Government statements at the UNGA72

Palestine: Sudan reiterates its steadfast position on the Palestinian issue and condemns all forms of attacks on religious sanctities in Palestine, particularly the Temple Mount. And affirms that the only way to achieve peace in the Middle East is through the implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy and the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative and the borders of the fourth of June 1967.

Yemen: My delegation also reiterates its firm, supportive and pro-constitutional stance in Yemen. And calls on various political components to engage in the political process and renounce fighting and distance themselves from the option of violence and return to legitimacy.

Syria: My delegation also reiterates its keenness to preserve the unity of the Syrian territory and supports all efforts to overcome the Syrian crisis and to emphasize the importance of a political solution in Syria and respect for the will of its people.

Libya: As for the situation in Libya, Sudan's position has always been consistent in the pursuit of the international community to ensure the success of all initiatives in order to achieve security and stability, especially the Skhirat Agreement, which is the cornerstone of the political solution in Libya. The Sudan affirms its respect for Libya, its security and the freedom and well-being of its people.

General reference: It is imperative that we finally consent to reform our organisation, to put it in a position to assume the missions it was created for, whether that is conflict prevention, promotion of peace, respecting human rights, or applying the right to self-determination.  

Focus country: Algeria is faithful to the cardinal principles of its foreign policy and which are the same as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations: respect for the independence and territorial integrity of States, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for the right to self-determination. Algeria intends to continue to actively assume its role on the basis of these principles and has always privileged political solutions in Syria and Yemen, as well as Mali and Libya.

Focus country: It is up to the Libyans to resolve their differences in an inclusive dialogue under the aegis of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the support of neighboring States and thus preserve their independence, their unity and their territorial integrity.

Focus country: My country can only deplore, once again, the inability of the international community to put an end to the occupation of Arab lands by Israel, and to reiterate its full support for the Palestinian people for the realization of its inalienable national rights and the creation of an independent state with El Qods as its capital.

2030 Agenda: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as the Addis Ababa Program for Financing of Development, are remarkable achievements that require the mobilization of all means for their implementation. We regard this as a formidable tool for the United Nations development system, that must be used more effectively, most notably in its role in supporting and assisting developing countries with their policies and national efforts.

Women’s rights: I would also like to emphasize, knowing that this theme is rightly dear to the United Nations, that my country has vigorously engaged in the promotion of women's rights and empowerment. The Algerian Constitution was amended in 2016, and its effects are already notable concerning the promotion of women and their empowerment, from rural areas, to local assemblies, to the two chambers of the Parliament and up to the highest level of responsibility of the State, which led Algeria to receive the 2016 Prize awarded by the African Union within the framework of the “decade on Human Rights”, in particular the Rights of Women, and again in 2017 an award for the promotion of women's rights.

Disarmament: “I am convinced that the pace of global development and the achievement of peace and security will be significantly accelerated if we appreciate the wisdom in redirecting resources from the current nuclear arms race to people-centered development. This will benefit mankind more than continuing the competition for superiority at our detriment. It will also facilitate the attainment of our desired twin goals of sustainable peace and development.”

Peace/Conflict Prevention: “Let me particularly commend the United Nations for its significant contribution to restoring peace, security, stability and economic reconstruction in my country. Sierra Leone, during our very trying times of war and its aftermath. I am happy to note that today. Sierra Leone is described by the United Nations through its Peace Building Commission as a proud storehouse of lessons for a seamless transition from war to peace, democracy and stability. These lessons have provided us with valuable and cost-effective tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflict prevention. We have always been more than ready and willing to share them with other countries in a similar plight, especially within our membership of the g7+ group of post-conflict countries who are striving to exit fragility and promote resilience.”

Conflict prevention: “Two years ago, this Assembly adopted the groundbreaking resolution 70/304 on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is Sierra Leone's firm belief that we must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, including heightened collaboration with each other, and among our regional organizations and actors, making use of experiences that have helped us achieve relative international peace and security. I am in that regard, heartened by the profound impetus of the preferential use of preventive diplomacy, as well as mediation efforts in the maintenance of international peace and security by the UN system. The good offices of the Secretary General, including the early warning system, and the international contact groups are important instruments in our pursuit to prevent conflict and must be further strengthened to effectively respond to any crisis situation. The effective utilization of Chapter VI of the Charter therefore remains the best option for this Organization in the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes.”

Conflict prevention: “Furthermore, the role of regional organizations in partnership with the United Nations must be further strengthened to ensure greater response at the regional level in implementing preventive measures such as early warning mechanisms. Regional organizations are usually better positioned to generate the necessary political will for conflict prevention within their regions. The role of the Peacebuilding Commission has been exemplary and the experience, expertise and knowledge that exist within its work in preventing countries from relapse should be tapped to prevent conflict from escalating into violence or war. In this regard, we encourage the sharing of the experiences gained and lessons learned by PBC country configurations.”

Conflict resolution: “We have learned from experience that for mediation efforts to be fruitful, they must embrace such measures as the timely cessation of hostilities, credible cease-fire agreements and the timely deployment of peacekeeping and/or observer missions to undertake and supervise disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.”

Gender Equality: “My Government has recorded significant milestones in the areas of gender equality and women's empowerment as well as in promoting youth employment and empowerment. We have established a more stable and regulatory environment for investment and wealth generation, which in the medium and long term will create employment opportunities for inclusive socio economic development of the youth, the disabled, and women.”

Nuclear weapons: The threat of nuclear escalation in Asia has never been so real and this threat cannot leave any leader indifferent.

Implementation:  Recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, Monaco continues to support collective action to promote peace and security.

Protection: We must, moreover, persevere resolutely in the fight against all forms of serious violence against human dignity and, in particular, to work for the improvement of the status of women, as discrimination and violence against women remain a reality.

SGVB: Monaco welcomes the SG’s courageous initiative, the Voluntary Pact between the United Nations and the Member States for the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse  in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance missions, and during missions which are meant to promote and protect human rights and, more broadly, during any activities where the Organization's contributes to Sustainable Development.

Gender/Women: Mauritania succeeded in facilitating an open political  debate between the majority and the opposition, in 2011, which resulted in key legislative and legislative reparation- among many- empowering women, alleviating the principles of citizenship, the general well, and eradicating the remnants of traditional social hierarchies

Gender/Women: The government enhanced the private sector and opened the door for the participation of women and youth, and this had a positive impact on reducing  the unemployment rates among the youth, and women received significant attention in these policies by adopting affirmative action for women, to pursue more justice between the sexes. The Mauritanian woman is present in all sectors and in sectors that were previously restricted for men as well as her leadership role in societal and political life.

Gender and empowerment: The Mauritanian government is pursuing empowering women to access regional and international organizations by nominating them to fill vacant positions, and it achieved remarkable success in achieving membership in important committees affiliated with the United Nations.

Palestine: The Palestinian issue has not been yet resolved, and Mauritania calls from this respectable podium on the United Nations to to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital according to the Arab Initiative, Madrid principles, and relevant international agreements.

Yemen: Mauritania is looking for resolving the Yemeni file, and it announces its support to constitutional legitimacy represented by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and is welcoming the efforts of the United Nations to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Libya: And in relations to the Libyan issue, we call for accelerating and moving forward with building state’s institutions and support the efforts to combating armed groups to bring back stability to a united and safe Libya.  

Multilateralism: And wherein we give a special priority to regional integration, and the four
borders with our neighbors become a gateway to friendship and good-neighborliness.

SDGs: Strategic objectives for further sustainable development goals are...safety and favorable living conditions of citizens.

Sustainable Peace: But all of us are united by the desire to preserve peace and agreement on our Earth, and for this it is necessary to ensure equal conditions and opportunities for development of each country, so that "no one was left behind", alone with his troubles and problems.

SDGs: Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris climate agreement and other arrangements global agenda should remain the main priority in the consolidated actions of the international community. Only together we can build peace, focused on cultural diversity; a world based on dialogue, not sanctions; peace, based on preventive measures and high a responsibility;a world where no one will be left behind.

Women: “Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a 'good life'. The gap between the world's rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide. Conflicts,within states, have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands.”

Palestine: “We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.”

General WPS: “Whether I look back to our past or look into the present and the future, women in my country hold high positions, which rightfully and naturally belong to them. The role of women is vital for the development and prosperity of the family, as well as the society as a whole. In postconflict environments, women are always the first to extend the hand of reconciliation. In times of great challenges and risks, we need the strength and natural ability of women to pursue peaceful solutions more than ever. Although we are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in implementing the provisions of the historic Security Council resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), we are also aware of the areas where it is possible and needed to do considerably more. We will certainly continue to invest additional efforts to strengthen and empower Bosnian-Herzegovinian women and girls in accordance with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.”

Women: “We appreciate the decisive role of women in all processes of recovery and rebuilding of societies destroyed by the wars, and we will especially promote and encourage the increase in their engagement.”

Syria: “We still witness, with unquestioning concern, the continued suffering of the Syrian people. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns every form of violence against the civilian population. Violence must stop. Each Syrian child, woman and man, and each Syrian refugee, must have its dignity of a human being restored, as well as the belief in the possibility of recovery and new life opportunities. We [...] will continue to call for a peaceful and political solution through negotiations, in the process the ownership of which can only be in the hands of the Syrian people, based on the Geneva Communique and with the assistance of the intemational community and the United Nations, led by the Special Envoy for Syria, whose unselfish efforts to continue the negotiations in Geneva are highly appreciated.”

Palestine: “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents the most serious unresolved problem in the Middle East, and current absence of any negotiations between the parties is disturbing. Both nations deserve better. [...] It is necessary to firmly recall the ultimate goal, and that is the existence of the two states, Israel and Palestine, and their peaceful coexistence next to each other, in safety and within recognized borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to believe that this goal can be achieved by both parties fulfilling their obligations, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the Madrid Principles and the Arab Peace Initiative.”

Conflict Prevention: “In Bosnia and Herzegovina, unfortunately, we know too much about the high price of wars. For us, preventive diplomacy is a tool that, when used at the right time, can help that wars are never repeated anywhere or to anyone. There are many reasons why, on a global level, the United Nations system must be at the heart of all activities using preventive measures to resolve the crises and prevent people from leaving their homes. Again, much of the responsibility for prevention lies with other levels. Within our communities, we must counter all the symptoms of trouble and conflicts. We must correct social injustice, reconcile what seems irreconcilable, persevere in compromise, strive for pluralistic and inclusive solutions, appreciate equally own and the rights of others, and constantly and continuously seek ways to find a common language. I believe that prevention and mediation, as well as conflict management techniques and conflict resolution in divided societies should be applied first within the respective region, with regional actors who generally better understand the opposing sides, their reasoning and their different views of the problem.”

Colombia: America and the world are happy because Colombia continues to successfully implement the peace agreement. In his recent visit, Pope Francis left a great message on the consolidation of this process, which is not only for Colombians, but for all: the need to accept the mistake committed, to correct, and to seek reconciliation.

Colombia: We cannot permit narcotraffickers to steal us of our peace that came at such a high cost in Central America and Colombia.

Syria/Iraq: Today, I make a respectful call to the member countries of the Security Council to strengthen the measures and decisions that promote the definitive peace in places like Syria and Iraq and at the same time strongly condemn irresponsible leaderships, like the one in North Korea, that try to destabilize the peaceful coexistence of the world.

Palestine: And that peace in the region can only be achieved through the complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital, the holy saints, on the borders of June 4, 1967.

Syria/Yemen/Libya: With regard to the situation in Syria, the position of Iraq is clear since the outbreak of the first spark of the crisis in 2011, which represents the call for a political solution instead of a military one, and Iraq adopts a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries...Iraq supports efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully to prevent the bloodshed of the Syrian people, and the preservation of its unity and territorial integrity. Iraq also supports a political solution to settle all problems and disputes in the Middle East, especially in Yemen and Libya

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear Weapons: “We condemn in the strongest terms the illegal actions of North Korean leaders and call on them to accept generous offers to return to the negotiating table. During the past weeks, we have at last seen a united Security Council act firmly but constructively; to push for dialogue and confidence-building measures while staying firm on strengthening sanctions in the face of continued provocation.”                                

Chemical weapons: “The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government against its own people was a blatant violation of international and humanitarian laws and demanded a firm response by the international community.”                 

Quotes/References to WPS:

Yemen: “Complex internal conflicts have led to displacement and suffering on a massive scale, with famine looming in many areas, including Yemen.”

General WPS: “Iceland knows first-hand the massive potential resting in gender equality. With UN Women as a key partner, Iceland is a dedicated proponent of women’s human rights (...) and continue to promote women’s participation in the peace and security agenda.”

Protection: “I  commend the Secretary-General for his commitment to gender equality within the UN and his determination in addressing the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and UN staff – a betrayal of the civilians under their care, and of the values of the UN.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “(North Korea) illegal nuclear and missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions. The security of millions of people is at risk as a result of North Korea's refusal to abide by international laws and norms (...) The Security Council has responded with tough new economic sanctions. It is crucial that all UN member states and especially the Permanent 5, who have a particular responsibility, strictly implement these sanctions to compel North Korea to abandon its illegal programs.”

Chemical weapons: “ The use of chemical weapons presents another serious threat to the rules based order. (...) Australia supports the work of the UN - and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - in identifying those who deployed these appalling illegal weapons.”  

Quotes/References to WPS:”

Peacekeeping:”The UN must focus on conflict prevention as that is more effective than dealing with the tragic consequences of conflict. UN management systems must be made more efficient and accountable.”

Participation: “There must be more women in senior positions.”

General WPS: “Empowering women and girls to reach their full potential lifts a country's productivity and underpins stability."

Protection: “The number of journalists and human rights defenders detained, abused or killed each year should be of grave concern to us all.”

Human Rights: “Similarly, we will promote strong, independent national rights institutions - to raise awareness of human rights, to address violations and to hold to account those responsible for abuses.”                 

Multilateralism: “Today, the number of transnational issues is ever-increasing and no country can resolve them single-handedly. For this reason, we should truly fulfill the spirit of the United Nations to find solutions to all the problems facing us.”

Sustainable Peace: “From 1993 onwards, Korea has continued to participate in peacekeeping operations. This year, as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, it is focusing on resolving the root causes of conflicts.”

Women and empowerment: “On top of this, my Administration has met the goal of filling 30 percent of the Cabinet with female ministers, thereby spearheading the efforts to realize gender equality, one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

SDG 16: “At the same time, I am entrusted with a responsibility to safeguard the people's rights to peace—to an undisturbed daily life—as a universal value.”

Sustainable Peace: “I believe peace when chosen willingly becomes sound and sustainable.”

Sustainable Peace: “We should all remind ourselves of what former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said: "Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."”

Multilateralism: “The spirit of the United Nations is to realize global peace through multilateral dialogue. The Korean Peninsula is where that spirit is most desperately needed.

Multilateralism: “The basic pillar of security in Northeast Asia and multilateralism should be wisely combined.”

Multilateralism/Sustainable Peace: “I believe that genuine peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia will begin when the foundation for a Northeast Asian economic community is solidified on one side and multilateral security cooperation is materialized on the other.”

Gender Equality: "The world has recognized the need to ensure the rights of women. However, there are still countries and societies, where women are not treated equally. In my country, more that 52% of the population are women. New changes in our Constitution protect the rights of women. New measures include the legislation that makes it mandatory that a minimum of 25% candidates at elections should be women."

Human Rights: "When I came into power having gone through nearly three decades of war, we were facing two main challenges. The first of them was the huge debt burden on the economy. We had to pay insupportable amounts for servicing our debt, emptying our coffers. The other was facing the allegations of wartime human rights violations by United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council...At the same time, as a government, we are paying serious attention to the aforementioned allegations and to find solutions to them as a matter of priority. Mainly, my government has performed well in terms of strengthening democracy and protecting human rights. I must mention here that the government will continue to ensure their progress in the future. My government is committed to work tirelessly to achieving reconciliation by fostering understanding among all ethnic and linguistic groups, while eliminating mutual suspicion and hatred in order to create a society where all can live freely and harmoniously."

Quotes/References to WPS:

“Under Good Governance, we have prioritized economic growth, increased Labor, the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality, with Gender Equality, with Macroeconomic Stability, with sovereignty, security and harmony with Mother Earth”

“Nicaragua has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of the most successful countries in Gender Equality, the safest country in Central America and one of the safest countries in Latin America, one of the three countries most secure for Investment and with a sustained economic growth of around 5% of GDP in the last five years.  We have achieved this success with a model of partnerships, dialogue and consensus under the leadership of our Government, with the Private Sector and Workers”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Militarism: The military response cannot be exclusive.

Disarmament: I invite different partners to support the action plan developed by the ECCAS and the CAEMC, as well as the demobilisation program for disarmament and reintegration.

Disarmament: Acting for peace also requires the elimination of weapons of mass destruction by applying the relevant international rules.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Sustainable Peace: Concerning peace, together with security, is necessary for the development of Africa, as well as my country, Gabon.

Women and empowerment: In the same context, I have initiated a program for equal chances that allows all Gabonese to have the same means on the way of personal and collective achievement. As well as the empowerment of women in the government agenda.

DRC: Likewise, it is desirable to leverage the embargo on weapons, exclusively for the legal and legitimate government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in order to restore security and authority across for the nation.

Syria, Iraq: These include the Islamic State, that accentuate the instability in Syria and Iraq.

Palestine: The question of Palestine, on the other hand, is a thorn in the foot of the international community.

Women/Violence: “And for far too many Indigenous women, life in Canada includes threats of violence so frequent and severe that Amnesty International has called it “a human rights crisis.””

SDGs: “Many will sound familiar to you, because they are closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – goals that apply to all of our countries, without exception.”

Gender-based violence, SDG #6: “Our efforts also include a stronger focus – in Indigenous communities, across Canada, and around the world – on SDG #5: combatting gender-based violence and giving women and girls equal opportunities to succeed.”

Women and empowerment: “We need women and girls to succeed because that’s how we grow stronger economies, and build stronger communities.”

Gender equality: “That is why our government will be moving forward shortly with legislation to ensure equal pay for work of equal value.”

Gender equality/Women and empowerment: At the international scale, we have reaffirmed Canada’s engagement in reducing poverty and inequity, putting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the heart of our development efforts.

Women and peace: We have adopted this approach because we know that supported women and girls leads to economic growth. And that peace and cooperation then take root.

Patriarchy: “To ignore the role of power in shaping our future, is to cede what little power you might have. If we are to achieve our ambitious goals for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable planet, then we will need to grapple with power as it actually exists in the world, including all of its inequities and perversities.

Israel/Palestine: “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the occupation of the Palestinian territories in 1967. This the only Arab cause that had been saturated with United Nations resolutions, international and regional initiatives, without ever being implemented, due to the intransigence of the Israeli occupying power, and its explicit and blatant refusal to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy.”

Syria: “It is regrettable that since the onset of the crisis in Syria, we have been facing horrifying facts and figures of the ongoing conflict, confirming that destruction Is the theme of the continuing conflict in Syria, the economic social and humanitarian Impact of which can neither be evaluated or calculated, but will unfortunately contribute to the loss of an entire generation of our brothers In Syria. [...] The pace of the political track is still slow, and since the issuance of the Communique of the first Geneva Conference, [...] we have witnessed six rounds of Syrian talks In Geneva [...] without achieving any progress; which requires that we intensify the efforts to bring together the parties to the conflict, to hold direct talks aimed at finding a peaceful settlement, in accordance with the provisions of Security Council resolution 2254, leading to the creation of a political reality, which would maintain the unity, independence and sovereignty of Syria, as well as realizing the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”

Yemen: “The sisterly Republic of Yemen has been experiencing a difficult phase in its history, since the coup by the Houthi militias and the followers of the former President against the legitimate authority, and the refusal of the rebels to implement the resolutions of the Security Council and international initiatives in order to reach a political settlement, the conflict continues to rage on. [...] We would like to reaffirm our full commitment to the unity of Yemen, and the respect of its sovereignty and independence, as well as rejecting any interference in its internal affairs, and asserting the support and backing of the constitutional legitimacy, while stressing that the political solution in Yemen should be based on the three agreed upon references, i.e. the Outcomes of the National Dialogue, the Initiative of the GOO countries and its Implementation Mechanism, as well as relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly, resolution 2216. [...] We reiterate our readiness to host our Yemeni brethren to sign on a final accord reached among them, and renew our support of the efforts of the United Nations, and of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, to reach a peaceful settlement to this crisis, thus ending the suffering of the Yemeni people who face dire humanitarian and economic conditions. [...] Kuwait also participated actively in the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, held in Geneva, on 25 April 2017, and pledged during that event to allocate the amount of $100 million. However, we still believe that the optimal solution to address these humanitarian conditions requires the restoration of peace and stability in Yemen, in a manner that would preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Nuclear Weapons: “The most pressing threat to international peace and security today is the accelerated nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea.”

Disarmament: “The crisis in the Korean peninsula underscores the urgency for all member states, guided by the spirit of enthroning a safer and more peaceful world, to ratify without delay the Treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, which will be open for signature here tomorrow.”

Syria: “I must also commend the UN's role in helping to settle thousands of  innocent civilians caught in the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Palestine/Israel: “For example, several UN Security Council Resolutions from 1967 on the Middle East crisis remain unimplemented. Meanwhile, the suffering of the Palestinian people and the blockade of Gaza continue.”

Yemen/Human Rights: “Additionally, we are now confronted by the desperate human rights and humanitarian situations in Yemen and most tragically in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “In all these crises, the primary victims are the people, the most vulnerable being women and children.”

UNSC Reform: “The UN’s political bodies must also better reflect today’s world. Nowhere is this more evident than with regard to the composition of the Security Council. The Security Council does not reflect the world that has evolved since the UN was established in 1945. Quite plainly, we would be hard pressed to find any entity – in the public or private sectors – that remains so untouched by the changes and realities in the world around it. [...] The need to increase the size of the Council is clear to see. [...] While the use or threat of the veto remains in place, the work of the Council is impeded and the UN can be paralysed in its response to the gravest crises facing the international community.”

The WPS Agenda, Participation: “I am pleased to note that Ireland is committed to doubling the number of women in our Defence Forces, with the aim also of increasing female participation in peacekeeping. As the Secretary General said at the Security Council this week, and as we know from the Women Peace and Security agenda, increased female participation leads to better decision making, improved situational awareness, a better focus on protection of civilians, and enhanced reporting of and accountability for sexual exploitation and abuse.”

General WPS/CSW: “Our policies and actions must reflect this, the inherent equality of humanity at the core of our multilateral system. In practice this means listening to and heeding the voices of women, the voices of young people, the voices of the marginalised. The Women Peace and Security agenda has had a hugely positive impact globally with the realisation that we can create more durable and sustainable peace by working to ensure that women play their rightful role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. Ireland will play our part, including as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women during the next two years.”

Conflict Prevention: “We all know that conflict prevention has the potential to save lives and to protect hard-won development gains - and that it comes at a lower financial cost than peacekeeping operations and post-conflict peacebuilding. We strongly support the Secretary-General's efforts to re-orient the international community's thinking toward crisis and conflict prevention. Flowing from our painstaking conflict resolution efforts on the island of Ireland, we seek to share our national experience in our work on conflict prevention, mediation and state-building. The huge growth in UN peacekeeping operations in the past decade tells us that, sadly, the scope for conflict prevention is broad. Of course, conflict prevention involves policy planning and engagement on the ground, all of which requires funding. We have very recently seen some reductions in peacekeeping operations and their associated costs. We might reasonably ask if a small part of these savings could be used to provide stable funding for the UN's conflict prevention work.”

Policy Coherence: “The Sustainable Development Goals remind us, we live in an interconnected world, each challenge affecting the other. African countries are particularly affected by global challenges, such as climate change, conflict and food insecurity, which can only be addressed in their African contexts in a spirit of effective global partnership. Such partnership requires understanding local perspectives anchored in local experience, in particular on how to tackle root causes.”

Syria/Yemen: “The conflicts in Syria and Yemen have caused untold suffering. Ireland has responded generously to these crises with almost €100 million in humanitarian aid but what the people of Syria and Yemen need most now is peace, to enable them to rebuild their lives. I urge all sides to the two conflicts to work for an end to violence, to engage in the search for peaceful political solutions under UN auspices and for accountability for crimes committed.”

Financing: “The scale and severity of humanitarian crises is one of the greatest challenges facing the international community. Ireland is committed to providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to international efforts to ease the plight of civilians caught in conflicts in South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Iraq to name but a few. As these large-scale crises dominate the headlines, Ireland is conscious of the many 'forgotten' and underfunded crises and the need to maintain a focus on ensuring that human suffering, wherever in the world it occurs, is not ignored.”

Israel/Palestine: “Ireland is committed to constructive and principled diplomatic action on the Middle East Peace Process. [...] Palestinians need an end to occupation, and Israelis need security. Continued construction of settlements undelÿmines the prospects for both. [...] Ireland is prepared to give all the support we can to achieving a Two State Solution.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Non-proliferation/Disarmament: “As a strong supporter of non-proliferation and disarmament in the field of weapons of mass destruction, Slovenia is committed to treaty-based nuclear disarmament and arms control.”

Disarmament: “We are of firm belief that we have to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons progressively through the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT).”

Quotes/References to WPS:

SDGs: “Two years ago we achieved a milestone in agreeing on our development roadmap. Together, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Paris Agreement provide a framework and a vision for a more sustainable future of our planet and prosperity for all.”

Gender equality/Women and empowerment: “Our main focus is given to the rights of children, to the support of gender equality and the empowerment of women as well as to the rights of older persons and in this context also the importance of the intergenerational collaboration.”

Gender-based violence: “More must also be done to mitigate harm to civilians, especially in the
context of armed conflicts, and to prevent ail forms of sexual violence.”

Gender-based violence: “We therefore underline the need for a zero tolerance policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Syria, Libya, Yemen, the DRC : “Years and years of horrific war in Syria, conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Mali, and dire situations like those in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to name just a few, continue to represent particular sources of concern.”

Sustainable Peace: “We must intensify our efforts to sustain peace everywhere, but most immediately in a wide range of fragile and conflict affected states.”

Conflict Prevention: “The UN can help to defuse latent conflicts. Whenever possible we should opt for diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “It explains why I signed yesterday on Samoa's behalf the "Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons". As a signatory to this historic treaty, we wanted to demonstrate unequivocally our aspiration to have a world without nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “The conventional narrative that the possession of nuclear weapons will act as deterrent to make the world a safer place to live, is not borne out by the current realities - otherwise the developments in the Korean peninsula would not have happened at ail. We firmly believe that possessing nuclear weapons and adding new nuclear powers only make our world less safe, less secure and less peaceful - hence the need to rid our world completely of ail nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons/Radiation: “The Pacific over the years continues to call for advancing the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. Issues such as radioactive contaminants in the Republic of the Marshall Islands are of great concern to RMI and the region.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Women: “A first ever United Nations human rights council expert group at Samoa's Invitation visited last month to carry out a fact-finding mission to assess the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and the protection and promotion of women's rights In the country.”

Conflict prevention: “Small as we are, Samoan police continue to serve side by side with officers from other countries in places that require the intervention of the United Nations.”

Sustainable Peace: “Our commitment is rooted in our firm belief in the role United Nations
peacekeeping plays in helping to eliminate the causes of conflict and in bringing about peace and stability.”

SDGs: “The need to accelerate global action and awareness on the SDGs still remains.”

SDGs: “This demonstrates the seriousness our region places on implementing the 17 SDGs and the importance of a regional approach to meeting these International commitments. We continue to count on the important role of the UN and our partners to support regional and national efforts for SDG implementation particularly the building of our capabilities.”

SDG5: The White Paper will give way to an Equality Law, which should be the key to eradicating the discriminatory situations that still persist in our society. All of this work is aligned in a clear way with objective number 5 (gender equality) and number 10 (the reduction of inequalities).

Human rights: For this reason as well, Andorra will continue to support the initiatives that look to limit veto power of the permanent members of the Security Council in cases of genocide or other serious human rights violations. To our understanding the political declaration that was approved two years ago by France and Mexico to suspend veto powers in case of mass atrocities is a good line to follow.

Sustainable Peace: “The countries of Latin America and Caribbean have declared the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.”

SDGs: “The Prime Minister of Barbados has clearly demonstrated the priority which Barbados accords to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. He has appointed a Permanent Secretary in his office with the mandate and special responsibility to lead the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the national level.”

Gender equality: “This is borne out in the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index and other indices focusing on transparency, corruption, gender balance and human rights inter alia.”

Women: “We pay special attention to the rights of the vulnerable, including children, women, and persons with disabilities.”

