YouSaid · the spoken record

Quinlan

lines on the record: 1,257
first: 2009-06-26
most recent: 2014-12-30
sittings or episodes: 160
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I would like to thank Brazil for convening this important debate, which of course goes to the heart of the United Nations role and responsibilities to help foster conditions for peace, stability, prosperity and economic opportunity for all Member States and their peoples. All speakers today have reaffirmed that peace, security and development are inextricably linked and require a comprehensive approach. The Security Council has an organic and decisive role to play in that. We see constantly how the lack of development opportunities is one of the fundamental underlying causes of conflict. We have all heard the statistics and are familiar with them - no low-income, fragile or conflict-affected country has yet achieved a single Millennium Development Goal. This fact should be compelling.”
2011-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6479Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We stand ready to contribute expertise through the Australian Civilian Corps, which we established in 2009 specifically to provide skilled personnel to support countries experiencing or emerging from conflict or natural disasters. At times, the challenges of institution-building can obviously seem overwhelming. The international community must be realistic in its expectations, set clear objectives and coordinate and sustain support for institution-building over the long term, regardless of the challenges; otherwise post-conflict success does not happen. This work requires patience, but it is critical, given the centrality of strong national institutions in delivering robust and sustainable peace.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We endorse the comments made earlier today by Ambassador Grauls of Belgium on behalf of Brazil, Canada, Jordan and Switzerland in their respective capacities as Chairs of the PBC's country-specific configurations. We also encourage greater coordination between the United Nations and the World Bank and other regional development banks, given their influential role in institution-building. Obviously, we need to use our resources to greatest effect. In that regard, we look forward to the conclusion of the forthcoming review of international civilian capacities, which we hope will enhance the United Nations effectiveness in supporting post- conflict institution-building, including by increasing its ability to draw on truly relevant expertise in response to defined needs from the global North and the global South.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It should also continue to mandate integrated United Nations missions to ensure comprehensive approaches. We would also encourage better definition of roles and responsibilities in key peacebuilding sectors within the United Nations system. My own country has been pleased to contribute to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) over the past year. We believe very clearly that the PBC can play a stronger role in supporting post-conflict institution-building, particularly by monitoring progress, assisting coordination and providing expert guidance to the Council. The Council should increasingly draw on the PBC's advisory role.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We need to strengthen the fabric of stable and prosperous communities through political, security, service delivery and economic institutions. We must recognize and promote the role of women, who must be empowered to contribute to decision- making and the implementation of institution-building. Institution-building in any environment is obviously complex. Institution-building in post-conflict situations clearly presents even greater challenges. That is why it is important that we share ideas and best practices. The United Nations has a vital role to play in peacebuilding owing to its unique legitimacy and comparative advantages. We encourage the Security Council to consider institution-building when setting mission mandates, but to do so while also giving consideration to the role that other actors should play.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Planning and implementation need to start as soon as possible in the project, and also progress at a pace and in a manner appropriate to local needs. We must avoid imposing ill-fitting models and ensure that we harness and strengthen existing capacities as we seek to develop them further. It is important to ensure strong coordination among international actors. We must garner available expertise in a coherent manner. Australia encourages opportunities for South-South and triangular cooperation, and for enhanced cooperation with regional organizations - something we ourselves have tried to do, for example, through our leadership of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. Assistance obviously should be extended beyond capitals to the subnational level, civil society and the private sector.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Australia remains a strong supporter of developing a more organic relationship between the Council and the Commission. Australia's own experience over the past decade in supporting post-conflict institution-building, particularly in Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands and Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, has yielded many lessons. Perhaps most important, and one that has been central to the debate today is that national leadership and ownership are fundamental to success. Assistance should support national priorities and objectives, and careful consideration must be given to how assistance can best foster national capacities and, more importantly, avoid stifling them. The process of institution-building - and it is a process - must be timely, flexible and sustainable.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I would like to thank Bosnia and Herzegovina for convening today's debate. I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his statement and Deputy Prime Minister Guterres of Timor-Leste for his insightful comments today. Timor- Leste itself is a nation that has faced immense challenges but has demonstrated strong, effective leadership over its own institution-building process. It is to be congratulated on its commitment to sharing that experience with others and on continuing to call for more effective international support to post-conflict States, including as Chair of the Group of Seven Plus, to which Australia is very pleased to provide support. I also would like to thank the outgoing Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Wittig, for his contribution to the debate.”
