YouSaid · the spoken record

Van Oosterom

lines on the record: 1,049
first: 2013-08-19
most recent: 2019-10-29
sittings or episodes: 159
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In our view, that should be conducted only if rule-of-law expertise is well integrated into the UNAMA Political Affairs Division. As an integral part of the political pillar of the Mission, in our view, a focus on the impact of rule-of-law projects must be guaranteed. In conclusion, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been a long-term partner of Afghanistan - a partner for peace, justice and development. We remain committed to supporting Afghanistan in a decade of ever-increasing Afghan ownership and leadership. In that spirit of partnership, the Afghan people can count on us to stand by their side. During our membership of the Council in 2018, the Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to support Afghanistan with that same vision, commitment and partnership.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“The Kingdom of the Netherlands agrees with the Secretary-General that Afghanistan is indeed not a post-conflict country. Therefore, the first priority for the international community in supporting Afghanistan remains supporting peace and stability. As you just said in your national capacity, Sir, it should be an Afghan-led peace process. Within that context, let me stress the importance of further improving donor coordination by UNAMA. A decisive plan is needed to guide the interaction between donors, United Nations institutions and civil society. Let me also highlight one area in which the Kingdom of the Netherlands has particular interest, given our own efforts - strengthening the rule of law in Afghanistan. The strategic review recommends the abolishment ofthe rule-of-law unit within UNAMA.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“Furthermore, the Kingdom reiterates the importance of the inclusion of women and youth in the peace process, which was a point also highlighted by the representative of Sweden. We applaud the inclusion of an additional eight women in the High Peace Council and the establishment of a youth consultation board. Moreover, we welcome President Ghani's personal commitment to gender equality as a top priority for his Government. That brings me to my third point - the strategic review of UNAMA. We thank the Secretary-General for his substantial report on the strategic review of UNAMA (S/2017/696) and for his recommendations regarding the future of the Mission. We express our deep appreciation of the work of UNAMA and we value the broad United Nations presence throughout the country. A strong presence in its provinces should be maintained.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“We encourage advances in the peace process through the greater engagement of insurgent groups in serious and direct peace talks with the Afghan Government. Notably, we commend President Ghani for engaging in talks, notably with the Pakistani Government. My second point concerns our continuing commitment to Afghanistan. The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains committed to supporting the development of Afghanistan. We make an annual financial contribution of around â‚¬60 million, which is focused on the re-establishment of legal order and security, in accordance with Afghanistan's national priorities. We urge the Afghan Government to intensify its efforts in needed reforms and to continue to work extensively with international and national civil society organizations. Such organizations can help to implement those commitments.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“We express appreciation for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces; they bear the brunt of keeping Afghanistan safe and secure. The fact that the security situation in Afghanistan is nevertheless getting worse is worrying. We have seen an increase in human rights violations, civilian casualties and the number of internally displaced persons, which are all a result of insufficient stability. Therefore, if Afghanistan is to prosper, continued work on stabilization is crucial in our View. Stabilization, peace and reconciliation can only be achieved through a political process with committed actors. Being committed entails refraining from supporting elements that hamper the peace process and form impediments to stability in Afghanistan and the region.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“I align myself with the statement to be made later by the observer of the European Union. I join others in thanking the Secretary-General for his detailed and thorough report (S/2017/783). Let me also thank Special Representative Yamamoto for his dedicated work and Foreign Minister Rabbani, via Ambassador Saikal, for his statement. Let me also underline the points made by my Italian colleague, especially that on governance, in the context of our split term in the Security Council in 2017 and 2018. I will focus on three issues during this debate: security, our commitment and the review of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). My first point concerns the security situation in Afghanistan and regional cooperation.”
