YouSaid · the spoken record

Reynders

lines on the record: 34
first: 2012-02-23
most recent: 2019-01-25
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“The results of the twenty-fourth Conference of the Parties in Katowice, Poland, are an important step in building adaptive capacity, increasing resilience to climate change and reducing vulnerability to climate change. Our Council must also contribute to that effort by taking a greater interest in the link between climate and security and more closely involving the United Nations system as a whole. That is why today's debate is crucial. I am convinced that it will continue here and elsewhere.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Detailed analyses and regular reporting by the Special Representatives of the Secretary- General and peace operations in the regions concerned would also be useful, and Belgium welcomes cases where that is already being implemented. But let us be clear - it is a question not of unnecessarily burdening the institutional machinery, but of finding ways to bring together the available know-how, in accordance with a unique and integrated United Nations approach. In the run-up to the Secretary-General's summit on climate change in September 2019 will again be a pivotal year for our response to climate change. Its consequences will be all the more catastrophic if our actions lack ambition. We must do more to mitigate catastrophic climate change and fully implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, but we must also adapt to a warming world.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Thirdly, for Belgium, the time has come to further organize around that issue within the United Nations system by bringing together expertise from the various United Nations agencies and departments in order to cross-reference existing knowledge and make it operational. An institutional focal point - a clearing house - would respond to the urgent need to provide the Council with adequate risk analysis and management strategies for countries and regions where that is relevant. That could be done within the Secretariat or through a format that also involves Member States, as is the case with subsidiary bodies. An annual thematic briefing would be a good point of departure.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Belgium attaches great importance to the integration of climate risks into country or regional discussions, including with regard to the renewal of peacekeeping mandates. I welcome the recent resolutions that have already taken that factor into account. I am thinking in particular of the Sahel, where conflicts between herders and farmers have broken out because of the lack of water, and Afghanistan, where drought is causing destabilizing migration flows. It is clear that taking climate risks into account is no longer an option but a necessity, if the Council is to assume its full responsibility and strengthen its capacity to prevent conflicts.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“First, in order to effectively discharge the mandate set out in the Charter of the United Nations, the Council must pay attention to early warning signs and develop greater sensitivity to situations that could lead to conflict, including climate-related situations. Conflict prevention is not only a virtuous policy; it is also a profitable strategy on many levels. In particular, it makes it possible to invest resources in positive and forward-looking actions, rather than having to intervene later through peacekeeping operations, which are more costly and less effective. Secondly, as to how the Council should approach the problem, it is high time for climate-related risks to be reflected in its regular work.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Given the growing scientific evidence of the disastrous consequences of climate change, there should no longer be any doubt as to the relevance of the issue to the Security Council. The international community must come together to urgently find an ambitious common response. As policymakers, we have a tremendous responsibility. We must heed the call of future generations. I would like to address the following three issues: the importance of a preventive approach, ways for the Council to better take into account the link between climate change and security, and the response of the United Nations system as a whole.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“Mr. Reynders (Belgium) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to thank the Dominican Republic for convening today's meeting. Belgium welcomes the role of the Security Council in addressing the impacts of climate change on international peace and security. I also thank those who spoke at the beginning of the meeting for setting the stage for today's debate. Today we are seeing mounting evidence of how climate change increases instability and insecurity in places as diverse as the Sahel, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caribbean and Pacific island States. More frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, as well as sea- level rise, exacerbate sociopolitical tensions around the world.”