Women and empowerment: “We are pleased, therefore, to present the candidature of Her Honour Senator Kerryann Ifill for membership of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (GRPD), for the term 2019-2022. She is the youngest President of the Senate ever appointed in Barbados, the first female and the first person with a disability ever to hold that position.”

Conflict Prevention: “Reforming the architecture of peace and security is an absolute priority. Consolidating a culture of conflict prevention requires action across the board and an integrated vision of the three pillars of the United Nations system - peace, human rights and sustainable development - as well as closer institutional cooperation between the organs of the Charter, namely the Security Council and the General Assembly.”

Conflict Prevention/Peacekeeping: “Promoting peace and security goes hand in hand with promoting development. The two dimensions are complementary and strengthen each other. For this reason, diplomatic mediation efforts and peace operations in conflict zones also require humanitarian support, development cooperation and institutional capacity building for affected populations and States.”

Peacekeeping: “One of the clearest priorities of Portuguese foreign policy Is the participation in Peacekeeping Operations and Institution building within the framework of the United Nations.”

Peacekeeping: “ However, numerous disturbances still need to be overcome. Portugal strives to do its part. First, through participation in various Peacekeeping and Stabilization Operations, within the framework of the United Nations and the European Union. We have reinforced our presence, without ever restricting the use of our troops. In the multilateral missions in the Sahel and Central Africa region, namely MINUSMA in Mali and MINUSCA in the Central African Republic. Secondly, through cooperation with many African partners in promoting maritime security. In particular in the Gulf of Guinea, to combat piracy and trafficking in people, drugs and weapons, to protect international trade, as well as from a strategic point of view, both for Africa and Europe.”

Syria/Libya: “The unity and firmness of the international community, embodied in the United Nations, in defense of the law and in the promotion of security and stability, is what enables us to move towards a fairer international order, and to find the best answers to the serious crises we face today, from North Korean threats to the situation In Syria, from the instability in Libya to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and so many other sources of confrontation, security risk or humanitarian drama.”

Iraq: “We welcome the military successes achieved in Iraq over the past year.”

Syria: “I underline, in this context, the work of the Global Platform for Support to Syrian Students, an initiative of the former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio. This is to guarantee the access to higher education for those young Syrians who, because of the conflict in their country, have been deprived of this universal right. I invite all countries that have not yet done so to join the Platform and support the Rapid Response Mechanism for Higher Education.”

Palestine: The issue of peace in the Middle East is considered one of the most critical issues, despite what we are going through in the region, we will spare no effort in supporting the Palestinian people and their right in establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, we renew our support to finding a solution to the Palestinian Cause, and from here we ask the international community, especially the major countries to stand before their responsibility to the Cause.

Syria/Yemen: And my country is calling for accelerating the efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in our sister countries, Syria and Yemen, to push them away from the risk of disintegration and division as a result of the devastating conflict...

DRC: Morocco contributed about 60,000 soldiers to the UN peacekeeping forces, who participated in operations in six locations, in Angola, DRC, Somalia, côte d'ivoire, and the Central African Republic…

Palestine: the Palestinian cause is considered to be the first cause proposed to the United Nations since its foundation, but they haven’t found a solution yet, and there are no clear prospects around its future despite the strenuous efforts of the international community, especially the current American administration...

Libya: The Maghreb region is still  living through difficult times due to the lack of political and economic cooperation and fragility of the security situation in the context of the escalation in the Libya crisis and the increase in security threats...

Sustainable Peace: “The three pillars of reform, in distinct yet parallel and complementary processes will, if successful, provide us with a changed narrative as to the ability to prevent crises before they erupt; reinforcing and enhancing peacekeeping and peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and long-term development and growth.”

Gender: We have successfully achieved operational success, but they are strengthened by an emergency investment program, which we have recently adopted in order to reduce the vulnerability of populations, especially children and women.

Libya, DRC: We must remain aware in order to bring a successful conclusion to the conflicts or to end the crisis in Libya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.

Palestine: The question of Palestine continues to be a major concern. I would like to thank the organisation, in January of 2017, of the Paris conferences, that reiterated a solution for the two states, Israel and Palestine, that live side by side in peace within safe and secure international borders.

Yemen, Syria, Iraq: The efforts of the international community in Iraq, Syria and Yemen must intensify, or else there is the risk that this part of the world will suffer in chaos.

Human rights: However, in order for the United Nations to be more effective in this work, it’s necessary to strengthen its capacity for prevention, centered on the person, with promotion of development, and with respect to human rights.

Human rights: This is why we support the multilateral initiatives of prevention of the UN, which, together with efforts to achieve the eradication of terrorism, promote tolerance and respect for human rights.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: As solidarity states we have the obligation to protect and promote the humans  rights. However, women and girls suffer from sexual violence, exile, marginalization, discrimination, and, in extreme cases, abominable femicides. Mexico recognizes its obligation to redouble efforts to combat these practices and punish these crimes.

SDG5: A solidarity state is committed to the empowerment of women and girls. Gender equality is a prerequisite for achieving a world in which peace and development are truly sustainable, inclusive and lasting.

Colombia: Mexico will always be in favor of peace and peaceful settlement of disputes. Unfortunately, armed conflicts continue to arise that require involvement of the United Nations. Because of this, since 2014, Mexico has been participating in UN Peacekeeping Operations. The successful case of the Colombia Peace Agreement a significant example.

SDG5: “I cannot fail to mention the Sustainable Development Goals, whose priorities go directly to the core of what we have been expressing. Eradication of poverty and hunger; the promotion of social and economic development; the protection of the rights of all, gender equality and the empowerment of women; combating climate change; access to quality services and special attention to vulnerable groups. If achieved, as we believe, then we will be able to see a positive evolution of the living conditions of our nations, so let us all work to that end.”

Syria: It is also necessary for weapons to cease in Syria, where people live permanently under the threat of bombs that have destroyed the country and torn its social fabric, while claiming so many innocent lives.

Nigeria: “We underline the atrocities committed by Boko Haram group, among others, in our neighboring and sister country Nigeria, which has been leading to instability in the whole region and a severe slow-down to the implementation of sustainable development policies....”

Peacekeeping: “Furthermore, we must also strengthen, the international peacekeeping and peacebuilding mechanisms. Indonesia is honored, to have contributed in mediating conflicts, peacekeeping and peacebuilding beyond our borders.”

Peacekeeping: “In the last 60 years, we have contributed more than 38,000 personnel to 28 UN peacekeeping operations. We currently deploy more than 2,700 peacekeepers in 9 peacekeeping missions. And we are determined, to achieving 4,000 (four-thousand) personnel by 2019... including increasing female peacekeepers.”

Peacebuilding: “Beyond peacekeeping, Indonesia is an active member of the Peacebuilding Commission.”

Sustainable Peace: “We underline, that ensuring sustainable peace at global level, requires a global ‘culture of prevention’.”

Sustainable Peace: “Sustainable peace is not an end in itself. Decent life for all people, must be our global goal. There must be synergies, between sustaining peace and development Agenda. We must cultivate peace and stability, to work for us in achieving sustainable development.”

General WPS: “Indonesia always desires to always contribute to global partnership.... To global peace and security....”

Nuclear Weapons: My government is concerned by the menace to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. North Korea’s provocative missile program constitutes a violation of numerous Security Council resolutions, and represents a menace without precedent for security in the region and in the world. Vanuatu condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest series of missiles and joins the international community in urging the North Korean administration to put an end to its nuclear and missile development program.

Disarmament: My government reaffirms its engagement for the denuclearisation of the Pacific, and we welcome the Treaty adopted by the Conference for the negotiation of a binding legal instrument to ban nuclear arms. Vanuatu reaffirms its commitment to total nuclear disarmament.   

Focus countries: Vanuatu notes with deep concern the irrefutable link between the global migration crisis and the failure to respect the principles of responsibility for the protection and prevention of mass atrocity crimes in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and South Sudan, to only cite a few.

SDGs: My Government welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the repositioning of the United Nations development system in Agenda 2030. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the report highlights the need for coordination and accountability more robust at the heart of the UN system and to realign it to better respond to the efforts of countries to implement the transformative agenda 2030.

SDGs: Vanuatu is convinced that to end poverty, we must offer opportunities to all, notably women, offer access to education, nutrition and health. My government is committed to eliminate barriers that affect vulnerable groups disproportionately.

Gender Equality: We have successfully launched a national political plan on gender equality and protection of children in November 2016. Both take into account violence and discrimination against women and girls, as well as negligence, exploitation, abuse and violence towards children.

Human Rights/Gender Equality: I return to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm the belief in the fundamental rights of human beings, in the dignity and value of humans and in the equal rights of women and men, and nations, large and small.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Iran Treaty: We have to do everything to ease the tensions in the region. This also involves maintaining and rigorously implementing the nuclear agreement with Iran, which contributes to reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Nuclear proliferation: My country strongly condemned the acts of Pyongyang. The Security Council has just strengthened the sanctions regime, and the European Union will do the same. Only the determination and the firmness of the international community is of a nature to bring the regime to reason and, hopefully, back to the table of negotiations.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Implementation: In a context where crisis centers are multiplying and where tensions are mounting, multilateralism must prevail, ie cooperation, dialogue and the search for solutions within the multilateral framework

Implementation: Multilateralism is the foundation of United Nations. To challenge it would be to question the inspiration at the basis of the UN: the creation of an international order based on the rule of law and in the service of peace and freedom.

Implementation: We regret that in the past 12 months, we have witnessed abusive use of permanent members’ veto power.

Financing: The budgetary situation of the UN remains difficult, notably, but not only, due to the new American approach.

Israel/ Palestine: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a central concern. The total absence of credible solution could lead to a new eruption of violence, and nourishes fertile soil for hatred and terrorism. By continuing the extension of settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem East, the Israeli government is directly endangering the two-state solution, which is the only  fair solution and which allows for a lasting settlement of the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Syria: In Syria, all actors must realize that peace can not be overcome without the implementation of  comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition.

Iraq:  A united, stable and democratic  Iraq should guarantee the interest of all citizens. The differences that still exist between the federal government and the Kurdish regional government must be resolved by a peaceful and constructive dialogue leading to an agreed solution within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Protection: The right to human  dignity is also reflected in the respect for the physical integrity of girls and women. For the last decades, we have succeeded in reducing maternal mortality by half, but the access of girls and women to sexual and reproductive rights and health is now being challenged in some parts of the world.

Humanitarian action:  Luxemburg is a signatory of the "Grand Bargain", which works to give more flexibility, predictability and continuity in international humanitarian action.

Armed conflict: “Armed conflicts are nowadays greater in complexity, the actors involved are numerous and the weapon and tactics used are more sophisticated.”

Nuclear weapons: “Worse, the situation in South East Asia, a prolonged and recently exacerbated crisis sparked by the policy of a stubborn totalitarian and paranoid regime, has brought back the dreadful fear of nuclear confrontation.”

Gender: “They want to be treated with dignity, to know that their life matters, without distinction by gender, race, national or social origin, religious belief, political affiliation, property, birth or any other status.”

SDGs: “The pledge to leave no one behind is the central theme of the 2030 Agenda on SDG-s.”

Gender equality: “Albania is fully committed to protect and promote all human rights, in particular, women rights, which is another major battle for change that my Government is leading. I am proud to announce that for the first time in the Albanian history half of the members of my government are women. They bring leadership skills, strength of character, commitment to our European values, and special devotion in serving the Albanian people. Furthermore, women count for around 30% of the members of the Parliament and 45% in the public administration. These may sound just mere statistics; instead they are the reflection of a platform to ensure that the role of women to development and change is recognized, their rightful place in the society is secured and their voice is heard.”

Women and empowerment: “It is my deep belief that empowerment of women serves as a powerful drive for overall economic development and national prosperity.”

Sustainable Peace: “Let me end by highlighting the need for the UN to change in order to remain relevant, live up with its responsibilities, secure the promise of sustainable development, ensure human rights and guarantee peace and security for the future generations.”

SDG5: Belize proudly hosted the launch of the CARICOM First Ladies and Spouses of Prime Ministers Network in support of the Implementation of SDG 5 and the Every Caribbean Woman Every Caribbean Child Initiative.

Disarmament: Belize has long supported the United Nations in its role - we have supported its endeavors to forge new partnerships for development, to advance global health policies, to bring justice to victims of crimes against humanity, to protect the most vulnerable, and to control the spread of weapons of mass destruction including small arms and light weapons.

Syria/Yemen/Palestine: We see injustice continuing to shadow the people of Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Western Sahara, South Sudan, and North Korea.

Palestine: The Israeli-Arab conflict is still one of the longest conflicts that the region has witnessed in its recent history, with all its tragedies, pain, and human suffering. We do not see a reason for the continuation of this conflict, especially when there is an international consensus on a two-state solution that is based on international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.  

Yemen: The military operation in Yemen was not a choice and it wasn’t a spur of the moment, but it came after extensive political efforts that aim to protect the security and stability of Yemen, its national unity and its regional safety.

Qatar: The stand that the four countries  took against Qatar is asking Qatar clearly to abide by international principles and laws for combating terrorism and to live up to their commitment to the pledges they made in the Riyadh agreement in 2013, and the supplementary agreement in 2014.

Syria: The Syrian crisis is entering its sixth year, and the conflict is still ongoing, leaving hundreds of thousands of victims, and millions of displaced people and refugees. We see that the only way to end the crisis is through a political resolution based on Geneva 1 declaration and the UNSC Resolution 2254.

Gender/Women: And in this context, I would like to emphasize that Tunia made major strides since 2011 towards its transition to democracy and establishing the state’s laws and institutions, one of the most prominent steps was adopting a constitution that dedicates universal values to democracy and human rights principles and women’s rights and the position of the youth.  

Palestine: because the security and stability of the Arab region is essential for the security of the world, we are calling for finding an urgent political resolution to the issues in the region, and on that front is the Palestinian Cause, which needs a comprehensive and just solution, which is fair to the Palestinian people and puts a stop to their suffering and enables them to get back their  historic and legitimate rights, especially establishing a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Libya: We are reinstating our occupation with the Libyan issue, I renew Tunisia's commitment to stand by our Libyan brothers to push them to overcome their disagreements and accelerate finding a political and comprehensive resolution to the crisis in their country.

Syria: We also emphasize the importance of reaching a comprehensive and urgent resolution to the situation in Syria by pressing the various stakeholders to prioritize the interests of their country and move towards a decision that all parts agree on, which preserves the unity of Syria and its leadership and its end the tragic human suffering that Syrians are experiencing and limit the dangerous implications of the crisis on the regional and international levels.

Iraqi: As it relates to Iraq, we are applauding their recent achievement with cooperation with the International Coalition Against Daesh in important advancements in the field in their war against terrorism. And we are reiterating Tunisia's full solidarity with Iraq in its fight against this dangerous phenomenon.   

The African Union fully supports the approach of prevention, mediation, peaceful political solutions and peacebuilding as less costly than peacekeeping operations whose efficiency is questionable.

Disarmament: “Brazil expresses itself with the authority of a country that, while mastering nuclear technology, willingly gave up possessing nuclear weapons. Brazil pronounces itself with the authority of a country whose own Constitution prohibits the use of nuclear technology for non-peaceful purposes.” 

Israel/ Palestine: “As a friend of Palestinians and Israelis, Brazil continues to support the solution of two States living side by side in peace and security, within internationally recognised and mutually agreed borders.”

Syria: “Despite the de-escalation of recent months, the conflict still engenders dramatic humanitarian consequences. The solution we must pursue is essentially political - and can no longer be postponed.”

Libya/ Yemen: “Other wars cause intolerable suffering that goes beyond borders, such as in Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Mali and the Central African Republic.”

Colombia: “Colombia is ending a more than fifty-year-long conflict. Brazil will continue to be a resolute partner in this effort.” 

Conflict prevention: “Prevention is about diplomacy. It is about development.”

Disarmement: ‘North Korea openly threatens our world with nuclear weapons. Such a grave disrespect to human life cannot be tolerated. I strongly call on the North Korean regime to terminate its development of weapons of mass destruction and to return on the path of dialogue and building peace in the Korean Peninsula.”

Prevention: “We are witnesses of short-sighted interests built on spreading instability, undermining collective efforts to secure peace and security. The very core of the UN Charter for securing peaceful coexistence among nations is crippled in the name of the selfish pursue, egoism of the so-called spheres of influence. Which is a fancy phrase too often misused only to cover violations of international order and to justify disrespect for sovereignty.”

Nuclear weapons: “I once again, call upon all concerned nations to de-escalate the tensions and to commit to a path of peace. It is zambia's longstanding position that nuclear weapons are not a source of security but rather, the opposite is true”.

Reconstruction and PB: “Peace, security and the rule of law continue to be the basis for meaningful development of any society.”

General WPS: “As a member state, we note the role of the commonwealth in various subjects such as gender and youth matters, climate change, the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance, socio-economic development, and so on.”

Protection/ HR: “The commitment should not be limited to preventing conflict, but should go further to seek the protection of the victims of conflict, including the displaced persons. we all need to cooperate in providing for a conducive environment for them in respect of their human rights and their social development and wellbeing.”

Protection: “My government attaches great importance to the needs and welfare of all with a particular focus on women, children and youth.”

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: “The North Korean nuclear weapons programme is a threat to global peace and stability, and it must be stopped. The United Nations Security Council's co-operation on North Korea has been successful. It is important that unity prevails.”

NPT/nuclear weapons: “Nuclear weapons represent a severe threat to mankind. As long as nuclear weapons exist there is a risk of a catastrophe. The NPT remains the cornerstone of global non-proliferation and the foundation for nuclear disarmament.”

Nuclear weapons: “Finland's approach to nuclear disarmament is result-oriented and pragmatic. It is imperative that the countries possessing nuclear weapons are on board on any negotiations. I call on all nuclear weapon states and countries possessing these weapons to promptly take concrete actions in nuclear disarmament. It is important that the nuclear deal on Iran is honoured by all parties. I also welcome the recent talks on strategic stability between the United States and Russia. It is our hope that they will restart the arms control talks in Europe and globally.”

Gender: “Transparency, accountability, efficiency and gender balance should be the guiding principles of the UN System.”

Conflict Prevention: “Successful conflict prevention saves lives and financial resources. Finland continues to advocate the use of mediation in conflict resolution. Mediation efforts, when successful, prevent conflicts and decrease human suffering.”

Protection: “Those who are marginalized must be given a voice in peace processes. Women, children and
adolescents often pay the highest price in conflicts but they can also help to pave a way out of
the crisis.”

Participation: “Finland has contributed to the establishment of a Nordic network of women mediators. It aims at sustaining peace through the inclusive and meaningful participation of women in all phases of peace processes.”

SGBV: “Finnish police officers, including a specialized team on sexual and gender based violence in UNMISS, are now deployed in seven UN operations.”

Ukraine/Syria: “In wars, there are no winners. Yet the conflicts continue. In 2016,157 000 lives were lost in violent conflicts globally. There are almost 68 million refugees in the world today. The conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Ukraine are all examples of untold human suffering. But they are not the only ones.”

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Disarmament: “I am convinced that the pace of global development and the achievement of peace and security will be significantly accelerated if we appreciate the wisdom in redirecting resources from the current nuclear arms race to people-centered development. This will benefit mankind more than continuing the competition for superiority at our detriment. It will also facilitate the attainment of our desired twin goals of sustainable peace and development.”

Peace/Conflict Prevention: “Let me particularly commend the United Nations for its significant contribution to restoring peace, security, stability and economic reconstruction in my country. Sierra Leone, during our very trying times of war and its aftermath. I am happy to note that today. Sierra Leone is described by the United Nations through its Peace Building Commission as a proud storehouse of lessons for a seamless transition from war to peace, democracy and stability. These lessons have provided us with valuable and cost-effective tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflict prevention. We have always been more than ready and willing to share them with other countries in a similar plight, especially within our membership of the g7+ group of post-conflict countries who are striving to exit fragility and promote resilience.”

Conflict prevention: “Two years ago, this Assembly adopted the groundbreaking resolution 70/304 on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is Sierra Leone's firm belief that we must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, including heightened collaboration with each other, and among our regional organizations and actors, making use of experiences that have helped us achieve relative international peace and security. I am in that regard, heartened by the profound impetus of the preferential use of preventive diplomacy, as well as mediation efforts in the maintenance of international peace and security by the UN system. The good offices of the Secretary General, including the early warning system, and the international contact groups are important instruments in our pursuit to prevent conflict and must be further strengthened to effectively respond to any crisis situation. The effective utilization of Chapter VI of the Charter therefore remains the best option for this Organization in the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes.”

Conflict prevention: “Furthermore, the role of regional organizations in partnership with the United Nations must be further strengthened to ensure greater response at the regional level in implementing preventive measures such as early warning mechanisms. Regional organizations are usually better positioned to generate the necessary political will for conflict prevention within their regions. The role of the Peacebuilding Commission has been exemplary and the experience, expertise and knowledge that exist within its work in preventing countries from relapse should be tapped to prevent conflict from escalating into violence or war. In this regard, we encourage the sharing of the experiences gained and lessons learned by PBC country configurations.”

Conflict resolution: “We have learned from experience that for mediation efforts to be fruitful, they must embrace such measures as the timely cessation of hostilities, credible cease-fire agreements and the timely deployment of peacekeeping and/or observer missions to undertake and supervise disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.”

Gender Equality: “My Government has recorded significant milestones in the areas of gender equality and women's empowerment as well as in promoting youth employment and empowerment. We have established a more stable and regulatory environment for investment and wealth generation, which in the medium and long term will create employment opportunities for inclusive socio economic development of the youth, the disabled, and women.”

Human Security: “The policy aimed at serving people and their needs is founded on the notion of human dignity, which is an inherent feature of every human life.Talking about human-focused policy, a policy concentrated on the human need to live in peace and in decent conditions, we must think, first and foremost, about the need to defend human life.”

Conflict Prevention: “We fully identify ourselves with the priority treatment given to mediation and conflict prevention, as advocated by the Secretary-General. We are assisted in this respect by our conviction that preventive measures targeting the primary sources of problems, taken in the location concerned, shall produce the best, the quickest and the most tangible results.”

Militarisation: “For almost ten years in Georgia, and for the third year in Ukraine, have we been witnessing obvious violation of fundamental principles of UN Charter, including the principle of inviolability of borders, respect of sovereignty, renouncing the use of military force in resolution of disputes. In our view, absolute respect of international law lays down the foundation for a stable, foreseeable and peaceful setting of relations amongst states, and through it, the assurance of sustainable growth.”

SDG 5: “Only a multidimensional vision of development, especially a multidimensional vision of poverty, will allow us to understand the needs of populations, families and their members in terms of access to healthcare, social equality, gender equality, and address social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities, among other challenges of developing countries.”

Gender Equality: “Gender equality, Mr. President, remains an objective of the greatest importance for all countries. [...] Literature is extensive and political declarations are decisive by stressing the sensible democratic deficit and prejudices in terms of development derived from persistent patriarchal structures forged in former times, but remained perpetuated today because of the lack of education on rights and respect for democratic coexistence. [...] It is imperative to take concrete actions and make more women our peers fully at these important premises.

Participation: “My country has understood this commitment and embraces the proposals of the International Gender Champions which aim to reverse gender inequality within the United Nations and take specific actions in this 72nd Session to call upon these gender champions in order to promote gender balance within the delegations attending the General Debate during the high-level week of the General Assembly.”

Gender discrimination: “If I were to choose a single insulting and absurd example of this discrimination, the one that causes me the most indignation is that the average woman's salary is 25% lower the average man's for the same job.”

Care work: “Care is also an economic activity which contribution should be reflected in the country's productivity. Men should have a shared responsibility of fulfilling this labour and private companies as well as public institutions must facilitate it.”

Justice: “Laws causing and perpetuating discrimination must be amended and those encouraging equality must be enacted.”

Human Rights: “Our determination is to achieve women's incorporation in paid work, with measures that eradicate division based on sex in the workplace and facilitate economic autonomy and high quality of life as necessary conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights.”

Women’s power: “[The women of the world] are powerful enough to move ahead despite the rigid and rude patriarchal heritage that tends to not acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments and that fills with doubts and dangers your road towards your full autonomy. You are an example for others: your internal strength leads you to break the chains of oppression, rise above tearing migrations and forced displacement, free entire communities for unexpected forms of slavery. [...] You are masters of resilience, since you have learned how to deal with the wrong people and painful moments. [...] Today is a good day to look ourselves in the mirror, start to create truly equal relations, and take this long night to its end.”

Disarmament: “Sixty nine years ago Costa Rica decided to change weapons and soldiers for notebooks and teachers. 69 years ago Costa Rica decided to believe, strengthen, and promote International Law as the civilized way to resolve their differences with others and today, 69 years later, Costa Rica continues believing in this way.”

Gender Equality: “One of the most prominent guarantees for empathic. Inclusive development, for democracy and the rule of law is to mainstream gender equality into all areas of life. It is proven that equitable treatment of women and men has a multiplier effect in eradicating poverty. Estonian welfare development plan for 2016-2023 covers policy areas from employment and social inclusion to equal opportunities in applying one's talent in all walks of life. Our goal is balanced participation of women and men in all levels of decision-making and management - both in public and private sectors.”

Women’s Participation: “It is important not to forget about gender balance In conflict situations either. Engagement of women already in the early stages of prevention, resolving crises, and building peace reduces the probability of relapses to violent conflict. Therefore, we need to encourage women's participation in peace processes and acknowledge them as actors of change with great potential. And we must never tire in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1325 and related resolutions on women, peace and security on every level. The adoption of the Peace Building Commission's gender strategy last year is a worthy milepost on this road.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “For women to fully enjoy their role in the society it is crucial to eliminate gender based violence. We should ensure that survivors are treated with dignity and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. Estonia continues to support actions addressing gender based violence and reproductive health needs of most vulnerable women and adolescent girls, for example via UNFRA in Ukraine 2017, and by supporting #shedecides initiative.”

Peacebuilding: “There are too many states in the world which suffer from unresolved conflicts. These are states which could take care of their own population and contribute at the global scene, if we were quicker to manage the conflicts which are holding them back or, worse, threatening to tear them apart.”

Syria: “The world has lost half a million people in Syria. Estonia supports the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, established in December 2016, to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.”

Yemen/Nigeria: “We cannot overlook the escalating sufferings of the people of Yemen or ignore the fate of the Rohingya people. We need to put more effort into humanitarian action to tackle hunger, diseases and epidemics looming in the country. Our common efforts in fighting famine and hunger are also crucial in South-Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.”

Multilateralism: “We welcome the emphasis on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, creating societies resilient to vulnerabilities.”

General WPS: “Whether I look back to our past or look into the present and the future, women in my country hold high positions, which rightfully and naturally belong to them. The role of women is vital for the development and prosperity of the family, as well as the society as a whole. In postconflict environments, women are always the first to extend the hand of reconciliation. In times of great challenges and risks, we need the strength and natural ability of women to pursue peaceful solutions more than ever. Although we are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in implementing the provisions of the historic Security Council resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), we are also aware of the areas where it is possible and needed to do considerably more. We will certainly continue to invest additional efforts to strengthen and empower Bosnian-Herzegovinian women and girls in accordance with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.”

Women: “We appreciate the decisive role of women in all processes of recovery and rebuilding of societies destroyed by the wars, and we will especially promote and encourage the increase in their engagement.”

Syria: “We still witness, with unquestioning concern, the continued suffering of the Syrian people. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns every form of violence against the civilian population. Violence must stop. Each Syrian child, woman and man, and each Syrian refugee, must have its dignity of a human being restored, as well as the belief in the possibility of recovery and new life opportunities. We [...] will continue to call for a peaceful and political solution through negotiations, in the process the ownership of which can only be in the hands of the Syrian people, based on the Geneva Communique and with the assistance of the intemational community and the United Nations, led by the Special Envoy for Syria, whose unselfish efforts to continue the negotiations in Geneva are highly appreciated.”

Palestine: “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents the most serious unresolved problem in the Middle East, and current absence of any negotiations between the parties is disturbing. Both nations deserve better. [...] It is necessary to firmly recall the ultimate goal, and that is the existence of the two states, Israel and Palestine, and their peaceful coexistence next to each other, in safety and within recognized borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to believe that this goal can be achieved by both parties fulfilling their obligations, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the Madrid Principles and the Arab Peace Initiative.”

Conflict Prevention: “In Bosnia and Herzegovina, unfortunately, we know too much about the high price of wars. For us, preventive diplomacy is a tool that, when used at the right time, can help that wars are never repeated anywhere or to anyone. There are many reasons why, on a global level, the United Nations system must be at the heart of all activities using preventive measures to resolve the crises and prevent people from leaving their homes. Again, much of the responsibility for prevention lies with other levels. Within our communities, we must counter all the symptoms of trouble and conflicts. We must correct social injustice, reconcile what seems irreconcilable, persevere in compromise, strive for pluralistic and inclusive solutions, appreciate equally own and the rights of others, and constantly and continuously seek ways to find a common language. I believe that prevention and mediation, as well as conflict management techniques and conflict resolution in divided societies should be applied first within the respective region, with regional actors who generally better understand the opposing sides, their reasoning and their different views of the problem.”

