YouSaid · the spoken record

Pierce

lines on the record: 1,742
first: 2006-06-20
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 239
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

“In turn, I think that means that there must be an even greater focus on the issue of girls' education so that we can start to help young girls and women take their rightful place at the top tables of their communities and nations. I would like to mention several country- specific examples. The United Kingdom has a strong partnership with Somalia in serving and protecting women and girls. We work to include women in reconciliation efforts, security reform and political dialogue and to address sexual and gender-based violence, and we support access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care. I very much endorse what others have said today about the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in Somalia's upcoming elections.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“I thank the representative of South Africa for his kind words about England's rugby team. I shall now make a statement in my national capacity. I wanted to say that we share the strong support that has been expressed for the visit by the Deputy Secretary-General and Ambassador Mohammed. I think that it has been a fantastic venture in highlighting how central the women and peace and security agenda is to African peace and security. The United Kingdom strongly supports all our colleagues who have called today for increasing the numbers of women in political processes in general and in peace processes in particular.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“Before we continue, I would like to say that there will be another opportunity to pay a proper and full tribute to Mr. Jonathan Cohen later in the week. We will inform members of the Security Council when that will take place. For those who are going to Greentree, I believe that they will be able to do that there.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“I thank Ms. Mohammed for her briefing. I recognize the presence in the Chamber of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, and thank her for joining us today. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“I thank the Deputy Secretary- General for her thoughtful briefing. Her words are well-heeded. I now give the floor to Ms. Mohammed.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Her Excellency Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to warmly welcome the Deputy Secretary- General, Her Excellency Ms. Amina Mohammed, to whom I now give the floor.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8657 (2019) · source
“It also reminds all stakeholders that it will consider taking appropriate measures against those who undermine stability in Guinea-Bissau, in accordance with Security Council resolutions on Guinea-Bissau. "The Security Council reiterates its strong support and commitment to the process of consolidating peace and stability, as well as the development of Guinea-Bissau, in collaboration with regional actors and international partners, including the Group of Five, comprising the This statement will be issued as a document of the Africa" Uni": ECOWAS: the Community of Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2019/13. Portuguese-speaking Countries, the European Union and the United Nations." The meeting rose at 10.05 am.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“"While recognizing the efforts deployed by all stakeholders so far towards the peaceful conduct of the presidential election, the Security Council encourages political actors in Guinea-Bissau to work together to preserve the gains of the political and electoral process in order to strengthen the prevailing peace and stability. "The Security Council welcomes that the defence and security forces of Guinea-Bissau are maintaining strict neutrality and avoiding interference in the political arena and urges them to continue doing so throughout and beyond the electoral and political process. "The Security Council also reminds all actors that the Council's possible reconsideration of the existing sanctions regime will depend on their orderly conduct as well as that of other political actors.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“"The Security Council encourages the political actors in Guinea-Bissau to take all appropriate measures to ensure the smooth functioning and stability of State institutions, in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of good governance, and to refrain from taking any actions that could provoke a relapse into a political and institutional crisis. "The Security Council seizes the opportunity to draw the attention of political actors in Guinea- Bissau to the urgent need to hold the presidential elections on 24 November 2019, as agreed, in order to conclude the electoral cycle to allow for a peaceful transition of power to an elected President.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“"The Security Council condemns the recent violence that resulted in the death of one civilian and several injured. It welcomes the decision by the Government to launch an independent investigation into the matter and looks forward to its outcome. "The Security Council urges the political actors of Guinea-Bissau to show the utmost restraint, to refrain from all forms of violence or incitement to hatred and to resort to dialogue as the only means of resolving their differences and preserving peace and stability in the country.