2011-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6472Resumption1 (2011) · source
“It is, in fact, 65 years since the question of Israel and Palestine has been before the United Nations in one way or another. We very strongly agree with the comment made this morning that this should and must be the last year of the process. All the parties have an historic and indeed human obligation to do more than just recommit to peace and speak the rhetoric of peace. They and all of us in the international community need to act to do all we can to achieve peace now and to move, as another speaker recently said, beyond the rhetoric and the inability to act to produce the ability and determination to act, and then to act.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“All parties need to play a constructive role and, of course, refrain from any actions that might create instability. We encourage and support the current international efforts to mobilize in support of Lebanon. We call on all parties to cooperate with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, in accordance with resolution 1757 (2007), and to allow it to complete its important work. To conclude, there can be no doubt that the situation between Israel and Palestine is - as was said by the Permanent Observer of Palestine this morning - at a critical juncture and that the prospects for resuming a credible peace process are quickly fading. As one of the Council members reminded us today, it is 20 years since the current peace process was launched in Madrid.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We are also increasing our support through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, including our first multi-year commitment, rather than the annual contribution that we have made in the past to the core resources of the Agency. The situation on the ground in Gaza remains extremely serious. We welcome the relaxation of some Israeli restrictions on access to and from Gaza, and of course we recognize Israel's legitimate security concerns. But we remain very concerned at the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The easing of restrictions already announced must be implemented now, and we urge Israel to lift the remaining restrictions. Finally, I must note that Australia remains firm in our support for the sovereignty, independence and unity of the Lebanese State and its people.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We have already provided almost $70 million in direct budget support to the Palestinian Authority, and Foreign Minister Rudd announced in Ramallah in December that Australia is now developing a five-year development partnership with the Palestinian Authority that will include regular budget support and the provision of scholarships focusing on those disciplines critical to institution- building. This multi-year agreement - the starting point for an enhanced development partnership - is the first of its kind by a development partner with the Palestinian Authority and reflects our recognition that an independent, viable Palestinian State requires predictable funding to plan ahead and to budget for the provision of services that any functioning State must be able to provide to its citizens.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“Both sides must refrain from actions that undermine confidence, including - decisively - the construction of settlements. Australia unambiguously opposes new Israeli settlements. They are illegal. They are not only an obstacle to peace - they actively undermine the prospects for achieving peace. They compromise the future of a two-State solution, and they must stop. We agree with the Quartet in its statement of 21 September that Israel's previous moratorium on settlements had a positive and beneficial impact on the environment for negotiations. In our view, a cessation of settlement activity now would unquestionably assist peace efforts. Australia is serious about its support for a two- State solution. We will continue and increase our support for the practical establishment on the ground of a viable Palestinian State.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“We should all support every serious effort to achieve that. Australia commends ongoing international efforts to realize peace, including by the Quartet and the Arab Peace Initiative. During his visit last month to the region, including to Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, and Israel, our Foreign Minister, Mr. Rudd, underscored to both parties and to regional leaders that now is the time to seize the opportunity for peace. As he said publicly at the time that time was running out and that what was needed was not just another peace process, but a peace outcome. What is needed is not another Road Map; we need to see the destination to which the road is taking us. Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to return to direct talks as a matter of urgency.”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“I congratulate you, Madame, on the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I thank the outgoing members of the Council and congratulate to the new members. We will continue to work closely with all members of the Council, of course. Australia is genuinely committed to peace and security in the Middle East. We support a just and enduring peace based on a negotiated two-State solution based on the 1967 borders that would allow Israel and a future Palestinian State to live side by side in peace and security. As our Foreign Minister said during the general debate of the General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session, "All States members of the General Assembly should welcome the prospect of both an Israeli and a Palestinian State being represented at the sixty-sixth session of the Assembly, to be held next year" (A/65/PV.16, p. 41).”