Sustainable Peace/ Conflict Prevention: “We will provide special attention to consolidating sustainable peace and the prevention of conflicts and humanitarian crises.”

Disarmament: From the Security Council, we will support efforts to resume the six-party dialogue with a view to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation:  Finally, Djibouti remains alarmed by the warlike attitude, and dangerously provocative behavior of North Korea. The multiple trials launching of ballistic missiles are in violation of  the resolutions of the Security Council. This is a situation that should mobilize the vigilant attention of the Member States of the United Nations. We calls on North Korea to engage in a constructive dialogue.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Conflict: The absence of peace constitutes the major obstacle to economic development. The human cost of conflict is enormous, including  massive displacements, famine, diseases, situations of acute food insecurity and rapid deterioration of respect for human rights.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation:  Another serious threat to the security of the world, it is the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons, particularly nuclear.

Nuclear proliferation(Iran): My country has many substantial differences with Iran. And yet, this agreement offers a dialogue to reduce tensions and reduce the level of threat.

Nuclear proliferation (DRPK): The situation in North Korea constitutes another testimony. In contrast to Iran, there is no process of dialogue and negotiation. Result? A disastrous escalation threatening peace and Security. We declare an autocratic regime and provocative. But to speak is not enough.We must all be mobilized to weave the threads of dialogue, implying a sense of responsibility of players such as China or Russia.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Rule of Law :National and international institutions, must guarantee personal freedoms and the quest towards more emancipation, towards more dignity for everyone.

Implementation: The most sustainable and mutually beneficial solutions are always political and diplomatic, not military.

Colombia: In Colombia, for example, the concerted action of a courageous state, the region and the international community ended the one of the oldest conflicts in the world.

Prevention: Conflict resolution, conflict resolution and peace processes must be seen in as part of a continuous process.
 

Syria: In the case of Syria, an outcome to this interminable  conflict will be possible only when the international community as a whole will have political will and will develop a common strategy.

International law: The fight against impunity and the strengthening of international justice are at the heart of Belgium’s concern. This year we have a revised amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. These amendments aim to prohibit the use of four types of weapons that cause immense suffering and  kill indiscriminately.

Multilateralism: “Today, the number of transnational issues is ever-increasing and no country can resolve them single-handedly. For this reason, we should truly fulfill the spirit of the United Nations to find solutions to all the problems facing us.”

Sustainable Peace: “From 1993 onwards, Korea has continued to participate in peacekeeping operations. This year, as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, it is focusing on resolving the root causes of conflicts.”

Women and empowerment: “On top of this, my Administration has met the goal of filling 30 percent of the Cabinet with female ministers, thereby spearheading the efforts to realize gender equality, one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

SDG 16: “At the same time, I am entrusted with a responsibility to safeguard the people's rights to peace—to an undisturbed daily life—as a universal value.”

Sustainable Peace: “I believe peace when chosen willingly becomes sound and sustainable.”

Sustainable Peace: “We should all remind ourselves of what former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said: "Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."”

Multilateralism: “The spirit of the United Nations is to realize global peace through multilateral dialogue. The Korean Peninsula is where that spirit is most desperately needed.

Multilateralism: “The basic pillar of security in Northeast Asia and multilateralism should be wisely combined.”

Multilateralism/Sustainable Peace: “I believe that genuine peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia will begin when the foundation for a Northeast Asian economic community is solidified on one side and multilateral security cooperation is materialized on the other.”

Conflict Prevention: “Preventing and addressing war, conflict and humanitarian crises is crucial for sustainability. Norway strongly supports UN Secretary-General Guterres' vision for the UN. Every tool and institution within the UN system must be realigned to improve our ability to prevent conflict and to make and sustain peace. Respect for fundamental human rights is critical in order to build resilient, prosperous and peaceful societies. Investments in human rights today will prevent what would have been tomorrow's conflicts.”

Colombia/Women’s Participation: “The point I want to make is that the Colombian success story is propelling sustainable development both within and outside the nation's borders. The agreement struck by the parties also addresses issues of common interest globally - such as fighting illicit drug trafficking and deforestation in former conflict areas. The Colombian process was the most inclusive peace process in history. Ensuring inclusivity in conflict resolution is both the right and the smart thing to do. Experience shows that women's participation in peace processes tends to increase the chances of sustainable peace.”

Extra-Territorial Obligations: “Development assistance should play a more catalytic role in our common, global campaign for sustainable development. [...] Norway has disbursed half a billion US dollars to the Syria crisis since 2016. This means that we are on track to fulfil the pledge we made at the London conference.”

Girls: “Investing in education, particularly for girls, is the most effective way of promoting sustainable development.”

Yemen/etc.: “Now we must strengthen our efforts to secure sustainable peace. The Security Council must step up and take responsibility. We also need to increase our efforts in the other large-scale humanitarian crises, like Yemen, South Sudan, and Lake Chad.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “We appeal to North-Korean authorities to discontinue developing and testing nuclear weapons and to fully meet their commitments under international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and global non-proliferation regime.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Sustainable Peace: “I would like to reiterate that Croatia as a peace-loving nation, as symbolised here in the UN by the recently restored "Peace monument" of our great sculptor Antun Augustinčić, is a strong advocate of a rules-based international order.”

SDG 16: “Croatia puts great emphasis on peace, justice and strong institutions as one of the seventeen goals to transform our world.”

Ukraine: “We put at disposal this unique know-how and extensive expertise as a useful complementary contribution to the international community's efforts in similar situations, such as with the implementation of the Minsk Agreements in Ukraine, where we can draw many parallels.”

Conflict Prevention: “In addressing crises across the globe our focus should be on early-warning, prevention and diplomacy.”

Conflict Prevention: “Any post-conflict measure comes too late, especially in terms of human life.”

Conflict Prevention: “Conflicts need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and require tailor made approaches. While a consistent approach of the UN – and in particular the Security Council – to conflicts is essential for the Organization’s credibility, copy-pasted "one-size-fits-all" approaches are not the most effective way to proceed.”

Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen: “Croatia believes that when addressing conflicts and crises – be it in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen or anywhere else in the world – it is important to have a global comprehensive approach based on solidarity and coordinated international effort under strong UN leadership.”

Sustainable Peace: “Croatia has contributed to 19 UN peace-keeping operations to date and we are currently preparing our contribution to UNIFIL in Lebanon.”

Sustainable Peace: “Adherence to the standards, principles and rules of international law and their faithful implementation represent a firm foundation for lasting peace and stability worldwide, to which we are deeply attached. “

Bosnia: “This is especially important in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, where proper implementation of the constitutional equality of its three constituent peoples – Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats – is a prerequisite for ensuring the full functionality and stability of the state and its European integration process which we wholeheartedly support.”

SDGs: “Two years ago, through the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the international community properly recognized the limits of reach of individual governments.”

Conflict Prevention: Noting the role of diplomacy for preventing conflicts, eliminating root cause of conflict, creating atmosphere of mutual trust, forming conditions for effective social, economic, political and other partnerships between countries, Turkmenistan places great emphasis on the role of the UN regional office for preventive diplomacy  in Central Asia in fulfilling these objectives.

DPRK: “Tajikistan believes that the problem of the Democratic Republic of Korea can be resolved through continued constructive negotiations, by peaceful means and within the framework of a bona fide implementation of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.”

UNSC Reform: “We call for a broad and equitable representation in the UN Security Council, particularly of the developing countries.”

Preventive Diplomacy: “The success of our joint actions to prevent and resolve conflicts, to seek for peaceful ways of crises and disputes settlement, primarily depends on how effective we use the instruments of preventive diplomacy and mediation.”

Armed conflict: “Last April Armenia committed another war crime on the line of contact attacking our cities and villages. As a result of this attack, 6 Azerbaijani civilians were killed, among them one child and 26 civilians were wounded. Hundreds of our houses were destroyed.”

Explosive weapons: “On July 4, 2017 a targeted attack on Alkhanli village in Fuzuli district by Armenia with 82 and 120 mm mortars and grenade launchers killed 2 civilians – 2 years old Zahra Guliyeva and her grandmother.”

Women: “ On February 26, 1992 Armenia committed war crime killing 613 peaceful residents of Khojaly, among them 106 women and 63 children.”

Conflict: “Azerbaijan is committed to peaceful resolution of the conflict but at the same time will defend its citizens in line with UN charter if Armenian military provocations continue and if necessary will punish once again the aggressor as it was done in April, 2016.”

Prevention: Yesterday, in his opening statement of the General Debate, the President of the General Assembly expressed the hope that his successor next year could look at the progress made during the 72nd session in the face of global challenges, including peace and security in the world, disparities and inequality around the world, poverty, the overwhelming reality of more than 65 million refugees, international terrorism, human rights, preservation of the planet. The Assembly General already holds the necessary tools and now only needs to reinforce and improve them, with an emphasis on prevention. In this respect, Madagascar will bring its support.

Conflict Prevention: “Switzerland supports the Secretary-General’s focus on prevention. The reason is clear: the cost of a conflict is a multiple of what it costs to prevent one – in humanitarian, economic and financial terms. [...] Reinforcing mediation capacities also strengthens conflict prevention.”

SEA: “Switzerland therefore supports the commitment of the Secretary-General to fight any form of sexual exploitation or abuse by UN staff in the field. As part of its commitment, Switzerland will make a contribution to the UN Trust Fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Conflict Prevention: “Given significant ongoing challenges to international peace and security, the UN’s role in preventing and resolving conflict is as relevant now as ever. [...] The United Nations needs to invest a much greater proportion of its resources and effort in preventing conflict, rather than focusing primarily on the consequences of conflict.”

Syria: “On the Security Council, New Zealand made determined efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. Alongside Spain, Jordan and Egypt, we managed to renew and improve cross border access arrangements. [...] Only a sustainable peace based on an inclusive long-term political settlement can bring this needless conflict to an end.”

Iraq: “In Iraq, New Zealand Defence Force personnel are working to strengthen the capacity of Iraqi forces in their battle against Daesh. We welcome the liberation of Mosul, Tal Afar and Nineveh province. [...] It will be important for Iraqi forces to consolidate the gains they have made, and for the international community to support Iraq in stabilising and rebuilding areas that have been recaptured. We must prevent any resurgence in violent extremism.”

Financing: “We are exploring alternative sources of development financing including working with the private sector, tapping into diaspora as a source of skills and investment, maximising the value of remittances, and increasing temporary labour market access.”

UNSC Reform: “New Zealand continues to support Security Council reform to make the Council
more representative, as well as to improve its working methods, which was a high
priority during our Council term.”

Conflict Prevention: “We need an organization capable of promoting international peace and security by acting swiftly to prevent potential conflict situations, improving the global strategy to combat international terrorism, and placing economic and social development issues at the center of its action.”

Conflict Prevention: “We appreciate the relevance of the four axes defined in the Agenda of this Session, namely: Prevention and Mediation of Conflicts to achieve sustained Peace; Promotion of Human Rights; Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and the Paris Climate Agreement.”

Financing: “The economic and financial difficulties affecting most countries have had a negative impact on the mobilization of financial resources for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially among the poorest, most vulnerable and with limited internal resources. International efforts aimed at securing the critical financial resources, should be guided by the Addis Ababa Agenda on Financing, adopted in 2015.”

Israel/Palestine: “In the Middle East, we are concerned with the impasse in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Angola argues that the solution lies in the existence of two States, living side by side in peace and security.”

Peace and SDGs: “It is worth recalling that our resolve is to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a framework that brings together the collective will to transform people's lives in a sustainable way, by lifting them from poverty and promoting human dignity without neglecting peace as a critical factor for the attainment of sustainable development, based on the interplay of the economic, social and environmental pillars.”

Civil Society: “The Government of Mozambique, under the leadership of President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi strives for an inclusive dialogue with all political actors and the civil society through both formal and informal mechanism, including the Parliament. This inclusive approach is also used to engage all Mozambicans in the conceptualization and implementation of the national development agenda.”

Gender: “Our focus on people also envisages not to leave anyone behind, one of the guiding precepts of our universal agenda. Therefore, particular attention is given to policies and strategies aimed at the protection and the full enjoyment of human rights, the promotion of gender equality and equity as well as the empowerment of women and youth who constitute the majority of our people.”

Conflict Prevention: “The international community should come together, to redouble efforts and to build consensus to prevent the senseless loss of lives. We need to adopt measures to reduce people's vulnerabilities, complemented by actions that address the complex and structural causes of these mass movements such as conflicts and political, social and economic exclusion.”

Israel/Palestine: “The principle of self-determination and right of freedom should also be a reality for the Palestinian people. To this end, it is imperative that the relevant UN Security Council resolutions are implemented. We believe that the solution relies in the two states principle, Palestine and Israel coexisting side by side, in peace and security.”

SDGs: “Mr. President, striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet should focus on ending poverty, promoting economic and social prosperity, addressing inequality and injustices as well as tackling the impacts of climate change.This can be achieved by successfully implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

SDGs: “Sensitisation workshops on SDGs are also being conducted to regional administrations and local government authorities so that the goals can be mainstreamed in their local plans and budgets in order to directly affect the ordinary people who are the main focus of the 2030 Agenda.”

Conflict prevention: “Mr. President, violent conflicts continue to plague the world and remain a challenge to the United Nations and the Security Council in particular which has the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.”

Conflict prevention: “We need to invest more on conflict prevention, resolution and mediation efforts by addressing the root causes, precipitating and triggering factors to conflicts.”

Peacekeeping: “Peacekeeping, peace building and state building are essential to the maintenance and consolidation where peace has been secured.”

Gender/Peacekeeping: “In this regard, we commend our men and women in blue helmets who are sacrificing their lives to serve the heroic cause of peacekeeping.”

The DRC: “It is only this week that Tanzania lost its soldier in the DRC following an attack from the ADF rebels. We condemn this' cowardly act in the strongest possible terms. We urge the United Nations Security Council to continue strengthening operational capability of FIB in MONUSCO in order to be able to effectively deal with negative forces and asymmetrical warfare in the Eastern DRC.”

The DRC: “Mr. President, Tanzania has also intermittently for decades been receiving and hosting refugees from pockets of troubled areas in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The DRC: “We urge the DRC leadership to live up to that commitment. In this regard, we urge the international community to extend both logistical and financial support to DRC to complete the registration of voters register and carry out expeditiously the planned elections.”

Palestine: “Mr. President, on Palestine, we support the two-state solution living side by side in peaceful co-existence. To that end, the elements of a viable State of Palestine must be ensured and respected.”

Women: “This growth can be achieved by, among other things, increasing employment in both rural and urban areas; providing financial support through soft loans to youth and women; strengthening small and medium enterprises; securing fair taxation and fiscal regimes from business entities as well as restoring discipline and accountability while addressing corruption and controlling public spending.”

Sustainable Peace: “In its foreign policy and international relations, the Sultanate of Oman adopts an approach that is based on supporting peace, coexistence, tolerance, dialogue and close cooperation with all nations and peoples.”

Sustainable Peace: “The Sultanate of Oman is also committed to the principles of right, justice, equality, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and the settlement of disputes through peaceful means, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law.”

Peacekeeping: “Therefore, we call upon all states to support peace efforts, and join hands to spread peace as a global culture at all levels.”

Conflict Prevention: “However, without the support of the international community, national and international interests cannot be enhanced. Both can only be achieved when we give the United Nations the strong role it requires to protect the world from conflicts and wars.”

SDGs: “Its agencies should play a more active role in the development process, in order to achieve the sustainable development goals.”

Sustainable Peace: “We also call upon the international community to spread the culture of dialogue and understanding to settle disputes and end tensions in the world by peaceful means, and with a spirit of responsibility and credibility.”

Conflict Prevention: “On this basis, the Sultanate of Oman invites the United Nations and the International Community to take up their responsibilities and strive to achieve peace, prevent conflicts and wars and settle difference, through dialogue and peaceful means.”

Sustainable Peace: “Suriname knows what interference means and the only way we have dealt with it, is by insisting on dialogue, resulting in the signing of the Peace Treaty in May 1992. So, when we tell the world that non-interference and non-intervention are principles to adhere to, at all cost, we are talking from our own experience.”

Sustainable Peace: “Over almost three decades, Suriname’s commitment to peace and development through the promotion of dialogue and the implementation of broad based social programs, remained in full accordance with the principles and guidelines of the UN. Dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect has led to peace and prosperity.”

Sustainable Peace: “My Government reiterates the critical importance of these principles, and underscores the relevance of the processes of dialogue, diplomacy, peaceful resolution of conflicts and political and economic cooperation as building blocks for stability, peace and democracy in the Americas.”

Conflict prevention: “Therefore, we have to find new paradigms to effectively limit the dogmatic adherence to religious and social concepts. Showing tolerance and mutual respect have become a must if we want to guarantee future generations’ peace and sustainability.”

SDGs: “The implementation of the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in sync with the necessary reform of the United Nations, will carry a lot of weight.”

Women and empowerment: “Furthermore, it is through political will that more women in our society can excel to the highest echelons of political decision making.”

UNSC Reform: “The UN’s political bodies must also better reflect today’s world. Nowhere is this more evident than with regard to the composition of the Security Council. The Security Council does not reflect the world that has evolved since the UN was established in 1945. Quite plainly, we would be hard pressed to find any entity – in the public or private sectors – that remains so untouched by the changes and realities in the world around it. [...] The need to increase the size of the Council is clear to see. [...] While the use or threat of the veto remains in place, the work of the Council is impeded and the UN can be paralysed in its response to the gravest crises facing the international community.”

The WPS Agenda, Participation: “I am pleased to note that Ireland is committed to doubling the number of women in our Defence Forces, with the aim also of increasing female participation in peacekeeping. As the Secretary General said at the Security Council this week, and as we know from the Women Peace and Security agenda, increased female participation leads to better decision making, improved situational awareness, a better focus on protection of civilians, and enhanced reporting of and accountability for sexual exploitation and abuse.”

General WPS/CSW: “Our policies and actions must reflect this, the inherent equality of humanity at the core of our multilateral system. In practice this means listening to and heeding the voices of women, the voices of young people, the voices of the marginalised. The Women Peace and Security agenda has had a hugely positive impact globally with the realisation that we can create more durable and sustainable peace by working to ensure that women play their rightful role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts. Ireland will play our part, including as chair of the Commission on the Status of Women during the next two years.”

Conflict Prevention: “We all know that conflict prevention has the potential to save lives and to protect hard-won development gains - and that it comes at a lower financial cost than peacekeeping operations and post-conflict peacebuilding. We strongly support the Secretary-General's efforts to re-orient the international community's thinking toward crisis and conflict prevention. Flowing from our painstaking conflict resolution efforts on the island of Ireland, we seek to share our national experience in our work on conflict prevention, mediation and state-building. The huge growth in UN peacekeeping operations in the past decade tells us that, sadly, the scope for conflict prevention is broad. Of course, conflict prevention involves policy planning and engagement on the ground, all of which requires funding. We have very recently seen some reductions in peacekeeping operations and their associated costs. We might reasonably ask if a small part of these savings could be used to provide stable funding for the UN's conflict prevention work.”

Policy Coherence: “The Sustainable Development Goals remind us, we live in an interconnected world, each challenge affecting the other. African countries are particularly affected by global challenges, such as climate change, conflict and food insecurity, which can only be addressed in their African contexts in a spirit of effective global partnership. Such partnership requires understanding local perspectives anchored in local experience, in particular on how to tackle root causes.”

Syria/Yemen: “The conflicts in Syria and Yemen have caused untold suffering. Ireland has responded generously to these crises with almost €100 million in humanitarian aid but what the people of Syria and Yemen need most now is peace, to enable them to rebuild their lives. I urge all sides to the two conflicts to work for an end to violence, to engage in the search for peaceful political solutions under UN auspices and for accountability for crimes committed.”

Financing: “The scale and severity of humanitarian crises is one of the greatest challenges facing the international community. Ireland is committed to providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to international efforts to ease the plight of civilians caught in conflicts in South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Iraq to name but a few. As these large-scale crises dominate the headlines, Ireland is conscious of the many 'forgotten' and underfunded crises and the need to maintain a focus on ensuring that human suffering, wherever in the world it occurs, is not ignored.”

Israel/Palestine: “Ireland is committed to constructive and principled diplomatic action on the Middle East Peace Process. [...] Palestinians need an end to occupation, and Israelis need security. Continued construction of settlements undelÿmines the prospects for both. [...] Ireland is prepared to give all the support we can to achieving a Two State Solution.”

Conflict prevention: “As the United Nations undertakes efforts to reorient around the priorities of peace and prevention, the UN system will have to adapt.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “It explains why I signed yesterday on Samoa's behalf the "Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons". As a signatory to this historic treaty, we wanted to demonstrate unequivocally our aspiration to have a world without nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “The conventional narrative that the possession of nuclear weapons will act as deterrent to make the world a safer place to live, is not borne out by the current realities - otherwise the developments in the Korean peninsula would not have happened at ail. We firmly believe that possessing nuclear weapons and adding new nuclear powers only make our world less safe, less secure and less peaceful - hence the need to rid our world completely of ail nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons/Radiation: “The Pacific over the years continues to call for advancing the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. Issues such as radioactive contaminants in the Republic of the Marshall Islands are of great concern to RMI and the region.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Women: “A first ever United Nations human rights council expert group at Samoa's Invitation visited last month to carry out a fact-finding mission to assess the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and the protection and promotion of women's rights In the country.”

Conflict prevention: “Small as we are, Samoan police continue to serve side by side with officers from other countries in places that require the intervention of the United Nations.”

Sustainable Peace: “Our commitment is rooted in our firm belief in the role United Nations
peacekeeping plays in helping to eliminate the causes of conflict and in bringing about peace and stability.”

SDGs: “The need to accelerate global action and awareness on the SDGs still remains.”

SDGs: “This demonstrates the seriousness our region places on implementing the 17 SDGs and the importance of a regional approach to meeting these International commitments. We continue to count on the important role of the UN and our partners to support regional and national efforts for SDG implementation particularly the building of our capabilities.”

Conflict Prevention: “First: to protect the development progress that has been made, and prevent any party from obstructing or wrecking collective efforts at peacebuilding. Otherwise we will be reduced to managing these conflicts instead of being able to solve them.”

Sustainable Peace: “Some parties in our region are making alliances with organisations that seek to undermine peace and security in the Arab region and the world. This is a gamble that they will lose.”

Libya, Syria, Yemen: “I refer in particular to Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia. In those countries comprehensive political solutions can be achieved. Stability can be restored. But this will only be possible ifwe put a stop to outside interference in Arab affairs, and prevent any form of support from being given to extremist and terrorist groups.”

Palestine: “Our international efforts to achieve peace in the region will not be successful without ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab territories which has lasted over seven decades.”

Syria, Yemen: “That policy is one of interference in the internal affairs of other states, and of arming and supporting terrorist groups, such as the Houthis and Hezbollah, as well as terrorist groups and cells in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait.” 

Yemen: “In this context also, we refer to the obstinate rejection by the Houthi rebels in Yemen of a political settlement to the Yemeni crisis and of humanitarian initiatives there. We see this clearly In their disruption and delay of numerous relief efforts and initiatives aimed at responding effectively to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen.” 

Women: “We will strive to address the humanitarian and development needs of the Yemeni people, especially women and children, and restore stability.”

Women: “In addition, my country has ensured the provision of a safe environment to enable women and youth to fulfill their dreams and ambitions, and engage in the development of their country.”

Syria: “The people of Syria in particular have suffered unspeakable violence.”

Syria: “Accountability for the worst crimes imaginable, committed in Syria but also elsewhere, is essential.” 

Conflict Prevention: ”Prevention is the only effective form of protection.”

Gender: “As is the case so often, women and girls are disproportionately affected.”

Gender equality/SDGs: “The numbers on gender pay gaps are still shocking. And yet, I remain not only committed, but also optimistic: Simply because I strongly believe that many of our common goals will only become achievable if we indeed achieve gender equality. In the Sustainable Development Goals, the domestic and the international come together.”

Disarmament: “Nuclear weapons are prohibited and should be eliminated. Their use can never be justified. The suffering they cause runs counter to the principles of humanity, basic tenets of international humanitarian law and the dictates of public conscience. On Wednesday, I signed the treaty on behalf of Liechtenstein, as one of 50 States. Together we extend a hand to those who so far have chosen to stay apart. We need their commitment to finally rid the world of nuclear weapons.”

Syria, Libya: “From Syria to the Central African Republic, from the Rohingya people of Myanmar to the people of Libya, the number of protracted and new conflicts remains unacceptably high.”

Conflict Prevention: “In Somalia, we have made significant strides, which have weakened the capability of Al-Shabaab.”

Peacekeeping: “We believe that investment in peacekeeping is a worthy investment in peace-building and state-building and we have seen the dividends of this investment in Somalia.”

Women and empowerment: “Women are crucial in decision making and investment in society. In spite of our many challenges, Somalia has made significant steps in this regard. During the 2016 election, the number of women in our bi-cameral Parliament increased from 14 percent to 24 percent. Although we missed our 30 percent target, we did improve markedly from a few years ago. Six months ago, when I was forming my Council of Ministers, I appointed six women to my Cabinet. They hold some of the most important portfolios in our nation, including trade and industry, health. youth and sports, women and human rights and humanitarian affairs.”

Sexual violence: “Vital legislations on human rights such as the soon to be approved Sexual Offences Bill, provide the tools to fight impunity of sexual perpetrators.”

Women: “I am encouraged, Mr. Secretary General, by your commitment to empower the world’s women and girls because, as you said ‘parity at the UN will improve performance at the UN.’”

Conflict prevention: “Kenya agrees with and supports the priorities for action that you have outlined to guide the focus on people, namely; peace and conflict prevention; migration; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action; and human rights.”

SDGs: “Kenya acknowledges the importance of SDGs as an appropriate response to the pressing challenges that we face today.”

SDGs: “We recognize, however, that achieving the SDGs will be as much about the effectiveness of development cooperation as it will be about the scale and form such cooperation takes.”

Women: “In the health sector, for example, our government now offers free maternal health care services across the country. We intend to target to cover health care services for women, children and adolescents.”

Women: “Confirming this commitment two years ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, and I quote: “I pledge to take the needed sustainable actions to end all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents within a generation and ensure their well-being; we hold ourselves accountable for our collective progress towards this goal.”

Conflict prevention: “Further, we strongly believe that the support of the reconstruction process, including by enabling the government to provide basic services, will improve confidence and help prevent conflict in the future.”

SDGs: “We believe that the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda have given the UN a blueprint for creating greater peace in our world and for making globalisation and development fair and equitable for all.”

Disarmament: “This demonstrates our concerns with the danger the use of such weapons poses to humanity as we are all reminded by the unfortunate nuclear detonation that took place on 3rd of September. The adoption treaty gives us renewed hope that it is possible, if we work together, to rid the world of nuclear weapons.” 

Disarmament: “In that regard, let me underline that we are deeply alarmed by the continued unilateral actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They conduct nuclear tests and missile launches despite the repeated calls by the international community to fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We believe that peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is a viable avenue and therefore urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to immediately abandon its nuclear and missile programs and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Ban Test Treaty.”

Conflict Prevention: “We must be vigilant and sustained, but also provide innovative and adaptable conflict prevention, sustainable development and management reform mechanisms, while building on the foundations enshrined in the UN Charter and other core documents.”

Conflict Prevention: “Our actions must focus on prevention of violent extremism and radicalization as major factors for terrorist recruitment.”

Women: “We must empower the most vulnerable in our societies - those suffering in poverty, women, children, persons with disabilities - and leave no one behind. Their rights and dignity must be respected. They must be protected by law and have equal access to justice. Only then can we realize a truly inclusive society with sustainable peace and development.”

Civil Society: “We also wish to hear about innovative resource mobilization and enhanced partnerships with all stakeholders, especially the private sector, academia, and
civil society.”

Conflict Prevention: “The United Nations must be able to identify challenges based on the needs and particular situations of each country, and must be able to adapt its work in a responsive and flexible manner. It must also address the root cause of each problem, especially by addressing structural gaps and working more on prevention, rather than only curing the symptoms.”

Conflict Prevention: “We need to take concrete actions, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, to prevent conflicts, build confidence and peacefully settle conflicts and disputes, including those in the Middle East and Africa and call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Conflict Prevention: “Reforming the architecture of peace and security is an absolute priority. Consolidating a culture of conflict prevention requires action across the board and an integrated vision of the three pillars of the United Nations system - peace, human rights and sustainable development - as well as closer institutional cooperation between the organs of the Charter, namely the Security Council and the General Assembly.”

