YouSaid · the spoken record

Verbeke

lines on the record: 455
first: 2007-01-08
most recent: 2008-05-06
sittings or episodes: 73
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

“By adopting resolution 1757 (2007) today, the Security Council has provided unreserved support to the efforts of the Government to strengthen the rule of law that all Lebanese deserve.”
2007-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5685 (2007) · source
“Mr. Verbeke (Belgium) (spoke in French): Belgium voted for the resolution under consideration. Through this resolution, the Security Council confirms the consistent stance that has governed its continuous commitment to stability and peace in a sovereign and independent Lebanon. The duty of justice and the fight against impunity are essential for the stability of Lebanon. This constancy has always guided the Council in its work with respect to the establishment of the International Independent Investigation Commission and of the international tribunal. It is this same assessment that guided my delegation to support and sponsor this new resolution. This resolution does not prejudice an agreement that remains to be reached among the Lebanese and which we continue to call for.”
2007-05-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5685 (2007) · source
“07-35274 Let me close my remarks by thanking the Monitoring Team for its excellent work and highly professional assistance, as well as all the members of the Committee for their very constructive cooperation.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“It goes without saying that the fact of this continued joint briefing to the Council with the Chairs of the other two Committees highlights the 1267 Committee's strong partnership and coordination with those Committees and their group of experts. Before concluding, I would like to say that the Committee is currently working intensively on further improving its website in order to enhance its communication and outreach with the broader membership. In the coming weeks, the Committee will also discuss issues such as the criminal misuse of the Internet, the involvement of the private sector in the implementation of sanctions - especially as regards the freezing of assets - and possible instances of non-compliance.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“Since the 28 September 2006 briefing, the experts of the Monitoring Team have travelled to no fewer than 16 countries, including two joint visits with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and have participated in several international conferences. As Chairman, I am planning to make two trips this year, as is the custom: one in early July and the other during the fall. I would like to take this opportunity to renew the outstanding invitation to Member States to come to the Committee and have more in-depth discussions on sanctions- related issues. Cooperation with international and regional organizations, including Interpol, has continued to be very beneficial for our work, and the Monitoring Team is encouraged to carry on its efforts in that regard.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“As this is a novel area in our work, the Committee first had to agree on a procedure to govern the new review mechanism, reflected in the well- known paragraph 6 (i) of the guidelines. That issue was discussed in March, agreement was reached, and the review process is already under way. Improvement of the Committee's guidelines is another area that the Committee is exploring in order to make its working methods and procedures as transparent as possible. In particular, the Committee plans to consider the provisions related to basic expenses under paragraph 1 (a) of resolution 1452 (2002), on humanitarian exemptions to the assets- freeze measure. Visits to States, principally by the Monitoring Team, are a very important means of dialogue with States with a view to effective implementation of the sanctions measures.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“Improving the quality of the Consolidated List is a core assignment of our Committee, as both the completeness and the accuracy of the List are essential for effective implementation of the sanctions measures. As requested by the Council, the Committee pays particular attention to the Taliban section of the List, but we are nonetheless always looking to improve the entire List. In that regard, States are encouraged to submit the names of individuals and entities that should be included on the List because of their association with Al-Qaida and/or the Taliban, as well as additional and updated information relating to the names already figuring on the List. In the context of last November's thorough revision of the guidelines on listing, a new mechanism was created to allow for a review of listed individuals 07-35274 or entities.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“Secondly, we have resolution 1735 (2006), which reiterates the existing mandatory measures: an assets freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo. In addition, it extends the period for the consideration of notifications of humanitarian exemptions to the assets freeze and renews the mandate of the Monitoring Team. When I took over the chairmanship of the Committee last January from Ambassador Mayoral of Argentina, the first task was to incorporate these new provisions into the guidelines. We did that on 12 February. I would like, in that respect, to inform the Council that in July, the Committee intends to conduct a stocktaking exercise and evaluate the implementation of both resolution 1730 (2006) and resolution 1735 (2006).”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“For the sake of brevity, I would like only to highlight the main elements contained in the comprehensive briefing that the 2 Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) has prepared for the Council, which is annexed to my statement and will be posted on the Committee's website. At the outset, I would like to recall the two important resolutions for the work of the 1267 Committee that the Council adopted at the end of December 2006. First, we have resolution 1730 (2006), requesting the Secretary-General to establish a focal point within the Secretariat to receive delisting requests. Petitioners seeking to submit requests for delisting can now do so, either through this focal point or through their State of residence or citizenship. The focal point has been operational since 29 March 2007.”