2017-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8055 (2017) · source
“The Kingdom of the Netherlands wholeheartedly supports efforts to modernize United Nations peacekeeping. We stand ready to join the Council in doing its part as of 1 January 2018.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“That should make it possible for TCCs to provide missions with high- end capabilities for a predetermined period. We pay tribute to the work of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in that respect, for instance on helicopter rotation in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Peace operations need to have enablers and state-of- the-art equipment in order to conduct some of today's most difficult operations. In that regard, let me highlight the enhanced use of information sources in MINUSMA initiated by the Netherlands, among others. In conclusion, sustaining peace requires our continued efforts, politically and financially, from the start of a mission to its very end and beyond - from preventive care to daily care and after care.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“One of our most important priorities should be to strengthen force generation and to encourage more countries to pledge more troops and capacity. The Council should also intensify action with the troop- contributing countries (TCCs), which our colleague from Bangladesh just pointed out. We underline that point. Furthermore, we call on those TCCs that have not done so to subscribe to the Kigali Principles for peacekeeping. We pay tribute to Rwanda's leadership in that regard. We are one of the hosts of the United Nations peacekeeping defence ministerial meeting to be held in Vancouver in November, to which we look forward. We hope that it will give this process an extra boost. Furthermore, we support the United Nations and the development of rotation schemes.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“Host nations must be held accountable. A case in point is South Sudan, where that problem is persistent. In continuing with my metaphor, I will address my third topic - force generation. Just like a medical doctor, the peacekeeper needs the right instruments. Peace operations must be as robust as needed to fulfil their mandate. We therefore must modernize United Nations peace operations. Our missions now often lack the means, the quality and the capacity to carry out their jobs effectively. We send out Blue Helmets without proper protection, while knowing full well that they run a high risk of being attacked. Medical transportation and facilities and force protection are not always up to standard.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“We therefore need an integrated approach, as was mentioned in the concept note, entailing a coherent United Nations with comprehensive delivery by all pillars of the United Nations system. In our view, the Council should enable a well-managed exit and help prevent relapse. Therefore, mandates must include clearly defined political and governance benchmarks against which the success of a mandate can be measured. Such benchmarks could include inclusive institutions, human rights, the status of women, the protection of civilians and countering human trafficking, where appropriate. In our view, the Security Council should be firm with host nations that are not cooperating with the United Nations, and even firmer with those that attack their own citizens and deliberately obstruct the work of the United Nations. That is simply unacceptable.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali is a good case in point illustrating the United Nations flexibility, which it showed, by changing the geographical focus the moment at which the security situation in central part of Mali worsened. In that context, let me highlight that the Government of Mali should do more to bring security, stability and development to the northern part of the country. My second point concerns benchmarks. To an important extent, in continuing with my metaphor, the responsibility for one's health lies with the patient, and the responsibility for sustaining peace equally lies with the host nation. Furthermore, United Nations missions have an important role to play in enabling host nations to recover and prevent relapse.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“With regard to the subject of the right mandate, I should like to draw an analogy between medical treatment, on the one hand, and peacekeeping operations, on the other. Prevention is always better than needing a cure, but once somebody falls ill, the right prescription is required. Mandates need to be crafted with equal surgical precision. There is no one remedy for all ills. A United Nations mission must be based upon a careful diagnosis of the situation at hand, whether a small and focused political mission or a full-fledged peace operation. As stated in the first paragraph of the concept note, current security challenges "necessitate a more robust, coherent and comprehensive United Nations approach". Once a mission has begun, adaptations to the mandate may be necessary, depending on changing needs on the ground.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for organizing this timely and important debate. In honour of Egypt's presidency of the Security Council, let me try to say this in Arabic: (spoke in Arabic) I thank you very much, Mr. President. (spoke in English) The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union and welcomes, Sir, your excellent concept paper (S/2017/692, annex) for this debate. Furthermore, in the context of the split-term with Italy in the Council, let me also endorse the statement made by my Italian colleague earlier today. I shall address three topics today: first, the need to get the mandate right; secondly, the need for benchmarks to measure progress; and, thirdly, the need to strengthen force generation.”
