YouSaid · the spoken record

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183

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2017-06-28

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2018-06-29

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un-security-council

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1. “Regional leaders must redouble efforts to secure territory to allow the displaced to return safely to their communities, restart their livelihoods and rebuild their lives. The latest abductions in Dapchi and Raan show the need for robust protection to end the appeal of abductions and extortion and the cycle of rape, forced marriage, brainwashing and suicide bombings. Nigeria's recently launched demobilization, disassociation, reintegration and reconciliation strategy and the action plan for preventing and countering violent extremism are very positive steps, as are other similar regional efforts. The United States will continue supporting that critical work and we encourage partners to do so as well.”

   2018-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8212 (2018) · source

2. “As the United States has told the Governments of the Lake Chad region many times, we are their partner in the fight and we will continue to support their efforts to defeat those terrorist groups. We commend Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, the Niger and Benin for stepping up to counter that threat through the Multinational Joint Task Force. We thank Nigeria for the leadership role it has played in the response and we urge those nations to stay focused on the task, even while they face other pressing security priorities. Governments must also focus on a smooth transition between military forces and civilian protection forces to ensure that populations are protected even after troops move on.”

   2018-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8212 (2018) · source

3. “Their brutality, hatred and inhumanity will spread terror, prolong the humanitarian crisis and displace millions until they are destroyed. We express our deep condolences to the victims of the horrific terrorist attacks in north-east Nigeria and across the Lake Chad region, including the attack and tragic kidnapping of over 100 school girls in Dapchi and the abduction and killing of humanitarian aid workers in Raan. We are encouraged by the return of a significant number of the girls to Dapchi yesterday, but are horrified to hear of those killed during their captivity. We call for the return of all those abducted across the region and accountability for the perpetrators.”

   2018-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8212 (2018) · source

4. “Iwould also like to thank Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed, Mr. Bila and Ms. Nagarajan for their briefings today. One year after the Security Council's mission to the region and its adoption of resolution 2349 (2017), the presentations are an important reminder that much work remains to be done to address the continuing terrorist threat and the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad basin. One year later, we can point to some progress in the humanitarian response and efforts to deliver help to those in the greatest need. But the terror of Boko Haram and its offshoot Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS)-West Africa continues to devastate communities, families and lives throughout the region.”

   2018-03-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8212 (2018) · source

5. “It must remain focused on those protracted conflicts in order to underscore the fact that frozen and status-quo conflicts are completely antithetical to the peace, stability and security priorities of the OSCE and the international community. The OSCE's crucial role in strengthening security and stability, addressing the humanitarian needs of conflict-afflicted populations and promoting good governance in its region cannot be overstated. The United States fully supports the OSCE's comprehensive approach to addressing critical security challenges. We also unequivocally affirm its importance as a partner to the United Nations and in particular to the Security Council in protecting and promoting peace and prosperity.”

   2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8200 (2018) · source

6. “The United States continues to support the Minsk agreements and their full implementation as the best path to restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity and alleviating the suffering in the Donbas region. While both sides must implement their Minsk commitments, Russia can single-handedly bring peace and end the conflict by withdrawing its forces. We also call for an end to Russia's occupation of Crimea, which has contributed to needless violence, displacement and death for too long. Beyond Ukraine, the United States welcomes and supports the OSCE's continuing efforts to resolve the conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia and Transnistria.”

   2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8200 (2018) · source

7. “We recognize in particular the essential role of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which remains the international community's best source of impartial information on the significant toll that the conflict in eastern Ukraine has taken on the country's people, land and infrastructure. The fact that Russia, a member of the OSCE, continues to drive the conflict is a terrible irony. The OSCE's role in facilitating humanitarian work has been critical to alleviating the suffering caused by four years of aggression. We applaud the courage and dedication of the Monitoring Mission's unarmed monitors and strongly support efforts to ensure their safety in carrying out their critical mission.”

   2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8200 (2018) · source

8. “In order to strengthen the OSCE's utility and preserve its function as a primary forum for an open dialogue on core European security concerns, we strongly support the continuation of its structured dialogue on current and future challenges and risks. That initiative has opened up productive and frank deliberations among participating States, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation in addressing the leading challenges of our day. One of the greatest security and humanitarian challenges the OSCE is facing today is the continuing crisis in eastern Ukraine, where Russian acts of aggression have claimed more than 10,000 lives. Russia and the forces it arms, trains, leads and fights alongside have perpetuated the conflict for too long. The United States commends the OSCE's efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.”

