YouSaid · the spoken record

Oshima

lines on the record: 900
first: 2001-04-23
most recent: 2007-06-22
sittings or episodes: 95
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

“We are encouraged that one of the core values that we have emphasized - that of Afghan ownership - is being respected to a large extent in the ongoing process, as exemplified in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. On the other hand, the challenges remain enormous - in the areas of security, counter-narcotics, the rule of law, good governance and development, to name but a few. As I reported on behalf of the Security Council mission, the people and the Government of Afghanistan are expected to continue with their tireless efforts on all of those fronts, and the international community, for its part, must extend adequate support, as envisaged in the Compact, so as to meet the benchmarks established therein and not repeat the failures of the past.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The unwavering commitment of the international community through the Security Council was again demonstrated when the Council dispatched its mission to Afghanistan last November, on the results of which I had the honour to report in this Chamber on 7 December. The situation in Afghanistan now stands at a crossroads, as was made amply clear in the most recent report by the Secretary-General (S/2007/152), as well as in the November Council mission report. On the one hand, we can see many positive achievements and signs of hope, such as the successful completion of the Bonn process and the commitment by the Afghan Government and people to address a multitude of challenges and problems. The Afghanistan Compact provides the essential vehicle and framework of a strategy, and its consistent implementation is clearly of central importance.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“The Government of Japan regards as very important that the whole process - all internal, regional and international efforts that contribute to the promotion of a constitutional democracy and to the strengthening of the consolidation of peace, reconstruction and development in Afghanistan - must move forward with as little hindrance and as much support from the international community as possible. That is essential not only for bettering the lives of the Afghan people, who have suffered for too long from hardship, but also for enhancing stability in the region of South, Central and West Asia, as well as for advancing the collective efforts of the international community on counter-terrorism. The United Nations, and especially the Security Council, plays a crucial role in this enterprise.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“I would like, first of all, to express to you, Mr. President, and to the members of the Council, Japan's appreciation for the opportunity to present its views on the situation in Afghanistan - a subject to which Japan attaches great importance. Let me also at the outset express our congratulations and best wishes to the Italian delegation for having taken over the lead role on Afghanistan this year from Japan. We appreciated the presence at this meeting of Mr. D'Alema, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Tom Koenigs, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, for their informative briefings.”
2007-03-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5641 (2007) · source
“We take this opportunity to reaffirm Japan's readiness and determination to continue its proactive, constructive engagement in the region and to extend the maximum assistance possible in order to contribute to the efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive and permanent peace, while working for stability and development in the region as a whole.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In conclusion, the Middle East region is fraught with risks and dangers, but at the same time there are encouraging initiatives that require strong support from the international community if we are to avert the further escalation of tension and conflict. Not least among the issues to be tackled are the situation in Iraq, the Iranian nuclear issue and the situation in Lebanon. Those issues are all affected by and interrelated with one another. That is why it is so important to ensure that progress is made on the core, central issue in the region - the Middle East peace process, including the Palestinian problems - leading to a positive outcome.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“There remain many challenges to be addressed, foremost among them the issue between Lebanon and Israel, to ensure the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and the stabilization of the situation in Lebanon. The disarming and disbanding of all remaining militias, as well as the delineation of the border, are among the key issues that must be tackled with vigour. A comprehensive peace that includes both the Lebanese and the Syrian tracks is the only way to achieve permanent peace in the region. From that point of view, Japan expects Syria to play a proactive role for the realization of regional peace and stability.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Japan hopes that the concerned parties and factions in Lebanon will engage proactively in the efforts for stability and reconstruction in the country through dialogue and without resorting to violence. In that regard, we appreciate the International Conference for Support to Lebanon convened in France last month, which sent a strong message reconfirming the resolve of the international community to continue providing support to Lebanon. At the same time, we strongly condemn the terrorist attack on innocent civilians that took place in Lebanon today, the day before the second anniversary of the attack against former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“We will implement projects for strengthening the Office of the President, for humanitarian assistance, including medical care and public health, and for job creation, as part of our support for President Abbas in his endeavours for peace. Japan will also continue working on the concept of a corridor of peace and prosperity, which is a development plan for the Jordan Valley, through regional cooperation involving Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Further action on that initiative will follow. Let me briefly touch upon the situation in Lebanon. Japan supports the efforts of the Lebanese Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Siniora, to achieve stability in Lebanon.