YouSaid · the spoken record

Rycroft

lines on the record: 1,262
first: 2015-05-12
most recent: 2018-01-10
sittings or episodes: 197
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

“Together with the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements and annexations of land, the physical viability of a two-State solution is being undermined, as the Secretary-General reminded us today. If the Israeli Government really is committed to a two-State solution, it must reverse its policy. The Palestinians must also take the necessary steps to reunite the West Bank and Gaza. The continued split between the two territories seriously damages the chances of peace. Reports of large-scale diversions of reconstruction materials to Hamas are worrying, and today's report of a tunnel dug from Gaza into Israel is extremely concerning. We hope that the suspension of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism will soon be resolved so as to enable the safe entry of much- needed construction material.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“Both sides must do all they can to calm the situation. That is particularly important during Passover, since the recent past has shown how quickly clashes at Jerusalem's holy sites can escalate and spread. There is a way out. We all have to work to advance improvements on the ground and re-establish hope that a two-State solution is still achievable. Without that, continued conflict and suffering are inevitable. First and foremost, progress has to come from the parties themselves. We have heard on many occasions that they remain committed to a two-State solution, but too often that commitment has not been matched by action. Israel must reverse its damaging settlement policy and cease demolitions of Palestinian property. The sharp increase in demolitions this year continues to cause terrible suffering.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“I would like to join others in thanking the Secretary-General for his briefing. For all the excitement there was last week around the hearings of the candidates for the position of the next Secretary-General, we are pleased to have the current Secretary-General still working very closely with us for many months to come. Looking back on last week's hearings, it was heartening to hear all nine of the declared candidates committing to achieving a two-State solution, underscoring just how united opinion is on the issue. And yet the violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories continues. The risk of a sudden deterioration is all too possible. The fundamental causes of the violence - incitement and the effects of the occupation - remain. The United Kingdom will continue to strongly condemn all acts of violence and terrorism.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673 (2016) · source
“Through collective action, we can and will address the threat of terrorism and violent extremism to international peace and security.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“In the past decade, terrorism has evolved, with new levels of barbarity and new tactics for advancing its cause. In order to sustain our efforts, we need to make sure that we have the most up-to-date approach possible, shaped by emerging trends. That is why the United Kingdom supports an ambitious, forward-looking review of the United Nations strategy this year. To remain relevant, we must consider how best to structure and manage United Nations resources and ensure that new agendas, notably preventing violent extremism, get the resources, structures and focus that they require. We look forward to debating options and ideas with all Member States during the review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy this summer.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“We disrupt the circulation of extremist and terrorist ideology through direct referrals to a dedicated referral unit and by supporting civil society groups in providing effective online counter-narratives. Since 2010, United Kingdom referrals have led to a 150,000 pieces of terrorist-related content being voluntarily removed by industry. Removal requests now average 1,000 a week and approximately 70 per cent of them are Da'esh- related. This voluntary partnership is one of the many ways of addressing terrorist use of the Internet without resorting to excessive restrictions. We will continue to work with industry to improve that approach, and I hope other members will play their part, too. Let me close with this final thought. The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is now 10 years old.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“But to truly shut down Da'esh's finances, all States must work to a common purpose, implementing the resolutions adopted by the Council and the provisions of the Da'esh and Al-Qaida sanctions regime. Our actions need to be targeted resolutely and consistently against those terrorist groups. In parallel with targeting their money, we need to silence their messages of hate. Da'esh and other groups use the Internet to spread their views and draw in support at a pace and scale that we have never seen before. The United Kingdom takes the threats from online terrorist and extremist propaganda extremely seriously, and we have taken significant steps to address them. We work in partnership with industry and police to remove terrorist and extremist material online.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“When our Finance Ministers met in the Council last year (see S/PV.7587), we committed to choking off the sources of funding that Da'esh needs to survive. Our efforts are working. Its finances are being squeezed. Its fighters' salaries are being cut. We all have a role to play in sustaining that pressure. The United Kingdom has joined global efforts to degrade Da'esh-controlled oil resources so that we can deprive it ofthat illicit revenue. We are helping partners in the region to reinforce their border-control capacities, cutting off Da'esh access to resources and recruits. We have the strongest legislation against kidnap-for-ransom payments in the Coalition so that we can prevent this most heinous of acts being used to finance even more hatred.