YouSaid · the spoken record

Szczerski

lines on the record: 267
first: 2019-08-27
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 42
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

“Women volunteers represent the majority of humanitarian aid and service providers in Ukraine, which are often the first on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance and deliver life-saving supplies. I also wish to pay tribute to the civil-society organization La Strada- Ukraine, whose President we heard speak earlier. Ukrainian women represented in Government are playing a key role in developing policies that will be crucial in mitigating the effects of war in the aftermath of the conflict. So while there is war, there is also hope and solidarity. In many cases, such hope and solidarity have women’s faces. Let them prevail.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“However, their needs are growing every day, and we cannot help everyone without active, concrete, coordinated and immediate assistance from the international community, including the United Nations system. Women are not only victims in this crisis; they are also carrying their families, their communities and their nation through it. We want to pay tribute to Ukrainian women who have joined the pro-European protest movement in large numbers and have since played a powerful role in Ukrainian civil society, including by directing relief efforts. Women-led organizations have helped to fund and supply the Ukrainian military and provide medical care, food and social services to the large internally displaced population.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“Patients evacuated from oncological wards are being admitted to hospitals worldwide thanks to the initiative of the Polish First Lady, undertaken in cooperation with her counterparts and members of royal families. The First Lady also recently visited the relevant agencies within the United Nations system here. It must also be stressed that refugee children, just like all children around the world, are already dealing with the mental health challenges posed by almost two years of isolation due to the pandemic. Now, having left the warm comforts of home — not to mention their fathers, who stayed in Ukraine to fight — any progress towards pre-pandemic normalcy has been cruelly interrupted. We are offering psychiatric, psychological and other mental-health social services to help Ukrainian refugees.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“There are also programmes in place to assist women in finding employment in sectors where men are traditionally overrepresented. In the capital city of Warsaw alone, there are 100,000 refugee children, 15,000 of whom are already enrolled in schools. For the entire country, that number is approaching 200,000. Children from Ukraine have the right to attend Polish schools on the same basis as Polish nationals. We offer different opportunities for children. Some newcomers are enrolling directly in Polish schools, especially in smaller towns. Poland is also establishing classes with all Ukrainian children and teachers who have also just arrived. Those children will follow Ukraine’s curriculum and be taught in Ukrainian. Ukrainian higher education students also have the opportunity to continue their education at Polish universities.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“Last month, Poland enacted a law allowing Ukrainian guests to legally live and work in the country for at least 18 months, with full access to the State social protection system of health care and schooling. In addition, a Ukrainian citizen may also apply for a residence permit for another three years. The Polish Government is working together with municipalities as they struggle to find long-term housing, jobs and school placements for our Ukrainian guests. Given the fact that refugees are predominantly women with children, we are exploring ways to support the integration of women into the labour market. One such example is the care sector. Considering that the majority of refugees are women with children, because men stayed in or returned to Ukraine to defend their country, a major challenge is to provide nursery and kindergarten care.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“It is crucial to address the unique needs of women and children crossing the borders. Polish authorities have put measures in place in all border crossing areas and reception centres to control who has direct access to refugees. Those measures include identifying and registering the names of those accessing reception and accommodation centres and the names and registration plates of those with whom refugees leave sites. There are also information materials available for people from Ukraine crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border in Ukrainian, Polish and English, in both paper and electronic format. Once they are in a safe haven, the importance of refugees’ access to the labour market becomes a priority. Employment is a way not only to support themselves and their families but also to regain a sense of security.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“Nearly 2.6 million of those refugees have arrived in Poland. The overwhelming majority of those trying to leave Ukraine are women and children — according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, they account for as many as 90 per cent of those fleeing the country. They also constitute the majority of internally displaced persons. Displaced women and children with no contacts or help are at higher risk of trafficking and other forms of abuse. They are physically and psychologically weakened, unfamiliar with their new surroundings and highly vulnerable to becoming the victims of criminals. That is true for both refugees and internally displaced persons. Reports are emerging of sexual violence by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian women and girls who are fleeing the country.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank the United Kingdom, especially Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward, for having organized this important and timely briefing and for shedding light on the situation of women and girls in Ukraine in the aftermath of Russia’s aggression. I would like to thank the excellent briefers for their insights and, most importantly, for all their work in supporting Ukrainian women and girls. All conflicts and humanitarian crises disproportionately impact women and girls. Not only do they suffer from the direct military consequences, but they are also victims of instability, human trafficking and sexual violence. That is especially true right now in Ukraine, as we have heard. The number of people who have fled Ukraine since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression began on 24 February has risen to more than 4.5 million.”