2017-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8033 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, we need full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) and better cooperation with the IAEA on nuclear security. We also need to strengthen the existing framework on biological weapons. The Netherlands will continue to be a partner to the Security Council in further work on this important topic.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“We would like to stress the importance of close cooperation among the IAEA, Member States and the 1540 Committee in strengthening nuclear security worldwide. My third point is about biological weapons. The possibility of a biological attack by non-State actors is real, and the need to address this threat is more pressing than ever. That is why we should make the most of the existing international framework for addressing the threat of biological weapons. Its implementation must be improved and its existing framework strengthened, especially given the rapid pace of technological development in the biological sciences. All States parties to the Biological Weapons Convention should pursue those ends in good faith, as well as working to universalize the Convention.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“They help Member States approach implementation comprehensively and can also improve the effectiveness and efficiency of international technical assistance. This is a truly forward-looking instrument that can help us put the emphasis on action rather than reporting. We therefore strongly encourage other Member States to use national action plans. That brings me to my second point, nuclear security. Of course, we are all aware of the horrific effects that a terrorist attack using nuclear or radiological weapons would have. Nuclear security is key to addressing that threat. It is a prime example of how the implementation of resolution 1540 can count on solid international organizations, above all the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Its work is indispensable and deserves the international community's full support.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“We have come a long way since the resolution was adopted, but reaching full worldwide implementation by 2021 will still require a tremendous effort from all of us - first and foremost from Member States, but also from international and regional organizations and industry. With so many actors, considerable coordination will be needed to ensure efficient and effective implementation and to prevent overlapping or competing efforts by different organizations. In that regard, the work that has been done by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and its Panel of Experts is indispensable. And where implementation is concerned, we also have a great instrument at our disposal - our national action plans.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“The Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) has used chemical weapons in Syria and is trying to expand those capabilities. We firmly condemn the use of chemical weapons both by ISIS and by the Syrian Arab Republic. Those horrendous acts have reminded us of the importance of resolution 1540 (2004), and this open debate continues the work it requires. The comprehensive review carried out under Spain's presidency of the Council and adopted under resolution 2325 (2016) in December was an important step in that process. As I have said before, we are grateful for Spain's transparent and inclusive conduct of the review. I would like to focus on three issues today - implementation, nuclear security and the threat of biological weapons. The first of these is the importance of ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“I would like to thank you, Sir, for presiding over this afternoon's resumption of the meeting in person, which we greatly appreciate. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Bolivia for convening today's important open debate on a crucial and urgent issue. The Netherlands aligns itself with the statements delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Spain, on behalf of the Group of Friends of resolution 1540, as well as with the points made by the representative of Italy in the context of our split term on the Security Council. In addition, the Kingdom of the Netherlands would like to make the following remarks. Unfortunately, the use of chemical weapons by terrorists has become a dreadful reality.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“Additionally, we financed a specialized training programme for female military officers with UN-Women, and we also made possible a global study on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). But we also need to shift our conceptual paradigm. We must empower women and involve them as leaders in conflict resolution and in peace negotiations. We should not only see them as victims but see and treat them as leaders, and empower them accordingly. In conclusion, identifying the problem, ending impunity and strengthening action to deal with sexual violence in conflict is important, and it is the clear task of the Council to support such efforts. Together we must put an end to conflict-related sexual violence. Together we must end sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism, and, working together, the Council should act accordingly.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“When it comes to ending impunity, we feel very strongly that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has a role to play as a court of last resort. Its mandate allows for prosecuting individuals suspected of sexual violence. We believe that the ICC must continue to strengthen the policies that ensure accountability under international criminal law. This brings me to my third point. We need to take action. Let me share some Dutch examples here. All Dutch police and military personnel receive pre-deployment training, and, together with our valued partner Spain, whose representative spoke earlier today, we provide training to other professionals from other States.