YouSaid · the spoken record

Thomas-Greenfield

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1,605

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2021-05-27

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2023-12-22

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219

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un-security-council

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1. “That will help protect civilians in central Mali with more quick-reaction forces and air assets and enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers through explosive ordnance removal teams. The transition Government has the primary responsibility to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel and assets. As a reminder, those involved in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers may be subject to sanctions. The transition Government should carry out transparent and credible investigations and hold those responsible accountable. As noted by others, we are particularly concerned about the reported presence of individuals linked to the Wagner Group.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

2. “Thirdly, I want to discuss the increasingly volatile security situation, as evidenced by the audacity, frequency and severity of attacks against civilians, national security forces, international forces and MINUSMA. Widespread intercommunal violence, terrible gender-based violence and an increasingly dire situation in central Mali — that is not the Mali that I know from the many years of working in that country, and it deserves the attention of the Security Council. MINUSMA’s work on behalf of Malian women who have experienced sexual violence is particularly important. Malian authorities can, should and must pursue those cases and deliver justice for those women. MINUSMA also needs, following the Secretary- General’s proposal, an increase to its troop ceiling.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

3. “We welcome Boudjemaa Delmi’s leadership of the Agreement Monitoring Committee towards those ends, but we need concrete progress to implement the Algiers accord. Let us recall the specific benchmarks in resolution 2584 (2021), in particular the integration of the remaining ex-combatants as part of an accelerated demobilization, disarmament and reintegration process. We have to reach that benchmark, and we have to meaningfully include women-led civil society groups and operationalize the women’s observatory too. In Mali, the Council met with a number of such groups, and they were quite impressive. As we have heard from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, we must work to return Mali to a path leading to peace and stability.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

4. “We share the deep disappointment of ECOWAS with the blatant lack of political will shown by the Malian transition Government to make progress towards organizing elections, as it committed to do following the August 2020 coup d’état. We urge the transitional Government to keep its pledge to the Malian people to return their country to democracy. It is what the people of Mali have asked for; it is what they want; it is what they deserve. A five-year transition is not in their interest and extends the pain of the people. Elections must be free and fair; they must be transparent. That means promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, both on the ballot and by registering to vote. And it means using domestic election observers to facilitate those free and fair elections in a timely way.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

5. “Secondly, we need to support every effort from MINUSMA, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and others to help the Malian transition authorities to implement the political transition and the Algiers peace accord. During the Security Council’s visit to Mali in October, the fragile security and political situation was on display. We support and commend ECOWAS and mediator Goodluck Jonathan in their engagement with the transitional Government to facilitate a return to democracy in Mali. We commend the strong actions taken by ECOWAS on 9 January in support of democracy and stability. For those who call for an African solution, I hope they support the leadership of ECOWAS. I commend the three African members of the Security Council for their strong statement today.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

6. “First, the United States, like others, expresses its deep condolences to the families of the civilians and peacekeepers killed in attacks on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) late last year, as well as to the Governments of Mali, Egypt and Togo. Particularly troubling are the number of attacks carried out with improvised explosive devices. Peacekeepers must have the necessary equipment to ensure their safety given those threats. To that end, the United States will continue to support peacekeeper safety by providing necessary training and equipment through our Global Peace Operations Initiative, but we also urge and implore the Government of Mali to work with MINUSMA to improve the security environment.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

7. “I would like to thank Special Representative Wane for his briefing and, belatedly, for the support he provided to the Security Council when we visited Mali in October. I would also like to commend Ms. Adam Dicko for her briefing. We welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative from Mali, and we look forward to his response to the comments made here today. Today I would like to address three broad topics: attacks on peacekeepers, the implementation of the political transition and the Algiers Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali and the increasingly volatile security situation.”

