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Pecsteen De Buytswerve

lines on the record: 949
first: 2016-08-23
most recent: 2020-07-28
sittings or episodes: 176
sources: un-security-council

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“It is essential that operations mandated by the Security Council respect the highest standards of the African Union and the United Nations in the area of human rights, conduct, discipline and monitoring. We commend the commitments and efforts made in that regard. The United Nations and the African Union cold also strengthen their partnership in that area. The third point relates to young people. More than 60 per cent of Africa's population is under 25. Young people are the future and investing in them is crucial for lasting peace. Education, training and employment are crucial to preventing radicalization and to shielding them from being influenced by hate speech and recruited by violent groups.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006Reprise1 (2017) · source
“I would like to underscore three points that we believe deserve particular attention. The first point is mediation. The African Union and subregional organizations play an increasingly important role in the area of mediation - and that is a good thing. We believe that the region is often ideally placed either to play the role of mediator or to contribute to national or international mediation efforts. In February, Belgium organized an international conference on mediation. It hopes to continue the discussion on effective mediation and intends to organize another event in the coming months that will focus on mediation efforts in Africa. The second point relates to human rights. The year 2016 marked the African Year of Human Rights.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006Reprise1 (2017) · source
“options and types of support possible, as demonstrated by past experience and the models highlighted by the Secretary-General in his May report (S/2017/454). We eagerly await additional proposals from the Secretary-General on reforms in the areas of peace and security, which should focus in particular on achieving greater efficiency on the ground. We also commend the efforts of the African Union to strengthen accountability mechanisms for monitoring human rights, conduct and discipline within its own operations. The Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for an Enhanced Partnership on Peace and Security, signed on 19 April, is broad-based and ambitious. It focuses on sustainable peace and covers all aspects of conflict cycles. We believe that it is important to maintain that broad-based approach.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006Reprise1 (2017) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank you, Sir, for having convened today's debate on peace and security in Africa. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union and would like to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Although the number of crises and conflicts in Africa on the Security Council's agenda remain regrettably high, it is also true that over the past few decades, peace has been restored in many of the continent's regions. The United Nations, the African Union and many regional organizations played an important role in that achievement. There is no single model for cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union; there are various situations.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006Reprise1 (2017) · source
“Unfortunately, the perpetrators of sexual violence respond with threats and acts of revenge, as demonstrated by the recent murder of a close collaborator of Dr. Mukwege. We therefore reiterate our call on the Congolese authorities and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take all the measures necessary to protect Dr. Mukwege, his team and his patients. I cannot end without taking my turn in expressing our appreciation to Ms. Zainab Bangura, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and her team for their outstanding commitment. We welcome the appointment of her successor, Ms. Pramila Patten, and assure her of our full support.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Those victims must not become victims a second time because of stigmatization by their families and communities. It is the perpetrators of crimes of sexual violence who should be ashamed, not the victims. It is therefore important to provide socioeconomic and psychosocial support for the victims. In that regard, Iwould like to mention, as an example, the excellent work of Dr. Mukwege at Panzi Hospital in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a region where, unfortunately, sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war. Dr. Mukwege's hospital not only provides victims with access to medical care, it provides psychosocial support as well as lawyers to assist victims in obtaining legal redress.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“As for sexual violence in Syria, we believe that the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism recently established by General Assembly resolution 71/248 also plays an important role. The Mechanism aims to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Syria, including, of course, the issue of sexual violence addressed in this debate. In the same vein, allow me to welcome the work of the joint rapid response units and UN-Women and the firm impact of the personnel on the ground in Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi as they seek to ensure justice and accountability. In addition to the fight against impunity, reintegrating the victims of sexual violence is paramount.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“First of all, we welcome the countries mentioned in the Secretary-General's report (S/2017/249) that have worked actively to establish a legislative framework and take effective measures. We commend the outstanding work of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict in supporting national efforts leading to tangible results - for example, in Guinea. My delegation therefore wishes to highlight the importance ofthe Secretary-General's recommendation calling on the Security Council to fully include the issue of conflict-related sexual violence in the work of the sanctions committees. The undeniable legitimacy of the sanctions adopted in that context will indeed lead to strengthened collective efforts in the fight against the scourge.