YouSaid · the spoken record

Wood

lines on the record: 630
first: 1994-05-05
most recent: 2023-12-21
sittings or episodes: 107
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

“The international community can do more to help vulnerable migrants by supporting the Secretary- General’s call for a holistic approach to address the root causes of irregular migration. We want to thank the members of the Council for their engagement on a resolution to extend Operation IRINI for another 12 months. We particularly appreciate the efforts of the penholders, Malta and France, in incorporating strong human rights language that stays within the scope of the resolution. We hope for Council consensus to renew this important part of our larger effort in the coming days.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“Operation IRINI is a key component of international efforts to alleviate the human tragedy of migrant deaths on the high seas. The people dying in the Mediterranean are often fleeing violence or extreme hardships in their own countries, only to be exploited by human traffickers and smugglers en route before finally losing their lives at sea. Migrants returning to Libya often face human rights abuses. Nearly half of the migrants and refugees in Libya are from sub-Saharan Africa, according to the latest Secretary-General’s report, which also notes an increasing number of migrant expulsions to neighbouring countries. We want to commend the attention the EU has given to ensuring Operation IRINI places a primary focus on the human rights of the migrants themselves. This challenge is bigger than just Operation IRINI.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“We believe prioritizing both access to international protection and humane border management measures are essential to address forced displacement and the challenges of irregular migration. We also look to regional, multilateral approaches to migration. We thank the European Union (EU) for its commitment, through the EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI to rescuing refugees and migrants on the high seas off Libya’s coast when there are reasonable grounds to suspect the vessels are being used for migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Smugglers routinely subject those they are transporting to sexual violence, extortion and beatings. They are transported in horrific conditions and, as the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2023/640) notes, tactics by smugglers remain largely unchanged.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“I would like to thank the directors of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for their briefings and for the work they and their teams do every day to protect migrants. Their commitment is noted, and we appreciate the role of the IOM and the High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure migrants and refugees are treated in accordance with international law. The United States remains deeply concerned about migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Libya and around the globe. Europe and the United States share many challenges related to irregular migration. We both share responsibilities for managing migration on our respective borders and a commitment to promote safe, orderly, humane and regular migration.”
2023-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9428 (2023) · source
“The members of the Security Council must continue to work together to press the Taliban to reverse its destructive course. Indeed, we must press the Taliban to engage in serious dialogue with the Afghan people to support their aspirations to put an end to human rights abuses and to allow assistance to reach those in need. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance our shared objectives in Afghanistan, including at the next United Nations-convened meeting of special envoys.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9423 (2023) · source
“Reports of macroeconomic stability notwithstanding, more than half of all Afghans live in poverty and about two thirds are in need of assistance. For our part, we will work with donors, multilateral development banks and other partners to support sustainable interventions that create livelihood opportunities, including for Afghan women. Thirdly, UNAMA’s report this month highlighted at least 800 instances of killing, unjust detention, physical abuse and ill treatment and disappearances carried out against former Government officials and members of Afghanistan’s national defence and security forces between August 2021 and June 2023. Those reported human rights abuses are unacceptable. UNAMA’s comprehensive mandate is vital to reporting on and monitoring human rights abuses, as well as to promoting women’s rights and empowerment.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9423 (2023) · source
“Secondly and more broadly, the Taliban have created an increasingly difficult operating environment for partners who are staying and delivering life-saving aid to the Afghan people. Any interference in or diversion of humanitarian aid is totally unacceptable. We continue to expect the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access and a flow of aid consistent with humanitarian principles. Now more than ever, the international community must rally together and increase pledges and support to the humanitarian response. The United States is committed to providing assistance to those most in need. Since August 2021 the United States has provided nearly $2 billion in humanitarian assistance, including nearly $969 million to the World Food Programme.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9423 (2023) · source
“Muslim-majority countries have spoken out against those decisions and the United States joins them in doing so here today. We urge the Taliban to roll back those restrictions and allow women and girls to have access to education, which would enable their full, equal and meaningful participation in society. Women are also essential actors in the distribution of aid. It is imperative that they be allowed to continue their critical work with NGOs and the United Nations. We are committed to providing assistance that prioritizes non-discrimination and the meaningful inclusion of women, with careful attention to ensuring the safety and security of female staff and the inclusion of women and girls as recipients of aid.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9423 (2023) · source
“I thank Special Representative Otunbayeva, Executive Director Bahous and Ms. Bennoune for their very informative briefings. I also thank the entire United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) team for their work and commitment to a stable, prosperous, inclusive and secure Afghanistan. I want to highlight three pressing topics in my remarks today — the current situation of women and girls, access for humanitarian assistance and ongoing human rights abuses. First, as we know, the Taliban have chosen to impose numerous edicts to prevent women from contributing fully to Afghan society. They have banned women from universities, closed secondary schools to girls and prevented Afghan women from working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations. Those restrictions are absolutely indefensible.”