   2022-01-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8945 (2022) · source

8. “That includes granting OPCW personnel immediate and unfettered access to undertake their mandated work. Recently, an individual in France was arrested in connection with the procurement of chemical-weapons- related equipment by the Syrian regime as late as 2018. These are preliminary charges related to complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes. This arrest is an important step in pursuing accountability for those responsible for the use of chemical weapons. The United States reaffirms its strong support for the OPCW’s continued work on this matter and all efforts to implement resolution 2118 (2013). It is time for the Syrian regime to quit stalling, cease its obstructionism and comply with its international obligations. It is time for the Syrian people to have justice and peace.”

   2022-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8943 (2022) · source

9. “The Al-Assad regime has not been candid or forthcoming with the OPCW, despite the tireless efforts by the OPCW to engage Syria to resolve these issues. For nearly nine months, Syria has prevented the next round of consultations with the Declaration Assessment Team from occurring in Syria. It has also failed to accept the alternative solution proposed by the OPCW — to hold a limited set of meetings in The Hague. Let me be clear — every amendment Syria makes to its original declaration has been the result of the thorough work of the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team to uncover those inconsistencies. The Syrian regime did not provide any of this information itself. It is a matter of international peace and security that Damascus fulfil its international obligations.”

   2022-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8943 (2022) · source

10. “As in previous investigations, the United States stands firmly behind the Fact-Finding Mission’s thorough and impartial evaluation and analysis of suspected chemical-weapons use. It is profoundly disappointing that in the ninety-ninth report of the Technical Secretariat (see S/2021/1103), we continue to witness Syria’s complete disregard for its obligations and deliberate attempts to delay and obstruct the OPCW’s work. The OPCW still assesses that Syria’s declaration cannot be considered accurate and complete in accordance with the obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and resolution 2118 (2013). We should not be fooled by Syria’s veneer of cooperation while it continues its obfuscating narrative.”

    2022-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8943 (2022) · source

11. “I commend the Fact-Finding Mission for pressing forward with its impartial and independent investigations of alleged chemical-weapons use in Syria, despite the Syrian regime’s obstructionism, obstacles presented by the coronavirus disease pandemic and persistent baseless attacks by some in the international community against this work. The Fact-Finding Mission’s most recent trip to Syria, which concluded last month, collected essential information on four incidents of chemical-weapons use in 2017. Those facts help hold the Syrian regime accountable for its chemical-weapons use and uphold the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which all of us on the Council are States parties.”

    2022-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8943 (2022) · source

12. “Let me start by congratulating you, Madam President, on the start of your Security Council presidency. I look forward to a productive month under your leadership. I also want to extend a warm welcome to our new Security Council members — Albania, my next-door neighbour, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. Welcome to the fold. The United States is excited to work with the new members as vital partners over the next two years. With regard to the discussion at hand, I would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her informative briefing and dedication to this issue. The work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its investigative bodies — the Investigation and Identification Team and the Fact-Finding Mission, as well as the Declaration Assessment Team — remains essential.”

    2022-01-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8943 (2022) · source

13. “The Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015), concerning South Sudan, received only one arms-embargo exemption request this year, as Council members just heard, and that request was granted. We regret that the Panel of Experts could not participate in the Committee’s trip last month because the slate of proposed candidates has been on hold since June. The Panel’s reporting is vital to the work of the Committee. The United States remains committed to the people of South Sudan and to working closely with the transitional Government, our fellow Council members and all stakeholders to enable peace and prosperity for the country and the region.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

14. “We stress that elections need to be preceded by an inclusive, transparent constitution-drafting process. The result should be free and fair elections that reflect the will of all South Sudanese, including women, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons and members of all political groups. Let me be clear — the provisions of the arms embargo are not responsible for delays in the training and graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces. The purpose is to create space to advance the peace process and for South Sudanese civil society to participate in its own democracy and governance. The arms embargo helps protect civilians by curbing the flow of weapons into the country. Should the South Sudanese Government require any arms or materiel in order to implement the peace agreement, there are clear exemption procedures in place.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

