YouSaid · the spoken record

Urbina

lines on the record: 774
first: 2007-10-23
most recent: 2010-03-19
sittings or episodes: 103
sources: un-security-council

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“Costa Rica enthusiastically welcomes the idea of strengthening United Nations capacities in peacebuilding by establishing and consolidating a team of competent civilian experts able to deploy rapidly to support tasks such as, inter alia, security sector reform, institutional strengthening and support for judicial systems. Here, we support the endeavours to broaden and deepen the body of experts and civilian volunteers for peacebuilding, and we concur that it is necessary to pay particular attention to capturing and mobilizing greater capacity from developing countries, particularly women. National actors must be both the engine and the drivers of peacebuilding processes in their own countries. Hence, the role of the international community must be one of support, not of protagonist.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Peacebuilding will no longer be the last thing to be considered in preparing for an exit or for closure of peacekeeping operations. It is, and must continue to be, a central axis for all United Nations actions, included from the earliest stages of all peace operations. Soon the Peacebuilding Commission will have valuable experience of which the Council must take advantage in drawing up and renewing mandates for peace missions that it authorizes. The Secretariat also bears a responsibility to recommend, from the very earliest stages of peace operations, the inclusion of recommendations on peacebuilding actions in its reports.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“The Council has also transformed the United Nations offices in the Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone into integrated peacebuilding offices. It has thus sought to act in a more comprehensive and strategic fashion for the entire United Nations system in those countries. We are sure that the success achieved will be a valuable stimulus to improve the work in that area and to strengthen the Council's relationship with the Peacebuilding Commission, especially with the respective country- specific configurations. The revision of the Commission's mandate will be a valuable opportunity to evaluate results, to consider the lessons learned and to strengthen the Commission's work and its relation with other organs and agencies of the United Nations system.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Here, we commend the leadership and dedication of the chairs of the country- specific configurations - the former Permanent Representative of the Netherlands, Ambassador Frank Majoor; the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Switzerland, Ambassadors Anders Linden and Peter Maurer; Ambassador John McNee, Permanent Representative of Canada; Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, Permanent Representative of Brazil; and Ambassador Jan Grauls, Permanent Representative of Belgium. Over the last two years we have seen how the Security Council has increasingly taken in the peacebuilding perspective. Costa Rica welcomes the practice whereby the chairs of the configurations participate in debates on the respective national situations.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“That is now construed as the creative coexistence of a human community in harmony with its natural and political environment. The Peacebuilding Commission has also learned to quickly provide the strategic and comprehensive support needed by countries to build peace and has shown itself to be a dynamic, innovative and flexible body, able to adapt to the various requirements arising in the countries on its agenda.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to begin by thanking Ambassador Heraldo Mufioz for presenting the third annual report of the Peacebuilding Commission (S/2009/444) and to congratulate him and to thank him for his work as Chair of the Commission. The United Nations has learned and accepted that the prevention of resurgence of armed conflict means early work on peacebuilding and continuing the work on consolidating the peace beyond the implementation of any agreements that put an end to conflict. The Peacebuilding Commission is the tangible expression of that conviction. The international community now realizes that peace cannot be achieved merely by ending an armed conflict but that it requires a painstaking and complex construct to support development and create conditions for lasting peace.”
2009-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6224 (2009) · source
“We trust that the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees will soon submit a revised strategy for the implementation of Annex VII of the Peace Agreement and that it will be rapidly adopted by the Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Peoples in order to ensure the safe and lasting return of the thousands of people who have not yet seen an end to this sad chapter in their lives.”
2009-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6222 (2009) · source
“Six months ago we welcomed the adoption of the National War Crimes Prosecution Strategy and the National Justice Sector Reform Strategy. However, today we have become aware that there has been scant progress on those strategies to date. My country believes that entrenching the rule of law and combating impunity are fundamental for coexistence to prosper, and we thus call for redoubled efforts to ensure the full implementation of both strategies. Lastly, we are concerned that the issue of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons continues to be politicized.”
