YouSaid · the spoken record

Skoog

lines on the record: 1,817
first: 2015-03-16
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 248
sources: un-security-council

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“That date will mark an occasion for the international community to increase accountability, raise awareness and demonstrate its resolve to redouble efforts to address the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“The international community needs to stay generously engaged and to provide predictable, sustainable and long-term financing for peace and development efforts, including for strengthening the capacities of States to address the challenges posed by trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence. The Nordic countries provide long-term financing for peace and development in a wide variety of ways, recognizing and advocating for the role of women as agents for peace. Our Nordic Women Mediators' Network, which aims to contribute to United Nations mediation efforts, is one of many expressions of that commitment, as are our generous non-earmarked contributions to the relevant United Nations funds and programmes. On 19 June, we will commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict for the first time.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“In that context, we are proud to be among the top contributors to the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Team of Experts in their work to strengthen national capacities for prevention and response efforts. We also support peace processes where women are present at the peace negotiating table and where women's organizations contribute. Non-State actors also need to be engaged in that effort. The potential of traditional and religious leaders should also be harnessed. In that context, I would like to welcome the fact that Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Bangura, and her Office are working with non-State actors to combat conflict-related sexual violence. My third and final point is related to the preceding one. We need to find the resources and secure strong long- term commitments.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“To that end, we must shift focus from women as victims to women as agents of change; we must strengthen the linkages between women's economic empowerment, women's equal political participation and their full enjoyment of their human rights; we must transform institutions, norms and behaviour; and we must engage men and boys in achieving gender equality. Secondly, we need a more holistic and coherent institutional approach. We need to pursue action against trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence at all levels. We need to build more dynamic partnerships with all relevant actors, including within the United Nations system, and with regional and subregional organizations. And we need to build capacity and foster national ownership and inclusive processes.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“That is not only an issue of human rights and preserving dignity, but also a way to combat the exploitation of vulnerable people. However, we need to put our national efforts in the context of a broader agenda to build and sustain peace and achieve long-term development globally. That includes addressing the root causes of conflict, fighting poverty and building national capacity, supported by the allocation of resources that are sustainable over the long term. To render such an approach successful, a change in perspective is needed at various levels. First, we need to devote more attention to prevention.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Their support to Member States in ensuring support to victims and strengthening the capacity to address conflict-related sexual violence, as well as impunity, is crucial. In spite of our joint efforts and the outrage that we feel, the scourge of sexual violence continues, with its many different aspects and manifestations. A common denominator, however, is that no region is spared. That compels us to work together in partnership so as to forge appropriate responses. We live in a time of extraordinary flows of migrants and refugees. People fleeing are often desperate and vulnerable, becoming easy prey for human trafficking, exploitation and abuse. That compels us to provide protection to those in need. In our countries, asylum seekers are supported in various ways, including basic financial support, health-care services and accommodation.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“First of all, I thank you, Sir, for organizing the open debate today, which builds on the significant efforts undertaken by the Security Council over the past years, and for the very concrete suggestions, that you just put forward in your intervention. I speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and my own country, Sweden. I want to thank the briefers for their briefings today, but more importantly for the work they do on this very important topic. I also want to express our strong support for the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Bangura, and her Office, including the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict.”