2011-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6470Resumption1 (2011) · source
“The Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, the preceding speaker, has just reminded us very well of what that means: the loss of life. As the Secretary-General's own report says, the unstinting and rigorous attention of the Council to the protection of civilians remains vital and must be at the centre of not just its deliberations, but more decisively, of course, its actions.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“The use of benchmarks in peacekeeping mission mandates is an important tool for the articulation of the Council's expectations. Benchmarks on the protection of civilians need to be included from the mission outset, should include effective indicators to measure progress and need to be used as a basis for determining when a peacekeeping mission may draw down. To support such initiatives, as requested in resolution 1894 (2009), there also needs to be a comprehensive and consistent approach to reporting on protection of civilian issues as part of peacekeeping operations. To conclude, we welcome the presidential statement that was adopted at the start of today's debate (S/PRST/2010/25). As we know, the majority of casualties in a conflict are civilians.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Public information strategies are needed to manage international and local expectations regarding the ability of a peacekeeping mission to protect civilians, including the reality that peacekeepers cannot possibly protect everyone, everywhere, all of the time. Australia encourages United Nations missions to develop risk mitigation strategies where insufficient resources are available to physically protect all civilians. As examples, those could include visits to areas within missions where there is not a permanent United Nations presence, the establishment of mechanisms to encourage dialogue with the local population and the establishment of effective communication mechanisms to provide early warning, as is already the practice in some missions.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We are encouraged by the development of a strategic framework to guide senior mission leadership in the development of mission-specific strategies on the protection of civilians, following a request by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations earlier this year. We look forward to co- hosting, with Uruguay, another workshop here in New York on 6 December to enable discussion between the Secretariat and Member States on that framework. We have also been pleased to contribute in a small way to the work under way to develop African Union (AU) guidelines on protection of civilians, as referenced in the Secretary-General's report. We will continue to assist the AU in that endeavour. Despite some progress, much work obviously and inevitably remains to be done.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Uniformed components of peacekeeping missions need guidelines to implement protection-of-civilians mandates. Guidelines are necessary to enable troop and police contingents to understand their responsibilities and adequately prepare and execute protection-of-civilians mandates. Guidelines will assist peacekeepers in their engagement with the local population, their anticipation of threats and the assessment of the use of force and deterrence permissible under the mandate. The development of guidelines will also assist in determining the necessary resources and capabilities and the overall management of expectations. Australia has been pleased by the considerable progress that has been made during the last 18 months in this area.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“In this vein, we welcomed the initiative of the United Kingdom earlier this month in convening a meeting of the Council with Under-Secretary-General Pascoe at the start of the month to provide a briefing on global hotspots. The Council, as members know better than I, has a heavy, labour-intensive agenda each month - much of it predetermined through regular mandate renewals, reviews of reports by the Secretary- General, thematic reviews. We think that an early, focused briefing on hotspots, such as was undertaken this month, should better prepare the Council to anticipate trouble and take action as required to prevent conflict and to protect civilians. Thirdly, I would like to discuss an issue on which Australia has been particularly active.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Australia is concerned about the increased indiscriminate targeting of civilians with explosive weapons, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The most recent Secretary-General's report on the situation in Afghanistan (S/2010/463) reported an 82 per cent increase in IED incidents, which is an alarming trend. We support the Secretary-General's recommendation for further systematic data collection and analysis of the human costs of the use of explosive weapons. Secondly, we support the Secretary-General's call to move away from a selective approach to addressing the protection of civilians. We must acknowledge that peacekeeping is but one tool at the disposal of the Council in protecting civilians. The most effective way, of course, is to prevent the conflict in the first place.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the Council on a decisive issue that goes to the core of the Council's role in maintaining international peace and security and building the defences of peace. This, of course, is the issue of the protection of civilians in armed conflict. I would like to thank the United Kingdom for convening this debate, and the introductory speakers this morning for their presentations. My statement today will obviously not be able to do justice to all the challenges presented in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/579), so I would like to briefly draw attention to three issues. First, we need to ensure there is greater compliance with international humanitarian law.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Australia will continue to work with others on how best to improve our collective response in this critical and vital area. We all have an irreducible obligation to do much better than we are doing.