YouSaid · the spoken record

Secretary-General

lines on the record: 2,998
first: 1995-09-26
most recent: 2021-05-16
sittings or episodes: 363
sources: un-security-council

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“Peace operations are deployed in difficult environments where the United Nations is at times the sole party able and willing to act. Peace operations are subject to significant and perhaps overly weighty expectations insofar as they must address urgent situations while contributing to long-term solutions. Peace operations often face situations of such complexity that it is illusory to hope that a solution can be provided over the course ofa few years. (spoke in English) The High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, whose recommendations remain at the heart of our efforts to advance collective security, called for four critical shifts. My reform efforts aim in part to bring them about. First, we must recognize the primacy of politics so that peace operations are deployed in support of active diplomatic efforts, not as a substitute.”
2017-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8051 (2017) · source
“Peacekeeping remains a highly cost-effective instrument. The people of Haiti and Cote D'lvoire will enjoy a brighter future thanks in part to the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire. I pay tribute to the many peacekeepers who have paid the ultimate price in carrying out this vital work. (spoke in French) Despite the evident successes, peacekeeping operations can at times be disappointing and apparently lacking in prospects, unable to bring decades-old engagements to an end. This prompts us to engage in reflection about our goals, the means with which we avail ourselves, and our ability to implement complex mandates and to meet multiple ambitions.”
2017-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8051 (2017) · source
“I thank this month's presidency of the Security Council, Ethiopia, for being such a steadfast contributor to peacekeeping. Its personnel are on the front lines in some of our most challenging missions, and we are extremely grateful for that commitment. Today we gather to fortify this flagship United Nations activity. Every day, peacekeepers create conditions for lasting peace that protect civilians, such as the hundreds of thousands in South Sudan and the Central African Republic who have sought refuge. Across the years and across the globe, 55 peacekeeping operations have successfully completed their mandates. Many political missions have done the same. Four missions are downsizing or closing soon, their job completed, and the strategies to ensure a smooth transition in these situations are absolutely crucial.”
2017-09-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8051 (2017) · source
“Taken together, the Joint United Nations-AU Framework, the adoption of the African Union Peace Fund and resolution 2320 (2016) represent significant steps in our efforts to reinvigorate cooperation with the African Union. I pledge to continue working with all Council members to further elevate our platform of cooperation for sustainable peace, stability and development throughout the African continent, and I hope their deliberations on this important topic will be fruitful.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“In May, I submitted a report (S/2017/454), pursuant to resolution 2320 (2016), That welcomed the African Union's decision to fund 25 per cent of AU peace support operations, a commitment in line with the AU's goal of achieving self-reliance and African ownership in the area of peace and security. My report included options for financing those operations and highlighted the importance of compliance and oversight in African Union peace support operations through robust and effective human rights mechanisms and a framework for conduct and discipline. The African Union is working to develop those capacities and the United Nations stands ready to provide the necessary support.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“It will include staff exchanges; joint fact-finding missions; strengthened cooperation in promoting national peace infrastructures; the mobilization of funding for AU peace operations that are authorized by the Security Council; and the prevention of violent extremism and illicit flows of weapons and ammunition. The Framework also emphasizes how critical it is to further advance the agenda on women and peace and security. Enhancing African peace and security capacities requires adequate, timely and predictable financing for AU peace support operations.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“In the Lake Chad basin, we must continue to aid the efforts of the African Union and the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram, as well as other regional initiatives aimed at countering terrorism and violent extremism, ideally with more effective support. The third pillar of the Joint United Nations-AU Framework focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict and emphasizes our commitment to increasing cooperation related to peacebuilding and the rule of law. Sustaining peace and continued development requires strengthening national institutions in order to address the root causes of conflict. Fourthly, we should underscore the importance of establishing a process for the continuous review and enhancement of the partnership through regular consultations and coordination.