2016-06-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7704 (2016) · source
“Dialogue is the best long-term method for neutralizing the divisive forces of racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. No one is born a terrorist. The strongest counter-narrative against polarization is inclusion. At this critical point in time, we must be resolute and stand united. In June, we will have an opportunity to demonstrate our unity, adopt a comprehensive approach and reaffirm our support for the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. We hope that we can seize that opportunity.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Women's groups, youth networks and faith-based organizations play a fundamental role in promoting the kind of tolerance, dialogue and inclusion that is essential if we hope to succeed in preventing violent extremism and terrorism. Finally, a better coordinated United Nations approach is necessary, so as to utilize scarce resources efficiently and to support countries in capacity-building. The interconnectedness of the decisions of the Security Council, the actions of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism, and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate with the other parts of the United Nations system, including funds and programmes, should be strengthened. Terrorists seek to divide communities and spread fear.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, ensuring a tailor-made implementation at different levels will be key. Regionally, the United Nations system must work with organizations, such as the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Those organizations bring added value, given their networks, established programmes and the internal collaboration among their member States. Nationally, the United Nations must work closely with Governments and stand ready to support the development of national action plans, when invited. Locally, the potential for working with civil society must be fully realized.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Secondly, we need to put more emphasis on two pillars that are often overlooked, namely, dealing with the conditions conducive to terrorism, and ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law. They are essential to making our work against terrorism sustainable over the long-term, as well. The Secretary-General's Plan of Action on the Prevention of Violent Extremism is both timely and critical. We all agree that dealing with the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization is essential. In that regard, the initiative launched by the United Nations Development Programme Regional Bureau for Africa, "Preventing and responding to violent extremism in Africa: A development approach", is a good example of how development initiatives can make a contribution.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Political rhetoric is calling for banning Muslims from entering our territories or for equating Syrian refugees with terrorists. We must resist all forms of scapegoating or fearmongering. Targeting a certain religion, region, nationality or ethnic group plays right into the hands of the terrorist ideology that we seek to counter. A comprehensive and balanced implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy is needed. All four pillars should be given emphasis. First, we need to continue to strengthen measures to enhance security. Killing is killing, regardless of any ideology invoked in its defence, and terrorism is a crime, whatever its cause. It is essential to ensure without delay the full implementation of Security Council resolutions on the financing of terrorists, on foreign terrorist fighters and on sanctions.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of Denmark, Finland, Norway and my own country, Sweden. At the outset, I would like to welcome the initiative of the Chinese presidency to hold this open debate, which is timely, especially in the light of the upcoming review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. I would also like to thank the Secretary- General for his excellent briefing this morning. The scourge of terrorism continues to plague our societies. Last month, eight cities across Africa, Asia and Europe were targeted by terrorist attacks - attacks against the very foundation ofpeaceful, democratic and open societies. In times like these, there is a risk that we allow divisiveness, fear and hatred to get the upper hand.”
2016-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7670Resumption1 (2016) · source
“I also think that we need engage the large youth population, as it constitutes one of the greatest assets for Liberia's work to consolidate peace and to move forward with confidence. In conclusion, the Peacebuilding Commission remains determined to advance Liberia's peacebuilding agenda, as outlined by the Government, and is reinvigorated by the renewed commitment showed by all actors through the process of revising our strategy of engagement. We look forward to supporting the efforts of the Security Council in ensuring a well- managed drawdown.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“In light of the upcoming drawdown of UNMIL, we encourage the United Nations system, to the widest extent possible, to engage in joint strategic planning for a well-managed transition and for meeting long-term peacebuilding needs during and beyond the transition. In addition, we emphasize the need to take into account regional dimensions of peacebuilding and the importance of working together with the Economic Community of West African States and the Mano River Union and ofbuilding on successful regional initiatives. I would like to make the case for including women and youth in all peacebuilding efforts as we move forward. operationalizing resolution 2250 (2015). Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka has just made a very impressive intervention, which is very compelling and convincing as to including women as we move forward.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“The Commission commits to undertaking political advocacy and accompaniment, advocating for generating necessary resources and fostering coordinated actions among all relevant stakeholders. The Commission will continue to promote and integrate a strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding and serve as a forum for dialogue for all relevant actors. In particular, the configuration will draw and sustain international attention to and support for the preparations for the 2017 elections and continue to highlight peacebuilding issues during the ongoing security transition. Before concluding. let me make a few recommendations to this body.