YouSaid · the spoken record

Zaayman

lines on the record: 91
first: 2015-05-27
most recent: 2018-08-29
sittings or episodes: 13
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 recognize the need for international assistance and cooperation, especially for States that may not have the requisite resources to give effect to their obligations. In our view, accomplishing the full implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) requires continuous and sustained efforts at the national, regional and international levels. At the national level, South Africa has over the years strengthened its implementation capacity through comprehensive national legislation focusing on WMDs and their means of delivery. Our domestic legislation is subject to continuous review, taking into account new technological developments and experiences in national implementation.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“The pursuit of nuclear disarmament is, therefore, not only a legal obligation, but also a moral and ethical imperative. It is in that context that my delegation welcomes the convening of the United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. My delegation would like to stress that the instrument being negotiated is not a proverbial silver bullet that can cure all ills. Its main purpose is to encourage progress towards the total elimination of all nuclear weapons by stigmatizing and delegitimizing such weapons on a global scale. We share the concern of the international community about the threat posed by non-State actors acquiring weapons of mass destruction and in this regard remain committed to the strengthening of transfer controls as called for in resolution 1540 (2004).”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“South Africa welcomes the convening of this open debate. Since the dawn of our democracy in 1994, South Africa has been steadfast in its commitment to multilateralism in addressing the peace and security challenges facing the global community, including the horizontal and vertical proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. South Africa reaffirms that no cause could ever justify the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction anywhere, by anyone or under any circumstances. Nuclear weapons remain the most indiscriminate and inhumane weapons ever to have been developed. Together with the vast majority of the international community, we believe that all efforts should consequently be made to ensure that those weapons are never used again, under any circumstances.”
2017-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7985Reprise1 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, the international community must continue to work towards a non-discriminatory and non-sexist global society in which all women and girls are treated as equal citizens. The end of discrimination against women will go a long way towards addressing the root causes of sexual violence. Finally, let us recognize that there cannot be peace without justice. Demanding accountability from all parties to a conflict, together with the fight against impunity, remains our prime responsibility. Let me end with a quotation from President Mandela delivered in 1997 at the National Men's March against Sexual Abuse: "As long as we take the view that these are problems for women alone to solve, we cannot expect to reverse the high incidence of rape and child abuse We will not defeat this scourge that affects each and every one of us".”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“As the Secretary- General's report indicates, that would also include dedicated and additional human and financial resources. South Africa therefore supports the proposal of the Secretary-General for the establishment of victims-assistance-support functions at United Nations Headquarters. Sixthly, we also believe that efforts to fight sexual violence in conflict need to take into account measures to ensure adequate information, fact-finding and proper documentation. Raising awareness of women's and girls' rights and of the existence of sexual violence against men and boys are equally important. In that regard, we support the proposals of the Secretary-General for the establishment of a system-wide consolidated repository of case information.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Fourthly, we also support the Secretary-General's call on the Security Council to give due consideration to theriskfactors andearly-warning signs of sexualviolence in its monitoring of conflict situations, especially in relation to periods of rising violent extremism, political instability, elections, civil strife and mass population movements. In that regard, the Security Council is also urged to work with the Secretary-General towards the development of a protocol for preventing sexual abuse as part of peacekeeping mandates, and for the General Assembly to include it in the budgets for high-risk peacekeeping operations. Fifthly, we call on the United Nations to intensify efforts to fight this scourge by enhancing prevention and swift responses to these crimes.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, we support the Secretary-General's recommendations that call for a mandatory component of predeployment training for all peacekeeping personnel on gender sensitivity, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse and addressing conflict-related sexual violence. That should also include better identification and response to indicators of trafficking in persons in areas affected by conflict, in line with resolution 2331 (2016). In that regard, South Africa established standby investigative teams with the capacity to deploy to a mission within 72 hours.