YouSaid · the spoken record

Wittig

lines on the record: 917
first: 2010-02-12
most recent: 2014-02-12
sittings or episodes: 146
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

“We share the concerns expressed by the Secretary-General in that context and welcome the Secretariat's continued engagement with Member States and others to raise awareness of the issue and to provide further guidance on the matter.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Since then, the situation of civilians has only worsened, in blatant disregard of the appeals made by Syrians and the international community alike. The Old City of Homs stands as testimony to the fact that the Geneva negotiations cannot in themselves produce even small progress if they are not backed by active international diplomacy. We look to the Council to follow up on its commitments and ensure that the basic principles of international humanitarian law are upheld in Syria. In that regard, Germany fully supports the Secretary- General's call for a strong humanitarian resolution. Finally, as witnessed in Syria and beyond, indiscriminate attacks against civilians using explosive weapons with wide impact in densely populated areas remain an appalling aspect of conflicts to which the international community has to react.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“First, we need to ensure that those responsible for grave breaches of international humanitarian law, in particular for war crimes, as well as for violations of human rights, are held accountable. Impunity fosters crime. It is therefore crucial that we further strengthen the International Criminal Court. We urge the Council to insist that Member States cooperate fully with the Court. Secondly, the arbitrary withholding and denial of humanitarian access in Syria cannot be tolerated. Using starvation as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime. We urge all parties to the conflict in Syria to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all people affected, as the Council demanded in its presidential statement of2 October 2013 (S/PRST/2013/15).”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“We have seen how illegal and irresponsible transfers of weapons can contribute to increased instability, exacerbated conflicts, atrocities, human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. We therefore welcome the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) as the first treaty that addresses those risks at a global level by establishing clear and legally binding criteria, also with regard to international humanitarian law. The ATT needs to be swiftly signed, ratified and fully implemented on a global scale. What else can we do? In his recent reports, the Secretary-General has identified a number of challenges, some of which I would like to briefly touch upon.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“While the situation on the ground remains volatile, we also commend the role of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in providing shelter and protection to more than 70,000 internally displaced persons in South Sudan. It is essential that we build on those examples. We strongly support the Secretary-General's "Rights up front" initiative and call for its swift implementation. The initiative, if taken seriously, has the potential not only to help peacekeeping missions to better protect civilians, but also to place the overall goal of protecting people at the centre of the Organization's policies throughout the system. The implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and related resolutions, particularly concerning the need for protection against sexual violence in conflict, is equally important in this context.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Although the responsibility for those atrocities lies with the parties to conflict, the international community needs to do its utmost to improve the protection of civilians in all situations of conflict. The genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago is a constant reminder of that obligation. On Red Hand Day, let me recall that those who are traditionally the most vulnerable members of society, women and children, deserve our special attention and protection. We therefore welcome actions such as taken by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to break the cycle of violence, rape and death affecting thousands of civilians and in particular women and children.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“Germany aligns itself with the statements delivered by the observer of the European Union and by the representative of Switzerland on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians. The latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/689), for which we thank him, provides us with a sad truth: the situation of civilians has worsened in most armed conflicts. It is appalling to see that terrorizing the civilian population has become an integral part of the military strategies of many parties to conflict. In Syria, in the Central African Republic, in South Sudan and in many other conflicts, we are confronted daily with abominable violence against civilians. In Syria alone, more than 10,000 children have already died in the conflict.”