2009-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6222 (2009) · source
“Undeniably, the agenda for membership in the European Union is an important incentive and provides a framework for action to overcome the major challenges. The inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina want a European future, and that future will only be possible if their political leaders shoulder their responsibilities in this historic process. Here, Costa Rica welcomes the Butmir process as a positive step whose success depends solely on the commitment of the stakeholders. The leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina must show maturity and political will in order to progress towards achieving unity and the development of the country and to make progress on the agenda for membership in the European Union. In conclusion, I wish to refer specifically to two aspects that appear vital in the effort to build peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2009-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6222 (2009) · source
“The continued lack of trust among political leaders and the resulting negative climate has had undeniable adverse consequences on the functioning of institutions, on reconciliation among peoples and consequently on the country's development prospects. The impasse in the country is essentially due to the persistent, divisive rhetoric employed and the continued challenges to the authority of the State and the High Representative. The international community expects a change of attitude on the part of the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina that is favourable to the establishment of a multi-ethnic and multinational State and that would foster democratic interaction among all of the political parties.”
2009-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6222 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset I wish to warmly welcome Mr. Spirie, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Mr. Inzko, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I take the opportunity to reiterate our support to the High Representative and to his Office. During the 14 years that have passed since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina has stayed far away from war, but has not managed to establish peace firmly. The report of the High Representative (S/2009/588*) and the statement of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers clearly point out the challenges to be faced in consolidating the progress achieved and in implementing a clear agenda that would herald a promising future for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2009-11-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6222 (2009) · source
“Lastly, financing the various initiatives to help Somalia overcome the crisis must continue being one of the main concerns of the international community. Costa Rica urges States and donors to continue to provide resources to the trust funds. In doing so, they will confirm their commitment to peace and stability in that region.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“Costa Rica recognizes the work being done by the Transitional Federal Government and by AMISOM. with the support of the United Nations. Strict compliance with the arms embargo in Somalia is an indispensable instrument. Also, we support the Monitoring Group on Somalia and call for cooperation with it to help with compliance with the obligations deriving from the resolutions adopted by this Council. Thirdly, we must maintain and strengthen efforts to deal with the humanitarian situation in Somalia. It is essential to ensure delivery of assistance for the fifty per cent of the people who depend on it. Attacks on humanitarian organs and their personnel must cease. In parallel, we have to ensure that we promote development assistance so that sustainable economic activities can grow and dependence on humanitarian aid can be reduced.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“When we analyse the situation there, we must do so in the framework of a long-term strategy for the restoration of normality that would include the humanitarian, political, security and development dimensions. In Costa Rica's view there are four interrelated areas that demand the attention of this Council and the international community. First, we must continue to support the Transitional Federal Government so that it can achieve an effective framework for security, augment control of the territory and of the means for cohesion and promote an inclusive political process. The Djibouti peace process offers an adequate setting for working towards those goals. Secondly, we have to intensify efforts to further strengthen the rule of law and to provide proper training for the Somali security forces.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“Here, we commend Kenya for its action to put suspects on trial, and we urge other countries, including Somalia, to strengthen their legislation, procedures and capacities so that they can hold such trials. Assistance from the United Nations and other international organizations, along with the implementation of legal instruments such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, would also be very important in achieving results. As everyone knows, piracy and armed robbery in Somalia are symptoms of a far deeper crisis in that country. Hence, we should very carefully consider the root causes of Somalia's problems.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“But we have some doubts about whether these achievements can be sustained, given that this phenomenon - which began as a low-level local activity - has become a big business with sophisticated equipment for attacks and multi-million-dollar profits. It can thus be assumed that it is supported by complex transnational structures. In our view it is important that future reports the Secretary-General make reference to that element and consider possible sources of support and financing for piracy in the area. Alongside initiatives to deal with maritime attacks in the area, it is also important to build the capacity to investigate and prosecute those suspected of these acts. Combating impunity is without doubt a deterrent for anyone who is thinking of carrying out illegal activities.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): Let me begin by thanking Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, for his briefing. I wish also to welcome the presence among us of Ambassador Duale. Over the past year, fighting piracy and armed robbery off the coast of the Horn of Africa has been a focus of the international community, leading to the implementation of a number of initiatives by States, organizations and international naval forces. We welcome those coordinated efforts. The number of attacks has fallen, and there is relative stability along this important economic route, which is also needed for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the region.”