2022-04-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9013 (2022) · source
“The determination and courage of the Ukrainian people inspires the world. We cannot fail them. It is crucial to show our solidarity with Ukraine and its people by acting now. The meeting rose at 5.20 p.m.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“Ukrainian citizens may apply for a one-time subsidy to meet their basic needs. The Government will allocate funds for the schooling of Ukrainian students. Every Ukrainian citizen fleeing the war has been guaranteed the same access to the public health-care system that Polish citizens have. We will continue to provide assistance to Ukrainian citizens fleeing the horrors of war brought on them by Russia. I can tell the Council that we already have 45,000 pupils from Ukraine enrolled in Polish schools. But we and the other countries of the region — some of whose Ambassadors I see today in the Chamber — all urgently need international assistance to help us carry out these good deeds. Today Ukraine is paying a high price for defending its independence, territorial integrity, democracy and the Charter of the United Nations.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“As I deliver this speech, the First Lady of Poland, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, is building an international coalition of First Ladies, Highnesses and all people of goodwill in order to effectively protect those in vulnerable situations, namely, women, children, elderly persons and persons with disabilities — many of them with post-traumatic stress disorder. The Polish Government has urgently implemented new immigration measures for Ukrainian citizens fleeing their country. The new law, which took effect on Monday, legalizes the stay of citizens of Ukraine in order to enable them to take up employment and in order to provide them with health care, education and accommodations in Poland. It also offers temporary financial help to Polish citizens who welcomed refugees into their homes.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“We believe that the involvement of United Nations bodies and agencies experienced in dealing with these kinds of needs, together with the continued efforts of Polish authorities, will bring about rapid and appropriate solutions. In the spirit of solidarity, Poland will continue to admit and provide shelter, food, health care and safety to every person in need, regardless of nationality, race or religious creed. Aside from institutional care, thousands of Polish people are organizing bottom-up, showing their solidarity with Ukraine, opening their homes to refugees and volunteering at reception centres.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“Thirdly, the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing war are not limited to Ukrainians in their own home territory; those who have fled are also affected. Already, more than 3 million have been forced to leave Ukraine as a result of Russia’s military aggression. We have already reached the number of over 1.9 million people who crossed our border since 24 February. Most of them found shelter in Poland. We have already registered 170 nationalities on our border. That means that this concerns us all, and we are all the victims of that aggression. As a neighbour and close friend of Ukraine, we see first-hand the dramatic humanitarian consequences of this war. Every day, on the Polish-Ukrainian border, we are witnessing a growing number of people crossing the border severely traumatized.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“To underpin that approach, earlier today the Kremlin rejected an order by the International Court of Justice — the highest court of the United Nations — to cease its attack on Ukraine. Secondly, without resolving the dire humanitarian situation there will be no peace. Therefore, we urge Russia to change its military modus operandi and allow full and unimpeded humanitarian access and relief to those in need. The safe passage of civilians from the various cities affected by the conflict must be allowed. Take the situation in Mariupol, where around 350,000 residents still remain trapped in the city, as food, water and medicines continue to dry up. Those people require urgent humanitarian assistance and are exposed to safety and security risks. We therefore call for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access to the most affected areas.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“In that connection, I would like to stress the following points. First, this is 100 per cent a war of choice, and the methods of waging it are also a matter of choice. It is Russia that decided to resort to brutal force, indiscriminate weapons and brutal siege tactics. Now Russia is going as far as targeting journalists and kidnapping mayors of Ukrainian cities. In other words, the aggressor decided to change the nature of this conflict. It is a clear manifestation that Russia deliberately chose to create a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine and blatantly disregards all the principles of international humanitarian law. This should worry us all. In truth, disregarding international law is a pattern that Russia has pursued in Syria and other places.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General and the briefers for their important interventions today. I shall start by paying tribute to the fearless Ukrainian soldiers and civilians alike who are defending their homeland, freedom and the Charter of the United Nations. They are also fighting for those who were forced to flee. I would also like to express my gratitude for the work done by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Health Organization and their partners for maintaining their presence across Ukraine and continuing the delivery of assistance. The Security Council has gathered here today to discuss the fastest-growing humanitarian and refugee crisis since the Second World War — the consequence of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.”