2014-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7109 (2014) · source
“We therefore welcome the initiative taken by the President of the General Assembly, Ambassador John Ashe, to task an advisory group with the drafting of a negotiation text that adequately reflects current positions on Council reform and provides options on the way forward. We hope that such a text will finally enable Member States to engage in real give-and- take negotiations. Germany stands ready to engage constructively in those negotiations.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“During Germany's recent Council membership, I witnessed first-hand the deadlock in the Council caused by three double vetoes and, more important, the terrible consequences they had for the Syrian people. The French proposal is therefore an important initiative of a permanent member of the Council and should contribute to fostering the overall discussion of the reform of the Security Council. As important as the improvement of the Council's working methods may be, only comprehensive, structural reform will enable the Council to more effectively tackle the challenges of today's world. Such a reform is long overdue. As the United Nations nears its seventieth session of the General Assembly in 2015, the time has come for action.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The note contains many useful aspects, including on the increased use of the Arria Formula, closer involvement of the Peacebuilding Commission and the use of wrap-up meetings by the presidency. We encourage the members of the Council, especially the permanent members, to ensure that the commitment made in the note also translates into action. Other issues remain to be addressed. As that is an ongoing process, improvements must be sought on multiple fronts. In that context, we encourage the States members of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group to continue their important efforts in that regard. We also highly appreciate the proposal made by French Foreign Minister Fabius to refrain from using the veto in situations of atrocity crimes.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“As the issues on the agenda ofthe Security Council become increasingly complex, so do its day-to-day work and decision-making processes. Other United Nations organs and institutions, regional organizations and non- governmental organizations -all of them - make important contributions to the work of the Council and the fulfilment of its Charter-mandated role. The media and wider public are also important, particularly in times of the Internet and Twitter. All of that should be seen as an opportunity, not as a burden, to the Council. It requires enhanced transparency and efficiency of the Council as well as interaction with the wider United Nations membership and the relevant stakeholders. The Council has come a long way, most recently with the adoption of the presidential note contained in document S/2013/515.”
2013-10-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7052Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Germany condemns those heinous terrorist attacks in the strongest terms. Germany remains confident, however, that, with evolving but persistent international support, the Afghan security forces will continue to prove capable of responding to such challenges. Let me conclude by underlining that Germany will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan, including after 2014. Our particular focus will remain on the implementation of the mutual commitments stemming from the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“Furthermore, we are confident that the Government of Afghanistan will continue to ensure the independence of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission according to Afghan law and the Paris Principles. The most recent visit ofPresident Karzai to Pakistan and the subsequent release of members of the Taliban from prisons in Pakistan open up new opportunities in the peace and reconciliation process. We encourage all sides to further pursue the path of an Afghan-led and -owned peace process, despite potential setbacks ahead, as we believe that there is no reasonable alternative. The Afghan security forces continue to face serious challenges. That is demonstrated by the attack on the United States Consulate General in Herat last Friday and the killing of the chief of the Independent Election Commission in Kunduz yesterday.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“On the other hand, more remains to be done to ensure that the elections are transparent, credible and inclusive, in particular regarding the participation of women in the election process. Germany will further support Afghanistan in its continued preparations for the elections and will contribute overall more than $14 million to that end. While focusing on the preparations for the elections, we must not forget that there are many other challenges ahead for Afghanistan. Preserving and consolidating gains in the protection and promotion of human rights is of the utmost importance. Sustained action to implement statutory safeguards, first and foremost the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women, is a key requirement in that regard.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“It is also paramount in securing the continued support of the international community. Those mutual commitments were reaffirmed at the senior officials' meeting held in Kabul on 3 July. Since then, further progress has been achieved in many areas. We particularly welcome the establishment of a legislative framework for the presidential and provincial elections to be held in April 2014. The appointment of new members to the Independent Election Commission and the Independent Election Complaints Commission has been another decisive step. We are now awaiting the announcements of candidates who will run in those historic elections, which will result in apeaceful transfer of power.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“At the outset, I would like to welcome the Special Representative ofthe Secretary- General, Mr. Jan Kubis. I extend my thanks to him for his briefing and for his team's dedicated work in support of the Afghan people. I also appreciate Ambassador Tanin's presence with the Council today. My Government aligns itself with the statement just delivered on behalf of the European Union. Afghanistan has taken major steps on its path of political and security transition over recent months. At the Tokyo Conference, the Government of Afghanistan and the international community reaffirmed their long- term partnership and agreed on the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework. Germany considers the comprehensive and timely implementation of the Framework to be key in achieving a peaceful and prosperous future for Afghanistan.”