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“The contribution of women to peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts is recognized as a contributing factor to the effectiveness and long-term success of United Nations deployments. Secondly, South Africa strongly supports the Secretary-General's initiatives in deploying women's protection advisers in United Nations missions. As the Secretary-General has recommended, the Security Council should ensure the accelerated deployment and provision of adequate funding for such advisers. That would facilitate the implementation of the resolutions on sexual violence in conflict, including the new monitoring requirements set forth in resolution 2331 (2016). Crucially, Member States should support the inclusion of such posts in the mandates and budgets of peacekeeping operations.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“We underscore the need to make full use of the instruments and tools created by the Security Council, including all ofthese resolutions, and wish to emphasize the following points. First, South Africa believes that a crucial aspect of ensuring that women are safeguarded from becoming victims of sexual violence and abuse is to increase the number of women peacekeepers deployed in peacekeeping missions. That would provide for a safer environment for women to report instances of sexual violence and abuse, as well as their concerns and overall perspectives about the security situation. It is against that background that South Africa continues to deploy more women peacekeepers in United Nations peacekeeping missions and urges other Member States to do the same.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“There is an agreement that the participation of women is essential to ensuring conflict resolution, inclusive reconciliation, peacebuilding and sustainable peace. In that regard, resolution 1325 (2000) and all subsequent resolutions provide the basis for a more focused and systemic response to the role of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. The Security Council has also adopted a number of resolutions dealing with sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism, including resolution 2106 (2013), which calls for those found to have committed acts of sexual violence to be held accountable to the fullest extent. Despite these laudable efforts, these atrocities continue unabated. Our discussions and debates, such as this one today, must result in continued meaningful action to protect the victims of such abuses.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“These acts of violence, when carried out in a systematic and widespread manner and as part of an attack against innocent populations, stress an armed conflict and become an enormous obstacle to its resolution and to building peace. Sexual abuse and discrimination are directly linked to gender inequality, poverty, exclusion and marginalization. Sexual violence is a deliberate and intolerable violation of the victim's human rights. When women and girls are preyed upon, abused and raped, the international community has a responsibility to speak out on their behalf and to act as their advocates and guardians. Over the years the international community has come to a deeper understanding of the unique impact that armed conflict has on women and children.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“I congratulate you, Mr. President, and the Uruguayan delegation on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of May and for organizing this open debate on the very important issue of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism. My delegation wishes to thank the Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, for her statement, and Mr. Adama Dieng and Ms. Mina Jaf for their briefings. We also welcome the report the Secretary-General (S/2017/249). In war and conflict, women and children continue to be the victims of deliberate attacks, including terrorist acts, and indiscriminate and excessive violence.”
2017-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7938 (2017) · source
“The African Union's Agenda 2063 development goals best articulate the demand that Africa has for water, as it states that, "Africa shall have equitable and sustainable use and management of water resources for socioeconomic development, regional cooperation and the environment."”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“For South Africa, as a constitutional, democratic State, inclusiveness and gender sensitivity have always been core principles of our national policy. Accelerating the empowerment of women in regional water management should therefore be viewed as critical, because women play an important part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. The pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and as guardians of the living environment is seldom reflected in institutional arrangements for the development and management of water resources. Water scarcity is a major threat to economic growth and stability around the world. Water is and will remain at the heart of international peace and security, the defence of human rights and the imperative for sustainable development paths.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“South Africa shares transboundary river basins with three other African countries. In that regard, achieving transboundary water security has assisted us and our neighbours in stimulating regional cooperation. Shared waters provide opportunities for cooperation and support political development on wider issues such as sustainable development and economic integration. The Southern African Development Community remains a prime example of such an approach, whereby the organization coordinates transboundary water cooperation on 15 basins across Southern Africa. We should also mention our strong belief that a country's water security is intrinsically linked to that of its neighbouring countries, and is the very cornerstone of regional integration and development.