YouSaid · the spoken record

President Berset

lines on the record

25

first

2023-03-07

most recent

2023-09-20

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3

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un-security-council

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1. “Against that backdrop, Switzerland welcomes the diplomatic initiatives towards a lasting peace in Ukraine — a peace rooted in the principles of the United Nations Charter, cornerstone of the peaceful coexistence of all States. Never have isolationism, threats and violence provided the answers to the dysfunctions and imbalances of the world in which we live. The Council can successfully fulfil its mandate and advance the common desire of all people to live in peace and security only if it acts in a spirit of trust and collaboration. That spirit must guide the actions of everyone around this table. Today we have the opportunity to change things, but we must truly want it, for lasting peace is worth more than any fleeting gain.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

2. “Switzerland is not a very large country, but it is still a vast area in Ukraine. Here, too, we are supporting humanitarian demining with our know-how and the supply of equipment. And we plan to further step up those commitments. It is in that spirit of solidarity that we are calling for the Black Sea Grain Initiative to be relaunched. Switzerland expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his tireless efforts in that regard. Multilateralism is the only option to achieve peace, to move away from individualistic thinking, in which each side seeks only to defend its own interests and maximize its own influence, to relaunch the search for shared, sustainable solutions that guarantee a dignified life for all.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

3. “In his New Agenda for Peace, the Secretary-General outlines the steps to be taken now to strengthen our action and to bolster multilateral action — namely, closing ranks behind the principles of universality, solidarity and trust. Switzerland is assuming this duty of solidarity. In Ukraine, we are committed to alleviating the suffering of the civilian population, rendering justice to the victims and promoting a political solution to the conflict in due time. We have opened our doors to people fleeing the war, are providing humanitarian aid and are working with the Ukrainian Government on the process of reconstruction. The challenges that Ukraine is facing are immense. To give just one example, an area four times the size of Switzerland is contaminated with mines in Ukraine.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

4. “We have the means to fulfil our mandate, as illustrated by the 26 resolutions we have adopted since January. Those resolutions seek to promote peace and security in Colombia, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan. These examples remind us that the Security Council — even if it is more difficult than before — has retained and must retain its capacity for action. Of course, the Council must urgently be reformed. For many years, Switzerland has been advocating for greater representation on the Council, starting with African countries, and for better working methods. However, we all know that no reform can replace the will of States to respect the Charter.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

5. “Inequalities are growing. Switzerland demands that the Russian Federation respect the Charter of the United Nations and its principles. Switzerland once again calls on the Russian Federation to cease hostilities, to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. While the Security Council’s mandate is clear, it is not always as effective as it should be. While the objective is to save lives, guarantee global security and reinforce stability, our discussions on certain issues get bogged down in endless cycles that fail to produce results. The Council must not squander the most precious asset at its disposal — the trust of those who rely on its work to guarantee them a life of dignity and peace.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

6. “And as an elected member of the Council, we are committed to fulfilling the clear and unique mandate conferred by the Charter of the United Nations on us — all of us — namely, the maintenance of international peace and security. With Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the Charter of the United Nations is being violated on a massive scale. Yet, in meeting after meeting, Russia, a permanent member of the Council, is denying its responsibility for the thousands of dead and wounded in Ukraine, its responsibility for the millions of displaced persons and, finally, its responsibility for all those plunged into deep insecurity, wherever they are in the world, including Russia. The consequences of the war are global. Global food security has been undermined. The energy sector has been disrupted. Nuclear risks are increasing.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

7. “That essential text expresses the common will of all peoples to live in peace. It is a guarantor of universal values and the main principles of multilateral order — from the sovereign equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force, from the defence of human rights to the economic and social progress of peoples. In war, the suffering of civilians is the common denominator. It is always civilians suffering. However, international humanitarian law imposes obligations on us and on all parties to conflict. As Council members know, Switzerland, as the depositary State of the Geneva Conventions and faithful to its long-standing humanitarian tradition, is committed to defending and upholding international humanitarian law.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

8. “I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Secretary- General for his statement. In addition to his statement, I would like to thank him for his steadfast commitment to the advancement of peace and dialogue, especially when it is most difficult. First of all, I will address the facts, and they are not positive. The times we are living in are marked by the questioning of multilateralism, the multiplication of conflicts and the deepening of inequalities. There is a question as to what is the shared responsibility of those of us who have convened at this meeting. At the very minimum, we must recall the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations — I have a copy with me, of course — and ensure that we fulfil the mandate entrusted to us.”