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We will also continue our funding to the Gender Standby Capacity and the Protection Standby Capacity Project to better ensure that the broader protection needs of women are addressed in humanitarian crises. The establishment of UN Women provides real opportunities to move forward on women, peace and security. We commend Ms. Bachelet's commitment to this goal and are of course ready to support her efforts. Effective and tailored in-country programmes, formulated on the basis of data analysed against the global indicators, will be essential. We look forward to UN Women working with all relevant partners to develop a comprehensive framework to guide the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). To conclude, we know that our common resolve to take effective action on women, peace and security must not abate with this tenth anniversary.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Australia was pleased to support the joint analytical inventory developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, under the auspices of the inter-agency network United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The inventory was released this year. It is a key tool for the United Nations to use in improving its ability to protect civilians from sexual violence in conflict as a part of peacekeeping operations. We are committed to working with our United Nations partners to fully operationalize this tool, including by incorporating it into predeployment training for peacekeepers. I am also pleased to announce that Australia will fund the roll-out of the scenario-based training materials for peacekeepers to prevent and respond to sexual violence.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The recent mass rapes in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo obviously highlight to all of us the challenges still faced in ensuring that sexual violence in conflict is addressed comprehensively throughout the entire United Nations system, particularly as part of United Nations peacekeeping operations. There remains a gap between our collective expectations of what the United Nations system should be able to do and the actual capacity of peacekeepers on the ground. Operational guidance, training and resources need to be provided to mission leadership and peacekeepers so that they are prepared to take action in response to threats against civilians.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We welcome the comprehensive set of indicators developed for use at the global, regional and national levels to track implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as outlined in the Secretary-General's report (S/2010/498), and we would ask the Security Council to endorse those indicators and put them to use, particularly where they are relevant to the Council's work. The indicators should be deployed by all relevant parts of the United Nations system to collect data and inform policy and programmatic responses, particularly at the country level. They should also be used as one method to inform policy at the national level.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Despite the achievements - limited though they are in some areas - of the past decade, there is widespread recognition that much more remains to be done to realize the promise of resolution 1325 (2000). Ten years on, far too many gaps remain. Resolution 1325 (2000) still needs to be addressed in a comprehensive and strategic way. Although many activities have been undertaken over the past 10 years, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of these initiatives is yet to be conducted. To do so will require data. That data will need to be assessed against reliable and relevant indicators to evaluate results, determine the impact and identify best practices and lessons learned. That must then form the basis for new and effective policy responses.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“Australia certainly will continue to work with United Nations partners, civil society and national Governments to ensure that women in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere play a central role in peacemaking. The past year witnessed a rapid rise in the collective will to address sexual violence in conflict, although such Violence continues abhorrently. Resolution 1888 (2009) did break important new ground. We welcome the appointment of Margot Wallstrom as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Her views on how the United Nations system could improve its handling of the protection of civilians in this area should be considered very carefully.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“They encapsulate political will. They set out concrete steps that countries will take to translate the ideals of resolution 1325 (2000) into action. They are, in fact, a meaningful and practical way to achieve progress on the ground. We have seen some improvements in the capacity of women at the local level to engage in peace processes that affect them. For its part, Australia continues to be active in this field. In our own immediate region, we have supported women who are themselves mobilizing in Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Fiji, Tonga and elsewhere to end conflict and foster peace and reconciliation in their own communities. The narrative a few moments ago from the Permanent Representative of Solomon Islands is encouraging testimony to what can be done, but of course equally a stark statement of how hard the actual task is.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for convening this very necessary discussion. As we all know, women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of conflict, but can be very powerful in ending it. Durable peace requires the specific needs of women and girls to be addressed. We must recognize women as potent agents of peace. This tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) obviously provides an opportunity to review what we have done well over the past decade, to look ahead and, more importantly, to see what more can be done, must be done and how it can be done better. We have achieved much over the past 10 years, but nowhere near enough. Over 20 countries have finalized national action plans on women, peace and security. Many more, including Australia, are currently developing plans. We should not underestimate the importance of those plans.”