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“"The Security Council held private consultations on 31 October 2019 on the latest political developments in Guinea-Bissau. "Expressing full support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union communiques issued on 29 and 30 October 2019, respectively, on the said developments, the Security Council expresses deep concern over the social and political situation and calls on President Jose' Mario Vaz and the Government led by Prime Minister Aristides Gomes, in charge of conducting the electoral process, to resolve their differences in the spirit of respect and cooperation. "The Security Council calls on all actors in Guinea-Bissau to fully respect the ECOWAS Heads of State decision of 29 June 2019.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“As this is the first public meeting of the Security Council for the month of November, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa, for his service as President of the Council for the month of October. I am sure I speak for all members ofthe Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Matjila and his team for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in Guinea-Bissau The President: The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. After consultations among members ofthe Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8656 (2019) · source
“Now is the time to make progress on women and peace and security as well as gender equality, and the United Nations and its Member States have a responsibility to deliver on all of this next year.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“Finally, we must ensure that United Nations- led peace processes are closely supported by gender experts to guarantee gender perspectives; this needs to be integrated throughout the mission. This is not a desirable; it is not a "nice to have"; it is an intrinsic part of any successful peace process. In conclusion, 2020 is notjust about resolution 1325 (2000). Next year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, the fifth anniversary of the youth, peace and security agenda, and 10 years until the deadline to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. We cannot let this moment slip through our fingers.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“If I can turn to the United Nations -again, a number of speakers mentioned the United Nations - obviously, it has a huge role to play in implementing resolution 1325 (2000). On the nineteenth anniversary, with a year to go to do something about it, the United Kingdom would like to invite the United Nations to make progress in three particular areas. First, establishing a strong formal working relationship with the Global Alliance of Women Mediators Network will ensure women mediators have access to key peace actors and are systematically considered for deployment as negotiators, mediators and advisers. Secondly, United Nations processes need to set the gold standard for inclusion, and United Nations Special envoys should be held to account on their commitments to implement resolution 1325 (2000).”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“The German Minister explained very eloquently what was happening in Afghanistan, so I will not repeat that. In Yemen, the United Kingdom is funding a gender adviser and senior inclusion position within the United Nations Special Envoy's Office so that we can build on its work to take forward women's participation in the peace process. Ahead of the November deadline for a transitional Government in South Sudan, we are continuing to work with local women's groups to advocate for an inclusive process. And, of course, with my very good friend and colleague the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, we have also set up a women's group in New York, of which the United States Ambassador is also a part, to take forward the participation of women in that very important peace process.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“We did that because we wanted to better understand how we can identify, and therefore overcome, those gaps. We are taking concrete steps to promote and protect women peace builders and human rights defenders. We are providing sustainable multi-year funding. And we are ensuring that we practice what we preach in terms of representation and policy. As I look ahead to 2020, I hope we can have an effort across the United Nations, not just in New York but right across the whole United Nations system, both in the field and in the other Headquarters buildings, to focus efforts on the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). For our part, we will be particularly working on increasing women's meaningful participation in peace processes, notably in Afghanistan, South Sudan and Yemen.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“I think, again, as the Executive Director of UN- Women said, that is a question we need to ask ourselves all the time as we design any peace process, international mechanism, project or programme. How can we make sure that we are living up to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000)? That obviously means putting a particular focus on designing inclusive processes from the outset. Arms and territory should not be the only reason that negotiators get a seat at the table. That is not right morally, it is not sensible economically and it is not sensible or feasible if one wants ajust and lasting peace settlement. This year the United Kingdom funded Gender Action for Peace and Security to deliver consultations with civil society in our nine national action plan focus countries.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“As other speakers have said, this is a timely debate, a year ahead of the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000). It is a good opportunity for us to reflect on the achievements and challenges in fully implementing the resolution. But as we have heard from all the fantastic briefers today and as the Executive Director of UN-Women eloquently made clear, we must raise our ambition, we must commit to even more radical change and we need to ask ourselves, 20 years and 10 resolutions later, why is there still such a stark implementation gap when all the evidence suggests that incorporating the gender perspective helps achieve sustainable peace and security?”