2013-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7035 (2013) · source
“Let me conclude by saying that the Council should remain seized of this important issue. It should not and cannot be separated from the broader security issues.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“Also, we are confident that the recent commitments made in the Group of Eight context to address impunity for sexual violence in conflict will have a significant impact. For my Government, confronting sexual violence is one of the priority areas in our new national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We actively support the United Nations, Member States and civil society in their fight against sexual violence. Personnel of non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders and journalists who report about cases of sexual violence, in particular, are often at a heightened risk of being targeted themselves. They all need our support to continue their invaluable work in raising awareness and helping Governments prevent or ease the consequences of sexual violence.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“In peace agreements, sexual violence shall figure in one important provision: those who have previously committed or condoned sexual violence should be excluded from amnesty provisions and should not be allowed to serve in the relevant official functions. Fourthly, Member States and regional organizations can also do more. Sexual violence shall under no circumstances be socially accepted. It is of paramount importance to criminalize sexual violence by law, hold perpetrators accountable and provide assistance services and reparations for survivors. In that regard, we welcome the recent press statement by the African Union Peace and Security Council and its call for the development of new strategies to fight sexual violence in conflict.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“Secondly, the Council should keep the issue of women and peace and security, including sexual violence, high on its agenda and make sure that all the relevant reports, mandate renewals and country visits by the Council contain specific provisions in that regard. More women's protection advisers need to be deployed, including in United Nations assessment teams and missions. Thirdly, in security sector reform and in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes, more focus should be given to the needs of women and girls, not only as victims but also with a View to their active participation in reintegration processes.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“First, we welcome the work of the monitoring and reporting mechanism and hope it will continue to work closely with other United Nations mechanisms to guarantee the best possible concerted actions in the fight against sexual violence. We also welcome the dedicated work of Special Representative Bangura and the fact that she was able to brief the Council several times in the past months, including on the situations in Syria and the Central African Republic. However, the Council should make more use of the information received and do more to act and hold perpetrators accountable. It could, for example, release corresponding press statements, write specific letters to the Governments concerned and more often refer specific cases to the Sanctions Committees and, as a last resort, to the International Criminal Court.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“It shows that sexual violence is used in many conflicts as a weapon of war by armed groups and, in some cases, even by the armed forces. More than 30 parties from five countries are credibly suspected of committing or condoning sexual violence in conflict. And those are only parties in countries on the Council's agenda and on which the United Nations had verified information; the actual figures are undoubtedly much higher. Especially alarming is the fact that many of the victims are children. Therefore, the ultimate goal of our discussion here today must be to find new and better ways to address that abhorrent crime. The report before us contains some very good recommendations in that regard. Let me mention four points of particular importance to us.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank Rwanda for organizing today's very important open debate. My thanks also go to the Secretary- General and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, for their insightful briefings, Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of European Union, as well as the statement by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security. Although the Security Council has clearly stipulated in the relevant resolutions that sexual violence in conflict is a serious threat to peace and security, it remains a neglected and under-reported crime. The recent annual report of the Secretary General (S/2013/l49) has brought to light some very disturbing findings.”
2013-04-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6948 (2013) · source
“Germany will continue to support UNAMA in fulfilling its mandate, particularly in its support for the Afghan Government and in preparing for the presidential elections, in protecting and promoting human rights, particularly women's rights, and in ensuring effective coordination among donors and the Government of Afghanistan. In order for UNAMA to live up to those expectations, we strongly support providing adequate resources for the Mission and its appropriate presence throughout the country. Finally, we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue during the next month on UNAMA's role after 2014.”
2013-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6935Resumption1 (2013) · source
“That includes efforts by Afghanistan and the international community to establish conditions conducive to substantive dialogue, such as preparations for the opening of a Taliban office in Doha. In that regard, we also appreciate the contribution of regional actors. Their support is critical to fostering the peace and reconciliation process. We encourage all sides to strengthen their efforts. I would like to conclude by underlining that the United Nations will continue to play a crucial role, both in the year to come and during the transformation decade. We therefore welcome the Council's adoption of resolution 2096 (2013), which renews UNAMA's mandate for another 12 months.”