15. “The targeting of civil society discourages participation in the participatory processes outlined in the 2018 agreement, including transitional justice, constitutional development and preparations for elections. We call on the Government of South Sudan to respect the rights of all citizens in accordance with the Transitional Constitution. Thirdly, and finally, it has been more than three years since the signing of the peace agreement, and its signatories have been slow in making progress. We urge the Government of South Sudan to fully implement the agreement. That means swiftly implementing an inclusive constitution-drafting process, public financial management reform, transitional security arrangements and transitional justice mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, in order to ensure free and fair elections in 2023.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

16. “The recent report by an international non-governmental organization detailed horrifying attacks on civilians, including the murder and mutilation of pregnant women, the killing of the elderly and disabled and the murder of civilian captives. The Government of South Sudan must hold those responsible accountable — not only those who perpetrated these abuses, but also those who mobilized and ordered the fighters to carry out these gruesome attacks. The Government must take measures to protect civilians, humanitarian and development workers, journalists, internally displaced persons, women and children. The United States is also concerned about the eroding civic space in South Sudan, which has forced human rights defenders and other activists to flee the country.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

17. “When that flooding is paired with food insecurity, ongoing violence, mass displacement and a global pandemic, it creates a dire humanitarian situation. We encourage the international community to support the United Nations and humanitarian partners and address gaps in humanitarian funding and resources. We also urge national and subnational levels to do everything possible to facilitate humanitarian access and protect workers who deliver aid. Secondly, the United States remains deeply concerned by the ongoing subnational violence in Upper Nile, Unity, Warrap, Lakes, Jonglei and Western and Central Equatoria states. The violence has led to looting, mass displacement and hundreds of civilian deaths. We are disturbed by human rights abuses reported in Lakes, Warrap and Tambura, including killings on the basis of ethnicity.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

18. “I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haysom and Ms. Saeed for their presentations. And I thank my colleague from Viet Nam for the briefing, and I welcome South Sudan’s presence in our discussion today. We want to begin by conveying our deepest appreciation to the troops, police and civilians who serve, under great personal risk, to protect civilians in South Sudan. Today I would like to address three aspects of the situation in South Sudan: the humanitarian needs, the subnational violence and the erosion of civic space, and the slow progress towards implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. First, the catastrophic floods in South Sudan have endangered over 850,000 people.”

    2021-12-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8931 (2021) · source

19. “But for the world to engage economically and expand diplomatic cooperation with Iran, Iran must first show seriousness at the table and come back to compliance with the deal in short order, just as the United States has made clear we are also prepared to do.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

20. “Iran must fully implement the joint statement it negotiated with IAEA Director General Grossi in Tehran on 12 September. Despite clear calls from all the members of the P5+1, that is yet to be done. The IAEA has our full support in carrying out its critical verification and monitoring responsibilities in Iran for both safeguards and JCPOA purposes. The diplomatic process currently under way remains the best approach to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and to set us on a path to address the full range of concerns that we and others have with Iran’s activities in the region and beyond. The world is prepared to support a mutual return to compliance.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

21. “For example, Iran has enabled the Houthis to launch increasingly sophisticated strikes deep into Saudi Arabia and into densely-populated Yemeni cities. We encourage the Secretariat to continue to investigate those incidents for possible violations of annex B of resolution 2231 (2015). The Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/995) also finds that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have been harassed by Iran while monitoring and verifying its implementation of its Safeguards Agreement. That is in direct contravention of their diplomatic privileges and immunities, as well as simple decency. Iran must provide the required cooperation to resolve the IAEA concerns related to possible undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran without further delay.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

