YouSaid · the spoken record

Saikal

lines on the record: 276
first: 2015-12-21
most recent: 2018-12-17
sittings or episodes: 20
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

“Let me thank the Mission of France for convening this meeting on women and peace and security. We also thank all speakers who have made strong, positive references to Afghanistan's progress with women in general. However, there is no place for complacency. We remain steadfast in our resolve to improve the lives of half of our population. The role of women is inextricable from the promotion of peace and security worldwide. Experience has also shown that the full involvement and participation of women are not only desirable but absolutely necessary to the advancement of society, as well to preventing and resolving conflicts.”
2017-10-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8079 (2017) · source
“I would like to reiterate our gratitude for the Council's expression of firm support for the stability and prosperity of Afghanistan. Today, as we stand at a crossroads in our stabilization efforts, we look to the Security Council to help us overcome our security challenges by confronting the source of the ongoing conflict, and not by dealing with the consequences. In that connection, the need for an appropriate response by the Council to the task at hand cannot be overstated. We hope that that is realized so that our people are able to meet their basic aspirations of living in peace and security - free of terror, violence and destruction.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“During the review process, we highlighted the imperative of the One United Nations initiative and an adjusted assistance role that would be in conformity with the principles of Afghan ownership and leadership, as well as the priority needs of Afghanistan. We wholeheartedly thank Under- Secretary-General Jan Kubis for leading the review process in the most able manner, and the United Nations team on the ground for their contributions to the process. In conclusion, despite all the challenges, our people are looking to the future with confidence. They have made enormous sacrifices thus far. As such, failure is not an option. That said, the support of the international community, including the Council, will be critically important for our success.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“In our view, had it done so in the past, the situation would be different today. Another outstanding issue for the Council to act upon is the strict enforcement and strengthening of the sanctions regimes. Furthermore, the irreconcilable Taliban should be recognized as a terrorist group after its failure to engage meaningfully in the peace talks. The United Nations must also specify concrete criteria to clearly define State sponsorship of terrorism. Itake this opportunity to thank the Security Council for initiating a review of the structure, resources and activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. We consider it a necessary initiative for ensuring a more efficient and effective United Nations support role in the country.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“In the broader context, his visit reaffirmed that the United Nations would remain beside us over the coming years as we continue our journey towards prosperity. We welcome the establishment of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and hope that its activities and mandate will help bring real and tangible change to counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan and elsewhere. In the past two years, we have reiterated time and again two key concerns for Afghanistan: first, concrete action against regional safe havens and logistical support to terrorists and ,secondly, cross-frontier violations, which I referred to before. On both issues, we have provided full briefings to the Secretary- General and the Security Council. The Council is yet to take the necessary and appropriate action to address those two issues of concern.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Recent projects such as the Afghanistan- India air cargo corridor, the inauguration of public transport infrastructure in Kabul and the World Bank's $500 million financing for various development sector investments are few examples. Today, the world faces an enemy united in its sole desire to bring death and destruction, dismantle State institutions and create chaos. Hence, it is imperative that the United Nations act decisively on its mandate, which is to maintain international peace and security. Last week, Secretary-General Guterres paid a visit to Kabul to express his solidarity with, and support for, the people and the Government of Afghanistan. That was a strong sign of his personal commitment to peace and security in our country, for which we are deeply grateful.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We will leave no room for any possible enemy infiltrators in our security forces. The Government of National Unity is currently in the process of a national dialogue to strengthen consensus on relevant issues and address political grievances. We believe good governance can flourish only in an environment free of any particular ethnic or linguistic considerations. We will continue to focus on the greater task at hand - working towards economic self-sufficiency, tackling corruption and providing humanitarian relief for our people. Increasing economic development opportunities, with a focus on alleviating poverty and creating jobs, remains our key priority.