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Madam President, for coming here today. I also thank you and the German Minister for creating an environment where over two thirds of the people sitting around the table are women. That is fantastic, a taste of things to come. I hope you will visit us often. I also wanted to congratulate you, Madam, for South Africa's fantastic record, with that 30 per cent figure you gave us and your military colleagues, sitting in the Chamber. That is incredibly impressive. I thank you for your commitment to carry on producing women for peacekeeping operations. The United Kingdom joins you in that commitment. Sadly, we are only at 17 per cent, so you have the match on us. But I think, nevertheless, there is more that all of us can do in that regard.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“First, we believe that the resolution would have broken new ground if it had included explicit language on women human rights defenders and their protection and security. The work of women human rights defenders is essential to the functioning of democracy and the maintenance and achievement of peace. Secondly, we regret that it was not possible to include broader recognition of civil society's roll in implementation. We talk a lot about implementation in meetings and events in New York, but civil society, and especially women at the grass-roots level, are responsible for making the Council's resolutions a reality on the ground. They are the ones on the front lines, and they need increased recognition and support in order to effect greater and more effective change.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“I know that not all Member States agree with this, but from the perspective of the United Kingdom sexual and reproductive health services are a vital part of public services for women in all countries and a vital part of ensuring that women can play a truly equal role in the building of their countries. We welcome the resolution's support for the creation of safe and enabling environments for civil society, as well as the importance of funding, which we consider to be essential for organizations and individuals to carry out their work free of interference and free from fear. However, I have to say that the United Kingdom was disappointed that the Council did not seize the opportunity to draft a resolution that was more ambitious in scope.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“Turning to the text itself, we endorse its confirmation of the Council's call for full - and I stress the word "full" i implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and its encouragement of increased engagement by Member States and United Nations agencies, as well as increased support for civil society. The emphasis on full implementation - and again, I stress "full" - is Vital. The implementation gap is visible right the way across the women and peace and security agenda. We have not seen sufficient progress in ensuring women's meaningful participation, in increasing the number of women in peacekeeping or in building an effective response to conflict-related sexual violence. In all cases, this needs to include sexual and reproductive health services.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom was pleased to vote in favour of resolution 2493 (2019), which South Africa proposed today, and we are very grateful for your efforts, Sir, to secure Council consensus on the resolution and the efforts of your Mission. We welcome the resolution's focus on implementation. Implementation is the United Kingdom's main priority on women and peace and security as we look forward to the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000) next year. We believe that today's resolution represents the final push that the Council needs to provide on implementation. From the United Kingdom's perspective, our focus should now be on delivering on the ambition of the full existing framework of women and peace and security resolutions and not on producing more texts.”
2019-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom has brought forward funding from our nearly $300-million pledge and provided 87 per cent of the funding we pledged to United Nations this year. In conclusion, I wanted to raise the case of the Baha'i. The Baha'i are being persecuted for their religious beliefs in areas under Houthi control. We condemn such mistreatment and believe that the continued persecution of the Baha'i is a matter to which the Council should devote continued attention.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“We need more efforts on humanitarian access, which is deteriorating across the country, as Mark said. We call on all parties to immediately comply with resolution 2451 (2018). Secondly, the issue of funding and disbursements has been raised. Developments during the high-level week on this front were most welcome. We commend the Governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait for their very generous disbursements, which in total came to around at $800 million, which is very significant and demonstrates real international leadership. We therefore express our gratitude to those countries. However, we note that the response remains underfunded by $1.5 billion, and therefore encourage all donors to consider providing further funding to the United Nations appeal.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“What Martin said about the unilateral release of detainees on 30 September by the Houthis was, obviously, positive, and I am very pleased to see that the International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is taking part in that. We hope that there will be more such measures as we work towards a peaceful solution to the conflict in Yemen. I want to draw attention to two specific points. The first is about the FSO SAFER oil tanker. As Mark has made very clear several times in this Chamber, a rupture or explosion would mean over a million barrels of oil leaking into the Red Sea. It is critical to do something about this in order to protect the fisheries and livelihoods of ordinary Yemenis, as well as to prevent environmental impacts.