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“That brings me to my second point: ending impunity. Reporting of cases is complicated and can carry high social costs. Shame, stigma and strong cultural norms can dissuade women and men from reporting crimes. The Council therefore needs to act. The listing of the individuals and groups that commit such acts of violence is one ofthe means to address these violations, and the Council has a responsibility there. But we also need to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted. We have to close the impunity gap, and this applies also to sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel. The Kingdom of the Netherlands therefore strongly supports the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance approach to this issue.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Let me also underline the points made by my Italian colleague, in the light of the split term on the Security Council between our two countries, Italy this year and the Netherlands in 2018. I will focus on three issues: first, identifying the problem; secondly, ending impunity; and, thirdly, taking action. As concerns identifying the problem, the report of the Secretary-General rightly draws our attention to the disturbing trend of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism. Violent extremism is on the rise. Perpetrators often do not react to political pressure or abide by agreements, treaties or international law. The use of rape as an instrument of war and terror constitutes one of the most horrendous human rights violations in the world. The problem is clear, so we need to do more.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. Minister, for being here at this late hour. It is great to see you back in New York, and we commend and admire the work of Uruguay on the Council, which is a great inspiration to future elected members. We warmly thank you for all the work that your team here is doing. We thank Uruguay for having organized this debate, and we welcome the report of the Secretary- General (S/2017/249). Let me take this opportunity to thank Ms. Bangura for her excellent work in past years and to say that we look forward to working with Ms. Patten in the coming period. We align ourselves with the statement made by the observer of the European Union and with that made by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Together, we should redouble our efforts to cooperate to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators. The Kingdom of the Netherlands stands ready to continue to be a partner in this endeavour.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Together, we should join forces to investigate and hold traffickers accountable. This requires strengthening legal frameworks at the national level. These frameworks must of course be in line with international standards. The international community should continue to assist countries that lack the capacities to do so. Capacity-building is also crucial when it comes to training national law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and lawyers. In that regard, let me commend the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for all the capacity- building it is doing worldwide to end impunity for human traffickers. In conclusion, under the Spanish presidency the Council unanimously adopted resolutions 2331 (2016), on human trafficking in conflict. The importance of implementing the resolution and other international conventions cannot be overestimated.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Here, one specific area of focus should be the protection against human traffickers of vulnerable groups among refugees and internally displaced persons, especially women and children. One way to do so is by increasing the resilience of displaced persons and host communities alike. Also from that perspective, the Netherlands supports education, economic development and employment for displaced persons and host communities in the wider Syrian region and the Horn of Africa. In addition, countries should ensure that proper care is available for victims of human trafficking, including safe shelter and medical and psychological care. Let me finally move to my third issue, prosecution after conflict. In view of the enormous human suffering traffickers cause, their impunity is simply intolerable.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“Secondly, we need to step up our joint effort to combat the current criminal networks involved in human trafficking, for example in the area of border security. As co-Chair, together with Morocco, of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum, the Netherlands is committed to placing this topic high on the agenda because greater border security also addresses cross- border human trafficking in conflict areas. Thirdly, we believe that we should increase our vigilance. In order to strengthen the implementation of our anti-trafficking legislation and policy, in 2000 the Netherlands appointed an independent national rapporteur on trafficking in human beings with that objective especially in mind. That brings me to my second issue, that of protection during conflict.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“There is an obvious need for the Council to address the issue of human trafficking in conflict, as it clearly undermines international peace and security. I shall focus on three issues in that regard: prevention, protection and prosecution. Let me startwith prevention. National responsibility and international cooperation are key to an effective preventive approach to human trafficking. This requires at least three things. First of all, we need more in-depth analysis and greater information-sharing to understand how criminal networks operate, because terrorist groups are increasingly engaged in human trafficking and the smuggling of people. To this end, the Netherlands promotes international cooperation between financial intelligence units.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“At the outset, let me, like other speakers, thank the British presidency for this debate on an important and complex topic. In view the importance that Aruba, one of the four countries in our kingdom, attaches to the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, let me acknowledge the presence in my delegation of Minister Hooyboer-Winklaar, Minister for Education and Family Policy in the Government of Aruba and Head of the Delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Commission on the Status of Women. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made by the observer of the European Union, we support the statement made by the representative of Italy, also in the context of our split term in the Security Council in 2017 and 2018.”
