YouSaid · the spoken record

Vanessa Frazier

lines on the record

21

first

2021-04-14

most recent

2021-10-15

sittings or episodes

3

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

1. “Through literacy we can truly empower present and future generations to actively participate and contribute towards inclusive, equal and sustainable societies. Literacy is equally essential in addressing violent extremism and in further raising awareness of the ever-changing dynamics linked to our efforts aimed at peacebuilding and sustaining peace. In closing, Malta reiterates that peacebuilding is of paramount importance. We are fully committed to it, and it is in this spirit that we have started to contribute to the Peacebuilding Fund from 2021. With our contribution, we want to send the message that peacebuilding is an integral part of our multilateral project and that w e have a collective interest to invest in it. We strongly believe that if we all contribute, we can and will achieve significant results.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

2. “Advances in the digital world have simplified our lives in many ways and opened the door to new opportunities for trade and cooperation. On the flipside, they have also significantly increased the rate at which disinformation and misinformation is spread. Such developments have underscored the fact that we must be vigilant to make sure that our citizens have access to factual and accurate information. To this end, partnerships with civil society, the private sector and social media companies are crucial. This is also why we have picked literacy as another priority for our term on the Council. Digital literacy equips people with the right tools to analyse information, question sources, counter disinformation and participate fully in democratic systems.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

3. “Malta also highlights the importance of State-building and of establishing and maintaining transparent, efficient and accountable State institutions. Over the past few years, we have also witnessed a rise in populism and the propagation of the “us versus them” rhetoric. Such discourse, which dehumanizes entire groups of people and exploits existing fractures in society to achieve short-term political gains, has become more apparent than ever in recent years. The advent of social media has played its part in facilitating the spread of falsehoods and misconceptions that only serve to sow suspicions and widen divisions within communities. The use of social media to promote hate speech, racism, xenophobia and intolerance is especially worrying.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

4. “This will be one of Malta’s priorities if entrusted to serve on the Security Council from 2023 to 2024, and we will spare no effort to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes. Youth, too, have a fundamental role to play in contributing to the peacebuilding process and in shaping the societies they live in. Furthermore, all efforts must be made to provide them with the right conditions to thrive and succeed, especially since limited access to education and the lack of employment opportunities may lead to disillusionment, radicalization and extremism. It is crucial that youth feel that they are an integral part of society and understand that their accomplishments will also contribute to the collective good and advancement of their communities.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

5. “We reiterate that gender-related issues must always be at the forefront of our considerations, and we take this opportunity to thank Ireland, Kenya and Mexico once again for their initiative to form, for the first time, a trio of presidencies committed to keeping the limelight on this important issue. The fact that these three elected members come from different regional groups further underlines the universal importance of the women and peace and security agenda. In this context, we emphasize the role that women have to play at all stages of the political process, from negotiating peace to implementing peace agreements to peacebuilding.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

6. “The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has further amplified existing fragilities, especially in regions of conflict, and exacerbated inequalities. Unfortunately, its aftermath will be with us for years to come, and we therefore have the responsibility to intensify our efforts to contain and mitigate any setbacks in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development insofar as is possible. We must, more than ever, continue to invest to help fragile States and societies become more resilient and adaptive to sudden shocks. Neither can we forget about the disproportionate impact that conflict has on women, children and other vulnerable groups.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

7. “I begin by congratulating Kenya on assuming the presidency of the Security Council and by thanking you for organizing today’s high-level open debate on peacebuilding and sustaining peace. In December 2020, the General Assembly and the Security Council adopted the twin resolutions on peacebuilding, in which the international community reiterated its resolve to continue to work collectively and to invest in peacebuilding and sustaining peace in a holistic manner. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a number of factors and risk multipliers that are threatening international peace and security. Human rights violations, climate change, environmental degradation, terrorism, radicalization, violent extremism, socioeconomic problems and a lack of opportunities are all compounding already difficult, at times desperate, situations.”

   2021-10-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/868 (2021) · source

8. “Malta also believes that economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights are fundamental to the success of the public health response and recovery from the pandemic, which is why it is imperative that these rights are fully respected, even in these difficult times. Going forward, we need a frank discussion on how to ensure resilience. The objective should be to strengthen and stabilize existing structures and ties while seeking cooperative approaches to address future crises of similar scales.”

   2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

9. “Unfortunately, the unprecedented nature of the pandemic provided fertile ground for the spread of disinformation and misinformation. The United Nations Department of Global Communications has played a crucial role in countering such efforts by providing data-driven information and clear facts. We are convinced that the United Nations will continue to play a key role in countering disinformation and misinformation related to the vaccine and its effects. Malta’s long-standing commitment to advancing dialogue within international forums in order to ensure accessible and high-quality education and employment opportunities for all reaffirms our stance to support the creation of policies for an actively engaged society that leaves nobody behind.”

   2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

10. “Together with other States, Malta has joined the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility in order to maximize quick, safe and fair access to vaccines. The virus knows no border or nationality; neither should our solidarity. Concerted efforts of the international community are central in addressing the current challenges. We have repeatedly received calls for countries to work together in order to recover and return to normality as quickly as possible. The world cannot return to normal if the pandemic is not controlled everywhere. What we have learned thus far from COVID-19 is that the world has shown more cooperation than many might have expected, even if the effort to vaccinate the world is not the only test of our ability to cooperate.”