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“With respect to what Martin has been saying about signs of hope, I think we all want those to crystallize and develop. Again, it is clear that we are close to an agreement, though not quite there. I believe that, from the Security Council, we should appeal to all parties to give this one last push to get it across the line. I think that is really important, and we can talk more about that. When it comes to the south, I believe that inclusivity is the key to stability. We want a deal that brings southern representatives into the Yemeni Government and that, in turn, would hopefully be a self-sustaining, virtuous cycle. We commend the Saudis and others for the talks that have taken place and the Yemeni Government for all its work with the Southern Transitional Council.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“Thirteen people dying per day is clearly too many and that is degrading the whole situation on the ground. I understand what Mr. Lowcock said about the need for foreign exchange and also what all these factors, including the provision of fuel, mean in terms of their knock-on effect on the ability of the people of Yemen to have access to food. I think there is a vicious cycle here that we need to watch out for. Turning to the political side, we have been very worried about the increased intensity of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia over recent months. But the announcement on 20 September that the Houthis would cease strikes on Saudi Arabia and the welcoming remarks issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been an important step towards de-escalation and we hope that further positive action can now happen on the ground.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“But in the meantime, the reduction in violations of the Stockholm Agreement is very welcome. The United Kingdom was also pleased that during the General Assembly high-level week we were able to have meetings with a number of colleagues and with Martin to support his efforts. We are also pleased that on 29 August the Security Council issued a presidential statement on Yemen (S/PRST/2019/9). As we have heard from both Mark and Mr. Griffiths, now really is the time to make one last big effort in order to get some of these things over the line. Staying with the humanitarian situation, I think Mark was absolutely right to remind us that despite the good news - and I agree that the news about the fuel ships is very good - we still have some underlying matters that could tip the situation back towards famine or some other risks.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“I would like to thank our two briefers and commend all the work that their teams are doing on the ground. I think that we have heard a very wide-ranging description of what is going on the ground at the moment. There are some very good parts, as Mr. Lowcock said, but also some things that we need to watch very carefully. I will speak to those points in a moment. Iwanttobeginbyexpressing supportforourprogress to date with regard to the political process. Martin's plan to move forward, with political consultations in parallel, with the ongoing implementation of the Stockholm Agreement is very welcome. We obviously support that action as quickly as possible. We welcome the presence of Lieutenant General Guha, and we will have a chance to hear from him in consultations.”
2019-10-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8642 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom commends the Colombian Government for the progress made so far amid challenging circumstances. We look forward to continuing to provide support along Colombia's road to sustainable peace.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“These mechanisms have been less active recently, but they serve an important purpose in maintaining communication and coordination on the accords. Looking ahead to emerging developments, on 27 October Colombians will vote in regional and local elections - a milestone on the road to peace, especially given the strong regional focus of the peace agreement. The Secretary-General's report (S/2019/780) highlights worrying statistics on candidates being threatened and killed. In that regard, we welcome the signature of the new National Pact for Political Culture and Non-Violence during the Electoral Campaign. We call on all stakeholders to adhere to the Pact, to refrain from violence and intimidation and to ensure a peaceful election.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“Adequate resources should also be made available to the transitional justice system and reincorporation process, as these are crucial for public and ex-combatant trust in the peace process and, therefore, to ex-combatants' continued participation in it. Increased State presence in rural areas will assist in addressing ongoing security issues, not least the killing of former FARC-EP members, community leaders and human rights defenders, as has been discussed in the Council before. Secondly, I would like to underscore the importance of the parties' renewed high-level engagement with vital spaces for dialogue, including the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement, the National Commission on Security Guarantees and the National Reintegration Council.