2017-03-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7898 (2017) · source
“This holds as true in Europe as anywhere else in the world, so all nations may reap the benefits of peace and stability fully. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to be a partner for peace, justice and development in that endeavour.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Courts also have a role to play when it comes to conflict resolution, reconciliation and accountability. We are convinced that, ultimately, there can be no lasting peace without justice. The European experiences teach us that when States focus on mutual benefits and respect for international law, conflicts need not occur. The United Nations is not there only to oversee the cessation of hostilities in conflict zones.We should focus much more on prevention, as the Secretary-General has indicated. And when conflicts do occur, the United Nations should pursue political resolutions vigorously and create an environment in which reconciliation can occur. To that end, the United Nations should seek to cooperate with regional organizations and strengthen them.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“This is something the United Nations should not condone or abide. The European security order is firmly based on the principles of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the free choice of countries to decide their own future. Too often we see conflict management replacing conflict resolution. We see conflicts turning from hot to frozen. We see stalemates instead of sustainable peace. But, as the Balkan wars in the nineties have demonstrated, simmering conflicts can easily reignite. It is better to settle disputes peacefully, through the international court system, than by military means. Let me underline the importance of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in that regard.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Regional organizations like the EU, NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe all play essential roles in stabilizing conflicts zones in Europe and in brokering political solutions. We strongly believe that under the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations should seek to reinforce cooperation with regional organizations wherever it can. United Nations support for the work of the OSCE in monitoring the implementation of the Minsk agreements, for example, sends a clear signal to the conflicting parties. This brings me to my third point, the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Over the years, a number of European States sadly have seen their sovereignty challenged, their territorial integrity compromised. We witnessed this most recently in Georgia and Ukraine.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“With respect to my second point, on peacekeeping, Secretary-General Guterres reminded us in January that prevention is best served by strong, sovereign States acting for the good of their people. But also in Europe, peacekeeping has been necessary when the basic tenets of international law have been violated. However, while peacekeeping missions can be critical to stabilizing conflict situations, they cannot resolve them. Ultimately, Europe's conflicts can be resolved only politically, not militarily. The current negotiations in Cyprus, on which we have just heard our colleague speak, underscore that point. United Nations-mandated missions have played a constructive role in Cyprus and Kosovo, for instance. The United Nations does not need to carry the burden of resolving each and every conflict alone.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“Over the past 60 years, the European Union has shown its ability to bring peace where there was once conflict. Not once since the inception of the European Union has violent conflict erupted between any of its member States. Generations have grown up in the European Union without war. Along similar lines, other regional organizations such as NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe continue to play an important role in maintaining peace and security in Europe - all by addressing various aspects of conflict prevention, such as military protection, economic and political cooperation, assistance in democracy-building and strengthening the rule of law. And, of course, all are operating in the wider context of the global multilateral organizations, first and foremost the United Nations.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier on behalf of the European Union (EU) and supports the statement made on behalf of Italy in the context of the two countries' split term in the Security Council for this and the coming year. I will read out a shortened version of my statement, and the full text will be made available on my Twitter account. We see three issues that are essential to any discussion on peace, security, stability, conflict prevention, peacekeeping and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We will add to our discussion today our views on how those issues relate to the European experience. On the first point concerning conflict prevention, we feel very strongly that multilateral cooperation lies at the heart of peace and security in Europe.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“In honour of your presidency, Sir, let me try to say this in Ukrainian: "I thank you very much, Mr. President". I also thank you for being here at this late hour in our proceedings. I should like to begin by offering our deepest condolences on the sad demise of Ambassador Churkin yesterday and through you, Sir, especially to his wife and children. He was an important interlocutor for the Kingdom of the Netherlands during his mandate on the Security Council, and he will be sorely missed. I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate on the international maintenance of peace and security, with a special focus on conflicts in Europe.”
2017-02-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7886 (2017) · source
“We must learn from our experiences to prevent terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure as much as possible. We must be well prepared in case an unfortunate incident does occur. And, most important, we must do all of that together. Terrorism knows no boundaries; neither should our cooperation to fight it. We should be better prepared. We should be better protected. We should have stronger partnerships. We should work better together. The Kingdom of the Netherlands stands ready to continue its cooperation with the United Nations and its States Members in protecting our way of life from terrorists. We will continue to be the Council's partner in making the world a safer place.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“I commend Ukraine for facilitating the unanimous adoption of resolution today. As mentioned in the resolution, the first important step towards an international response is greater sharing of information and know-how. We have to be creative and think outside of the box to get the right people around the table. The Netherlands currently co-chairs the Global Counter Terrorism Forum together with Morocco, and we are very supportive of the initiative launched in that Forum by the United States and Turkey on the protection of soft targets. Its focus is broader than only critical infrastructure, with a set of non-binding good practices that will be produced and be relevant for the United Nations and its Member States in our future work on today's topic.