2007-05-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5679 (2007) · source
“If any form of justice other than the International Criminal Court were to be pursued, it would have to satisfy minimum conditions and respect the principle of complementarity, in accordance with the Rome Statute. In any case, for my delegation impunity is not an option.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“The principal leaders of the LRA would like the International Criminal Court to suspend the arrest warrants against them, and they are making that a precondition of a peace agreement. The Government, on the other hand, would prefer to have a peace agreement in hand before committing to anything with regard to the LRA or to the International Criminal Court. On this point, the Security Council reiterated last March the fact that those who seriously violate human rights and international humanitarian law must be brought to justice. My delegation believes that the parties must continue their talks on this issue in order to reach a solution that respects this absolute requirement.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“It is thus clear that only a comprehensive peace agreement can truly convince all those who are displaced that it is possible to return home. Therefore, the Security Council must continue to encourage the Juba talks. On that point, we must commend the agreement between the Government and the LRA on extending the ceasefire until the end of June and on the relaunching of the peace talks in Juba last 26 April. Thanks to the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Chissano, those discussions progressed and an agreement was reached on the protection of the LRA leadership. Difficult discussions will now be launched on the agenda item concerning reconciliation and responsibility. I wish to close on that point.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“The security and humanitarian situation in northern Uganda has improved, and we can only welcome that fact. Many of the displaced persons have already returned home. However, there are almost 1 million people in camps, and thus a major challenge remains. It is important that the Government make every necessary effort to continue the improvement in the security situation in the north of the country. The Government, in partnership with the international community, must provide what Mr. Holmes has described as a three-pronged humanitarian effort - assist people in the displaced persons camps, help those who are returning home, and help those who have already returned home. Those efforts will be achieved only if there is a complete resolution of the problem of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“In more general terms, it is essential that an inclusive dialogue and political process for reconciliation be established in order to consolidate the transitional federal institutions, to re-establish the authority of the State and to stabilize the country in a way that will endure. The success of the national reconciliation congress announced by the Government is thus of vital importance. For the time being, it requires that the ceasefire be consolidated and that the situation in the region of Mogadishu be stabilized, which necessitates efforts by all parties to emerge from the cycle of violence. Finally, in the meantime we must support the deployment of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to contribute to stabilization in the country and to support the political process. Allow me now to make a few comments on Uganda.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“In that context, Belgium appeals to the Somali authorities to do everything they can to facilitate the access to humanitarian assistance. While stressing the primary responsibility of the Transitional Federal Government, Belgium calls upon all parties immediately to ensure the protection of civilians, especially of children and women. It also recalls their obligation to respect international humanitarian law. Belgium commends the Government's authorization of a mission from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Louise Arbour, to investigate violations of human rights in Somalia.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Mr. Belle (Belgium) (spoke in French): At the outset, I wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. John Holmes, for the realistic and detailed report on his mission to the two countries being considered. First, I wish to make some comments on the situation in Somalia. Belgium is still very concerned about the insecurity and the humanitarian situation in Mogadishu and in other regions of the country. The displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the abduction of humanitarian workers - who were later released - are sad and recent examples. The security situation and bureaucratic and other obstacles are hindering the delivery of assistance and the movement of humanitarian workers in Somalia.”
