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

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

“Fourthly, we are seeking to strengthen the capacity of women's networks and organizations to effectively engage in dialogue and mediation processes around natural resources and the environment, including in the context of climate change. That initiative - co-led by the UN-Women, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme and the Peacebuilding Support Office - has already supported indigenous and Afro-Colombian women in Colombia in processes related to natural-resource use, ownership, governance and benefit-sharing. Fifthly, we also recognize that issues relating to land remain a critical factor.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“For example, the High-level Panel on Water, which I convened together with the President of the World Bank Group, has helped galvanize action around hydro-diplomacy. Thirdly, we will further strengthen our partnership with regional and subregional organizations to work on ways to increase attention to building the capacities of national and local actors to prevent and respond to conflicts with natural resource dimensions. As part of the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for an Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, I welcome the ongoing collaboration between our respective organizations to support the Panel of the Wise in its efforts to improve the prevention, mediation and resolution of conflicts over natural resources in Africa.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“To that end, we have taken note of Member States' call for a greater focus on these issues, including recently through the adoption of Security Council resolutions on Lake Chad, Somalia and Darfur, as well as a presidential statement on West Africa and the Sahel (S/PRST/2018/16). In response, we are taking a number of actions. First, the Organization is seeking to strengthen our capacity to address the growing threat of climate-related security risks. This includes a newjoint initiative involving the Department of Political Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme. Secondly, we intend to maximize opportunities to use mediation over natural resources as a tool for conflict prevention, in cooperation with Member States, regional partners and international financial institutions.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“In Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission is working to reinforce peace and stability through the development of a land-disputes project to promote confidence-building among communities and increase inclusivity. In the Lake Chad basin, cooperation on water has also played a critical role in bringing countries together to address the broader challenges to the region. In short, the United Nations recognizes the potential for the shared management of natural resources as a means for preventing conflict and enhancing regional cooperation for peace and sustainable development.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“For example, benefit-sharing on water resources has a long history among the riparian States of the Senegal River basin. In South America, Lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake on the continent, has long been a source of cooperation between Bolivia and Peru. And, from my own experience, the Albufeira Convention, agreed during my time as Prime Minister of Portugal, continues to promote good relations and cooperation on water management between Portugal and Spain. In Central Asia, progress is being achieved in the area of transboundary water management through ongoing consultations among Central Asian States, supported by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“More needs to be done to regulate the provenance, sale and trade of minerals through cooperative arrangements involving civil society, Governments and regional and international organizations. A positive example is the Kimberley Process, which succeeded in reducing the trade in conflict diamonds. Through certified extraction, production and fair trade practices, and with a focus on aiding local communities, lawlessness can be countered and tangible benefits brought to conflict-affected populations. It is also worth emphasizing that shared natural resources have traditionally also been a catalyst for cooperation among States, communities and people. Mutual benefits generally act as an incentive for sustained peaceful dialogue, which in turn can generate cooperation and understanding in other areas.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“The unfair distribution of natural resources, and corruption and mismanagement, can and do lead to conflict, especially in countries with weaker institutions. These pressures can also exacerbate existing ethnic or religious divides within societies and across borders. Since 1990, 75 per cent of civil wars in Africa have been partially funded by revenues from natural resources. The illegal extraction of minerals, timber, charcoal and wildlife has fuelled Violence in a number of regions. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it has generated almost a billion dollars in revenue for rebels and criminal groups. Likewise, in the Central African Republic the illicit exploitation of minerals by numerous armed groups and militias has contributed to sustaining and prolonging the conflict.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“I thank the Bolivian presidency for convening this debate. The exploitation of natural resources, or competition over them, can and does lead to violent conflict. Preventing, managing and resolving such conflicts is one of the major and growing challenges of our time. United Nations studies show that more than 40 per cent of internal armed conflicts over the past 60 years have been linked to natural resources. With the increasing impacts of climate change evident in all regions, the risks are only going to grow. Other global trends, such as a growing population, increasing consumption and environmental degradation, are also placing significant and potentially unsustainable pressures on the availability of many natural resources. These include oil, gas, minerals, water and land.”