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“They have responded robustly despite various logistical constraints in terms of resources, heavy weaponry and air capability. Let me pay tribute to the commitment and professionalism of those police officers who sacrificed their lives to prevent both the truck bomber of3l May and last week's Kabul mosque attackers from reaching their intended targets and causing maximum casualties. The enemy is doing its best to stage so-called green-on-blue attacks in order to undermine international training programmes and support of our security forces. In addition, through selective targeting and the careful allocation of responsibility claims for terrorist attacks, the handlers of terrorism in the neighbourhood seek to create discord and distrust between our people and security forces.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We hope it will seize the opportunity for the benefit of its own citizens and stability in the region. Meeting on the margins of the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Astana, President Ghani Ahmadzai and Prime Minister Sharif agreed to hold a bilateral working group meeting in Kabul in the near future on confronting terrorism. Moreover, we also look forward to additional discussion within the framework of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, with the participation of China and the United States. Despite the difficult situation in the country, our security forces stand vigilant, protecting our people and infrastructure and preventing terrorists from capturing and establishing a presence in different provinces.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Despite the enormous violence imposed on us over nearly four decades, especially this year, we remain firmly committed to the goal of sustaining peace. In that light, the 6 June Kabul process conference marked the resumption of an important initiative for stability in Afghanistan. The conference brought together regional countries, key international partners and relevant international institutions to focus on two imperatives: first, garnering a new level of commitment in support of our peace agenda and, secondly, identifying a common approach to end the cycle of terror and violence in the country. We are pleased with the outcome ofthat conference, which reinstated cooperation mechanisms to promote peace and security. Naturally, Pakistan has an important role to play in ending violent extremism and promoting peace.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Let me remind everyone that those who would attribute Afghanistan's security and other challenges solely to internal issues are doing so to detract focus and attention from their long-standing policy of propagating violence and disorder in our country. In dealing with the situation, we have been pursuing a three-pronged strategy: first, strengthening global counter-terrorism consensus with a focus on engaging Pakistan in genuine cooperation, ending cross-frontier violations and facilitating the peace process; secondly, strengthening our security and defensive capabilities; and, thirdly, improving national unity, governance and service-delivery to our people. Given the nature of the conflict, the success of our strategy depends upon collaborative and sustained work at national, regional and global levels.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“The other external threat to Afghan sovereignty is the number of cross-frontier violations, which have increased dramatically - almost four-fold - since my presentation to the Council in March. Those violations, ranging from the firing of artillery shells, airspace violations and the construction of military posts and barriers to the digging of deep ditches - all of which exacerbate the current situation - if left unaddressed, will undoubtedly continue to undermine peace and security in our region. In the Council, we have heard from a known neighbouring State that our Government "should not externalize its internal problems and blame others for its own failures." It is the same State that has been highly determined to do all it can to weaken and destabilize our country while accusing us of weakness.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We Afghans will do so in a spirit of national and global unity, which has enabled us to overcome difficult moments in our nation's life. Reversing the tide against terror is contingent upon eliminating support centres beyond our frontiers that produce, nurture and empower terrorists operating in Afghanistan. The recently released outcome of a joint investigation by Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States clearly establishes that the 10 January Kandahar attack was planned in Quetta, Pakistan. Similarly, early investigations verified the link between the Kabul truck bombing of 31 May and the Haqqani Network, based in Pakistan. A joint Afghan-German comprehensive investigation on the attack is currently under way. We shall release the outcome in due course.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We remain committed to reassuring our people that our security forces are there to protect all Afghans and are at their disposal and service. In short, what transpired on that dreadful Wednesday morning was an attack on our people, our democracy, our economy and our partnership with the international community. While Afghanistan continues to bleed, we have witnessed increased terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Mali, Russia, Sweden and Egypt - proving that terrorism has no boundaries and continues to threaten people everywhere. It is important that the civilized world, in its modern meaning, stand united in defiance of terror and secure peace and prosperity for current and future generations.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“The attack triggered the culmination of social frustration and a wave of angry protests seeking security reform, which unfortunately has been leaving more death and injury in its wake, including a triple terrorist attack at one of the slain protester's funeral. We firmly believe in the constitutional right of our people to protest and know that, if the door of dialogue is shut down between the Government and protestors, violence will increase. No element of the Afghan security forces, supported by national and international taxpayers, should ever inflict unnecessary harm upon civilians. Given recent events, the commander of the Kabul garrison and the police chief have been suspended and the incidents are being investigated.