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Of particular importance in that regard, in our view, is the need to give strong, tangible and visible support to President Abbas, who has been exerting the most serious efforts to ensure the interests of all of the Palestinian people. If a new Palestinian unity Government, once established, lives up to the intention to achieve peace and peaceful coexistence with Israel, the international community will undoubtedly respond positively to such a new direction. For its part, Japan will continue its assistance to the Palestinian people as a major and long-time participant in the international donor community for Palestinians.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Japan welcomes the recent diplomatic initiatives of the international community to revitalize the peace process, including Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts towards the agreement on the unity Government, the initiative by United States Secretary of State Rice to hold a tripartite meeting among Israel, Palestine and the United States, and the convening of the Quartet meetings. It is hoped that those efforts will lead, through further direct talks between the parties, Palestine and Israel, to a two-State solution reflecting previous international references, including the relevant Security Council resolutions, the road map and the Arab peace initiative.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Japan also expects that both the Israeli and Palestinian sides will continue their peace efforts with strong determination, especially regarding the remaining issues, such as the improvement of the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people, the extension of the ceasefire agreement to the West Bank, and the safe return of the abducted Israeli soldier, as well as the release of the Palestinian prisoners. At the same time, the international community, on its part, particularly countries in the region and the major donors, must undertake and strengthen proactive engagement to support the Palestinians' efforts to advance the peace process.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In that regard, we welcome as a positive step the fact that the Government of Israel has taken some measures for the partial transfer of tax and customs revenues to the Palestinian Authority and the easing of restrictions on the movement and access of the Palestinian people following the summit meeting held last December between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. That being said, we expect Israel to take steps to reduce the number of checkpoints and to transfer further tax and customs revenues.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“While the international community can and should help, it is the Palestinians who bear the primary responsibility to bring unity to their effort to address those problems. We therefore commend the fact that President Abbas and Hamas Political Bureau head Mr. Meshaal agreed, in their recent talks in Saudi Arabia, to form a unity Government in order to end the political difficulties in the Palestinian territories. That positive step should contribute to the resumption of the peace process. Japan strongly expects that, based on the agreement, the violence will cease and the new unity Government that is to be established will make serious efforts to advance the peace process with Israel. Japan gives every encouragement to the Palestinians and Israelis in their common effort to find normalcy and peace, and will follow developments closely.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this public debate on the Middle East. I also thank Mr. Alvaro de Soto for his comprehensive and - I must add - unfailingly lucid briefing on the often opaque and always complex situation in the Middle East region. The picture of the situation in the Middle East that Mr. De Soto has presented reflects, indeed, a mixture of anxiety and expectation. First, on Palestine, the international community harbours deep concerns over the unremitting deterioration in the political, security, economic and humanitarian spheres in Palestine, and in particular about the political conflict between Palestinian factions over the past few weeks, which has resulted in many deaths and casualties.”
2007-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5629Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Before concluding, I would like reiterate Japan's continued commitment to support all efforts towards sustainable peace and development beyond the peacekeeping stage. The successful conduct of the upcoming elections will be an important milestone in Timor-Leste's endeavours in the area of peacebuilding. To that end, I am pleased to announce that my Government will be organizing a peacebuilding seminar on Timor-Leste in Tokyo this March, as a case study in the context of the future work of the Peacebuilding Commission. We hope that exercise will contribute to enriching our discussion and accumulating good practices on peacebuilding.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Another point to be emphasized is the need for close cooperation and the forging of a partnership among the political leaders of the country if peace and stability in Timor-Leste are to sustain themselves. From that point of view, we regard it as a welcome, positive step that the Government of Timor-Leste and UNMIT last month held the first meeting of the Committee on High-level Coordination provided for in resolution 1704 (2006) in order to ensure effective mutual cooperation. Japan has been a consistent and strong supporter of Timor-Leste in recent years, in particular since that country's independence. Last year, we were privileged to lead this forum to adopt the resolution to establish UNMIT. We intend to continue our active participation as a member of the core group on Timor-Leste.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Those two agreements complete the security arrangements between the Secretary-General and the international security forces called for in Security Council resolution 1704 (2006). They form the basis for closer cooperation between Timor-Leste, the United Nations and Australia in preparing for the elections. We take note of the Secretary-General's report (S/2007/50), which points to the possibility of a gradual drawdown of some 600 police force contingents following an assessment of the situation after the upcoming elections. Bearing that in mind, we support his recommendation that UNMIT be reinforced with a formed police unit to ensure the success of the elections.