The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has just arrived in Sana’a for a two-day visit.
He commended once again yesterday's unilateral release of detainees by Ansar Allah.
“Such initiatives help create a conducive environment and build confidence for the resumption of the peace process”, Mr. Griffiths said.
The Special Envoy hopes this will encourage parties to renew their commitments towards the exchange of prisoners and detainees in accordance with...
'Sign of hope' for long-suffering Syrians as new committee forms; Yemen prisoner release signals hope for Yemen; Assembly President closes formal Debate; Refugees evacuated from Libya to Rwanda; Multilingualism observed on World Day.
Following days of intensifying protests in Haiti, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday the UN was “concerned by reports of violence and arson” across the country.
Mr. President,
In one month, on 30 October 2019, I intend to convene 150 Syrian men and women for the launch of a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, credible, balanced and inclusive Constitutional Committee facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva.
I believe this should be a sign of hope for the long-suffering Syrian people. It comes after the agreement of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Negotiations Commission to a package deal of the nominees to the committee and a Terms of Reference and Core Rules of Procedure to guide its work.
I believe we should stop for a minute and take stock of the significance of this agreement. This is indeed the first concrete political agreement between the Government and the Opposition to begin to implement a key aspect of Security Council resolution 2254 – to set a schedule and process for a new constitution. It implies a clear acceptance of the other as an interlocutor. It commits their nominees to sit together in face-to-face dialogue and negotiation, while at the same time opening the space for civil society at the table. And it is also a shared promise to the Syrian people to try to agree under the auspices of the United Nations on new constitutional arrangements for Syria – a new social contract to help repair a broken country. This can be a door opener to a wider political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
Seizing this opportunity will not be easy. Syria remains in the gravest crisis, with violence and terrorism continuing, five international armies operating on its territory, appalling suffering and abuses, a deeply divided society, and a sense of despair among its people inside and outside the country. Trust and confidence is almost non-existent. The Constitutional Committee will really matter if it becomes a step along the difficult path out of this conflict and to a new Syria, and if its launch and work is accompanied by other steps to build trust and confidence among Syrians and between Syria and the international community.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General formally announced the agreement on 23 September. Allow me to join the Secretary-General in welcoming the progress made by the Government and the opposition. I particularly thank Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Moallem, and Syrian Negotiations Commission leader Hariri, for their engagement with me in a sustained dialogue to help bring this agreement about.
Like the Secretary-General, I am grateful to the wide range of Syrian women and men – including the Women’s Advisory Board, participants in the Civil Society Support Room, and Syrians from all parts of the country – who have offered their counsel and insight.
I join the Secretary-General in expressing my particular appreciation to the governments of Russia, Turkey and Iran for their support in the conclusion of this agreement.
I also join the Secretary-General in expressing my thanks for the support of the members of this Council including all five permanent members. And I join him in expressing appreciation to the Small Group for their support.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General transmitted the agreed Terms of Reference and Core Rules of Procedure of the Constitutional Committee via you to the Security Council – you all now have it as document S/2019/775.
The agreement is framed by key principles that must underpin any process and any settlement. These include respect for the United Nations charter, Security Council resolutions, Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, and the Syrian-led and owned nature of the process. The principles also include the objective of UN supervised elections envisaged in resolution 2254 based on a new constitution. They also recognize the need for a broader political process to implement resolution 2254.
The Constitutional Committee has a clear mandate: it shall, within the context of the UN-facilitated Geneva process, prepare and draft for popular approval a constitutional reform as a contribution to the political settlement in Syria and the implementation of resolution 2254. The constitutional reform shall, inter alia, embody in the constitution and constitutional practices of the country the letter and spirit of the 12 living intra-Syrian essential principles that emerged in the Geneva process and were affirmed in Sochi. The Committee may review the 2012 constitution including in the context of other Syrian constitutional experiences and amend the current constitution or draft a new constitution.
The constitutional reform adopted by the Constitutional Committee must be popularly approved and transposed into the national legal order -- by a means that will need to be agreed.