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank the Uruguayan presidency for convening this debate and for providing us with an opportunity to participate. My delegation fully aligns itselfwith the statements delivered on behalf of the European Union and the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. The fight against sexual violence is a priority for Belgium. We are about to adopt our third national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000). The issue of sexual violence against women, including conflict- related violence, is of great importance. For Belgium, accountability is critical in the fight against impunity for crimes of sexual violence. Justice is a prerequisite for building peace and breaking the cycle of conflict. I would like to quickly highlight a few points.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Such a treaty would be a useful tool for facilitating better cooperation among States investigating and prosecuting those crimes, and would enable signatories to both comply with their international obligations and strengthen their national legal system. Of course, the primary responsibility to prosecute such crimes lies with each State but, because of their transnational nature, this proves to be a challenging task. Indeed, the suspects, witnesses, evidence or materials attesting to acts of human trafficking must often be gathered from several States. As such, effective mutual legal assistance among States is essential for States that wish to investigate and prosecute those crimes to ensure justice for the victims.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Since human trafficking during conflicts is often for sexual exploitation, a section of the action plan details several concrete actions for those cases, including support for and cooperation with bilateral partners in order to embed attention for and expertise on the matter in national police andjustice apparatuses, and the promotion of practical international legal cooperation tools. With regard to international cooperation on criminal matters, I note the initiative mentioned by Argentina, Belgium, the Netherlands and Slovenia during the previous open debate on human trafficking (see S/PV.7847) - to promote the negotiation of a multilateral treaty for mutual legal assistance among States and extradition for domestic prosecution of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“It also teaches a "train the trainers" course for defence personnel who combat human trafficking. Relevant training is also provided to the personnel of the federal agency that welcomes asylum seekers. Additionally, a manual has been prepared to educate asylum seekers on the conditions and rights of workers in Belgium so as to reduce the risk of abuse and exploitation. On the second issue, the fight against impunity is a core component of our national action plan on women, peace, and security. One of the priorities of the plan is the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence, including sexual violence. This is a topic that we also address in our commission on the status of women.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank the United Kingdom for organizing this open debate. Human trafficking is, unfortunately, an increasingly common feature of modern conflict. In that regard, I wish to reply to two of the main questions asked in the concept note drafted for the debate (S/2017/198, annex). First, how can the United Nations and its Member States better address vulnerable women and girls, children, and displaced persons? Second, how can we ensure justice for victims of slavery, human trafficking or forced labor during conflicts? With regard to the first question, the Belgian national action plan against human trafficking utilizes different strategies to address vulnerable populations. For instance, it takes gender into account.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the full support of Belgium for the Secretary-General in his goal to increase the effectiveness of the United Nations in the area of conflict prevention. Belgium is ready to play its role in that field and has made contributions. Last week we organized an international conference in Brussels on mediation, and we propose to share the lessons from that conference later on, here at the United Nations.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Fifty years ago this year, Belgium, through its then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pierre Harmel, proposed an innovative vision for emerging from the division of the world resulting from Cold War logic. That vision, known as the Harmel Doctrine, advocated dialogue while maintaining a firm stance on the need to defend our values in a divided Europe. That doctrine helped pave the way for the East-West detente. Although the international context has evolved considerably since then, that doctrine is, in our view, still relevant today. Dialogue should serve to clarify our defence policies and postures, thereby becoming a prime confidence-building and security measure. That approach remains absolutely relevant today. Rebuilding confidence begins with respect for the agreed communication mechanisms of multilateral institutions in Europe.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“While most European countries have experienced an unprecedented period of peace in their recent history, that is also the result of the establishment of unique and efficient multilateral institutions. Alongside the previously mentioned European Union, let us also mention the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Atlantic Alliance, all of which have, in their respective fields, contributed to the stability of our continent. Now more than ever, those institutions must continue to play a central role in the peaceful management and prevention of conflicts in Europe. They are all actors that can, working in close cooperation and in conjunction with the United Nations, take effective action to promote the peace and stability of the European continent.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“That is a step backwards and an unacceptable insult to the ideals of the Charter of the United Nations. We must denounce this perplexing situation. The use of war and violence does not provide lasting solutions; on the contrary, it exacerbates crises and creates new threats. European reconstruction is one of the most successful examples of political voluntarism, which led to reconciliation between historic adversaries. The experience of the European Union offers a reason to hope, as well as a source of inspiration, for all modern-day conflicts - sometimes portrayed as intractable - where the use of weapons is falsely portrayed as the only viable solution.