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“For the successful conduct of the upcoming elections in a free and fair atmosphere, maintaining security and public order in the capital and throughout the country is of the utmost importance. The UNMIT police component and the international security forces must ensure such an environment in the country. In that context, we are particularly appreciative of Australia's and New Zealand's continuing contribution to the international security forces and to security sector reform in Timor-Leste. I am pleased to mention here that Japan dispatched police personnel to UNMIT this month. We welcome the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Timor-Leste, the United Nations and Australia, as well as the technical arrangement agreed between the United Nations and the international security forces.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Timor-Leste will hold important national elections later this year - the second elections since its independence. At such a critical juncture, it is clear that the country needs strong continued support from the international community, of which UNMIT constitutes the main, indispensable component. Japan therefore supports and expects that the Security Council will take a decision to extend the mandate of UNMIT for 12 months. The Government and people of Timor-Leste took a significant step forward at the end of last year when their legislature adopted the election law. In accordance with that law, the presidential election is now set for April. We hope that it will be followed by national elections, with the date to be decided by consensus among the parties concerned.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“I would like to thank you, Sir, for your initiative to have this debate with the participation of Prime Minister Ramos-Horta. I take this opportunity to express our high respect to Prime Minister Ramos-Horta for his untiring efforts to address many difficult issues facing his country, including particularly for national reconciliation. I wish also to commend Special Representative of the Secretary-General Atul Khare and his team for their dedication and excellent professional work on the ground. This debate provides a welcome opportunity for us Member States to express our continued support for peace, stability and development in Timor-Leste, as the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) is to expire at the end of this month.”
2007-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5628 (2007) · source
“Fourthly, the Council, after receiving reports from the Commission, should consider issuing its reaction in the form of a presidential statement or other statements, as appropriate, to encourage synergy and interaction in the process of formulating and implementing an integrated strategy. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Japan's strong commitment, as a member of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission, to contribute to the work of Commission and to the relevant discussions in the Security Council. I am also happy to announce Japan's intention to hold a peacebuilding seminar on Timor-Leste in Tokyo this March. I hope that the Commission and the Council will further advance the deliberations on the issue that we have discussed today.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“Several steps will need to be considered for that purpose. First, the Chairs of the Commission's Organizational Committee and/or those of its country- specific meetings should make a timely report to the Council on their deliberations, in the form of a letter or a briefing. Secondly, the President of the Council and the Chairs of the Commission should have regular meetings. Thirdly, the Chair of the Organizational Committee or of the country-specific meeting should be invited to the public meeting of the Council on the situation in the country under consideration.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In other words, we believe that the peacebuilding strategy of the Peacebuilding Commission, if it is properly formulated, should incorporate the exit strategies of peacekeeping operations and integrated offices. It is the Council's mandate to decide on the timing of the withdrawal of such missions. My delegation hopes that, through the consideration and implementation of an integrated strategy, the Peacebuilding Commission will provide valuable advice to the Council on when and how to exit these missions and hand over the tasks to the follow-up United Nations teams. Before concluding, I wish to touch upon some procedural aspects. It is important to find ways to enhance synergy between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council by systematically streamlining the flow of information between them.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“I believe that the replication of this model in other country situations, as appropriate, will serve a very useful coordination and monitoring function on the ground, involving all players in the peacebuilding effort. Thirdly, if the integrated peacebuilding strategy is to contribute to promoting a transition from conflict to stability, it will have to ensure the seamless transfer of responsibilities from the post-conflict phase to the reconstruction and development phase. One of the model processes may be the transition from a peacekeeping operation to an integrated office and eventually to a United Nations country team, as we foresee in the cases of Sierra Leone and Burundi.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The JCMB consists of 28 members and is co-chaired at a high level by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and a special adviser of President Karzai. The members include the major financial and military contributors, neighbouring countries and international organizations, as well as key ministers of the Afghan Government. The J CMB is also a political body that provides strategic advice and coordinates international and national efforts aimed at the effective implementation of the Afghanistan Compact, which is, in effect, the living comprehensive peacebuilding strategy for Afghanistan. During the visit by the Security Council mission to Afghanistan last November, which I had the honour to lead, we had the opportunity to observe the functioning of that body.