2022-03-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8998 (2022) · source
“It is also an opportunity to show solidarity and mutual understanding among women in the pursuit of that common goal. In that context, the First Lady of Poland, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, issued a special appeal to women all over the world to encourage them to post a message to women in Russia on this particularly important day, with a picture and the hashtag, “#RussianWomenStopTheWar”, in order to call on all women in Russia to demand an immediate halt to the aggression and that they their sons and husbands are brought home. Together, women can stop the war. We encourage everyone to join that important campaign.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Despite the many persisting challenges, we share the hope that together with public and private partners, genuine progress in advancing the women and peace and security agenda is possible. We would like to reiterate that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction, in line with the objectives of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent women and peace and security resolutions, is a prerequisite for successful peace processes and consequently for a durable and sustainable peace. Lastly, on this special day — International Women’s Day — we should all unite around the common goal to stop the war brought to Ukraine by Russia, with its devastating consequences for women and children above all.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“With humanitarian needs growing at an alarming pace in conflict-ridden Ukraine and Afghanistan confronting an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the economic inclusion and participation of women has become more important than ever. In times of crisis, such barriers impede women’s participation in peace processes and public life in general. Our humanitarian efforts are now particularly important and should take into account the female perspective and women’s specific needs. We agree that strong partnerships with the private sector and civil society, including local women’s organizations, are crucial for advancing the women and peace and security agenda. By working together, we can develop programmes and initiatives that will push for progress towards peace and support women in crises and post-conflict situations.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“Last year also brought a serious setback for the freedoms of expression, movement and association and political inclusion for Afghan women. Many of them have also been deprived of earned income. We are gravely concerned about the violations of the human rights of women and girls, particularly the severe restrictions on access to education, public life and employment for women and girls. We cannot allow the reversal of the hard-won gains involving women’s recognition and protection, as well as their equal and meaningful participation in all spheres of life. As a member of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan, Poland stands ready to support any initiative within the United Nations framework aimed at ensuring equal access to education for Afghan women and girls and safeguarding the positive changes achieved over the past two decades.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at that rate the situation appears set to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century. They are mostly women and children. In Poland, they are provided with accommodations and health care and have access to employment and education. The escalating violence and forced displacement deepen the unfolding humanitarian crisis and expose women and children to an increased risk of physical and sexual assault. We are appalled by the reports of rape and other forms of sexual violence committed by soldiers in occupied areas of the country. We recall that conflict-related sexual violence constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity and is a violation of relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“We also admire the exceptional courage and determination of Ukrainian women and men alike. Such courage is sometimes demonstrated by their paying the ultimate price, as in the case of Maryna Fenina, a national member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, who died last Tuesday in Kharkiv while getting supplies for her family. We are horrified by the mounting reports of civilian casualties and the indiscriminate nature of Russian attacks. As of today, more than 1.5 million persons have been forced to flee the violence perpetrated by Russia, with more than 1 million persons crossing the border with Ukraine into Poland and more on their way every day.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“I would like to thank the presidency for organizing this open debate and express our gratitude to the briefers for their insightful remarks. Poland aligns itself with the statements delivered by the observer of the European Union and the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. On this International Women’s Day, our thoughts are with Ukrainian women and their families and children. A couple of days ago, Olena Zelenska, the wife of the President of Ukraine, stated, “Our current resistance has a particularly female face. I admire and bow to you, my incredible compatriots — those who fight, heal, save, provide food and continue to do their normal jobs in pharmacies, shops, transportation and utilities so that life continues and prevails”.”