2010-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6411Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We need to collectively consider the financing of peace operations if we are to be serious about assisting countries emerged from conflict and helping them establish themselves as stable, prosperous nations, and if we are to be serious about the responsibilities we have all assumed as United Nations Members under the Charter. All United Nations Member States should give that question priority, and we should give that priority sooner rather than later.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“Just last week in its debate on post-conflict peacebuilding (see S/PV.6396), the Council expressed a similar sentiment when it reaffirmed "the critical importance of timely, flexible and predictable funding for peacebuilding" (see S/PRST/2010/20). In July, following its consideration of the use of preventive diplomacy tools (see S/PV.6360), the Council recognized the importance of enhancing efforts to ensure predictable, coherent and timely financial support to optimize the use of preventive diplomacy tools. Australia will work pragmatically with Member States to address this issue. It is one in which we all have an interest, not just the members of the Council.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“Those recent developments should provide a solid foundation for an expanding engagement by Australia with the AU in this area in the future. Obviously, the most difficult issue under consideration today is the question of predictable, flexible and sustainable financing for the AU's peace and security capability. We commend the major contributors to AU peacekeeping missions for assuming the massive responsibilities that they have done. The issue of funding that responsibility goes to the heart of the global community's ability to respond to threats and to the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, in particular the AU. The question, however, does not arise only when we consider the question of support for AU peacekeeping.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“We have also been pleased to contribute to the United Nations Trust Fund for AMISOM, with a view to strengthening the AU's capacity to manage peace operations. We look forward to remaining engaged with the AU to support its work and strengthen its capacity to address the challenges in Africa. We have recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Union Commission, which will strengthen our cooperation in areas of mutual interest across the broad remit of the AU agenda, including in the area, above all, of peace and security - which of course is relevant to today's discussion. We have also recently opened - I should say "finally", but it has been done - a resident embassy in Addis Ababa and appointed a defence attache and staff who are accredited to the AU.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“This past summer we provided training to the military planning element of the East Africa standby force, with a focus in the first instance on headquarters and logistics planning. We will continue that assistance with that standby force and other standby brigades. Also this past summer Australia was pleased to sponsor, with Nigeria, the United Nations Regional Conference on Deterrence, the Use of Force and Operational Readiness in Peacekeeping, held at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria. That Conference attracted participants from around 20 African troop-contributing countries, with a view to developing comprehensive guidance material for all military personnel and support staff.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“Australia has given practical support to the efforts of the African Union Commission to develop AU guidelines on the protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations, as referenced in the Secretary-General's report, and we will continue to support the AU in that endeavour. Australia is supporting the E-learning for African Peacekeepers - ELAP - programme and has done so since its inception in 2006. In that time, the programme - which is a good one - has attracted over 200,000 enrolments across 20 peacekeeping operations in distance training courses, at no cost to the participants. The provision of standardized training to peacekeepers is a foundation of strengthening the effectiveness of that peacekeeping.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“It is in the global interest of all of us that the AU continue to develop as a credible and strong regional organization that is fully equipped to deal with the challenges of the African continent, especially in relation to conflict prevention and response. The AU and African troop-contributing countries are carrying a large and difficult - but impressive - responsibility when it comes to peacekeeping in Africa. The broader international community needs to recognize the role those countries are playing in the direct maintenance of regional and international peace and security, and take steps to support them. For our part, we have been pleased to contribute, in a small way, to strengthening the AU's peace and security architecture.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“We welcome the recent establishment of the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa. That should create greater synergies and efficiencies in the United Nations-AU relationship. The range of other measures set out in the Secretary- General's report are all practical, sensible and need to be expanded into the future, including staff exchanges, annual retreats and ongoing collaboration on country specific issues. All of that should ensure that the AU, in developing its own systems, learns from the experience and best practices of the United Nations. Australia welcomes the progress that has been made.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“Obviously, some real progress has been made over the past 12 months in strengthening both the strategic and, more importantly, the operational partnership between the United Nations and the African Union (AU). The annual consultative meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and this Council has become a fixture on the meetings calendar. It embodies the importance of those two bodies forging the close and strategic partnership that is needed. Also at the strategic level, we were particularly pleased to participate in the inaugural meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission earlier this year. That relationship also is one that needs to evolve into a strong and effective partnership.”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's debate. We very much welcome the presence of African leaders in the Chamber today. That is a strong statement of the understandable importance that countries of Africa give this item. Australia shares that sense of importance. The item under consideration today goes to the heart of how the system of international relations conceived by the United Nations Charter in 1945 must remain relevant to the contemporary challenge of maintaining international peace and security in circumstances that we all know are so very different from those when the United Nations was established. It is for the same contemporary reasons that early Security Council reform must lead to increased African representation on the Council. Australia welcomes the latest report from the Secretary-General (S/2010/514).”