2007-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5677 (2007) · source
“Given the political situation on different fronts, Belgium believes that the High Representative continues to be called upon to play an essential catalyzing role in the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We welcome the recent decision to appoint Mr. Lajcak as the new High Representative, and we take this opportunity to thank Mr. Schwarz- Schilling for the remarkable work that he has achieved.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Like the High Representative, we feel that constitutional reform is also essential with a view to establishing stable institutions and to ensuring fair distribution of powers. Belgium welcomes the recent improvement in the matter of certification of police officers, and we wish to thank the delegation of the United Kingdom, among others, for the results achieved. We invite the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively implement that agreement. Belgium reiterates its full support for the Dayton Accords and for the Office of the High Representative. In that regard, we welcome the decision to maintain the Office with its current mandate until June 2008 and to maintain the Bonn powers.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Belgium calls for the cessation of all nationalist rhetoric and for the depoliticization of certain subjects, especially following the ruling of the International Court of Justice of 26 February 2007. That ruling should not serve as a pretext to review the political and institutional architecture of Bosnia and Herzegovinia. Regard to the pending reforms, we call on the new Government to adhere to them and to undertake them without delay. The road to European and Atlantic integration has already been lengthy. Belgium hopes that progress can be made rapidly as regards reform of the police and full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Those two elements are conditions sine qua non for signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“Mr. Verbecke (Belgium) (spoke in French): May I begin by thanking Mr. Schwarz-Schilling, the High Representative, for his statement and report. I also wish to thank Mr. Nikola Spirie, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for his statement. Belgium aligns itself with the statement to be made by our German colleague on behalf of the European Union (EU). Belgium has noted with interest the content of the report of the High Representative, particularly its description of the evolution of the political situation. We welcome the establishment of the new Government. We are, however, concerned by the development of the internal political situation, which is characterized by stagnation.”
2007-05-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5675 (2007) · source
“I am confident that the first-hand information which the Security Council received during this mission will enable the Council to live up to its responsibilities and take an informed decision on the issue that is now before us.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“The Kosovo Albanian community, on the other hand, is confident about its future; it has very high expectations for an early resolution of Kosovo's status - a status that brings independence to Kosovo. Kosovo Albanians, as well as non-Serb minority communities, expressed strong support for Mr. Ahtisaari's settlement proposal and status recommendation, and they look to the Security Council to move rapidly to a solution. Despite the strongly opposed positions, both parties agree that the status quo is not sustainable. That message was also brought to us by representatives of NATO and the European Union, who are prepared to take up their responsibilities and look to the Security Council to provide the necessary mandate.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“The mission heard opposing views on the question as to whether a solution to the status of Kosovo would facilitate or hinder the return process. More than in previous Security Council missions to the region, the status issue was a very important, if not dominant, element. On Kosovo's status, the positions of the sides remain far apart. Authorities in Belgrade, as well as Kosovo Serbs who expressed themselves on the issue, firmly rejected any form of independence for Kosovo, in particular the settlement proposal presented to this Council by Special Envoy Ahtisaari. They asked for further negotiations, which should lead to a solution based on substantial 07-33839 autonomy. In general, the Kosovo Serb community is apprehensive about its prospects for the future.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“This is particularly important in two fields that received considerable attention during the mission's visit to the region - the living conditions of Kosovo's non-Albanian communities, and the return of internally displaced persons, a critical element in the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999). Interlocutors in Belgrade, including President Tadic and Prime Minister Kostunica, as well as representatives of Serbian civil society, stressed that the number of returns continued to be very low, despite the fact that, as the mission noticed in Svinjare, houses have been rebuilt and, more generally, that structures to facilitate returns are in place. During the mission's visit several explanations were given, such as the lack of economic prospects or security-related concerns.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“During the mission's meetings with Kosovo's leaders, including Prime Minister Ceku and President Sejdiu, they all emphasized their committed to a multi-ethnic society and their readiness to work responsibly towards that goal. Achieving that goal will to a large extent depend on continued implementation of the standards for Kosovo. Over the years, the Provisional Institutions, with the support of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, managed to make serious progress in this regard. More is to be done, as was recognized by Prime Minister Ceku and other Kosovo leaders, who, in meetings with the mission, expressed their commitment to continue and strengthen standards implementation.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“The current security situation in Kosovo is often defined as "calm but tense", and this is also how NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer described it when we met him in Brussels on 25 April. The mission's report subscribes to that assessment. While the situation is calm, the conflict of 1998-1999 and the violence that shook Kosovo in March 2004 have left their traces. One of those traces is that to a large extent Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs still live separately from each other. Full and lasting reconciliation, with a View to the establishment of a truly multi-ethnic society, will require a sustainable commitment by all stakeholders.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“On 2 May, I had the opportunity to brief the Council on the Security Council mission on the Kosovo issue, in my capacity as Head of the Mission. At that time, I recalled the nature and the objectives of the mission. I also briefly commented on some of the highlights of its programme. After last week's meeting, Council members worked together and agreed on the mission's report, which was then distributed by the Secretariat as an official United Nations document. Since the Council is familiar with the content of the report, I will limit this briefing to a brief overview of some of its conclusions. Security is an essential pillar of any society, and this is even more so for societies emerging from violent and brutal conflict such as that in Kosovo.”