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): Allow me, first of all, to express my deepest condolences to the Russian Mission for the loss of Ambassador Churkin, who was also well-known in Belgium where he had also been stationed and where tribute was paid to him this morning. I thank the Ukrainian presidency for organizing this open debate on the important subject of peace and security in Europe. Belgium supports the statement made by the observer of the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks. Let us first highlight the reasons to be concerned in the face of the increasing number of armed conflicts around the world. Today, war seems to have become once again an acceptable option and, for some, the continuation of aggressive diplomacy.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The example of the Security Council's support for the Arusha Peace Accords is a positive illustration of that. Finally, the use of mediation as an instrument for the prevention and resolution of conflicts must become more systematic. Belgium fully supports the Secretary- General's work on mediation and advocates increasing the capacity of regional organizations in that field. Belgium also calls for women to play an active role in the mediation and conflict-resolution processes in their countries. I would like to take this opportunity to point out that Belgium will organize, on 14 February in Brussels, a high-level international conference on the subject of mediation.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Belgium also advocates that transition and exit strategies should be adequately articulated around political processes, which should include the processes of demobilization, disarmament, reintegration, security-sector reform, transitional justice and institution-building, as well as capacity-building. The Security Council can contribute in several ways to the goal of peacebuilding. It begins with the inclusion in the text of its statements and resolutions of concepts emphasizing the inclusiveness of such a global approach. Whether it is women, children or minorities, a specific mention can make a difference. Moreover, its positions, whether to support a mediation process or a peace agreement, or to condemn the lack of progress, have an impact.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Specific action in that area helps break the vicious cycle of violence and can serve as a tremendous instrument for conflict prevention. The Security Council is regularly called upon to review the mandates of peace operations, modify them or decide to put an end to them. The transitional phases resulting from those developments can lead to periods of fragility for the State in question. Belgium therefore pleads for better articulation of the activities of peacekeeping operations with the rest of the United Nations system, particularly during times of transition.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Particular attention to fragile and conflict-affected countries is all the more necessary in order to ensure their inclusive development through sustained peace. For example, Belgium has decided to allocate 50 per cent of its official development assistance to fragile and less- developed countries. Belgium implores other donors to do the same. During a conflict, transitional measures can be taken to invest in future peace. It is important, for example, to launch an educational and reconciliation process for the victims of conflict in order to avoid the perpetuation of violence by a generation that has lost its standards. In that regard, the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflict through appropriate programmes is crucial to efforts to ensure lasting peace and security.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Even in the absence of conflict, we should focus on peacebuilding by working on human rights, sustainable development and the rule of law. Conflicts do not happen by chance. In that regard, we consider it useful to continue to consider the establishment of an early- warning mechanism at the United Nations, like those in other international organizations. The prerogative of the Secretary-General to draw the attention of the Council to a situation posing a risk to peace and security is fundamental. Regular contacts between the Security Council and the Secretariat seem to be another way of proceeding. Existing practices, such as the forward- looking overview, need to be revitalized. Investing in sustainable development, education, human rights and the rule of law is crucial.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium thanks the presidency of Sweden for having provided us with this opportunity to together undertake strategic reflection on an issue that is of primordial importance and at the very heart of our Organization. I also warmly thank the Secretary- General for his committed words. We are very pleased that he has chosen to accord significant importance to this topic during his mandate. We support his efforts fully, as well as the integrated approach that he presented to us this morning. Belgium fully subscribes to the statement of the European Union, as well as that of Finland, delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of Mediation, to which we belong. I wish to make additional remarks, and will read out an abbreviated version of my statement.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Looking forward, we believe that the most concrete and effective way for Member States to act against that type of crime would be to join the permanent declaration in support of the opening of negotiations on such a procedural multilateral treaty, and we encourage our colleagues here to do so.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“For that reason, Argentina, Belgium, Slovenia and the Netherlands have taken the initiative to promote negotiations on a multilateral treaty for mutual legal assistance and extradition for domestic prosecution of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Such a treaty would serve as a tool to facilitate better practical cooperation between States investigating and prosecuting such crimes, which would, in turn, enable them to both comply with their international obligations and empower their national judiciaries. Ensuring accountability for perpetrators engaging in human trafficking is one of the most effective ways to combat and prevent such odious acts.