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Several disappeared, without a trace, from the impact of the explosion. In fact, this morning, I was watching a television programme showing a young mother and her children walking around town on the streets of Kabul looking for her husband and their father - not knowing what happened him. The nation was plunged into deep mourning. The attack reaffirmed the obvious - that the enemies of Afghanistan know no limit in their brutality to break our pride and prevent peace and stability from taking root in our society. Beyond the human tragedy, the local economy lost millions of dollars and several diplomatic missions suffered damages.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Since the start of 2017, major terrorist attacks in urban centres have caused significant losses of lives and property - more than 500 killed and more than 1,100 wounded in Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar, Lashkar Gah, Khost and Herat. The most recent barbarous attack took place last week when worshippers were offering evening prayers in a Kabul mosque. While all attacks are equally condemnable, the sheer carnage of the 31 May attack was unprecedented in its kind in the history of Afghanistan. The truck-bombing in the heart of Kabul was by all accounts a crime against humanity and Islamic values, spreading horror instead of peace and piety during the holy month of Ramadan. More than 150 innocent souls were lost, including women, children and some of our young journalists.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“After almost four decades of imposed conflict, with hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of displaced people - I emphasize millions of displaced people - our country remains under almost constant attack. Earlier this year, thanks to the effective measures taken by our security forces and their pre-emptive strikes, the so-called Taliban spring offensive came later than expected and was dealt heavy blows in different parts of the country. Unable to confront our forces directly, the orchestrators of our insecurity resorted to desperate urban terrorist attacks on soft targets and attempts to sow discord among our people. In recent months, we have seen attacks of an unprecedented nature across Afghanistan - on the streets, in hospitals, cemeteries, mosques, diplomatic missions and political institutions.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“Let me begin by congratulating you, Mr. President on Bolivia's assumption of the Security Council's presidency in June. We thank you for convening today's open debate on the situation in Afghanistan to take stock of the overall situation in our country. I am pleased by the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ambassador Yamamoto. We thank him for the comprehensive briefing. We meet at a time when Afghanistan is undergoing another phase in its test to overcome adversity. Much has happened since the Council's deliberations on Afghanistan in March (see S/PV.7896). I will focus my remarks on some of the most pressing issues of my country's security and stability, as well as regional and international cooperation.”
2017-06-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7980 (2017) · source
“We survived the post-transition 2015; we countered and defeated every major plan of the terrorist groups and their foreign backers to capture and control the main population centres in 2016; and in 2017 we will, with the Council's support and by the grace of God Almighty, humiliate and destroy the enemies of peace and security in Afghanistan. We are fully committed to making sure that our New Year will be one in which we will open the way for durable peace in our country, our region and around the world. We join Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his appeal to the international community for making 2017 a year of peace. For us, it starts at home.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“In a few days we will celebrate Nowruz - the start of our New Year and the first day of spring - a festive occasion that symbolizes peace, solidarity and togetherness among our people and the wider region at large. But as recent attacks have shown, Afghans will celebrate with a heavy heart. On the other hand, with their planned so-called spring offensive, the Taliban and other terrorist groups are adamantly focused on producing more horror, panic and fear, leaving little room for joy among our men, women and children. This time, we hope to collectively counter their new season of murder and mayhem. Our brave and courageous national security forces are ready and highly determined to defend our people with full confidence and strength.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Fourthly, given Afghanistan's sensitive geopolitical position, all peacebuilding and anti-terrorism efforts in the long run need to have all key stakeholders on board, take the complexities of an evolving regional and global security architecture into account, and agree to a status that assures stability, balance, non-interference, sovereignty and positive engagement in Afghanistan. Fifthly, keeping principles of sovereignty and non-interference central to our objectives requires Afghanistan to become a symbol of international cooperation, where global and regional powers set aside their rivalries and short-term interests by agreeing to cooperate in a spirit of confidence for long-term mutual benefit.