   2023-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9421 (2023) · source

9. “In that regard, we must ensure that women, young people and civil society are acknowledged as actors to bring about change and peace, while always maintaining full respect for international law, since to do otherwise would be a betrayal of our own values and we would thereby risk losing the trust of our populations, which — let us never forget — is imperative for sustainably preventing terrorism from taking root.”

   2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

10. “In that regard, and given the great importance of prevention, as the President of the Comoros mentioned earlier, Switzerland has developed a training programme on prevention, together with the member States of the African Union and in partnership with the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism. And I can only reiterate the importance of prevention. In conclusion, partnerships, inclusivity and the rule of law are all absolutely key elements in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

11. “I believe that finding such consensus is one of the best ways for us to respond to those who seek to divide us, and we should strive to build on it during the current eighth review. All of that must be done in collaboration, and we must not forget that regional and subregional organizations are particularly important for ensuring our understanding of the dynamics on the ground. We must therefore encourage closer cooperation with them, better coordinate initiatives in this area and underline that we must commit to addressing the root causes of the problem. We must not view a given problem as only a purely military or security issue; it must be considered holistically.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

12. “As President Nyusi just said, our response must be global. It also has to be comprehensive. We cannot solve the problem by addressing only a small, isolated part of it. We have to look at the whole picture, which is what we are committed to doing. In that context, I also believe that the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its four pillars, which I mentioned earlier, will provide a package of measures that, if implemented in a balanced manner, will afford us an excellent tool for moving forward together. The Strategy is also emblematic of our unity. In that regard, President Nyusi has just given us some pointers and food for thought in terms of its upcoming eighth review. I believe that one such key point is the fact that, for every review to date, we have been able to find consensus and move forward with consensus.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

13. “And having mentioned the issue of children, which I especially wanted to raise in today’s debate, I would also like to address the problem caused by climate change in that context. Extreme weather and desertification fuel disputes and conflict and trigger migration flows that are often uncontrolled. They can exacerbate conflicts and be exploited by terrorist and violent extremist groups. I mention it here because Switzerland has been working with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and the United Nations University on a project that shows the relationship between climate-related livelihood challenges and recruitment by armed groups in the Lake Chad basin. It would be good to bear that in mind. The problems are linked in such a way that they fuel one another. That is also why I wanted to talk about climate change.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

14. “It also means that we must ensure that humanitarian aid reaches every person in need, without delay or hindrance. Lastly, it also means considering children associated with terrorist groups as victims. Switzerland supported the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in developing a manual containing guidance for policymakers and practitioners on the psychosocial assessment of children associated with criminal and armed groups, and it is a dimension that I believe is particularly important in discussions on the subject. Peace, security and prosperity are the best antidotes to ideologies that incite terrorism or violent extremism. That is why we must address the current and future global challenges without delay. In other words, we must address all challenges that create and perpetuate instability.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

15. “We also see that existing armed groups are joining organizations that the United Nations has designated as terrorist, and that those threats continue to claim lives, tear societies apart and destabilize economies. What can we do to change that? We must break that cycle of violence. How do we do that? We know what is needed — the rule of law and preventive efforts, as the President of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union particularly emphasized just now, as well as partnerships and inclusion. We must first ensure full respect for international law, especially international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law. What does respecting the rule of law mean? First, it means that counter-terrorism operations cannot be used as a pretext for violating rules protecting civilians or removing political opponents.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

16. “In those contexts, it is perhaps much easier for them to recruit, spread their hateful ideologies and incite violence, and while we can see that the risk exists everywhere, recently the trend has been manifesting itself in an alarming manner on the African continent. You spoke about the situation in Cabo Delgado, Mr. President, which is still a source of concern for your country. I was able to see the situation for myself when I visited your country in February, and I thank you once again for the opportunity to accompany you on a trip to northern Mozambique and see the situation on the ground. We can see that new terrorist groups are emerging.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

17. “First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s debate on such an important subject. I also thank the Secretary-General and the President of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union for their briefings. Despite the continuing efforts of the Council and the tireless commitment of international and regional organizations, terrorism persists. It is a serious threat to peace and security. It is also a threat that is ever- changing and adapts, if we can put it that way, to contexts that are themselves undergoing constant change. I believe that the Secretary-General reiterated in his most recent report on the threat posed by Da’esh (S/2023/76) that terrorism and violent extremism find fertile ground in which to reproduce in today’s conflicts and instability of every kind.”