2023-09-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9423 (2023) · source
“The people of South Sudan deserve to live without violence, feel safe and contribute to the betterment of their country. We reiterate our call on transitional leaders to expand the civic space and create conditions under which all political parties, civil society, internally displaced persons and South Sudanese citizens, including women, young people and the displaced, can be fully, equally and meaningfully included in the peace process that will shape South Sudan’s future. The United States remains committed to the cause of peace and to the people of South Sudan.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“We look forward to the 15 October release of the report of the Secretary-General, which will provide the United Nations assessment of the factors that have caused the delays in the implementation of the peace agreement. We also deplore the fact that sexual violence remains an ongoing issue that must be addressed. This reporting period highlighted 18 cases of conflict- related sexual violence, the victims of which included 12 women, eight girls and one man. The United States strongly condemns any form of gender-based violence. We call on the Government to take immediate steps to strengthen rule-of-law institutions and increase survivors’ access to services. In conclusion, the Transitional Government must seize this opportunity to give the South Sudanese people a hopeful future.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“Turning to the political transition, the United States remains disappointed with the lack of progress by the Transitional Government’s implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and the 2022 road map. With only 15 months remaining until the December 2024 elections, it is not clear that South Sudan will be prepared to hold elections under conditions consistent with President Kiir Mayardit’s commitments. An open political space for a genuine campaign free of intimidation and violence does not exist. The Transitional Government has failed to detail the budget revenue that it will dedicate to electoral administrative tasks, and needed legislation has not been adopted.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“The United States remains gravely concerned about the congestion and overcrowding in border towns such as Renk and in the IDP camps, as well as the lack of adequate shelter and medical aid for the displaced. In that regard, we strongly urge UNMISS, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity and humanitarian partners to strengthen their efforts to provide returnees and displaced persons with the sufficient shelter, food, medical and relocation services. We also urge the parties to continue to provide assistance and services to host communities and those less recently displaced to ensure a balanced approach that takes account of the needs of all groups.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“As we heard from our briefers today, the fighting in Sudan continues to have a severe impact on South Sudan’s resources, humanitarian needs, security and infrastructure, owing to the fact that more than a quarter of a million returnees and refugees are seeking refuge in border towns and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), including the UNMISS protection-of-civilians site. An additional 26,000 displaced South Sudanese have fled violence and food insecurity in Ethiopia’s refugee camps, further straining resources and food supplies. Rising tensions between new arrivals and residents are contributing to the violence, as evidenced by clashes at the Malakal protection-of-civilians site and IDP camps.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“I thank Special Representative Haysom and Ms. Wosornu for their comprehensive briefings today. I also thank Ms. Juan for her insights on South Sudan. The United States reaffirms its appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), including its peacekeeping troops and police and civilian staff, together with its humanitarian partners, who serve to protect civilians in South Sudan, deliver assistance and mitigate conflict in many volatile areas.”