22. “While diplomatic negotiations continue, we remind Member States of the importance of the continued implementation of the remaining sanctions measures in annex B of resolution 2231 (2015). Restrictions remain in place on transfers to and from Iran of certain ballistic-missile and nuclear technology, and individuals and entities on the list established pursuant to resolution 2231 (2015) remain subject to an assets freeze. We support the Secretariat’s continued reporting on the implementation of those measures. We appreciate in particular the Secretary-General’s reporting on the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the region. Iran’s continued proliferation of UAV and ballistic missile technology to its partners and proxies destabilizes Yemen, Iraq and maritime security around the region.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

23. “There is a little time left, but Iran’s continued nuclear advancements and its lack of urgency in the talks are hollowing out the non-proliferation benefits that would be achieved by a mutual return to full JCPOA compliance. Iran’s continued nuclear escalations are inconsistent with the stated goal of returning to mutual compliance with the JCPOA. These escalations raise questions about Iran’s intentions, particularly given that the United States has made clear its willingness to lift all sanctions inconsistent with the JCPOA in the context of a mutual return to compliance. Let me be clear: Iran’s actions will not provide it with any leverage in negotiations and will only intensify our concerns about Iran’s activities.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

24. “We cannot, however, allow Iran to accelerate its nuclear programme and slow-walk its nuclear diplomacy. I am sorry to report that that is exactly what appears to be happening at the JCPOA talks in Vienna. Iran greeted the resumption of talks with new nuclear provocations and proceeded to stake out vague, unrealistic, maximalist and unconstructive positions on both nuclear and sanctions issues in the talks. We made substantial progress over six rounds of talks this spring, with all sides making difficult decisions. As all five permanent members of the Security Council, plus Germany (P5+1), agree, the outcome of these negotiations is the only possible basis on which to reach a conclusion. But now Iran is seeking to reopen those compromises. The simple truth is that, as Secretary of State Blinken has made clear, Iran is almost out of runway.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

25. “I thank all of today’s briefers for providing updates on this critical issue. The United States continues to pursue the path of diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and to address our full range of concerns with Iran. President Biden has been clear that he is prepared to return to United States compliance, and to stay in compliance, so long as Iran does the same. We are fully prepared to lift sanctions inconsistent with our JCPOA commitments, which would allow Iran to receive the economic benefits of the deal. And we are convinced that, if Iran approaches talks in Vienna with urgency and good faith, we can quickly reach and implement an understanding on mutual return.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8930 (2021) · source

26. “The Houthis bear responsibility for the situation, and the United States supports discussion of any solution that can safely and urgently address it. The Yemeni people deserve peace and prosperity. In the face of Houthi provocations, harassment and violence against its own people, I want the Houthi to know that the United States will never give up on the people of Yemen. I again thank Special Envoy Grundberg for his proactive efforts during his first few months to kickstart the peace process. I hope that the Council will continue to stand united as we do everything in our power to bring this conflict to an end.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

27. “In addition, like the United Kingdom, we are encouraged by the appointment on 6 December of a new Governor and Chair of the Board of the Central Bank of Yemen, as well as other new Board members. We hope that those appointments serve as a step forward towards addressing the economic instability that is deepening humanitarian suffering and that they will advance the needed reforms. However, true progress cannot be sustained without additional resources. We hope that countries can seize this moment to support Yemen’s economy and bring urgently needed relief to its people. The Special Envoy’s strong appeal for action has been heard loudly and clearly by the Council. Finally, the FSO SAFER tanker remains an environmental, humanitarian and economic threat of vast proportions.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

28. “Those provocative and dangerous actions are impediments to peace. They also underscore the need for Iran to end its lethal support to the Houthis, which contravenes Council resolutions and enables the Houthis’ reckless attacks. Each of those Houthi attacks on its own is unacceptable, but together they send a chilling and unmistakable signal about the Houthis’ unwillingness to participate in a peaceful political process or in a future Government that upholds the rule of law. While the Houthis continue their escalatory actions, we welcome the efforts of other parties to improve conditions in Yemen, including the United Nations initiative to scale up its approach in addressing the drivers of food insecurity throughout Yemen.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