2007-05-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5673 (2007) · source
“Expectations among the majority Kosovo Albanian population for an early resolution of Kosovo's future status are very high. Finally, the mission noted the importance stressed by many of promoting a European perspective for the region, including for Kosovo. These European prospects can provide direction for future political and economic development and thus contribute to consolidating stability in Kosovo and, by extension, in the region as a whole.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“Although structures for return are in place, the lack of economic prospects, difficulties associated with freedom of movement and security-related concerns were mentioned as defining reasons why returns remain limited. Opposing points of view exist on whether a definition of the status of Kosovo would facilitate or hinder the returns process. Sixthly, with regard to status, the positions of the sides on the Kosovo settlement proposal remain far apart. While the Belgrade authorities and all Kosovo Serb interlocutors remained firmly opposed to the Kosovo settlement proposal and rejected a solution that would entail any form of independence, Kosovo Albanian representatives expressed clear and unambiguous support for the Kosovo settlement proposal and recommendation on Kosovo's future 3 status.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“The creation of such a multi-ethnic society will, however, require substantial effort. Fourthly, over the years the Provisional Institutions and UNMIK have made significant progress in the implementation of the standards for Kosovo, for example, in establishing Provisional Institutions that are functional and that are founded on the principles of ownership and accountability. The Provisional Institutions expressed their commitment to continue and strengthen the implementation of the standards, in particular those relating to the conditions of life of Kosovo's minority communities. Fifthly, as regards the critical issue of the return of internally displaced persons, the numbers of sustainable returns continue to be very low.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“It did indeed provide its participants with an opportunity to obtain first-hand information on the situation in Kosovo. As a result, the concrete reality of the Kosovo issue has become clear - more than before - instead of being a rather abstract problem. Secondly, Kosovo's society is still recovering from the wounds inflicted by the conflict. To a large extent, Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities live separately from each other. There are also differences in the way both communities look to the future. While the Kosovo Albanian community is confident, the Kosovo Serb community is more apprehensive about its prospects for the future. Thirdly, the commitment and readiness conveyed by Kosovo's political leaders to build a multi-ethnic Kosovo for all its communities was encouraging.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“They underlined that Kosovo was committed to a multiethnic State whose goal would be integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. A similar message was expressed by the ministers of the Kosovo Government, Assembly leaders and leaders from minority communities. For Kosovo Serb representatives, however, including Bishop Artemije of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Kosovo Serbs we met with in northern Mitrovica, independence was clearly not an option. The mission concluded its visit with a meeting with Special Envoy Ahtisaari in Vienna, which gave mission participants the opportunity to have an informal exchange on various aspects of his settlement proposal. I would like to end with some provisional observations. 07-32817 First, I think, the mission lived up to its expectations.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Riicker, underlined that the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) had achieved everything that was achievable. It had established Provisional Institutions of Self- Government, rule of law structures and institutions required for a market economy. According to the Special Representative, further progress was dependent on a resolution of Kosovo's status. That assessment was echoed by the representatives of the Kosovo Unity Team, including President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Ceku. They expressed their unanimous support for the Kosovo settlement proposal and status recommendation, and stressed their commitment to implement the settlement proposal in its entirety.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“Another recurring theme in our meetings 07-32817 in Belgrade was the lack of full implementation of resolution 1244 (1999), in particular with regard to the return of internally displaced persons. According to Belgrade's authorities, only 2-5 per cent of internally displaced persons have been able to return since 1999. The issue of return was also regularly raised during the mission's visit to Kosovo. Its complex nature was further illustrated by field trips to Svinjare and Brestovik. Several reasons were given to explain the limited number of returnees: security concerns, the poor economic situation, the lack of access to social services, as well as procedural obstacles. In Pristina on Friday, 27 and Saturday, 28 April, the mission had the opportunity to meet with a broad spectrum of actors, both international and local.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“During the lunch hosted by the European Union in Pristina, details of that planning process were provided. Finally, the representatives of both organizations stressed that the final decision on the status of Kosovo should be endorsed by a Security Council resolution under Chapter VII. In Belgrade on Thursday, 26 April, the mission's main interlocutors - President Tadie, Prime Minister Kostunica, members of the negotiating team, the President of the Coordination Centre for Kosovo, and almost all members of the party caucuses - firmly rejected the Kosovo settlement proposal and any solution that would entail any form of independence for Kosovo. Instead, they argued for substantial autonomy of Kosovo within Serbia and under international supervision. They also called for further negotiations.