YouSaid · the spoken record

Umarov

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1,162

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2017-02-02

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2023-04-25

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192

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un-security-council

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1. “Thirdly, we must master communication skills, languages and content on international law and humanitarian law. In that regard, the training of civilian components engaged in dangerous tasks on field missions, as well as of larger numbers of women, is critical. Fourthly, we should prepare peacekeepers for measures related to early warning, information-sharing and, as appropriate, intelligence-sharing, as well as self-defence. Fatalities can be reduced only if we understand and combat the drivers of conflict. In that regard, primary prevention can be achieved by investing in development by using combined regional approaches as well as national ones, and through cooperation among Member States.”

   2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source

2. “It is our moral responsibility to provide adequate levels of training, preparedness and equipment at various levels and modes, and my delegation would like to make the following proposals. First, we must help troop-contributing countries (TCCs) to build their own capacities adequate to peace operations by developing national trainer cadres, refurbishing training facilities, refining training materials and providing training equipment. Secondly, we should invest in critical enablers such as engineering, aviation, medical, logistical, signal and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) capabilities. Predeployment training for specific missions, technical and advisory assistance, equipment maintenance and sustainability, strategic-level planning and in-mission competence is equally important.”

   2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source

3. “We congratulate you, Mr. President, on the smooth start to your leadership of the Council for this month, outfitting all the members of the Council with shirts and getting them ready for the heat of summer, in a very original move. We wish you all the best in your able stewardship of the Council for this month. We also thank the Indonesian presidency for highlighting the importance of enhancing training and capacity-building in order to improve the security and performance of United Nations peacekeepers and civilians serving in conditions featuring extreme violence and terrorism. The death toll is rising, and we pay tribute to all who have fallen in the cause of peace. We must ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.”

   2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source

4. “To conclude, we welcome today's adoption of the milestone resolution 2467 (2019) and are pleased to inform the Council that Kazakhstan will today present our concrete pledges to accelerate our implementation of the women and peace and security agenda by the anniversary in 2020 at the high-level companion event, hosted by Germany and the United Kingdom. We will be fully engaged, together with the international community, in promoting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the new agenda for peace to protect women's dignity and gender empowerment.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

5. “Our country integrates all elements of the women and peace and security agenda, including on conflict- related sexual violence, in our national legislation, with new strong pro-women policies. Training on gender equality for the armed and security forces and women's deployment in United Nations peacekeeping operations are priorities for Kazakhstan's national peacekeeping training centre. At the regional level, we are supporting Afghanistan with a multidimensional approach of conflict prevention, accompanied by humanitarian and development assistance, by strengthening the security and development nexus. At the international level, we are contributing to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which funds projects in post-conflict settings.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

6. “Cooperation with religious leaders, civil society and local communities is most important if we want to change extremist narratives, shift the stigma of sexual violence to the perpetrators, promote education and create awareness around the empowerment of women. Kazakhstan strongly believes that preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers should be an absolute priority, along with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on such offences. All troops and police contingents should have full training prior to and during deployment. We support the greater recruitment of well-qualified women military and police officers and the deployment of women protection advisers to peacekeeping missions.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

7. “Regional organizations and Member States, which have the primary responsibility for responding to sexual violence and strengthening the law enforcement system, should harmonize their national legislations with United Nations standards. Conflict-related sexual violence affects every aspect ofa survivor's life and leads to the stigmatization of victims and the devastation of physical and economic security, especially of displaced and rural women. We therefore need a survivor-centred approach, which should include full, competent and speedy psychological support, health care, legal assistance and socioeconomic reintegration.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

8. “We also need initiatives and cooperation for prevention, information-sharing and documentation, assistance for victims, legal support, the training of security forces, new orientations for the legal, judiciary and criminal justice systems and exchanges of best practices in combating sexual violence. Our deliberations today make it clear that the international community should ensure accountability for sexual violence in conflict and bring a resolute end to impunity. The Security Council sanctions committees should therefore include, where appropriate, sexual violence as a designated criterion for sanctions against individuals and organized networks, including non-State parties to conflicts.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

9. “At the same time, we have to take measures to ensure that sexual violence is not used as a tactic of war or aggravated by human trafficking, which can become a source of income for armed groups, terrorist organizations and transnational organized crime networks. That scourge requires concerted and well- coordinated cross-national interventions with a One United Nations approach. All efforts of the United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict require improved coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL and regional and subregional organizations.”