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Secondly, all sides need to define and agree on the scope of dialogue and negotiations, leading to a specific set of deliverables and outcomes that can be supported by regional stakeholders and eventually guaranteed by the international community. Thirdly, all sides need to be willing to address the root causes of conflict, not its byproducts, and resolve areas of contention by adhering to and making use of international law, pragmatic precedence and/or other best practices andjudicial norms, and avoiding presumed realpolitik assumptions.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“In our view, the Quadrilateral Coordination Group and the recent six- party Moscow conference on Afghanistan can be useful in that endeavour, if utilized and coordinated properly. These initiatives, among others, emphasize a set of guiding principles, most notably that any peace process should be Afghan-led and that the region must support the Afghan Government in its quest for sustainable peace. Moreover, they also recognize the importance of having all relevant regional and global actors on board in a constructive manner. We know from previous experience that any prospect of success in peace efforts rests on a number of important principles.First, any attempt at resolving current and/or historic issues between Governments requires strong national political will and an impartial and agreed upon international arbitrator in good standing.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“In that light, I wish to reiterate here again that Afghanistan's strategic partnerships will in no way be a detriment to any country within our region or beyond. On the contrary, investments in Afghanistan's security are in fact an investment in regional and global security. For years, the lack of a meaningful and results- oriented channel of dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of tension between Kabul and Islamabad has created a huge trust deficit. Reducing this deficit requires political will and healthy interactions between our two countries. On our part, if we look at the record, Afghanistan has always been ready to engage in constructive and results-oriented dialogue. We welcome any earnest and transparent initiative to help us reach that stage of dialogue.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“As we speak, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are battling, with great resilience and determination, a network of regional and global terrorist groups, who have come to Afghanistan with various objectives. In 2016, our forces prevented the Taliban and terrorist affiliates from capturing major population centres. In January, we adopted a four-year national security strategy, which focuses on bolstering combat capabilities, leadership development and improving unity and coordination of command. The fight against terrorism will continue with even greater resolve, on the basis of our security strategy. That said, continued support from our international partners remains critical for the sustainability of our forces over the long haul.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Hoping to gain legitimacy for groups, such as the Taliban, Pakistani decision-makers continue to use plausible deniability and shifting blame, as part of their defensive tactics while manipulating geopolitical fault lines to their advantage. They forget that legitimacy in my country flows through the people and constitutional order, not through acts of terror, intimidation and forced imposition of extremist thinking and radical behaviour by misinterpreting and misusing our sacred religion of Islam. Talks leading to a peace process can only succeed when policy is revised, the use of sanctuaries is prohibited, terrorist financing is curbed and violence is renounced. Peace cannot be achieved by paying lip service and pretending to be a selective victim.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“While terrorist attacks in Pakistan are strongly deplored by our Government, we are surely witnessing the blowback effects of using violent proxies as instruments of foreign policy, which was adopted by decision-making circles in that country in the 1980s and is still being pursued to this day. In other words, the chickens are coming home to roost. We have reminded our Pakistani counterparts on many occasions that you reap what you sow. We say once again that it is time for Pakistan to change that failed policy for its own sake, desist from using radical terrorists as a foreign policy accessory, and genuinely join the international fight against all forms and shades of terrorism. By making Afghanistan bleed, Pakistan is not only trying to create a stalemate on the battlefield, but it is also hindering the political track.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“We were then issued by the Government of Pakistan a list of 76 so-called suspected terrorists in Afghanistan which, after close inspection by us and our international partners, was found to be in desperate need of verification. Our reaction to all these provocations has been sober and methodical. We have submitted 25 protest notes to the Government of Pakistan and, in the past few weeks, have summoned their Ambassador to Kabul on three occasions. We have submitted to their Government a list of 86 known terrorists and 32 Taliban training centres, including Haqqani network centres, asking for their immediate closure. We have asked for a third-party verification of the two sides" efforts. No response has yet been received. The Secretary-General, the Security Council and other international partners are all appraised of these developments.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“From January until today, we have recorded at least 59 instances of violations of Afghan territory by Pakistan's military forces, including three violations of our airspace, over 1,375 cross-frontier artillery shellings which caused dozens of casualties, the displacement of 450 families in the middle of a cold winter in our eastern provinces, the burning of our forests, illegal construction of infrastructure near the frontier region, and hostile maneuvering of tanks and heavy weaponry. The travesty of decorum in neighbourly relations did not cease there, as the familiar pattern of the obfuscation of facts and diversionary tactics took over.