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“The Panel, convened at the initiative of the Secretary-General and the President of the World Bank, recently called for a fundamental shift in the way the world looks at water and issued an action plan for a new approach to water management that will help the world to achieve the SDGs. Furthermore, the World Economic Forum, in its Global Risks Report in January, has identified the scarcity of water as the number-one long-term risk globally. We should also work towards making the increase in competition for water become a catalyst for more intense cooperation and innovation rather than a source of conflict. Indeed, the challenges surrounding water can also be a path for dialogue, mediation and confidence-building between States. The work of the Department of Political Affairs in that regard is commended.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“That scenario is confirmed in the World Bank's recent report entitled High and Dry: Climate Change, Water and the Economy, which concludes that "in the next 35 years, water insecurity - made worse by climate change - could force migration, spark conflict and be a significant financial drag on regional governments". Coming from a continent where water security remains such a high priority, I wish to stress the strong relevance of this issue to Africa. There is no doubt that the international community must strengthen its focus on the preservation of water, including by combating climate change. President Jacob Zuma is a member of the United Nations and World Bank High- Level Panel on Water in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmen and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, on clean water and sanitation.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“In global terms, indications suggest that, at the current rate, the overuse of fresh water relative to its supply will severely slow economic development. The lack of clean water will be the cause of massive food shortages and compromise energy output within the next 15 to 20 years. Potential conflicts over water resources can pose an imminent threat to security, both globally and on the African continent, especially as people continue to seek better standards of living in the face of increasingly limited resources. That in turn will result in consequences such as greater flows of economic migrants seeking sustenance elsewhere.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“My delegation wishes to express its appreciation to Senegal for convening this important and timely debate on the important role played by water in the maintenance of international peace and security. Conflict has cascading effects and far-reaching implications for water security, which lead to negative impacts on political situations and on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The impact of water on conflict can be seen in Africa, particularly in those countries along the River Nile, as well as in the water-scarce parts of the Middle East. We therefore believe that water security must be one of the primary concerns that should be addressed in the aftermath of conflicts in order to restore livelihoods and revive economic and social development.”
2016-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7818 (2016) · source
“In conclusion, we wish to reiterate that the situation on the ground cannot be allowed to continue unchanged as it will continue to be an impediment to the peace, security, stability and development of the wider Middle East region. In our view, ending the occupation is in the interest of Israel and Palestine alike, and we would encourage all Member States to direct the parties towards attaining a lasting solution to the conflict.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The common message flowing from the participants at the Paris conference is that the time has come for the parties to resume negotiations with the full support of the international community, based on the existing international legal framework, and to work towards a two-State solution. South Africa recently co-hosted, in partnership with the United Nations, an international media seminar on peace in the Middle East. This seminar was held for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa and helped to heighten awareness of the situation in Palestine, we believe, in a balanced and objective manner. It also provided an opportunity for civil society and the media to contribute towards an atmosphere conducive to dialogue.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“In other cases, the Council has asserted the moral and legal weight of the United Nations and coerced action by the parties through threats and action under Chapter VII of the Charter.Surprisingly, in the case of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, responsibility for facilitating the peace process has been deferred to the Quartet with questionable results. My delegation has long held the view that there should be a broader international framework to assist the parties towards a negotiated settlement and in which the United Nations assumes the role of neutral arbiter. In this context, we welcome the French initiative.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The guidelines for those negotiations have to be based on the established international legal framework, which includes General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet road map, to name but a few. The Security Council must live up to its Charter obligations and play a more active role in resolving the conflict. Meetings of the Security Council like this open debate are important, but they need to be followed up with meaningful, concrete action, as the Council does in other cases on its agenda.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“The illegal blockade of Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian situation, which is both unacceptable and unsustainable. The Israeli occupation not only violates the collective and individual rights of the Palestinians, but also poses a threat to the security and very existence of Israel. South Africa reaffirms that the central responsibility for attaining peace is primarily in the hands of the Palestinians and the Israelis themselves. We, as part of the international community, should support and encourage the parties towards that endeavour. In that regard, dialogue and negotiation remain the only way forward to finding a lasting solution.