29. “The offensive endangers thousands of civilians and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that it could lead to the displacement of half a million people. The Houthis must stop that offensive immediately. On 9 December, a Houthi missile hit an internally displaced persons camp managed by the International Organization for Migration. Five children were among those injured. That is unacceptable. We condemn, in the strongest terms, that and similar all too frequent attacks against civilians. We also condemn the intensification of Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent months, including three ballistic missiles launched at Riyadh just last week. The Houthis have conducted well over 350 such attacks this year — a staggering number and a shocking increase over last year’s total.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

30. “I wish to thank those countries and organizations for their support and clear messages that such action represents an affront to the entire international community. Yet still the Houthis continue to detain and harass our local Yemeni staff and intrude in the former embassy compound. The Houthis must immediately release — unharmed — all current and former Yemeni employees of the United States. They must immediately vacate the United States compound and return all seized property and cease making threats against their own fellow citizens simply for being employed by us. Similarly, the Houthis have ignored repeated calls from the Council and the international community to cease their offensive in Marib province.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

31. “All parties must meaningfully engage with him in that political process. To that end, the Council has an important voice. We must continue to urge all parties to work in good faith with Special Envoy Grundberg and we must speak out if and when any party fails to do so. Unfortunately, we have seen a series of Houthi actions in recent months that undermine peace. Last month, the Council came together to condemn in the strongest terms the detention by the Houthis of local staff of the United States Government in Sana’a, as well as the breach by the Houthi security services of the compound formerly used as our embassy. The Council’s statement was followed by similar statements from nearly two dozen countries and multilateral organizations.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

32. “I wish to thank our briefers, Mr. Hans Grundberg and Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, for their briefings. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Yemen and look forward to his statement later. As we have heard this morning, the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire and the needs of the Yemeni people clear. With continued conflict, Yemen’s economy will deteriorate further and with it the livelihoods of millions of Yemenis. Lives will continue to be endangered and generations of Yemenis to come will bear the scars. I once again wish to thank Special Envoy Grundberg for his briefing. As alarming as it was, we are encouraged by his efforts to consult a broad range of Yemenis as he develops his new framework for the inclusive political process so urgently needed in that conflict.”

    2021-12-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8929 (2021) · source

33. “I therefore once again thank all the members that supported the draft resolution and the many that co-sponsored it. Their support reaffirms that we must address the climate crisis and its impact on peace and security. And we will do it together, despite efforts by some to stop us.”

    2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source

34. “That is why we are dismayed that Russia blocked the Council from taking this important step to combat the consequences of the climate crisis. Given the enormity of the challenge, adopting this draft resolution was the very least we could do. Today, the veto of this resolution has let the world down, and there is no justification for taking that action. Nevertheless, I want to recognize that a majority of Council members voted in favour of today’s draft resolution. A clear majority of Member States endorse Security Council action on this issue. The fact that more than 113 countries co-sponsored the draft resolution signals the overwhelming support for the text within the United Nations membership. Russia may have blocked this draft resolution, but our global movement cannot be stopped. The momentum will only build from here.”

    2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source

35. “In fact, it does exactly the opposite. The Security Council can and should complement support and reinforce our collective work under the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC in ways that are necessary to fight the security threat. Only the Security Council can ensure that the security impacts of climate change are integrated into the critical work of conflict prevention and mitigation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disaster- reduction and humanitarian response. Specifically, this text would have been a modest but meaningful move forward on those goals. It provided the Council with practical, actionable steps to equip the States Members of the United Nations and numerous United Nations bodies, including peacekeeping missions and special political missions, with tools to better address the security implications of our changing climate.”

    2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source

36. “I thank the delegations of the Niger and Ireland for their efforts to advance this critical issue. By vetoing this draft resolution (S/2021/990), Russia has stopped the world’s most important organ from maintaining international peace and security from taking a small, practical and necessary step to combat the impacts of climate change. The climate crisis is a security crisis — one of the most pressing of our time. It is a threat to every person in every nation on every continent. That is why combating the climate crisis is a top priority of our Administration. As Secretary-General Guterres put it: either we stop it — or it stops us. We categorically reject the notion that Security Council action undermines the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).”