2009-11-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6221 (2009) · source
“However, the real value of innovations in the working methods of the Council and its subsidiaries, as has been shown throughout its history, is that they should become standard practice, and we hope that the Security Council will repeat this kind of exercise in the future.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The change in perception of the work of the Committee was confirmed, and we hope these meetings contributed to that. What initially was seen as something imposed by the Council and exceeding the powers granted it by the Charter is now seen as part of a broad process of international cooperation aimed at achieving a common goal. The conduct of the comprehensive review, particularly the open meetings, is an example of the importance of greater transparency and inclusiveness in the working methods of the Council and its subsidiary bodies. We were honoured to coordinate the Committee and its expert group during this unprecedented exercise.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Costa Rica would like to see that a human rights expert is involved during every visit, and that more resources are allocated to this area. I have just a brief comment on the 1540 Committee, which I have had the honour to chair for the past two years. I would like to emphasize how important Costa Rica felt it was to conduct the comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). During the review, international, regional and subregional bodies of Member States, as well as academic and industrial organizations, non-governmental and private-sector organizations, had the opportunity to present their comments, make suggestions and assess progress in implementing the resolution. During this exercise, six meetings, open to Member States, were held, three of them in an interactive format.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Mike Smith for their leadership of the Committee and the Executive Directorate, respectively. In our view, it is especially important to guide the efforts of the Committee in the direction of strengthening its work with international, regional and subregional organizations, as well as the practice of holding informal meetings with representatives of Member States in order to identify whether any technical assistance is necessary, and of promoting national capacity-building. We also welcome the fact that visits by the Executive Directorate are carried out with a flexible approach, adapted to each State, and that during each visit it is emphasized that all measures adopted by Member States to combat terrorism should comply with human rights standards, international humanitarian law and the law on refugees.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“With that in mind, Costa Rica has worked with Germany, Denmark, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland and Norway to produce a working document with a number of options to improve the due process within the sanctions regime. We urge the Security Council and the membership of the Organization, in general, to consider those options, in particular with a view to the resolution that we are due to negotiate next month to renew the sanctions regime. With respect to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, the work of the Counter- Terrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate are important elements of the efforts of the United Nations to combat terrorism. We would like to express our gratitude to Ambassador Ranko Vilovie and Mr.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Last year, an important step was taken through the adoption of resolution 1822 (2008), which includes various innovative elements enabling progress in the area of transparency and clearer and fairer procedures, including the publication of narrative summaries and a review of all the names on the consolidated list. In that regard, we endorse and commend the commitment of the Chairman of the 1267 Committee, Ambassador Mayr-Harting, in implementing that review, and we recognize his particular interest in that process in producing a more dynamic and realistic list. The increasing number of trials around the world seems to confirm the need to provide the regime with an independent apolitical review mechanism that would come from within this Council, not from judicial, regional or international bodies outside it.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I thank my fellow Chairmen for the briefings on the work of their Committees. In my capacity as Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, I would like to make some brief comments on the work of the three Committees. With respect to the 1267 Committee, Costa Rica believes that the effective use of selective sanctions is a useful tool of the Security Council to tackle the threat of terrorism. For that reason, it has been a priority for our country, as a member of the Council, to strengthen the legitimacy, the credibility and the effectiveness of the sanctions regime established in accordance with resolution 1267 (1999) through measures that help the sanctions regime to be more consistent with the international standards of due process, international law and the respect for human rights.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“My second visit to International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters in Vienna gave me the opportunity to participate in detailed discussions with senior officials from different divisions, in the context of the nuclear security programme of the Agency. An exchange of letters will outline the steps needed to build closer relationships. On 13 October, I met in Vienna with representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to discuss cooperation with that regional organization.