2018-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8372 (2018) · source
“We must all do more to fight corruption, strengthen governance and build trustworthy institutions that can ensure probity and progress for all.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“Let us also take profit of advances of technology, which give us an opportunity to massively expand public participation in governance and to increase accountability. At the same time, we know that conventions and legal measures must be complemented by strong leadership that elevates corruption as a concern and makes it a priority for action. People across the world continue to express outrage at the corruption of their leaders and at how deeply corruption is embedded in societies. They are rightly calling for political establishments to operate with transparency and accountability or to make way for those who will. I call on leaders everywhere to listen, to nurture a culture of integrity and to empower citizens to do their part at the grass-roots level.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“There are several ways the Organization can support Member States, from sharing good practices to supporting efforts to strengthen national anti-corruption institutions. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala is a case in point. Before the adoption of the Convention, there was no global instrument to criminalize corruption or to recover stolen proceeds. Now the Convention has 186 States parties and the crime ofcorruption is on the books of nearly every country in the world. The Convention's robust peer review mechanisms have served as a global framework for international cooperation to strengthen prevention, disrupt money-laundering schemes, return stolen proceeds from foreign banks and other necessary actions. I encourage all Member States to bring greater resolve to its implementation.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“This is an opportunity to build a solid foundation of trust and accountability and increase a society's resilience to crisis. In peace operations, our engagement should be designed and implemented with a clearer anti-corruption lens to reinforce a culture of accountability and respect for the rule of law. At its January Summit this year, the African Union launched the observance of 2018 as African Anti-Corruption Year. I am pleased to note that anti-money laundering efforts in Nigeria and Tunisia have seen funds returned. As I said to the General Assembly in May in marking the fifteenth anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the role of the United Nations is crucial.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“It is especially important to build up the capacity of national anti-corruption commissions and prosecutorial efforts. Governments can also enhance anti-corruption efforts by ensuring independentjudiciaries, a vibrant civil society, freedom of the media and effective whistle-blower protections. The international community can complement those efforts by working more effectively against money laundering, tax evasion and the illicit financial flows that deprive countries of much-needed resources and fuel further corruption. As members of the Council know, I have called for heightened efforts to prevent conflict and to address risks early, before they escalate. In that spirit, combating corruption and addressing governance challenges, which lie at the root of many conflicts, must be a component of preventive approaches.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“The connections among corruption, terrorism and violent extremism have been repeatedly recognized by the Security Council and the General Assembly. Assets stolen through corruption can be used to finance further crimes, including violent extremist and terrorist acts. Large-scale corruption surveys conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that bribery of public officials was particularly high in areas affected by conflict. In conflict situations, stakeholders such as anti-corruption commissions, civil society and the media may be weakened or hindered in their essential work. The consequences of corruption in times of conflict can be especially devastating, as they can affect the most basic needs and exacerbate hunger and poverty. Member States must be on the front lines in the fight against corruption.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“It deprives people of their rights, drives away foreign investment and despoils the environment. Corruption breeds disillusion with Government and governance and is often at the root of political dysfunction and societal disunity. The poor and vulnerable suffer disproportionately, and impunity compounds the problem. Corruption can be a trigger for conflict. As conflict rages, corruption prospers. Even if conflict ebbs, corruption can impede recovery. Corruption drives and thrives on the breakdown of political and social institutions. Those institutions are never more in crisis than in times of conflict. Corruption is linked to many forms of instability and violence, such as the illicit trafficking in arms, drugs and people.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“I thank the United States presidency of the Security Council for organizing this briefing, which reflects a recognition of the importance of tackling corruption as part of our efforts to maintain international peace and security. Corruption is present in all countries, rich and poor, North and South, developed and developing. Numbers show the startling scope of the challenge. The World Economic Forum estimates that the cost of corruption is at least $2.6 trillion, or 5 per cent, of global gross domestic product. According to the World Bank, businesses and individuals pay more than $1 trillion in bribes each year. Corruption robs schools, hospitals and others of vitally needed funds. It rots institutions, as public officials enrich themselves or turn a blind eye to criminality.”