    2023-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9296 (2023) · source

18. “It must be a pillar of the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace and enable us to move forward together on the path to sustainable peace. Our response to the current and emerging challenges to peace must absolutely take the central element of gender dimensions into account. I hope that we can celebrate the next anniversary of the resolution in two years’ time with a real sense of common achievement, and above all a sense that this sentiment is shared by all who are working for peace all over the world.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

19. “But words must now be matched with concrete actions in terms of budget, personnel and policy. In that regard, Switzerland is committed to ensuring that the Council implements the women and peace and security agenda in all the contexts and topics on its agenda. Our co-chairing with the United Arab Emirates of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security and our support for the Shared Commitments initiative are part and parcel of the goal of making that approach a natural reflex in the work of the Council. The women and peace and security agenda is a pioneering agenda. It is an innovative agenda, and I have just reminded the Council why — because it exists simultaneously at the global and local levels. And its implementation must be further accelerated.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

20. “That is why Switzerland created the Swiss Women in Peace Processes Network, a network that not only brings together the expertise and experiences of Swiss women in peace processes but also collaborates with other regional networks — African, Commonwealth, Mediterranean and Nordic networks — in order to share best practices. Therefore, I would also like to recall that ensuring women’s participation requires clear political support and adequate resources. That condition must be met in order to enable women to speak out and contribute to sustainable peace, and for them to do so safely, freely and without fear of reprisals. The topic of resources brings me to one of my last points. As we are all aware, the mandates of the Council increasingly refer to the women and peace and security agenda, which is encouraging.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

21. “But they also take new forms, including the violence perpetrated in the digital space, especially hate speech. Those types of violence are structural, which means that no society or country is immune to them. And within each country or all together, including within the Council, we can take concrete measures to address that scourge by undertaking national strategies and commitments in our countries. Switzerland, for example, has made combating gender-based violence a main focus of its Gender Equality Strategy 2030. To address the emerging challenges I have just mentioned, we also support research on the links between cybersecurity and women, in addition to actively promoting the integration of the agenda of resolution 1325 (2000) into our national cybersecurity strategies.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

22. “In that context, it is very encouraging to see that more than 100 countries have adopted national action plans for its implementation — you mentioned, Madam President, the plan adopted by Mozambique. Switzerland, of course, also adopted a national action plan — we were among the first countries to do so, in 2007. In two years, we will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). That will undoubtedly be a special moment for us to take stock. But at the same time, we already know today the challenges that need to be addressed urgently — above all, the fact that women are often the primary targets of violence, hate speech, threats and reprisals. Those types of violence — including of course sexual violence — are unfortunately well known.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

23. “We also recall that the adoption of that pioneering resolution was made possible thanks to the tireless work of civil society, including peace activists and the feminist movement. The women and peace and security agenda is universal, and its implementation is a daily priority. The current crises and conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen are grim reminders of that. The Security Council must continue to play its leading role in promoting the agenda. However, it is very important for each State to have a direct role to play in that context at the national level — that is probably one of the most significant elements of resolution 1325 (2000).”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

24. “And the discussions I had in that context showed me that women are committed to peace, both in their communities and at the national level, and that in doing so they are contributing to building a just and equal political and economic future for their country. Twenty-three years have now passed since the member States of the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security. That resolution truly made history, marking the first time that the Council recognized the key role played by women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. It also marked a real paradigm shift, because security would no longer be understood exclusively in military terms but instead would focus primarily on the individual.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source

25. “First of all, I would like to thank Mozambique for convening today’s open debate on this very important topic. The statements already made indeed reminded us once again that sustainable peace must be built by and with women, or it will simply not exist. In that context, the term “women and peace and security agenda” is not just confined to the United Nations — it is a reality. And I can share with the Security Council that I had the opportunity to see that reality again last month during my visit to your country, Mozambique, Madam President, in Maputo, of course, but also in Cabo Delgado and Mueda, and in Pemba, where I met with President Nyusi.”

    2023-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9276 (2023) · source