Conflict Prevention/Peacekeeping: “Promoting peace and security goes hand in hand with promoting development. The two dimensions are complementary and strengthen each other. For this reason, diplomatic mediation efforts and peace operations in conflict zones also require humanitarian support, development cooperation and institutional capacity building for affected populations and States.”

Peacekeeping: “One of the clearest priorities of Portuguese foreign policy Is the participation in Peacekeeping Operations and Institution building within the framework of the United Nations.”

Peacekeeping: “ However, numerous disturbances still need to be overcome. Portugal strives to do its part. First, through participation in various Peacekeeping and Stabilization Operations, within the framework of the United Nations and the European Union. We have reinforced our presence, without ever restricting the use of our troops. In the multilateral missions in the Sahel and Central Africa region, namely MINUSMA in Mali and MINUSCA in the Central African Republic. Secondly, through cooperation with many African partners in promoting maritime security. In particular in the Gulf of Guinea, to combat piracy and trafficking in people, drugs and weapons, to protect international trade, as well as from a strategic point of view, both for Africa and Europe.”

Syria/Libya: “The unity and firmness of the international community, embodied in the United Nations, in defense of the law and in the promotion of security and stability, is what enables us to move towards a fairer international order, and to find the best answers to the serious crises we face today, from North Korean threats to the situation In Syria, from the instability in Libya to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and so many other sources of confrontation, security risk or humanitarian drama.”

Iraq: “We welcome the military successes achieved in Iraq over the past year.”

Syria: “I underline, in this context, the work of the Global Platform for Support to Syrian Students, an initiative of the former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio. This is to guarantee the access to higher education for those young Syrians who, because of the conflict in their country, have been deprived of this universal right. I invite all countries that have not yet done so to join the Platform and support the Rapid Response Mechanism for Higher Education.”

WMDs: “Latvia is deeply worried about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the threat of the use of nuclear weapons.”

DPRK: “North Korea's actions have increased global insecurity. Latvia strongly condemns all nuclear tests and launches of ballistic missiles conducted by North Korea, and its continuous provocative rhetoric. We call on North Korea to return to a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community and to refrain from any further action that would increase regional tensions.”

Chemical Weapons: “The use of chemical weapons in Syria, which blatantly disregards Syria's obligations as a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, is a deplorable crime which must be fully investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. Latvia has constantly called for accountability regarding these attacks, an accountability which is closely linked to the credibility of the whole international system. For this reason, Latvia has supported the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes committed in Syria.”

Conflict Prevention: “Far too often the United Nations has been unable to prevent conflicts, stop atrocities, or build peace. Too often resources are spent on managing and responding to crises, instead of preventing them. [...] Conflict prevention must be at the core of UN action to keep situations of concern from spiraling out of control. Saving human lives and upholding human dignity must be our common priority.”

Syria: “The use of chemical weapons in Syria, which blatantly disregards Syria's obligations as a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, is a deplorable crime which must be fully investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. Latvia has constantly called for accountability regarding these attacks, an accountability which is closely linked to the credibility of the whole international system. For this reason, Latvia has supported the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes committed in Syria.”

Ukraine: “the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is a priority. Russia's continued aggression in Eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol cannot become ‘business as usual’.”

SDG5: “In strengthening the capacities of our partner countries, we prioritize good governance and public sector reforms, combating corruption, and fostering inclusive economic growth, including by empowering women.”

NPT: “Montenegro unequivocally supports the efforts aimed at non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Non-Proliferation Treaty is a foundation for improvement of the global stability. Montenegro has defined its national framework by adopting the Strategy on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (2016-2020) and the Action Plan for its implementation.”

DPRK: “Montenegro strongly condemns nuclear weapons tests conducted by North Korea as an act that violates international obligations determined by the Security Council resolutions and poses a serious threat to global peace and security. We support diplomatic efforts aimed at calming down current situation and call on North Korea to fully respect its international obligations.”

Conflict Prevention: “Montenegro is a part of the region whose experience has shown that dialogue and cooperation are possible and that they are the only way to overcome the differences and achieve peace and lasting solutions. Therefore, we will organize, early next year, a regional conference, in order to share our experience and help in defining new mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.”

Women: “We attach special attention to: strengthening the position and role of women in society and prevention of violence against women; child protection and development; fight against discrimination of LGBTl population and persons with disabilities. We especially appreciate the joint initiative of the European Union and the United Nations for eliminating of all forms of violence against women and girls as well as launching the Global Alliance to end trade in tools of torture and capital punishment.”

Conflict Prevention: “Developing and sustaining peace require not only a swift and adequate response to crises, but also an understanding of the root causes of conflicts and insecurity, which are rarely emerging from one single source.”

SDGs and Peace: “The UN agenda is not only about conflicts and crises, but also about sustainable development and promoting human rights. It is about hope in a decent life for all, the only way to build a safe and sustainable planet. [...] We have to drive the implementation of the ambitious global Agenda for Development forward, including in relation with conflict prevention and sustaining peace, as well as its Sustainable Development Goals.”

Sustainable Peace: “The three pillars of reform, in distinct yet parallel and complementary processes will, if successful, provide us with a changed narrative as to the ability to prevent crises before they erupt; reinforcing and enhancing peacekeeping and peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and long-term development and growth.”

DPRK: “Palau therefore supports all efforts and UN Resolutions to bring North Korea to the negotiation table. [...] In these difficult times, we support and participate in the efforts of the United States on behalf of the World Community to combat terrorism, bring closure to the hostilities in Syria, and to reduce the nuclear threat emanating from North Korea. ”

Nuclear Ban Treaty: “Finally, taking into account the recent actions by North Korea, we must take seriously the longterm need to ban nuclear weapons. A good place to start is the accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. I must give credit to the leaders of my country, who, over 30 years ago, recognized the threat of nuclear weapons and banned the use, test and storage of nuclear weapons in Palau’s Constitution. In their honor, yesterday I signed this Treaty.”

Conflict Prevention/Policy Coherence: “Mr. President, your clear determination to focus future efforts on conflict prevention, peace, migration and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet is certainly timely and well attuned to the realities of our generation. In fact, your attention to these very different, yet related issues, demonstrates a clear understanding of the complex times in which we live and the need to connect the dots, the causes and the effects of the interrelated challenges that we face.”

SDGs and Peace: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that we can all agree that in terms of Peace and Security, inclusive sustainable development frequently prevents conflict and sustains peace.”

DPRK: “Palau therefore supports all efforts and UN Resolutions to bring North Korea to the negotiation table. [...] In these difficult times, we support and participate in the efforts of the United States on behalf of the World Community to combat terrorism, bring closure to the hostilities in Syria, and to reduce the nuclear threat emanating from North Korea. ”

Nuclear Ban Treaty: “Finally, taking into account the recent actions by North Korea, we must take seriously the longterm need to ban nuclear weapons. A good place to start is the accession to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. I must give credit to the leaders of my country, who, over 30 years ago, recognized the threat of nuclear weapons and banned the use, test and storage of nuclear weapons in Palau’s Constitution. In their honor, yesterday I signed this Treaty.”

Conflict Prevention/Policy Coherence: “Mr. President, your clear determination to focus future efforts on conflict prevention, peace, migration and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet is certainly timely and well attuned to the realities of our generation. In fact, your attention to these very different, yet related issues, demonstrates a clear understanding of the complex times in which we live and the need to connect the dots, the causes and the effects of the interrelated challenges that we face.”

SDGs and Peace: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that we can all agree that in terms of Peace and Security, inclusive sustainable development frequently prevents conflict and sustains peace.”

Participation: We want a world where there’s a spirit of equal participation so much for women like for men; for the small countries like for the large countries.  

Conflict prevention: War should never be a recourse at the United Nations to guarantee international peace and security. Remember that international peace and security can only be guaranteed when every country basks in internal peace and when their fundamental and inalienable rights are respected.  

Disarmament: We are part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its use of the conflict between States not only condemn their use and fabrication, but also their distribution and possession. We think the terms of this treaty are insufficient because they should include the destruction of the nuclear arms wherever they are. The possession of  some of these States makes other countries think that they have a right to possess the weapons.

Conflict prevention:“We must also seriously tackle the multifaceted and complex root causes of conflict, including enduring poverty and deprivation, unequal access to resources, the denial of the rights to self-determination of peoples and interference in the internal affairs of other states, among other causes.”

Palestine: “The continued denial of the right to self-determination to the peoples of Western Sahara and of Palestine who are living under colonial and foreign occupation, is immoral and an urgent issue for those seeking peace and security in our time.”

Conflict Prevention: “Prevention of violence and conflict ties in with our [...] priority: sustainability. And with it, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs precede everything I have just discussed. They are the ultimate prevention agenda. They address the drivers and root causes of instability and conflict. Investing in human dignity, eradicating poverty, fostering climate resilience and promoting economic and social progress will reduce the incidence of conflict, instability and despair. Development and lasting peace - all in one package.”

Nuclear weapons: The preservation of peace and security in the world goes hand in hand with the strict management of nuclear weapons. Regarding this, we must bring this up in the Security Council to find a peaceful solution to the grave nuclear weapons tensions in the Korean peninsula. Any recourse with nuclear weapons in this region is needed or this may mark the end of the era that we live in. There is a risk of a nuclear conflict with unpredictable consequences.

Disarmament: I invite the great powers of the world to encourage dialogue with North Korea, to ensure conditions that are appropriate for disarmament, and to reassure the world that there is the potential for peace and stability in this region.

Conflict prevention: The greatest importance is equally in accordance with the prevention of conflicts, in order to spare our countries the exorbitant human and material cost of wars.

Sustainable Peace: The lessons from this Peace Operation, known by many as one of the rare successes of our world organisation in the field of peace for many decades, has to inspire more United Nations initiatives in favour of peace.

Geographic reference: Along with these efforts, the international community must put an end to the war in Libya, and dismantle terrorists groups that thrive off of human trafficking.

DRC: Other hotspots of tension are rampant in the Pool region of the Republic of the Congo and to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with these harmful repercussions on our neighbouring countries.

Sustainable Peace: Our plea as has, just as I have pointed out, to an unprecedented mobilisation of international solidarity in favour of CAR to ensure the implementation of the Plan of Recovery and Consolidation of Peace in the Central African Republic.

Sustainable Peace: In order to give full strength to the peace process, the reinforcement and coherence of our approach and united support of our friends, will allow us to be supported in the work of harmonisation of all peace efforts in the CAR which have resulted in the roadmap for peace and the reconciliation of the Central African Republic.

Conflict prevention: It concerns, in this first phase, 40 ex-combattants for each of the 13 of 14 armed groups. We have planned it out so that the success of this pilot project is a vivid expression of our commitment to peace, for our faith in peace is unshakable!

Militarisation: At the same time, we have worked on the reconstruction of a national army, presentable and professional in the sector of reforms and security, that is guided by the National Security Policy based on the achievements of a political consensus and taking into account threats to security, and the principal values of the Republic, guided by the state in its mission to ensure security for all.

SDG 16: For example, in the area of Justice and Human Rights, our efforts are have been focused mainly on the operalization of the Special Penal Court, the training of prison guards and the improvement of certain judicial facilities and penitentiaries.  

Sustainable peace: With the support of our partners, we have accelerated the operationalization of local peace and reconciliation committees for an active animation of spaces of dialogue so that the communities have the basis to be supported in their efforts to restore social cohesion, highlighting the major elements essential to the renewal of harmoniously living together.

Conflict prevention: This is why, on behalf of the people of the Central African Republic, I would like to solemnly invite the Security Council, the political sector of the United Nations world peace, to use their means to improve our defense and security, to create the conditions in order to return to peace and security in the Central African Republic in order to consolidate democratic acquisitions.

SDG 16: I will equally engage in the building of reconciliation and justice.

We reaffirm our commitment to the total denuclearization of the (Korean) peninsula, in accordance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Disarmament: “Brazil expresses itself with the authority of a country that, while mastering nuclear technology, willingly gave up possessing nuclear weapons. Brazil pronounces itself with the authority of a country whose own Constitution prohibits the use of nuclear technology for non-peaceful purposes.” 

Israel/ Palestine: “As a friend of Palestinians and Israelis, Brazil continues to support the solution of two States living side by side in peace and security, within internationally recognised and mutually agreed borders.”

Syria: “Despite the de-escalation of recent months, the conflict still engenders dramatic humanitarian consequences. The solution we must pursue is essentially political - and can no longer be postponed.”

Libya/ Yemen: “Other wars cause intolerable suffering that goes beyond borders, such as in Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Mali and the Central African Republic.”

Colombia: “Colombia is ending a more than fifty-year-long conflict. Brazil will continue to be a resolute partner in this effort.” 

Conflict prevention: “Prevention is about diplomacy. It is about development.”

Disarmement: ‘North Korea openly threatens our world with nuclear weapons. Such a grave disrespect to human life cannot be tolerated. I strongly call on the North Korean regime to terminate its development of weapons of mass destruction and to return on the path of dialogue and building peace in the Korean Peninsula.”

Prevention: “We are witnesses of short-sighted interests built on spreading instability, undermining collective efforts to secure peace and security. The very core of the UN Charter for securing peaceful coexistence among nations is crippled in the name of the selfish pursue, egoism of the so-called spheres of influence. Which is a fancy phrase too often misused only to cover violations of international order and to justify disrespect for sovereignty.”

Nuclear weapons: “Today, we face the threat of climate change, the violence of terrorism, the risk and indignation of migration, and a nuclear escalation on the Korean peninsula.”

Arms control: “We have reshaped the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police, professionalized our customs and immigration services and small Liberian Coast Guard.”

Women’s empowerment: “There is so much more to share about Liberia's post conflict transformation, how we have empowered ordinary citizens and a shared sense of citizenship, giving women, including market and rural women a voice and the rights to be heard.”

Multilateralism: “Liberia has enjoyed the benefit of multilateralism through full support provided by the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS].”

SDGs and Peace: “Secondly, I remind you that two years ago, the 70th Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Agenda containing 17 goals, which encapsulate the aspirations of member states to eradicate poverty and reduce, if not eliminate, inequalities within and between countries. Our commitment to achieving these goals must be unwavering because progress here is inextricably linked to ending conflict and sustaining peace.”

Conventional weapons/nuclear energy: “Kremlin's arsenal does not stop at conventional weapons. Russia continues to meddle in elections, conducts cyber-attacks and uses its "sputniks" to spread fake news and destabilising propaganda. Energy blackmail has long become Russia's weapon of choice. In Belarus, just forty kilometres from Lithuania's capital, it is building the unsafe Astravets nuclear power plant as a geopolitical weapon that fails to comply with basic international nuclear standards.”

Nuclear weapons: “I once again, call upon all concerned nations to de-escalate the tensions and to commit to a path of peace. It is zambia's longstanding position that nuclear weapons are not a source of security but rather, the opposite is true”.

Reconstruction and PB: “Peace, security and the rule of law continue to be the basis for meaningful development of any society.”

General WPS: “As a member state, we note the role of the commonwealth in various subjects such as gender and youth matters, climate change, the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance, socio-economic development, and so on.”

Protection/ HR: “The commitment should not be limited to preventing conflict, but should go further to seek the protection of the victims of conflict, including the displaced persons. we all need to cooperate in providing for a conducive environment for them in respect of their human rights and their social development and wellbeing.”

Protection: “My government attaches great importance to the needs and welfare of all with a particular focus on women, children and youth.”

Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Republic of Paraguay reaffirms its commitment with international peace and security; with the use of peaceful means for dispute settlement and with reciprocal cooperation among States. In Paraguay, a constitutional provision bans weapons of mass destruction.

Nuclear weapons: Consequently, our country commends the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, reaffirms its conviction that nuclear disarmament ought to be a transparent and irreversible process with efficient verification mechanisms within a universal and legally binding framework.

Nuclear weapons: Paraguay reiterates its condemnation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear test, clearly defying and contravening its international obligations, which constitutes a new provocation to the international community. We expect from this General Assembly a firm rejection to this irrational attitude that threatens peace and security at a global level.

Peacekeeping: We will continue to cooperate with peacekeeping operations, under the auspices of the United Nations, in the conviction that they constitute one of the means to attain the principles and purposes established in the Charter. My country currently contributes military personnel, women and men, to six peacekeeping operations and invests in the training of its contingents at the Training Center for Peacekeeping Operations, Cecopaz - Paraguay.

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Disarmament: “I am convinced that the pace of global development and the achievement of peace and security will be significantly accelerated if we appreciate the wisdom in redirecting resources from the current nuclear arms race to people-centered development. This will benefit mankind more than continuing the competition for superiority at our detriment. It will also facilitate the attainment of our desired twin goals of sustainable peace and development.”

Peace/Conflict Prevention: “Let me particularly commend the United Nations for its significant contribution to restoring peace, security, stability and economic reconstruction in my country. Sierra Leone, during our very trying times of war and its aftermath. I am happy to note that today. Sierra Leone is described by the United Nations through its Peace Building Commission as a proud storehouse of lessons for a seamless transition from war to peace, democracy and stability. These lessons have provided us with valuable and cost-effective tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflict prevention. We have always been more than ready and willing to share them with other countries in a similar plight, especially within our membership of the g7+ group of post-conflict countries who are striving to exit fragility and promote resilience.”

Conflict prevention: “Two years ago, this Assembly adopted the groundbreaking resolution 70/304 on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is Sierra Leone's firm belief that we must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, including heightened collaboration with each other, and among our regional organizations and actors, making use of experiences that have helped us achieve relative international peace and security. I am in that regard, heartened by the profound impetus of the preferential use of preventive diplomacy, as well as mediation efforts in the maintenance of international peace and security by the UN system. The good offices of the Secretary General, including the early warning system, and the international contact groups are important instruments in our pursuit to prevent conflict and must be further strengthened to effectively respond to any crisis situation. The effective utilization of Chapter VI of the Charter therefore remains the best option for this Organization in the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes.”

Conflict prevention: “Furthermore, the role of regional organizations in partnership with the United Nations must be further strengthened to ensure greater response at the regional level in implementing preventive measures such as early warning mechanisms. Regional organizations are usually better positioned to generate the necessary political will for conflict prevention within their regions. The role of the Peacebuilding Commission has been exemplary and the experience, expertise and knowledge that exist within its work in preventing countries from relapse should be tapped to prevent conflict from escalating into violence or war. In this regard, we encourage the sharing of the experiences gained and lessons learned by PBC country configurations.”

Conflict resolution: “We have learned from experience that for mediation efforts to be fruitful, they must embrace such measures as the timely cessation of hostilities, credible cease-fire agreements and the timely deployment of peacekeeping and/or observer missions to undertake and supervise disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.”

Gender Equality: “My Government has recorded significant milestones in the areas of gender equality and women's empowerment as well as in promoting youth employment and empowerment. We have established a more stable and regulatory environment for investment and wealth generation, which in the medium and long term will create employment opportunities for inclusive socio economic development of the youth, the disabled, and women.”

Peace Process: “The international community must give high priority to the resumption of peace negotiations on the basis o f ending the Israeli occupation o f the Arab territories within a specified time firame and reaching a just, comprehensive and final settlement in accordance with the two- state solution agreed upon by the intemational community, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace initiative.”

Cyber warfare/technology: “And what is worse, the blockade planners found it necessary to rely on fabricated quotes attributed to me and posted on the website of Qatar News Agency after hacking it... The perpetrators of the hacking and the falsification of the quotes have committed an assault against a sovereign State. The crime was deliberately committed for political aims, and was followed by a list of political dictations, which contravene sovereignty, and caused worldwide astonishment. This disgraceful act has once again raised international queries about digital security and the unruliness in cybercrime and electronic piracy. It also revealed the anxiety of a lot of public and official circles in the world over the absence of clear-cut international legislations and institutions to organize this dangerous and vital field and punish the perpetrators of transnational crimes.”

Syria: “Qatar will spare no effort in providing support and assistance to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of our Syrian brothers and to implement our humanitarian pledges within the framework of the United Nations.”

Libya: “The State of Qatar has supported international mediation efforts and will support them in the future to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.”

Yemen: “Concerning Yemen, we affirm the importance of maintaining Yemen's unity, security and stability, and ending the state of infighting and war and adopting dialogue, political solution and national reconciliation as a basis for ending this crisis and implementing the Security Council resolution 2216. We call upon the international community to facilitate the access of humanitarian assistance to various Yemeni regions. The State of Qatar supports the efforts of the UN envoy to end this crisis and realize the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people in unity, security and stability.”

Armed conflict: “Turkey is engaged in an intensive fight against the bloody terrorist organizations of the region such as DAESH and PKK nourished by the instability in Syria and Iraq. In addition, our fight against the FETO terrorist organization, which attempted to change the legitimate and democratic regime of Turkey by a bloody coup, is also ongoing.”

Armed conflict: “The efforts by PYD-YPG to change the demographic structure in regions it has captured, to seize the property of the people, to kill or exile the ones who stand against it form a crime against humanity.”

Nuclear weapons: “In this framework, I would also like to underline that we are against all sorts of nuclear weapons which have come to increasingly occupy the world agenda in recent days.”

Nuclear weapons: The threat of nuclear escalation in Asia has never been so real and this threat cannot leave any leader indifferent.

Implementation:  Recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, Monaco continues to support collective action to promote peace and security.

Protection: We must, moreover, persevere resolutely in the fight against all forms of serious violence against human dignity and, in particular, to work for the improvement of the status of women, as discrimination and violence against women remain a reality.

SGVB: Monaco welcomes the SG’s courageous initiative, the Voluntary Pact between the United Nations and the Member States for the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse  in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance missions, and during missions which are meant to promote and protect human rights and, more broadly, during any activities where the Organization's contributes to Sustainable Development.

Human Security: “The policy aimed at serving people and their needs is founded on the notion of human dignity, which is an inherent feature of every human life.Talking about human-focused policy, a policy concentrated on the human need to live in peace and in decent conditions, we must think, first and foremost, about the need to defend human life.”

Conflict Prevention: “We fully identify ourselves with the priority treatment given to mediation and conflict prevention, as advocated by the Secretary-General. We are assisted in this respect by our conviction that preventive measures targeting the primary sources of problems, taken in the location concerned, shall produce the best, the quickest and the most tangible results.”

Militarisation: “For almost ten years in Georgia, and for the third year in Ukraine, have we been witnessing obvious violation of fundamental principles of UN Charter, including the principle of inviolability of borders, respect of sovereignty, renouncing the use of military force in resolution of disputes. In our view, absolute respect of international law lays down the foundation for a stable, foreseeable and peaceful setting of relations amongst states, and through it, the assurance of sustainable growth.”

SDG 5: “Only a multidimensional vision of development, especially a multidimensional vision of poverty, will allow us to understand the needs of populations, families and their members in terms of access to healthcare, social equality, gender equality, and address social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities, among other challenges of developing countries.”

Gender Equality: “Gender equality, Mr. President, remains an objective of the greatest importance for all countries. [...] Literature is extensive and political declarations are decisive by stressing the sensible democratic deficit and prejudices in terms of development derived from persistent patriarchal structures forged in former times, but remained perpetuated today because of the lack of education on rights and respect for democratic coexistence. [...] It is imperative to take concrete actions and make more women our peers fully at these important premises.

Participation: “My country has understood this commitment and embraces the proposals of the International Gender Champions which aim to reverse gender inequality within the United Nations and take specific actions in this 72nd Session to call upon these gender champions in order to promote gender balance within the delegations attending the General Debate during the high-level week of the General Assembly.”

Gender discrimination: “If I were to choose a single insulting and absurd example of this discrimination, the one that causes me the most indignation is that the average woman's salary is 25% lower the average man's for the same job.”

Care work: “Care is also an economic activity which contribution should be reflected in the country's productivity. Men should have a shared responsibility of fulfilling this labour and private companies as well as public institutions must facilitate it.”

Justice: “Laws causing and perpetuating discrimination must be amended and those encouraging equality must be enacted.”

Human Rights: “Our determination is to achieve women's incorporation in paid work, with measures that eradicate division based on sex in the workplace and facilitate economic autonomy and high quality of life as necessary conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights.”

Women’s power: “[The women of the world] are powerful enough to move ahead despite the rigid and rude patriarchal heritage that tends to not acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments and that fills with doubts and dangers your road towards your full autonomy. You are an example for others: your internal strength leads you to break the chains of oppression, rise above tearing migrations and forced displacement, free entire communities for unexpected forms of slavery. [...] You are masters of resilience, since you have learned how to deal with the wrong people and painful moments. [...] Today is a good day to look ourselves in the mirror, start to create truly equal relations, and take this long night to its end.”

Disarmament: “Sixty nine years ago Costa Rica decided to change weapons and soldiers for notebooks and teachers. 69 years ago Costa Rica decided to believe, strengthen, and promote International Law as the civilized way to resolve their differences with others and today, 69 years later, Costa Rica continues believing in this way.”

Nuclear weapons: “The potential humanitarian consequences of a nuclear explosion became a growing concern.”

Nuclear weapons: “And the crisis in North Korea demonstrates that the risk of a nuclear confrontation is higher than the world has seen in a long time.”

Landmines/Arms Trade: “Despite the Minsk Agreements, heavy weapons continue to move into the region, and mines are being laid.”

Non-proliferation: “On a global level, poverty, hunger and climate change as well as organized crime and the proliferation of weapons remain key concerns.”

Nuclear Weapons: “The risk of a nuclear confrontation today is bigger than it has been in a long time. The consequences of a nuclear explosion are extremely grave. Nuclear disarmament remains the number one unfinished business. And the recent escalation of tension by the DPRK is a clear warning signal.”

Disarmament: “Austria has been consistently engaged in efforts to reduce the risk of a nuclear disaster and to work for a world without nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons: “In this regard, we welcomed the Vienna Agreement that placed Iran’s nuclear activities under international observation. Undermining this agreement would weaken efforts to achieve negotiated solutions to nuclear disputes.”

Disarmament: “The New Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important achievement in this regard. It is a crucial step to get rid of all nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “Today, we often hear that nuclear weapons are necessary for security. This narrative is not only wrong, it is dangerous. The new Treaty provides a real alternative: a world without nuclear weapons, where everyone is safer.”

Geographic References: “With success of Daesh in Iraq and Syria radicalization and extremism sharply increased within our societies.”

Geographic References: “Conflicts that result in terrible human suffering, such as in Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen or Libya.”

Geographic References: “What we need to do is destroy these radical groups militarily where they operate, such as Iraq or Syria.”

Sustainable Peace: “I also welcome the discussions in the Security Council to increase the security of the OSCE monitors, possibly with a UN Peacekeeping Operation.”

Guns: “As Africans we are doing everything possible to reach our goal of silencing the guns by 2020, as contained in our Agenda 2063, a continental blueprint for a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Africa.”

Guns / bombs: “We hope that soon, the sister people of Libya will be able to live in peace and harmony, in a United and democratic country. In 2011, the African Union called for dialogue to resolve the crisis in Libya. Unfortunately, some among us here opted for guns and bombs.”

Arms trade / transfer: “The war in Libya contributed a great deal to the destabilisation of the SAHEL region and all the way to Central Africa, creating a corridor for illicit trafficking in arms as well as terrorist activities.”

Arms Control / Arms transfer: “In fact, had our warning been heeded that the supply of arms to civilians in Libya and the arming of civilians in Syria would cause loss of life, great instability and mayhem, the world would be more peaceful today.”

Nuclear weapons: “We continue with our call for calm in the Korean Peninsula. The situation cannot be allowed to get out of hand.”

Nuclear weapons: Weapons of Mass Destruction: “As a country that voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons programme, South Africa is of the firm view that there are no safe hands for Weapons of Mass  Destruction.”

Nuclear weapons: “The only viable solution to the problems of nuclear weapons is their total elimination as expressed in the recently UN adopted Treaty banning Nuclear Weapons.”

Nuclear weapons: “It can no longer be acceptable that some few countries keep arsenals and stockpiles of nuclear weapons as part of their strategic defence and security doctrine, while expecting others to remain at their mercy.”

Nuclear weapons: “We are concerned that any possible accidental detonation would lead to a disaster of epic proportions.”

Nuclear weapons: “We are making a clarion call to all Member States of the UN to sign and ratify the Ban Treaty in order to rid the World and humanity of these lethal Weapons of Mass Destruction.”

Non-proliferations: “We reaffirm, at the same time, the inalienable rights of states to peaceful uses of nuclear energy as reinforced in the Non Proliferation Treaty.”

Geographic reference: “We hope that soon, the sister people of Libya will be able to live in peace and harmony, in a United and democratic country. In 2011, the African Union called for dialogue to resolve the crisis in Libya. Unfortunately, some among us here opted for guns and bombs.”