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“National efforts are important, but a response to terrorist threats against critical infrastructure can never be only national. Critical infrastructure, such as airports, energy systems and the Internet, are international by their very nature, and therefore our response to threats in that regard should be equally international. In that spirit, last week my Government approved our first international cyberstrategy. It outlines where and how to cooperate with international partners to ensure a free and open cyberdomain, safe from terrorists. According to our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Koenders, by cooperating in coalitions with other countries, we can better counter the threats we face. Security Council resolution 2341 (2017), which the Netherlands co-sponsored, was drafted in the same spirit.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“With the help of the public and the private sectors, we have compiled a complete list of critical infrastructure, containing two categories of vital processes, A and B. Disruption of A processes has greater consequences than the disruption of B processes. That allows for more effective and efficient allocation of means. We also work with a counter-terrorism alert system. If our intelligence services detect a serious terrorist threat to a particular vital process, providers and other stakeholders are immediately informed. At that moment, predetermined, heightened security plans are triggered to reduce the threat and limit the potential effects of a terrorist attack. That brings me to my third point, the need for international cooperation.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Engaging them is not a choice, but a necessity. But many other actors, such as semi-government bodies, play an important role as well. In our approach, those critical providers, as we call them, are themselves first and foremost responsible for the continuity and resilience of the critical infrastructure they own. The national Government provides legal and policy frameworks and oversight and inspection. There are some lessons that we drew from our own national experiences in our own context. In the Netherlands, we follow a general approach to the protection of our critical infrastructure. This includes the threat of terrorist attacks. By assessing the risks of different types of threats in the same way, the risks become comparable, and that makes it easier to prioritize.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“In our national approach, we believe that it is important to have a comprehensive framework to determine the threats that pose a danger to our national security, including to our critical infrastructure. We should have a comprehensive framework to address those threats. The protection ofa critical infrastructure is part of the national security strategy in the Netherlands. It is based on the answer to three questions. First, what threatens us and how bad is it? Secondly, what are we already doing to address the threats and what more can and must we do? Thirdly, how do we implement the necessary policies and strengthen our capacities? The answer to the last question in particular is key, and of course it is complicated. Eighty per cent of the critical processes that make up our vital infrastructure are owned by private actors.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today's important open debate on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. The Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made earlier by the observer of the European Union. We also support the statement made by His Excellency Mr. Vincenzo Amendola, Undersecretary of State of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, in the context of the split term in the Security Council for the period 2017-2018. I will focus on our national approach to protect our own critical infrastructure, on some lessons derived from it and on the need for international cooperation. My full text will be available via Twitter.”
2017-02-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7882 (2017) · source
“Dutch military personnel have given their lives in bringing peace to Afghanistan. We must remember them. The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains committed to supporting Afghanistan throughout the transformation decade - a decade of ever greater Afghan ownership and leadership. The Afghan people can count on us standing by their side, in the full knowledge that the road ahead will be long. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to be a partner with Afghanistan for peace, justice and development.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“We are looking forward to achieving concrete deliverables on these topics, together, in the coming months, as we have said. We commend the role of the United Nations, which has continued its efforts to advance Afghan women's equal and full participation in building peace and security. We also commend the fact that at the Brussels Conference, both the President and the Chief Executive stated that gender equality was a top priority for their Government. Moreover, the First Lady, Rhula Ghani, has of course repeatedly underlined the importance of the economic participation of women. We welcome this full-heartedly. Women are the key to a better future and we must empower them. In conclusion, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been a long-time partner of Afghanistan and contributed significantly in the fields of peace, justice and development.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“President Ghani has stated that the Government is open to peace talks, and we strongly encourage the Taliban to act accordingly. The Netherlands stands ready to support an Afghan- led peace process in whatever form is agreed on. The countries of the region have a critical and positive role to play in supporting Afghanistan. A regional approach is crucial to achieving structural security and stability, but regional stability is possible only when all partners are genuinely engaged and work together, which we strongly encourage. With respect to human rights, an EU-Afghanistan human rights dialogue took place in Kabul three weeks ago. There we discussed women's rights, children's rights, torture and ill-treatment, access to justice and the importance of freedom of expression.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source
“The inauguration of the new Anti-Corruption Justice Centre in October was a welcome step in that regard. At the same time, however, we must realize that corruption remains a big problem. We believe it is important to ensure that the national anti-corruption strategy can meet the commitments made in the Self- Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework. Secondly, with regard to the security situation and regional cooperation, armed clashes between the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces and the Taliban have intensified. Along with an increasing number of returning refugees, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is worrying. In order to achieve a truly stable Afghanistan, we believe it is vital to intensify the Afghan-led peace process.”
2016-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7844 (2016) · source