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Owing to the transnational nature of this type of crimes, suspects and witnesses, evidence and assets relating to acts of human trafficking will often not be found in the territory of one single State. That means that States that wish to investigate and prosecute such crimes will have to rely heavily on full practical and judicial cooperation from other States to be truly effective. However, an increasing number of States share the opinion of practitioners and legal experts from all regions of the world that the current international procedural legal framework for mutual legal assistance and extradition for such international crimes is incomplete and outdated. They believe that the most efficient and practical way to fill that gap is to open negotiations for a new multilateral instrument for international cooperation.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Moreover, in addition to the statutes and decisions of various international criminal courts and tribunals, most States Members of the United Nations, in their national legal frameworks, consider enslavement, conflict-related sexual violence and other acts that derive from human trafficking in conflict situations to amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes. At this point, it is worth recalling that in most cases, States have the jurisdiction to prosecute such crimes, either because the crimes happened fully or in part in their territory or because they have jurisdiction over the victim or over the perpetrator. The primary responsibility to prosecute lies, therefore, with States. Very often, that proves to be a challenging task.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“We welcome the reports of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361) and on the implementation of measures to counter trafficking in persons (S/2016/949). In this brief intervention, we wish to give some elements of an answer to two of the main questions asked in the concept note (S/2016/1031, annex), including what Members States can do to better prevent and combat trafficking in persons, particularly as that relates to conflict-related sexual violence, and how we can ensure the accountability of those who engage in trafficking in persons in conflict situations. Enslavement and conflict-related sexual violence are forbidden by a number of treaties and by customary international law.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“I am pleased to take the floor on behalf of Argentina, the Netherlands, Slovenia and my own country, Belgium. First of all, we thank Spain and the Security Council for organizing this ministerial open debate on trafficking in persons in conflict situations. Human trafficking is not simply an ordinary category of crime with transnational dimensions but indubitably ranks as one of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. In recent years and in too many parts of the world, widespread conflict-related sexual violence, enslavement and other acts of human trafficking have been reported. This morning we heard the deeply moving testimonies of two representatives of the victims of those crimes. Human trafficking nowadays represents the world's fastest-growing criminal industry.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Recent experience has shown that proactive and creative initiatives can support the aims of the Convention where diplomatic negotiations are lagging behind. One example would be peer-review exercises, a new approach that could help boos confidence in conformity with the Convention. In conclusion, initiatives could also be developed at the industrial and academic levels, including drafting codes of conduct and boosting biosafety, including by devising new standards.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“That is also a contribution to non-proliferation. Radioactive sources are also equally vulnerable and could be diverted for nefarious purposes. We must therefore support new medical and industrial technologies that would enable us to significantly replace or reduce the use of those sources. We will continue to support the nuclear security work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, including financially. Thirdly, with regard to biological weapons, we regret that the eighth Review Conference of the Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention did not succeed in making a qualitative leap at the very moment when we are seeing growing threats. But we must not give up; the collective and individual challenge before us is too important.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“The use of chemical weapons cannot go unpunished, and concerted international action in that regard is important. Secondly, with respect to the nuclear aspect, it is of paramount importance to secure the existing sensitive material and to reduce its quantity. On its part, Belgium has considerably reduced the quantity of sensitive nuclear material in its territory. We have created a new specialized police unit at the federal level in order to ensure a permanent armed response capacity at our nuclear sites. Until it is fully rolled out, those sites are currently secured by military units. Our nuclear experts are at the forefront of international efforts to design and test various types of fuels that could eventually replace highly enriched uranium in our reactors used for cutting-edge research.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“In this regard, Belgium welcomes the unanimous support of the Security Council for resolution 2325 (2016), which it adopted today. First of all, with respect to chemical weapons, the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons needs to be improved. To date, only 118 States parties have sufficient national legislation in this area. We must therefore pay greater attention to making sure that all States abide by their obligations. We must also unequivocally condemn any views of weapons of mass destruction regardless of where or by whomever they are used. For that reason, the Security Council must be unanimous in its condemnation of any use of chemical weapons in Syria, whether by Da'esh or by the Syrian regime.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium fully supports the statement made by the observer of the European Union, and I wish to make the following remarks in my national capacity. At the outset, I welcome the outstanding background work carried out by the delegation of Spain during the comprehensive review process of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Twelve years after the adoption of that resolution, we must face reality. For the first time, non-State actors have used weapons of mass destruction, in Syria and Iraq. What must we do with this reality? In the immediate term, we must improve the implementation of relevant provisions and commitments, including through greater international cooperation.”