2023-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9420 (2023) · source
“The cluster munitions that the United States is providing Ukraine are tested and designed to maximize effect and limit rates of failure. In contrast, since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia has employed high- failure-rate cluster munitions across the country.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“If Russia were concerned about reducing conflict and mitigating the potential diversion of illicit weapons, it would choose to end the war it started and withdraw its forces, rather than escalate with nuclear rhetoric, barrages of missiles, human rights abuses and war crimes, crimes against humanity and violation of various Security Council resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations. We once again renew our calls for Russia to end its war and to do so immediately. I would like to make a few points on cluster munitions. Let me be clear — when used appropriately against military targets, cluster munitions are an effective battleground tool for the defeat of dismounted infantry, including entrenched positions, and against lightly armoured mobile forces, which reflects the situation on the ground in Ukraine.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“Let me be clear — this support for Ukraine is being carried out responsibly. By helping Ukraine and neighbouring States account for and safeguard arms and ammunition during transfer, in storage and when deployed, by strengthening border management and security in Ukraine and neighbouring States and by building the capacity of relevant government agencies to deter, detect and interdict illicit trafficking of certain weapons, we are taking concrete steps to address threats posed by the potential diversion of weapons. In fact, as we work closely with Ukraine and other partners to ensure our military assistance is properly safeguarded and used appropriately by Ukraine in its self-defence, Russia remains at this stage the only known vector of diversion of advanced conventional weapons.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“The United states, along with other Member States, have called on the Secretary-General to authorize an investigation into the serious violations of resolution 2231 (2015). We are still waiting for a substantive response to that request. Moreover, Russia has refused to allow the examination of evidence of Iranian transfers of those uncrewed aerial vehicles and has instead worked actively to prevent an investigation by the Secretariat. Those acts only further demonstrate Russia’s continued attempts to undermine the credibility of the Council. The United States will continue to demonstrate its enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine’s self- defence, including through the provision of arms and equipment that enable Ukraine to defend its territory and protect its people from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“We also urge all Member States to remind Russia of its Security Council obligations and to remind Russia that any transfer of arms between the two countries would violate the United Nations arms embargo on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which Russia itself voted to adopt. Unfortunately, as we know, this is not the only time Russia has violated a Security Council resolution to procure arms. There is extensive documentation of Russia receiving hundreds of uncrewed aerial vehicles from Iran for use against Ukraine. The documentation includes recently downgraded information provided by the United States Defense Intelligence Agency and shared with the Council. Such transfers are violations of resolution 2231 (2015), and we know those weapons have been used in attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“By continuing that relationship, Russia would receive significant quantities and multiple types of munitions for the Russian military to use against Ukraine. Those potential deals could also include the provision of raw materials that would assist Russia’s defence industrial base. In tandem, any revenue that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea receives from such transfers could be channelled by Pyongyang to further develop its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes. We will continue to identify, expose and counter Russia’s attempts to acquire military equipment from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or any other State that is prepared to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease its efforts to transfer arms to Russia.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“Just recently, on 6 September, a Russian missile tore through the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, killing 17 people. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is the true and undeniable cause aggravating the crisis and undermining efforts to find a peaceful solution. After the United States exposed the November 2022 transfer of infantry rockets and missiles from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Russia’s Wagner Group, we have warned that Russia is actively seeking to acquire additional munitions, including through leader-level discussions, from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Security Council resolutions prohibit all Member States from procuring arms or related materiel from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“Russian officials seem to continue to think that they can distract us from the Kremlin’s actions undermining international peace and security, including through Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric; through its ongoing efforts to unlawfully procure arms from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in violation of the Council’s own resolutions; through procuring armed drones from Iran, used to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure; and through endangering cargo vessels in the Black Sea. However, Russia should disabuse itself of the illusion that we will be distracted from the darker reality we face; we will not be. We last met on this topic not even four weeks ago (see S/PV.9399). Since then, Russia’s daily rocket and drone attacks have continued to hit Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and kill innocent people.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“I thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her latest briefing on this issue today. Her leadership and the continuing efforts of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in the global effort to counter weapons diversion remain essential. This is the fifth meeting Russia has requested on this subject in six months. This latest request is yet a further signal — as though we needed it — of the depth of Russia’s cynicism and willingness to waste the Security Council’s time, attention and resources.”