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“He expressed South Africa's concern over the lack of progress in finding a durable solution to the Palestinian question and stressed the importance of the United Nations in carrying out its historic mission of ensuring that the issue is resolved once and for all. The Palestinian people have lived under Israeli occupation for almost half a century. The occupation remains untenable and threatens the two-State solution. The West Bank continues to experience heightened tension and sporadic acts of violence between Palestinians and Israelis, as we have seen in Jerusalem and Hebron recently. Illegal Israeli settlements continue unabated and have led to a fragmentation of the West Bank and continue to threaten the feasibility of a contiguous Palestinian State.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We join other Member States in expressing our appreciation to the Russian Federation for convening this open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. We trust that the debate will assist in mobilizing the international community, in particular the Security Council, to support the Palestinians and the Israelis in finding a lasting solution to the conflict. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered earlier by the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. A few weeks ago, President Jacob Zuma addressed the General Assembly during its general debate (see A/71/PV.9).”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“In that regard, my delegation wishes to emphasize the importance of focusing on the root causes of piracy, such as high levels of youth unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment, and the consequent need for strengthening development interventions, in line with the African Union Agenda 2063, which identifies the maritime economy as a major contributor to growth and development in Africa. South Africa strongly believes that it is urgent that the Security Council send a strong and unequivocal message to the end users of pirated goods. In that regard, it is also important to start exploring the nexus between the illicit pirate economy and formal global stakeholders, including in the area of hydrocarbons.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“In strengthening a meaningful partnership between Africa and the international community, we need substantial assistance from the international community and intensified engagement on the part of the United Nations in order to build on Africa's efforts to deal in an integrated manner with the problem of piracy on a basis of national and regional ownership. Recent experiences in the Gulf of Aden have shown how devastating the economic and security consequences to the international community can be if the challenge of piracy, including its root causes, is not addressed in a determined and collaborative manner.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“That is significant, given the fact that between them 38 African countries have a combined coastline of 26,000 nautical miles, that sea fishing contributes to the food security of 200 million Africans and that more than 90 per cent of Africa's trade is seaborne, highlighting the importance of addressing the threats that piracy and armed robbery at sea pose for the continent. My delegation wishes to recall the decision of the AU Assembly of January 2014, which stressed the need for strategic partnerships in support of initiatives aimed at implementing Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy. It allows for the vital role played by the international community in supporting national and regional mechanisms for dealing with maritime security challenges.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“It is important to take note of the adoption by the African Union (AU) in 2014 of the 2050 AU Integrated Maritime Strategy, which seeks to move Africa's maritime security practices and initiatives from a subregional level, as represented by the 2009 Djibouti Code of Conduct in East Africa, the 2013 Yaounde Declaration in West Africa and the Southern African Development Community's Maritime Security Strategy, to a continental level. It thus recognizes AU member States' common maritime challenges and opportunities and addresses threats that negatively affect social and economic development in African States in an integrated manner. It sees the challenges of maritime security as linked to development challenges and calls for a broad approach to addressing them.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“We commend the determination exhibited by the countries of the region, including through the planning of regional coordination centres designed to implement the integrated maritime security strategy adopted in 2013. We also commend the outcome of the extraordinary high-level meeting, held in February, of the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, aimed at facilitating the launch of the operations of the Interregional Coordination Centre as soon as possible.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for collaborating with Angola and Senegal in organizing today's open debate on piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, which my delegation views as an important and timely topic relevant to the development and security of Africa. Piracy and armed robbery have a negative impact on the social, economic and humanitarian situations in the States affected in the Gulf of Guinea. They also affect the hinterland and landlocked countries that depend on the sea for exports and imports. Piracy is estimated to result in an annual loss of $2 billion to the economy of the West African subregion.”
