevant place.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“We intend to continue in this endeavour and actively engage in peacekeeping operations in the years to come. Peacekeeping missions are a very valuable tool that needs to be employed with utmost attention and responsibility. We need to make sure that the peacekeeping operations will continue to restore the hope of the people and promote the credibility of the United Nations - not the opposite. We highly commend and subscribe to such initiatives as the Kigali Principles and the upcoming voluntary compact to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse. Being a peacekeeper means being accountable and holding yourself to the highest standards. We need aspirational goals and sustainable solutions and, for that, we need adaptable mandates - that is using our tools in an effective way at a given moment and under specific circumstances.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“Breaking the conflict cycles and arriving at sustainable solutions also mean that we need to continually evolve and adapt, in particular the ways and means that we have in our United Nations toolbox. Peacekeeping missions represent the flagship activity of the United Nations, but they should not be mistaken as a goal in itself. In each and every scenario, we need an overarching strategy that aims at achieving a sustainable solution grounded in a firm political agreement. Slovakia has been an active troop- and police-contributing country, having so far served in 19 United Nations missions with more than 7,500 men and women. Currently, our men and women in military and police uniforms wear the blue helmets in Cyprus, in the Golan Heights and in Haiti.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate, continuing the series of open debates in the Security Council over the past few months, addressing different aspects of sustaining peace. I would also like to state that Slovakia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. The United Nations is embarking on a process of major reform that is bound to revitalize the Organization in all three pillars of its work. The maintenance of international peace and security stands at the very core of the United Nations. It is not a coincidence that it has been anchored in the very first section of Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. Building on the spirit and upholding the principles of the Charter, we shall continue to aspire to high goals.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“Fourthly, continuing efforts must be made to maximize the relevance of the Security Council's annual report to the General Assembly, including by making the annual report more substantive and more analytical and by holding an interactive discussion on it with the General Assembly. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that Slovakia remains fully committed to the cause of the Council's openness, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness. We stand ready to continue contributing to the ongoing discussions and to concrete action aimed at achieving that long-term goal.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“This could also be achieved through better use of private Council meetings, more regular use of Arria Formula meetings and the holding of regular consultations between members and non-members of the Council on relevant issues. Thirdly, there must be a revitalization of private Security Council meetings with the troop-contributing countries. Such meetings have recently become too formalistic and have lost much of their original value, as envisaged in particular in resolutions 1353 (2001) and 1327 (2000) and in numerous presidential statements, most of which were adopted between 1994 and 2004.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“In addition, on the basis of its own recent experience as an elected member of the Security Council, Slovakia believes that further efforts in the near future should be focused on the following four areas. First, continuing efforts should be made to enhance the transparency and openness of the Council's work, including, and in particular, with regard to the work of its subsidiary bodies. Secondly, there must be continuing efforts to enhance and widen the interaction and the dialogue between the Council and other United Nations Member States, in particular those directly affected, concerned and interested. That issue is directly or indirectly referred to in at least 22 paragraphs of the 2006 note and is the sole topic of at least eight paragraphs.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“We have always seen the 2006 note by the President of the Security Council and its implementation as works in progress. The note and the agreed measures contained therein are only first and fairly modest - although very important - steps in the long term-effort to increase the openness, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the Council's work. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage the members of the Council to fully and consistently implement all agreed measures, as well as to continue discussing and assessing further practical ways and means to move things further along. The views expressed by other Member States, including at today's open debate, should be taken duly into account.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source
“I would just like to highlight the fact that, in an effort to further facilitate an exchange of Views related to the efforts to enhance the efficiency, openness and transparency of the Council's work, as well as of the Council's regular dialogue and interaction with other Member States, my delegation convened an Arria Formula meeting, which was held on 13 December 2007. This was generally seen as an innovative opportunity to discuss that relevant topic. A brief summary of the meeting and the related recommendations were set out in a document issued under the symbol S/2007/784. In spite of everything that I have said so far, we do not believe that there is still time for complacency or for a feeling that the job has already been done.”
2008-08-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5968 (2008) · source