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“The United Nations is playing its part. The Council is leading the fight, adopting ground-breaking new resolutions to tackle Da'esh. The Secretary-General has provided a crucial basis for international action through his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, and the General Assembly continues to build consensus on the way forward under the auspices of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. Those efforts, together with the actions of the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, are bearing fruit. Da'esh has lost 40 per cent of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and has lost significant territory in Syria. We must now sustain that pressure. To do so, I believe that there are two top priorities - stopping the flow of money to Da'esh and silencing its message of hate.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened this debate, and the Secretary-General for his briefing. Terrorism is the scourge of our time. We are reminded almost daily of the brutality and human cost of terrorist attacks and violent extremism. They strike indiscriminately, in everyday places, an airport in Belgium, a school in Pakistan, a university campus in Kenya, a market square in Syria. And behind each headline lie shattered lives. So many of these stories start and end with the actions of Da'esh, with its warped ideology and false claims of statehood. They are a challenge to the core United Nations values that bind us together. Faced with this and other threats, countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism has become a priority for us all - a collective challenge that needs a collective response.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670 (2016) · source
“When asked "What was your role?", she will be able to say that she was at the forefront of the United Nations action to prevent conflict and resolve crisis and represent the entire world, notjust half of it.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“What message does it send to that young girl in Somalia who dreams of becoming president, or to those who want to answer the question "What was your role?" with something other than "survivor"? If we want half of the world's population to have a say in conflict prevention and resolution, then let us begin in this building. That is why the United Kingdom has been clear that we need as many credible women as possible to apply to be the next Secretary- General. We have had three so far and I hope that there are more to come. It is time to make history and bring about a historic moment that is long overdue. All things being equal, we hope that this will be the year that we appoint a woman to be Secretary-General for the first time.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“At a time when the Council has been so frustrated by the crisis in Burundi, it is heartening to see how powerful women's civil society can be in their local mediation efforts. Ultimately, however, supporting this effort requires more than just our money. When the Council visited Mali, Guinea Bissau and Senegal earlier this month, there was not a single female representative of the Council on the trip. And even at Headquarters in New York, only two of the 15 Security Council member countries are represented by a woman at this debate. Since we call upon Africa's leaders to do more to bring women into conflict prevention and resolution, let us also heed the call ourselves. What signal does it send when the primary body for preserving international peace and security only has one woman among its 15 permanent representatives.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“In Somalia, the United Kingdom is helping make health services available to over 1 million Somali women and children, but also providing legal assistance to thousands of Somali women and will soon be supporting initiatives that boost their participation in politics too. But this issue will not be solved by one country alone. That is why the United Kingdom is contributing $1 million to the Global Acceleration Instrument for Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (GAI). By funding the GAI, we can all offer material support that can break down those barriers. In Burundi, a network of women mediators was able to deal with 5,200 local conflicts in 2015. That is over 14 a day. Thanks to the GAI, they are now scaling up their activities.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“If the rest of the Council were to follow suit, then we would send a strong message to the rest of the world. To support that effort, we have to increase women's participation in politics and society. That means delivering on the commitments we made in resolutions 1325 (2000), 1889 (2009), 2242 (2015) and so many others because breaking down barriers facing women in peace talks requires breaking down barriers facing women across society. It means helping girls stay in school, improving health care and, yes, tackling sexual Violence. At its heart, it is about ending discrimination against women. We all have a part to play.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“It is not just a women's issue; it is a peace issue. When women's voices are heard in peace processes, in negotiations and in State-building, the chances of a lasting peace increase. If we are serious about truly resolving conflicts and preserving peace - not just for hours, but for generations - we must heed the words of Leymah Gbowee and our briefer Paleki Ayang. They demonstrate just how powerful community-based activism can be. Just think how powerful those women's voices could have been had they actually been in the room at key times in peace processes. So, whether in Africa or in any other part of the world, we need to make sure that women are playing the fullest role in conflict resolution. I am proud that all future United Kingdom-hosted peacebuilding events will ensure that women's voices are heard.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“I thank the briefers for their insights and I welcome Ms. Paleki Ayang to the Council. We should hear the voices of women activists from civil society in the Chamber more often. I would like to begin with the words of another activist, Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee. In 2003, her group Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace successfully pressed Charles Taylor to attend peace talks. Talking afterwards, she said, "We are now taking this stand to secure the future of our children, because we believe, as custodians of society, tomorrow our children will ask us, 'Mama, what was your role during the crisis?"' "What was your role during the crisis?" The answer to that question for so many women in Africa is not negotiator; it is not envoy; it is not delegate even, and that needs to change. It is not just about ending gender inequality.”