2019-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8451 (2019) · source
“We must also work together on the ways in which the United Nations, including the Security Council, follows up on those recommendations. On behalf of my country, I welcome the fact that the report under discussion today opens the door to a new dynamic in the Security Council. I consider it important that the Council be informed in a timely and comprehensive manner of specific situations that concern young people and are relevant to its mandate. It will have to be better organized, particularly through the use of mechanisms to access the necessary information. The stakes are high, and Belgium intends to make its contribution.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“That is why, in its partner countries, Belgium's development cooperation supports appropriate training, stimulates employment and entrepreneurship and promotes the rights ofyoung people with a view to actively involving them in decision-making processes. In conclusion, I would like to stress that Belgium is committed to continuing to promote the rights of young people with a view to active inclusion in crucial peace and security processes. In particular, in our work as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, we will work to ensure that the youth dimension is positively integrated into the Commission's activities. Taking into account the report's recommendations, Belgium will also work to draw attention to the challenges surrounding young people and will advocate for greater integration of the youth and peace and security agenda.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“It is also important to intensify our efforts to involve young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Pathways for Peace, the joint World Bank-United Nations report, emphasizes the importance of including young people in the prevention of violent conflict and strengthening the relationship between development, humanitarian action and peacebuilding. Working for the future of young people as conscious, critical and open citizens who are capable and responsible is working for peace. We therefore fully share the vision that young people must be recognized as essential partners in peace.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“Our active participation in the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme is another example of our commitment to inclusion, whereby young people can contribute effectively to the preparation of high-level meetings and participate in them themselves. It is clear that effective inclusion can be achieved only by ensuring the dignity, protection and quality of life to which young men and women are entitled. In that regard, as always, Belgium remains firmly committed to the promotion of human rights, which is a fundamental condition for peace and development, and attaches particular importance to the rights of vulnerable groups. We believe that it is essential to protect the rights ofyoung people and invest in their development so that they can realize their full potential and thereby contribute to peace and security.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“Through a combination of action and reflection, the project is aimed at strengthening young people's qualifications and skills with a View to guiding them towards resilience, which is the ability to bounce back in the face of difficulties. Its training is based on a positive perspective * the strengths and talents of every young person. We have found that by changing perspectives from risk to opportunity, from fear to openness and from control to accountability, we can constructively address the complex issue of violent extremism and make progress towards inclusion. At the national level, Belgium already provides a structured platform for young people to express themselves and be heard.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“It challenges a number of stereotypical conceptions and demonstrates that young people have an important capacity for action that promotes peace. Creating an environment conducive to young adults' participation and inclusion in prevention and peacebuilding processes is crucial. Equal access to inclusive and quality education, as well as opportunities for decent employment, are also key elements in creating that environment. Through education we can help young people to become conscious, critical and open citizens, responsible and capable of thinking constructively about their place and role in society. Accordingly, our Department of the Interior coordinates a project called Bounce, financed by a European Commission fund.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“Mr. Reynders (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium fully associates itself with the statement to be made by the representative of the European Union. I would also like to make some comments in my national capacity. I would like to thank the delegation of Peru for organizing today's debate and the speakers for their statements. I congratulate Mr. Simpson and his team on the considerable research they have done, which has resulted in an ambitious document (see S/2018/86) that not only gives very concrete recommendations to the United Nations, regional organizations and Member States, but also invites us to deeper reflection and to confronting the challenges related to the implementation of resolution 2250 (2015). Belgium welcomes the study's emphasis on a positive discourse on young people.”
2018-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8241 (2018) · source
“It is essential that when mandates be reviewed, when troops are drawn down or when funding for peace operations decreases, child-protection adviser positions should not be disproportionately reduced. The theme of children in armed conflict is one that is very close to my heart. I would like to conclude by affirming our commitment to staying the course and working even more closely with Council partners during the 2019-2020 mandate, for which we are a candidate.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Belgium is committed to remaining active in addressing those issues. Additionally, sharing experiences was the main goal of the Brussels conference on the subject at the beginning of this year. On that occasion, we mentioned the good practices that had been developed by various international and regional organizations on the development and implementation of child protection policies. I join the Secretary-General in welcoming the proactive approach and contributions of regional and subregional organizations to child protection. I echo his sentiments in calling on the Council to continue to request the deployment of the necessary means to protect children in United Nations peace operations.