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Commission should accelerate its work on developing an integrated strategy, in consultation with the host Governments and involving all the relevant stakeholders, such as bilateral donors, the United Nations country team, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and civil society. Secondly, any peacebuilding strategy to be developed will be useful only if it is implemented and delivered effectively on the ground. To that end, the establishment of an on-site coordination and monitoring mechanism would contribute significantly to the implementation of the strategy and should be considered. In that regard, although Afghanistan has not been selected as a target country for the purposes of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) in Afghanistan offers an interesting model.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“In that process, it is important to ensure that there are ways in which both the substantive and the procedural aspects of cooperation between the Commission and the Council can be developed. In more specific terms, here are some ideas for consideration. First of all, the Peacebuilding Commission has done some good work in identifying the specific needs for peacebuilding in Sierra Leone and Burundi. It has established the priority areas that are essential to sustain peace in those two post-conflict countries, and further efforts in that area of work will need to be strengthened. However, the key task of formulating an integrated peacebuilding strategy for the two countries has yet to be tackled.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“That said, the core task of the Peacebuilding Commission is to bring together, under one roof, a post-conflict country under consideration and its international partners to discuss and bring into being an integrated peacebuilding strategy, appropriate to that country, that is sensible, coherent and workable. Through that process, the Commission is expected to contribute to effective peace consolidation in the country in question by bridging the gap between the post-conflict recovery phase and the development phase. When it comes to matters related to the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council bears primary responsibility in supporting peace consolidation through actions falling under its purview - for example, by deploying United Nations peacekeeping operations and integrated offices.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“This means, obviously, that there must be ways to ensure meaningful interface and interaction between the Commission on the one hand and those relevant principal organs and bodies on the other, if the work of the Commission is to be useful and effective. As a sitting member of the Commission and a past member of the Security Council through the end of last year, Japan has emphasized that point, advocating the importance of improving the cooperation among United Nations organs - especially between the Commission and the Security Council - and presenting some practical suggestions to that end.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“The Japanese delegation expresses its appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your timely initiative to organize this important open debate. This meeting, together with the forthcoming General Assembly debate on the same subject scheduled for 6 February, will mark the first significant step towards setting the peacebuilding agenda in the broader United Nations system-wide context, which will, in turn, certainly contribute to improving the work of the Peacebuilding Commission itself. The Peacebuilding Commission has been established as an intergovernmental advisory body to address issues which encompass the mandates of the principal organs, including the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as well as of numerous other bodies within the United Nations system.”
2007-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5627Resumption1 (2007) · source
“However, this resolution does not mean the end of the negotiations on the issue. The resolution keeps the door open for negotiations with Iran and explicitly mentions the reversibility of the measures that it introduces. Japan enjoys the right to the peaceful of use of nuclear energy to the fullest in full compliance with its international obligations. We are a country that traditionally has enjoyed good, important relations with Iran. In adopting this resolution, we earnestly hope and appeal to Iran that it will seek to resolve this issue at the earliest possible time through diplomatic negotiations in full respect of its international obligations. That ought not to be impossible. To that end, Japan will continue to contribute to the efforts to resolve the issue through bilateral negotiations with Iran and other diplomatic channels.”
2006-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5612 (2006) · source
“We believe that Iran's case, where it has failed to comply with the requirements set out by the IAEA and the Security Council, must be dealt with based on the basis of a principled stand. At the same time, the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy by all States is also important and must be fully respected and protected. Iran has that right, just as much as any other country. We hope and expect that, in the exercise of that right, Iran will fully comply with its international obligations and give its utmost cooperation to the IAEA so that it will be able to enjoy fully the fruits of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Because of the importance of non-proliferation, and taking into account the measured approach in the text, Japan voted in favour of the resolution.”
2006-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5612 (2006) · source
“On the contrary, the situation has worsened, with Iran's expansion of its enrichment- and reprocessing-related activities. Japan attaches great importance to the non- proliferation of nuclear weapons as an issue that can affect its own national peace and security and that of the international community. Proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, along with their means of delivery, is a clear and present global challenge posing a great threat and must be handled with firm determination. It is our strong belief that, in order to counter such a threat, actual or potential, the international community must act appropriately, resolutely and in a timely manner wherever it occurs, be it in the Middle East, North-East Asia or elsewhere in the world.”