   2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8200 (2018) · source

9. “I thank Foreign Minister Alfano for his briefing on the activities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and for his leadership of the organization. The United States greatly appreciates the OSCE's efforts in promoting security, stability and good governance in the region and throughout the world. We offer our full support to the organization and to Italy in its chairship. The OSCE has been critical to developing a robust European and Eurasian security architecture. The United States greatly appreciates the contributions it has made over more than 40 years in helping to underpin stability, security and prosperity throughout the region. As an OSCE participating State, the United States supports its partners and reaffirms its own commitment to that crucial effort.”

   2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8200 (2018) · source

10. “We urge the Government to continue to promote the growing role of women in Afghan society and Afghanistan's peace and political process, including as active participants in Afghanistan's upcoming elections, both as voters and candidates. The United States fully supports timely, credible and transparent elections for Afghanistan's Parliament in 2018 and President in 2019. Only the Afghan people can choose the leaders that will represent them and work together to create and sustain the conditions for peace. Those elections will be vital in the pursuit of political stability in Afghanistan. To conclude, we are encouraged by the signs of progress we see in Afghanistan and by the brave efforts of the Afghan Government. We remain committed to supporting that progress, including through the work of the Council.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

11. “In addition to the contribution of the Kabul Process to achieving peace at the national level, it is also critically important that we continue to support the role of civil society in building and strengthening consensus for the peace process across all elements of Afghan society. International Women's Day provides us with a welcome occasion to emphasize those efforts. Ms. Sarabi's initiative with Afghanistan's re-energized High Peace Council, which established a network of women in provincial capitals to foster reconciliation, has the potential to build broad-based support for peace. During the Security Council visit to Afghanistan in January, Ambassador Haley was encouraged by the discussions with Afghan officials on the status of women in Afghanistan.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

12. “They understand that a peace agreement will require compromise on both sides, but they will not sacrifice their safety, legal protections or human rights to achieve peace. They will not return to the oppression and isolation ofthe late 1990s. The Taliban has an obligation to explain how it fits into the rapidly advancing Afghan society, where Afghan men and women are free to speak their minds, choose their leaders and help shape Government reforms. Groups and countries that provide the Taliban and another armed insurgents with weapons, money or political support are only fuelling the conflict and the environment that allows terrorism to persist and grow. We cannot be successful if the status quo is allowed to continue. We renew our call on Afghanistan's neighbours to join our efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

13. “The United States commends Afghanistan's leaders for taking a courageous stance at the Kabul Process conference last week. They reaffirmed their clear commitment to peace and their willingness to engage. The onus is now on the Taliban to return that commitment and to demonstrate that it is ready to talk. The message in Kabul was clear. The door to peace is open; the Taliban must choose to walk through that door. The United States position, as outlined in our South Asia strategy, is unambiguous - the only way to end the conflict is through a negotiated settlement. We reaffirm our commitment to supporting direct negotiations between the Afghan Government and the Taliban. The Afghan people today are ready for peace.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

14. “We again express appreciation for the Secretary-General's report (S/2017/696) on the strategic review of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) last year. We welcome the adoption today of resolution 2405 (2018), renewing UNAMA's mandate and endorsing the strategic review's findings and recommendations. We are confident that this will enable UNAMA to pursue its work as effectively and efficiently as possible, and we look forward to the Secretary-General implementing the strategic review recommendations as quickly as possible. I would also like to thank Ms. Sarabi and Ms. Safi for sharing their perspectives on the important work they do in engaging women in Afghanistan's political process and society in general. I will comment more on that later.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

15. “I thank you very much, Minister Kaag, for using the occasion of International Women's Day to highlight the critical importance of including women in Afghanistan's political process. In addition, it is truly a pleasure to see you, Madam, presiding over the Security Council today on behalf of the Netherlands. I am inspired as I look around the Council table at the women leaders you have assembled for this discussion, and I hope this will serve as a reminder that we all need to do more to ensure that women are fully represented and empowered in efforts to promote peace and security in the field. I thank Special Representative Yamamoto for his briefing and continued leadership, as well as all the efforts of his team in support of peace and economic development in Afghanistan in a very challenging environment.”

    2018-03-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8199 (2018) · source

16. “As I said in the Chamber two weeks ago (see S/PV.8182), time is running out and our patience has expired. Guinea-Bissau's leaders must make this time different, and come out and do what is right.”