    2021-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8926 (2021) · source

37. “We must take action and, instead, start asking ourselves what we need to do — not whether, but what. We need to take that action now. To that end, we strongly encourage all members to support and co-sponsor the draft resolution on climate and security that the Niger and Ireland have put forward and that the United States is proud to co-sponsor. The draft resolution is a good first step to real action on the security impacts of the climate crisis. It is the least we can do. I thank you once again, Mr. President, for raising this important issue today during the Niger’s last month on the Security Council. The United States will work with other Council members to carry your hard work forward in the months and years to come.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

38. “The President will work with Congress to provide $3 billion in adaptation financing annually to PREPARE by 2024. Through PREPARE, the United States will urgently and significantly bolster adaptation efforts to save lives and reduce instability across the world. The goal is to ensure that we are not only writing a check, but we are also working with countries to ensure that every dollar goes as far in those communities as possible. It is time for us to stop debating whether the climate crisis presents a threat to international peace and security. That debate is over. The impact on the continent of Africa is clear. The deep and serious link between the climate crisis and our collective security is also clear. Now it is time for the Security Council to use our unique powers to address this issue head-on.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

39. “We saw important progress at the twenty-sixth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including national and international commitments to keep within reach of the 1.5°C limit on global warming. Now we need to do more, and we need to do it fast. For our part, the United States will continue to work with all countries, under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and through the annual Conference of the Parties, in order to advance global efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In order to lead by example, President Biden announced the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) in order to support developing countries in adapting and managing the impacts of climate change.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

40. “Violent extremist groups exploit weak governance, systemic corruption and societal fractures in order to embed themselves in communities and develop sources of income. Climate change could exacerbate these challenges and provide openings for those terrorist organizations. In addition, violent extremist organizations may target critical infrastructure and aid workers, thereby undermining activities intended to mitigate the impact of climate disasters. Fortunately, the Security Council, clearly recognizing the link between climate change and conflict, has taken necessary action in some of these cases. But the time for half-measures is over. The truth is that this global crisis requires a global response by the entire international community.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

41. “Early this year, President Biden commissioned the first-ever National Intelligence Estimate — the most comprehensive intelligence product we have in the United States Government — on the security implications of the climate crisis. In October, the Director of National Intelligence released an unclassified version of the report to ensure that as many people as possible could get a better sense of what the world is facing. The report made his points very clearly — climate change will increase instability and internal conflict. Moreover, at its current pace, the climate crisis is set to drive millions from their homes, propelling mass migration. Not only is that a human catastrophe, but these are the exact kinds of vulnerable populations that terrorist organizations prey upon.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

42. “It is a threat to international peace and, therefore, a threat and a crisis that this organ needs to address. Only the Security Council can ensure that the security impacts of climate change are integrated into the critical work of conflict prevention and mitigation, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disaster reduction and humanitarian response. It is the responsibility of the Security Council to ensure that it — and through it the Secretariat — has the tools and data necessary to confront one of the century’s greatest and fastest- growing threats to peace and security. As we all know, unpredictable and extreme weather makes vital resources like food and water even more scarce in impoverished regions. Scarcity spurs desperation, and desperation leads to violence. The logic is clear, and so is the intelligence.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

43. “I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for hosting the Security Council in October. The hospitality that you and your team provided to us there was very much appreciated. The United States commends the Niger for its leadership in keeping this important topic — the implication of climate change on international peace and security — on the Security Council’s agenda. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his briefing this morning, as well as Chairperson Faki Mahamat and Executive Secretary Nuhu for the important information and perspectives they have provided the Council today. Climate change is a challenge for every person in every nation in every continent. The climate crisis is a security crisis.”