2016-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7658 (2016) · source
“It is a reality created by a peacekeeper who was entrusted to help, not harm, that teenage girl. It is a reality that we simply cannot shy away from. We must confront it and we must end it. This resolution today is a vital step towards doing so.”
2016-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7643 (2016) · source
“What does that say to the victims, the women and girls whom we heard so poignantly about yesterday, that some members of this Council would seek to weaken our response, rather than endorse meaningful action? The United Kingdom voted against the draft amendment because not holding perpetrators accountable is unacceptable. Had the draft amendment succeeded, the Secretary-General would not have had a lever to apply pressure for accountability. I want to conclude with the words of a teenage girl from Bangui. Speaking to ajournalist earlier this year, she said: "Sometimes when I am alone with my baby I think about killing him. He reminds me of the man who raped me." (The Washington Post, 27 February 2016) Those are difficult words to read in the Council, but this is the reality of sexual exploitation and abuse.”
2016-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7643 (2016) · source
“Today I hope that finally we have turned the page and begun to make amends. We cannot be having this discussion again - not in 20 years' time, not in one year's time. What we need now is swift and systematic implementation of this resolution, implementation that brings justice for the victims and ends the sickening cycle of impunity. This is not about collective punishment, nor about penalizing the many for the sick acts of the few. This is about taking serious action in the face of serious allegations, about acting decisively against any pattern of abuse in any part of the world. It is deeply regrettable that there was no unanimity and that there was an attempt to weaken the resolution through a draft amendment.”
2016-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7643 (2016) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of resolution 2272 (2016) today. I pay tribute to Samantha for her determination and courage in bringing this difficult issue to the Security Council. Like so many in the chamber yesterday, I was appalled by the sickening crimes detailed in our meeting (see S/PV.7642) on the report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/729). Alhough I was shocked, sadly I cannot say that I was surprised. Horrific allegations against peacekeepers have surfaced almost every year for over two decades - in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in C6te d'Ivoire, in Haiti, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now inthe Central African Republic. The most harrowing abuse demands the most steadfast response. Each and every victim could tell us that for too long our response has fallen short.”
2016-03-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7643 (2016) · source
“The reputation of peacekeepers, of the Security Council and of the United Nations is at stake. The Council has a clear responsibility to ensure accountability and to take action. I hope we can adopt the Security Council draft resolution under negotiation in the coming days. That will be a valuable step forward, but it cannot be our last.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“Those must include designing a system for reporting allegations that is trusted by host communities. When allegations are proven, the United Nations must act quickly and decisively, and well within the Secretary-General's suggested six-month deadline. The United Kingdom has committed funds to assist the United Nations and the Special Coordinator in these efforts this year. Some of that money will be spent rebuilding much-needed trust in communities hosting peacekeepers. I hope that other Member States willjoin us in committing financial support too. The world is watching us today. Let us be clear: this cannot continue; this must not continue. The report (A/70/729) of the Secretary-General is a wake-up call that simply cannot be ignored. It is a call for all of us to do everything in our power to protect those in our collective care.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“Ahead of their deployments to South Sudan and Somalia, all troops from the United Kingdom will be vetted rigorously and receive robust predeployment training covering sexual exploitation and abuse. I hope all troop contributing countries will do the same. The United Nations system must also bear its share of responsibility. We welcome the Secretary-General's decisiveness in withdrawing units facing credible allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse. We support his prerogative to name and shame countries that contribute those units, and we fully support the appointment of Jane Holl Lute as Special Coordinator on the United Nations response to this terrible scourge. But this is just the start. The coming months will need to see bold United Nations reforms.