2006-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5612 (2006) · source
“It is a matter of great regret that the Council has been compelled to act in this Chamber on another resolution regarding Iran's nuclear issue only five months after adopting resolution 1696 (2006). Over the course of this year, we have had intensive discussions on the Iranian nuclear issue in the Council as concerted international efforts continued for the purpose of seeking a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of this problem by the States concerned, including my own. These efforts, however, have failed to produce positive results. In defiance of resolution 1696 (2006), Iran has refused to take any steps required of it to comply with the measures set out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Security Council, including the suspension of enrichment- and reprocessing-related activities.”
2006-12-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5612 (2006) · source
“In addition, Japan is preparing a handbook on the working methods of the Security Council which contains official documents relating to the working methods of the Council, including the note by the President and the provisional rules of procedure, in handbook format. That publication itself is not an official document, and it will be produced and distributed to anyone interested under the sole responsibility of the Permanent Mission of Japan and as a temporary measure, pending such a handbook being found useful and the Council deciding to issue it, or something like it, as a Secretariat publication later on. That concludes my report on the work of the Working Group on documentation.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“Fourthly, any member of the Security Council convening an Arria-formula meeting should inform all participating Security Council members about the planned procedures for and participation in the meeting, and is encouraged to do so well in advance. Those are the four points on Arria-formula meetings. With regard to promoting the implementation of the recommendations contained in the note, the Chair felt it useful to prepare a non-paper in which various agreed recommendations are reconfigured so as to allow prospective users, such as the President of the Security Council and members of subsidiary bodies, some ease of reference. The non-paper has already been distributed to the members of the Council and will be included in the briefing materials prepared by the Secretariat for the benefit of new members of the Council in future.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“First, the members of the Security Council are encouraged to plan Arria-formula meetings, in accordance with paragraph 54 of the note by the President of the Security Council in document S/2006/507, and to take part in such meetings. Secondly, the content of the background note on Arria-formula meetings prepared by the Secretariat in 2002 provides a useful description of current and past practices relating to Arria-formula meetings, and the members are encouraged to utilize the background note as a guideline, without undermining the flexibility of Arria-formula meetings. Thirdly, any member of the Security Council convening an Arria-formula meeting is encouraged to carefully organize the meeting so as to maintain its informal character.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“In the latter half of the year, the Working Group continued its discussions, mainly on two issues: first, the procedure for conducting Arria-formula meetings, and, secondly, ways of promoting the implementation of the recommendations contained in the note by the President. With regard to holding Arria-formula meetings, which had been the practice for some years, members of the Council requested the Working Group in September 2006 to discuss the appropriate way to conduct the meetings, believing that there was a need for some clarity on this aspect. In response to that request, the Working Group met twice and reached a common understanding on the conduct of Arria- formula meetings, which I shall now present orally. There are four points.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The second group of issues relates to the Council's relationship with non-members. As a result of the discussions, the Working Group produced a set of recommendations to be presented to the Council for its approval. Those recommendations included, for ease of reference, the agreements on working methods that already are in place, some of which go as far back as 1993, as well as newly agreed or updated measures for improvement. The Council eventually approved the recommendations of the Working Group, which are contained in a note by the President of the Security Council (S/2006/507).”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“It was agreed earlier this year that part of the revitalization effort should begin with a change in the way in which the chairmanship of this Working Group functioned. In lieu of the old practice, whereby the chairmanship rotated with the monthly presidency, the Council decided to appoint a Chair with a term of office lasting several months. That change had the advantage of making it easier for the Working Group to function in a more focused and consistent manner. Japan was appointed as Chair until the end of June, an appointment that was eventually extended through December this year. Between March and July 2006, the Working Group met 11 times and examined various proposals on two categories of issues. The first group of issues relates to the Council's own internal work, with a view to increasing its efficiency.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“At the beginning of this year, the Council agreed to revitalize its Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions in the belief that there was a need to further improve Security Council working methods and procedures. This also matched the larger membership's concern at, and strong interest in, this issue, as reflected in paragraph 154 of the 2005 Summit Outcome Document. In the Outcome Document, our leaders stated that the Security Council should continue to adapt its working methods so as to increase the involvement of States not members of the Council in its work in order to enhance its accountability to the membership and increase the transparency of its work.