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Moreover, I wish to stress the importance of reintegrating and rehabilitating children affected by armed conflict. The extreme experiences that those children have lived through often have an adverse effect on their ability to reintegrate into society. It is crucial to work together to provide them tailored long- term support. In that spirit, Belgium and UNICEF held a parallel event yesterday on the release and reintegration of children linked to armed forces or armed groups. I thank Ms. Gamba for her active participation at that event, which is part of the follow-up to the high-level meeting that Belgium organized last year in New York - attended by our Queen Mathilde - which enabled to us to share good practices regarding the psychosocial rehabilitation and social integration of children in armed conflict.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“There must be real alternatives to children joining armed groups. Prevention is the only lasting solution for resolving the issue of children's participation in armed conflict. It is essential that States develop prevention plans that cover all aspects of that issue. Effectively preventing the recruitment and exploitation of children requires schooling that does not put children in harm's way. In that regard, it is regrettable to see the increased impact of Violent extremism on children. That phenomenon results from a context whose root causes we must work to understand if we are to effectively combat it. Our fight against Violent extremism can be successful only if we address the root causes, while fully respecting human rights and fundamental liberties.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“It is regrettable that armed conflict has continued to affect children disproportionately - as evidenced by the United Nations-confirmed figure of 1,340 children victims in Yemen. The problem of children in armed conflict is multidimensional. I would like to mention two aspects in particular - the prevention of child recruitment by non-State armed groups and the reintegration and rehabilitation of children affected by conflicts. Both of those aspects are at the heart of the Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, to which Belgium has acceded. Belgium also signed on, in March, to the Safe Schools Declaration. Children are often recruited or abducted forcefully, but some have joined non-State armed groups as a result of economic, social or security-related pressure.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“Mr. Reynders (Belgium) (spoke in French): I wish at the outset to thank France for having organized this open debate. I am delighted at the presence here of Mr. Mubin Shaikh, who spoke here in New York two years ago at an event that Belgium had organized. My country associates itself fully with the statement made by the observer of the European Union, that of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict and that of Norway on security in schools. I should like to make the following comments in my national capacity. We welcome the publication of the latest report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2017/821), and I share the deep concern expressed therein with regard to the extent and gravity of the violations committed against children in 2016.”
2017-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8082 (2017) · source
“President, I thank you for organizing this debate and hope that we will progress both in waging an effective militarily fight against Daesh, and in finding a political solution in the various countries Ijust mentioned.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Neighbouring Tunisia, whose evolution is remarkable, has become weaker. The Libyan parties concerned must urgently engage in an inclusive political process to form a transition Government, and I welcome the tireless efforts of Special Representative Bernadino Leon in that regard. In Yemen, where the process of transition has been compromised by negative actors, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating perilously. There must be a political process without delay to end the suffering of the population. Finally, we must relaunch a credible peace process aimed at establishing a Palestinian State side by side with the State of Israel with respect for the concerns of peace, sovereignty and security of their respective populations. The recent growth of tension in Jerusalem underlines that urgency. Once again, Mr.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“I also call on all countries that have influence over the actors in Syria to encourage them to urgently come to the table so that the language of weapons finally ceases. We know that there must be negotiations with the regime, as well as with the moderate opposition forces, but the transition has to occur in parallel with military action against Daesh. In Iraq, the Government of Prime Minister Al Abadi has demonstrated its determination to move towards a more inclusive policy. We must continue to support it so that its efforts are reinforced and sped up. The situation in Libya remains a factor of instability for North Africa and the Sahelian region. Terrorist movements, some ofwhich claim to be the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, are profiting from the political vacuum.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“We will not be able to defeat the terrorist threat if the legitimate concerns of the populations are not taken into account and if human rights, the responsibility for which rests primarily with States, are not respected. The use of inhumane weapons, such as barrel bombs, and responding with violent outbursts to demands for democracy, as in Syria, fuel the recruitment of terrorist organizations that present themselves as alternatives to dictatorship. We must also obviously support neighbouring countries, which have demonstrated an unrivalled generosity by welcoming the populations who fled terrorism, war and repression. In Syria, we must urgently work towards an inclusive political transition. Belgium supports the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General Staffan de Mistura.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“We must continue with our actions to eradicate this scourge by taking measures in each of our countries, in particular to dry up the financing in order to contain the flow of foreign combatants who join the ranks of terrorist organizations. Achieving those goals requires stepped up cooperation among States in all aspects of the counter-terrorism struggle. In Syria and Iraq, the coalition against ISIL, which is supported by some 70 countries, is fighting with resolve against ISIL. Its work should be completed coherently and in a coordinated fashion through the individual action of all Members of the United Nations by clearly and exclusively targeting recognized terrorist groups.