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“Through our statement of mutual commitments, we seek to align the work of the Commission behind existing commitments, rather than duplicate efforts by creating new ones. We will work to draw attention to and rally international support around commitments made in strategic frameworks, such as Liberia Rising, the Liberia Agenda for Transformation, the Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation and, equally important, around the constitutional review process, the draft legislation related to land rights and administration, local governance, decentralization and civil service reform. These important pieces of legislation cut to the core of peace and State-building and have the potential to transform State and society relations in Liberia, provided that they move forward.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“As Liberia is still recovering from the economic effects of the Ebola virus disease and the severe impacts of the drop of commodity prices on raw materials, there is a need to reinvigorate the economy by strengthening the private sector, create jobs and build capacity for domestic revenue generation. We will work to strengthen our engagement with the international financial institutions in this regard. The decentralization process, which is a cross-cutting issue in our work, will be important not only to strenghtening State presence and authority outside of Monrovia, but also to extending the provision of basic social services. I look forward to highlighting such issues over the coming 12 months.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“We will support the efforts of the Government and the National Elections Commission to ensure that the elections are successfully conducted and further contribute to improving governance, reconciliation and stability. This will depend on efforts to enable the widest possible public awareness and participation, as well as deployment of preventive measures ranging from formal mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution to regular channels for dialogue between the security forces and the population. Last but not least, the PBC has a responsibility to highlight socioeconomic needs that are fundamental to building sustainable peace.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, on reconciliation, as articulated by the Government, reconciliation in Liberia is a multidimensional process of overcoming social, political and religious cleavages, healing the physical and psychological wounds from the civil war, and confronting and addressing historical and structural wrongs, in particular the root causes of conflict. The PBC will strengthen its efforts to expedite the reconciliation process, in close consultation with local actors in Liberia. Fourthly, on elections, the PBC will focus its work on the upcoming 2017 elections, which represents a significan opportunity for further democratic consolidation.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“It will be vital to ensure that priority activities within the Government of Liberia's plan for UNMIL's transition are completed on time. Secondly, on the rule of law, in order to build the effectiveness and the integrity of legal institutions, increase equitable access to justice and strenghten the rule of law, the PBC will support the Government's efforts to address systematic weaknesses in the criminal justice system and weak administrative procedures, and ensure adequate budgetary allocations to capacitate institutions central to security and the rule of law. The Commission will also help advance the constitutional reform process in a timely manner, ensuring robust civic education and civil society engagement.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“Clear communication to the public and the proper management of perceptions will be important in that regard, as well as assuring them of the enduring commitment of the international community, including the United Nations, to the people of Liberia. Building on wide consultations, the Peacebuilding Commission affirmed that our engagement's priority areas remained valid. I will touch on them briefly, starting with security sector reform. First, in the light of the upcoming drawdown of UNMIL in accordance with resolution 2239 (2015), the PBC will work to support the Liberian Government's efforts to strengthen the operational efficiency of the security agencies in the country by helping the Government to address structural challenges and the provision of justice and security to all Liberians.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“They met with a wide range of Government interlocutors, civil society, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United Nations country team and the donor community for constructive discussions on peacebuilding needs in Liberia and the role of the Peacebuilding Commission going forward. Our mission reported a clear and widely shared vision of what peacebuilding efforts are needed and clear views on how and where the Commission can play an important role. At the same time, the mission noted some concerns. The difficult budgetary situation puts a strain on the Government's ability to roll out the key peacebuilding programmes it has identified as priorities. In addition, interlocutors on the ground reported that there was public apprehension about the drawdown of the UNMIL presence.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“Sustained international attention is imperative, both financially and politically. The PBC looks forward to playing its part. I would now like to turn to the PBC's statement of mutual commitment with the Government of Liberia. In the light of the several transitions under way, our configuration has undertaken to review our engagement to ensure that it is aligned with the Government's current efforts and is adding real value to them. A technical level mission, which included representatives of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Peacebuilding Support Office, the United Nations Development Programme, the Department of Political Affairs and the Chair of the Liberia configuration, visited Monrovia at the end of January.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“Mr. Skoog: I thank you for the invitation to brief the Security Council this morning on behalf the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Mr. President. I will focus my remarks on the ongoing security transition and the Commission's priorities for its engagement with Liberia in the next few years. There are many lessons to be learned from previous transitions. We now have a great opportunity to plan for a smooth transition that will put Liberia on a robust path towards further consolidation of peace. There can be no excuses for a fragmented approach on the part of the United Nations system or the international community. We also have a collective responsibility to avoid the financial cliff that has sometimes characterized the drawdown of United Nations peacekeeping operations in the past.”