   2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

10. “Kazakhstan thanks the German presidency for highlighting our attention on preventing conflict-related sexual violence. We commend Secretary-General Guterres for the insights drawn from his annual report (S/2019/280) and Special Representative Patten for the overview of her mandate and work. We also thank the Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other briefers for their passionate plea to us, as well as their horrifying analyses of that scourge in different parts of the world. Kazakhstan endorses the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General's annual report. Despite the robust normative framework and the progress achieved, we need to collectively reflect on how to prevent conflict-related sexual violence from increasing at the alarmingly high levels as it presently does.”

    2019-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8514 (2019) · source

11. “The African Union forces and hybrid missions have also proven to be very effective owing to their familiarity with their own terrain, local conditions and the tactics of armed and militia groups. They have provided invaluable reinforcement for our global counter-terrorism action. We must therefore continue capacity-building by way of training and providing the latest equipment, as well as exploring different sustainable predictable mechanisms for the financing of African Union peace operations. In conclusion, I would like to once again reiterate that Kazakhstan, as an observer at the African Union, is strongly committed to helping African countries fulfil their vision for peace.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

12. “In order to contribute to the United Nations reforms, we propose establishing an interregional United Nations modelling centre for the Sustainable Development Goals in Almaty, and look forward to forming partnerships with African countries. Through investments in education, health, welfare, employment, climate mitigation and refugee and migrant rehabilitation, we will be able to prevent illegal trafficking in small arms and light weapons and human beings and drugs, and combat transnational crimes, which fuel conflicts. Fourthly, enhancing peacekeeping is another critical priority in preventing conflicts in Africa. The African Union-led peace support operations have been recognized as absolutely essential to the Security Council's responsibility for maintaining peace and security.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

13. “That requires new modalities for joint analysis, planning, assessment and reporting for a smoother and more effective partnership. Thirdly, conflict prevention and mediation are priorities that require comprehensive, coordinated action. That should be aimed at strengthening the security-development nexus in order to implement the Secretary-General's reform of the United Nations development system. That should be accompanied by strengthening all existing African Union preventive diplomacy tools, including the guidance of the Panel of the Wise. For our part, we propose a three-fold strategy to prevent and address conflicts through an enhanced security-development nexus, a regional approach and the United Nations delivering as one.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

14. “At the same time, we must harness the comparative advantages of regional economic structures, such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. That is because of their in-depth understanding of the dynamics and root causes of conflicts and capability to mobilize local financial and human resources. Likewise, parliamentarians, religious leaders, women, youth and civil society are also important assets with whom we must engage. Secondly, strengthened cooperation, unity of purpose and consolidation among all Member States and international organizations are essential for a conflict- free Africa. That calls for a reinforced institutional partnership between the United Nations and the African Union on peace, security and development.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

15. “Despite the immense challenges, we are confident that the African Union's aspirations for a conflict-free Africa are achievable. Recently, the African Union's ability to resolve conflicts has been internationally acknowledged, especially in conflict- torn countries such as Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, those in the Horn of Africa and other places. The African Union is now paving the way for peace in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. My delegation would like to make the following observations. First, national and regional ownership is crucial for success. We therefore need to carefully listen to the guidance given by the African troika.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

16. “I would first of all like to congratulate your delegation, Mr. President, on its very successful presidency of the Security Council and to express our appreciation to you, Sir, in continuing to preside over this very important debate, which shows your strong commitment to the signature event that your delegation chose during its presidency. I also thank the presidency of Equatorial Guinea for highlighting the important strategy of silencing the guns to bring peace and stability to Africa, as well as the leadership of the United Nations and the African Union for their insightful briefings. We are also honoured to co-sponsor the important resolution adopted earlier today (resolution 2457 (2019)). Kazakhstan fully supports the Master Road Map of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020.”

    2019-02-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8473 (2019) · source

17. “The chances for a peaceful resolution of the crisis that has engulfed Syria increase with the victory over terrorism. We all agree that despite the stabilization and reduction of escalation, the current situation in Syria requires the increased attention and consolidated efforts of the entire international community. To conclude, even as we step down as a member of the Council, Kazakhstan remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis and is hopeful that the negotiation process in Geneva will succeed in restoring peace and stability in Syria. We will continue to do our best through the Astana process. We are confident that the settlement of the Syrian conflict has no military solution. We echo the United Nations concerns that a full-scale escalation of hostilities in the area must be averted at all costs.”