    2018-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8194 (2018) · source

17. “Pereira, and others in the Guinea-Bissau leadership to work together for the sake of their people and forge consensus to get Government working again. Guinea- Bissau's leaders have had many chances to fix the Government gridlock since the Conakry Agreement was signed in October 2016. They have ignored those chances and taken actions that purposefully contradicted the Agreement. The bold move taken by the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) to push those impeding the process through targeted sanctions comes from a desire to induce them to become part of the solution instead. As it did in The Gambia, ECOWAS is proving to be an example for regional organizations everywhere in its willingness to take significant challenging steps to improve lives across West Africa.”

    2018-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8194 (2018) · source

18. “The United States wishes to thank Cote d'Ivoire for its steadfast work as penholder for resolution 2404 (2018), and we also wish to thank our fellow Council members for their collaboration during the negotiations. The United States believes that the resolution we have just adopted will bring about a real improvement to the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau. With a streamlined mandate, the mission can focus even more on its good offices to help deliver an end to the stalemate that has not only frustrated the Council but, more importantly, has hurt the citizens of Guinea-Bissau for far too long. That stalemate was created out of selfishness and intransigence. We again call on President Vaz, Prime Minister Da Silva, the leader of the Parti africain pour l'independance de la Guinee et de Cabo Verde, Mr.”

    2018-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8194 (2018) · source

19. “However, first, the Government must first end the impasse to convince its partners that international support will build on established political progress and a willingness to overcome differences to enable the Government to function again. In conclusion, we once again draw attention to the ordinary people of Guinea-Bissau who, for the better part of their lives, have not known the stability of sustainable democratic governance. The Security Council must keep them in mind as we take steps to put pressure on leaders to abandon their self-serving wilfulness and to take action to better the lives of their people. They should know that our patience has now run out.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

20. “However, with a Government at an impasse, important issues such as security sector reform and combating transnational organized crime, narcotics and human trafficking cannot be adequately addressed. That is unacceptable. As Ambassador Haley noted in the peacekeeping context, the United Nations cannot operate effectively in environments with uncooperative Governments. That also applies to political missions such as the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea- Bissau (UNIOGBIS). For UNIOGBIS to continue on that path would not be the continuation of a partnership with a willing Government but would simply enable its obstruction. Elections must take place on time and will require support.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

21. “The Government must respect the people's right to peaceful expression and protect that right. On 4 February, the Economic Community of West African States took the ambitious step of sanctioning 19 spoilers of the Conakry Agreement, including their family members. The United States applauds such efforts to hold those in power accountable and to compel them towards finally doing what is right for the people of Guinea-Bissau. We also applaud the renewal of the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea- Bissau and encourage the Guinea-Bissau military to continue its political non-interference, while playing its constitutional role. For years, the international community and the United Nations have put resources into Guinea-Bissau to do important things for the benefit of its people.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

22. “The United States is profoundly disappointed by the decision of President Vaz to ignore the Conakry Agreement by failing to appoint a consensus Prime Minister and to create an inclusive Government. President Vaz must take urgent steps towards a unity Government that will pave the way for peaceful legislative elections in May. The people of Guinea-Bissau are understandably frustrated at the failure of their Government to make progress on the implementation of the Agreement. They deserve better. Time is running out. We have witnessed rising tension. Political gatherings in Bissau have provoked clashes as the people of Guinea- Bissau publicly express their frustration at the skeletal political process. Those clashes led to a crackdown by the Guinea-Bissau leadership.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

23. “However, there remain many serious and profound challenges, such as the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa, elections and reform challenges facing countries with upcoming democratic transition, and humanitarian crises and displacement, all of which merit the continued attention of the Security Council. Given the urgency and magnitude of such problems, the United States believes that a self-inflicted 30-month political impasse, such as that in Guinea-Bissau, is unacceptable. For too long we have gathered to hear updates on fits and starts of political progress that eventually fade to obstruction and obfuscation from the country's leadership.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

24. “I wish to thank Mr. Toure, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing and Ambassador Vieira not only for his briefing but also for his leadership of the Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission. Recently, the Security Council has witnessed significant success in West Africa in places that have experienced years or even decades of violence and tragedy. Such success includes the first democratic transfer of power in Liberia in more than 70 years and the continued consolidation of democracy in The Gambia, as well as strong economic growth in countries across the region.”