    2021-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8923 (2021) · source

44. “We will always support forcefully displaced populations, and we remain committed to the vital work of UNHCR and its partners in supporting those populations.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

45. “The work that host countries do to provide vaccines and support is critical. For our part, in partnership with the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, the United States is committed to donating 1.2 billion doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to the world by 2022. In 2021, we provided nearly $215 million to UNHCR to fight COVID-19. We will continue to share doses, scale manufacturing and invest in vaccines abroad. We thank other Member States for their commitments and urge everyone to further step up efforts so that we can overcome this pandemic together. America stands as a beacon of liberty and refuge to the world’s most vulnerable. We have resettled more refugees than any other country. In October, President Biden raised our annual refugee admissions ceiling to 125,000.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

46. “We continue to support United Nations agencies and other humanitarian partners to reach Venezuelans in need of aid, and we are working with UNHCR to promote humane migration policies that will address the factors driving irregular migration. After the United States and our partners evacuated thousands of Afghans, who feared for their lives, as part of one of the biggest airlifts in history, we must continue to support Afghan refugees in any way possible. On Ethiopia, the humanitarian situation continues to worry us. We appreciate the High Commissioner’s point concerning protection access assistance and the need for a political solution. No matter where one comes from, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic remains a serious threat to refugees and internally displaced persons everywhere.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

47. “Many of the children in Zaatari have grown up knowing nothing beyond 10 years of war and displacement, but the children whom I met still have dreams, and they still have hopes. The international community must build programmes that support their integration into host countries so that they can achieve their dreams. Finally, I heard over and over that no one felt safe returning to Syria. They feared what might happen if they were forced back. I promised that I would use my platform in New York to tell the world that we will continue to protect them and that we will remain vigilant in ensuring that any return is safe, voluntary and dignified. As we work together to address the Syrian refugee crisis, we must also unite on the situations in Venezuela, Afghanistan and Ethiopia, to name just a few.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

48. “I hope that the standard that I saw in Zaatari will not be an exception, but a rule for UNHCR moving forward. In Zaatari, I was invited into the home of Nadia, a widow from the war in Syria. An inspiring single mother of 11 children, Nadia shared her harrowing story of fleeing the conflict and her years-long struggle to rebuild her life in a refugee camp. The livelihood programme at the camp, which we supported, empowered her to establish a successful tailoring business. Today I am wearing a scarf she embroidered with my name and gave me. This scarf reminds me of our collective obligation to Nadia, and particularly to her children. Nadia told me that she works every day to make her children proud. She should be proud that she makes all of us proud.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

49. “We are inspired by and grateful for Jordan’s generosity, as well as that of many others in the world, who have welcomed the largest refugee population since the Second World War. I was impressed by how UNHCR and others are integrating the latest technology in refugee camps. At Zaatari, I saw cash credits used at a World Food Programme supermarket, which ensures that shopping is done with dignity; a solar grid, which will ensure that kids have electricity to study; and a centralized water system run by UNICEF, which provides families with clean water and sanitary living conditions. Those programmes represent major progress from what I used to see in the 1990s at the Dadaab refugee camp, where Kenya has generously hosted refugees for more than two decades.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source

50. “I thank High Commissioner Grandi for his frank and sobering briefing on the worldwide refugee situation. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has our unwavering support. We appreciate the dedication of the High Commissioner’s teams and other humanitarian workers as much now as ever. I also welcome Norway’s Foreign Minister joining us here today. Recently, I saw first-hand the amazing work the UNHCR teams do on my trip to Jordan last month, where I visited the Zaatari refugee camp, home to nearly 80,000 Syrian refugees. What I heard and saw is a microcosm of today’s refugee landscape of 84 million refugees. Countries, such as Jordan, have opened their doors with compassion to provide protection from the Al-Assad regime’s senseless brutality.”

    2021-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8919 (2021) · source