2023-09-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9415 (2023) · source
“Russia continues to wage its war of conquest, sending wave after wave of bombs and missiles into Ukraine, wreaking death and destruction on civilians and civilian infrastructure, with members of Russia’s forces and other Russian officials committing unconscionable war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities and abuses. Ukraine’s fight is not only a fight for its own survival, but a fight in defence of the rules-based international order and its foundational principles. That is why it is imperative that we all stand unequivocally with Ukraine.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“We must all call out Russia’s egregious violations of international law for what they are: a stain on our collective history as an organ founded on maintaining world peace and an assault on our rules- based international order. The overwhelming majority of the Security Council has said that international conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. We agree. And Ukraine’s democratically elected President Zelenskyy has put forth a plan for a just and lasting peace based on Charter principles. But Russia has shown no interest in good faith dialogue to end the war, but just the opposite.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“The Ukrainian people are fighting to expel Russia’s forces from their territory. The vast majority of the world is united in support of Ukraine and the Charter. Last year, 143 countries voted in the General Assembly to condemn Russia’s purported annexation of Ukraine’s sovereign territory (see A/ES-11/PV.14). The United States will never recognize Russia’s claims to any of Ukraine’s territory. We condemn Russia’s continued occupation unequivocally, and we will continue to work with allies and partners to provide Ukraine with the military equipment it needs to defend itself. We urge all United Nations Member States to refrain from actions that serve to lend credibility to Russia’s sham elections on Ukraine’s sovereign territory.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“The outcome will of course be predetermined and manipulated. In fact, from media reports, we understand that Russian authorities already have established field polling stations, where Russia’s armed forces began conducting early voting as of 31August in front-line areas, and elsewhere, to manipulate and maximize the vote count. Essentially, Russia’s armed soldiers are providing so-called security to voters in an intimidating combination of bullets and ballots. The sham elections in no way represent a legitimate expression of the will of the people of Ukraine, who have consistently resisted and bravely fought Russia’s efforts to change Ukraine’s borders by force for nearly 19 months. The Potemkin elections are an affront to the principles enshrined in the Charter.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“The so-called elections in Russian occupied territories of Ukraine are taking place nearly one year after the Kremlin staged sham referendums and purported to annex Ukraine’s Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and more than nine years after Russia’s purported efforts to annex Crimea. The Kremlin uses the sham referendums and elections to try to lend a semblance of legitimacy to its attempts to unlawfully annex the sovereign territory of its neighbours. The Kremlin is rushing to fabricate electoral successes to hide its military losses in Ukraine from the Russian people. The Kremlin knows full well that its elections in Ukraine are a complete fraud. But some within the Russian Government are concerned about the perceived legitimacy and voter turnout for the elections in the occupied areas.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for his briefing. Albania, with the support of the United States, called for this meeting today because of the Russian Federation’s continued and flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations through its assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and violence against the Ukrainian people. On 31 August, Russia began holding sham elections in the areas of Ukraine that it occupies, coinciding with annual regional elections being held throughout Russia. The Kremlin hopes that the sham elections will demonstrate its control over the occupied territories, but they are nothing more than a propaganda stunt. That is not a new tactic.”
2023-09-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9414 (2023) · source
“The United States underlines the importance of the Secretariat and Member States continuing to work to improve the performance of peacekeeping operations. Improving peacekeeping performance is an integral part of the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping and Action for Peacekeeping Plus agenda, and resolution 2436 (2018) shows it is a priority for the Council as well. The Council must continue to seek accountability for underperformance in United Nations peacekeeping and do its part to ensure that missions have the support they need to succeed.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Environmental management is a cross-cutting issue that impacts peacekeeper safety and security, mission operations and the legacy that peacekeepers leave behind. More reliance on renewable energy and less reliance on diesel means fewer supply convoys which expose peacekeepers to attacks and lessens the flow of funding to conflict actors who control supply chains. The bottom line is this: greener peacekeeping leads to safer peacekeepers and safer and cleaner environments for host communities. To encourage greater support for those efforts, the United States will host a side event for the 2023 Accra peacekeeping ministerial to explore innovative partnerships with troop- and police-contributing countries to meet key United Nations environmental management goals.