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“Those crimes truly are a cancer in our system. The stories that have emerged from the Central African Republic are harrowing. We cannot shy away from them. We cannot hide behind an acronym. This is not "SEA". It is abuse. It is exploitation. It is women and girls being raped and manipulated for sex. For too long that has existed in the shadows, in rumours and speculation, concealed by incompetence and, yes, by conspiracy. Today we have brought overdue light to this darkness, we now need to prove that we will never let it happen again. We all have a role to play in that. We cannot pretend that this is a matter just for other countries. When our collective reputation is threatened, collective action is needed.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“In the midst of conflict and chaos, peacekeepers bring safety and hope to those most in need, to those in the darkest moments of their lives. To fulfil that crucial role, peacekeepers need the trust of those they seek to protect. When a girl looks up to a Blue Helmet, she should do so not in fear, but in hope. Every time that a peacekeeper fails to live up to our principles or fails to uphold the integrity and decency that is expected of the United Nations, that trust is undermined. Today we have heard about the worst abuse of trust imaginable - the sickening actions of a small number of individuals now threaten the reputation of the entire United Nations. Such actions are a horrific betrayal of the faith placed in the United Nations by the very people in need of protection, people who have already suffered the trauma of conflicts.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“I am very grateful to the Secretary-General for his urgency in bringing this issue to the Security Council and for his briefing today. For nearly 70 years, the pale blue helmets of United Nations peacekeepers have been synonymous with the work of the United Nations. In the 16 missions ongoing today, and in the 54 that came before, each and every peacekeeper presents the human face of the Organization and the principles we stand for. In upholding those principles, many have paid the ultimate price. At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to the 3,444 peacekeepers who lost their lives since 1948, including 104 from my own country. We all know why their sacrifice was needed. Peacekeeping, by definition, can be dangerous. It is the preservation of international security - not in word, but in deed.”
2016-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7642 (2016) · source
“And above all, we continue to urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to return to credible and authentic multilateral talks on its nuclear programme, to abide by its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to commit to full access by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“The resolution is not intended to negatively affect the work of international organizations or non-governmental organizations carrying out assistance and relief activities in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Taking this intention into account, it is clear that the resolution's provisions, including on the export of aviation fuel, are not intended to curtail legitimate humanitarian and diplomatic activities in the country. The Council will need to be vigilant in that regard. Additionally, we note for clarification that the new provisions on cargo inspection are consistent with the obligations set out in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Finally, we again welcome the resolve of the Council in expediting this robust new resolution. We strongly encourage all States to implement its provisions in full.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“We must deter and impede the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from continuing to pursue such illegal actions. We remain deeply concerned by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's continued development of nuclear and missile programmes. It is in flagrant defiance of the Security Council's resolutions and flies in the face of international condemnation, and it means that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regime has even fewer national resources available for the health and welfare of its people. Resolution 2270 (2016) is not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the country's civilian population. The resolution is not intended to negatively affect activities not prohibited by this or previous Security Council resolutions.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“The United Kingdom strongly supports the unanimous adoption of resolution 2270 (2016). I join my colleagues in welcoming the robust new measures that it brings into force, thanks to strong and united action by the Security Council. This resolution is a step change. It contains some of the toughest measures the Security Council has ever taken. It addresses the will of the Council as we expressed in our press statement of 6 January 2016 (SC/12191), the day that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced it had conducted its fourth nuclear test. Since then, on 7 February, we saw the Democratic People's Republic of Korea conduct a satellite launch using ballistic-missile technology. Those events were clear and deliberate violations of previous Security Council resolutions. We could not allow them to pass without a robust response.”