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“Therefore, rather than calling broadly for the implementation of the agreement, which is customary at these meetings, I would like particularly to respond to the request made by President Counsellor Archila, who is in the Chamber today, regarding the Council's recent trip to Colombia for us to be more specific in our appeals. First, we recognize the political and financial challenges facing the Colombian Government, but we believe that sufficient funding for rural development in the 170 municipalities benefiting from development programmes with a territorial focus is essential to deliver the accords.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“We condemn the dissidents' rejection of the peace accords, but at the same time welcome the swift response by the Colombian Government, the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Comun (FARC) political party and the transitional justice system, among other stakeholders. It remains clear - and this is welcome - that the majority of former FARC-EP combatants remains committed to the peace process. Of course, we must guard against complacency and step up efforts to ensure that currently manageable threats like those do not escalate, worsen and spiral beyond our control.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“Transitional justice institutions have gained more stable ground, programmes for the substitution of illicit crops are under way and thousands of ex-combatants are being reintegrated into civilian life. And there have been other advances. The progress, however significant, though, has been met with a number of serious challenges. The recent announcement by former leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) that they were returning to armed activity was an obstacle. We have to admit that, but we should not let it overshadow positive steps forward.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“As this is the first time I am speaking in the Chamber this month, let me congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency and our Russian colleagues for the presidency in the month of September. It is very good to have the Foreign Minister of Colombia with us once more. He is very welcome. It is always good to have him here and we appreciate the seriousness with which he takes the Council's consideration of this important mission. My thanks as well to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for his briefing. I think we all know that we are meeting almost three years since the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace was signed in November 2016, and significant progress has been made since then.”
2019-10-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8639 (2019) · source
“I will be brief. Ijust wanted to say, and should have said in my intervention, that we share the American concerns on Xinjiang. On humanitarian intervention, I do not think that it is a topic for the Security Council today but we will be happy to participate in discussions on that topic at a different stage.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“We collaborate and coordinate with a range of international partners, as I mentioned at the beginning. Our priorities are regional security, good governance, human rights and prosperity. Our projects support those priorities and we emphasize inclusion, participation and support for those vulnerable to extremism ideologies. We emphasize the need for the countries of Central Asia to cooperate on cross-border issues and to increase engagement with the rules-based international system. Counter-terrorism offers a good opportunity for both. In conclusion, I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to share our Views on this important peace and security issue and to shine a light on a region that is ofincreasing strategic importance.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“The General Assembly and the Security Council have reaffirmed many times that the promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental pillar of counter-terrorism. We have seen that violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms have in themselves often contributed to validating terrorist narratives and enabling recruitment. It is particularly important in Central Asia, where progress made on human rights is fragile and needs to be protected. It is imperative that the countries of the region and the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia cooperate with regional actors to ensure that counter-terrorism approaches comply with human rights obligations. For its part, the United Kingdom is active in Central Asia.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“Turning to counter-terrorism cooperation, we hope that we will be able to continue to work together to prevent terrorism and violent extremism in all regions. Military and 1aw- enforcement measures alone will not suffice; as the German Minister said, we need to tackle the root causes. The United Kingdom therefore encourages all partners in the field of counter-terrorism to strengthen their collaboration with civil society and to ensure that gender and human rights considerations are always integrated across the full spectrum of counter-terrorism efforts globally. Finally, I would like to stress the importance of human rights. We welcome the affirmations from the briefers today on human rights; they are absolutely vital to this issue.