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“However, the Government of Pakistan, immediately and without any regard for any investigative process or clear facts, blamed Afghanistan for the attacks and resorted to increased breaches of its territorial integrity, closing main border crossings, blockading trade and transit and harassing our nationals travelling to, or living in, their country. Such measures constitute a clear violation of the principles of the World Trade Organization and the rights of land-locked countries, including their access to the sea.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Husain Haqqani, another former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Sri Lanka, categorized in clear terms the ongoing links between Pakistan's State apparatus and the Taliban and mentioned in the context of peace talks that "the Taliban and their Pakistani mentors have hardly changed their arguments or their tendency to fudge facts". The quotes and admissions that Ijust read out were not rhetoric from Kabul or emblematic of a blame game, as is often claimed by a known Member State. That was Pakistan talking. Against that backdrop, in February, a series of unfortunate terrorist attacks in Pakistan killed dozens and wounded many more innocent men, women and children. As has always been the case, Afghans always share the pain and anguish of their Pakistani brothers and sisters.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Russia, China and India and Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq and Sudan, wrote in The Herald magazine of Pakistan, "[a]fter the Soviet defeat and withdrawal, we (wittingly or unwittingly) unleashed a ruinous civil war and imposed a barbaric and medieval Taliban upon the hapless Afghan people". His words only confirm the truth that "Pakistan talks one policy, but walks the other". In a 2013 article in The New York Times, Mr.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Today, let me quote the leading Pakistani officials themselves. General Pervez Musharraf, who led Pakistan for eight years as President, proudly commented in a 2015 interview with The Guardian newspaper that "Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence had given birth to the Taliban to counter Indian action against Pakistan". Last year, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, went on record to say that Taliban leaders reside in Pakistan and that they have influence over them. A couple of weeks ago, Mr.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Let me be very clear: the conflict in our country is not homegrown, as some desperately and deceptively try to portray it. On the contrary, it is the nexus ofillicit narcotics, violent extremism and State sponsorship of terrorism, with their regional dimensions and global consequences. Tragically, it has morphed into an undeclared war by a neighbouring State that has for many years continued to coordinate, facilitate and orchestrate violence through proxy forces and more than 20 terrorist networks. Those groups benefit from a full- fledged external infrastructure to keep Afghanistan off-balance, for motives that are inconsistent with our desire to live in a peaceful and prosperous region. In earlier statements to the Council, we have emphasized, time and again, Pakistani actions that sustain terrorist activities in our country.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“The Security Council promptly issued a press statement (SC/ 12743) condemning those attacks in the strongest terms, for which we are thankful. The statement underlined, "the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice". It also urged "all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard." That is indeed what Afghanistan has been asking for over the course of many years. My Government and my people would like to know why, after countless terrorist atrocities and specific Security Council statements condemning them, we are still witness to impunity for the perpetrators and orchestrators of endless violence.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“In January, three simultaneous terrorist attacks in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand provinces killed or maimed more than 160 people, including six United Arab Emirates diplomats. In February, the Supreme Court, our symbol of justice, was attacked, thereby causing numerous fatalities. Last week, two separate attacks in the heart of Kabul killed many civilians. Finally, just two days ago, Afghanistan's largest hospital was attacked, leaving more than 140 killed or wounded, many of whom were doctors, nurses or patients. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for most of those attacks, but regardless ofwhose names are labelled upon them, our own investigations have clearly established that they were generally plotted beyond our borders and on the other side of the Durand Line. That is the fundamental factor that needs to be addressed.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“Let me congratulate the United Kingdom on its leadership of the Security Council this month. I thank the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for presenting his first report (S/2017/189) on the situation in Afghanistan. Allow me to also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto, and the Chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, Ms. Sima Samar, for their respective briefings. Given the severity of the situation in my country, I would like to devote my statement today to the challenging security situation, hidden agendas, the peace process and the ever-increasing necessity for regional and global cooperation. In recent months, dozens of terrorist attacks across Afghanistan have claimed scores of innocent lives.”