    2018-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8182 (2018) · source

25. “Protecting such infrastructure is therefore a collaborative effort between the private and public sectors. In April the United States will be hosting in Japan under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum a workshop on protecting soft targets from terrorist attack, which highlights the importance of fostering public-private partnerships. Resolution 2341 (2017) represented a significant step forward in the global response to protecting critical infrastructure from the threat of terrorist attack. Now we must take concrete steps towards increasing our vigilance and adaptability to the evolving threat to better protect our citizens from future terrorist attacks.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

26. “We also pleased that both resolution 2395 (2017), renewing the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and resolution 2396 (2017) on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters reaffirm resolution 2341 (2017) and the importance of addressing risks associated with critical infrastructure and other particularly vulnerable targets from terrorist attack. We will be looking to CTED and other United Nations and international bodies such as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, INTERPOL and the International Organization for Migration to assist Member States in improving their efforts to implement those resolutions and facilitate needed technical assistance. In the United States and many other countries, private companies own most of the critical infrastructure.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

27. “Those good practices reflect the collective expertise of more than 60 countries and 150 public and private practitioners from law enforcement intelligence agencies, emergency management and the private sector and are applicable globally to inform and guide Government and industry in developing and refining policies and practices for soft target protection. In the United States we have incorporated the Antalya good practices into our domestic soft target security programmes. We encourage others to do the same and continue to collaborate with international partners on how to implement most effectively these good practices as a means of promoting greater global preparedness for those types of attacks.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

28. “We must continue to look to the United Nations, regional and international organizations and Member States to develop and share good practices, and take all appropriate measures to manage the risk of terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure and soft targets. For instance, since the adoption of resolution 2341 (2017) a year ago, the Global Counterterrorism Forum has published the Antalya Memorandum on the Protection of Soft Targets in a Counter-terrorism Context. The Antalya Memorandum contains good practices for both Government and industry on how to increase awareness and preparedness for attacks against the public spaces where we gather to dine, shop, tour and conduct business.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

29. “We must better address those threats. However, we must also not forget that such operatives continue to attack soft targets, such as sporting venues, theatres and hotels, because they have historically received far less attention than critical infrastructure, and we all have paid dearly for it. That is why we must continue to do more to assess and raise awareness of the actual risks, while taking appropriate preparedness measures, promoting better interoperability, not only within Governments and between Governments but also with the public and private sectors, and ensuring resilience to attacks.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

30. “The ability of the terrorist networks to exploit weaknesses in our defences both at critical infrastructure sites and soft targets all around the world make it clear that much more must be done. That is why the United States strongly supported the adoption of resolution 2341 (2017) a year ago and called upon all States to make concerted and coordinated efforts, including through international cooperation to raise awareness and expand knowledge of the danger of terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure. It is clear that Al-Qaida and ISIS operatives, including returning foreign terrorist fighters and home-grown terrorists, continue to plot against critical infrastructure, such as airports, power plants and Government facilities, despite nearly two decades of international efforts since 11 September 2001.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

31. “I thank Ambassador Meza-Cuadra for his briefing, as well as his leadership as the Chair ofthe Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter- terrorism. We very much appreciate his work. Over the past year, deadly terrorist attacks have killed hundreds of innocent civilians and injured countless others throughout the world, in places like the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Las Ramblas in Barcelona, the Al-Rawda Mosque in the Sinai and the Save the Children Office in Jalalabad, to name just a few. Although we continue to destroy the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) on and off the battle fields of Iraq and Syria and shut down Al-Qaida and ISIS networks around the world, terrorists continue to evolve and adapt.”

    2018-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8180 (2018) · source

32. “We hope that the Council can soon begin expanding on these ideas and seeking ways to increase our engagement with key humanitarian, human rights and civil society partners. Those are the voices that should inspire all of us on the Council to act in defence of those most vulnerable. That alone will not overcome our deepest political divisions, of course, but when we are confronted with the voices of ordinary people demanding an end to conflict, our responses can change for the better. That will never change, but we should structure the Council in a way that maximizes the chances to see that our common interest lies in preventing the outbreak of war and addressing pressing threats. Hearing directly from people is a powerful way to achieve that goal.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

33. “For example, we could establish an annual open debate for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in mediation and conflict analysis to ensure that the Council is aware of best practices. We could invite relevant NGOs to engage with the Council ahead of mandate renewals or the adoption of thematic resolutions, similar to our practice of engaging with troop-contributing countries in advance of mandate renewals. We could more frequently invite humanitarian and human rights organizations to speak under rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure, making them participants in meetings. We could also ask them to provide more input into briefings and reports. We can also make better use of our video teleconferencing capabilities to hear directly from the people affected by the situations on our agenda.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