2018-09-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8346 (2018) · source
“Consistent messaging by regional and subregional organizations, which have the expertise, experience and capacity to find innovative responses to the most testing challenges, can be a great support to the work of the Council. As the conflict landscape has changed, so has our understanding of what constitutes an effective mediation process, Innovative thinking on mediation is no longer an option; it is a necessity. I urge representatives to commit to a more effective use of mediation as a tool to save and to improve the lives of millions of people around the world.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“However, social platforms can also be a tool to bring communities together, stimulate dialogue, share information and heal historic wrongs. Parties to conflict are highly attuned to and play on divisions in the international community. The Security Council plays a central role in conflict resolution, particularly when it signals to warring parties that they must settle their disputes peacefully. When the Council is united, we all are more effective, including in our mediation efforts. When the Council cannot find unity, our mediation efforts suffer. Council members, and Member States more broadly, can also support mediation efforts by ensuring that regions speak with one voice.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“For example, the design ofa post-conflict constitutional committee or a federal system will have a significant impact on women and their participation. We also need to do much more to engage with young people, who are critical agents of change and advocates for peace. It is encouraging that six young refugees took part as observers in the South Sudan High-Level Revitalization Forum. We must encourage and support the participation of young men and women in peace processes. We will hold the first international conference on that subject in Helsinki early next year. Finally, we should invest in the mediation and conciliation opportunities offered by information technology. We all are aware of the role that social media can play in exacerbating divisions and provoking hostility.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“We are also investing in women's meaningful participation and leadership in peace processes, ensuring that women always have a seat at the table and that their voices are heard. I have emphasized the importance of inclusive processes to my own special envoys, and have appointed three women to senior mediation roles in recent months. The emergence of regional networks of women mediators is another important development. The Nordic Women Mediators network and FemWise, the African Union's network of women mediators, are notable in that regard. Members of my High-level Advisory Board are already in contact with those groups. Inclusive mediation requires paying greater attention to the gender dimensions of conflict, including conflict-related sexual violence and the gendered impact of decisions around post-war reconstruction.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“That means working at the subnational and local levels to help build peace from the ground up. Local authorities, civil society and traditional and religious leaders all have critical roles to play. The national conference process in Libya, for example, is a bottom-up, inclusive process that has provided valuable insights into the aspirations of the Libyan people. My envoys are supporting local efforts to address communal conflicts in South Sudan and engaging with a women's advisory board and the Civil Society Support Room on the Syrian process. In the Central African Republic, we are engaging at the local level with national authorities and religious leaders in support of the African Union initiative.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“That is just one example of how we can deploy Board members in the cause of conflict prevention. The Board's members have experience and networks across the entire spectrum of mediation. I look to them to provide tailored advice, to find new entry points and to help train and build capacity among our partners. Successful mediation and the peaceful settlement of disputes requires a deep understanding of leaders and their constituencies and strong political will. The Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship signed by the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea last month, after 20 years of conflict and stalemate, is an example of political courage that is already having a positive effect throughout the region, but we must also continue and strengthen our efforts to move beyond negotiations with political and military elites.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“That is what we in the United Nations are trying to do. I continue to offer my good offices and personal engagement wherever they can add value, alongside my envoys and special representatives, drawing on the expertise of the entire United Nations and those in the broader mediation community. To complement my efforts and those of my envoys, I have established the High-level Advisory Board on Mediation. I am pleased to have the Archbishop of Canterbury with us today, and look forward to working with him on several concrete initiatives in the coming months. I am also grateful to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, a member of the Board, who travelled to Liberia on my behalf to support the peaceful transfer of power after the 2017 elections.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Renewed engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has also benefited from this approach. The United Nations also works with private mediation actors, including non-governmental organizations, which may have greater freedom to establish contacts and foster dialogue with armed groups, militias and others. Meanwhile, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, an enormous range of other actors - national bodies and civil society groups, including women's organizations, religious leaders and young activists - play a part in mediation at the local and community level. Mediating an end to today's complex conflicts means that we must bring all these tracks together in a coordinated way. We must also find new ways to pursue the more inclusive approaches that are critical to successful mediation.