Geographic reference: “Today, those countries are making little effort to promote stability in Libya.”

Geographic reference: “The war in Libya contributed a great deal to the destabilisation of the SAHEL region and all the way to Central Africa, creating a corridor for illicit trafficking in arms as well as terrorist activities.”

Geographic reference: “In fact, had our warning been heeded that the supply of arms to civilians in Libya and the arming of civilians in Syria would cause loss of life, great instability and mayhem, the world would be more peaceful today.”

Geographic reference: “South Africa continues to call for an immediate end to the violence and for a Syrian-led political transition and a negotiated settlement reflecting the will of the Syrian People.”

Geographic reference: “In both instances of Libya and Syria, we strongly cautioned against seeking to resolve internal challenges of sovereign states by imposing foreign solutions through military means.”

Non-proliferation: “Disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control are among the main pillars of international security and, hence, represent tangible aspects of the effort to achieve peace and decent life.”

Disarmament: “Bulgaria reiterates its commitment to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, as well as to the objective to attain a world free of nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “The next two steps in this direction could be the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty and the start of the negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

Nuclear weapons: “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program concluded in July 2015 remains of historic significance.”

Nuclear weapons: “Bulgaria categorically condemns the repeated nuclear tests and missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which lead to further escalation of the tensions in the region and undermine world peace and security.”

Sustainable Peace: “This year the General Debate puts a special emphasis on our common strive for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet highlighting the importance of prevention, mediation, sustainable development, preservation of the environment and respect for human rights through a people-centered approach. The United Nations upholds our shared goals of peace and security, development and human rights.”

SDGs: “If we are to transform our world by lifting it out of poverty, we need to implement fully the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting equality, inclusion and participation.”

Sustainable Peace: “In this regard, Bulgaria supports the 'surge in diplomacy for peace' which places prevention as an overarching priority of the UN's work and sets the stage for the necessary reforms to sustain peace. Prevention and mediation are essential means of reducing human suffering, including in addressing the root causes of forced displacements, bringing humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts together.”

Geographic reference: “Bulgaria reaffirms its position that the "two-State solution" formula is the realistic, just and lasting way to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Geographic references: “Finding a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria and implementing a credible political transition in the country is essential for preserving the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian State.”

Geographic references: “Another source of deep concern for my country is the situation in Eastern Ukraine which, regrettably, remains highly precarious and volatile despite periodic ceasefire agreements. We reiterate our call for a swift and full implementation of the Minsk Agreements which have no viable alternative.”

Geographic references: “Bulgaria is deeply concerned by the unprecedented scale of organized looting of cultural property in Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries in conflict or postconflict situation.”

Women and empowerment: “In the last few decades the UN has made crucial steps to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.”

Gender-based violence: These efforts should be further strengthened in order to achieve tangible results for women and girls on the ground by eliminating all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.”

Gender: “Ensuring equal rights for women and men should be an integral part of every
day policies in all spheres of life.”

Sustainable Peace/ Conflict Prevention: “We will provide special attention to consolidating sustainable peace and the prevention of conflicts and humanitarian crises.”

Disarmament: From the Security Council, we will support efforts to resume the six-party dialogue with a view to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation:  Finally, Djibouti remains alarmed by the warlike attitude, and dangerously provocative behavior of North Korea. The multiple trials launching of ballistic missiles are in violation of  the resolutions of the Security Council. This is a situation that should mobilize the vigilant attention of the Member States of the United Nations. We calls on North Korea to engage in a constructive dialogue.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Conflict: The absence of peace constitutes the major obstacle to economic development. The human cost of conflict is enormous, including  massive displacements, famine, diseases, situations of acute food insecurity and rapid deterioration of respect for human rights.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear disarmament: “But today, we refuse to remain silent and it is on this note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We too would like to echo the global call on DPRK to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions”

Disarmament: “The recent testing of ballistic missiles by DPRK over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement: Sadly, the majority of these displaced people are women and children.

Protection/HR: “Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide - my country and region included. Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality in economic opportunities and livelihoods”         

Participation: “We have made big strides in not just counting women but more importantly in making women count.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear Weapons: “We condemn in the strongest terms the illegal actions of North Korean leaders and call on them to accept generous offers to return to the negotiating table. During the past weeks, we have at last seen a united Security Council act firmly but constructively; to push for dialogue and confidence-building measures while staying firm on strengthening sanctions in the face of continued provocation.”                                

Chemical weapons: “The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government against its own people was a blatant violation of international and humanitarian laws and demanded a firm response by the international community.”                 

Quotes/References to WPS:

Yemen: “Complex internal conflicts have led to displacement and suffering on a massive scale, with famine looming in many areas, including Yemen.”

General WPS: “Iceland knows first-hand the massive potential resting in gender equality. With UN Women as a key partner, Iceland is a dedicated proponent of women’s human rights (...) and continue to promote women’s participation in the peace and security agenda.”

Protection: “I  commend the Secretary-General for his commitment to gender equality within the UN and his determination in addressing the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and UN staff – a betrayal of the civilians under their care, and of the values of the UN.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “(North Korea) illegal nuclear and missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions. The security of millions of people is at risk as a result of North Korea's refusal to abide by international laws and norms (...) The Security Council has responded with tough new economic sanctions. It is crucial that all UN member states and especially the Permanent 5, who have a particular responsibility, strictly implement these sanctions to compel North Korea to abandon its illegal programs.”

Chemical weapons: “ The use of chemical weapons presents another serious threat to the rules based order. (...) Australia supports the work of the UN - and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - in identifying those who deployed these appalling illegal weapons.”  

Quotes/References to WPS:”

Peacekeeping:”The UN must focus on conflict prevention as that is more effective than dealing with the tragic consequences of conflict. UN management systems must be made more efficient and accountable.”

Participation: “There must be more women in senior positions.”

General WPS: “Empowering women and girls to reach their full potential lifts a country's productivity and underpins stability."

Protection: “The number of journalists and human rights defenders detained, abused or killed each year should be of grave concern to us all.”

Human Rights: “Similarly, we will promote strong, independent national rights institutions - to raise awareness of human rights, to address violations and to hold to account those responsible for abuses.”                 

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation:  Another serious threat to the security of the world, it is the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons, particularly nuclear.

Nuclear proliferation(Iran): My country has many substantial differences with Iran. And yet, this agreement offers a dialogue to reduce tensions and reduce the level of threat.

Nuclear proliferation (DRPK): The situation in North Korea constitutes another testimony. In contrast to Iran, there is no process of dialogue and negotiation. Result? A disastrous escalation threatening peace and Security. We declare an autocratic regime and provocative. But to speak is not enough.We must all be mobilized to weave the threads of dialogue, implying a sense of responsibility of players such as China or Russia.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Rule of Law :National and international institutions, must guarantee personal freedoms and the quest towards more emancipation, towards more dignity for everyone.

Implementation: The most sustainable and mutually beneficial solutions are always political and diplomatic, not military.

Colombia: In Colombia, for example, the concerted action of a courageous state, the region and the international community ended the one of the oldest conflicts in the world.

Prevention: Conflict resolution, conflict resolution and peace processes must be seen in as part of a continuous process.
 

Syria: In the case of Syria, an outcome to this interminable  conflict will be possible only when the international community as a whole will have political will and will develop a common strategy.

International law: The fight against impunity and the strengthening of international justice are at the heart of Belgium’s concern. This year we have a revised amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. These amendments aim to prohibit the use of four types of weapons that cause immense suffering and  kill indiscriminately.

Agenda 2030: “We are preparing for the voluntary review of progress on the Agenda in July 2018.”

Syria: “For seven years now we have been mentioning the conflict in Syria from this dais. We are comforted by the decline in hostilities and by the victories against Daesh, but we are still greatly concerned that individual interests are being placed before a political solution which, thanks to a UN’s mediation, may lead to a genuine transition.”

Iraq/Reconstruction: “Spain supports Iraq’s reconstruction and reconciliation among its citizens, and rejects political ventures that detract efforts from the priority of consolidating a free, democratic and united Iraq.”  

Libya: “Also in Libya, the SG’s new Special Representative has Spain’s full support to contribute to a political solution for a united country on the basis of the Political Agreement.”

The DRC: “We are concerned by the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call for respect for the constitutional provisions and for the dialogue in order to seek solutions, to lay the foundations for peaceful coexistence.” 

Colombia/Reconstruction & Peacebuilding: “Spain welcomed with satisfaction the peace agreement reached in Colombia. We would like to actively contribute to peace-building. We have taken part in the UN Mission to supervise the abandonment of weapons, we are heartened by the positive development of this process and we are open to participating in the new Mission that will verify the 9 reintegration of FARC guerrillas, beginning on 26 September.”

Peace process: “Besides, we are accompanying as well the consolidation of the peace process through development actions we are promoting in the bilateral, European Union and multilateral levels.” 

Ukraine: “We are also concerned by the persistence of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Its solution requires compliance with the Minsk agreements. The OSCE monitoring mission deserves all our support.”

Disarmament: “North Korea’s renewal of nuclear and ballistic testing in January 2016 was in flagrant defiance of Council Resolutions, and severely undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, to which Spain is fully committed.”

Multilateralism: “Today, the number of transnational issues is ever-increasing and no country can resolve them single-handedly. For this reason, we should truly fulfill the spirit of the United Nations to find solutions to all the problems facing us.”

Sustainable Peace: “From 1993 onwards, Korea has continued to participate in peacekeeping operations. This year, as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, it is focusing on resolving the root causes of conflicts.”

Women and empowerment: “On top of this, my Administration has met the goal of filling 30 percent of the Cabinet with female ministers, thereby spearheading the efforts to realize gender equality, one of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

SDG 16: “At the same time, I am entrusted with a responsibility to safeguard the people's rights to peace—to an undisturbed daily life—as a universal value.”

Sustainable Peace: “I believe peace when chosen willingly becomes sound and sustainable.”

Sustainable Peace: “We should all remind ourselves of what former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said: "Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."”

Multilateralism: “The spirit of the United Nations is to realize global peace through multilateral dialogue. The Korean Peninsula is where that spirit is most desperately needed.

Multilateralism: “The basic pillar of security in Northeast Asia and multilateralism should be wisely combined.”

Multilateralism/Sustainable Peace: “I believe that genuine peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia will begin when the foundation for a Northeast Asian economic community is solidified on one side and multilateral security cooperation is materialized on the other.”

Nuclear weapons: “We must make sure we serve and deliver on our main objective as a global family to provide a peaceful and secure world, without nuclear weapons, and to promote social progress, better living standards, human rights and dignity for all our citizens.”

Armed conflict: “Over the past years, we continue to witness human suffering around the world as a result of armed conflicts, terrorism, persecution, corruption, climate change and natural disaster, to name a few.”

SDGs: “ We call for a reform programme that will see Taiwan included in our global family’s efforts and drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Conflict prevention: “These are priceless solutions to the mounting problems that we continue to battle”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Militarism: The military response cannot be exclusive.

Disarmament: I invite different partners to support the action plan developed by the ECCAS and the CAEMC, as well as the demobilisation program for disarmament and reintegration.

Disarmament: Acting for peace also requires the elimination of weapons of mass destruction by applying the relevant international rules.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Sustainable Peace: Concerning peace, together with security, is necessary for the development of Africa, as well as my country, Gabon.

Women and empowerment: In the same context, I have initiated a program for equal chances that allows all Gabonese to have the same means on the way of personal and collective achievement. As well as the empowerment of women in the government agenda.

DRC: Likewise, it is desirable to leverage the embargo on weapons, exclusively for the legal and legitimate government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in order to restore security and authority across for the nation.

Syria, Iraq: These include the Islamic State, that accentuate the instability in Syria and Iraq.

Palestine: The question of Palestine, on the other hand, is a thorn in the foot of the international community.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “We appeal to North-Korean authorities to discontinue developing and testing nuclear weapons and to fully meet their commitments under international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and global non-proliferation regime.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Sustainable Peace: “I would like to reiterate that Croatia as a peace-loving nation, as symbolised here in the UN by the recently restored "Peace monument" of our great sculptor Antun Augustinčić, is a strong advocate of a rules-based international order.”

SDG 16: “Croatia puts great emphasis on peace, justice and strong institutions as one of the seventeen goals to transform our world.”

Ukraine: “We put at disposal this unique know-how and extensive expertise as a useful complementary contribution to the international community's efforts in similar situations, such as with the implementation of the Minsk Agreements in Ukraine, where we can draw many parallels.”

Conflict Prevention: “In addressing crises across the globe our focus should be on early-warning, prevention and diplomacy.”

Conflict Prevention: “Any post-conflict measure comes too late, especially in terms of human life.”

Conflict Prevention: “Conflicts need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and require tailor made approaches. While a consistent approach of the UN – and in particular the Security Council – to conflicts is essential for the Organization’s credibility, copy-pasted "one-size-fits-all" approaches are not the most effective way to proceed.”

Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen: “Croatia believes that when addressing conflicts and crises – be it in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen or anywhere else in the world – it is important to have a global comprehensive approach based on solidarity and coordinated international effort under strong UN leadership.”

Sustainable Peace: “Croatia has contributed to 19 UN peace-keeping operations to date and we are currently preparing our contribution to UNIFIL in Lebanon.”

Sustainable Peace: “Adherence to the standards, principles and rules of international law and their faithful implementation represent a firm foundation for lasting peace and stability worldwide, to which we are deeply attached. “

Bosnia: “This is especially important in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, where proper implementation of the constitutional equality of its three constituent peoples – Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats – is a prerequisite for ensuring the full functionality and stability of the state and its European integration process which we wholeheartedly support.”

SDGs: “Two years ago, through the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the international community properly recognized the limits of reach of individual governments.”

WMDs: “Transnational terrorism, use of force in international relations, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, refugee crisis, poverty, human rights violations and environmental fragility are only some of the challenges we face.”

Nuclear Weapons: “In the name of peace and in exchange for security assurances, Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal – third largest in the world.”

Nuclear Disarmament: “We remain resolute advocates of global nonproliferation and disarmament.”

DPRK: “That’s why we strongly condemn nuclear tests and multiple launches of ballistic missiles by the North Korea. We are deeply concerned about the continuous diversion of the resources from critical human needs to feeding Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, coupled with serious human rights abuses. We resolutely stand for reinforced measures to stop Pyongyang’s illegal activities and bring the North Korea in line with the international legal framework. At the same time, let me reiterate Ukraine’s call upon the UN Security Council to undertake in-depth investigation into the development of the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes, in order to expose any possible foreign assistance to Pyongyang in this area.”

Nuclear Weapons: “The most pressing threat to international peace and security today is the accelerated nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea.”

Disarmament: “The crisis in the Korean peninsula underscores the urgency for all member states, guided by the spirit of enthroning a safer and more peaceful world, to ratify without delay the Treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, which will be open for signature here tomorrow.”

Syria: “I must also commend the UN's role in helping to settle thousands of  innocent civilians caught in the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Palestine/Israel: “For example, several UN Security Council Resolutions from 1967 on the Middle East crisis remain unimplemented. Meanwhile, the suffering of the Palestinian people and the blockade of Gaza continue.”

Yemen/Human Rights: “Additionally, we are now confronted by the desperate human rights and humanitarian situations in Yemen and most tragically in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “In all these crises, the primary victims are the people, the most vulnerable being women and children.”

SDGs: “Mr. President we cannot speak of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals without a focus on our youths.”

SDGs: “Whilst the budgets alone of some Governments will be inadequate to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, others are using multiple times these budgets on developing nuclear warheads.”

Sustainable Peace: “St Kitts and Nevis stands proudly with our Caribbean and Latin American neighbours as a Zone of Peace and exhorts all members of the community of nations to expend every effort to create and promote peace.”

Women: “Whilst some governments are allocating large sums to secure a future for their women and youth, others are investing in the tools of war.”

Disarmament: “My delegation condemns unreservedly the actions, which have led to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and calls on all countries to respect and honour their solemn commitments under international law.” 

SDGs: “Mr. President, striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet should focus on ending poverty, promoting economic and social prosperity, addressing inequality and injustices as well as tackling the impacts of climate change.This can be achieved by successfully implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

SDGs: “Sensitisation workshops on SDGs are also being conducted to regional administrations and local government authorities so that the goals can be mainstreamed in their local plans and budgets in order to directly affect the ordinary people who are the main focus of the 2030 Agenda.”

Conflict prevention: “Mr. President, violent conflicts continue to plague the world and remain a challenge to the United Nations and the Security Council in particular which has the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.”

Conflict prevention: “We need to invest more on conflict prevention, resolution and mediation efforts by addressing the root causes, precipitating and triggering factors to conflicts.”

Peacekeeping: “Peacekeeping, peace building and state building are essential to the maintenance and consolidation where peace has been secured.”

Gender/Peacekeeping: “In this regard, we commend our men and women in blue helmets who are sacrificing their lives to serve the heroic cause of peacekeeping.”

The DRC: “It is only this week that Tanzania lost its soldier in the DRC following an attack from the ADF rebels. We condemn this' cowardly act in the strongest possible terms. We urge the United Nations Security Council to continue strengthening operational capability of FIB in MONUSCO in order to be able to effectively deal with negative forces and asymmetrical warfare in the Eastern DRC.”

The DRC: “Mr. President, Tanzania has also intermittently for decades been receiving and hosting refugees from pockets of troubled areas in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The DRC: “We urge the DRC leadership to live up to that commitment. In this regard, we urge the international community to extend both logistical and financial support to DRC to complete the registration of voters register and carry out expeditiously the planned elections.”

Palestine: “Mr. President, on Palestine, we support the two-state solution living side by side in peaceful co-existence. To that end, the elements of a viable State of Palestine must be ensured and respected.”

Women: “This growth can be achieved by, among other things, increasing employment in both rural and urban areas; providing financial support through soft loans to youth and women; strengthening small and medium enterprises; securing fair taxation and fiscal regimes from business entities as well as restoring discipline and accountability while addressing corruption and controlling public spending.”

Gender: “Grenada therefore advocates for special attention to be paid to our women, children, elderly and disabled.”

Disarmament: “The proliferation of nuclear weapons is inherently destructive and serves NO useful purpose for humanity. The mere existence of these weapons is unacceptable.”

Gender: “No man, no woman, and certainly no child, must suffer due to conflict.”

Palestine: “In Palestine, another year ends, with no permanent peace, no permanent hope. An independent, sovereign State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, established along the 1967 borders, is the only solution, the only way.”

Palestine: “The shameful occupation by Israel continues, without consequence. Violence, economic deprivation, fear, hunger and hopelessness – this is what a child in Palestine is born into.” 

Syria: “In Syria, over a quarter of a million people have lost their lives, with many millions displaced and many more millions made refugees.” 

Gender equality: “The Gender Equality Act has guaranteed in law, what Maldivians have been practising
for decades - equality for women at home, at work, in decision-making, and in our society.”

Women and empowerment: “Policies aiming at greater representation of women in leadership positions are showing results. Laws, policies, and regulations have created a framework where every man, every woman, every Maldivian can be a champion for gender equality.”

Gender: “This is why our priority has been women, children, and the disabled.”

SDGs: “While it is essential to attend to the immediate humanitarian needs and reconstruction efforts, we must also urgently address our long term sustainable developmental goals. I urge that in our collective efforts to implement the SDGs we take account of the tremendous challenges faced by vulnerable countries completely knocked off course by external shocks.” 

SDGs: “We call, therefore, on the UN system to establish a mechanism to provide the requisite support and compensation to vulnerable countries affected by natural disasters, where their implementation of Agenda 2030 and progress towards achieving the SDGs have been derailed as a result of such external shocks.”

Peacekeeping/Conflict Prevention: “We, therefore, fully support the focus placed by the Secretary-General on sustaining peace across the continuum: from prevention, conflict resolution and peacekeeping, to peace-building and long-term development.”

SDGs: “The alignment between the SDGs and our National Development Plan, 'Vision 2030', creates a framework within which we can identify and achieve our priorities, not least of which is to ensure the dignity of the individual.”

SDGs: “Through the Group of Friends on Financing the SDGs, which our countries co-chair, we have been promoting the establishment of partnerships with the private sector, philanthropic organisations and academic institutions. We are exploring innovative financial mechanisms that can spur the investments needed to accelerate implementation of the SDGs.”

Women and empowerment: “Jamaica is committed to the empowerment of women and girls, as well as young people. We have revitalized our National Youth Parliament and have created the National Youth Advisory Council to ensure that young people have a voice at policy-making levels in our country.”

Gender-based violence: “We are strengthening our legislative and policy frameworks to address violence against women and girls and to foster economic opportunities.”

Palestine: “Turning to the Middle East, we continue to believe that the best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis rests in a negotiated political settlement based on a just, lasting and comprehensive agreement that guarantees the security of Israel and provides for a Palestinian State within internationally recognised borders.”

SDGs: “Trinidad and Tobago has therefore framed its national development plan for the period 2016 to 2030, titled "Vision 2030" with its thematic focus "Many hearts. Many Voices, One Vision" in keeping with Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In this context, we have mapped our national development goals in accordance with global priorities and the SDGs.”

SDGs: “In alignment with the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review and the Secretary-General's reform proposals, Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to ensuring that the United Nations Development System adopts a more flexible and tailored approach to sustainable development assistance to assist countries in implementing the SDGs in a focused, coordinated, coherent, and cost-effective manner.”

Women and empowerment: “Our Government accords high priority to achieving gender equality, the empowerment and advancement of women which are pivotal to the achievement of the SDGs.”

Gender: “In the words of UN Secretary General, "Women's rights are human rights". One cannot overstate the importance of protecting the rights of women and ensuring their full participation on an equal basis with men.”

Women and empowerment: “In placing women at the forefront of our development, it should be noted that a Trinidad and Tobago national is one of two women who sit on the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), which comprise 20 members.”

SDG 16: Adherence to the rule of law is important to the achievement of SDG Goal 16, which seeks to "promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for air as it is one of the pillars for promoting sustainable development.””

Sustainable Peace: “In its foreign policy and international relations, the Sultanate of Oman adopts an approach that is based on supporting peace, coexistence, tolerance, dialogue and close cooperation with all nations and peoples.”

Sustainable Peace: “The Sultanate of Oman is also committed to the principles of right, justice, equality, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, and the settlement of disputes through peaceful means, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law.”

Peacekeeping: “Therefore, we call upon all states to support peace efforts, and join hands to spread peace as a global culture at all levels.”

Conflict Prevention: “However, without the support of the international community, national and international interests cannot be enhanced. Both can only be achieved when we give the United Nations the strong role it requires to protect the world from conflicts and wars.”

SDGs: “Its agencies should play a more active role in the development process, in order to achieve the sustainable development goals.”

Sustainable Peace: “We also call upon the international community to spread the culture of dialogue and understanding to settle disputes and end tensions in the world by peaceful means, and with a spirit of responsibility and credibility.”

Conflict Prevention: “On this basis, the Sultanate of Oman invites the United Nations and the International Community to take up their responsibilities and strive to achieve peace, prevent conflicts and wars and settle difference, through dialogue and peaceful means.”

SDGs: “These are not only about the use of public funds - including our own - but also about all of us improving our ability to achieve our full potential, and making clear progress towards SDGs.”

SDGs: “If indeed no one is to be left behind in the SDGs, and to fulfill our UN Charter, then we should consider that the exclusion of Taiwan from the UN and its related agencies has created major challenges for both the government and people of Taiwan in their pursuit of their fundamental right to participate.”

Human Rights: “The Philippines integrates the human rights agenda in its development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence, and anarchy; particularly families, women and children, the poor, indigenous people, migrant workers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Non-proliferation/Disarmament: “As a strong supporter of non-proliferation and disarmament in the field of weapons of mass destruction, Slovenia is committed to treaty-based nuclear disarmament and arms control.”

Disarmament: “We are of firm belief that we have to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons progressively through the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT).”

Quotes/References to WPS:

SDGs: “Two years ago we achieved a milestone in agreeing on our development roadmap. Together, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Paris Agreement provide a framework and a vision for a more sustainable future of our planet and prosperity for all.”

Gender equality/Women and empowerment: “Our main focus is given to the rights of children, to the support of gender equality and the empowerment of women as well as to the rights of older persons and in this context also the importance of the intergenerational collaboration.”

Gender-based violence: “More must also be done to mitigate harm to civilians, especially in the
context of armed conflicts, and to prevent ail forms of sexual violence.”

Gender-based violence: “We therefore underline the need for a zero tolerance policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Syria, Libya, Yemen, the DRC : “Years and years of horrific war in Syria, conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Mali, and dire situations like those in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to name just a few, continue to represent particular sources of concern.”

Sustainable Peace: “We must intensify our efforts to sustain peace everywhere, but most immediately in a wide range of fragile and conflict affected states.”

Conflict Prevention: “The UN can help to defuse latent conflicts. Whenever possible we should opt for diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “It explains why I signed yesterday on Samoa's behalf the "Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons". As a signatory to this historic treaty, we wanted to demonstrate unequivocally our aspiration to have a world without nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “The conventional narrative that the possession of nuclear weapons will act as deterrent to make the world a safer place to live, is not borne out by the current realities - otherwise the developments in the Korean peninsula would not have happened at ail. We firmly believe that possessing nuclear weapons and adding new nuclear powers only make our world less safe, less secure and less peaceful - hence the need to rid our world completely of ail nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons/Radiation: “The Pacific over the years continues to call for advancing the cause of nuclear non-proliferation. Issues such as radioactive contaminants in the Republic of the Marshall Islands are of great concern to RMI and the region.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Women: “A first ever United Nations human rights council expert group at Samoa's Invitation visited last month to carry out a fact-finding mission to assess the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and the protection and promotion of women's rights In the country.”

Conflict prevention: “Small as we are, Samoan police continue to serve side by side with officers from other countries in places that require the intervention of the United Nations.”

Sustainable Peace: “Our commitment is rooted in our firm belief in the role United Nations
peacekeeping plays in helping to eliminate the causes of conflict and in bringing about peace and stability.”

SDGs: “The need to accelerate global action and awareness on the SDGs still remains.”

SDGs: “This demonstrates the seriousness our region places on implementing the 17 SDGs and the importance of a regional approach to meeting these International commitments. We continue to count on the important role of the UN and our partners to support regional and national efforts for SDG implementation particularly the building of our capabilities.”

SDGs: “Sustainable Development Goals, if implemented, will transform our world. But as important as SDGs are we should not overlook the compelling need to fine-tune the overall architecture for their implementation at national, regional, and global levels.” 

SDGs: “The SDGs have made the reduction of inequalities among people including the disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalized ones an undeniable priority for the international community.” 

Gender equality: “Sustainable social development is a prominent part of the SDG Vision 2030 of Mongolia. It sets out goals to ensure gender equality, improve the quality of and access to healthcare services, create a healthy, safe living environment for its citizens, provide high quality education to every citizen, end all forms of poverty, and increase the share of the middle income class.” 

Peacekeeping: “Mongolian peacekeepers are held in high regard for their consummate skills and community-friendly behaviour in peacekeeping and reconstruction activities.”

Peacekeeping: “We intend to further enhance our contribution through providing engineering and special units to the UN peacekeeping.”

SDG 16: “Accountable institutions, access to justice for everyone, significant reduction of corruption - all these are key ingredients of sustainable development envisaged in SDG 16.”

Syria: “The people of Syria in particular have suffered unspeakable violence.”

Syria: “Accountability for the worst crimes imaginable, committed in Syria but also elsewhere, is essential.” 

Conflict Prevention: ”Prevention is the only effective form of protection.”

Gender: “As is the case so often, women and girls are disproportionately affected.”

Gender equality/SDGs: “The numbers on gender pay gaps are still shocking. And yet, I remain not only committed, but also optimistic: Simply because I strongly believe that many of our common goals will only become achievable if we indeed achieve gender equality. In the Sustainable Development Goals, the domestic and the international come together.”

Disarmament: “Nuclear weapons are prohibited and should be eliminated. Their use can never be justified. The suffering they cause runs counter to the principles of humanity, basic tenets of international humanitarian law and the dictates of public conscience. On Wednesday, I signed the treaty on behalf of Liechtenstein, as one of 50 States. Together we extend a hand to those who so far have chosen to stay apart. We need their commitment to finally rid the world of nuclear weapons.”

Peacekeeping/Syria: “More than 2 decades ago Cambodia received the UN Blue Berets on their peacekeeping mission. Since 2006, we have dispatched more than 4,700 troops to take part with great success and praise in UN peacekeeping missions in a number of countries that are hot spots in the 4 I Page world, like Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Chad, Syria and Mali.”

Disarmament: “While sharing our deep concern on the situation in the Korean peninsula, we appeal to all parties concerned to further exercise their utmost restraint to avoid provocative activities and remain committed to the peaceful and constructive dialogue so as to diffuse tension and promote trust and confidence in the region.”