    2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source

18. “The Secretary-General has also acknowledged the importance of other high- level meetings, including the Da Nang statement of 11 November 2017 and the Istanbul Declaration of 27 October 2018. We believe that the only way to create peace in Syria is to establish a comprehensive political process under the leadership of the Syrians themselves, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015). We also believe that the Astana process has yielded positive results aimed at strengthening the ceasefire and the monitoring mechanism and has laid the foundation for further political settlement in the framework of the Geneva talks. Kazakhstan commends the successful fight against international terrorism and the destruction of the combat potential of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and other organizations in Syria.”

    2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source

19. “Those consultations have made a significant contribution to the political settlement in Syria as a follow up to the Sochi final statement of 30 January, which is in line with the Geneva process to implement Council resolution 2254 (2015). Astana believes that we can ensure the necessary package of arrangements for a credible, balanced and inclusive constitutional committee. That would also include a balanced arrangement for chairing, drafting and ensuring electoral viability. We are pleased that the Secretary-General appreciates the value of the Astana process and its invaluable work, especially among the guarantors themselves and with the representatives of the Syrian opposition.”

    2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source

20. “At present, the contours of a peaceful life in Syria are becoming increasingly clear. We therefore consider it to be very important to continue to work on the establishment of a constitutional committee. It is not an easy task, but we must patiently and consistently keep at it, because there is no alternative. The committee would enable the drafting ofa new basic law for Syria. In that regard, we welcome the efforts made by Staffan de Mistura, Special Envoy for Syria, who this week hosted high-level representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey in Geneva to discuss the possibility of establishing a credible, balanced and inclusive constitutional committee. It is essential that all parties involved provide maximum support for the earliest formation of a Syrian constitutional committee.”

    2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source

21. “We thank Special Envoy de Mistura for his comprehensive briefing. As he ends his highly meritorious service, I would like to express to him and his team our most sincere gratitude on behalf of Kazakhstan for their efforts and commitment to achieving enduring peace in Syria. We greatly appreciate the Special Envoy's outstanding engagement, as demonstrated in the intensive consultations to convene a credible and balanced United Nations-facilitated, Syrian-owned and -led constitutional committee. Mr. de Mistura's work has been monumental. He has left his mark and legacy, and we all greatly appreciate his efforts. He has built a strong foundation for his successor to build upon. We wish the new Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, every success on his important assignment.”

    2018-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8434 (2018) · source

22. “We believe that the establishment and deployment of the Group of Five for the Sahel Joint Force will positively contribute to maintaining stability in the region and help countries, subregional organizations and UNOWAS to address more effectively cross-border security threats, including drug trafficking and piracy. In conclusion, Kazakhstan is ready to work hand in hand with others to improve and intensify the impetus of mutually beneficial cooperation to mobilize all possible efforts to counter the drug problem in Africa and globally.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

23. “Trafficking heroin from production centres to heroin markets requires a global network of routes and facilitation by domestic and international criminal groups. In these circumstances, we need to relentlessly search for ways to improve, strengthen and unite our efforts. We should make better use of the enormous potential of UNODC to share experience and best practices, train personnel and develop effective tools of practical cooperation. Capacity-building is the key word for success. This will be achieved only through a more effective implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. We welcome the continued efforts of the Economic Community of West African States to advance the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, including through the development of the United Nations Support Plan for the Sahel.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

24. “Our measures should be focused on stricter law enforcement and justice systems, together with early warning signals, intelligence management and sharing, and rigorous border control, with the help of UNODC and INTERPOL. All these operations must be reinforced with capacity-building, training and support by way of state-of-the-art detection and communication equipment. We encourage West African countries to continue to strengthen their national institutional frameworks and responses against these perilous threats, in close cooperation with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations country teams, UNODC and INTERPOL.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

25. “The prompt and decisive action that is needed calls for political will and regional collaboration to take action at the regional and national levels. First, we need to address factors that trigger distressing global trends, instability, armed conflicts in many regions of the world and refugee flows, together with unresolved problems of poverty and disparities in development, all of which further derail progress and impede the full effectiveness of our interventions. Therefore, critical engagement is necessary to implement different international programmes and projects aimed at strengthening the security, judicial and law enforcement sectors. We must aim for a major overhaul of the criminal code, with a harmonization of legislation across countries ofthe region.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

