I was a very young woman when Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island. It is a moment that sticks out in my memory as an example of fortitude and a triumph over adversity and injustice. After he had been unfairly imprisoned for 27 years, Madiba’s abiding and dignified commitment to justice qu…
We welcome this timely debate on mediation and the settlement of disputes. Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations defines mediation as a central function of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and security.
In 2009, the Security Council recognized the importance of mediation, to…
Children are among the most vulnerable individuals in need of protection from the effects of armed conflict. The recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/465) highlights the large increase in the number of violations compared with previous reporting cycles. Thus we continue to often fail to pr…
We welcome today’s first formal debate in the General Assembly on the responsibility to protect, and we align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Qatar on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect (see A/72/PV.99).
Despite the increasing number of o…
The fight against HIV/ AIDS is a showcase for the impact that the international community can have if we all join forces. However, it is also a reminder of how fragile progress can be if we fall back into complacency or waver in walking the last mile. It is therefore extremely important that the Gen…
On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Ms. María
Fernanda Espinosa Garcés on her election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-third session.
As the current Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of…
Protecting civilians in armed conflict is a universal obligation under international humanitarian law, not a policy decision by States. Targeting civilians, health-care providers, schools or other protected persons or facilities is a crime, irrespective of considerations of military necessity. Never…
Not too long ago, we believed that we had firmly transitioned into an era of the primacy of international law. That belief has been weakened in the recent past; however, our determination to make it so has not. Those who believe in the rule of law, as we do, are challenged to stand up for the primac…
I thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Escalations in different parts of the region and political paralysis in the Council make the participation of the entire membership in this debate particularly important.
The ongoing paralysis of the Security Counci…
The discussion on the work of the United Nations on peacebuilding and sustaining peace goes to the very core of the purpose of the Organization. We welcome the Secretary-General’s leadership in this regard.
The recognition that efforts to sustain peace are necessary not only once conflict has broke…
We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Canada on behalf of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security.
Eight resolutions adopted by the Council reflect the significant progress we have made in the area of women, peace and security. In resolution 1820 (2008),…
Allow me to make a few brief comments in addition to the statement of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group, which was delivered earlier by the representative of Switzerland.
At a time when the world faces so many challenges — from the crisis on the Korean peninsula to the crises of …
I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to discuss the situation of the Middle East in an open format. Developments in different parts of the region make it imperative that the broader membership can express itself on the action needed from the Security Council in order to meet the responsi…
Liechtenstein wishes to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this timely debate.
As the number of conflicts increase and their humanitarian consequences reach unprecedented dimensions, the world expects the United Nations to find better ways to prevent conflict and sustain peace. Today’s discus…
We welcome today’s discussion and its thematic focus and would
like to see it become a regular item on the agenda of the Council, with annual reporting by the Secretary- General. We would like to thank you, Sir, for ably coordinating the preparation of resolution 2388 (2017), adopted earlier today,…
Deteriorating humanitarian situations threaten regional and international stability. The possible atrocity crimes in Myanmar, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere demand unified action by the Security Council to provide peace, security and accountability. The Council, one of the principal organs of the United…
Given the breadth of its thematic activities and its responsiveness to human rights emergencies, as the report presented by the President of the Human Rights Council (A/72/53 and A/72/53/Add.1) illustrates, the Council is living up to its role as the central and permanent human rights body of the Or…
Liechtenstein aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict.
The children and armed conflict agenda is sadly particularly relevant today. The ongoing erosion of the respect for international humanitarian law has
a particular impact on c…
I would like to thank President Fernández de Gurmendi for her outstanding service to the cause of international criminal justice. This is the last time that she will present a report of the Court to the Assembly, and we will miss her.
The Rome Statute is nearing the twentieth anniversary of its ado…
We reiterate our strong support for the women and peace and security agenda. The adoption of eight resolutions on the topic by the Securit Council reflects the important progress we have made in this area. However, we are still very far from achieving the goals we set for ourselves, and have to tack…