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“Misinformation and disinformation campaigns, such as those we have seen targeting the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, hinder missions’ abilities to protect civilians, investigate human rights violations and facilitate political dialogue. Misinformation and disinformation breed mistrust of the mission by local populations, which makes peacekeepers a target for violence. Peacekeeping missions must proactively shape public messaging to include factual information about a mission’s mandate in local languages on accessible media platforms. Host Governments must also increase their efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting United Nations missions.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing and his leadership on peacekeeping reform. In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of increasing threats of violence against United Nations peacekeepers. Just this past month in August, peacekeepers from the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus were physically assaulted in Pyla. Violence perpetrated against United Nations peacekeepers is unacceptable. We call on the Secretary-General and Member States, particularly host Governments, to do everything they can to promote the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers. One of the largest and growing threats to that safety is misinformation and disinformation.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9413 (2023) · source
“We will continue to press for progress both at the OPCW and in other relevant United Nations forums, while continuing to raise the issue here at the Security Council. We keep pushing on this issue because we remember the victims and survivors of the horrific attacks by the Al-Assad regime. We will continue to seek justice for the victims of the attacks and to remind our fellow Council members that it is our duty as members of the Council to do our part by remaining seized of this issue and demanding, at long last, real steps to end a serious chemical threat.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“We continue to be impressed by the rigour the OPCW brings to each of its investigative efforts, meticulously collecting and analysing evidence from a multitude of sources to reach irrefutable conclusions. That important work is necessary so that those responsible for the attacks can be held to account. There can be no impunity for the use of chemical weapons. Anything less would be turning a blind eye to a regime that has chosen to manufacture, stockpile and, even more horrifically, use chemical weapons repeatedly against its own people. The United States remains committed to holding to account those responsible for Syria’s repeated use of chemical weapons in violation of its obligations under resolution 2118 (2013) and the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“In that regard, I note with particular concern that for the second consecutive month, two permanent members of the Council have indicated that they will not even participate in our discussion of an issue of this seriousness. Despite Russia’s intransigence and Syria’s deceit, the United States continues and will continue to raise the issue in the Council. We will continue to call on Syria to comply with its CWC obligations and its obligations under resolution 2118 (2013). We will continue to seek briefings by the Under-Secretary-General on the status of those efforts, and we call on other Council members to do the same. Despite the efforts of Syria and Russia to impugn the credibility and professional work of the OPCW and distract us from the gravity of the issue, we commend the OPCW’s investigations of chemical weapons use in Syria.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“Moreover, the Al-Assad regime continues to deny OPCW personnel the unfettered access it is obligated to provide per the Council’s decision. The Al-Assad regime has displayed such obstruction for nearly a full decade, during which time the OPCW and, before Russia’s Security Council veto dissolved the body, the United Nations-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism had found the regime responsible for nine separate chemical weapons attacks against its own people that occurred following Syria’s accession to the CWC. With full knowledge of that duplicity, Russia continues to shield the Al-Assad regime from appropriate oversight by the Security Council, depriving the Council of its ability to promote international peace and security by holding Al-Assad to account for his despicable actions.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“In doing so, it accepted, as all signatory States parties, to be bound by the Convention’s obligations, including: first, never to produce, develop, acquire, stockpile or use chemical weapons; secondly, to submit timely, accurate and complete declarations of its chemical weapons and facilities; and thirdly, to cooperate with the OPCW in the exercise of all its functions and provide assistance to the OPCW Technical Secretariat. Yet, 10 years after it undertook those obligations by ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention, Syria continues to make false statements and flout the authority of the Security Council. Time and again, the OPCW has found that the regime’s declarations regarding its chemical weapons programme, as Director-General Arias succinctly puts it, still cannot be considered accurate and complete.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“I want to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today. I would also like to thank the teams at the Office for Disarmament Affairs and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the steadfast leadership and exceptional work they bring to this critical issue each day. Syria continues to flagrantly flout its obligations to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Syria continues to defy numerous Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2118 (2013). It has grown clear that the Al-Assad regime believes it can continue to operate with impunity, despite the objective and evidence-based record of its chemical weapons attacks. Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention in October 2013, a decade ago next month.”