26. “Besides their damaging effects on people, they give rise to corruption and a shadow economy, which are reinforced by money- laundering and transnational crime and increased funding to terrorist groups, thereby impeding sound political stability and the progress of the African region. According to the World Drug Report 2018 released in June by UNODC, Tramadol, an opioid used to treat moderate and moderate-to-severe pain, has become a growing concern in many regions of Africa and Asia. The report also indicates that Africa and Asia are emerging as cocaine-trafficking and consumption hubs. It is well known that drug trafficking and related illegal activities constitute the most serious threats to security and human well-being worldwide. My delegation makes the following observations with regard to combating the drug problem in West Africa.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

27. “First of all, I would like to thank the presidency of Cote d'Ivoire for convening this very important briefing on the drug situation in West Africa, and also express gratitude to Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), for his comprehensive report. This meeting provides a unique platform and opportunity to share experiences related to the combat against the production and distribution of drugs through joint multilateral action. Drug trafficking and transnational organized crime in West Africa remain matters ofgreat concern for us. In the affected countries, including in West Africa, profits from drug trafficking are used to destabilize States and also threaten both development and stability.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8433 (2018) · source

28. “Kazakhstan is keen to make a real contribution, so two months ago we deployed a peacekeeping contingent to UNIFIL. As our term is coming to an end, this is the last time that Kazakhstan will address this issue as a Council member. Let me assure the Council that our commitment to this agenda item will be steadfast as we continue to support the Force Commander and the mission in the future.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

29. “We condemn Israel's numerous and continuing violations of Lebanon's territorial integrity, which must cease immediately. We reaffirm Israel's right to protection, but at the same time Israel must observe the established borders and other demarcation lines. We were pleased to learn that UNIFIL and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon are continuing to engage with the Lebanese authorities in order to ensure the appropriate follow-up to the Rome II conference, held in March, which in turn will ensure Lebanon's commitment to increasing the strength and presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the UNIFIL area of operations by deploying its model regiment and building the Lebanese navy's capacity. Lastly, these noteworthy measures must continue and be supported by the Council and the wider international community.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

30. “All parties should therefore make use of UNIFIL's dialogue, coordination and tripartite mechanisms in de-escalating tensions. We join others in urging all the parties to prevent violations of the Blue Line under any circumstances. The Lebanese army should continue to expand the State's sovereignty and control throughout the country and try to maintain a permanent ceasefire. Both Tel Aviv and Beirut should strictly comply with all the relevant Security Council resolutions and assist the United Nations peacekeeping forces with their mandate. Kazakhstan supports Lebanon's territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence, provided for in the General Armistice Agreement between Israel and Lebanon of 23 March 1949, and based on paragraph 5 of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

31. “We are pleased to hear that the overall situation in UNIFIL's area of operation remains calm and that the mission is working with all interlocutors to maintain overall stability. We must therefore further support the efforts of United Nations peacekeeping forces to monitor the situation along the Blue Line. They must have full access to all locations along that Line. We also appeal to all parties to tone down the rhetoric. UNIFIL peacekeepers should further increase their patrolling along the Blue Line, together with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), so as to maintain overall stability and avoid any misunderstandings that could lead to escalation. We request that the Force Commander be in close liaison with both the LAF and the Israeli Defense Forces.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

32. “We thank Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his insightful briefing on developments concerning the tunnels along the Blue Line. The tunnels identified are a clear violation ofresolution 1701 (2006), and we are glad to hear today they are being disabled. We are convinced that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) technical teams should carry out thorough inspections south of the Blue Line in order to prevent any similar activity in that area in future. We appreciate the efforts of UNIFIL Force Commander Del Col to de-escalate the situation on the border between Lebanon and Israel. We appreciate also the meetings held with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut.”

    2018-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8432 (2018) · source

33. “Kazakhstan ends its term on the Security Council on 31 December, and this is our last consultation on the subject. We have invested much effort towards the rapprochement between the two sides over the past two years of our term. Even as we step down, our interest will remain steady and ongoing in the future, and we will always work towards peace in the Middle East through the General Assembly and other forums - and even the Security Council, externally - as a passionate State Member of the United Nations that is deeply committed to peace and security. We wish Mr. Mladenov and his team every success, and hope that Palestine and Israel can fulfil their aspirations.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