2022-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8989Resumption1 (2022) · source
“With the Winter Olympics less than a week away, let us do whatever we can to maintain the Olympic peace in Eastern Europe.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Poland deeply believes in the power of preventive diplomacy. Holding the chairmanship-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), we stand open to facilitate talks on European security within the organization. The OSCE can provide the right venue to discuss matters of concern, since it is the broadest regional format. We call for the constructive engagement of all participating States in order to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis. Let there be no doubt that the current status quo is not a solution at all. Living in constant fear of another frozen conflict is against the commitment of the United Nations to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“It is here in the United Nations where it is our duty to protect the principles of international law, strongly condemn any threat of the use of force and work together to dismantle spheres of influence in order to maintain peace. What is at stake today is not only the subordination of Ukraine and the creation of the so-called buffer zone in Eastern and Central Europe. The real threat is to shake the very foundation of the security architecture in Europe by undermining tenets of international law, such as the inviolability of borders and the freedom to choose one’s own security arrangements, among others. Unfortunately, that may have a global impact and contribute to the deterioration of international security, not to mention a possible humanitarian crisis, and there are other revisionist Powers that may follow suit.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“As we speak, the frozen conflicts in eastern Ukraine, the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova are unresolved, undermining the stability and regional security of that part of the world. We cannot keep quiet because what is happening in our neighbourhood constitutes the outright violation of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Poland strongly adheres to the principles of international law, such as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the inviolability of frontiers and the non-use or threat of force. We call upon all Member States to act in the same spirit. We know very well from our country’s history that a political order based on spheres of influence brings about no positive results.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“Poland is grateful for the convening of today’s meeting of the Security Council, as we are increasingly concerned over Russia’s continuous large-scale military build-up on the border with Ukraine, both in the territory of Russia and in the territory of Belarus, including the continuous redeployments of troops and prepositioning of military hardware and offensive weapons. We cannot keep quiet because what is happening in our neighbourhood constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security, reaching far beyond our region and continent. The current security situation in eastern Europe unfortunately follows a pattern of precedents, with the Russian Federation being the destabilizing actor in the region at least since 2008 and the war in Georgia to 2014 and the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula.”
2022-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8960 (2022) · source
“In conclusion, let me assure the Security Council that Poland remains concerned about the humanitarian harm caused during active hostilities in populated urban areas. We believe that only full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law and a reduction of violence can protect civilian populations.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“In its humanitarian assistance efforts, Poland concentrates on areas in which humanitarian crises overlap with violence and unstable political situations, such as the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Syrian civilian population and hosting communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq; Ukraine; and the Caucasus. The protection of children in armed conflict remains a priority for Polish humanitarian assistance and development cooperation efforts. In order to implement feasible solutions, Poland cooperates closely with UNICEF and the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba de Potgieter. Since 2019, Poland has continued to support both offices by making regular contributions.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“We strongly condemn attacks against humanitarian and medical workers in armed conflicts and reiterate our commitment to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. Poland recognizes and appreciates the unique capacity of multilateral organizations, especially United Nations agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to efficiently address the most pressing and complex humanitarian issues. We consider the ICRC to be one of the key partners in the field of providing humanitarian aid in hard-to-reach areas. Since 2010, Poland has been providing regular payments to that organization in response to crises in Syria, eastern Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Haiti.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“We hope that resolution 2573 (2021), which was unanimously adopted last year, will ensure better protection of civilian infrastructure and lead to a durable humanitarian pause to facilitate assistance, including the equitable, safe and unhindered delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in conflict-affected areas. We should also bear in mind that the corrosive impact of violence on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals puts millions of people at risk of being left behind in conflict-affected urban areas. In view of that, Poland fully supports the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, as the COVID-19 pandemic remains far from over. Immediate, full, and uninterrupted humanitarian access in situations of conflict is an important prerequisite to effective humanitarian action.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“In that context, we would like to call for continuing the promotion and full implementation of resolution 2475 (2019) on persons with disabilities in armed conflict, which was unanimously adopted by the Security Council at the initiative of Poland and the United Kingdom. The use of explosive weapons in urban areas takes a devastating toll on essential infrastructure and services. It not only results in damage or the destruction of water, electricity and sanitation infrastructure but also causes severe disruption in the health-care services that are critical to caring for the wounded and sick, especially during the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In places like Libya and Ukraine, fighting has damaged water infrastructure and hindered its maintenance, leading to cuts and shortages.