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“Despite many challenges, our cooperation has helped to facilitate concrete results that have yielded crucial progress, such as the recent successful holding of elections. I firmly believe that with predictable funding and enhanced support to AMISOM, together with a coordinated effort to build the Somali army and police force, Al-Shabaab can be defeated, paving the way for a more peaceful future for the people of Somalia and beyond. That is an opportunity we should not miss. In Mali, we must intensify our collective commitment to further supporting the peace process, with a focus on restoring and extending State authority. I welcome the initiative taken by the Group of Five for the Sahel to create a Joint Force, and I hope that the Security Council will recognize the importance of ensuring that it has a strong mandate and credible funding.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“Secondly, where responding to conflict is concerned, the African Union and various subregional organizations have deployed tremendous efforts to develop and operationalize the African Standby Force and its Rapid Deployment Capability. Under our new Framework, we look forward to further supporting the strengthening of the Standby Force and to exploring synergies with the United Nations Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. We must also promote coordinated efforts to confront new asymmetric threats to peace and security such as terrorism and violent extremism. In Somalia, the United Nations continues to provide logistics, technical and training support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to the Somali National Army.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“It is also critical to ensure that we build on our work with subregional mechanisms with the aim of tackling political disputes. In the Gambia, for example, the strong leadership of West African nations, with the support of the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and the United Nations, made a significant contribution to reaching a peaceful settlement to a political crisis. And in South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the United Nations are actively coordinating efforts to achieve a durable peace, including through a joint call for an immediate end to hostilities and a comprehensive and inclusive political dialogue.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“The first is preventing and mediating conflict and sustaining peace; the second is responding to conflict; the third is addressing the root causes of conflict; and the fourth is continually reviewing and enhancing our partnership. I will address each item in turn. First, with regard to our joint efforts to prevent and mediate conflict and sustain peace, the Framework's effective implementation requires coordinated and complementary action on the part of both the United Nations and the African Union. We must identify the underlying causes of conflicts, work closely on developing joint analyses, share information and strive to reach a common understanding on issues that can lead to prompt action. They include key areas of ongoing collaboration such as good offices and mediation, electoral matters, human rights and humanitarian assistance.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“Enhancing African capacities is essential both in the context of our collective response to international peace and security challenges as well as for the African continent's own self-reliance. That is why, on 19 April, Ijoined with Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in signing the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. Our shared objective is to work together closely on the basis of the principles of mutual respect and comparative advantage in all stages of the conflict cycle and to do so systematically, predictably and strategically. We are committed to institutionalizing our partnership through formal annual consultations between the Heads of the secretariats of both organizations. The Framework includes four key action areas.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“Let me begin by thanking the Government of China for convening this meeting to focus on enhancing African capacities in the area of peace and security. In my first days as Secretary-General, I attended the African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa. I wanted to launch a new era of cooperation with the AU, founded on a core conviction. I firmly believe that the international community needs to change the narrative about Africa and to establish a higher platform of cooperation that recognizes Africa's enormous potential and promise. In the area of peace and security, the African Union and the United Nations have a shared interest in strengthening mechanisms designed to defuse conflicts before they escalate and manage them effectively if they do occur.”