2013-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6935Resumption1 (2013) · source
“We therefore welcome the decision taken by the Afghan authorities to request UNAMA's support for the 2014-2015 elections and the subsequent United Nations electoral needs assessment mission that was undertaken in December and January. Germany stands ready to further support that process alongside UNAMA and its international partners. Our shared objective is to hold inclusive, transparent and credible elections in Afghanistan that will contribute to the sustainable development of the country's political system and be firmly founded in the Afghan Constitution. Secondly, a stable security environment is of paramount importance in achieving Afghanistan's goal of further developing into a democratic and economically thriving country. We therefore welcome recent developments in the Afghan-led reconciliation process.”
2013-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6935Resumption1 (2013) · source
“We welcome the progress achieved by the Government of Afghanistan in preparing for the presidential elections to be held in April 2014. Yet challenges remain. We look forward to the swift adoption of a legal framework for the elections, as well as to the timely appointment of a new chairman and commissioners for the Independent Election Commission. We emphasize the need to establish a credible complaints mechanism and to put in place effective measures to prevent widespread electoral fraud. Finally, and most important, we encourage all Afghan stakeholders to engage in a constructive dialogue on these issues so as to find the broadest possible consensus. UNAMA can assume a beneficial role in supporting the Afghan-led and -owned process.”
2013-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6935Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Let me, at the outset, extend my thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jan Kubis, for his great leadership at the helm of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and for all his efforts in support of the Afghan people, and to his team. Germany will continue to support Afghanistan in close partnership throughout the transformation decade. At the Bonn and Tokyo Conferences, Afghanistan and the international community set the framework for cooperation and reaffirmed their mutual commitments. We are therefore pleased to see that the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework has gained considerable momentum, and we commit ourselves to further work towards implementing it. Today, I would like to focus on two issues that are key in that regard. The first issue is elections.”
2013-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6935Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Together, we can further strengthen the role of United Nations peacekeeping, its capacities and its impact on the ground. This is ajoint endeavour, and the support of all Member States is key.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“It shall provide a bridge between United Nations Headquarters in New York and capitals. The idea of creating a group of friends of United Nations police was introduced at the October 2012 High- Level Conference on International Police Peacekeeping in the 21st Century, held in Berlin, and has since evolved further. Such a group would be complementary to the existing Strategic Police Advisory Group in order to advance sustained political engagement in support of United Nations police. We would expect the group of friends to consist of dedicated Member States that are actively engaged and interested in developing United Nations police peacekeeping, as well as partners from the Secretariat. Other key partners and supporters could be invited to join. The constitutive meeting of the group of friends is planned for this spring.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“The police segment of United Nations peacekeeping has proven crucial in assisting host countries in developing critical peacebuilding priorities and strategies. It is also key in national programmes on security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. United Nations police are mastering their wide-ranging and complex tasks with commitment and professionalism. They need our support and appreciation. Our initiative to establish a group of friends aims at fostering political support for the United Nations police. We want to strengthen the capacity and the impact of United Nations police. Such a group should include all main stakeholders involved in United Nations police missions and facilitate the informal exchange of ideas. It shall create a sense of common purpose and be a place to launch concrete initiatives.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“At the same time, we believe that an increased use of modern equipment and technologies is necessary to improve the operational effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. My country aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce before the Council an initiative that Germany, together with a number of partners, has developed over recent years. If implemented, the initiative could make a substantial contribution to realizing truly multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping. I am talking about the creation of a group of friends of United Nations police. Sustainable peace can only be achieved through justice and security and by the re-establishing the rule of law.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“We welcome Pakistan's initiative to hold an open debate on United Nations peacekeeping and its multidimensional nature. International peace and security lie at the heart of the United Nations, and peacekeeping is surely the most visible instrument of the United Nations in that regard. It therefore deserves our constant attention. At the outset, I would like to reiterate Germany's longstanding support for United Nations peacekeeping. It is our goal to strengthen the United Nations system and the missions on the ground. It is in that spirit that we call for a fresh look on how to overcome current gaps and deficiencies. Close cohesion between mandates and required capacities is crucial for the success ofpeacekeeping missions.”