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“The mission started with meetings in Brussels on Wednesday, 25 April with the Secretary General of NATO, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer; the European Union's Special Envoy for Status Talks, Stephan Lehne; and European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. Their messages were quite similar. For them, the status quo is untenable, expectations are high, and delay in the determination of Kosovo's status could put Kosovo and the region at risk. They also stated their full support for Ahtisaari's recommendations and settlement proposal. From the briefings, it appeared that the both the European Union and NATO are prepared to assume their responsibilities in the framework of Kosovo's future status. Planning is ongoing, but such planning, they insisted, does not prejudge the final outcome of the future status process.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“As members know, the Security Council, following a suggestion made by our Russian colleague, decided to undertake a mission on the Kosovo issue. The mission was essentially an information mission. As the terms of reference pointed out, "in the light of the recent submission of the United Nations Special Envoy's set of proposals to the Security Council, the Council has decided to give its members the opportunity to inform themselves on the situation on the ground"; the purpose of the mission was "to allow the Security Council to have an informed understanding of the political, social and economic situation in Kosovo", and that through a balanced and comprehensive programme of meetings and field trips.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“It is the usual practice that, shortly after a Security Council mission returns to New York, the head of the mission briefs the Council. I will keep this briefing short. I will not give a comprehensive overview of all the meetings and field trips, but I will focus on some highlights of the mission's visit to the region and share some preliminary observations. Before I start, however, I would like to thank all my colleagues for their cooperation and valuable contribution to the mission. I also would like to extend my gratitude to the members of the Secretariat who accompanied us and played a 2 crucial role both in the preparation and in the execution of the mission. Let me first of all recall the nature of the mission.”
2007-05-02 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5672 (2007) · source
“Finally, States have everything to gain from a close dialogue with civil society, which, today, is a crucial driving force for global awareness of climate challenges in all of their dimensions. The picture drawn by our experts is definitely a disquieting one, even an alarming one. Nevertheless, there is still a window of opportunity open, even though there is not much time. Belgium is determined to actively contribute to finding and implementing collectively political and technical solutions for the consequences of climate change, with particular attention to the regions that are most vulnerable. Only a leap forward in political courage and a change of mindset that invites us to replace our short- term reasoning with long-term reasoning will allow us to live up to our responsibilities as custodians of collective security.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Thirdly, the United Nations should, furthermore, intensify its early warning efforts as well as its efforts to prevent and manage crises caused by climate change in the most vulnerable areas. It could assist countries concerned to elaborate risk reduction strategies. Fourthly, the strengthening of capacity to prevent and manage climate risks should also be envisaged at national and regional levels. Fifthly, environmental cooperation should be used and sustained more as an instrument for conflict prevention and as a confidence-building measure. It is particularly important in the case of river basins shared among several States where the water flow is threatened because of climate change.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“First, climate change must gradually become one of the factors to be taken into consideration in discussing conflict prevention. It would be useful to have a more in-depth analysis, in particular on the basis of the recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the security implications of climate change, accompanied by policy recommendations to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to respond to them. Secondly, the Secretary-General must be encouraged to bring to bear his institutional authority to catalyse political will for concerted, decisive action in the face of climate challenged, particularly with regard to the security dimension.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Secondly, we must abandon the idea that the future will look like the past. Our conventional security policies are all still often based on obsolete threat assessments and are more geared to managing crises than to preventing them. Security policies exclusively based on national sovereignty appear less and less appropriate in this context. To resolve the climate- energy-security dilemma means that we need to rethink thoroughly the scope of our policies using a broader concept of security. By establishing greater trust amongst us, we will be able to create more interdependence among our countries. The third aspect is to design and collectively implement systemic innovative responses to complex challenges caused by climate changes. As this preliminary stage, Belgium would like to make the following points.