There is a clear, balanced and I believe workable structure. There will be two equal co-chairs from the government and opposition who proceed in consensus and exert the prerogatives necessary to ensure the Committee’s smooth functioning. There is small body of 45 – 15 government nominees, 15 opposition nominees, 15 from civil society – to prepare and draft proposals. And there is a large body of 150 – 50 government nominees, 50 opposition nominees, 50 from civil society – to discuss and adopt proposals.
The agreement promotes consensus within the committee where possible, but also specifies a decision-making threshold of 75%. All main components need to be on board for proposals to move forward. No one bloc can dictate the outcomes. And the incentive exists to reach out to the middle ground and across the divide.
The parties have agreed and committed to work expeditiously and continuously to produce results and continued progress, without foreign interference or external deadlines – and also without preconditions or insisting on agreement on one point before discussion can begin on another.
The parties have welcomed and embodied in the agreement the facilitation role of the United Nations – including using good offices, and reporting to this Council on progress. Both parties have told me that they have confidence in the United Nations and want to work with us in a sustained and constructive manner. We will do everything we can to meet their expectations.
Mr President,
The names of the 150 members will be released by the United Nations once all nominees have formally confirmed their participation. But let me say a word about them.
Beyond the government and opposition nominees, the middle third comprises 50 civil society actors. They hail from different religious, ethnic and geographical backgrounds, hold a range of political leanings, and include respected experts. Some live inside Syria; others are based outside Syria. Facilitating agreement on this list has been the most complex part of the deal. Ensuring sufficient credibility, balance and inclusivity -- in a manner that keeps all on board -- has been a key priority for us. The result is a negotiated compromise, and like all compromises, no one is completely satisfied.
We are proud that nearly half the civil society list are women, and that we have around 30% women in the overall 150. Any viable and sustainable peace process needs to have women, of all political persuasions, at the table – who represent over half its population and who, throughout the course of the conflict, have taken on an ever-more prominent role in their communities.
We have worked hard to secure guarantees -- and here I quote from the agreement -- that “members of the Constitutional Committee and their relatives or political and civil society organizations and entities of which they are part are not subject to threat or harassment or actions against person or property directly related to their work in the Constitutional Committee and to addressing and resolving any incidents and concerns should they arise.” These guarantees have been solemnly given and must be respected.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of Syrian experts and activists, men and women, on all sides, have done outstanding work, throughout the years of this conflict, developing ideas and proposals as basis for lasting peace. In doing this, they helped create a “public space” for democratic and civic debates – and we have actively supported and facilitated this, as have others. Not all of them could be on this Committee. But I am confident that they will continue to make their voices heard. I am equally confident that committee members understand their responsibilities towards all Syrians and their obligation to listen to and take on board the ideas of others. I will continue to consult widely and closely among Syrian civil society, including through the Civil Society Support Room and with the Women’s Advisory Board, and with all components of the Syrian society – including in the North-East of the country.
Above all let me stress: the future constitution of Syria belongs to the Syrian people and them alone. The United Nations will jealously guard the Syrian-owned and Syrian-led nature of the process. Syrians, not outsiders, will draft the constitution, and the Syrian people must popularly approve it. We will be there to facilitate the process in a manner that ensures its continuing credibility, balance and inclusivity, and to help when needed.
Mr. President.
Let me assure all of you and the Syrian people that I am fully aware that the constitutional committee alone cannot resolve the conflict. We must look squarely at the facts, and address the crisis more comprehensively in line with resolution 2254.
A humanitarian crisis continues in Idlib especially and in many other parts of Syria. Idlib is calmer today than it was last month. But violence continues. And there is an ever-present threat of Idlib, or other parts of Syria, being engulfed in all out conflict.
Meanwhile, terrorist groups, listed by this Council, continue to metastasize touching all Syrian communities. A solution is essential that does not endanger civilians – a solution to HTS and other extremist groups in Idlib, and to a resurgent ISIL elsewhere.
Violent confrontations between international players remain frequent – inside Syria and across its international borders. The specter of a broader regional conflagration still looms over the country. The country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence is not respected.