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“The promotion of and strengthening of respect for international law was one of the priorities of our term in the Security Council for the period from 2018 to 2019. Today we are continuing our efforts to uphold international law during our term on the Human Rights Council. Our priority is to protect groups in vulnerable situations, in particular civilians in armed conflicts, persons with disabilities, children and members of religious minorities. That vision also guides the Polish chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2022. In that respect, Poland plans to pay special attention to the protection and assistance of civilians affected by armed conflict.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“The most recent report of the Secretary General (S/2021/423) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict found that more than 50 million people were affected by conflict in urban areas, where the use of explosive weapons continues to expose civilians to a high risk of indiscriminate effects. That subject is especially dear and important to us, as we remember the tragic fate of Warsaw, the capital of Poland, 80 per cent of which was destroyed in the Second World War, with enormous human losses. Therefore, Poland emphasizes the need to ensure respect for and full compliance with inter-national humanitarian law and calls for urgent action to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflict.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“I wish to thank Norway for choosing the pertinent issue of the protection of civilians in urban settings as the theme for this open debate. Let me also express my appreciation to you, Madam President, for your country’s successful presidency of the Security Council this month. Poland aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union and the statement delivered by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends on the protection of civilians. Poland is deeply disturbed by the severe humanitarian consequences of urban warfare — the direct harm done to civilians, the long-term damage done to essential infrastructure and the protracted and repeated urban displacement.”
2022-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8953 (2022) · source
“Complex security circumstances require a plurality of methods and approaches. In order to enhance the protection of women and human rights defenders, adequate legal and political support need to be guaranteed. Long-term policies and procedures need to be strengthened and coordination mechanisms need to be developed. Furthermore, the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved need to be clarified in order to allow for an effective and constructive response to threats against women peacebuilders. The recent surge in violence that targets women who participate in peace and security processes show that much more still needs to be done in that area.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“Let me also stress that the protection of human rights defenders is among the main priorities of Poland’s current mandate on the Human Rights Council, as well as one of the key issues addressed in the Polish national action plan on women and peace and security. Support for civil society organizations and human rights defenders also constitutes one of the priorities of Polish development cooperation. Finally, I would like to underscore the importance of making the goals of the women and peace and security agenda a reality. This agenda, which stems from the need to ensure more equality in reality, serves as a framework for efforts, actions and activities aspiring to address the multidimensional challenges that women and girls face while trying to build sustained peace.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“The sustainability of gains related to the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda remains a challenge, especially in post-conflict and transition contexts. Peacekeepers should consult systematically and inclusively with civil society, including women-led organizations, in order to identify transition priorities and potential protection gaps. It is vital to ensure that, when peacekeepers are drawn down, the United Nations country team and other United Nations agencies be provided with an adequate early-warning mechanism and response capabilities regarding potential violence against women.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“We need to use all available forums to promote the full implementation of all principles of the women and peace and security agenda. In particularly difficult contexts where women’s right to participate is poorly recognized and poorly protected, we need to pressure the parties concerned to include women at all stages of conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding process and guarantee their protection and security. In United Nations-led mediation processes, the participation of women should be a prerequisite. In order to amplify women’s voices and leadership, we need to build a secure, safe and enabling environment and provide them with adequate technical, financial and political support.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“Among the key conditions for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes are adequate and effective protection mechanisms. Those instruments should be focused on addressing the issue of the impunity of the perpetrators, as well as on efforts to support the victims of such crimes against women. We should also prioritize the expertise of women peacebuilders and cooperation between peacekeeping operation personnel and local women leaders in order to develop targeted strategies that aim to identify risks and potential threats. Women leadership still needs recognition. Political and financial measures need to be employed to further promote the role of women and their impact on peace and security processes.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Norway for convening this meeting on such an important issue, and also thank all the briefers for their inspiring insights. Violence, intimidation and threats that target women peacebuilders and human rights defenders are on the rise. Such actions, aimed at preventing women from engaging politically and curbing their public activity, have a detrimental impact on crisis prevention and post-conflict recovery in general. This negative phenomenon represents a serious threat to peace, democracy and human rights. In that regard, United Nations peacekeeping and political missions play an important role. It is therefore indispensable to mainstream women’s protection, prevention and monitoring mandates in the daily activities of the United Nations missions.”