2013-01-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6903 (2013) · source
“While several countries appear to be graduating from fragility, there is room to maximize the impact of peacebuilding efforts by further developing our strategic approaches and bridging the gap between policies conceived in New York and their successful implementation on the ground. Germany has supported the Peacebuilding Fund with a new contribution of $6.5 million in 2012, thus bringing our combined contribution up to $25 million. My country stands ready to work to that end with countries emerging from conflict, the United Nations and all relevant stakeholders.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“The outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (resolution 66/288, annex) notes that countries in situations ofconflict need special attention in order to achieve sustainable development and that that requires good governance, including the rule of law and effective, transparent, accountable and democratic institutions. Any post-2015 process will also have to tackle the root causes of conflict. Germany therefore welcomes the Secretary-General's call on Member States to support the incorporation ofpeace and security considerations into the post-2015 development agenda. The PBC could facilitate constructive dialogue in that regard.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“It could therefore potentially serve as an ideal platform, a connecting tissue, to create stronger links between developments that have taken place outside of the United Nations, such as the activities of the World Bank and initiatives such as the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States, agreed on in Busan in 2011, and the United Nations peacebuilding agenda. Fourthly and lastly, with regard to peacebuilding and the post-2015 process, progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been slow in fragile and conflict-ridden countries.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“The PBC was designed to include members of various United Nations bodies, including from seven members of the Council, precisely for the reason that those members bring their political weight and experience from other bodies to the PBC's activities. The intergovernmental nature of the PBC needs to be much better used in order to support the countries on its agenda in achieving their peacebuilding priorities. Furthermore, the PBC Organizational Committee can take better advantage of its unique intergovernmental structure.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“Let me share with you the fact that the German Government yesterday adopted the first German national action plan to implement resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. It should intensify and better coordinate our national efforts to promote the role of women in peacebuilding. Thirdly, on the role of the Peacebuilding Commission, I would like to reiterate that the PBC must make better use of the political leverage of its individual members. PBC member States need to do better in assisting the PBC Chairpersons in their important work. Members of the PBC Organizational Committee and the PBC country configurations have a responsibility to help the PBC have a true impact on the ground.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“We take note of the as yet modest progress on the implementation of the Secretary-General's seven-point action plan on gender-responsive peacebuilding, bearing in mind that ensuring women's participation in peacebuilding is, first and foremost, the responsibility of national actors. It requires a sincere and long-term commitment to the full inclusion of women in international policy. We support the Secretary-General in his call on United Nations entities and Member States to take more systematic action to ensure women's participation in peace processes and to report to the Security Council on the concrete results of efforts to ensure that gender- relevant provisions are included in ceasefire and peace agreements.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“In that context, the United Nations civilian capacity initiative is a crucial tool in ensuring the transfer of knowledge on how to build institutions and how to train the people who will run those institutions. We welcome the establishment of the online platform CAPMATCH, which connects those seeking expertise with potential providers, fostering in particular South-South and triangular cooperation. Secondly, with regard to women's engagement in peacebuilding, each conflict is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, in all stages of the peacebuilding process, including negotiating peace agreements and introducing development programmes, we need a stronger role for women.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“Therefore, guaranteeing the active participation of women, supporting the establishment of a vibrant civil society or integrating former child soldiers into their local communities can equally be part of institution-building. Also, we must think in medium and long-term perspectives. We all know that building States from scratch takes decades, not years. We therefore strongly support the Secretary-General's call on Governments and their international partners to carefully pace, sequence and adjust institutional reform programmes, balancing long-term support for institution-building with a need to achieve early and tangible outcomes through the restoration of core Government functions or service delivery.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“That also requires a regular reassessment of the actual impact and effectiveness of our engagement on a post-conflict country's capacity to achieve its national peacebuilding goals. In that context, let me briefly highlight four points that seem of particular importance to us. First, with regard to institution- and capacity- building, we need to understand the term institution-building in a very broad sense. This is the approach my country adopts in its bilateral development cooperation. Institution-building, or rather State-building, is not only about constructing Government institutions and State capacity. It is about the whole social fabric of a society, about how a State interacts with its society.