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Members of the United Nations Standby Team of Senior Mediation Advisers are providing advice in the Central African Republic on transitional justice issues, as part of the peace process there. In Yemen, they are assisting with the design of the mediation process led by my Special Envoy. In South Sudan, they have provided support to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which is leading the mediation process. The decisive engagement of the region, particularly the neighbouring countries - backed by the Security Council - was a critical element in the agreement recently reached by the South Sudanese leaders to end the conflict. Discreet engagement also plays a role. Continuing talks with the Taliban, despite years of war and continued fighting, and away from the glare of publicity, allows position to be clarified.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“Collaboration with other mediation actors is key. Allow me to mention two recent examples. In Madagascar, my Special Adviser has coordinated closely with the special envoys of the African Union, the Southern Africa Development Community, the European Union and the International Organization of la Francophonie to facilitate Malagasy-led negotiations to hold peaceful and inclusive negotiations aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. In the Gambia, coordinated action by the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the United Nations and neighbouring countries succeeded in preventing a major political crisis and supporting a democratic transition.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“That is why, since the beginning of my tenure, one of my key priorities has been a surge in diplomacy for peace. As I have consistently stressed, we must make prevention our priority. But prevention also includes investment in mediation, peacebuilding and sustainable development. We must be bold and creative in bringing together the avenues and capacities that are available for mediation. The United Nations has a number of mediation resources that we deploy in various ways. My Special Envoys and Representatives pursue consultations, good offices and formal talks, often alongside envoys and mediators from regional organizations or Member States. They may lead a political process, as in Libya or Yemen. They may head a complex peacekeeping operation, as in Mali, or they may focus on prevention from a regional office, as in West Africa.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“War is becoming increasingly complex, and so is mediating peace. Today, internal conflicts frequently take on regional and transnational dimensions. Many feature a deadly mix of fragmented armed groups and political interests funded by criminal activities. Conflicts around the world drag on for years and decades, holding back development and stunting opportunities. Comprehensive peace agreements are becoming more elusive and short-lived. Political will wanes; international attention drifts. The Central African Republic, for example, has suffered overlapping national and local conflicts for decades, yet some 15 peace agreements have been signed there since 1997. As bad as the situation is in many parts of the world, I am convinced that it is within our power to tackle and reverse these trends.”
2018-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8334 (2018) · source
“As long as a climate of fear and persecution prevails in Rakhine, voluntary returns will not take place. All communities in Rakhine state are poor and need sustainable and inclusive development, which is also essential for reconciliation and peace. I would add that patterns of violations against ethnic and religious minorities beyond Rakhine must also end if genuine democracy is to take root. A year has passed. The crisis cannot continue indefinitely. The Council has shown unity in adopting its presidential statement. That unity remains essential if we are to answer clear appeals with action.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“Effective international cooperation will be critical to ensuring that accountability mechanisms are credible, transparent, impartial, independent and comply with Myanmar's obligations under international law. The Council has issued a strong presidential statement. We also have clear recommendations from the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State as a guiding framework, which takes into account the needs of the victims and address root causes, including discrimination, persecution and the lack of legal status. I would like to take this opportunity to again commend the statesmanship of the late former Secretary-General in Myanmar and elsewhere. But much remains to be done to provide the necessary conditions for peace andjustice in Rakhine.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“Regrettably, Myanmar has refused to cooperate with United Nations human rights entities and mechanisms, despite repeated calls to do so, including from members of the Council. We have called for different accountability options to be considered. Most recently, very strong concerns have been expressed by the United Nations Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, appointed by the Human Rights Council. Its report, issued yesterday, found patterns of "gross human rights violations and abuses" (A/HRC/39/64, para. 100) committed by the security forces, which it said "undoubtedly amount to the gravest crimes under international law" (ibid., para. 100). I believe the report's findings and recommendations deserve serious consideration by all relevant United Nations bodies.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“The grant-based assistance approved by the Asian Development Bank is also crucial to meeting medium-term needs and providing assistance for life-saving priorities. Yet, refugees need more access to education and livelihoods to avoid further vulnerability to the risks of trafficking, sexual exploitation and radicalization. I cannot forget the stories I heard in Cox's Bazar. One distraught woman gestured to a mother cradling her young baby, who was conceived as a result of rape, and told me, "We need security in Myanmar and citizenship. And we want justice for what our sisters, our daughters and our mothers have suffered". Accountabilityisessentialforgenuinereconciliation among all ethnic groups and is a prerequisite for regional security and stability.