2016-03-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7638 (2016) · source
“Without that we face continuing deadlock, which is damaging and debilitating to all sides. Russian actions in Ukraine cast a shadow over efforts to build confidence and security across OSCE States. We must lift that shadow and, as Foreign Minister Steinmeier said, rebuild trust, renew dialogue and restore security.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Until those steps are taken, we will be working with our European Union partners to ensure that sanctions remain in place. The onus is on Russia to demonstrate a clear commitment to act in line with the principles that guide the OSCE, the Council and other international organizations. Finally, beyond Ukraine, we in the Security Council should not lose sight of the need to work closely with the German OSCE chairmanship to resolve other issues affecting the region. Those include protecting fundamental freedoms, which continue to come under growing pressure in some OSCE States, addressing the need for greater military transparency and tackling the protracted conflicts that continue to blight the lives of people across the OSCE region, most notably in Georgia. We need dialogue based on respect for, and the implementation of, commitments.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Those include Nadiya Savchenko and Oleg Sentsov. We also reiterate that all hostages and illegally detained persons related to the crisis in and around Ukraine must be released, as stipulated under the Minsk agreements. Thirdly, even more important, what is most needed is a truly sustainable ceasefire and genuine political will to restore Ukrainian sovereignty. The Russian Federation must demonstrate that will and live up to its international commitments. It must withdraw its weapons and personnel and use its considerable influence over the separatists to bring an end to the crisis and prevent the deaths of more people. That is the best way to end the fear and suffering of ordinary people in eastern Ukraine and to allow the Ukrainian Government to focus on much-needed programmes of governance and reform.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“To that end, three clear steps must be taken. First, it is imperative that the Monitoring Mission, ably directed by Ambassador Apakan, be permitted to carry out its mandate in full. The threats and aggressive behaviour towards monitors must end. The Mission must have unrestricted access to all of Ukraine, especially those parts of the border with Russia not under Ukraine's control. The Russian Federation should use its influence on the separatists to ensure that that happens without delay, as they it is obliged to do. Secondly, while there have been some welcome exchanges of prisoners over the last year, at least 134 Ukrainian prisoners remain in detention. We again call on Russia to release all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens, including those held in Russia and in the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“One year since our previous meeting on the OSCE (see S/PV.7391), can we really say that the overall situation has changed for the better in the east of Ukraine? That meeting focused on the regular breaches of the ceasefire, the use of heavy weapons and the continued presence ofconvoys crossing the international border. To that list one can now add the unacceptable aggression directed against OSCE monitors. I am saddened and deeply worried to say that, one year later, we seem no closer to a resolution of the crisis. Since the crisis began, over 9,000 people have lost their lives, and over 3 million are now in need of humanitarian assistance. It is clear that that toll will only continue to grow unless a truly sustainable ceasefire is put in place and all sides meet their Minsk commitments in full.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Sadly, as the Council well knows, that system is seldom left unchallenged, so it is incumbent upon both organizations to work closely together to advance peace and security, and in doing so to uphold the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki principles. That strong cooperation is most clearly seen in our response to the continuing crisis in Ukraine. At the outset, I wish to reaffirm the United Kingdom's full support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and our commitment to the return of Crimea to its rightful place as part of Ukraine. I would also like to take this opportunity to express the United Kingdom's gratitude for the leading role played by Germany, and by the German OSCE chairmanship, in the Normandy group, and in support ofthe Special Monitoring Mission and the Trilateral Contact Group.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“I thank Foreign Minister Steinmeier for his briefing. We look forward to his return to the Security Council in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, permanently, before too long. In the meantime, he has our full support, both in Vienna and here in New York, in taking forward the priorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this year. Like the United Nations, the OSCE was founded on the principles of dialogue and respect for peace and stability. Together, the two organizations are therefore at the forefront of the rules-based international system.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Finally, I would like to make clear the United Kingdom's position that it is the Syrian High Negotiations Commission that must represent the Syrian opposition in formal negotiations in Geneva. The Commission represents a broad sweep of the opposition forces fighting in Syria against the tyranny of Al-Assad. They deserve our wholehearted support, which regrettably was not reflected in this resolution. It is crucial now that all members of the international community work in good faith to implement this resolution and resolution 2254 (2015), alongside the agreements reached in Munich. In doing so, we can ensure that this finally is the year that the bloodshed in Syria comes to an end.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“We should not forget that 1,380 civilians have been killed and 5,789 injured by Russian and regime airstrikes since Russia began its campaign in Syria, including attacks on at least three camps for refugees and internally displaced persons. For all uor optimism today, we must therefore recognize that the cessation of hostilities is an overdue milestone. Rather than dwell on our past failures, let us now seize the momentum and see urgent progress aimed at a political transition - away from Al-Assad - and a Government that represents all Syrians. That is the only way to end the longer-term conflict, and in doing so allow us to defeat the Da'esh threat.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“As we heard in the briefing from Stephen O'Brien (see S/PV.7631) on Wednesday, there has been a significant resumption of humanitarian aid access to besieged areas, and that is welcome. But it is long-overdue, and it is clear that there remain significant needs, including reaching areas of eastern Ghuta. We must begin to see that in the coming days. There is so much more to do. Russia must turn words into actions and use its unique influence on the Al-Assad regime, its affiliated militias and other backers to abide by this agreement. If they do, some much-needed confidence will be brought to our hopes for a political settlement; if they do not, we will falter again and the spiral of violence will continue.