2016-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7837 (2016) · source
“The danger that threatens the very survival of those States should be recognized by the international community. Climate change must be countered in an effective way. Inaction would be disastrous for our planet. In conclusion, I want to say that water, like other natural resources, is a crucial element for human development, but also, as a corollary, for international peace and security. Owing to the increasing link between water resources management and peace and security issues, the Security Council will in the future have to deal increasingly with issues related to that topic. Certainly, Belgium urges the Council, in keeping with its efforts aimed at sustaining peace, to become actively involved in the topic.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“For its part, Belgium - as part of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, which aims at promoting national and regional mechanisms for managing natural resources, in particular water - has developed proj ects on water management and sustainable agriculture in order to combat desertification in several countries of the region. The third topic that I would like to focus on concerns small island developing States. That category of States, because of their particular physical, demographic and economic characteristics, faces complicated issues in the management of their freshwater supplies. Global warming has further aggravated the situation that those islands find themselves in. It has led to rising ocean levels, which causes saline infiltration that contaminates groundwater tables.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“With regard to the Sahel, on 26 May an open debate (see S/PV.7699) was held that underscored the direct impact of climate change and population growth on desertification and the availability ofwater in the region. The intensive use of water resources has contributed to the generation of security tensions, migratory flows, sanitary problems and declining agricultural yields. However, as the Senegalese presidency points out in the concept note (S/2016/969, annex) for this debate, as well as during the Arria Formula meeting on 22 April, there are encouraging examples of cooperation between the States in the region aimed at taking up the challenge of access to water resources. Those initiatives, in particular in the Gambia and Senegal River basins, should be welcomed and supported.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“I think we can only welcome such developments, because experience has shown that the way in which water is managed by major United Nations Blue Helmet bases can have an impact on the drinking water resources and the sanitary services of the towns and villages surrounding the bases. Finally, the experience of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia, which regularly reports on its activities to the Security Council, is worth mentioning. Its facilitation role to assist the Central Asian States in modernizing their existing legal framework in the area ofthe regional management of transboundary waterways is certainly rich in lessons to be shared with other United Nations entities, such as the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Belgium therefore urges the Council to agree that the advisory function of the Peacebuilding Commission should be fully used by the Council to deal with the issues on our agenda today. At the same time, the Peacebuilding Fund also offers opportunities. Belgium, which participates in financing the Fund, looks favourably on any Fund project that is devoted to the prevention or the resolution of issues relating to the sharing of or access to water. Secondly, peacekeeping missions also have an important role to play. The mandates ofcertain missions, such as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, include elements that call on the missions to monitor the environmental impact of their activities. Those elements usually take the form of guidelines for water management.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“I would like, in that connection, to raise three points: first, the tools available to the Security Council on dealing with the subject; secondly, the specific case of the Sahel; and, thirdly, the situation of small island developing States. First, looking at the tools that the Council has at its disposal, I would like to draw everyone's attention to the Peacebuilding Commission. Its advisory function should be used more actively. The link between security and development, which is at the core of the Commission's mandate, makes it an essential partner for ensuring that in post-conflict situations natural resources, including water, are put at the service of sustainable development.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to congratulate the Senegalese presidency on its commitment to giving prominence to water diplomacy as an instrument of cooperation among States. My statement is meant as a complement to the statement just delivered by the observer of the European Union. First of all, I would like to underline what an excellent idea it is to have a Security Council debate on the topic of water, peace and security. As we consider this issue, we see that the links among the various elements are numerous. It is also important not to underestimate the role that water plays both as a potential source of conflict and as a potential element of cooperation.