2016-04-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7675 (2016) · source
“On 15 March, Israel announced the appropriation of 579 acres of land in the occupied West Bank near Jericho, the largest seizure of West Bank land in recent years. The building of those settlements is not only contrary to international law, but it represents an obstacle to a two-State solution and peace. We sincerely hope that all Council members will uphold their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations and put an end to the illegal appropriation of land. South Africa stands ready to work with all parties and the broader international community, including members of the Security Council, to advocate for the immediate cessation of settlement activities by Israel in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“That agreement is timely, and we hope that it will de-escalate tensions and prevent violence, especially with Passover approaching. It is essential that the importance of those holy sites to a variety of major religious groups be respected equally by all parties. South Africa rejects the use of holy sites to incite violence. Because there is no progress on negotiations, including on the status of Jerusalem and its holy sites, it is imperative to maintain the so-called post-1967 status quo. Although far from ideal, we believe that those measures would contribute to limiting provocations and reducing violence. The Council's failure is clearly demonstrated by the continued expansion of the Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law. Israel's appropriation of land continues unabated.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Unfortunately, the situation on the ground in Palestine and Israel today has set back earlier gains, and should the parties agree to re-start the negotiations, they will have to focus again on basic elements of a peace aimed at creating an enabling environment for negotiations. We have consistently warned that the situation on the ground will change to such a degree that the future of a two-State solution will become more and more elusive. Unfortunately, we are perilously close to that scenario becoming a reality. Notwithstanding the grim picture, a small glimmer of hope remains. We noted that Israel and Jordan were able to reach an agreement on monitoring Israeli activity around the Temple Mount, or Al-Haram Al- Sharif.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“South Africa would like to thank you, Sir, for having convened this debate. We also join others in thanking the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his briefing. Unfortunately, the reports that we receive every month confirm that the situation in Palestine is deteriorating daily, while the international community, including the Security Council, remains unwilling or unable to deal with the matter. South Africa aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, and we wish to make the following additional comments. Let me start by reiterating South Africa's condemnation of all forms of violence, regardless of who the perpetrators are, and we again urge all parties to engage in dialogue.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“In South Africa, freedom of expression is very important because South Africans fought tirelessly and relentlessly to obtain such freedoms. With the advent of democracy in South Africa, we were able to develop a remarkable constitution that enshrines the freedom of the media and freedom of expression. The rights of journalists are fully protected by the law and that is displayed by the vibrancy of the media and the many media outlets that disseminate information to the general public on a daily basis without fear or favour.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“It is important to note that the Security Council has called for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and specifically addressed the protection ofjournalists. In resolution 1738 (2006), all attacks againstjournalists, media professionals and associated personnel in armed conflicts are condemned, and the resolution calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices. In that regard, we fully support the idea of reinforcing accountability measures, such as the strengthening of national judicial institutions, as well as ensuring that the Rome Statute addresses the challenges of today. As much as this issue has drawn international attention, more remains to be done by the judicial systems within States to combat the culture of impunity and holding perpetrators of attacks against journalists accountable for their actions.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“South Africa is fully committed to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and continues to support a normative and legal framework for enhancing such protection. My delegation is also mindful that attacks against journalists and the growing number of casualties among journalists could deter them from accepting assignments and exercising their right to seek and disseminate information, to the detriment of citizens to be informed of various conflict situations around the world. The dissemination of information is also critical to the work of important decision-making bodies, such as the Security Council, that are tasked with the primary responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security, as well as the wider international community.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“South Africa calls on all parties to an armed conflict to restrain from killing civilians, including journalists, in conflict situations and to ensure full respect and protection. We therefore would like to commend the presidency's initiative, as well as various efforts of the Secretary-General, to raise particular attention to the plight of j ournalists through underlining the importance of putting in place mechanisms that will further ensure their safety during periods of armed conflict. My delegation would like to reiterate its view that the protection of civilians, including journalists, from the scourge of armed conflict is at the core of the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source
“At the outset, let me congratulate you, Madam President, on convening this important and timely debate. We also extend our appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Jan Eliasson; the Director-General of Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Christophe Deloire; and Ms. Mariane Pearl, for their insightful briefings. This debate is particularly significant considering the increasing risks and threats to both journalists and media workers. In 2014 alone, reports indicate that 61 journalists were killed and 221 were imprisoned. Those are concerning trends, considering the obligations of all parties to an armed conflict to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law, as provided in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocols of 1977 and other international instruments.”
2015-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7450Resumption1 (2015) · source