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“It is vital that we seize the impetus created by this agreement. But as set out in the Secretary-General's report (S/20l6/152) on the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), there are a number of actions still outstanding that need to be taken forward to maximize the prospects for successful negotiations. First, the task force must agree a transparent monitoring and verification process for the cessation of hostilities, and, in the future, for a ceasefire. Secondly, additional confidence-building measures are still required to show the regime's commitment to the political process. Those must include the release of arbitrarily detained people, especially women and children. Thirdly, we need to see a complete end to the obstruction of medical supplies to besieged and hard-to- reach areas. That practice is completely unacceptable.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“I thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, for his briefing today and for all of his sterling work in such challenging circumstances. The United Kingdom welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2268 (2016), endorsing the agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Syria. I want to join others in welcoming the cooperation between the United States and Russia that made this agreement possible. If implemented fully, this agreement could be the most significant step forward in the past five years, a step that brings us closer to an end to the violence and one that brings the conclusion of this conflict into sight, bringing about hope for a political transition. I therefore welcome Special Envoy De Mistura's decision to reconvene rapidly political negotiations on transition, in Geneva on 7 March.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7634 (2016) · source
“Finally, to wrap up, I just want to thank the President and his team again for a very full and productive month of February. I wish all the very best to the Whole of the Angolan delegation and to Movses, who might have left the Chamber - maybe he has had enough already - but I thank him very much on behalf of the Security Council for his work in the role of leading the Secretariat.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“On one of the others - on the Sudan and South Sudan - we had some action in terms of an agreed press element, which the presidency was able to tell the media about, but on the others, as far as I can see, there is actually no action resulting at all, and it seems to me that might something worthy looking at if we are trying improve our overall efficiency and effectiveness. Those are the three points I wanted to make - the Council needs to be more interactive, transparent and action-oriented. I think these concepts are all linked, in a way, and we can get a better action coming out if we are interactive and transparent. But I hope that people will accept my suggestions in the spirit in which they are intended, which is to be positive and constructive and to improve the overall effectiveness of the Council.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“From the statistics that the President mentioned, it is clear that on a couple of topics we have had a very large number of discussions one way or another. Were we really making sure that each and every one of those was action-oriented so that something would actually happen as a result that was different? I am not sure that we can say that, honestly. We have five "any other business" items. Yesterday, one of them was extremely action-oriented - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - because the United States and China came forward with a draft resolution, which is extremely welcome.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“That level of transparency each and every time we have a meeting in the Consultations Room, whether its formal consultations or any other business or anything else, I think that we should try to increase the level of transparency between us and the outside world, as a result of those discussions. If not, then particularly if our debates in this Chamber are very stilted and formal, with no engagement, then people will rightly assume that the real action is happening elsewhere, and I think they need to know a little bit more than they currently do about what that real action looks like. Thirdly, and finally, I would like to say a little bit about action-oriented debates, consultations and meetings. I am very keen that we do not just have a discussion for the sake of having a discussion.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“That is a little bit about interactivity. On transparency, everything we do in the Chamber is of course transparent because the cameras are on us, but there are times when need to meet privately. It is very important that we be able to do so, in the Consultations Room. It is incumbent upon us to be transparent in terms of telling the rest of the membership, and indeed the public through the media, that we have had discussions, and broadly speaking what the discussions were about it, what we agreed on, what were the areas of disagreement, what are going to do next.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“I would just question whether a whole series of 70 statements by 70 different countries over a whole day is actually going to change anyone's mind about such an important issue. It was clear from that debate that it is an interesting issue and that people want to talk about it, but there was absolutely zero interactivity at any point in that debate. I am therefore pretty sure, as a result, that nothing really is going to change, which is a shame because it is an important topic and it was a whole day out of the short month of February. I am not criticizing the topic of the debate. I am just saying that we need to think further about how we build some interactivity into our debates to drive up the level of engagement, which in turn will drive up the usefulness of the product or products that come out ofthe meetings.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source
“As a result of the interactivity, the Council was able to agree on this note last week, and we now have a series of specific, concrete, practical suggestions that will, I hope, improve the transparency and outreach of the committees, encourage Chairs to share experience between incoming and outgoing Chairs and across different committees. It was a useful exchange of views; there was some interaction following it and a positive outcome. On the other hand, we had, as others have mentioned already, an open debate about respecting the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (see S/PV. 7621), which is an admirable topic for a debate. I naturally strongly agree with those who say that we must uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter.”
2016-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7633 (2016) · source