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“We have also touched on Afghanistan, which the Council discussed recently. Like the rest of Asia, it has great potential but faces great challenges. The United Kingdom is pleased to see the countries of Central Asia working together to support their neighbour Afghanistan. Much has been said about the threat not only of extremism but also of narcotics trafficking emanating from the country. While we should recognize those risks, it is important not to overstate them. It is the Afghan people themselves who suffer most at the hands of extremists. The international community and regional partners must continue to work together, as indeed we have for many years, to support peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“The attack in Tajikistan last August that caused the deaths of four foreign cyclists was an awful reminder of that threat. We welcome the work of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in implementing the United Nations counter-terrorism frameworks and Security Council recommendations. We also welcome the engagement we have seen so far from Central Asian Governments; we would encourage them to cooperate more with one another, with the United Nations Regional Centre, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. In that regard, it was good that the briefers could tell us about stronger partnerships, but, at the same time, I would like to stress the importance of a harmonized approach, including on designations.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomed the Council's recent adoption of resolutions 2462 (2019) and 2482 (2019), with their increased emphasis on the obligation to protect humanitarian activity. It is important that regional partnerships and interactions reflect this obligation and that counter-terrorism measures not be used as a justification for ignoring this obligation or for violating the Geneva Conventions or international humanitarian law more generally. In that respect, we were pleased to hear that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has increased its attention to humanitarian assistance, and we hope that this will include the protection of humanitarian activities while countering terrorism. If I can turn to Central Asia, terrorism remains a threat in that region, which is, of course, a key area for this discussion.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“For its part, the United Kingdom very much welcomes these counter-terrorism partnerships with regional and subregional organizations. As terrorist threats evolve, cooperation between partners is vital to addressing the cross-border movement of many people, ideas and materials. However, as the Secretary- General affirmed this morning, such cooperation has to be anchored in the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and in Security Council resolutions, and it has to reflect a balanced and comprehensive approach, in compliance with international law, as outlined by both the Security Council and the General Assembly. We fully agree with the Secretary-General that promoting gender equality, as Ministers have also said, is an important component of countering terrorism and violent extremism.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“My Minister would have liked to have been here to deliver this intervention, but the Ministers have cantered through their interventions, unlike the normal business of the Council, so I am afraid that he is tied up in another event, and I apologize for that. I wanted to start by agreeing with what the French, German and Polish ministers have said about the importance of international humanitarian law in this area and, of course, about the work of other organizations, including, but not limited to, the European Union, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, all of which, as Ministers have explained, do very important work on the agendas on prevention and protection and on the combat against terrorism.”
2019-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8626 (2019) · source
“It means, in turn, that paragraphs of the resolution lack the clarity that UNAMA needs and requests in order to deliver its mandate at such a difficult time. We therefore believe that the Council should strive for concision and clarity in its resolutions so that all stakeholders, including the missions mandated by the Council, are clear about the Council's intent. I nonetheless wish to reassure the Ambassador of our strong message of commitment and support at a critical time. I hope that all Council members will reflect carefully on the result we have been able to achieve today and focus in future on what really matters: what the Council can achieve to the benefit of Afghanistan and its people, and not bilateral national initiatives.”
2019-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8620 (2019) · source
“She and I together chair the friends of women in the Afghan peace process. However, I did want to join the representatives of the United States and Belgium in expressing my regret that the negotiations were made more difficult because of the position of one Council member, based on extraneous issues and exacerbated by initial non-engagement. That position prevented the Council from adopting an even stronger text, which was available yesterday. I am afraid that it also means that part of the text is, frankly, not comprehensible in the English language, which we regret because, pursuant to presidential note S/2017/507, we ought to be striving for focus and clarity in all texts of the Security Council.”
2019-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8620 (2019) · source
“We are pleased that ability has been strengthened through the resolution. We were pleased that consensus was possible. We pay tribute to the co-penholders, our partners from Germany and Indonesia, who did a good job at managing a difficult process and, in particular, in managing to strengthen the language on human rights and women. The United Kingdom has a long interest and history in Afghanistan. We are one of 39 countries providing troops to Afghanistan. And, sadly, we have seen our own troops die in Helmand province and elsewhere. When I was Ambassador we did a lot of work to foster economic progress for all the Afghan people in Kabul and many of the provinces. Hence the future of Afghanistan is something that I and my Government take extremely seriously. The Afghan Ambassador can rely on our commitment.”
2019-09-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8620 (2019) · source