Women: “I am encouraged, Mr. Secretary General, by your commitment to empower the world’s women and girls because, as you said ‘parity at the UN will improve performance at the UN.’”

Conflict prevention: “Kenya agrees with and supports the priorities for action that you have outlined to guide the focus on people, namely; peace and conflict prevention; migration; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action; and human rights.”

SDGs: “Kenya acknowledges the importance of SDGs as an appropriate response to the pressing challenges that we face today.”

SDGs: “We recognize, however, that achieving the SDGs will be as much about the effectiveness of development cooperation as it will be about the scale and form such cooperation takes.”

Women: “In the health sector, for example, our government now offers free maternal health care services across the country. We intend to target to cover health care services for women, children and adolescents.”

Women: “Confirming this commitment two years ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, and I quote: “I pledge to take the needed sustainable actions to end all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents within a generation and ensure their well-being; we hold ourselves accountable for our collective progress towards this goal.”

Conflict prevention: “Further, we strongly believe that the support of the reconstruction process, including by enabling the government to provide basic services, will improve confidence and help prevent conflict in the future.”

SDGs: “We believe that the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda have given the UN a blueprint for creating greater peace in our world and for making globalisation and development fair and equitable for all.”

Disarmament: “This demonstrates our concerns with the danger the use of such weapons poses to humanity as we are all reminded by the unfortunate nuclear detonation that took place on 3rd of September. The adoption treaty gives us renewed hope that it is possible, if we work together, to rid the world of nuclear weapons.” 

Disarmament: “In that regard, let me underline that we are deeply alarmed by the continued unilateral actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. They conduct nuclear tests and missile launches despite the repeated calls by the international community to fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We believe that peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is a viable avenue and therefore urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to immediately abandon its nuclear and missile programs and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Ban Test Treaty.”

Conflict Prevention: “We must be vigilant and sustained, but also provide innovative and adaptable conflict prevention, sustainable development and management reform mechanisms, while building on the foundations enshrined in the UN Charter and other core documents.”

Conflict Prevention: “Our actions must focus on prevention of violent extremism and radicalization as major factors for terrorist recruitment.”

Disarmament: “We appeal for a speedy resolution to the current tensions in the Korean Peninsula that is affecting Global Peace and Security.”

SDG 5: “The 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) enabled the review of 7 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular: Goals 3, on Good health and well-being; 5, on Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and 14, on the Ocean and its resources.”

Yemen/Syria/Palestine: “The human suffering in Syria, Yemen and Myanmar demands greater international attention and action.Similarly, the potential threats to international peace and security posed by tensions on the Korean peninsula, among the Gulf States and in the State of Palestine require persistent and prioritised diplomacy”.

Peace Process: “Diplomacy, though difficult, is always preferable to the alternative. This United Nations was founded and continues to exist on that fundamental premise. Frustration with the pace of negotiation and mediation cannot give way to the intemperate urge to impose quick military fixes on inherently political problems. Nor can it lead to an illogical interpretation of sovereign self-interest that justifies the trampling on the sovereignty of other states”.

UNSC reform: “The litmus test for any serious talk of UN reform is the reform of the Security Council. Those who pay lip service to reform while ignoring the need for a reformed Council - with expanded permanent membership, special voice for island states, and radically revised working methods - are simply engaging in an exercise of attempting to reduce their financial responsibilities while maintaining an unjustifiable grip on disproportionate and outmoded power arrangements”.

SDGs: “Saint Vincent and the Grenadines applauds your sustained focus on sustainable development. Our Government has located the Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of our national development strategies”

SDGs: “Nonetheless, as you and the Secretary-General have recognised, achievement of the SDGs requires international cooperation and the commitment of new and additional funding. Ours is the only body that can generate and sustain the necessary political will and resources to give life to the ambition of the SDGs. The link between development and peace is well-established; and the link between peace and the United Nations is immutable”.

Palestine: “The travails of the people of Palestine arising from the illegal occupation of their lands continue to haunt us globally.This UN General Assembly has repeatedly pronounced in favour of the rights of the Palestinian people but the illegal occupiers backed by a handful of powerful states internationally have continuously thwarted the will of the international community. Peace in the Middle East will continue to be a mirage unless the national rights of the Palestinian people are recognised and upheld in practice”.

Palestine/Israel: “The situation in the Middle East and plight of the Palestinian people continue to be issues of great concern. We call on all sides to sincerely start talks for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. Mauritius has always supported the two states solution with Palestine and Israel living peacefully side by side. An independent and viable Palestine is more likely to provide security both to Israel and the region.”

Inequalities: 8 people are as wealthy as half of the population of the planet. Inequality is immoral.

Humanitarian relief: We are living the worst humanitarian crisis since the foundation of the UN.

Displacement: We propose the creation of a universal citizenship. This social and migratory crisis stems from the world order with domination, with measureless greed which generates violence, promotes inequality and destroys mother earth.

Colombia: We welcome the peace process in Colombia and the consolidation of the ceasefire the giving up of the arms and the integration of the FARC into political life. By means of votes and awareness amongst peoples it is possible to bring people together, not with bullets.

Implementation: Our region is nobody’s back yard.

Palestine: We condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.  We condemn the construction of new settlements. We condemn the military aggression against the Palestinian  people. We demand that the two state solution be implemented with a Palestinian state with the pre 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as a capital.  

Gender: We have successfully achieved operational success, but they are strengthened by an emergency investment program, which we have recently adopted in order to reduce the vulnerability of populations, especially children and women.

Libya, DRC: We must remain aware in order to bring a successful conclusion to the conflicts or to end the crisis in Libya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.

Palestine: The question of Palestine continues to be a major concern. I would like to thank the organisation, in January of 2017, of the Paris conferences, that reiterated a solution for the two states, Israel and Palestine, that live side by side in peace within safe and secure international borders.

Yemen, Syria, Iraq: The efforts of the international community in Iraq, Syria and Yemen must intensify, or else there is the risk that this part of the world will suffer in chaos.

Nuclear weapons: “We have to send a clear message: the international community will not accept North Korea's nuclear provocations.”

Nuclear weapons: “If a country manages to build up a nuclear arsenal while the international community stands by and watches helplessly, then other political leaders will follow this example.”

Nuclear weapons: “That is why North Korea acquiring nuclear weapons is neither a bilateral nor a regional problem. Rather it is a global challenge which we have to master together.”

Nuclear weapons: “It cannot be that striving to build up a nuclear arsenal leads to success on the international stage.”

Disarmament: “It is therefore more important than ever that the international architecture for arms control and disarmament does not crumble. Existing treaties and agreements must not be called into question.”

Nuclear weapons: “That applies in particular to the agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.”

Nuclear weapons: “For which state would refrain from developing its own nuclear programme if it turns out that negotiated agreements do not endure and confidence in agreements with the international community are not worth the paper they are written on?”

Non-proliferation: “Especially with regard to the implementation of the ban on the proliferation of nuclear weapons, we have a request for the United States, Russia and China. These countries will be Instrumental in ensuring that the ban on the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as arms control and disarmament are implemented.”

Disarmament: “In this speech, the American President called for "general and complete disarmament.””

Weapons/Peace: “Every year, he said in his speech, billions of dollars were spent on weapons that are "acquired for the purpose of making sure we never need to use them", this, he went on to say, was certainly not "the most efficient means of assuring peace.””

Arms Control: “We currently spend just under 1.7 trillion US dollars each year on arms around the world.”

SDGs: “In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, i.e. to eradicate extreme poverty in the world by 2030, we would need only 10 percent of that.”

Iraq: “Thankfully, progress has also been made. For example, in Iraq. We have to quickly consolidate the successes which have been achieved there in the fight against the so-called Islamic State by Initiating reconstruction and stabilisation measures in the liberated cities and regions.”

Ukraine: “We also have to make progress in the Ukraine conflict.”

Participation: We want a world where there’s a spirit of equal participation so much for women like for men; for the small countries like for the large countries.  

Conflict prevention: War should never be a recourse at the United Nations to guarantee international peace and security. Remember that international peace and security can only be guaranteed when every country basks in internal peace and when their fundamental and inalienable rights are respected.  

Disarmament: We are part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its use of the conflict between States not only condemn their use and fabrication, but also their distribution and possession. We think the terms of this treaty are insufficient because they should include the destruction of the nuclear arms wherever they are. The possession of  some of these States makes other countries think that they have a right to possess the weapons.

Disarmament: “What does it say about our common humanity, when last year alone the world spent close to 1.7 trillion dollars on arms, but fell short by less than 1.7 billion in fulfilling the UN appeal to support Syrian refugees and host communities in countries like Jordan? What does it saywhen trillions are spent waging wars in our region, but little to take our region to safer shores?”

Focus countries: “Over the years, there have been wars in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and worsening prospects for peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

Focus countries: “And it doesn't stop there. My country—a resource-poor nation in a conflict-rich region—is host to 1.3 million Syrian refugees. Add to that millions of Palestinian refugees and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, as well as others from. Libya and Yemen: Jordan, today, is one of the largest hosts of refugees in the world.”

Focus countries: “We have remained steadfast in our commitment to a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution, despite prevailing skepticism.”

Nuclear Treaty: “Just yesterday, with pride on behalf of Tuvalu, I signed the Treaty on the Prohibition Of Nuclear Weapons as a further commitment to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, which was negotiated and drafted in the 1984 Pacific Island Leaders Forum held in Tuvalu. It is our fervent hope that nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including the trade of materials and development of technologies to produce such weapons, are totally banned and prohibited worldwide by the UN. Humanity must be advanced not on the principles of fear and deterrence, not on the adage of might is right, rather on moral justice for human equity, trust, respect, and the enjoyment of basic human rights.”

SDGs: “It captures the undeniable linkage between peace, security and sustainable development. It underscores that, without peace and security, our 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will not deliver a fair globalization for all. In short, without sustainable development, there will be no peace and security.”

SDGs: “Mr President, as a least developed country/and a SIDS, we need enhanced global support to overcome the structural challenges we face in implementing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.”

Human rights: “It is critical that we support international law for the protection and promotion of human rights.”

Nuclear Weapons: My government is concerned by the menace to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. North Korea’s provocative missile program constitutes a violation of numerous Security Council resolutions, and represents a menace without precedent for security in the region and in the world. Vanuatu condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest series of missiles and joins the international community in urging the North Korean administration to put an end to its nuclear and missile development program.

Disarmament: My government reaffirms its engagement for the denuclearisation of the Pacific, and we welcome the Treaty adopted by the Conference for the negotiation of a binding legal instrument to ban nuclear arms. Vanuatu reaffirms its commitment to total nuclear disarmament.   

Focus countries: Vanuatu notes with deep concern the irrefutable link between the global migration crisis and the failure to respect the principles of responsibility for the protection and prevention of mass atrocity crimes in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and South Sudan, to only cite a few.

SDGs: My Government welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the repositioning of the United Nations development system in Agenda 2030. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the report highlights the need for coordination and accountability more robust at the heart of the UN system and to realign it to better respond to the efforts of countries to implement the transformative agenda 2030.

SDGs: Vanuatu is convinced that to end poverty, we must offer opportunities to all, notably women, offer access to education, nutrition and health. My government is committed to eliminate barriers that affect vulnerable groups disproportionately.

Gender Equality: We have successfully launched a national political plan on gender equality and protection of children in November 2016. Both take into account violence and discrimination against women and girls, as well as negligence, exploitation, abuse and violence towards children.

Human Rights/Gender Equality: I return to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm the belief in the fundamental rights of human beings, in the dignity and value of humans and in the equal rights of women and men, and nations, large and small.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Disarmement: In Asia, the missile launches carried out by the DRPK are raising tension within the international community, provoking heated debate in the Security Council and increasing the worriness of the peoples, in particular in Japan and South Korea. I would like to call here the principal protagonists to exercise restraint and wisdom  in order to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Implementation: We welcome the initiative of the Secretary General on the draft pact between the United Nations and its member states concerning the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse during peacekeeping operations. We hope that all States will adhere to this mechanism to put an end to this phenomenon.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Iran Treaty: We have to do everything to ease the tensions in the region. This also involves maintaining and rigorously implementing the nuclear agreement with Iran, which contributes to reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Nuclear proliferation: My country strongly condemned the acts of Pyongyang. The Security Council has just strengthened the sanctions regime, and the European Union will do the same. Only the determination and the firmness of the international community is of a nature to bring the regime to reason and, hopefully, back to the table of negotiations.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Implementation: In a context where crisis centers are multiplying and where tensions are mounting, multilateralism must prevail, ie cooperation, dialogue and the search for solutions within the multilateral framework

Implementation: Multilateralism is the foundation of United Nations. To challenge it would be to question the inspiration at the basis of the UN: the creation of an international order based on the rule of law and in the service of peace and freedom.

Implementation: We regret that in the past 12 months, we have witnessed abusive use of permanent members’ veto power.

Financing: The budgetary situation of the UN remains difficult, notably, but not only, due to the new American approach.

Israel/ Palestine: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a central concern. The total absence of credible solution could lead to a new eruption of violence, and nourishes fertile soil for hatred and terrorism. By continuing the extension of settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem East, the Israeli government is directly endangering the two-state solution, which is the only  fair solution and which allows for a lasting settlement of the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Syria: In Syria, all actors must realize that peace can not be overcome without the implementation of  comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition.

Iraq:  A united, stable and democratic  Iraq should guarantee the interest of all citizens. The differences that still exist between the federal government and the Kurdish regional government must be resolved by a peaceful and constructive dialogue leading to an agreed solution within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Protection: The right to human  dignity is also reflected in the respect for the physical integrity of girls and women. For the last decades, we have succeeded in reducing maternal mortality by half, but the access of girls and women to sexual and reproductive rights and health is now being challenged in some parts of the world.

Humanitarian action:  Luxemburg is a signatory of the "Grand Bargain", which works to give more flexibility, predictability and continuity in international humanitarian action.

Conventional and nuclear weapons: “We are equally concerned by the excessive accumulation of conventional weapons and the development of nuclear programs. An international environment marked by the threats to use force, including nuclear arms, greatly exacerbates the sense of insecurity and lack of trust.”

Demilitarisation: “This obsolete mechanism has turned into a factor of conflict preservation and has failed to ensure the full demilitarisation of the security zone and to eliminate the obstacles to the free movement of people, goods and services.”

Ammunition: “According to OSCE reports, the stores of the Operative Group of the Russian Troops contain more than twenty-one thousand metric tons of weapons and ammunition.”

Arms control: “For the same reasons, the Republic of Moldova is unable to fulfill its international obligations, as a State Party, under various international disarmament conventions. While located on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, those weapons and munitions are not under its "jurisdiction or control".”

Conflict prevention: “In this context, I would like to reiterate my country's full support to the Secretary General Gutteres' agenda of reforms that puts a renewed emphasis on the conflict prevention, on the repositioning of the development and reforming the UN's internal management in order to effectively address the major challenges the world is confronted with.”

Gender: “We have also undertaken to reform the public administration and the public services, while ensuring gender equality and the promotion of youth.”

Conflict prevention: “We believe that no conflict in the world should be left out of the UN's attention, irrespective of whether they are on the Security Council's agenda or not.”

Sustainable peace: “We appreciate the fact that the General Assembly agreed to include and maintains on its agenda an item addressing the ''Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development''.”

Ukraine: “I take this opportunity to express the Republic of Moldova's deep concern regarding the ongoing armed conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine, a conflict that endangers the peace and security in our region. Let me reiterate again our full support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Conflict: “Since 1992, from this high UN rostrum, we repeatedly referred to the unresolved conflict in the Eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, a conflict that is also complicated by the illegal stationing of foreign military forces on our national territory.”

Peacekeeping: “We firmly believe that the settlement process could be underpinned by the transformation of the current "trilateral peacekeeping force" that includes also a Russian contingent, into a multinational civilian mission with international mandate.”

Conflict prevention: “We hope that the inclusion of this item in the agenda of the General Assembly and its further consideration by the UN Member States, in a constructive and non-politicized manner, would constitute an important and necessary exercise of preventive diplomacy vis-a-vis a country and region where the maintenance of peace and security is continuously undermined by the lack of dialogue that is based on mutual respect and the respect for the fundamental principles of international law.”

SDG5: Belize proudly hosted the launch of the CARICOM First Ladies and Spouses of Prime Ministers Network in support of the Implementation of SDG 5 and the Every Caribbean Woman Every Caribbean Child Initiative.

Disarmament: Belize has long supported the United Nations in its role - we have supported its endeavors to forge new partnerships for development, to advance global health policies, to bring justice to victims of crimes against humanity, to protect the most vulnerable, and to control the spread of weapons of mass destruction including small arms and light weapons.

Syria/Yemen/Palestine: We see injustice continuing to shadow the people of Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Western Sahara, South Sudan, and North Korea.

Nuclear: “The Lao PDR earnestly hopes to see the world without nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. In this context, we welcome the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which we also signed two days ago. But we are well aware that we still have an uphill task ahead of us for this Treaty to enter into force and be effectively implemented.”   

Peace: “It is my firm belief that peace and security remain the common aspiration of the international community. As such, in order to maintain and promote peace and development, it is incumbent upon us to enhance collaboration so that peace and sustainable development can prevail in our world. The United Nations, the only universal organization with the mandates to maintain and promote peace and cooperation for development, has to be in the forefront.”

Conflict resolution: “past experience shows that settling disputes by peaceful means and through diplomatic solutions is the best way as it is more durable and causes no loss of lives and properties of the people. As such, it is important for the international community to further build mutual trust, flexibility and jointly address the root causes of the problem.”

Focus country: “The Lao PDR also hopes that the Palestinian issue which has lasted for many decades will be solved by peaceful means with a view to creating two independent states of Palestine & Israel living side by side in peace, security and within internationally recognized borders as stipulated in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.”

Agenda 2030: “The Lao PDR attaches great importance to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since their adoption, SDGs have been streamlined into our current National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, and a National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the SDGs has been formally established.”

Agenda 2030: “My delegation firmly believes that development remains an integral part and a top priority for ensuring international peace, security and human rights, all of which are closely linked.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation: The Republic of Chad is deeply concerned by the threats of nuclear tests carried out by North Korea, which threaten world peace. The leaders of this country must realize the potential dramatic consequences that may result from this policy and privilege dialogue to enforce its rights.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement and Humanitarian action: The humanitarian situation is aggravated by the security context particularly difficult in our subregion. It translates into humanitarian crises, large-scale displacements of populations, famine, malnutrition and epidemics.

Libya:  With regard to the situation in Libya, Chad gives its full support to the United Nations and the African Union in the search for reconciliation between the different Libyan parties. But the solution of the crisis is in the hands of the Libyan politicians who have the respond to the expectations of the population.

Palestinian Question: The Palestinian question remains a fundamental issue, its impact on other crises is evident. For this reason, a fair and acceptable solution must be one which involves the peaceful cohabitation of two states Israel and Palestine. Therefore, will Chad support the State of Palestine in all its aspects and on the basis of the borders of 1967.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Disarmament:  The issue of disarmament is a crucial issue. It deserves our attention and Niger strongly supports the actions undertaken by the United Nations in order to achieve a general and complete disarmament both in terms of WMDs and conventional weapons.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Libya: Due to the uncontrolled circulation of weapons of all calibers, armed groups are becoming direct threats to both the Libyan people and for neighboring countries. As long as Libya does not stabilize,there is  no guarantee that the Sahelo-Saharan space will not continue to experience violent jolts.

Boko Haram:  Even if they (Boko Haram) are weakened and wandering, some elements of Boko Haram still remain dangerous, organizing suicide attacks by young girls who are forced to become human bombs, or sexual slaves .

Sahel: What is at stake in the Sahel is not only a fight for peace and security of the region but also for peace and international security.

Conflict Prevention: For Niger, the urgency is to address political crises to initiate the socio-economic recovery of the areas affected by these conflicts.

Palestine: With regard to certain major international issues, Niger is united with the struggle of the Palestinian people for the liberty and independence. Our position invariably remains that the

Just resolution of the conflict lies in the guaranteeing of the creation of Palestine with Jerusalem East as the capital.

Human Rights: If any country does not deserve to belong to the Human Rights Council, it is precisely the United States of America. It is the main violator of human rights, not only in its territory, if not throughout the world. Unjustified war, bombings on civilian population, clandestine jails with application of methods of torture, the imposition of unlawful unilateral measures against economies of several countries, various economic pressures, and migratory political recklessness.

Gender: The number of homeless people reaches 3.5 million [in the U.S.], 1.5 millions of nines and girls among them; 28% of people in poverty they do not have any health coverage; the maternal mortality rate has increased dramatically in recent years.

Gender: The USA is one of seven countries of the world that has not ratified the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; paid maternity leave in the United States is not compulsory.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: One in three indigenous women [in the U.S.] is raped in her life.

Iraq: A country [United States] that, in violation of the essential institutionalism of the United Nations, led the Iraq invasion in 2003, under the search for weapons of mass destruction, which they have never found despite the more than one million deaths that this bloody military operation has generated.

Russia/Iran/Cuba: In this regard, we condemn all unilateral actions against sister nations such as Russia and Iran, and especially the extension of the criminal blockade against sister Republic of Cuba which has been imposed by more than five decades and whose time reflects the clear demonstration of the new wave of American unilateralism.

Libya/Syria: Induced and bloody wars like the prefabricated wars against Syria and Libya, leaving only desolation in its wake. Fortunately, the heroic people and government of Syria, with the support of just international allies, is everyday closer to a definitive victory over the terrorist groups.

Palestine/Israel: Venezuela encourages the restart of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, whose process must lead to the achievement of a firm and lasting peace between the two States, recognizing the borders of Palestine as existing in 1967, in accordance with international law, and to the establishment of Jerusalem as its capital. We believe that the United Nations must assume a much more important role in the resolution of this historic and unjust conflict.

Colombia: We congratulate the implementation of the peace accords between the Government of Colombia and the FARC, to which lots of energy and effort went into by both Commander Chavez and President Nicolas Maduro. Likewise, we will continue to accompany and facilitate discussions between the Colombian government and the ELN, which is developing in the Republic of Ecuador.

Colombia: We express our concern about the increase in the production of drugs in our neighbor Colombia.

Nuclear weapons: The preservation of peace and security in the world goes hand in hand with the strict management of nuclear weapons. Regarding this, we must bring this up in the Security Council to find a peaceful solution to the grave nuclear weapons tensions in the Korean peninsula. Any recourse with nuclear weapons in this region is needed or this may mark the end of the era that we live in. There is a risk of a nuclear conflict with unpredictable consequences.

Disarmament: I invite the great powers of the world to encourage dialogue with North Korea, to ensure conditions that are appropriate for disarmament, and to reassure the world that there is the potential for peace and stability in this region.

Conflict prevention: The greatest importance is equally in accordance with the prevention of conflicts, in order to spare our countries the exorbitant human and material cost of wars.

Sustainable Peace: The lessons from this Peace Operation, known by many as one of the rare successes of our world organisation in the field of peace for many decades, has to inspire more United Nations initiatives in favour of peace.

Geographic reference: Along with these efforts, the international community must put an end to the war in Libya, and dismantle terrorists groups that thrive off of human trafficking.

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: “The North Korean nuclear weapons programme is a threat to global peace and stability, and it must be stopped. The United Nations Security Council's co-operation on North Korea has been successful. It is important that unity prevails.”

NPT/nuclear weapons: “Nuclear weapons represent a severe threat to mankind. As long as nuclear weapons exist there is a risk of a catastrophe. The NPT remains the cornerstone of global non-proliferation and the foundation for nuclear disarmament.”

Nuclear weapons: “Finland's approach to nuclear disarmament is result-oriented and pragmatic. It is imperative that the countries possessing nuclear weapons are on board on any negotiations. I call on all nuclear weapon states and countries possessing these weapons to promptly take concrete actions in nuclear disarmament. It is important that the nuclear deal on Iran is honoured by all parties. I also welcome the recent talks on strategic stability between the United States and Russia. It is our hope that they will restart the arms control talks in Europe and globally.”

Gender: “Transparency, accountability, efficiency and gender balance should be the guiding principles of the UN System.”

Conflict Prevention: “Successful conflict prevention saves lives and financial resources. Finland continues to advocate the use of mediation in conflict resolution. Mediation efforts, when successful, prevent conflicts and decrease human suffering.”

Protection: “Those who are marginalized must be given a voice in peace processes. Women, children and
adolescents often pay the highest price in conflicts but they can also help to pave a way out of
the crisis.”

Participation: “Finland has contributed to the establishment of a Nordic network of women mediators. It aims at sustaining peace through the inclusive and meaningful participation of women in all phases of peace processes.”

SGBV: “Finnish police officers, including a specialized team on sexual and gender based violence in UNMISS, are now deployed in seven UN operations.”

Ukraine/Syria: “In wars, there are no winners. Yet the conflicts continue. In 2016,157 000 lives were lost in violent conflicts globally. There are almost 68 million refugees in the world today. The conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Ukraine are all examples of untold human suffering. But they are not the only ones.”

SDG 5: “Only a multidimensional vision of development, especially a multidimensional vision of poverty, will allow us to understand the needs of populations, families and their members in terms of access to healthcare, social equality, gender equality, and address social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities, among other challenges of developing countries.”

Gender Equality: “Gender equality, Mr. President, remains an objective of the greatest importance for all countries. [...] Literature is extensive and political declarations are decisive by stressing the sensible democratic deficit and prejudices in terms of development derived from persistent patriarchal structures forged in former times, but remained perpetuated today because of the lack of education on rights and respect for democratic coexistence. [...] It is imperative to take concrete actions and make more women our peers fully at these important premises.

Participation: “My country has understood this commitment and embraces the proposals of the International Gender Champions which aim to reverse gender inequality within the United Nations and take specific actions in this 72nd Session to call upon these gender champions in order to promote gender balance within the delegations attending the General Debate during the high-level week of the General Assembly.”

Gender discrimination: “If I were to choose a single insulting and absurd example of this discrimination, the one that causes me the most indignation is that the average woman's salary is 25% lower the average man's for the same job.”

Care work: “Care is also an economic activity which contribution should be reflected in the country's productivity. Men should have a shared responsibility of fulfilling this labour and private companies as well as public institutions must facilitate it.”

Justice: “Laws causing and perpetuating discrimination must be amended and those encouraging equality must be enacted.”

Human Rights: “Our determination is to achieve women's incorporation in paid work, with measures that eradicate division based on sex in the workplace and facilitate economic autonomy and high quality of life as necessary conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights.”

Women’s power: “[The women of the world] are powerful enough to move ahead despite the rigid and rude patriarchal heritage that tends to not acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments and that fills with doubts and dangers your road towards your full autonomy. You are an example for others: your internal strength leads you to break the chains of oppression, rise above tearing migrations and forced displacement, free entire communities for unexpected forms of slavery. [...] You are masters of resilience, since you have learned how to deal with the wrong people and painful moments. [...] Today is a good day to look ourselves in the mirror, start to create truly equal relations, and take this long night to its end.”

Disarmament: “Sixty nine years ago Costa Rica decided to change weapons and soldiers for notebooks and teachers. 69 years ago Costa Rica decided to believe, strengthen, and promote International Law as the civilized way to resolve their differences with others and today, 69 years later, Costa Rica continues believing in this way.”

In politics and governance, more women have been able to be elected to the national legislature and other Government legislative institutions due to the deliberate Government policy of affirmative action of reserving certain positions for women alone, in addition to their ability to compete with men in other positions. More female members have also been appointed to the national Cabinet in Government. The Government of Uganda is committed to continue exploring more opportunities in the effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). We wish to call upon the United Nations to involve more women in preventive diplomacy, negotiations and mediation to promote gender balance in these areas.

Gender Equality: “One of the most prominent guarantees for empathic. Inclusive development, for democracy and the rule of law is to mainstream gender equality into all areas of life. It is proven that equitable treatment of women and men has a multiplier effect in eradicating poverty. Estonian welfare development plan for 2016-2023 covers policy areas from employment and social inclusion to equal opportunities in applying one's talent in all walks of life. Our goal is balanced participation of women and men in all levels of decision-making and management - both in public and private sectors.”

Women’s Participation: “It is important not to forget about gender balance In conflict situations either. Engagement of women already in the early stages of prevention, resolving crises, and building peace reduces the probability of relapses to violent conflict. Therefore, we need to encourage women's participation in peace processes and acknowledge them as actors of change with great potential. And we must never tire in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1325 and related resolutions on women, peace and security on every level. The adoption of the Peace Building Commission's gender strategy last year is a worthy milepost on this road.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “For women to fully enjoy their role in the society it is crucial to eliminate gender based violence. We should ensure that survivors are treated with dignity and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. Estonia continues to support actions addressing gender based violence and reproductive health needs of most vulnerable women and adolescent girls, for example via UNFRA in Ukraine 2017, and by supporting #shedecides initiative.”