2016-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7649 (2016) · source
“It is crucial to the legitimacy and strength of any agreement, and a means to reach the uniting peace that the Ambassador of Afghanistan rightly spoke of earlier today. Sweden's commitment to Afghanistan is substantial and long-term, with the ambition of contributing approximately $1.2 billion during the transformation decade. We hope that other key partners in the region and the wider international community will join in this long-term approach. We will also continue to assist in developing the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces through participation in the Resolute Support Mission in 2016. The Afghan National Unity Government has made commendable progress on a number of issues, despite a multitude of challenges. It and the Afghan people deserve our continued support as they seek to build a self-reliant and peaceful future.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“We are also worried by the recent and increasing number of attacks against health clinics across the country. All sides in the conflict need to make sure that civilians are afforded protection in accordance with international humanitarian law. A peace agreement is the only viable option for long-term stability and development in Afghanistan. We welcome the progress made so far by the Quadrilateral Coordination Group on the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Process, and are encouraged by signs of confidence between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We support the work ahead in realizing the road map. In these and future talks, women should be included and able to participate fully and on equal terms. Their empowerment and organization is to the benefit of any society.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“Furthermore, the upcoming Nato Warsaw Summit and the donor conference in Brussels later this year will be important to determining future international support to Afghanistan. In that context, we urge all parties to remain committed and to deliver on their pledges. This is about doing our part to instil hope and opportunities, especially for the young Afghan population, to rebuild their country. We all know that building peace takes time and that many other urgent situations require our attention and resources, but we must remain committed and take a long-term perspective on Afghanistan. The escalation of violence has led to an appalling increase in civilian casualties and a worsened humanitarian situation. As in many other instances, women and children are particularly affected.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“At the same time, Afghanistan is pursuing a potential peace process, enacting critically needed economic and political reforms, and preparing for elections while facing a challenging security situation. We all need to give full support to those efforts. UNAMA will also play an important role in supporting the endeavours of the Afghan National Unity Government. The Mission has been essential in the efforts for peace, stability and development and will continue to be a cornerstone of international engagement. We believe that there is room to allow UNAMA to play an even more active role in facilitating humanitarian access, promoting human rights and providing good offices in support of a peace process.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“I congratulate you, Sir, on your leadership of the Security Council this month. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (S/2016/218) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Mr. Haysom, for his briefing and the very valuable work being done by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Sweden fully aligns itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union, and would like to make a few additional, brief remarks. The year 2015 was seen as critical for Afghanistan; 2016 will be no less important. The Afghan National Unity Government has an important task at hand to move ahead with the self-reliance reform agenda.”
2016-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7645 (2016) · source
“The Council can count on us, as we together take the necessary steps to implement these reforms aimed at building a more effective United Nations.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“By taking forward resolution 2250 (2015), stewarded by Jordan, and by adopting more inclusive approaches, we will make sure that their voices are heard. I am very grateful to have been invited to address the Council on several occasions during the past year. I can only encourage the Security Council to reach out to the Peacebuilding Commission more actively and to look to the Peacebuilding Commission as a body that can complement and add value to the Council's work through a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace. Lastly, while I might have stepped down from the chairmanship of the PBC, my commitment and, more important, the commitment of the Swedish Government to sustaining peace, to multilateralism and to the United Nations remains as strong as ever.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“By partnering with regional and subregional organizations, the United Nations response will be better informed by local perspectives and better able to bring such understandings and approaches to peacebuilding to the fore. Before concluding, let me add a final thought on a very positive development recently, namely, the recognition ofthe role ofyoung people in peacebuilding. This agenda is not an add-on, an optional tick-in-the-box exercise. It is about tapping into and drawing upon the tremendous potential of young people as a positive source for peace, in particular in conflict-affected countries, where youth often make up the majority of the population and where risk factors around youth unemployment tend to overshadow the notion of youth as making potential contributions.