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“In this regard, we recognize the special role of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force as a catalyst of cooperation and coordination in relevant areas. As Chairman of the 1540 Committee, in October I visited three headquarters of international organizations in Europe. I had fruitful discussions with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, which will serve as the basis for more detailed dialogue at the expert level. A meeting in The Hague with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons resulted in a mutual understanding about the need to identify specific areas for collaboration.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“By taking stock of requests for assistance, the Committee's experts have been authorized to engage in follow-up dialogue with the States concerned to encourage the submission of more developed and specific requests using the assistance template, as appropriate, as was done with the most recent requests. The close cooperation developing among the 1540 Committee, the 1267 Committee and the 1373 Committee was outlined in the joint statement delivered on behalf of the three Committee Chairmen. We look forward to furthering those joint efforts, especially in engaging relevant intergovernmental organizations to enhance cooperation in the areas of common interest, such as information exchange and technical assistance. The cooperation of the 1540 Committee with other entities of the United Nations system is also important.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“In addition to regular dialogue with workshop participants from individual countries, one event was held on the eve of a workshop in Chile at which the 1540 Committee experts held intensive consultations with officials from the host country on the issue of national legal frameworks. Another aspect to be developed is the design of country-specific missions to facilitate States' implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), to include identification of priority areas and assistance requirements to facilitate implementation. (spoke in French) As encouraged under resolution 1810 (2008), the Committee is intensifying its efforts to develop its clearing-house function for channelling assistance to Member States. To that end, the Committee's working group on assistance met to outline a strategy on moving forward.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The sponsoring organizations have included the Regional Forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Caribbean Community, the European Union, the Financial Action Task Force, the League of Arab States, NATO and the Pacific Islands Forum, as well as the UNODC. The sponsoring or co-sponsoring Governments have included Argentina, Austria, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. The wide-ranging sponsorship of the workshops has provided new opportunities for the 1540 Committee and its experts to raise awareness about the requirements of resolution 1540 (2004) in various contexts and to initiate a network of relationships.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Most of the other conferences and workshops to which the Committee and its experts have been invited have addressed a variety of subjects of interest to the 1540 Committee. The subjects of the meetings have ranged from more general issues related to proliferation threats to more specific threats of nuclear, chemical or biological terrorism; from problems in proliferation financing to export controls and the prevention of illicit trafficking; and from the implementation of relevant international instruments by means of domestic legislation to the facilitation of assistance for capacity-building.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The Governments of France and the United Arab Emirates facilitated the holding of a regional workshop on 5 and 6 October in Abu Dhabi, sponsored by France's Foundation for Strategic Research and the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research. Its subject was the problems posed by the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in the Gulf region, with particular reference to measures to account for and guarantee the security of related materials, as referred to in operative paragraph 3 of the resolution. The Committee expresses its thanks to the sponsors, organizers and hosts of those workshops. Fourthly, meetings have been organized by other organizations or by Member States.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The Committee thanks the UNODC for its sponsorship of and role in organizing those events, as well as the Governments of the United Arab Emirates and Saint Kitts and Nevis for hosting the workshops. Thirdly, regional workshops have been organized by Member States, in cooperation with the 1540 Committee. Among the new thematic outreach activities are the regional workshops on the implementation aspects of resolution 1540 (2004), held by Member States with the cooperation of the Committee's group of experts and the UNODC. The Government of Sri Lanka hosted a regional workshop from 23 to 25 June in Colombo, organized by the Government of the United States, in cooperation with the Office for Disarmament Affairs, on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in South Asia, focusing specifically on border and export control issues.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Following the experience in Africa in 2007 and 2008, the experts of the 1540 Committee cooperated with the Monitoring Team of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate in organizing, together with the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), two regional workshops on a common strategy for countries of the Middle East and the Caribbean. Those workshops, aimed at addressing the problems posed by submitting reports or other responses to the three Security Council Committees, were held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 28 to 30 June and in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, from 7 to 9 July.