Peacebuilding: “There are too many states in the world which suffer from unresolved conflicts. These are states which could take care of their own population and contribute at the global scene, if we were quicker to manage the conflicts which are holding them back or, worse, threatening to tear them apart.”

Syria: “The world has lost half a million people in Syria. Estonia supports the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, established in December 2016, to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.”

Yemen/Nigeria: “We cannot overlook the escalating sufferings of the people of Yemen or ignore the fate of the Rohingya people. We need to put more effort into humanitarian action to tackle hunger, diseases and epidemics looming in the country. Our common efforts in fighting famine and hunger are also crucial in South-Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.”

Multilateralism: “We welcome the emphasis on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, creating societies resilient to vulnerabilities.”

Multilateralism: “If the UN is to be more relevant to countries like mine, it must deliver as One UN. But this has not yet been fulfilled. The inherited model of the UN agencies as instruments of technical assistance and capacity building should be subjected to the market test, namely value for money and sustainability of results in comparison to government, private sector and non-governmental modes of delivery. Mutual accountability is a proven mechanism of consolidation and expansion of partnerships, and trust-building.”

Women: “We are reaching out to those who had previously been excluded from society—young people, the poor, and women. Yet these people are our nations' source of resilience.”

Women: “Through unimaginable hardship, women kept the fabric of our communities and societies together even as they fell to shreds. Yet women were relegated to the very bottom of society. This was unacceptable and our nation suffered for it. Today, there are more Afghan women in government, in the workforce, and active in civil society than ever before in Afghan history, yet we still have far to go. At the helm, we have 6 women Ambassadors, and 4 women cabinet members. Simply put, women's empowerment is crucial to our future.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear disarmament: “But today, we refuse to remain silent and it is on this note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We too would like to echo the global call on DPRK to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions”

Disarmament: “The recent testing of ballistic missiles by DPRK over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement: Sadly, the majority of these displaced people are women and children.

Protection/HR: “Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide - my country and region included. Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality in economic opportunities and livelihoods”         

Participation: “We have made big strides in not just counting women but more importantly in making women count.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “(North Korea) illegal nuclear and missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions. The security of millions of people is at risk as a result of North Korea's refusal to abide by international laws and norms (...) The Security Council has responded with tough new economic sanctions. It is crucial that all UN member states and especially the Permanent 5, who have a particular responsibility, strictly implement these sanctions to compel North Korea to abandon its illegal programs.”

Chemical weapons: “ The use of chemical weapons presents another serious threat to the rules based order. (...) Australia supports the work of the UN - and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - in identifying those who deployed these appalling illegal weapons.”  

Quotes/References to WPS:”

Peacekeeping:”The UN must focus on conflict prevention as that is more effective than dealing with the tragic consequences of conflict. UN management systems must be made more efficient and accountable.”

Participation: “There must be more women in senior positions.”

General WPS: “Empowering women and girls to reach their full potential lifts a country's productivity and underpins stability."

Protection: “The number of journalists and human rights defenders detained, abused or killed each year should be of grave concern to us all.”

Human Rights: “Similarly, we will promote strong, independent national rights institutions - to raise awareness of human rights, to address violations and to hold to account those responsible for abuses.”                 

Conflict Prevention: “Preventing and addressing war, conflict and humanitarian crises is crucial for sustainability. Norway strongly supports UN Secretary-General Guterres' vision for the UN. Every tool and institution within the UN system must be realigned to improve our ability to prevent conflict and to make and sustain peace. Respect for fundamental human rights is critical in order to build resilient, prosperous and peaceful societies. Investments in human rights today will prevent what would have been tomorrow's conflicts.”

Colombia/Women’s Participation: “The point I want to make is that the Colombian success story is propelling sustainable development both within and outside the nation's borders. The agreement struck by the parties also addresses issues of common interest globally - such as fighting illicit drug trafficking and deforestation in former conflict areas. The Colombian process was the most inclusive peace process in history. Ensuring inclusivity in conflict resolution is both the right and the smart thing to do. Experience shows that women's participation in peace processes tends to increase the chances of sustainable peace.”

Extra-Territorial Obligations: “Development assistance should play a more catalytic role in our common, global campaign for sustainable development. [...] Norway has disbursed half a billion US dollars to the Syria crisis since 2016. This means that we are on track to fulfil the pledge we made at the London conference.”

Girls: “Investing in education, particularly for girls, is the most effective way of promoting sustainable development.”

Yemen/etc.: “Now we must strengthen our efforts to secure sustainable peace. The Security Council must step up and take responsibility. We also need to increase our efforts in the other large-scale humanitarian crises, like Yemen, South Sudan, and Lake Chad.”

WPS Financing: “Realization of peace is greatly impeded with insufficient resources.”

Peacebuilding: “We strongly believe that 'peace is not a one day affair or event' For us and our friendly partners in peace, there is simply no other viable alternative than making peace. Nonetheless, realisation of peace takes time. [...] It requires our collective efforts, it is a consistent and persistent build up of positive steps towards achieving a world that we envision for the future generations in our country, in our continent and the world at large. [...] I wish also to highlight the important role that South Sudanese women continue to play as peace builders and custodians of these inter-communal peace initiatives.”

Civil Society: “The [Transitional Government] is spearheading grassroots intercommunal peace initiatives. [...] The Steering Committee is also engaging teams of resource persons who will go to all the states, counties, Payams and Bomas (localities) to organize meetings with representatives of the relevant groups to seek their views on the grievances held by their people, and to ensure that these are effectively addressed and corrected.”

Policy Coherence: “It is important to incentivise peace and stability through a balanced approach to development and embracing a new way of working.”

UNSC reform: “It is an urgent task to realize the reforms of the United Nations Security Council, since the current composition and function of the Security Council does not reflect the realities of the international community in the 21st century.”

Peacebuilding: “The direction of the way forward must be ‘South Sudanese-led’ and solutions ‘home grown’ if we are genuinely striving to achieve sustainable results.”

Participation: We want a world where there’s a spirit of equal participation so much for women like for men; for the small countries like for the large countries.  

Conflict prevention: War should never be a recourse at the United Nations to guarantee international peace and security. Remember that international peace and security can only be guaranteed when every country basks in internal peace and when their fundamental and inalienable rights are respected.  

Disarmament: We are part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its use of the conflict between States not only condemn their use and fabrication, but also their distribution and possession. We think the terms of this treaty are insufficient because they should include the destruction of the nuclear arms wherever they are. The possession of  some of these States makes other countries think that they have a right to possess the weapons.

Africa remains convinced that any viable and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict necessarily involves the creation of two States living side by side, in security within safe and internationally recognized borders, on the basis of borders before 1967.

Nuclear weapons: “Today, we face the threat of climate change, the violence of terrorism, the risk and indignation of migration, and a nuclear escalation on the Korean peninsula.”

Arms control: “We have reshaped the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police, professionalized our customs and immigration services and small Liberian Coast Guard.”

Women’s empowerment: “There is so much more to share about Liberia's post conflict transformation, how we have empowered ordinary citizens and a shared sense of citizenship, giving women, including market and rural women a voice and the rights to be heard.”

Multilateralism: “Liberia has enjoyed the benefit of multilateralism through full support provided by the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS].”

SDGs and Peace: “Secondly, I remind you that two years ago, the 70th Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Agenda containing 17 goals, which encapsulate the aspirations of member states to eradicate poverty and reduce, if not eliminate, inequalities within and between countries. Our commitment to achieving these goals must be unwavering because progress here is inextricably linked to ending conflict and sustaining peace.”

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Disarmament: “I am convinced that the pace of global development and the achievement of peace and security will be significantly accelerated if we appreciate the wisdom in redirecting resources from the current nuclear arms race to people-centered development. This will benefit mankind more than continuing the competition for superiority at our detriment. It will also facilitate the attainment of our desired twin goals of sustainable peace and development.”

Peace/Conflict Prevention: “Let me particularly commend the United Nations for its significant contribution to restoring peace, security, stability and economic reconstruction in my country. Sierra Leone, during our very trying times of war and its aftermath. I am happy to note that today. Sierra Leone is described by the United Nations through its Peace Building Commission as a proud storehouse of lessons for a seamless transition from war to peace, democracy and stability. These lessons have provided us with valuable and cost-effective tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflict prevention. We have always been more than ready and willing to share them with other countries in a similar plight, especially within our membership of the g7+ group of post-conflict countries who are striving to exit fragility and promote resilience.”

Conflict prevention: “Two years ago, this Assembly adopted the groundbreaking resolution 70/304 on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is Sierra Leone's firm belief that we must continue to build on gains made in our preventive diplomacy efforts, including heightened collaboration with each other, and among our regional organizations and actors, making use of experiences that have helped us achieve relative international peace and security. I am in that regard, heartened by the profound impetus of the preferential use of preventive diplomacy, as well as mediation efforts in the maintenance of international peace and security by the UN system. The good offices of the Secretary General, including the early warning system, and the international contact groups are important instruments in our pursuit to prevent conflict and must be further strengthened to effectively respond to any crisis situation. The effective utilization of Chapter VI of the Charter therefore remains the best option for this Organization in the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes.”

Conflict prevention: “Furthermore, the role of regional organizations in partnership with the United Nations must be further strengthened to ensure greater response at the regional level in implementing preventive measures such as early warning mechanisms. Regional organizations are usually better positioned to generate the necessary political will for conflict prevention within their regions. The role of the Peacebuilding Commission has been exemplary and the experience, expertise and knowledge that exist within its work in preventing countries from relapse should be tapped to prevent conflict from escalating into violence or war. In this regard, we encourage the sharing of the experiences gained and lessons learned by PBC country configurations.”

Conflict resolution: “We have learned from experience that for mediation efforts to be fruitful, they must embrace such measures as the timely cessation of hostilities, credible cease-fire agreements and the timely deployment of peacekeeping and/or observer missions to undertake and supervise disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.”

Gender Equality: “My Government has recorded significant milestones in the areas of gender equality and women's empowerment as well as in promoting youth employment and empowerment. We have established a more stable and regulatory environment for investment and wealth generation, which in the medium and long term will create employment opportunities for inclusive socio economic development of the youth, the disabled, and women.”

Peace process: “Today I come to tell you that the peace process with the FARC does not only culminated with an agreement but with something bigger, more important: thousands and thousands of human lives saved!”

Implementation: “In a few days, operations in our country will begin a second Mission authorized last week by the Council of Security, which will accompany the reintegration of guerrillas into the civilian life, and will help us to verify the safety of ex-combatants and communities that have suffered the rigor of armed conflict.”

Reconstruction & Peacebuilding: “Now the members of this former guerrilla group - without
prejudice to their responsibilities to the justice system and have become a political movement to defend their ideas and their proposals in the forums of democracy.”

Peace Process: “The international community must give high priority to the resumption of peace negotiations on the basis o f ending the Israeli occupation o f the Arab territories within a specified time firame and reaching a just, comprehensive and final settlement in accordance with the two- state solution agreed upon by the intemational community, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace initiative.”

Cyber warfare/technology: “And what is worse, the blockade planners found it necessary to rely on fabricated quotes attributed to me and posted on the website of Qatar News Agency after hacking it... The perpetrators of the hacking and the falsification of the quotes have committed an assault against a sovereign State. The crime was deliberately committed for political aims, and was followed by a list of political dictations, which contravene sovereignty, and caused worldwide astonishment. This disgraceful act has once again raised international queries about digital security and the unruliness in cybercrime and electronic piracy. It also revealed the anxiety of a lot of public and official circles in the world over the absence of clear-cut international legislations and institutions to organize this dangerous and vital field and punish the perpetrators of transnational crimes.”

Syria: “Qatar will spare no effort in providing support and assistance to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of our Syrian brothers and to implement our humanitarian pledges within the framework of the United Nations.”

Libya: “The State of Qatar has supported international mediation efforts and will support them in the future to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.”

Yemen: “Concerning Yemen, we affirm the importance of maintaining Yemen's unity, security and stability, and ending the state of infighting and war and adopting dialogue, political solution and national reconciliation as a basis for ending this crisis and implementing the Security Council resolution 2216. We call upon the international community to facilitate the access of humanitarian assistance to various Yemeni regions. The State of Qatar supports the efforts of the UN envoy to end this crisis and realize the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people in unity, security and stability.”

Nuclear weapons: “The potential humanitarian consequences of a nuclear explosion became a growing concern.”

Nuclear weapons: “And the crisis in North Korea demonstrates that the risk of a nuclear confrontation is higher than the world has seen in a long time.”

Landmines/Arms Trade: “Despite the Minsk Agreements, heavy weapons continue to move into the region, and mines are being laid.”

Non-proliferation: “On a global level, poverty, hunger and climate change as well as organized crime and the proliferation of weapons remain key concerns.”

Nuclear Weapons: “The risk of a nuclear confrontation today is bigger than it has been in a long time. The consequences of a nuclear explosion are extremely grave. Nuclear disarmament remains the number one unfinished business. And the recent escalation of tension by the DPRK is a clear warning signal.”

Disarmament: “Austria has been consistently engaged in efforts to reduce the risk of a nuclear disaster and to work for a world without nuclear weapons.”

Nuclear weapons: “In this regard, we welcomed the Vienna Agreement that placed Iran’s nuclear activities under international observation. Undermining this agreement would weaken efforts to achieve negotiated solutions to nuclear disputes.”

Disarmament: “The New Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important achievement in this regard. It is a crucial step to get rid of all nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “Today, we often hear that nuclear weapons are necessary for security. This narrative is not only wrong, it is dangerous. The new Treaty provides a real alternative: a world without nuclear weapons, where everyone is safer.”

Geographic References: “With success of Daesh in Iraq and Syria radicalization and extremism sharply increased within our societies.”

Geographic References: “Conflicts that result in terrible human suffering, such as in Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen or Libya.”

Geographic References: “What we need to do is destroy these radical groups militarily where they operate, such as Iraq or Syria.”

Sustainable Peace: “I also welcome the discussions in the Security Council to increase the security of the OSCE monitors, possibly with a UN Peacekeeping Operation.”

Non-proliferation: “Disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control are among the main pillars of international security and, hence, represent tangible aspects of the effort to achieve peace and decent life.”

Disarmament: “Bulgaria reiterates its commitment to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, as well as to the objective to attain a world free of nuclear weapons.”

Disarmament: “The next two steps in this direction could be the entry into force of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty and the start of the negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

Nuclear weapons: “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program concluded in July 2015 remains of historic significance.”

Nuclear weapons: “Bulgaria categorically condemns the repeated nuclear tests and missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which lead to further escalation of the tensions in the region and undermine world peace and security.”

Sustainable Peace: “This year the General Debate puts a special emphasis on our common strive for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet highlighting the importance of prevention, mediation, sustainable development, preservation of the environment and respect for human rights through a people-centered approach. The United Nations upholds our shared goals of peace and security, development and human rights.”

SDGs: “If we are to transform our world by lifting it out of poverty, we need to implement fully the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting equality, inclusion and participation.”

Sustainable Peace: “In this regard, Bulgaria supports the 'surge in diplomacy for peace' which places prevention as an overarching priority of the UN's work and sets the stage for the necessary reforms to sustain peace. Prevention and mediation are essential means of reducing human suffering, including in addressing the root causes of forced displacements, bringing humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts together.”

Geographic reference: “Bulgaria reaffirms its position that the "two-State solution" formula is the realistic, just and lasting way to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Geographic references: “Finding a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria and implementing a credible political transition in the country is essential for preserving the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian State.”

Geographic references: “Another source of deep concern for my country is the situation in Eastern Ukraine which, regrettably, remains highly precarious and volatile despite periodic ceasefire agreements. We reiterate our call for a swift and full implementation of the Minsk Agreements which have no viable alternative.”

Geographic references: “Bulgaria is deeply concerned by the unprecedented scale of organized looting of cultural property in Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries in conflict or postconflict situation.”

Women and empowerment: “In the last few decades the UN has made crucial steps to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.”

Gender-based violence: These efforts should be further strengthened in order to achieve tangible results for women and girls on the ground by eliminating all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.”

Gender: “Ensuring equal rights for women and men should be an integral part of every
day policies in all spheres of life.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

SGVB: With regard to the fight against sexual violence, I applaud  the remarkable progress achieved by the Congolese Justice, which has issued hundreds of decisions condemnation for rape, sparing no author of these crimes by virtue of his social position or in the hierarchy
military, proof of the end of impunity in this area.

Peace Processes:  As for peace, political stability constitutes our constant policy objective. In this context, for almost a year, we have resorted to dialogue which is for us a permanent mode of settlement of political disputes.

Agenda 2030: “We are preparing for the voluntary review of progress on the Agenda in July 2018.”

Syria: “For seven years now we have been mentioning the conflict in Syria from this dais. We are comforted by the decline in hostilities and by the victories against Daesh, but we are still greatly concerned that individual interests are being placed before a political solution which, thanks to a UN’s mediation, may lead to a genuine transition.”

Iraq/Reconstruction: “Spain supports Iraq’s reconstruction and reconciliation among its citizens, and rejects political ventures that detract efforts from the priority of consolidating a free, democratic and united Iraq.”  

Libya: “Also in Libya, the SG’s new Special Representative has Spain’s full support to contribute to a political solution for a united country on the basis of the Political Agreement.”

The DRC: “We are concerned by the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call for respect for the constitutional provisions and for the dialogue in order to seek solutions, to lay the foundations for peaceful coexistence.” 

Colombia/Reconstruction & Peacebuilding: “Spain welcomed with satisfaction the peace agreement reached in Colombia. We would like to actively contribute to peace-building. We have taken part in the UN Mission to supervise the abandonment of weapons, we are heartened by the positive development of this process and we are open to participating in the new Mission that will verify the 9 reintegration of FARC guerrillas, beginning on 26 September.”

Peace process: “Besides, we are accompanying as well the consolidation of the peace process through development actions we are promoting in the bilateral, European Union and multilateral levels.” 

Ukraine: “We are also concerned by the persistence of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Its solution requires compliance with the Minsk agreements. The OSCE monitoring mission deserves all our support.”

Disarmament: “North Korea’s renewal of nuclear and ballistic testing in January 2016 was in flagrant defiance of Council Resolutions, and severely undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, to which Spain is fully committed.”

Nuclear weapons: “We must make sure we serve and deliver on our main objective as a global family to provide a peaceful and secure world, without nuclear weapons, and to promote social progress, better living standards, human rights and dignity for all our citizens.”

Armed conflict: “Over the past years, we continue to witness human suffering around the world as a result of armed conflicts, terrorism, persecution, corruption, climate change and natural disaster, to name a few.”

SDGs: “ We call for a reform programme that will see Taiwan included in our global family’s efforts and drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Conflict prevention: “These are priceless solutions to the mounting problems that we continue to battle”

SDGs: “However, it is also taking place in parallel with laudable efforts towards implementing the Sustainable Development Agenda designed to ensure Humanity's fulfilment so that no one is left behind.”

Sustainable Peace: “Such peace remains dangerously under threat, notably from terrorism, conflicts, poverty and climate disruptions. Today, I would say, we are all "beggars for peace".”

Sustainable Peace: “Let me now conclude. Peace is our most precious asset. Without peace, we cannot take any sustainable and effective initiative in the interest of our youth and our peoples.”

Gender Equality: “In decades that followed, the world has witnessed profound transformation. While there are some notable achievements in poverty reduction, school enrollment, gender equality and combating communicable diseases, it is not without multiple and complex challenges.”

WPS Financing: “Path to peace and decent life for all will remain elusive without resources and commitment for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. A very small fraction of trillions of dollars spent in armament can help the countries in need to attain these goals. [...] Delivery on commitments, inclusive process, coordinated efforts and shared responsibilities backed by adequate resources are essential to secure sustainable future and ensure that no one is left behind.”

SEA: “On sexual exploitation and abuse, we must move from zero tolerance to zero case scenario. It is in this spirit that Nepal endorsed the Kigali Principles in its entirety, and signed the Secretary-General's Voluntary Compact on the Elimination of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.”

UNSC Reform: “The Security Council’s reform is long overdue. Under-representation of developing countries must be addressed in recognition of their growing contributions in shaping global agenda. [...] Reforms must be inclusive and representative in structure, transparent and efficient in procedure, and accountable and effective in delivery.”

Peacebuilding: “This unique peace process was home-grown and nationally-driven. Its successful conclusion has firmly established the culture of dialogue and accommodation, and could serve as a model for similar situations elsewhere. We appreciate the support and understanding provided by the international community.”

Women: “Recent local level elections have firmly established women’s role in politics and development. The constitution guarantees 40% women representation at the local level and one third in the federal and provincial parliaments.”

WPS Financing: “Realization of peace is greatly impeded with insufficient resources.”

Peacebuilding: “We strongly believe that 'peace is not a one day affair or event' For us and our friendly partners in peace, there is simply no other viable alternative than making peace. Nonetheless, realisation of peace takes time. [...] It requires our collective efforts, it is a consistent and persistent build up of positive steps towards achieving a world that we envision for the future generations in our country, in our continent and the world at large. [...] I wish also to highlight the important role that South Sudanese women continue to play as peace builders and custodians of these inter-communal peace initiatives.”

Civil Society: “The [Transitional Government] is spearheading grassroots intercommunal peace initiatives. [...] The Steering Committee is also engaging teams of resource persons who will go to all the states, counties, Payams and Bomas (localities) to organize meetings with representatives of the relevant groups to seek their views on the grievances held by their people, and to ensure that these are effectively addressed and corrected.”

Policy Coherence: “It is important to incentivise peace and stability through a balanced approach to development and embracing a new way of working.”

UNSC reform: “It is an urgent task to realize the reforms of the United Nations Security Council, since the current composition and function of the Security Council does not reflect the realities of the international community in the 21st century.”

Peacebuilding: “The direction of the way forward must be ‘South Sudanese-led’ and solutions ‘home grown’ if we are genuinely striving to achieve sustainable results.”

Yemen/Syria/Palestine: “The human suffering in Syria, Yemen and Myanmar demands greater international attention and action.Similarly, the potential threats to international peace and security posed by tensions on the Korean peninsula, among the Gulf States and in the State of Palestine require persistent and prioritised diplomacy”.

Peace Process: “Diplomacy, though difficult, is always preferable to the alternative. This United Nations was founded and continues to exist on that fundamental premise. Frustration with the pace of negotiation and mediation cannot give way to the intemperate urge to impose quick military fixes on inherently political problems. Nor can it lead to an illogical interpretation of sovereign self-interest that justifies the trampling on the sovereignty of other states”.

UNSC reform: “The litmus test for any serious talk of UN reform is the reform of the Security Council. Those who pay lip service to reform while ignoring the need for a reformed Council - with expanded permanent membership, special voice for island states, and radically revised working methods - are simply engaging in an exercise of attempting to reduce their financial responsibilities while maintaining an unjustifiable grip on disproportionate and outmoded power arrangements”.

SDGs: “Saint Vincent and the Grenadines applauds your sustained focus on sustainable development. Our Government has located the Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of our national development strategies”

SDGs: “Nonetheless, as you and the Secretary-General have recognised, achievement of the SDGs requires international cooperation and the commitment of new and additional funding. Ours is the only body that can generate and sustain the necessary political will and resources to give life to the ambition of the SDGs. The link between development and peace is well-established; and the link between peace and the United Nations is immutable”.

Palestine: “The travails of the people of Palestine arising from the illegal occupation of their lands continue to haunt us globally.This UN General Assembly has repeatedly pronounced in favour of the rights of the Palestinian people but the illegal occupiers backed by a handful of powerful states internationally have continuously thwarted the will of the international community. Peace in the Middle East will continue to be a mirage unless the national rights of the Palestinian people are recognised and upheld in practice”.

Discrimination of Women: “With respect to the health care that we provide to our populations, particularly children and women in reproductive age - we have made progress in my Country.”

Gender Equality: “The policy of Gender Equality, more specifically of equal opportunity for girls and women in Guinea-Bissau is undoubtedly a test for democracy in my country.”

Women’s Rights: “I hope that all the political, economic, and social actors in my country will continue to converge on the legitimate advocacy for Women's Rights and, in general, for the promotion of human rights in Guinea-Bissau.”

Israel/Palestine: “We also support the hopes of the Palestinian People for the establishment of their own SLate coexisting side by side with the StaLe of Israel, based on Trust, Peace, and Security.”

Conventional and nuclear weapons: “We are equally concerned by the excessive accumulation of conventional weapons and the development of nuclear programs. An international environment marked by the threats to use force, including nuclear arms, greatly exacerbates the sense of insecurity and lack of trust.”

Demilitarisation: “This obsolete mechanism has turned into a factor of conflict preservation and has failed to ensure the full demilitarisation of the security zone and to eliminate the obstacles to the free movement of people, goods and services.”

Ammunition: “According to OSCE reports, the stores of the Operative Group of the Russian Troops contain more than twenty-one thousand metric tons of weapons and ammunition.”

Arms control: “For the same reasons, the Republic of Moldova is unable to fulfill its international obligations, as a State Party, under various international disarmament conventions. While located on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, those weapons and munitions are not under its "jurisdiction or control".”

Conflict prevention: “In this context, I would like to reiterate my country's full support to the Secretary General Gutteres' agenda of reforms that puts a renewed emphasis on the conflict prevention, on the repositioning of the development and reforming the UN's internal management in order to effectively address the major challenges the world is confronted with.”

Gender: “We have also undertaken to reform the public administration and the public services, while ensuring gender equality and the promotion of youth.”

Conflict prevention: “We believe that no conflict in the world should be left out of the UN's attention, irrespective of whether they are on the Security Council's agenda or not.”

Sustainable peace: “We appreciate the fact that the General Assembly agreed to include and maintains on its agenda an item addressing the ''Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development''.”

Ukraine: “I take this opportunity to express the Republic of Moldova's deep concern regarding the ongoing armed conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine, a conflict that endangers the peace and security in our region. Let me reiterate again our full support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.”

Conflict: “Since 1992, from this high UN rostrum, we repeatedly referred to the unresolved conflict in the Eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, a conflict that is also complicated by the illegal stationing of foreign military forces on our national territory.”

Peacekeeping: “We firmly believe that the settlement process could be underpinned by the transformation of the current "trilateral peacekeeping force" that includes also a Russian contingent, into a multinational civilian mission with international mandate.”

Conflict prevention: “We hope that the inclusion of this item in the agenda of the General Assembly and its further consideration by the UN Member States, in a constructive and non-politicized manner, would constitute an important and necessary exercise of preventive diplomacy vis-a-vis a country and region where the maintenance of peace and security is continuously undermined by the lack of dialogue that is based on mutual respect and the respect for the fundamental principles of international law.”

Nuclear: “The Lao PDR earnestly hopes to see the world without nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. In this context, we welcome the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which we also signed two days ago. But we are well aware that we still have an uphill task ahead of us for this Treaty to enter into force and be effectively implemented.”   

Peace: “It is my firm belief that peace and security remain the common aspiration of the international community. As such, in order to maintain and promote peace and development, it is incumbent upon us to enhance collaboration so that peace and sustainable development can prevail in our world. The United Nations, the only universal organization with the mandates to maintain and promote peace and cooperation for development, has to be in the forefront.”

Conflict resolution: “past experience shows that settling disputes by peaceful means and through diplomatic solutions is the best way as it is more durable and causes no loss of lives and properties of the people. As such, it is important for the international community to further build mutual trust, flexibility and jointly address the root causes of the problem.”

Focus country: “The Lao PDR also hopes that the Palestinian issue which has lasted for many decades will be solved by peaceful means with a view to creating two independent states of Palestine & Israel living side by side in peace, security and within internationally recognized borders as stipulated in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.”

Agenda 2030: “The Lao PDR attaches great importance to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since their adoption, SDGs have been streamlined into our current National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, and a National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the SDGs has been formally established.”

Agenda 2030: “My delegation firmly believes that development remains an integral part and a top priority for ensuring international peace, security and human rights, all of which are closely linked.”

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Nuclear weapons: The threat of nuclear escalation in Asia has never been so real and this threat cannot leave any leader indifferent.

Implementation:  Recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, Monaco continues to support collective action to promote peace and security.

Protection: We must, moreover, persevere resolutely in the fight against all forms of serious violence against human dignity and, in particular, to work for the improvement of the status of women, as discrimination and violence against women remain a reality.

SGVB: Monaco welcomes the SG’s courageous initiative, the Voluntary Pact between the United Nations and the Member States for the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse  in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance missions, and during missions which are meant to promote and protect human rights and, more broadly, during any activities where the Organization's contributes to Sustainable Development.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear disarmament: “But today, we refuse to remain silent and it is on this note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We too would like to echo the global call on DPRK to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions”

Disarmament: “The recent testing of ballistic missiles by DPRK over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement: Sadly, the majority of these displaced people are women and children.