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“But no matter what we agree on in a particular resolution, we should simultaneously look beyond United Nations mechanisms and find innovative ways of adequately resourcing peacebuilding efforts. Part of that involves strengthening national capacity for domestic revenue-regeneration. We can help decrease dependence on external resources, which in turn strengthens national leadership and ownership of development. The United Nations does not operate in a vacuum and is not always the best-placed actor to address threats to peace. My third message today is therefore that we need to create stronger partnerships with regional actors and to strengthen their capacity, since they are often first responders to conflict.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“Above all, it requires adequate political and financial support within the Organization, which brings me to my second message. If we are serious about sustaining peace, we need to make sure there are resources to back up our priorities, as the Chair just said. It is a tragic irony that, while resources available for peacekeeping and humanitarian response amount to billions of dollars, conflict-prevention initiatives, which could save so many lives and significantly lessen the need for peacekeeping in the first place, has to scramble for a fraction of those amounts. I understand that there are sensitivities around some of the recommendations pertaining to increased financing, related to assessed contributions. In my view, we need to look at every option.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“I believe we have a collective duty to make the PBC as effective as it can be, especially as the demand for more effective international response to conflicts remains high. That brings me to my first message, concerning the prevention of conflict. There are no excuses for not heeding the call coming out consistently across the three reviews on United Nations peace operations. We must move the prevention of conflict to the centre of our work. To do so, we must better equip all parts of the United Nations system to contribute to sustaining peace, including the United Nations development system. That entails recognizing that peacebuilding is an inherently political process that requires sound political analysis and corresponding conflict-sensitive programming.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“At the outset of our chairmanship, we set out a number of objectives for the work of the Commission, including adopting more transparent and strategic working methods, a more flexible agenda, increasing inclusivity and improving partnerships with regional and subregional organizations. We convened several regional and country-specific discussions concerning situations outside of the PBC regular agenda. I have also come to appreciate that the mandate of the Commission has never been more relevant or important. Only by addressing the root causes of conflict, investing in socioeconomic development and building national capacities will there be lasting peace. The Peacebuilding Commission has a fundamentally important role in championing those long-term and comprehensive approaches.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“It gave the Commission an opportunity to test in practice how we can improve delivery and become more useful - because, as the review rightly pointed out, the Peacebuilding Commission has yet to fully deliver on the expectations as conceived at its establishment. The Commission is quite a unique structure at the United Nations, as well as a flexible body. I believe there are inherent opportunities for the Commission to keep evolving and to adopt new approaches, and thereby to come closer to fulfilling its original vision of bridging the gap between crisis response and long- term development and sustainable peace.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“That is why this debate is so timely, as we Member States are in the midst of defining how to turn the normative developments and the political momentum into concrete reforms for a better operational response. Today, I would like to focus my remarks on the following areas. First, I will share some conclusions from my chairmanship of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). I will then touch upon what I believe are key areas in the review, namely, conflict prevention, financing for sustaining peace and the role of regional organizations. I have had the great fortune and honour to chair the Peacebuilding Commission during a dynamic year. The review of the peacebuilding architecture provided a stimulating backdrop to our work.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“I would like take this opportunity to express our recognition of his services to world peace and international order. Equally important, the concept note reminds us of the conceptual shift in our thinking on peacebuilding, acknowledged by both the Council and the General Assembly. Peacebuilding can no longer be confined to post-conflict recovery. Sustaining peace encompasses activities aimed at preventing the outburst, resurgence and continuation of conflict. Validating and solidifying this shift in mindset and endorsing a corresponding change in the way the United Nations system is set up to respond to conflict is the single most important outcome of the peacebuilding review.”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“Mr. Skoog: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this timely debate on the review of the peacebuilding architecture. I also want to thank you for the invitation to briefthe Security Council this morning. I have been a firm supporter of the report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts from the start, and I wish to pay tribute to Ambassador Gert Rosenthal and his colleagues for their excellent work on that Review. I am confident that the review can bring real change to the Organization. In your concept note (S/2016/104, annex), Mr. President, you remind us of the fact that the notion of peacebuilding was introduced by former Secretary- General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in his report "An Agenda for Peace" (S/24111).”