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“It is ultimately the responsibility of Myanmar's leaders to demonstrate greater resolve in upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination, while countering incitement to racial hatred and violence. Once again, I would like to applaud the tremendous generosity of the Bangladeshi authorities and host communities. But the response to the crisis must be a global one. The international humanitarian appeal for the Rohingya crisis remains significantly underfunded at 33 per cent. Much more must be done to alleviate the very real risks to life from current and impending monsoons. I am grateful to the World Bank and its President, Jim Yong Kim, for mobilizing almost half a billion dollars in grant-based support for Rohingya refugees and host communities.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“Many have been cut off from life-saving humanitarian assistance. Some 130,000 Rohingya remain confined in camps, with severe restrictions on their freedom of movement. They have extremely limited access to health, education and other essential services and to ways of making a living. There can be no excuse for delaying the quest for dignified solutions that will allow people to return to their areas of origin in safety and dignity, in line with international standards and human rights. The United Nations remains ready to help develop such a plan. Voluntary relocation along with freedom of movement, an end to segregation and discrimination, inclusive development, the re-establishment of the rule of law and public safety are essential.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“It is clear that conditions have not yet been met for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to their places of origin or choice. I ask members ofthe Security Council tojoin me in urging the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the United Nations and ensure immediate, unimpeded and effective access for its agencies and partners. We must also continue to press for the release ofjournalists who have been arrested for reporting on this human tragedy. Access is critical to meeting the enormous needs and allaying the fears of refugees who would like to return home. For the people who remain in Rakhine, it would allow for consultations on quick-impact projects, based on their assessed needs. Those Rohingya who remain in Rakhine continue to face marginalization and discrimination.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“In June, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme and the Myanmar authorities finalized the memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for cooperation to create the conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees from Bangladesh. The memorandum of understanding is also aimed at helping to create improved and resilient livelihoods for all communities living in Rakhine state. Of course, that all requires massive investment, not only in reconstruction and development for all communities in one of Myanmar's poorest regions, but also in reconciliation and respect for human rights. I do not yet see the commitment required for that investment to take place.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“As the Council knows, I have also been working to advance a policy of engagement and unified action to encourage positive actions by the Government, help defuse tensions among communities and build confidence and trust. In April I appointed Christine Schraner Burgener as my Special Envoy on Myanmar. She is undertaking a process of broad consultations, including with the Government and military, civil society and women's groups. I appreciate the Council's strong support and welcome Myanmar's positive cooperation with her so far.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“One year ago, I immediately condemned the attacks by extremists against the security forces, but such attacks could never justify the disproportionate use of force against civilian populations and the gross human rights violations committed by the Myanmar security forces and their allies. Last September, I sent an official letter to the Council (S/2017/753) urging concerted efforts to prevent further escalation of the crisis in northern Rakhine state. Following my direct engagement with the Myanmar authorities and several initiatives on the ground conducted by the United Nations system, I expressed my concerns regarding the dramatic humanitarian and human rights situations. I emphasized the threats to regional peace and security posed by further degeneration.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“In their press statement of 9 May (SC/13331), Council members highlighted the degree to which they were "struck by the scale of the humanitarian crisis" and that they remained "gravely concerned by the current situation". They also reaffirmed the presidential statement of 6 November 2017 (S/PRST/ZOl7/22), in which the Security Council "strongly condemns the widespread violence that has taken place in Rakhine state", and expressed "grave concern over reports of human rights violations and abuses in Rakhine state, including by the Myanmar security forces, in particular against persons belonging to the Rohingya community".”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“I join representatives today with a heavy heart. The massive refugee emergency that began one year ago in Rakhine state, Myanmar, has become one of the world's worst humanitarian and human rights crises. Last month, I visited Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and heard stories of horrendous persecution and suffering. One father broke down as he told me how his son was shot dead in front of him, his mother was brutally murdered and his house burned to the ground. He took refuge in a mosque only to be discovered by soldiers, who abused him and burned the Qur'an. I know that members of the Council heard similar harrowing accounts while on their own Visit to the region.”