2010-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6409 (2010) · source
“As the Secretary-General's report notes, further efforts are required to overcome the political, institutional and socio-economic weaknesses that contributed to the events of 2006. For its part, Australia remains irrevocably committed to working for a successful future for Timor-Leste and to our partnership with the Government and people of Timor- Leste to achieve this historic purpose.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“Australia values highly the regular trilateral dialogue, which reflects the strength of our shared history and achievements and provides a very genuine opportunity for strengthening our joint cooperation. We particularly welcome the proposed visit of the Security Council to Timor-Leste. We are confident that the Council and all of us will benefit from a contemporary on-the-ground assessment. We also look forward to updates from the Secretary-General on UNMIT's transition planning, and to working very closely in its development with the Timorese Government. The 2012 elections must be a key element in our thinking about transition. In conclusion, progress has been made and continues to be made. More needs to be done, both for economic development and security sector reform. As we know, the elections in 2012 will be a crucial marker.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“This year, we will deliver over $100 million in aid to Timor-Leste. Our support will help create employment by assisting Timor-Leste to improve agricultural productivity, infrastructure, vocational education, private sector development, and, importantly, such labour intensive works as road maintenance, which give jobs to young people. It will also support the delivery of health and education services, and the Government's efforts to improve its own accountability. Australia welcomes Timor-Leste's strengthening of its regional relationships. Timor-Leste chaired the recent Australia-Indonesia-Timor-Leste trilateral meeting of foreign ministers during leaders' week in New York last month.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“We are working directly with Timor-Leste to improve the capacity of its security forces through substantial bilateral programmes to train the PNTL and the F alintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste. Aside from continued security, it is of course vital to ensure continued economic development and improvement occurs in the lives of ordinary Timorese. Australia has heard the Timorese Government's clear message that the people of Timor-Leste must drive their own development agenda. To this end, we acknowledge and welcome the release of the draft Strategic Development Plan. We especially recognize the impressive process of consultation undertaken personally by Prime Minister Gusmao in its development. As the largest donor in Timor-Leste, we stand ready to support the Government's efforts to secure a stable and prosperous future.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“Australia, through the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and our contribution to the United Nations police, will of course continue to support the Timorese Government and UNMIT in maintaining security. We note that, since February 2008, there have been no serious security incidents in Timor-Leste requiring intervention by the ISF. With the support of the Timorese Government, Australia and New Zealand have drawn down their contributions to the ISF to approximately 460 personnel. Australia continues to review its contribution to the ISF, consistent with the security environment. Future personnel reductions will be made only in close consultation with the Timorese Government, the United Nations and other international partners. Australia recognizes the importance of building Timor-Leste's capacity to provide for its future security.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“Australia welcomes the United Nations efforts to ensure that the skills of the United Nations police deployed in Timor-Leste fit with the new post-handover role, and also welcomes the additional 19 civilian posts that will help strengthen the PNTL as an institution. We hope these positions will soon be filled and on the ground, doing the job they have been mandated to do. Likewise, it is important that the United Nations police continue a mentoring role, particularly to enhance the community policing aspect of the PNTL. Any drawdown in United Nations police numbers needs to reflect the security environment at the time. Further reductions will reinforce the need for United Nations personnel to have the necessary technical and training skills for effective and sustainable capacity-building.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“Planning for the long-term viability of Timor-Leste should take precedence over short-term budget considerations. We welcome greater Timorese responsibility and control over policing. The resumption of primary policing responsibility by the Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) in most districts and units indicates that the PNTL is moving very much in the right direction. Australia encourages the continued handover of policing responsibility once the remaining districts meet the agreed conditions. The Secretary-General's report also highlights that the certification process for the PNTL is still not concluded and needs to be addressed to enable the handover process to be completed. We also join the call for the Timorese Government to take into account seriously, in its budgetary and planning processes, the PNTL's logistical needs.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source
“As we said to the Council in February (see S/PV.6276), youth unemployment is a decisive issue. Also rising is the level of urbanization, which is equally a potential factor for social instability. For these and other reasons, it remains critical, of course, that the international community continue to support capacity-building in Timor-Leste's institutions, particularly in the security sector and in regard to governance. National elections, scheduled for 2012, will be a key milestone, but may also prove to be a challenge, as we know, for the developing institutions in Timor-Leste. It is important, therefore, that UNMIT drawdowns be conditions-based and take into account prevailing capacities. It is also important to take a long-term view of any proposals to change the UNMIT mandate or budget.”
2010-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6405 (2010) · source