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Examples are already well known - increasing competition for access to water and arable land; the increase in infectious diseases; natural disasters, such as drought and flooding; the loss of agricultural land; drop in agricultural production; increase in poverty; the increase in social inequalities; displacement of populations to cities; and acceleration of domestic and international migratory flows. Moreover, facts tend to show that the negative effects of climate change are felt primarily by regions and populations that are most vulnerable. According to projections, this trend will continue. The prime targets are also the least equipped to respond to this negative impact and to adapt to it. Additional pressures caused by climate change increase the risk of having fragile States lapse or relapse into civil war and chaos.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“First of all, we need to become aware of and recognize together the dilemma caused by two legitimate concerns - on the one hand, the need to promote economic growth and to combat poverty, because serious inequalities themselves are sources of tension and conflict, and, on the other hand, the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption because by increasing the impact of climate change such consumption could exacerbate a series of already existing factors giving rise to tensions. It is increasingly clear that climate change exacerbates a multitude of non-military threats.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“Mr. Verbeke (Belgium) (spoke in French): I would like to thank you, Madam President, for having taken the initiative of organizing today in the Security Council a debate on the threats that can be posed by climate change to stability and security. The meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that has just completed its work in Brussels reaffirms the scope of this phenomenon and its potential consequences. Designing and implementing an effective, sustainable response to the threats resulting from climate change requires a threefold effort on our part.”
2007-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5663 (2007) · source
“It is therefore essential that decisions of regional organizations not prejudge any action by the Security Council. Coordination, cooperation and capacities are certainly the three parameters of our discussion today. Must these parameters be confined to rigid and predetermined scenarios? We do not think so. Belgium believes that a pragmatic approach that focuses on practice rather than on doctrine and that takes particular account of lessons learned from ongoing operations can be used as a framework for continuing to reinforce and refine the relationship between the Council and regional organizations.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649 (2007) · source
“Increased participation by regional and subregional organizations in the work of the Security Council, through their participation on a case-by-case basis in Council meetings, is certainly one element to consider. Prior consultation on the Council's output - such as resolutions, presidential statements and others - can also contribute to better coordination of efforts of all. But, as others around this table have said this morning, we must consider better coordination between the work of our Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. However, any action by regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security must, in accordance with the Charter, have the prior authorization of the Security Council.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649 (2007) · source
“To that end, regional and subregional organizations must be able to play their roles effectively. It is in this context that the question arises of reinforcing their capacities, especially military. Clearly, better coherence between the action of the regional organization and the action of potential financial donors and contributors will reinforce the opportunities for joint action that Chapter VIII of the Charter offers us. Regarding the coordination of joint efforts, it is clear that the United Nations must not hold the monopoly. Regional organizations have an important and sometimes even the primordial role to play. The question then is to determine what paths can be explored in order to better coordinate our joint efforts.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649 (2007) · source
“I would also underscore that for Belgium, this exercise will also help clarify the framework for the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), especially with regard to the support that the EU can usefully provide to AU peacekeeping operations, in particular through the Peace Facility. Here I refer to the statement to be made shortly by my German colleague in Germany's capacity in the presidency of the European Union. Cooperation, coordination and capacities are the key concepts determining the success of joint action between the Council and regional and subregional organizations. In resolution 1631 (2005), the Security Council underscored the importance of closer cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in all phases of managing a crisis.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649 (2007) · source
“In practice and on the ground, the same questions arise again and again. Who should take the initiative: the United Nations or the regional organization concerned? How do we incorporate the regional dynamic in the United Nations management of a crisis, and conversely, how do we take account of the United Nations dynamic in regional action? The management of the crisis in Darfur demonstrates the complexity of this exercise. Belgium trusts that today's discussion will help in the formulation of an answer to those questions, with particular emphasis on the specific role of the Security Council as a driving force.”
2007-03-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5649 (2007) · source