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“In conclusion, I wish to stress once again that the Working Group's main objective is to promote mutual understanding among the members of the Security Council, troop-contributing countries and other major stakeholders, and the Secretariat. From this viewpoint, allow me to speak in my national capacity. Japan intends to continue to cooperate with the Working Group after we leave the Council at the end of this year. I hope that we, as one of the major stakeholders, and other stakeholders will continue to be given opportunities to express our views when the Council makes important decisions on peacekeeping. I should like now to address the issue of working methods in my capacity as Chairman of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“Fifthly, it is felt advisable that when the Working Group tackles specific issues, such as that of sexual exploitation and abuse, these should be dealt with in the context of a specific mission or missions rather than in a general policy manner, which falls within the realm of the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations; such a focus of attention could lend itself to the solution of the specific problem under consideration. Sixth and finally, the Security Council and the General Assembly should maintain an appropriate level of interaction, respecting one another's authority and mandate. That is why we believe it important that the Working Group put itself in contact periodically with the Bureau of the General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The report recommends that the Working Group hold meetings with troop-contributing countries and other major stakeholders at times of crisis affecting the safety and security of mission personnel and the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, and also in order to address issues that have broader ramifications beyond a particular mission. Thirdly, the modalities of Working Group meetings should be as flexible as possible, and when necessary there should be meetings at the expert level. Fourthly, in discussing the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in a given country situation, the Working Group should bear in mind that the discussion may be of assistance in the work of the Peacebuilding Commission if the Commission decides to deal with the country in question.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“One of the recommendations in the report is to encourage the Working Group to hold a meeting at the time of the creation of a new mission or of a renewal involving substantial changes in the mandate, structure or size of a mission, inviting troop-contributing countries and other major stakeholders to attend. I cannot stress too much the importance of having exchanges of views with major stakeholders when the Council establishes a new mission or changes the mandate of an existing mission. The dialogue with major stakeholders becomes crucial if the Council is to ensure their willing and full cooperation as the size, the nature and the budget of peacekeeping operations continue to expand. Secondly, the Working Group should be flexible in taking up issues that affect the operation of a mission.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The Working Group also met to consider certain specific issues that needed member States' special attention, such as the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse, focusing on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and the issue of inter-mission cooperation and harmonization, focusing on the three missions deployed in West Africa: in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire. The report then makes a number of recommendations for making the work of the Working Group more meaningful and effective. Let me highlight a few elements that I consider most important.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“The report of the Working Group before the Council in document S/2006/972 describes activities carried out by the Working Group over the past two years. Meetings were held at the time of the creation of a new mission, for example in the case of the setting up of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) in February 2005, and when a mission's mandate was modified and its structure changed, for example in the case of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) earlier this year. There were meetings to discuss operational issues that affected a mission's capabilities and the safety and security of its personnel, such as when restrictions on movement were imposed on UNMEE by Eritrea.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“To secure the cooperation and support of a wide range of Member States, it is necessary that the transparency of the process and the involvement of key stakeholders be ensured as much as possible so that there is a proper understanding of the activities of the Security Council in the field of peacekeeping, in particular when a new operation is created or when the mandate of an existing mission is changed. It is with that in mind that we felt the need to revitalize the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, which can serve as an effective forum for the promotion of better interaction between Council members and other interested Member States by providing the opportunity to engage in close, interactive dialogue with troop-contributing countries, financial contributors and other major stakeholders, and with the Secretariat.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source
“However, the recent surge in United Nations peacekeeping operations has gone far beyond expectations in terms of both the number of personnel and the budget. As of the end of October 2006, the number of missions supported by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations had reached 18, with over 80,000 troops and police and with a budget of more than $5 billion - which is nearly three times the size of the regular budget of the United Nations, and which appears to be growing even further. Recently, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in public remarks, indicated that the number of peacekeepers might increase to between 120,000 and 140,000 in the near future. Operations of that magnitude cannot be sustained without the strong commitment of Member States in terms of both personnel and financial contributions, and in political terms.”
2006-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5601 (2006) · source