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Mr. Reynders (Belgium) (spoke in French): The instability in the Middle East and North Africa over the past four years is at the centre of Belgium's concerns. I thank the Russian Federation for having taken the initiative of convening this debate, which complements our discussions yesterday when we met in the meeting on the coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and violent extremism at the initiative of the United States. As again demonstrated in the general debate of the General Assembly, we are united in our determination to eradicate terrorism. The Security Council has adopted resolutions listing many terrorist organizations, including ISIL and Al-Qaida, and calling on all the States Members of the United Nations to shoulder their responsibilities in the face of the threat.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“I sincerely trust that the team of the Special Representative will continue their excellent work. I believe their report is one stage and that there will be more.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“I am deeply concerned at reports by the United Nations commission of inquiry to the effect that Syrian armed forces and security personnel have used sexual torture against detainees in various detention centers of the intelligence and political security services. I trust we shall have an opportunity to speak of that tomorrow, in the framework of the meeting of the friends of Syria in Tunis. In conclusion, I would like to stress the collective responsibility for the fight against sexual violence. The Security Council must act on this report, in particular by transmitting to the sanctions committees the list of parties responsible for sexual violence, which is annexed to the report, for effective follow-up. The development of that list is a first, for which I congratulate the Secretary-General.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“As Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission's Central African Republic configuration, Belgium attributes particular importance to the issue of sexual Violence in that country. The Central African Republic is on the priority list for action by the Special Representative. The problem of Violence against women and children is discussed during each Commission field visit, and regular contact on the subject is maintained with the Office of the Special Representative. The reports on the situations in Libya, Egypt and Syria are particularly relevant in the context of the so-called Arab Spring. The issue of sexual violence in countries in transition should not be ignored.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“The Special Representative has visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo several times to discuss with top Government officials the issue of sexual violence, often committed by military personnel. Belgium was among the first to provide financial support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national strategy to combat sexual violence. We also provided financial support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for military judges to assist with the 12-2393] prosecution of soldiers accused of sexual violence in the eastern part of the country. Belgium intends to remain engaged in this project, in consultation with the Special Representative and with national authorities.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“In addition, United Nations mediators and officials also must ensure that sexual violence is included in the definition of conduct prohibited by ceasefire and peace agreements. Indeed, Belgium calls particularly for an increase in the number of women serving as mediators and special envoys. Finally, the third recommendation that I wish to underline concerns prevention, which is often more effective than reparation. That is why Belgium supports any initiative aimed at adopting early warning systems that could detect risks of imminent sexual violence in regions affected by conflict. My third and final comment relates to situations in some particular countries.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Furthermore, while sexual Violence mainly affects women and girls, the Secretary-General's report makes very clear that the situation of men, especially those in custody, as well as children born as a result of rape, deserves greater attention from us. Rather than seeking to lock the mandate into too limited an area of action, we should develop a comprehensive approach to protecting civilians. My second comment concerns some particular recommendations in the report, first, that concerning initiatives and modalities relating to security sector reform, It is indeed our duty to ensure that those who perpetrate, command or condone sexual violence are excluded from all branches of government, including the armed forces and police.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“It allows the Security Council to focus on sexual violence not only in classic conflict situations but also in post-conflict situations or other serious situations, such as political unrest. The Council already regularly takes up such issues in various types of situations. I welcome the reference in the report to instances of sexual violence in situations of unrest and instability, particularly in Egypt and Syria. To reduce the mandate 12-2393] solely to cases of sexual violence in conflict situations would be tantamount to restricting the role of the United Nations in defending individuals and societies that suffer from this terrible scourge. We cannot retreat from the detailed mandate set out in resolution 1960 (2010).”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source
“Mr. Reynders (Belgium) (spoke in French): Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General for the report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2012/33). I also wish to thank Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and her team of experts. It is impossible to remain indifferent in reading the report, for sexual violence in many societies is still a common practice, often invisible and too rarely prosecuted. Belgium has always been a strong defender of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security. It formally promises to remain so. Belgium associates itself with the statement to be made on behalf of the European Union. I would like to address three subjects. First is the mandate of the Special Representative, which for Belgium is very clear.”
2012-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6722 (2012) · source