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“One such workshop was held on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004), focusing on capacity-building in terms of border and export controls; it was held for the Central American States in San Jose, Costa Rica, from 8 to 10 September. The Committee expresses its thanks to the Government of Costa Rica, as host; to UNODA, as the organizer; and to the European Union and the Governments of United States of America and Norway, as sponsors of the event. Secondly, regional workshops have been organized in collaboration with other United Nations bodies.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“Those outreach activities were held throughout the world: in Africa and the Middle East; in South-Asia and East Asia, including the Pacific Island States; in Latin America and the Caribbean; and in Eastern and Western Europe. The level of representation varied in accordance with the types of issues included in a meeting's agenda and the extent to which aspects of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) were addressed. The 1540 Committee has continued to participate in the following four types of outreach activities. First are regional workshops devoted specifically to resolution 1540 (2004) and organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The broad participation during the comprehensive review included formal statements on specific issues made by the representatives of 41 States and 21 intergovernmental organizations and other entities. On the basis of the sharing of experiences and the articulation of views and proposals made during the review process, the 1540 Committee is currently preparing an outcome document with recommendations to enhance the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). (spoke in Spanish) Since May 2009, the representatives of the 1540 Committee and its group of experts have actively participated in 20 workshops and other meetings held outside United Nations Headquarters to promote the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“During the three days of open meetings, comprising a general debate and three interactive thematic sessions, participants addressed the broader issue of risks and threats of the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. The interactive sessions provided opportunities to debate specific issues emerging from the analysis of challenges and options for action, including those presented in the background papers. I would also like to mention the fact that, during the comprehensive review, a side event gathering representatives of relevant industries, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations, offered an overview of areas in which civil society can add value to official efforts to implement the resolution.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The topics included: assessing the impact of the resolution, including through measures taken after its adoption, such as the establishment and enforcement of appropriate criminal or civil penalties for violations of export control laws and regulations; conducting a regional analysis of implementation; assessing existing examination tools and creating new ones to address gaps in implementation; evaluating, as appropriate, the impact of national implementation measures on individuals and due process standards; and developing methods for improving cooperation with individual States, international and regional organizations and relevant entities within the United Nations system. Special emphasis was placed on assessing the level of cooperation with the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1373 (2001).”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“In order to facilitate that task, the Committee invited inputs from the wider membership of the United Nations and relevant international and regional organizations, and identified eight specific elements to be examined with the benefit of substantive background papers prepared by the Committee's group of experts.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“The review is a process using the Committee as a forum for all States and relevant intergovernmental bodies to share experiences and express their views on various aspects of implementation of the resolution. The mandate for conducting the review, as presented to the Council in a modalities paper (S/2009/ 170), outlined three objectives: first, to assess the evolution of risks and threats; secondly, to address specific critical issues that have not yet been resolved; and thirdly, to identify possible new approaches for the implementation of the resolution.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“As Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), I am pleased to brief the Security Council on the main developments in the work of the Committee covering the six-month period since the last joint briefing on 26 May 2009 (S/PV.6128). The focus is mainly on the comprehensive review of the status of implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and on the open meetings that were held in that framework from 30 September to 2 October 2009. The Committee also carried out other activities regarding outreach, assistance and cooperation with relevant organizations. In response to a request made by the Security Council in resolution 1810 (2008), the Committee decided to conduct a comprehensive review and to report the outcome to the Council by the tentative date of 31 January 2010.”