2016-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7629 (2016) · source
“Moreover, new chairs of sanctions committees should be appointed as early as possible after each election of non-permanent members of the Security Council to allow for improved preparation. Comprehensive and timely hand-over between outgoing and incoming chairs should become established practice. Earlier elections of non-permanent members of the Security Council, which was introduced for the first time this year, will be helpful in this regard. In conclusion, we hope that today's important discussion and the recommendations on more transparent working practices identified by the high- level review on United Nations sanctions will add to the efforts to make sanctions ever more effective.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“The Security Council and sanctions committees could utilize standardized terms and guidelines to reduce uncertainty and the potential for overcompliance with United Nations sanctions, and each Committee could indicate exemptions in clear and precise language on the main page of its website. Another issue for consideration is the appointment of chairs of sanctions committees. Presidential note S/2012/937, on Council working methods, states that chairs should be appointed "in a balanced, transparent, efficient and inclusive way". Increased transparency in this process and broader consultation with Council members would ensure a better balanced distribution of chairs.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“This would allow Member States to be kept informed and more involved, and help relevant agencies in Member States to better understand implementation requirements. Chairs of sanctions committees with similar themes or geographical scope could organize joint meetings, including in the regions, to promote understanding of similar issues and challenges. Similarly, the Secretariat could organize targeted meetings with New York- based regional groups on challenges to sanctions implementation and to seek possible assistance. Committees could routinely review individual and entity designations to ensure that listings remain appropriate.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“A number of important steps to increase transparency in the working methods of the sanctions committees have already been taken. There is now more active engagement with the principal stakeholders. Committee chairs are conducting more field visits to gain a more immediate understanding of the situation. Reporting to the public has increased, including with frequent press releases. These efforts should be commended and strengthened. In the high-level review, we identified a number of additional actions for improving the working methods of the sanctions committees. I should like to highlight just a few. Sanctions committees could present their reports to the Council in a public meeting.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“In addition, further interaction between sanctions committees and the Secretariat, to coordinate activities and take into consideration input provided by panels of experts and monitoring teams, should also be considered. Secondly, sanctions need to have clear objectives and clear criteria for suspension or termination. They have to be targeted and implementable, easily understood and well communicated. They should be designed to avoid unintended consequences, including placing burdens on neighbouring States, limiting legitimate trade and having any negative humanitarian impact on civilian populations. Thirdly, sanctions have to come with transparent procedures and provisions for due process. In this context, the sanctions committees are critical, being the primary interface between the United Nations sanctions system and Member States.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Over the past quarter of a century, the Security Council has deployed sanctions with increasing regularity and with increasingly broader aims. They have been used to address evolving threats to international peace and security, to counter terrorism, nuclear proliferation, Violations of human rights and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, to name a few. There are important lessons to be drawn from experiences over the years. First and foremost, sanctions can never be successful in isolation. They must always be part of a broader political strategy. To this end, closer interaction between chairs of sanctions committees and penholders of resolutions mandating sanctions should be encouraged. Coherent overall political strategies that include the various tools at the disposal of the Council should be forged.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“Mr. Skoog (Sweden) (spoke in Spanish): I thank Venezuela for inviting me to speak and for taking the initiative to organize this important meeting. In the mid-1980s, Sweden introduced economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa. These sanctions were essentially unilateral in nature at the time, but with strong political symbolism. Since then, Sweden has been engaged in processes aimed at making sanctions more effective and transparent, including, most recently, in the high-level review of United Nations sanctions, conducted together with Australia, Finland, Germany and Greece. The legal basis for United Nations sanctions derives from the Charter of the United Nations. The sanctions instrument has evolved over time.”
2016-02-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7620 (2016) · source
“We echo the Secretary-General's call on the Security Council to provide active, political and operational support to that end, and we support his focus on the political settlement of conflicts in his report on the implementation of the recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (S/2015/446). If 2015 was a year of reflection and providing recommendations, 2016 should be the year of implementation and concrete action.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source
“The Nordic States have actively worked on those issues and gained first-hand experience, most recently in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The efficient protection of civilians requires close cooperation with other troop-contributing countries, as well as coordination with local authorities. In MINUSMA, the creation of a protection of civilians task force with civilian, military and police personnel has been set up, and furthermore MINUSMA has been providing the Malian security forces with training, enhancing their own capacity to protect civilians. But ultimately, strengthening the capability of United Nations peace operations requires realistic mandates, proper preparation, strong capacity and adequate resources.”
2016-01-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7606 (2016) · source