2017-03-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7896 (2017) · source
“We fully support the vision of the Secretary-General, presented today, on conflict prevention and sustaining peace and we look forward to working with him on its implementation.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Far too often, a lack of consensus in the Council has blocked the effective action needed to avoid the exacerbation of a particular conflict and to create fertile ground for healthy dialogue on the peace and negotiations front. Moreover, strengthening the United Nations early-warning system requires greater coordination among the relevant United Nations offices to monitor fluid and conflict- prone settings in order to identify viable approaches to averting potential crises. In conclusion, we hope that the year 2017 will mark the start of a new era of beneficial efforts by the United Nations to place prevention and the sustainability of peace at the forefront of its efforts to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous international landscape for humankind as a whole.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The United Nations is well positioned to help address the trust deficit associated with harmful State rivalries, which often lead to conflict and wherein some actors go to all lengths, including the use of violent proxy forces, in the pursuit of political, security and economic objectives. That phenomenon is predominant in our region. The United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, can play an important role in addressing the root causes and structural drivers of conflict, and in furthering efforts to foster mutual trust and confidence for common gain at the national, regional and international levels. Unity and consensus in the Council, along with efforts to ensure justice, are imperative for conflict prevention and sustaining peace.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“In that context, we have expressed strong reservations with regard to open declarations by some in our region about their contacts with armed opposition groups active in Afghanistan, conducted without the consent of the Afghan Government. Let me reassert that any kind of talks on the situation in my country has neither any value nor legitimacy without the participation and approval of our Government, which is the most democratically elected Administration in the history of our nation. What are the additional steps required by the Security Council and within the United Nations system to bolster existing efforts and how can current preventive tools be better utilized to prevent conflict and sustain peace?”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“In that effort, we are reaching out to reconcilable elements within Afghan armed groups who are willing to give up violence and embrace a new future as peaceful and law-abiding citizens. We are pleased that our peace efforts enjoy broad support from regional and international partners, which is imperative for the success of our endeavours. Neverthless, it is imperative, whether in our case or any other peace process, that the principles of national leadership and ownership be fully upheld, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, including the principle of respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The sustaining peace agenda goes hand in hand with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides a key tool by helping to prevent conditions that may give rise to conflict and instability, such as poverty, lack of development and dire humanitarian conditions. Consistent with SDG Goal 16, the continued partnership of the international community with fragile States remains crucial for helping States to implement their national development goals. National dialogue, mediation and reconciliation aimed at fostering understanding aimed at preventing conflicts, as well as resolving them through peaceful means, are other important components of the conflict prevention and sustaining peace agenda. In our case, the Government of National Unity is making every effort to ensure lasting peace for our peoples.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“The cycle of violence and insecurity in Afghanistan and our part of the world is inextricably linked to the presence of sanctuaries and safe havens in the region, from which and in which extremist groups are sustained and enjoy an incessant flow of political, financial, material and logistical support for the continuation of their malicious activities. In that light, the United Nations, and the Council in particular, should devise a viable approach to identify situations where elements in some State institutions facilitate violence and extremist activities by non-State proxies as a means to advance their foreign policy agenda.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“A glimpse at the current international landscape reveals that violent extremism and terrorism feature dominantly in several conflict settings around the world. We believe that terrorism can be defeated only through a multidimensional approach that focuses on both its internal and its external drivers. The United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism constitutes a key preventive tool for addressing some of the internal drivers of violent extremism at the societal level, above and beyond security and military measures. However, the United Nations must also pay greater attention to some of the external drivers of such phenomena.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Among the wounded are our Governor of Kandahar province, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Afghanistan and a number of other diplomatic colleagues. We pray for those who lost their lives and wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. Let me thank Ms. Wallstrom for extending her message of support this morning to the victims and to the Government and the people of Afghanistan. Today's attacks in my country and the views expressed in this debate illustrate in clear terms that sustaining peace is a complex undertaking that requires consistency across multiple lines of effort. It also highlights that the United Nations is simultaneously preoccupied with an unprecedented number of security and humanitarian crises and that more focus is needed to overcome current conflicts and prevent those of tomorrow.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“Afghanistan wishes to thank Her Excellency Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom of the Kingdom of Sweden and her delegation for convening today's important debate, and we hope that this meeting will mark the start of a new phase in United Nations efforts to embed conflict prevention at the core of the Organization's peace and security architecture. We are also particularly grateful to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his visionary and inspiring briefing earlier today. Toda we witnessed yet another bloody day in my country. The Taliban committed multiple terrorist attacks in the Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand provinces of Afghanistan. Based on the most recent reports, approximately 135 people, mostly civilians, including women and children, were killed or wounded in the carnage.”
2017-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7857 (2017) · source
“In that context, the relevant States must prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists and cut off the flow of financial resources and other enablers that have thus far sustained extremist activity. We hope the outcome of today's meeting will revitalize the global fight against a menace that constitutes a crime against humanity and a challenge confronting us all.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source
“Today's meeting of the Security Council highlights the fact that the trafficking of persons constitutes a crime against humanity and that any individual or groups involved in that heinous practice must be brought to justice. We hope this meeting will also serve as a reminder for all that additional progress is required to implement their commitments and obligations, not only as matter of legal responsibility but also as a moral imperative. Finally, we concur with previous speakers that the problem of human trafficking in conflict situations should not be seen in isolation from the global fight against terrorism. Hence, it is imperative that States spare no effort whatsoever to implement the relevant counter-terrorism resolutions of the security Council and of the General Assembly.”
2016-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7847 (2016) · source