34. “It is hard to imagine any conflict on our agenda that did not begin with widespread human rights abuses - often directed against women and girls. The sooner we know that such situations are emerging, the faster we can react. However, the Council's standard practice and working methods do not fully capture that link. Once conflict emerges, the Council immerses itself in the details of political and peacekeeping missions, often spending large amounts of time and resources in the process. But if we acted decisively after receiving warning signs of human rights violations, we could stand a better chance of preventing conflict in the first place. That is where we must aim to improve, and we certainly can improve.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

35. “By the same token, we strengthen our own mandates when we take gender perspective into account. The best way to do that is simple: inviting women from conflict areas to share their views with us directly. Secondly, human rights reporting and monitoring give the Council improved situational analysis and early- warning capabilities. Both are needed if we are going to improve the Council's track record in preventing conflict. The Council has already acknowledged, in paragraph 13 of resolution 2171 (2014), that "serious abuses and violations of international human rights or humanitarian law, including sexual and gender-based violence, can be an early indication of a descent into conflict or escalation of conflict". But that is also just common sense.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

36. “We therefore need to hear perspectives not just from the Government elites, but from the people who are documenting credible cases of human suffering. Closing our eyes and ears to those voices does not advance our interest in maintaining international peace and security. Rather, it leads to discussions that are detached from realities on the ground and impedes our ability to fully deliver on our responsibilities on the Security Council. We need to be especially mindful of the importance of hearing perspectives from women and girls in conflict. Their voices are easy to overlook in official reports, but a fundamental part of the Council's modern agenda is recognizing the need to include women and girls at every stage of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. We know that peace agreements are more durable when women are at the table.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

37. “It is for those reasons that we have so frequently sought to have civil society, human rights defenders and humanitarian experts brief the Council. The voices from the field are important for two main reasons. First, the information that we receive from humanitarian workers and human rights defenders differs from other types of reports. In part, that is because without their perspective our knowledge of a conflict is incomplete. When civil society briefers join us, we hear about cases of torture, arbitrary arrests and crackdowns on peaceful protests. Those are human rights issues that can deeply affect our understanding ofa conflict. In fact, such human rights violations may be the source ofa conflict, and pursuing accountability can be key to a durable peace.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

38. “If we could truly channel the perspectives of the people living in places like South Sudan, Syria or the Democratic Republic of the Congo who have been traumatized by years of conflict, think of how our responses would change. But all too often that is not how our meetings work. Instead of thinking about actual conditions on the ground, we default to talking in generalities that can dull the senses. We talk in statistics that can never fully capture the suffering that happens outside this Chamber. That is why the information that the Council receives from on-the-ground monitoring is essential for conflict prevention, and we must be inclusive and allow for a full range of voices to explain the dynamics of conflicts and the totality of their impact on civilians, communities and societies.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

39. “I thank Mr. Martin for his important briefing, which I believe will give us a great road map for our work in the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions. It is easy to get bogged down in the details of working methods. Those details are important, without a doubt. We want the Security Council to operate as effectively and efficiently as it can, but we, the United States, want to focus on just one aspect of our working methods today, that is, we want to talk about people. We need to commit ourselves to listen carefully to the people around the world who are affected by our decisions and to keep the impact of conflicts on them foremost in our minds.”

    2018-02-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8175 (2018) · source

40. “The trip underscored the need for the Council to take action on both fronts and pursue accountability. I thank you again, Mr. President, for your able management of the Council this month. We are very much looking forward to the Kuwaiti presidency of the Council in February. We are confident that Kuwait will lead us effectively in our continuing efforts.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

41. “It is long past time for all parties to put the interests of the Libyan people first and engage fully with the United Nations sponsored political process. In the meantime, we must also deepen our work with the Libyan authorities to ensure that all those responsible for human rights abuses against migrants, including the shocking practice of slavery, are held accountable. As you, Mr. President, mentioned earlier this week, Ambassador Haley hosted the members of the Security Council in Washington, D.C., to view evidence of Iran's violations of its international obligations and its interference in conflicts around the region. She also hosted Security Council members at the United States Holocaust Museum for a discussion about atrocities in Syria.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

42. “Council members remain unified in support of the peace process in Colombia and the work of the United Nations Verification Mission, noting that the challenges posed by the reintegration of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia and the implementation of the historic Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace are significant, and success is not certain. The Council is also committed to the resumption of talks with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional and emphasizes the importance ofa new ceasefire. The Council also reaffirmed that the Libyan Political Agreement must remain the framework for the political process throughout the country's transition period and that there is no room for spoilers.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