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“Clear mandates - sequenced according to priority, better aligned with the consistent efforts of the United Nations system on the ground, and the suject of consultations with the troop-contributing countries - are absolutely crucial. In that framework, it would also be interesting to consider the possibility of redesigning mandates in the light of the global or regional context of asymmetrical threats. The three strategic reviews of peacekeeping operations in 2015 all stressed the importance ofconflict prevention. That finding is even more relevant today.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“My second remark concerns the need to recognize the importance of intelligence as a factor in ensuring the effective deployment of the Blue Helmets. In the context of a deteriorated situation, it is essential to make use of improved intelligence concerning the situation on the ground. The progress made in that area needs to be taken forward. Thirdly, it is essential to ensure that we enjoy the support of the local population. We must therefore create a network of confidence-based relations among the population. Furthermore, it is of course important to ensure that the troops deployed have the linguistic competence to ensure the best interaction possible with the local population. My fourth and final point touches on peacekeeping operation mandates.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): In order to save time, I shall deliver an abridged version of my statement, which will appear in full on our Mission website. In the face of asymmetrical threats, it is clear that United Nations troopsdo not have the vocation to fight terrorist organizations. Nevertheless, they must be able to protect themselves. How can they do that? I would like to make four points on that subject. First, we must focus on training. It is absolutely essential for United Nations forces to be appropriately trained before deployment. Likewise, appropriate equipment is absolutely indispensable. I note in that regard that Belgium will pursue training efforts in the framework of training-of-trainers courses.”
2016-11-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7802 (2016) · source
“My country is committed to the concept of peer review. In the framework of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Biological and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, the Benelux countries organized apeer review conference in 2015, the results of which were shared with other States parties to the Convention in view of the upcoming eighth Review Conference in November this year. The objective is to improve the implementation of the Convention at the national level, build trust among partners, share best practices and strengthen the debate on international verification of compliance with the Convention. The review of resolution 1540 (2004) must also enable progress through joint efforts aimed at strengthening the national structures of each State.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“Awareness of the private and civil-society sector is also essential, as is, more specifically, outreach to the academic world. In that regard, my country launched an awareness campaign in the academic and research sectors regarding the risks of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the role of academic and scientific research in that context. The issues of the maintenance and transport of weapons of mass destruction deserve greater focus. The adoption by the Security Council, on 22 July, of resolution 2298 (2016), on the chemical weapons found in Libya, is welcome. Another challenge concerns export controls, the fight against traffickers and border security. Finally, international cooperation is the catalyst needed to strengthen resolution 1540 (2004) in its preventive aspects.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“My country calls for the full implementation by all States of all of the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004) and for its strengthening. While progress has been observed in the adoption by States of legal frameworks, those measures sometimes still lack implementation. It is also important that all organizations involved in the implementation of the resolution coordinate their efforts, seek constructive synergies and avoid duplication of effort. The fight against terrorism has a multidimensional character, and we can only welcome the adoption by the General Assembly of the Global Strategy against Terrorism, revised in June, and call for its implementation. The definition of new legal provisions to take into account recent technical and technological developments and to prevent the financing of terrorism should also be encouraged.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source
“Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank the President for organizing this debate, which is timely in the context of the current review of resolution 1540 (2004). Belgium aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union. As a member of the Group of Friends of resolution 1540 (2004), we wish to stress the importance and relevance of that instrument in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly their manufacture, possession and use by non-State actors. Today, that struggle must take into account the evolution of the risks posed, in terms of both the hardware and propaganda used and its ongoing geographical proliferation.”
2016-08-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7758 (2016) · source