Steps on de-escalation, towards a nationwide ceasefire, are absolutely essential - because the violence and killing must stop, because there is no military solution, and because resolution 2254 tells us so. A ceasefire – with a shared international understanding of how to combat terrorism in a manner that protects civilians and upholds international law – is vital in its own right, and would help animate the political process.
Tens of thousands remain detained, abducted and missing; their families suffering from untold pain and daily challenges. I appeal for action on detainees, abductees and the missing – particularly the release of women and children. This would be a vital step. Now is the time, Mr. President. Now is the time for action on this.
Millions remain displaced, inside and outside Syria, many mired in hopelessness and fear. Meaningful steps will be required to create an environment for refugees and IDPs to return in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner.
Millions live in poverty, facing widespread commodity shortages and an economy that lies in tatters. Lawlessness and fragmentation abound, weakening the social fabric and prospects to build the rule of law and a culture of respect for human rights. This too must be our concern.
That is why, as we look towards the first meeting of the Committee, I urge all stakeholders – the Syrian parties and their backers – to think more broadly, more inclusively and with the ultimate objective of a country at peace. I appeal for them to seize upon the momentum that the Committee offers and take concrete actions, to build trust and confidence.
Language matters too. I hope that the Syrian parties and the international community can find the right words to clearly signal their good intentions - to each other and to the Syrian people - to open a new chapter and create new and better realities on the ground.
Ultimately, I hope that we can begin to build a positive dynamic. Step by step – by the Syrian parties, and also by international parties too -- we need to build the kind of safe, calm and neutral environment that could make Syrians feel that the political process can restore their country and respond to their aspirations.
This requires genuine international dialogue and cooperation in support of the Geneva process. Any concrete steps could be reciprocal, building trust between Syrians – and between Syria and the international community too. I know this will not be easy, but I sense among my key partners an honest understanding that it is indeed necessary. I will keep working on this.
Ultimately, the Syrian people must be able to participate in “free and fair elections under United Nations supervision” in line with resolution 2254, in which all Syrians, including those in the diaspora, are eligible to participate. Elections, held to the highest international standards, take a long time to prepare, and that is why I have already begun to think about how the United Nations could plan for this task, in dialogue, of course, with all Syrian parties.
Mr President,
Let me conclude with a simple request to this Council. I have greatly appreciated the excellent dialogue I have had with members of the Council, and I will need your support in the difficult work ahead.
I appeal to you to unite behind a revitalized effort by the United Nations with the parties to move forward the Geneva political process. I believe this moment is an opportunity for the Council to publicly support the process you have mandated in resolution 2254.
The road ahead will be long and difficult, but if the Council can unite, and keep united, behind the Syrian-led and owned process that the United Nations will seek to facilitate, I believe we can begin to make a real difference for the people of Syria, for the region, and for international peace and security.
Thank you, Mr President.
There is a “sign of hope for the long-suffering Syrian people” as a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, credible and inclusive Constitutional Committee is set to start deliberations next month, the United Nations Special Envoy for the country told the Security Council on Monday.
Hopes for a possible end to the war in Yemen grew slightly on Monday, following the news that nearly 300 detainees have been released as a gesture of goodwill by Houthi forces, pitted against the Government of Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the conduct of presidential elections in Afghanistan on 28 September and commended all Afghans “who exercised their democratic voice and upheld their right to vote, braving security concerns”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the conduct of presidential elections in Afghanistan on 28 September and commended all Afghans “who exercised their democratic voice and upheld their right to vote, braving security concerns”.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yemen on Saturday called on the United Nations and the wider international community to stand by his crisis-torn country as it struggled to cope with daily assaults and “terrorist aggression” at the hands of vicious, Iran-backed Houthi militias.
Organized criminal networks continue to pose a threat to Guinea-Bissau and undermine stability in the West African nation, Foreign Minister Suzi Barbosa said in her speech on Saturday to the UN General Assembly.
The Vice-President of Venezuela on Friday criticized administrations which have recognized National Assembly president Juan Guaidó as leader of the South American country.