34. “We express our sorrow over a shooting attack that took place near the illegal settlement of Ofra, east of Ramallah, where two Israeli soldiers were killed by an unknown Palestinian. The Israeli and Palestinian security services must work together to restore calm and avoid escalation. We condemn all acts of violence and terrorism, in particular against innocent civilians, and we call on political, religious and community leaders to speak out clearly against such brutal acts and those who glorify them. My country's position remains unchanged and is very clear. Kazakhstan is a strong advocate of a two- State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We still believe that peace is possible between Israelis and Palestinians. We believe that Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace and security with the rest of the region.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

35. “It is therefore obvious that stakeholders should increase the amount of electricity supplied to Gaza. Kazakhstan hopes that the work of the unique Middle East Quartet will be revived and intensified. We believe that with the assistance of the participants of the Quartet, the parties will be able to find common ground for the continuation of a peaceful dialogue. Astana is deeply concerned about the recent violent incidents in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. A very serious security situation still prevails in the occupied West Bank. We have learned that four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in separate operations over the past week in the occupied West Bank, with the Israeli army announcing the city of Ramallah to be a closed military zone.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

36. “The Council must ensure that resolution 2334 (2016) is complied with, and we urge a complete freeze on the construction of settlements. Astana encourages Member States with influence - in particular the Arab countries, the United States and Russia - and the European Union to urge Israel and Palestine to return to the negotiating table. This should be aimed at reaching an agreement upon mutually acceptable principles of the coexistence of two States based on international law and Security Council resolutions. We also need to address the blockade of the Gaza Strip, where an acute food shortage persists. We share the concerns of Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, who said that further conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is likely, due to the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian coastal enclave.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

37. “We sincerely welcome the contribution of Egypt and the United Nations since the beginning of the crisis to pull Israel and Gaza back from the brink of war and bring some calm. Astana also appreciates the measures of the international community and different entities to obtain a ceasefire. I need hardly recall that confidence-building measures and political and diplomatic measures are at the core of our foreign policy. We therefore always urge our partners to utilize them. Astana expresses its concern over the intention of the Israeli leaders to legalize thousands of Jewish settlement homes in the occupied West Bank. Kazakhstan calls on both sides to honour their respective commitments, in accordance with all Security Council resolutions that have been adopted over the 50 years since 1967.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

38. “My delegation thanks Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov for his comprehensive and objective briefing and his unfailing commitment to the region. First of all, we welcome the decision taken by Israel and Hamas in Gaza to hold a ceasefire that would follow the agreement the two sides reached in 2014. We appreciate the political will of both sides, which has resulted in concluding a viable truce. We hope that this will lead to a full-fledged peace treaty between the two sides and thus prevent a relapse, for which no efforts should be spared. It is clear to all that in a state of fierce war or exchange of fire between the parties, which we should avoid at all costs, all the rest ofthe issues simply fade away, including a critical problem like the illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories.”

    2018-12-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8429 (2018) · source

39. “I would like to assure future Chairs who will replace Kazakhstan on the Committee concerning ISIL, Da'esh and Al-Qaida, the Committee concerning the Taliban and the Committee concerning Somalia that they can count on our unwavering cooperation at all times. We wish them every success in their important assignments.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

40. “In conclusion, I would like to express my delegation's sincere gratitude to all members of the three Committees for their cooperation. I also express my appreciation to the Ombudspersons, secretariats and experts groups of all three subsidiary bodies for their dedication and professionalism in supporting the Chair in his daily work. I convey special gratitude to the teams of interpreters; we would not be able to fully carry out our activities without their help. On behalf of our delegation, I thank all Member States for their support and cooperation during the two years of our country's chairmanship, especially the delegations of Afghanistan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Russia and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

41. “In order to preserve and multiply those achievements, the coordinated efforts of the African Union and the United Nations are now needed to strengthen economic cooperation among the countries of the region and create favourable conditions for their prosperity. We note and support the decision of Secretary-General Guterres to appoint a Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa for that very reason. I am also convinced that stricter compliance and more complete implementation of the sanctions regime can be ensured through more effective information outreach and mutual understanding. In that regard, we introduced the practice ofissuing regular press releases on the work of the Sanctions Committee in order to inform a wider audience about our work and, in turn, gain further support.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

42. “This year's most important development - and I hope all members of the Council will agree - was the historic normalization of relations between the countries of the Horn of Africa region, which was initiated and promoted by Ethiopia. We have witnessed how peaceful dialogue, political will and commitment to people's best interests can dramatically change situations between countries that have been in confrontation for many years. It is gratifying to note that that positive wave swept through the entire Horn of Africa region and culminated with the lifting of sanctions on Eritrea. My delegation had the great honour and privilege of being part of that process.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