2018-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8333 (2018) · source
“The region needs to ensure the integrity of the State, its governance systems and the equal application of the rule of law protecting all individuals. Majorities should not feel the existential threat of fragmentation, and minorities should not feel the threat of oppression and exile. And everyone, everywhere, should enjoy the right to live in dignity, freedom and peace. I call on the members ofthe Security Council to reach the much-needed consensus and to act with one strong voice.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“On the other hand, it is important to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which should remain a valuable element of peace and security, independent of the wider discussion about the role of Iran in the region. During the Cold War, ideological rivals still found ways to talk and cooperate despite their deep divides, for example through the Helsinki process. I do not see why the countries of the region cannot find a similar platform to come together, drawing experience from one another and enhancing opportunities for possible political, environmental, socioeconomic or security forms of cooperation. Regional and subregional organizations also have a key role to play in supporting preventive diplomacy, mediation and confidence-building.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“We look forward to the formation of the new Government to further strengthen State institutions, promote structural reforms and implement the dissociation policy. Heightened regional tensions could threaten Lebanon's stability, including at the Blue Line. Steadfast international efforts remain critical in supporting Lebanon in consolidating State authority, safeguarding the country from regional tensions and hosting refugees until durable solutions are found, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. I remain particularly concerned at the risks of destabilization around the Gulf. That is why I have always supported the efforts of the Kuwaiti mediation to overcome divisions among Arab States in the area.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“Let us remember that what look like religious conflicts are normally the product of political or geostrategic manipulation, or proxies for other antagonisms. There are endless examples of different religious groups living together peacefully for centuries, despite their differences. Today's artificial divides therefore can and must be overcome, based on respect for the independence and territorial integrity of the countries concerned. In this context, it is important to value the experience of respect for diversity that Lebanon today represents. In Lebanon, parliamentary elections - the first since 2009 - were held peacefully in May, underscoring the country's democratic tradition.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“Iraq's endurance as a stable federal State is a testament to the enormous sacrifices of Iraqi people from all communities. I strongly hope that the Iraqi institutions will be able to ensure an adequate conclusion of the electoral process in a way that fully respects the will of the Iraqi people. In this context, the reconstruction of areas destroyed in the retaking of territory from ISIL is a priority, as is the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Iraq's displaced people to their homes, including those from religious minorities. It is also important to complement such efforts by ensuring that those who committed atrocity crimes are held accountable for their actions, in accordance with international standards.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“The national conference process, organized as part of the United Nations Action Plan, is delivering a clear message that Libyans are longing for an end to the conflict and an end to the transition period. All stakeholders must continue lending their support to my Special Representative Ghassan Salame' as he leads the political process. Political success in Libya will also hopefully allow the country to play its role in addressing the dramatic plight of migrants and refugees who have been suffering so much in attempting to cross the Mediterranean. In the past few years, we have witnessed numerous examples of Iraq's resilience, including overcoming the risk of fragmentation and achieving victory over the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“My Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has been actively engaged in order to avoid an escalation that could have dramatic humanitarian consequences. One week ago, he presented to the Council elements of a negotiation framework that he has been discussing with various interlocutors inside Yemen and in the region. Our hope is that this framework would allow for a resumption of badly needed political negotiations to put an end to the conflict. In Gaza, Syria and Yemen, the international community must remain mobilized in order to ensure a strong humanitarian response to millions of people in dire need. In Libya, the United Nations is committed to supporting national armed conflicttors to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“I continue to call on the parties to the conflict to engage meaningfully with my Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, in the United Nations- facilitated political process in Geneva. I urge progress in the establishment of the constitutional committee. Resolution 2254 (2015) remains the only internationally agreed avenue for a credible and sustainable end to the conflict. More than ever, our aim is to see a united and democratic Syria, to avoid irreparable sectarianism, to ensure full respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to enable the Syrian people to freely decide on the country's future. Yemen is suffering a prolonged and devastating conflict with clear regional dimensions.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“Later today, I will preside over a pledging conference to address severe funding gaps facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. In Syria, civilians have borne a litany of atrocities for more than seven years of conflict: sieges, starvation, indiscriminate attacks, the use of chemical weapons, exile and forced displacement, sexual violence, torture, detention and enforced disappearances. Syria has also become a battleground for proxy wars among regional and international actors. Violence is entrenched amid a fractured political landscape and a multiplicity of armed groups. In the absence of trusted State institutions, many Syrians have fallen back on religious and tribal identities.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source
“Our most pressing peace and security challenges in the Middle East are a clear reflection of the rifts, pressures, neglect and long-term trends that have brought us to today's crossroads. The Israeli- Palestinian conflict remains central to the Middle Eastern quagmire. Achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting two-State solution that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live side-by-side in peace, within secure and recognized borders, is essential to security and stability in the entire region. The recent tensions and violence in Gaza are a reminder of the fragility of the present situation. International support is critical to creating an environment conducive to launching meaningful direct negotiations between the two parties. I remain deeply committed to supporting efforts towards this end.”
2018-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8293 (2018) · source