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
New YorkGeneral Debate of the General Assembly kicks off During a Women, Peace and Leadership Symposium organized by the International Peace Institute on 25 September, DiCarlo said that the only way to overcome the lack of political will to implement the women, peace and security agenda was to nominate, appoint and elect more women to leadership positions and decision-making roles – in government, the UN, public institutions, the private sector and community life. Later that day, DiCarlo participated in the side-event on Somalia during which she welcomed the significant progress achieved in the country and reiterated the importance of inclusive dialogue between the Federal Government and Federal Member States of Somalia. The Group of Friends of Mediation held a Ministerial meeting on 26 September on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo said that she has made exploring the impact of digital technologies on peace and security issues one of the priorities of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She mentioned two recent DPPA initiatives in this regard: the Department is establishing an Innovation Cell to strengthen capacities for innovation, including the use of digital technologies, across our peace and security mandates; and DPPA recently co-published an online Toolkit of Digital Technologies and Mediation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The Toolkit, which will be continuously updated, assesses the opportunities and risks that digital technologies present for mediation. The same day, the Under-Secretary-General also attended a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC). The AHLC is the only forum where all parties to the Middle East Peace Process participate, including Israel and Palestine. DiCarlo stressed that initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Palestinians to develop their economy were encouraging but no substitute for establishing a legitimate political horizon that ends the occupation and establishes a negotiated two-state solution that meets the legitimate aspirations and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians. The Under-Secretary-General took part in the high-level event on Sudan on 27 September, convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reiterate the support of the international community for the priorities of the civilian-led government of Prime Minister Hamdak, and for sustainable peace and inclusive development throughout the country.
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LibyaSpecial Representative assesses prospects for peace
AfghanistanStrong commitment to credible elections
IraqHuman rights training for civil society and youth
“Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability” workshop held in Diyala
Colombia“Living together in peace“ |
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
While crediting the United Nations for preventing ‘World War III’, the Foreign Minister of Russia lamented to the General Assembly on Friday that the number of conflicts on the planet has not declined, nor has enmity weakened.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed. The injured 'blue helmet' later succumbed to his wounds, bringing the death toll to four.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed.
Hurricane Dorian, one of the most destructive Atlantic storms ever recorded, “is a generational tragedy” for The Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said on Friday.
Sudan is now on the long road to socio-economic recovery, following the establishment of a civilian-led government, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level meeting on Friday, at UN Headquarters in New York.
All key actors in Afghanistan must “uphold their responsibility to support a peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement on Friday, the day before presidential elections are due to be held in the country, adding that “there is no place for violence, intimidation or fraud”.
The international community must join together to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the Foreign Minister of Israel told the UN General Assembly on Thursday evening.
Climate change is putting Pacific tuna fish stocks at risk, potentially creating an “economic Armageddon” for Nauru, President Lionel Aingimea warned the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
African countries are building increasingly strong partnerships for advancing peace and security, as well as inclusive sustainable development across the continent, the Security Council heard on Thursday, during a briefing by the UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
A short roundup of events and statements making the news at UN Headquarters on this Thursday, of General Assembly high level week.
With Africa at the centre of many global challenges, it is time for the continent to have a seat in the UN Security Council, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) told world leaders on Thursday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he called “arrogance and aggression” by the Israeli Government and called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he called “arrogance and aggression” by the Israeli Government and called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Progress made in reducing the danger posed by nuclear arsenals has not only come to a halt, “it is going in reverse”, and any use of a nuclear weapon in the future would ignite “a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The past 45 years of “unacceptable status quo” has prevented lasting peace and stability in Cyprus, President Nicos Anastasiades told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.
Minister Haavisto (Finland)
Minister Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great pleasure to join you today for the 10th ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation.
Over the last decade the Group has led the way in promoting the use of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. Allow me to recognize the leadership role played by Finland and Turkey, as co-chairs of the Group.
Looking forward to the next decade, I welcome the choice of today’s theme: “New technologies for peace and mediation as tools for inclusion.” While mediation remains a human intensive endeavour, we must also recognize that more and more significant political discourse happens online, with implications for how conflicts start, evolve and end.