    2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

11. “As vaccine roll-outs are bringing back hope that the end of the pandemic might be in sight, open and equitable access to vaccines is one of the key elements to ensure that African countries recover as soon as possible. Although the number of vaccinations globally have overtaken reported COVID-19 infections, unfortunately, Africa is still lagging behind. Affordable, non-discriminatory access to vaccines is essential to ensure that no one is left behind. Malta has actively supported the global humanitarian response to the pandemic. We have contributed financially towards the delivery of vital supplies to vulnerable countries, in particular to the northern region of Africa, through a number of multilateral humanitarian agencies.”

    2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

12. “This challenging situation should serve as a timely wake-up call to enhance and revitalize multilateralism. Strong cooperation predicated on dialogue and trust is necessary to address these global challenges in a clear and coordinated manner on the basis of solidarity for the achievement of common goals. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout is also a reminder that the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change are essential if we are to enhance our joint capacity to address major systemic shocks in future. In that context, these challenging times urge us to identify opportunities and creative ways of promoting the expeditious realization of the 2030 Agenda while addressing pressing needs.”

    2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

13. “Successful conflict prevention and mediation lies in enhanced dialogue, long-term confidence-building measures, awareness of potential conflict situations, the ability to analyse relevant information and the political will to do the right thing. To that end, we commend the work carried out by the United Nations missions in Africa, including peacekeeping missions. Those tailor-made structures are critical tools through which we can deliver positive outcomes. Malta calls for continued Security Council engagement in securing the participation of all relevant parties at every level of society and of women, in particular, in the peacemaking process. In addition, Malta supports increased African Union engagement in dealing with peace and security issues in the region.”

    2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

14. “Malta thanks the Chinese presidency of the Security Council for organizing this open debate on the need to address the root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa. Malta acknowledges that, in conjunction with resolving conflicts by addressing their root causes, it is also crucial to promote a global recovery plan for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Malta fully aligns itself with the statement submitted by the European Union (annex 24) and would like to add a few remarks in its national capacity. Addressing the root causes of conflict is an important element of conflict prevention and resolution.”

    2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source

15. “In order to succeed in eliminating conflict-related sexual violence, we must work together at the national, regional and international levels. Only through a strong international commitment can the international community eliminate violence against women and girls once and for all.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

16. “Women peacebuilders, civil society leaders, women journalists, politicians and human rights defenders play critical roles in advancing peace and security and are often targeted or at a higher risk of violence. They must be allowed to carry out their work in an enabling environment, which means fully protecting their rights, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and providing urgent support to women who face threats or reprisals. Women organizations also play a key role in the prevention of, and response to, gender-based violence, including in humanitarian settings, often filling gaps in State-provided services. As such, they should be allowed to operate freely and must be provided all technical and financial support they require.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

17. “The prevention of, and response to, gender-based violence must be holistic and must incorporate an educational dimension. In must be human-rights-based, survivor-centred, victim-informed, inclusive, non-discriminatory and designed, implemented and monitored in partnership with survivors and victims. Let us continue empowering survivors and help them on their path to healing. Another crucial aspect is accountability. There can be no excuse for the use of gender-based violence. Its perpetrators must be identified, brought to justice and held accountable. The prosecution of gender-based violence is most effective with strengthened national legal frameworks and judicial processes. Addressing gender-based violence is part and parcel of the women and peace and security agenda.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

18. “One of the main pillars of Malta’s national action plan on women and peace and security is the prevention of all forms of violence, including gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse. Gender-based violence is a direct result of, and contributes to, systematic discrimination and inequality, and cannot be addressed without prioritizing women’s participation in identifying trends and envisioning solutions at all levels. Through its national action plan, Malta seeks to implement a survivor-centred approach that ensures that the particular needs of women and girl victims from conflict-affected areas are taken into account when they are provided services, including treatment and counselling, to support their recovery from trauma.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

19. “It is important to recognize that sexual violence manifests itself in many forms, such as intimidation, harassment and violence — online and offline — and is perpetrated against civil society actors, activists, women peacebuilders, women human rights defenders and women journalists. Malta remains committed — both at home and within international forums — to addressing conflict and conflict-related gender-based violence, including through awareness campaigns on the issues of sexual violation, sexual and reproductive health, female genital mutilation and human trafficking, as well as through adequate training for personnel dealing with such issues.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

20. “The coronavirus disease pandemic has also exacerbated an already difficult situation, thus deepening existing gender inequalities and further excluding women from peace and security decision-making. As outlined in the Secretary-General’s report, some armed groups have taken advantage of the pandemic to intensify their operations of sexual harassment, slavery, trafficking and terrorism. As highlighted in resolution 1325 (2000), women and girls disproportionately suffer the impacts of armed conflicts and are usually the main targets of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Their exposure to violence affects their physical, mental and material well-being.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source

21. “Malta thanks Viet Nam for holding this open debate on this important subject and aligns itself with the statement submitted on behalf of the European Union (annex 37). We also thank Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the other briefers for sharing their insights and experiences. One year ago, the Secretary-General called for a cessation of violence, both on battlefields and in homes. Despite all efforts made, his latest report on conflict- related sexual violence (S/2021/312) shows that conflict-related sexual violence remains a cruel and rampant tactic of war, torture, terror and political repression. We echo the Secretary-General’s call for a complete cessation, with immediate effect, of all acts of sexual violence by all parties to armed conflict.”

    2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source