2022-01-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8949 (2022) · source
“Bearing in mind the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security, we would like to praise the recent adoption of the new OSCE ministerial decision on strengthening cooperation to address the challenges caused by climate change, which brings momentum to the OSCE’s work in that regard. With that decision, the OSCE participating States have confirmed that finding a consensual approach to the issue of climate change — which may negatively affect prosperity, stability and security — in the OSCE area is possible.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“In that regard, we believe that the entire United Nations system must address the issue of climate and security in all relevant forums. I would like to emphasize that Poland continues to support the inclusion of the climate-security nexus in the formal work of the Security Council. We join the call of many delegations speaking today for concrete tangible actions to be considered by the Security Council. The adoption of the thematic draft resolution on climate and security would serve as an important and very much welcomed step in that regard. In that context, I would like to recall that in three weeks Poland will start its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest regional security organization.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Acting one-step ahead of terrorists, especially in the light of a changing environment and the use of the new technologies, is crucial for maintaining regional and global security. The experience of the international community calls for a multidisciplinary, multi-agency and integrated approach in order to tackle terrorism effectively, while ensuring that any measures taken respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. We stand ready to contribute our share and to work hard with all here in order to minimize terrorist threats globally. The challenges of climate change, instability and terrorism have to be at the core of our joint efforts within the international community. That requires a two-pillar approach: fighting terrorism on the ground and fighting its sources — not the least of which being the consequences of climate change.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“That in turn opens the way for the infiltration of the vulnerable populations by terrorist organizations. A dire result of the instability driven by climate change can be uncontrolled migration, exploited by human trafficking groups or control orchestrated by the States. Poland strongly condemns such activities. We consider the United Nations to be the key international forum on counter-terrorism issues, which we have stressed on many occasions, including as a non-permanent Member of the Security Council in 2018 and 2019. We commend the growing number of United Nations activities and efforts in the field of counter-terrorism undertaken despite the coronavirus disease pandemic.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Poland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. In addition, as a member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, we fully support the statement delivered today on behalf of the Group. Terrorism and extremism remain a key threat to security, stability and peace. No country or region is free from it. Recent years have shown that, in many cases, a driver of terrorism — and of conflicts in general — are the deteriorating environmental conditions caused by climate change. The nexus between climate change, poverty and terrorism is particularly visible in developing countries with fragile State institutions. Climate change threatens the stability of many regions of the world. It will increasingly exacerbate conflicts over natural resources.”
2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923Resumption1 (2021) · source
“This shows how urgent and clear the need is for more coherent, sustained cooperation among the principal United nations bodies. Poland calls for the Security Council’s engagement in advancing proactive, integrated and forward- looking preventive diplomacy in collaboration with the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the International Court of Justice. We stand ready to endorse any initiative within the United Nations framework aimed at strengthening conflict prevention.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906Resumption1 (2021) · source
“We therefore call on the international community, first, not to participate in the Belarusian disinformation campaign; secondly, to withdraw its support for Belarusian policy in international forums; and, thirdly, to assist in the process of dismantling the human trafficking network that contributed to triggering the crisis in the first place. We must do all we can to prevent this type of hybrid action from becoming a new practice of authoritarian regimes to achieve their political goals. These actions cannot be allowed to become a new form of triggering international crises anywhere in the world. I would ask that all of us think about that. We call on all those who stand behind the Belarusian regime to abandon the policy of building tensions and support a policy of relieving tensions.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906Resumption1 (2021) · source
“Belarus must assume its full responsibility for people whose arrival on its territory it itself had organized. Unfortunately, the Belarusian response is a mix of denials, accusations and open threats. Minsk is not interested in reducing tensions or in providing access to humanitarian assistance for people it legally admitted to its territory. The inhuman instrumentalization of people by Belarus is detrimental to finding effective solutions to the existing real, not artificially created, refugee crisis. Poland strongly believes that the time for preventive diplomacy is now. We need to act before the situation spins out of control and the security and stability of the whole region deteriorates further.”
2021-11-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8906Resumption1 (2021) · source