2017-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8006 (2017) · source
“Last year, the High-level Panel on Water, convened by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the World Bank, produced an action plan that champions a comprehensive, inclusive and collaborative way of developing and managing water resources, and improving water- and sanitation-related services. The United Nations has also published a guide containing practical strategies and best practices in the area of water diplomacy As we work to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, we will expand on these initiatives. I commend this Security Council meeting for highlighting how water is and should remain a reason for cooperation, not conflict. Let us commit to investing in water security to ensure durable peace and security for all communities and nations.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“For example, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is collaborating closely with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and other partners to build capacity in water diplomacy and to modernize the regional legal framework on the management of transboundary water resources. I look forward to visiting the Aral Sea in the coming days. While there, I will discuss with all five Governments of Central Asia how the United Nations is supporting mediation to prevent and resolve local and transboundary disputes over water in Central Asia and elsewhere. We stand ready to engage in preventative diplomacy and promote dialogue and mediation on natural resources and other issues wherever and whenever necessary.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“I think that this is a lesson that can be used in many other parts of the world where people are afraid to go the extra mile to reach an agreement with a neighbour or with a partner. Elsewhere in Europe, the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes has fostered collaboration and conflict resolution since 1992. As of March last year, the Convention became open to all United Nations Member States, offering the opportunity to create a global framework for preventive diplomacy for dealing with transboundary water issues. The United Nations actively promotes mediation and dialogue as effective tools for preventing and resolving disputes over water and other natural resources.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“Until the last moment, the uproar went on and the discussions in the media were furious about this issue, but the proof that political will is decisive is that the agreement was signed and, from that moment onwards, the discussion completely stopped. Things are working perfectly between the two countries, with enormous benefits, namely, in the common management of the rivers - allowing, for instance, floods to have a much less devastating impact than in the past. Something that had looked almost impossible became easy when there was the political will to do it, and once there was the political will to do it nobody paid a price. On the contrary, everybody benefited.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“During the time of my predecessor, the discussions between the Governments of Portugal and Spain were extremely difficult, and whenever there was the perception that an agreement might be possible there was an uproar in the press of both countries over the question of whether or not the Government were betraying the vital interests of their countries. When I became Prime Minister and Jose' Maria Aznar became Prime Minister of Spain, we decided that our common interests were far more important than the difficulties in the elaboration of the treaty, and so, with two small teams on both sides, it was possible to quickly achieve something that we both considered to be a reasonable compromise - not a perfect solution for either country but a reasonable compromise.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“For example, in South America, Lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake on the continent, has long been a source of cooperation between Bolivia and Peru. The 1960 Indus Water Treaty between the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan has survived three wars between those two countries. In my own experience, the Albufeira Convention, agreed during my time as Prime Minister of Portugal, continues to promote good relations on water management between Portugal and Spain. (spoke in English) I should like to make a brief comment on that agreement.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“Important river basins, such as the Nile, the Indus, the Ganges, the Euphrates-Tigris and the Mekong provide a lifeline for the economy, trade, culture and livelihoods of surrounding communities. All told, there are more than 270 internationally shared river basins that serve as the primary source of fresh water for approximately 40 per cent of the world's population. That is why it is essential that nations cooperate to ensure that water is shared equitably and used sustainably. Indeed, water has proven to be a catalyst for cooperation among nations, even those that are not on good terms. In the second half of the twentieth century alone, 287 international water agreements were signed.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“Water, peace and security are inextricably linked. With demand for freshwater projected to grow by more than 40 per cent by the middle of the century, and with climate change having a growing impact, water scarcity is a growing concern. By 2050, at least one in four people will live in a country where the lack of fresh water is chronic or recurrent. Strains on water access are already rising in all regions. Without effective management of our water resources, we risk intensified disputes between communities and sectors and even increased tensions among nations. Three-quarters of United Nations Member States share lakes or river basins with their neighbours.”
2017-06-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7959 (2017) · source