2009-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6217 (2009) · source
“To conclude, I express my appreciation to the delegation of Uganda for having prepared the presidential statement that we will adopt at the close of this debate. My country supports that statement fully.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“This issue is particularly relevant in Africa, where each cent spent on weapons could be better used in education, health care or other areas promoting the economic and social development of their peoples. The African Union must bolster its efforts to vigorously promote collective security on the continent. The situations between Chad and Sudan, between Djibouti and Eritrea and between Ethiopia and Eritrea represent a call upon the African Union to deploy additional efforts and to attain greater effectiveness in maintaining peace and security. There are also opportunities to strengthen African Union commitments to development in the economic and social spheres of the nations ofAfrica.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“Because of their obvious relative advantages, the regional organizations can be in a better position to act in moments of crisis. The African Union has done just that on many occasions, including, most recently in Somalia and Darfur. However, beyond merely reacting to crises, the most important contribution of the regional organizations to international peace and security is that of their role as mechanisms of collective security. In its Presidential Statement of 19 November 2008 (S/PRST/2008/43), the Security Council underscored the relationship among collective security, disarmament and the development of peoples. The primary function of regional organizations is to offer their members real security assurances, allowing them to allocate their resources to development instead of diverting resources to arms races.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“Because of the size of the two structures, the meetings are not very functional. There is a need for greater substantive preparation and this must include the preparation of special envoys, joint mediators and other senior officials who work directly in the primary situations of the joint agenda. On the level of the United Nations Secretariat and the African Union Commission, we support the recommendation of the Secretary-General aimed at establishing an official mechanism for consultation on matters of mutual interest, as well as the recommendation for the establishment of a team at the Under-Secretary-General and African Union Commissioner levels. Since the foundation of this Organization there has been a recognition, in Chapter VIII of the Charter, of the role of regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“Further, there is a wide array of other possible areas of cooperation that must be strengthened, such as on issues like conflict prevention, early warnings and mediation. The cases of Kenya and Madagascar and the current situation in Guinea are examples of what is possible and show clearly how necessary it is to strengthen cooperation. At this phase in the process of rapprochement and joint endeavours, the key to effective strategic association would seem to be found in timelier, deeper interaction between the two organizations. Formal contacts between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council should be reviewed. Let us recall that this year the annual meeting of the councils did not take place due to a matter of formalities. The format of these meetings would not seem to be the most appropriate either.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“However dialogue between the two organizations stands to be strengthened. The Prodi report (S/2008/813) and the report of the Secretary-General that we are discussing today (S/2009/470) bear witness to this. Costa Rica understands the scope of the cooperation between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council; however we believe that the matters at the heart of that cooperation must necessarily go beyond the financing of peacekeeping operations. In the maintenance of peace and security in Africa there are shortcomings of which we are all aware. The hostilities among participants, sometimes violent, sometimes concealed, are long-lasting and consume resources essential to the task of building peace. Still, these are opportunities to show maturity and capability.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“Mr. Urbina (Costa Rica) (spoke in Spanish): I wish at the outset to thank Under-Secretary-General Le Roy for his briefing and Mr. Antonio for his statement this morning. I recognize the presence among us of Mr. Prodi and thank him once again for his work as Chair of the African Union-United Nations panel. Costa Rica is convinced that a new era of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations has arrived. Such cooperation is no longer an aspiration or, much less, a claim; it is a need, given the array and the nature of the crises that must be faced by bringing together as many efforts as possible. Cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations has received greater attention by the Security Council in recent years, particularly cooperation with the African Union.”
2009-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6206 (2009) · source
“The ownership and leadership of the people of Timor-Leste have made it possible to take strategic advantage of the assistance of the international community and to assume in a responsible and determined way the challenge of building their country. The Security Council and the Organization should assimilate and profit from the important lessons learned in Timor- Leste.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source
“It is also important to stress the importance of United Nations post-conflict cooperation in building and strengthening local capacities. That is what the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste has done with regard to security, justice and governance institutions in Timor-Leste, helping to guarantee a sustainable peace and the eventual successful exit of a United Nations mission through the consolidation of local institutions. I cannot fail to point out that the case of Timor- Leste demonstrates the importance of forging a strong, dynamic and symbiotic relation between the international community and the leadership of local actors. The process of peacebuilding in Timor-Leste has been characterized by close association between the United Nations and countries in the region.”
2009-10-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6205 (2009) · source