43. “On the issue of improving weapons and ammunition management, it is important for the Secretariat and the relevant United Nations agencies on the ground to continue to provide support to the Somali authorities. The Committee also should support and assist that conflict-ravaged country in its efforts to recover through constructive guidance, rather than punishment. The commitment and coordinated actions of all United Nations States Members towards the implementation of the ban on the export of charcoal from Somalia will also have a positive effect on the fight against terrorists and significantly reduce their financial income.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

44. “Following the visit, the Committee adopted important recommendations aimed at strengthening the implementation of the arms embargo and the charcoal ban on Somalia. The visit resulted in a better understanding of current local misconceptions and expectations during the sanctions regime. I therefore encourage future Committee Chairs to continue the practice of regularly visiting Somalia and the region. It must be clearly understood that the existing sanctions regime is not a punishment for Somalia. On the contrary, the arms embargo is a useful tool for improving control over a large flow of weapons into the country, through both official channels and smuggling.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

45. “However, the overall effectiveness of the 1988 sanctions measures relies on close coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and its work on listing and delisting procedures. Such a practice, in our opinion, will further contribute to obtaining more accurate first-hand information and an understanding of the current situation on the ground, which would enable us to make more effective use of sanctions regimes so as to begin a peaceful dialogue in Afghanistan. For me, the most memorable point of my chairmanship in the Committee on Somalia and Eritrea was my visit to the region of the Horn of Africa in May. That visit was the first since 2010 and included a number of significant and meaningful meetings with the regional leadership at the highest level, United Nations country teams and other key actors.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

46. “This is not something new; I broached that issue in the Committee and have discussed it previously. In addition, the Chair's visits to select countries enhances the engagement of the sanctions Committees with Member States. The visits help to inform Member States about the activities of the Committee and ensure their knowledgeable engagement in the Committee's work. The 1988 sanctions Committee was specifically designed to help the Afghan Government to bring about peace and stability through the use of the sanctions regime imposed on the Taliban. The regime's effectiveness is evident because the lifting of the sanctions on the Taliban is one of the key conditions for the movement to start negotiations.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

47. “In this context, transparency is essential in the work of the Committees, particularly in the area of sanctions. The Member States concerned should be aware of the process of listing and delisting, contribute their information in a way that ensures maximum objectivity and fairness of the process, be informed on the status of consideration of cases and be able to understand with complete clarity the obligations that they must fulfil. Without proper transparency, the work of the Committees will increasingly be prone to politicization or to the settling of scores among countries. We are convinced that it is necessary to take every measure to contribute to ensuring the highest standards of transparency when the Council discusses issues that have serious and far-reaching consequences for Member States.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

48. “I believe that such an opportunity needs to be given to any Member State whose interests are affected by the listing of individuals or organizations. Currently, according to the rules of procedure, such States find themselves listed in the documents because their territories have been used by terrorists or terrorist groups, but this is only after the official publication has been issued. Such States are not able to present their evidence to the Committee before a decision is made or to challenge the information provided by another State, for one simple reason: the listing State is not on speaking terms with that country. Moreover, members of the Committee and Monitoring Team experts are bound by the privacy policy, which is not considered to be a fair or transparent procedure.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

49. “These issues are being partially resolved through the current practice of the holding of regular open briefings by the Chair for interested Member States. This tradition of holding briefings received positive feedback from the States that attended the meetings, which expressed the hope that this practice would continue. We therefore urge the Chairs that succeed us, as well as members of the Council, to continue with this tradition, which provides an opportunity for Member States to interact with the Committee. Another possible area of improvement in the transparency of the Council's work could be to invite interested Member States to informal Committee meetings to hear the Chair's reports and make remarks during a dedicated period oftime; that would strengthen mutual trust and confidence.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source

50. “But my message to our successors is: do not relax. There is plenty left to do to improve the work of the Committees. During the Council meeting held on 6 February (see S/PV.8175), held under the Kuwaiti presidency on the issue of the methods of work of the Security Council, a number of States Members of the United Nations voiced a great deal of criticism about the closed nature of the discussions in our sanctions Committees. In particular, opinions were expressed on the lack of transparency of the deliberations and the fact that it was not possible to make objective and realistic assessments, questioning the accountability of the Security Council. Under these circumstances, such views should be taken seriously and responsibly.”

    2018-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8428 (2018) · source