“We must remain committed to pursuing peaceful and diplomatic paths forward for a peaceful and denuclearized Korean peninsula.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“1 also call on the authorities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms and with the international community to address the grave human rights situation and improve the living conditions of its people. I therefore welcome the visit next week by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As we discussed in this Chamber on 18 April (see S/PV.7926), improvement on human rights will not only protect the livelihoods and dignity ofpeople in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, but also promote long-term security and stability in the region and beyond. I would like to conclude by underlining our collective priority for conflict prevention.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“I stand ready to assist in any way possible, but I would welcome guidance and assistance from the Security Council in this regard. I welcome the Council's understanding of the importance of the humanitarian imperatives from the political situation. On 21 March, we released the latest Democratic People's Republic of Korea needs and priorities document. For this year, 13 United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations operating in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are calling for $114 million to meet the urgent needs of 13 million especially vulnerable people - half of the country's population. The people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea need our generosity and help.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“It also means reopening and strengthening communication channels, particularly military-to-military, to lower the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding. And it means all Member States implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions. I have taken note of the Security Council's commitment to a peaceful diplomatic and political solution to the situation; of efforts by Council members, as well as other States, to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue; and of the importance the Council has placed on working to reduce tensions. The Council has important tools at its disposal, from targeted sanctions to communication channels. As Secretary-General, I am committed to seeking peaceful and political solutions.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“The onus is on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to comply with its international obligations. At the same time, the international community must also step up its efforts to manage and reduce tensions. The absence of communication channels with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could be dangerous. Armed conflict in North-East Asia, which is home to one fifth of the world's people and gross domestic product, would have global ramifications. We need to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding. We need to act now to prevent conflict and achieve sustainable peace. That means the Democratic People's Republic of Korea refraining from further testing, complying with the relevant Security Council resolutions and exploring the resumption of dialogue.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's continued pursuit of its nuclear-weapon and ballistic-missile programmes, in defiance of repeated demands by the Security Council to cease such activities, threatens to destabilize regional and international security and seriously undermines international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts. I am alarmed by the risk of a military escalation in the region, including by miscalculation or misunderstanding. I am particularly concerned by the possibility that efforts to offset the destabilizing activities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could also result in increased arms competition and tensions, further impeding the ability of the international community to maintain unity and achieve a peaceful solution.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“More recently, in a statement to the United Nations Disarmament Commission on 3 April 2017, while reaffirming its support for comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that "going nuclear-armed is the policy of our State" (see A/CN.10/PV.363). The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the only country to have conducted nuclear tests in this century. We must assume that, with each test or launch, the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea continues to make technological advances in its pursuit of a military nuclear capability. I condemn in the strongest terms the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's repeated violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“The Agency continues to monitor developments through satellite imagery and has observed "signatures" consistent with the operation of the plutonium-production reactor and the reported centrifuge enrichment facility. Commercial satellite imagery analysis has also indicated continued activity at the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear test site, which is believed to be maintained in a state of readiness to conduct additional nuclear-test explosions. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has increasingly stressed the importance of nuclear deterrence in its military doctrine. At the seventh Congress of the Workers Party of Korea, held in March 2016, the country's leader, Mr. Kim Jong Un, described the country as a responsible nuclear-weapon State.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“The absence of coordination and notification in advance of these launches, other than the space launch on 7 February 2016, is contrary to internationally accepted regulations and standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Aircraft and ships have been prevented from planning their routes in order to steer clear ofthose hazardous activities. And adjacent States have been prevented from promulgating dangerous, restricted or prohibited areas in their areas of responsibility. The International Atomic Energy Agency remains unable to access the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to verify the status of its nuclear programme.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“In response to the accelerated nuclear and ballistic missile activities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Security Council has adopted two sanctions resolutions (resolutions 2270 (2016) and 2321 (2016)) and met 11 times in emergency consultations since January 2016. During that period, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea conducted two nuclear tests, more than 30 launches using ballistic missile technology and various other activities relating to its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Its launches using ballistic missile technology have included tests of short-, medium-, intermediate-range and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as well as the placement of a satellite in orbit. Those tests and launches are clear violations of Security Council resolutions.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“Allow me to first thank the United States and you personally, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. The situation on the Korean peninsula is one of the longest-standing and most serious issues before the United Nations. The Security Council first adopted a resolution (resolution 825 (1993)) on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea nuclear issue in 1993, when it urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea not to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Twenty-four years later, and despite extensive efforts, the challenge is still unresolved.”