Consequently, I have made exploring the impact of digital technologies on peace and security issues one of the priorities of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Our efforts are in line with the Secretary-General’s system-wide initiative to harness the use of new technologies to further the objectives and administration of the United Nations.
In our Department, we are establishing an Innovation Cell to strengthen capacities for innovation, including the use of digital technologies, across our peace and security mandates. We have also recently co-published an online Toolkit of Digital Technologies and Mediation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The Toolkit, which will be continuously updated, assesses the opportunities and risks that digital technologies present for mediation.
Excellencies,
Inclusivity is one of the core principles of UN mediation. Inclusive processes produce greater legitimacy and ownership because they ensure that the needs of those who have suffered the consequences of conflict most directly, including women and youth, are addressed.
Inclusivity is also essential to addressing the growing fragmentation of today’s conflicts. We know that when peace processes are not inclusive, they often fail.
In this regard, digital technologies offer considerable opportunities to access a wider group of stakeholders beyond the main conflict parties. This is especially important in ensuring that the voices of people in hard-to-reach and conflict affected areas reach the negotiating table.
On the other hand, mediators need to seriously consider digital security, safety and reputational risks. On-line hate speech is a pervasive problem. Misinformation campaigns, bot nets and artificial intelligence can be used to “game” online inclusion efforts. We must also be careful to ensure that lack of access to information and communication technologies do not produce new patterns of exclusion.
Before I conclude, let me share a few examples that illustrate the potential of technology to promote inclusion.
During preparations for a National Conference Process (NCP) in Libya in 2018, the UN Mission developed an Arabic-language website that allowed Libyans to provide their insights on issues related to the future of the Libyan state.
Over a period of three months, 1,700 questionnaires were submitted and half a million comments were generated in an accompanying social media campaign.
We have developed a new Artificial Intelligence-powered platform to convene largescale digital focus groups to enhance our analysis of peace and security trends. This information can be used to enhance the work of our mediators and envoys in the field. In June 2019, we conducted the first pilot test of the platform.
During the past year we have used big data to assess opinions of average citizens regarding key political concerns including elections and peace processes. We have also used virtual reality and other technology to increase awareness of the work and challenges of special political missions, including before the Security Council members.
Excellencies
Digital technologies have clear potential to advance peace and security. But we must bear in mind the associated risks.
I very much look forward to today’s conversation and to any suggestions you might have to enhance the mediator’s toolbox through the strategic and secure use of technology.
Finally, allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal, which has helped fund our innovation efforts.
Thank you.
The second worst Ebola outbreak in history is “on the retreat” said the UN’s health agency chief on Wednesday, warning however that there is no room for complacency, with dozens of new cases each week still being recorded in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Humanitarian and development responses for Mali and Africa’s wider Sahel region “are falling short”, and support must be scaled up to ensure a hopeful future for its people, the Secretary-General told world leaders at a special high level meeting inside UN Headquarters on Wednesday.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic (CAR), addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual general debate, spotlighted “modest but sure” progress in implementing the landmark peace agreement signed by his Government and 14 armed groups on 6 February 2019.
“Liberia is a UN success story”, President George Manneh Weah told the annual United Nations high-level generalral debate in New York on Wednesday.
The Gulf region is “on the edge of collapse”, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told world leaders on Wednesday at the annual high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly, saying that “a single blunder can fuel a big fire”.
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the move to increase cooperation between the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday.
Amman, 25 September 2019 - The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths is saddened by the recent military activity that claimed once again the lives of scores of civilians, including children. “This is yet another heartbreaking event. ” Mr. Griffiths said.
The Special Envoy calls on all parties to seize the opportunity that lies ahead and to commit to it. “I urge all to take tangible and quick steps to reduce the violence, respect international humanitarian law and...
Advances in weaponry have made the world smaller, which means leaders are not only responsible for the fate of their citizens but of everyone else on the planet, the President of Ukraine told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