43. “This month, Ambassador Haley urged Council members to support the South Sudan arms embargo and said that we as a Council must act on the position we took in our 14 December presidential statement (S/PRST/2017/25) to impose costs and consequences on those who undermine the peace process in South Sudan. We also held important discussions on the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Mission and its support for a comprehensive settlement to reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. We renewed the Mission's mandate this month and now we urge Cypriot leaders to take steps to rebuild trust, improve the public atmosphere and resume talks immediately.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

44. “McMaster, came to New York especially to brief the Council on Afghanistan and our South Asia strategy, which goes hand in hand with the United Nations efforts to end the conflict and help Afghans build a better future. We were also very pleased to receive our biannual briefing on the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventative Diplomacy for Central Asia - the first by the mission's new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Natalia Gherman. Of particular note is the fact that the Council adopted a press statement (SC/13179) supporting her work, which is the first time we have come to a consensus on such a document in several years. We hope that it will open the door for future documents in support of the mission's important work. However, obviously South and Central Asia were not the only focus to the Council's work.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

45. “They urged President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah to hold free, fair and transparent elections, as scheduled, and stressed the importance of maintaining unity for the sake of an inclusive and stable Afghanistan. We welcome Kazakhstan's emphasis on promoting peace in Afghanistan, and we welcome the emphasis on the potential benefits of security and development partnerships between Afghanistan and Central Asia. We thank Kazakhstan for convening a ministerial debate on the partnership between Afghanistan and Central Asia. Afghanistan, as those present all know, is a top United States priority as well. That is why our National Security Advisor, H. R.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

46. “I offer many congratulations to Kazakhstan on its able leadership of the Council for the month of January. It has been a busy and productive month for the Security Council. Thanks to Kazakhstan's sustained efforts, the Security Council travelled on its first mission to Afghanistan in seven years, where it met with leaders of the Government of National Unity, officials of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, opposition parties and civil society representatives. Council members thanked the Afghan people for their continued resolve in the fight against terrorism, and noted international consensus on the need to strengthen security.”

    2018-01-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8173 (2018) · source

47. “We will continue to be a friend and partner to Colombia. We will continue to support security, justice, prosperity and respect for human rights of all Colombians. The people of Colombia know better than most that peace is precious, but fragile. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in working to preserve this peace and build a better future for Colombia. I must join my colleagues in thanking Ambassador Rycroft for his service on the Security Council. Ambassador Haley asked me to present this statement to him in front of the Council this morning. It has been a real pleasure and an honour working with him. I think that we all got a little bit choked up during his remarks. We will all miss him very much.”

    2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source

48. “As a number of former FARC soldiers have left the rural camps where they were expected to begin their transition back to civilian life, it is urgent for Colombia to execute a reintegration plan that provides both security for the Colombian people and opportunities for former combatants. We have also seen some legislative progress, as others have noted, including the approval of the law regulating the Special Jurisdiction for peace, and we hope to see the implementation of other key provisions. The United States is fully committed to supporting Colombia and the implementation of the peace accord. We would also like to echo the disappointment of others about the resumption of attacks by the Ejercito de Liberacien Nacional, as we saw this morning, and we hope that a new ceasefire can be concluded in the coming days.”

    2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source

49. “New armed groups are battling to fill the space left by the FARC, and there have been continuing attacks on community leaders and human rights defenders. We welcome the Colombian Government's efforts to expand its presence in former conflict areas to keep paramilitary and illicit groups from replacing the FARC as sources of killing and violence. Effective military and civilian agencies that provide security and Government services in remote areas are critical to sustaining peace. Meanwhile, the reintegration of FARC combatants into Colombian society is also very crucial.”

    2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source

50. “Colombia is now working to establish the justice that is necessary to preserve the peace. Colombian President Santos Calderon himself has said, "Constructing peace is more than ending the attacks and much more difficult". The implementation of the peace agreement has turned to political reconciliation and reintegration. Colombia must balance demands for justice with the need for reconciliation to ensure that peace endures and that means the taking on the hard work of securing proper accountability for those responsible for violations and building trust among a people deeply scarred by decades of conflict. A particular concern is the security vacuum left by the FARC demobilization. The lack of security in formerly FARC-controlled areas, as well as the lack of governance, has led to an up-tick in violence that is very worrisome.”

    2018-01-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8154 (2018) · source