2017-04-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7932 (2017) · source
“I have set in motion various reforms of the Secretariat that will enable us to play our role better, in keeping with the mandates and trust the Member States place in us. The resolutions on sustaining peace and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are cause for hope; progress on human rights aspects would further complement these advances. In the months to come, I hope that Member States will engage through the General Assembly and the Security Council to support my reform proposals and strengthen them with their own.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Our world is facing unprecedented peace and security challenges that result from a lack of prevention and from insufficient implementation of human rights obligations, including social and economic rights. The consequences for people and States, and indeed for humankind, are being felt by tens of millions and by entire regions. Ensuring improved and less politicized action on human rights is a critical part of meeting this challenge, as is achieving urgent progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Allow me to suggest a theoretical test. If the most acute human rights and development concerns were immediately resolved, how many situations would still be threats to peace and security and remain on the Council's agenda?”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Protecting young generations from conflict-situations is one of the best investments we can make towards achieving sustainable peace. Despite all these efforts, millions of people still need to be protected from crises, and far more time and resources continue to be spent responding to crises than to preventing them. If we are to truly address today's challenges, we must make prevention our priority, tackle the root causes of conflict, help build and strengthen institutions, and react earlier and more effectively to address human rights concerns. That is the lesson learned from so many conflicts, and what I remain staunchly committed to that agenda.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“The Council has also taken decisive action to prosecute alleged perpetrators of the most brutal crimes by establishing the international criminal tribunals for Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere, and by referring cases to the International Criminal Court. Accountability for such crimes is an important element in achieving reconciliation, and over the longer term building resilient societies and judicial institutions. Other key initiatives of the Council include advancing the protection of children in armed conflict and action against sexual-based violence in armed conflict. The Council has also put the human rights of women and children high on its agenda as a valuable input to its peace efforts. I remain deeply committed to that agenda and will spare no efforts to step up the work and support of the Secretariat.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“United Nations peace operations have been progressively authorized with robust human rights and protection of civilians mandates. Indeed, 15 Security Council-mandated peace operations include a human rights element. Systematic monitoring and reporting of human rights violations has given a voice to victims and advanced the fight against impunity. Moreover, these efforts offer important warning signals to societies that also highlight the Council's determination to prevent further abuses. To advance this work, I encourage close cooperation with my Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. Human rights work contributes to missions' efforts to protect civilians under threat, and the missions' engagement with host States on human rights issues has helped build capacities and even, in some circumstances, preserve democratic space.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“I am ready to promote a more confident relationship and improve communication with the Council emphasising coherence, frankness and transparency. Human rights are intrinsically linked to peace and security, and their inclusion in the deliberations and decisions of the Security Council is of great importance. The unity of the Council is crucial in order to effectively address the most flagrant violations of human rights, and in particular to prevent mass atrocities. I call on the Council to spare no effort to put an end to the intolerable sufferings of the Syrian people. Failure in that task would be a tragedy to shame us all. (spoke in English) There is growing awareness of the ways in which rights violations signal threats to security and how rights upheld can contribute to peace. Recent experience offers many examples.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Hence the need to effectively protect all human, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Thirdly, the United Nations must consider human rights in a coherent and rational manner. It is the primary responsibility of Member States to integrate the promotion and protection of human rights into their national policies. But close cooperation between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and all relevant bodies of the United Nations, including the Security Council, enhances the general awareness of potential crisis situations and our collective capacity to address them. Member States expect the Secretariat to present appropriate information and options, while respecting the mandates and the principle of independence.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“Peace is a tireless undertaking, to which all United Nations agencies and bodies must work, in accordance with their mandates and responsibilities. Secondly, peace, security, human rights and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing. The Charter of the United Nations, which we are all dutybound to defend, has played a fundamental role in that regard in that it links these three pillars. When the United Nations tries to deal with them in isolation, it often fails in the mission entrusted to it by Member States and peoples. Several reform processes have shown that the fragmentation of our action is one of our major weaknesses. Together, we must return to the letter and spirit of the Charter of the United Nations to prevent armed conflicts and achieve a lasting peace for development.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“The Security Council has a major role to play. Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations is clear that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security rests with the Council "[i]n order to ensure prompt and effective action". 1 address the Council in that spirit. The issue today is not that human rights violations undermine every aspect of our shared values and common work, but rather how the United Nations responds. (spoke in French) I would like to draw the Council's attention to three points in order to better focus our discussion: First, the quest for peace is what should guide us along a continuum from prevention and conflict resolution to peacebuilding and sustainable development.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“I thank the United States presidency for convening today's important meeting. We are all aware that large-scale human rights violations cause terrible suffering and undermine prospects for sustainable peace and reconciliation. Healing these wounds is always a difficult and painful process, yet that responsibility grows with each new instance of mass killings or mass displacement, and sexual violence. Prevention is an essential means of reducing human suffering, building stable and prosperous societies, and enabling people to reach their full potential - and upholding human rights is a crucial element in prevention. International cooperation for prevention, and particularly for translating early warning into early action, depends on trust between Member States and in their relations with the United Nations.”