2023-09-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9411 (2023) · source
“Finally, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Security Council Affairs Division, including its Director, Claudia Banz, and all of its staff. Having just served as the President of the Council in August, we were reminded of the essential role that the Security Council Affairs Division plays in making sure the Council’s work goes smoothly. From its preparations for the circulation of the formal documents of the Council to its assistance in preparing the President prior to each Council meeting and all its other unseen, unheralded and behind-the-scenes work, the Council could not function without the superb efforts of the Division.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“At the very last minute, without consulting at all with Council members, the Russian Federation put into blue a competing draft (draft resolution (S/2023/639)). Russia then brazenly vetoed the penholders’ draft resolution, which received 13 votes in favour. And Russia’s draft resolution received only one vote in favour: that of the Russian Federation. Therefore, in defiance of the Council’s usual working methods, Russia singlehandedly killed the Mali sanctions regime. Russia’s actions were in bad faith and disrespectful of all the other members of the Security Council. Russia’s approach to working methods in that manner undermines the unity of the Council, and we urge it to alter its behaviour so that the Council can work towards the fulfilment of its vital mandate.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“The United States supports the prior notes the Council has adopted on penholding, currently codified as part of note by the President S/2017/507, and continues to favour a flexible approach to penholding. We stand ready to continue discussions of penholding issues among Council members as we strive to improve the practice of penholding in the Council. I would like to make one final comment on an unfortunate practice by the Russian Federation, as exhibited most recently in draft resolution S/2023/638, on the Mali sanctions regime. The penholders painstakingly facilitated the negotiations of the draft resolution for a month with all Council members, and the discussions made clear how isolated Russia was in its demands. The penholders put into blue a well-crafted compromise proposal that had the overwhelming support of Council members.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“In our case, we worked collaboratively with Mexico during its Council tenure and then subsequently with Ecuador on the situation in Haiti. Most recently, in collaboration with Ecuador as co-penholder, we achieved the unanimous adoption of resolution 2692 (2023), on Haiti. Our successful co-penholding benefited the negotiation process and has produced excellent outcomes. The United States also worked together with Ireland as co-penholder on an important and innovative resolution establishing a humanitarian carveout across United Nations sanctions regimes (resolution 2664 (2022)). And we work closely with Albania on draft resolutions on Ukraine. We are also happy to see that the African members on the Council jointly co-penned an important press statement on the situation in the Niger.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“The Informal Working Group, under the Chair’s leadership, negotiated and adopted presidential note S/2023/615, deciding that the Member State that holds the rotating presidency in January would function as the Chair of all the subsidiary bodies if the impasse continued into January. That recent exercise shows that when the Council works in unison toward a common goal to address specific practical issues regarding its working methods, it can expeditiously take action. Regarding penholding, there have also been positive developments. In particular, there has been a welcome expansion of the practice of co-penholding, with increasing positive and valuable contributions by elected members of the Security Council.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“The United States expresses its deep appreciation to you, Mr. President, for ably chairing the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions with a smooth and deft guidance that has produced concrete results. In particular, we wish to congratulate you, Sir, on the recent adoption of two notes by the President (S/2023/612 and S/2023/615) that will improve the Council’s working methods. Significantly, the latter note came about because the Council was unable to reach a consensus decision on the appointment of the Chairs of subsidiary bodies by the end of last year. The result was that all those important bodies were unable to function for several weeks in January of this year.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“As this is the first meeting of the month, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your presidency and wish you a very productive September. And I also thank you for convening this important open debate. The United States welcomes this annual opportunity to hear the views of members of the United Nations about what aspects of the Security Council’s working methods serve us well and where there are areas for improvement. It is vitally important that the Council’s work, both substantive and procedural, serves the interests of all Member States. In carrying out its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, as provided for in Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council is acting on behalf of all Members of the United Nations.”
2023-09-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9410 (2023) · source
“The draft resolution received 1 vote in favour, 1 against and 13 abstentions. The draft resolution has not been adopted, having failed to obtain the required number of votes. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution contained in document S/2023/639, submitted by the Russian Federation. In favour: Russian Federation Against: Japan Abstaining: Albania, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Ghana, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source
“Russia’s repeated refusals to engage in negotiations followed by its submission of an alternative text at the eleventh hour are egregious breaks in procedure that fail to respect the integrity and transparency essential to Council deliberations. It is for those reasons that the United States must oppose the Russian-drafted draft resolution. We urge others to do so as well for the sake of the Malian people. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. The representative of the Russian Federation has asked for the floor to make a further statement.”
2023-08-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9408 (2023) · source