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“We share the analysis contained in the report of the Secretary-General (S/20l2/746) that progress has been achieved * in strengthening and expanding United Nations partnerships in the area of peacebuilding, including with international financial institutions; in launching the United Nations civilian capacities initiative; in improving coordination between United Nations missions and country teams on the ground; and in providing timely support during critical phases of transition through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, just to mention a few areas. However, much more needs to be done in order to deliver on commitments and to further enhance the impact on the ground. We need to continue to adapt our engagement in peacebuilding to changing and evolving circumstances in countries emerging from conflict.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“As we leave the Council, we will continue to serve the United Nations family as best as we can, based on the very same principles that have guided us in the past two years. We express our best wishes to the five new incoming members. With regard to peacebuilding, let me thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate and for preparing the draft presidential statemement, which we fully support. Let me also thank the Secretary- General and the Chairperson of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador Abulkalam Abdul Momen, respectively, for the insightful statement and briefing this morning. Germany aligns itself with the statement to be delivered later in this debate on behalf of the European Union.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“As this is most likely to be the last public meeting ofthe Security Council in which I will have the honour to speak as the representative of Germany in the course of our current membership in the Council, I would like to express my delegation's gratitude to you, Mr. President, and all the members of the Council for the excellent cooperation we have enjoyed during the past two years. Working with all the members has really been a gratifying and great experience. I also wish to express my delegation's sincere appreciation and thanks to the Security Council secretariat, to the team led by Movses Abelian and to all other staff members of the United Nations, without forgetting the interpreters, who have worked behind the scenes, for their professionalism and unwavering support during that period.”
2012-12-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6897 (2012) · source
“There are many essential and challenging tasks for UNAMA: to support preparations for the upcoming elections, to protect and promote gains in the human rights situation, particularly women's rights, and to support the Afghan Government in ensuring effective coordination between donors and the Government. Germany will therefore continue to lend its full support to UNAMA in implementing its mandate. I would like to conclude by taking this opportunity to cordially thank our Afghan colleagues, Ambassador Tanin and his team, for their trust and friendship over the past two years, during which my country had the honour to be a member of the Council and to hold the pen for this important dossier. Germany will continue to support Afghanistan and its people on the road towards Afghan-led security, stability and development.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“Germany looks forward to assuming its responsibilities as a member of those committees, which have already held their first meetings. Thirdly, a stable security environment, as we all know, is of paramount importance in achieving Afghans' goal of further developing into a democratic and economically thriving country. We therefore welcome the continuing and considerable reduction in security incidents in Afghanistan. Germany remains committed to supporting Afghanistan in its efforts to achieve stability, economic growth and development. The United Nations will continue to play a crucial role during the transformation decade to come.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“We encourage all relevant Afghan institutions to continue their efforts to prepare the elections in an effectively coordinated manner, working towards the common goal of conducting credible elections. UNAMA can assume a beneficial role in supporting the Government of Afghanistan in its preparations. We therefore welcome the decision taken by the Afghan authorities to request UNAMA's support for the 2014-2015 elections. Secondly, we welcome the leading role of the Government ofAfghanistan in enabling and establishing the structural framework for the implementation of the decisions taken at the Tokyo Conference. The political and technical steering committees, working under the umbrella of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, will be instrumental in further improving the effectiveness of development cooperation.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“They reaffirmed their mutual commitments to long-term security, stability and development in Afghanistan throughout the transformation decade. The challenge ahead is the swift and comprehensive implementation of the decisions taken at those conferences. I would like to touch upon three issues that are key in that regard. The first is elections. Conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential and provincial council elections in 2014 is pivotal in ensuring the legitimacy of the political transition. In that context, we welcome the Afghan Government's announcement that it will hold those elections simultaneously on 5 April 2014. Challenges remain, however, regarding voter registration and the legal framework.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source
“Let me, at the outset, thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Kubis for his comprehensive briefing. Let me also, shortly before leaving the Council, pay tribute to him personally and to the whole staff of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for their commitment and for the dedicated work that they are doing, in sometimes very difficult circumstances. I align myself with the European Union statement to be delivered later in this debate. This debate comes at the end of a crucial year for Afghanistan. Over the past 12 months, the Government of Afghanistan and the international community have engaged in a series of conferences held in Bonn, Chicago, Kabul and Tokyo.”
2012-12-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6896 (2012) · source