2017-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7926 (2017) · source
“The Council can count on my full commitment, but I also count on the unity and support of the Council. I count on it to fulfil its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security in this changing world.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“It is equally important to develop our relationships with subregional organizations including the Economic Community of West African States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and others. I call on the Council to consider supporting the initiative proposed by the Group of Five for the Sahel. Ninth and finally, these partnerships must be based on solid, predictable funding. I hope the Council will consider supporting missions that are backed by a Council resolution, either with assessed contributions or by promoting other predictable financing mechanisms. Peace operations are at a crossroads. Our task is to keep them relevant with clear and achievable mandates, and the right strategies and support. Success depends on our collective efforts.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Seventh, we need to communicate and to increase awareness that United Nations peacekeeping operations are a necessity for global peace, security and prosperity, and that they are achieving results. Eighth, we need to deepen ties with our regional and subregional partners. At the African Union summit earlier this year, I committed to strengthening our partnership on political issues and peace operations, with stronger mutual support and continued capacity- building. United Nations peace operations will continue to need the vital partnership of the European Union. As the security of Europe is directly affected by situations in which peacekeeping missions are deployed, it is likely that there will be further opportunities for cooperation.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Fifth, we need better and more coordinated planning, control and leadership of our operations and strategy. The creation of an executive committee and closer cooperation between the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations are aimed precisely at addressing that. I also plan further decentralization to empower my Special Representatives. Sixth, we must increase the use of modern technology. This will help us to become more flexible and mobile. I encourage the trilateral arrangements through which countries with the capacity to do so are providing training and equipment to peace operations. But, alongside these arrangements, I count on these countries to step up their troop contributions.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Second, we need greater efficiency and accountability. Too many of the rules and regulations of the Secretariat seem designed to prevent rather than facilitate our work. I am committed to changing this, and I hope Member States will support me, including in the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. Third, peacekeeping operations need clear, realistic and up-to-date mandates from the Council, with well-identified priorities, adequate sequencing and flexibility to evolve over time. Fourth, women must play a far more active role in peace operations, as troops, police and civilian staff. This is not only because gender parity is essential for its own sake, but because the involvement of women is proven to increase the chances of sustained peace, and to reduce incidences of sexual abuse and exploitation.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Our missions in Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia will soon close, and we must consider reforms and exit strategies for other long-standing missions. In Haiti, we are ready to transform our mission so that it will focus on political support, institution-building and development. In Darfur, the changing situation on the ground may call for a significant reduction of forces. Each mission must be considered in its unique political context. In that spirit, I commend the Council's unanimous decision last week to renew the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the longer-term, I see nine areas for reform. First, I have established a team to examine how to improve our peace and security architecture, which will report to me by June.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“We have already made important recent reforms to peacekeeping. I thank Mr. Herve Ladsous for his important role, and count on the continued leadership of Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix. We have increased the number of troop- and police-contributing countries and improved the generation of forces so that they can be deployed more quickly. Modern technologies are improving situational awareness and analysis. We have decentralized key functions, and we are strengthening performance management and accountability. These reforms have reduced the cost per capita of uniformed peacekeepers by 18 per cent since 2008, and decreased the number of civilian staff significantly. But much remains to be done. In the short term, we must end operations that have achieved their goals and reform those that no longer meet needs on the ground.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source
“Finally, our political missions are supporting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and Iraq, together with development agencies and others. All these operations play a vital role in building and sustaining peace. But our political strategies, management systems and administration are not set up to support them effectively. We must plan for diversity across time and geography, creating flexibility without additional costs. Secondly, the success of every mission depends on an active political process, with the commitment of all stakeholders, particularly Governments. The Council has a vital role to play in securing this commitment and cooperation. I will personally support this goal in any way possible. I have spoken before to the Council about the urgency and necessity of a surge in diplomacy for peace.”
2017-04-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7918 (2017) · source