Protection/HR: “Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide - my country and region included. Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality in economic opportunities and livelihoods”         

Participation: “We have made big strides in not just counting women but more importantly in making women count.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear Weapons: “We condemn in the strongest terms the illegal actions of North Korean leaders and call on them to accept generous offers to return to the negotiating table. During the past weeks, we have at last seen a united Security Council act firmly but constructively; to push for dialogue and confidence-building measures while staying firm on strengthening sanctions in the face of continued provocation.”                                

Chemical weapons: “The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government against its own people was a blatant violation of international and humanitarian laws and demanded a firm response by the international community.”                 

Quotes/References to WPS:

Yemen: “Complex internal conflicts have led to displacement and suffering on a massive scale, with famine looming in many areas, including Yemen.”

General WPS: “Iceland knows first-hand the massive potential resting in gender equality. With UN Women as a key partner, Iceland is a dedicated proponent of women’s human rights (...) and continue to promote women’s participation in the peace and security agenda.”

Protection: “I  commend the Secretary-General for his commitment to gender equality within the UN and his determination in addressing the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and UN staff – a betrayal of the civilians under their care, and of the values of the UN.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Disarmement: In Asia, the missile launches carried out by the DRPK are raising tension within the international community, provoking heated debate in the Security Council and increasing the worriness of the peoples, in particular in Japan and South Korea. I would like to call here the principal protagonists to exercise restraint and wisdom  in order to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Implementation: We welcome the initiative of the Secretary General on the draft pact between the United Nations and its member states concerning the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse during peacekeeping operations. We hope that all States will adhere to this mechanism to put an end to this phenomenon.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Iran Treaty: We have to do everything to ease the tensions in the region. This also involves maintaining and rigorously implementing the nuclear agreement with Iran, which contributes to reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Nuclear proliferation: My country strongly condemned the acts of Pyongyang. The Security Council has just strengthened the sanctions regime, and the European Union will do the same. Only the determination and the firmness of the international community is of a nature to bring the regime to reason and, hopefully, back to the table of negotiations.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Implementation: In a context where crisis centers are multiplying and where tensions are mounting, multilateralism must prevail, ie cooperation, dialogue and the search for solutions within the multilateral framework

Implementation: Multilateralism is the foundation of United Nations. To challenge it would be to question the inspiration at the basis of the UN: the creation of an international order based on the rule of law and in the service of peace and freedom.

Implementation: We regret that in the past 12 months, we have witnessed abusive use of permanent members’ veto power.

Financing: The budgetary situation of the UN remains difficult, notably, but not only, due to the new American approach.

Israel/ Palestine: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a central concern. The total absence of credible solution could lead to a new eruption of violence, and nourishes fertile soil for hatred and terrorism. By continuing the extension of settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem East, the Israeli government is directly endangering the two-state solution, which is the only  fair solution and which allows for a lasting settlement of the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Syria: In Syria, all actors must realize that peace can not be overcome without the implementation of  comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition.

Iraq:  A united, stable and democratic  Iraq should guarantee the interest of all citizens. The differences that still exist between the federal government and the Kurdish regional government must be resolved by a peaceful and constructive dialogue leading to an agreed solution within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Protection: The right to human  dignity is also reflected in the respect for the physical integrity of girls and women. For the last decades, we have succeeded in reducing maternal mortality by half, but the access of girls and women to sexual and reproductive rights and health is now being challenged in some parts of the world.

Humanitarian action:  Luxemburg is a signatory of the "Grand Bargain", which works to give more flexibility, predictability and continuity in international humanitarian action.

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Nuclear weapons: The threat of nuclear escalation in Asia has never been so real and this threat cannot leave any leader indifferent.

Implementation:  Recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, Monaco continues to support collective action to promote peace and security.

Protection: We must, moreover, persevere resolutely in the fight against all forms of serious violence against human dignity and, in particular, to work for the improvement of the status of women, as discrimination and violence against women remain a reality.

SGVB: Monaco welcomes the SG’s courageous initiative, the Voluntary Pact between the United Nations and the Member States for the elimination of sexual exploitation and abuse  in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance missions, and during missions which are meant to promote and protect human rights and, more broadly, during any activities where the Organization's contributes to Sustainable Development.

Women and girls have endured some of the greatest acts of humiliation by being subjected to such degrading acts as rape and other forms of sexual violence and abuse during conflicts. In most instances, sexual exploitation, violence and abuse are even used as weapons of war.

United Nations reports are awash with many such acts in many conflicts and war situations all over the world, including in Africa. Conflicts and wars have registered many widows and orphans, the most vulnerable of whom are girls.

In local districts under the localization programme, Uganda, facilitated by the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, has adopted local action plans that have resulted in a decrease in sexual and gender- based violence.

Gender Equality: “One of the most prominent guarantees for empathic. Inclusive development, for democracy and the rule of law is to mainstream gender equality into all areas of life. It is proven that equitable treatment of women and men has a multiplier effect in eradicating poverty. Estonian welfare development plan for 2016-2023 covers policy areas from employment and social inclusion to equal opportunities in applying one's talent in all walks of life. Our goal is balanced participation of women and men in all levels of decision-making and management - both in public and private sectors.”

Women’s Participation: “It is important not to forget about gender balance In conflict situations either. Engagement of women already in the early stages of prevention, resolving crises, and building peace reduces the probability of relapses to violent conflict. Therefore, we need to encourage women's participation in peace processes and acknowledge them as actors of change with great potential. And we must never tire in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1325 and related resolutions on women, peace and security on every level. The adoption of the Peace Building Commission's gender strategy last year is a worthy milepost on this road.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “For women to fully enjoy their role in the society it is crucial to eliminate gender based violence. We should ensure that survivors are treated with dignity and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. Estonia continues to support actions addressing gender based violence and reproductive health needs of most vulnerable women and adolescent girls, for example via UNFRA in Ukraine 2017, and by supporting #shedecides initiative.”

Peacebuilding: “There are too many states in the world which suffer from unresolved conflicts. These are states which could take care of their own population and contribute at the global scene, if we were quicker to manage the conflicts which are holding them back or, worse, threatening to tear them apart.”

Syria: “The world has lost half a million people in Syria. Estonia supports the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, established in December 2016, to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.”

Yemen/Nigeria: “We cannot overlook the escalating sufferings of the people of Yemen or ignore the fate of the Rohingya people. We need to put more effort into humanitarian action to tackle hunger, diseases and epidemics looming in the country. Our common efforts in fighting famine and hunger are also crucial in South-Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.”

Multilateralism: “We welcome the emphasis on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, creating societies resilient to vulnerabilities.”

Human Rights: “Every year, the United Nations channels billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. It also sets the global agenda on key policy issues, from development, to women’s rights, while providing a platform for major international agreements.” 

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “In this context, I would like to commend the Secretary General, for the two important initiatives he championed this week, on United Nations reform, and response to sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Implementation: “We have the tools and the mandates to address the global challenges of our day, from climate change, to peace-building, to human equality and development.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

SGVB: With regard to the fight against sexual violence, I applaud  the remarkable progress achieved by the Congolese Justice, which has issued hundreds of decisions condemnation for rape, sparing no author of these crimes by virtue of his social position or in the hierarchy
military, proof of the end of impunity in this area.

Peace Processes:  As for peace, political stability constitutes our constant policy objective. In this context, for almost a year, we have resorted to dialogue which is for us a permanent mode of settlement of political disputes.

Sexual and Gender-based Violence: “There are continuing reports of raging conflicts, gross human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions.” 

Women and empowerment: “Driven by our strong desire to build an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous society based on the respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, we accordingly adjusted our empowerment programmes in order to ensure that they cater for all vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in our society, including all women and girls, youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, and children.”  

Syria: “We also fully support referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order that those responsible for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity can be held accountable for their actions.” 

Palestine: Botswana established diplomatic relations with Palestine on 8 March 2017. 

Women/Violence: “And for far too many Indigenous women, life in Canada includes threats of violence so frequent and severe that Amnesty International has called it “a human rights crisis.””

SDGs: “Many will sound familiar to you, because they are closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – goals that apply to all of our countries, without exception.”

Gender-based violence, SDG #6: “Our efforts also include a stronger focus – in Indigenous communities, across Canada, and around the world – on SDG #5: combatting gender-based violence and giving women and girls equal opportunities to succeed.”

Women and empowerment: “We need women and girls to succeed because that’s how we grow stronger economies, and build stronger communities.”

Gender equality: “That is why our government will be moving forward shortly with legislation to ensure equal pay for work of equal value.”

Gender equality/Women and empowerment: At the international scale, we have reaffirmed Canada’s engagement in reducing poverty and inequity, putting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the heart of our development efforts.

Women and peace: We have adopted this approach because we know that supported women and girls leads to economic growth. And that peace and cooperation then take root.

Conflict Prevention: “Switzerland supports the Secretary-General’s focus on prevention. The reason is clear: the cost of a conflict is a multiple of what it costs to prevent one – in humanitarian, economic and financial terms. [...] Reinforcing mediation capacities also strengthens conflict prevention.”

SEA: “Switzerland therefore supports the commitment of the Secretary-General to fight any form of sexual exploitation or abuse by UN staff in the field. As part of its commitment, Switzerland will make a contribution to the UN Trust Fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

SDGs: “While it is essential to attend to the immediate humanitarian needs and reconstruction efforts, we must also urgently address our long term sustainable developmental goals. I urge that in our collective efforts to implement the SDGs we take account of the tremendous challenges faced by vulnerable countries completely knocked off course by external shocks.” 

SDGs: “We call, therefore, on the UN system to establish a mechanism to provide the requisite support and compensation to vulnerable countries affected by natural disasters, where their implementation of Agenda 2030 and progress towards achieving the SDGs have been derailed as a result of such external shocks.”

Peacekeeping/Conflict Prevention: “We, therefore, fully support the focus placed by the Secretary-General on sustaining peace across the continuum: from prevention, conflict resolution and peacekeeping, to peace-building and long-term development.”

SDGs: “The alignment between the SDGs and our National Development Plan, 'Vision 2030', creates a framework within which we can identify and achieve our priorities, not least of which is to ensure the dignity of the individual.”

SDGs: “Through the Group of Friends on Financing the SDGs, which our countries co-chair, we have been promoting the establishment of partnerships with the private sector, philanthropic organisations and academic institutions. We are exploring innovative financial mechanisms that can spur the investments needed to accelerate implementation of the SDGs.”

Women and empowerment: “Jamaica is committed to the empowerment of women and girls, as well as young people. We have revitalized our National Youth Parliament and have created the National Youth Advisory Council to ensure that young people have a voice at policy-making levels in our country.”

Gender-based violence: “We are strengthening our legislative and policy frameworks to address violence against women and girls and to foster economic opportunities.”

Palestine: “Turning to the Middle East, we continue to believe that the best solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis rests in a negotiated political settlement based on a just, lasting and comprehensive agreement that guarantees the security of Israel and provides for a Palestinian State within internationally recognised borders.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Non-proliferation/Disarmament: “As a strong supporter of non-proliferation and disarmament in the field of weapons of mass destruction, Slovenia is committed to treaty-based nuclear disarmament and arms control.”

Disarmament: “We are of firm belief that we have to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons progressively through the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT).”

Quotes/References to WPS:

SDGs: “Two years ago we achieved a milestone in agreeing on our development roadmap. Together, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the Paris Agreement provide a framework and a vision for a more sustainable future of our planet and prosperity for all.”

Gender equality/Women and empowerment: “Our main focus is given to the rights of children, to the support of gender equality and the empowerment of women as well as to the rights of older persons and in this context also the importance of the intergenerational collaboration.”

Gender-based violence: “More must also be done to mitigate harm to civilians, especially in the
context of armed conflicts, and to prevent ail forms of sexual violence.”

Gender-based violence: “We therefore underline the need for a zero tolerance policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Syria, Libya, Yemen, the DRC : “Years and years of horrific war in Syria, conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Mali, and dire situations like those in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to name just a few, continue to represent particular sources of concern.”

Sustainable Peace: “We must intensify our efforts to sustain peace everywhere, but most immediately in a wide range of fragile and conflict affected states.”

Conflict Prevention: “The UN can help to defuse latent conflicts. Whenever possible we should opt for diplomacy, mediation and conflict prevention.”

Syria, Libya: “From Syria to the Central African Republic, from the Rohingya people of Myanmar to the people of Libya, the number of protracted and new conflicts remains unacceptably high.”

Conflict Prevention: “In Somalia, we have made significant strides, which have weakened the capability of Al-Shabaab.”

Peacekeeping: “We believe that investment in peacekeeping is a worthy investment in peace-building and state-building and we have seen the dividends of this investment in Somalia.”

Women and empowerment: “Women are crucial in decision making and investment in society. In spite of our many challenges, Somalia has made significant steps in this regard. During the 2016 election, the number of women in our bi-cameral Parliament increased from 14 percent to 24 percent. Although we missed our 30 percent target, we did improve markedly from a few years ago. Six months ago, when I was forming my Council of Ministers, I appointed six women to my Cabinet. They hold some of the most important portfolios in our nation, including trade and industry, health. youth and sports, women and human rights and humanitarian affairs.”

Sexual violence: “Vital legislations on human rights such as the soon to be approved Sexual Offences Bill, provide the tools to fight impunity of sexual perpetrators.”

Women: “Our only option is to value these assets, to make them distinctive and focused on those who truly are development actors and beneficiaries: the children, youths, women and men of any country.”

Gender-based violence: “These damages are detrimental to global peace as they cause human suffering, claim lives and instigate other humanitarian tragedies, such as the unprecedented
increase in the number of refugees, hunger, and forms of violence against women and children.”

Sustainable Peace: “Not only because it integrates the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, but also because it considers the cross-cutting issues of peace, security, justice and necessary partnerships, and also because it makes an appeal to «leave no one behind».”

SDGs: “In this regard, we would like to commend the Secretary-General’s ongoing exercise,
which aims to adapt the United Nations development system, as well as reform the
Secretariat's management structures to fit the challenges of implementing the 2030
Agenda and its SDGs.”

SDG 16: “The internal order of Cabo Verde is aligned with international positions and practices in the field of Human Rights through the Constitution of the Republic, its laws, institutions, public policies and social practices.”

Gender-based violence: “In this regard, I would like to emphasize the Secretary-General’s initiative to establish a Pact with Member States, as well as a Circle of Leadership on the prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse in all UN operations — 8 and, above all, in the context of peacekeeping and humanitarian actions. That initiative will give greater dignity to the most vulnerable people, especially women and girls, and will promote their rights.”

SDGs: “This is our vision and purpose for the economy, security and diplomacy. They are captured by the Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS), which is already completed and aligned with the SDGs.”

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: And in this vision of guaranteeing the rights of every person for a lifetime, it is also urgent eradicate all forms of violence. Today, the whole of humanity has a moral and ethical duty: we will not allow thousands of women and be abused or killed. No more femicides! Not one less!

Colombia: For this reason, we strongly support the peace talks that the sister government of the Republic of Colombia is carrying out with the National Liberation Army in our country.

Colombia: We celebrate the Quito Agreement, announced a few days ago, for the "temporary bilateral ceasefire" in Colombia. Thus, step-by-step, parties comply with the proclamation of the Community of Latin American States and Caribbean countries, CELAC, to be a region of peace.

Syria: In the Middle East, the Syrian crisis does not cease to challenge universal conscience. Here, as well, in this space, numerous resolutions have been voted for, calling to end this tragedy, with its train of evils and its inhumanity.

Israel/Palestine: The status quo, that prevails the Israeli-Palestine conflict, punctuated intermittent violence, cannot be a solution.

Colombia: The happy ending of the Colombian armed conflict by way of negotiation demonstrates that weapon confrontation and blind violence cannot always resolve disputes, therefore this effort to overtake, granted by the Colombian society, can serve as an example for all.  

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: While thanking the United Nations with its commitment to Haiti, I would be negligent if I did not recall two very regrettable situations that are continue to be present in my country: firstly, the acts of odious exploitation and sexual violence committed by certain peace soldiers or other members of staff, and, secondly, the introduction of the cholera epidemic in Haiti.

Human rights: However, in order for the United Nations to be more effective in this work, it’s necessary to strengthen its capacity for prevention, centered on the person, with promotion of development, and with respect to human rights.

Human rights: This is why we support the multilateral initiatives of prevention of the UN, which, together with efforts to achieve the eradication of terrorism, promote tolerance and respect for human rights.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: As solidarity states we have the obligation to protect and promote the humans  rights. However, women and girls suffer from sexual violence, exile, marginalization, discrimination, and, in extreme cases, abominable femicides. Mexico recognizes its obligation to redouble efforts to combat these practices and punish these crimes.

SDG5: A solidarity state is committed to the empowerment of women and girls. Gender equality is a prerequisite for achieving a world in which peace and development are truly sustainable, inclusive and lasting.

Colombia: Mexico will always be in favor of peace and peaceful settlement of disputes. Unfortunately, armed conflicts continue to arise that require involvement of the United Nations. Because of this, since 2014, Mexico has been participating in UN Peacekeeping Operations. The successful case of the Colombia Peace Agreement a significant example.

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Disarmament:  The issue of disarmament is a crucial issue. It deserves our attention and Niger strongly supports the actions undertaken by the United Nations in order to achieve a general and complete disarmament both in terms of WMDs and conventional weapons.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Libya: Due to the uncontrolled circulation of weapons of all calibers, armed groups are becoming direct threats to both the Libyan people and for neighboring countries. As long as Libya does not stabilize,there is  no guarantee that the Sahelo-Saharan space will not continue to experience violent jolts.

Boko Haram:  Even if they (Boko Haram) are weakened and wandering, some elements of Boko Haram still remain dangerous, organizing suicide attacks by young girls who are forced to become human bombs, or sexual slaves .

Sahel: What is at stake in the Sahel is not only a fight for peace and security of the region but also for peace and international security.

Conflict Prevention: For Niger, the urgency is to address political crises to initiate the socio-economic recovery of the areas affected by these conflicts.

Palestine: With regard to certain major international issues, Niger is united with the struggle of the Palestinian people for the liberty and independence. Our position invariably remains that the

Just resolution of the conflict lies in the guaranteeing of the creation of Palestine with Jerusalem East as the capital.

Human Rights: If any country does not deserve to belong to the Human Rights Council, it is precisely the United States of America. It is the main violator of human rights, not only in its territory, if not throughout the world. Unjustified war, bombings on civilian population, clandestine jails with application of methods of torture, the imposition of unlawful unilateral measures against economies of several countries, various economic pressures, and migratory political recklessness.

Gender: The number of homeless people reaches 3.5 million [in the U.S.], 1.5 millions of nines and girls among them; 28% of people in poverty they do not have any health coverage; the maternal mortality rate has increased dramatically in recent years.

Gender: The USA is one of seven countries of the world that has not ratified the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; paid maternity leave in the United States is not compulsory.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: One in three indigenous women [in the U.S.] is raped in her life.

Iraq: A country [United States] that, in violation of the essential institutionalism of the United Nations, led the Iraq invasion in 2003, under the search for weapons of mass destruction, which they have never found despite the more than one million deaths that this bloody military operation has generated.

Russia/Iran/Cuba: In this regard, we condemn all unilateral actions against sister nations such as Russia and Iran, and especially the extension of the criminal blockade against sister Republic of Cuba which has been imposed by more than five decades and whose time reflects the clear demonstration of the new wave of American unilateralism.

Libya/Syria: Induced and bloody wars like the prefabricated wars against Syria and Libya, leaving only desolation in its wake. Fortunately, the heroic people and government of Syria, with the support of just international allies, is everyday closer to a definitive victory over the terrorist groups.

Palestine/Israel: Venezuela encourages the restart of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, whose process must lead to the achievement of a firm and lasting peace between the two States, recognizing the borders of Palestine as existing in 1967, in accordance with international law, and to the establishment of Jerusalem as its capital. We believe that the United Nations must assume a much more important role in the resolution of this historic and unjust conflict.

Colombia: We congratulate the implementation of the peace accords between the Government of Colombia and the FARC, to which lots of energy and effort went into by both Commander Chavez and President Nicolas Maduro. Likewise, we will continue to accompany and facilitate discussions between the Colombian government and the ELN, which is developing in the Republic of Ecuador.

Colombia: We express our concern about the increase in the production of drugs in our neighbor Colombia.

Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Republic of Paraguay reaffirms its commitment with international peace and security; with the use of peaceful means for dispute settlement and with reciprocal cooperation among States. In Paraguay, a constitutional provision bans weapons of mass destruction.

Nuclear weapons: Consequently, our country commends the recent adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, reaffirms its conviction that nuclear disarmament ought to be a transparent and irreversible process with efficient verification mechanisms within a universal and legally binding framework.

Nuclear weapons: Paraguay reiterates its condemnation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear test, clearly defying and contravening its international obligations, which constitutes a new provocation to the international community. We expect from this General Assembly a firm rejection to this irrational attitude that threatens peace and security at a global level.

Peacekeeping: We will continue to cooperate with peacekeeping operations, under the auspices of the United Nations, in the conviction that they constitute one of the means to attain the principles and purposes established in the Charter. My country currently contributes military personnel, women and men, to six peacekeeping operations and invests in the training of its contingents at the Training Center for Peacekeeping Operations, Cecopaz - Paraguay.

The question of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations must be seriously addressed and those who commit such crimes should be held to account for their actions. Uganda is exemplary in that respect. Not long ago, some Uganda People’s Defence Force members serving in the African Union Military Observer Mission in Somalia were identified for transgressions and were duly tried before a court of law, both in the Mission area and at home. Those found culpable were severely punished for their actions.

Reconstruction & Peacebuilding: “I remember that Guatemala, after 36 years of an internal armed conflict, signed the peace agreement, and wanted to have a more arduous task: to build peace.” 

Peacekeeping: “My country's vocation in the multilateral sphere aims to contribute to strengthening the conditions for sustainable peace on the ground. It is precisely in this area in which peacekeeping is one of the most noble tasks of this organization that Guatemala is proud to participate. This commitment is reflected in the deployment of our contingents in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in other missions on the African continent where we participate actively, as well as in Haiti where Guatemalan contingents directly supported national efforts with MINUSTAH, whose mandate is about to end.”

Peacekeeping: “We would like to express our gratitude to all the delegations that participated at the High Level Open Debate of the Security Council on Wednesday, 20 September 2017, on the Reform of UN Peacekeeping Operations. As one of the leading troop contributing countries, Ethiopia attaches great importance to strengthening the role of United Nations peacekeeping to address challenges to international peace and security”

Conflict prevention: “Only two years ago, three major peace and security reviews were conducted which provided valuable recommendations and which, if implemented, could help the United Nations to keep pace with the changing global security dynamics and effectively respond to new and emerging peace and security challenges in a comprehensive, systematic and coordinated manner.”

Syria, Yemen: “This holds true not only for the crisis in South Sudan closer to home but also to the conflicts that are raging in the Middle East including in Syria and Yemen as well as the dangerous situation in the Korean peninsula.”

Sustainable Peace: “More peaceful and inclusive societies create an environment conducive to sustainable development; sustainable peace is both an enabler and an outcome of sustainable development.”

SDGs: “The SDGs were further reinforced with the adoption of the Paris Climate Accord
which entered into force last November strengthening the global response to the threats posed by climate change.”

SDGs: “Though the SDGs were endorsed by all with so much optimism, the current state of affairs is far from reassuring. The global situation since has not been conducive to ensure a reasonably effective implementation of the SDGs. That is a major disappointment for all those who have been hoping to see renewed global partnership in the spirit of the 2030 agenda.”

SDGs: “We would remain fully committed to realize SDGs, to respond to the legitimate development demands of our people and to address our multifaceted development challenges.”

Peacekeeping/Syria: “More than 2 decades ago Cambodia received the UN Blue Berets on their peacekeeping mission. Since 2006, we have dispatched more than 4,700 troops to take part with great success and praise in UN peacekeeping missions in a number of countries that are hot spots in the 4 I Page world, like Sudan, South Sudan, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Chad, Syria and Mali.”

Disarmament: “While sharing our deep concern on the situation in the Korean peninsula, we appeal to all parties concerned to further exercise their utmost restraint to avoid provocative activities and remain committed to the peaceful and constructive dialogue so as to diffuse tension and promote trust and confidence in the region.”

Syria, Libya: “From Syria to the Central African Republic, from the Rohingya people of Myanmar to the people of Libya, the number of protracted and new conflicts remains unacceptably high.”

Conflict Prevention: “In Somalia, we have made significant strides, which have weakened the capability of Al-Shabaab.”

Peacekeeping: “We believe that investment in peacekeeping is a worthy investment in peace-building and state-building and we have seen the dividends of this investment in Somalia.”

Women and empowerment: “Women are crucial in decision making and investment in society. In spite of our many challenges, Somalia has made significant steps in this regard. During the 2016 election, the number of women in our bi-cameral Parliament increased from 14 percent to 24 percent. Although we missed our 30 percent target, we did improve markedly from a few years ago. Six months ago, when I was forming my Council of Ministers, I appointed six women to my Cabinet. They hold some of the most important portfolios in our nation, including trade and industry, health. youth and sports, women and human rights and humanitarian affairs.”

Sexual violence: “Vital legislations on human rights such as the soon to be approved Sexual Offences Bill, provide the tools to fight impunity of sexual perpetrators.”

Conflict Prevention: “Reforming the architecture of peace and security is an absolute priority. Consolidating a culture of conflict prevention requires action across the board and an integrated vision of the three pillars of the United Nations system - peace, human rights and sustainable development - as well as closer institutional cooperation between the organs of the Charter, namely the Security Council and the General Assembly.”

Conflict Prevention/Peacekeeping: “Promoting peace and security goes hand in hand with promoting development. The two dimensions are complementary and strengthen each other. For this reason, diplomatic mediation efforts and peace operations in conflict zones also require humanitarian support, development cooperation and institutional capacity building for affected populations and States.”

Peacekeeping: “One of the clearest priorities of Portuguese foreign policy Is the participation in Peacekeeping Operations and Institution building within the framework of the United Nations.”

Peacekeeping: “ However, numerous disturbances still need to be overcome. Portugal strives to do its part. First, through participation in various Peacekeeping and Stabilization Operations, within the framework of the United Nations and the European Union. We have reinforced our presence, without ever restricting the use of our troops. In the multilateral missions in the Sahel and Central Africa region, namely MINUSMA in Mali and MINUSCA in the Central African Republic. Secondly, through cooperation with many African partners in promoting maritime security. In particular in the Gulf of Guinea, to combat piracy and trafficking in people, drugs and weapons, to protect international trade, as well as from a strategic point of view, both for Africa and Europe.”

Syria/Libya: “The unity and firmness of the international community, embodied in the United Nations, in defense of the law and in the promotion of security and stability, is what enables us to move towards a fairer international order, and to find the best answers to the serious crises we face today, from North Korean threats to the situation In Syria, from the instability in Libya to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and so many other sources of confrontation, security risk or humanitarian drama.”

Iraq: “We welcome the military successes achieved in Iraq over the past year.”

Syria: “I underline, in this context, the work of the Global Platform for Support to Syrian Students, an initiative of the former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio. This is to guarantee the access to higher education for those young Syrians who, because of the conflict in their country, have been deprived of this universal right. I invite all countries that have not yet done so to join the Platform and support the Rapid Response Mechanism for Higher Education.”

Peacekeeping: Along with the above, I would like to highlight our satisfaction and pride in having participated in the past thirteen years with more than 12,000 men and women, in the military and police contingents in MINUSTAH in Haiti. And we reaffirm our commitment to maintain participation in cooperation with our polished specialists in the MINUJUSTH.

Colombia: In the same vein, I want to highlight the participation of Chilean observers in the peace process in Colombia, who are ending their first special mission and are initiating the transition to the second.

Colombia: Chile is already participating as a guarantor in the talks of the Colombian government with the ELN.

Peacekeeping: “Furthermore, we must also strengthen, the international peacekeeping and peacebuilding mechanisms. Indonesia is honored, to have contributed in mediating conflicts, peacekeeping and peacebuilding beyond our borders.”

Peacekeeping: “In the last 60 years, we have contributed more than 38,000 personnel to 28 UN peacekeeping operations. We currently deploy more than 2,700 peacekeepers in 9 peacekeeping missions. And we are determined, to achieving 4,000 (four-thousand) personnel by 2019... including increasing female peacekeepers.”

Peacebuilding: “Beyond peacekeeping, Indonesia is an active member of the Peacebuilding Commission.”

Sustainable Peace: “We underline, that ensuring sustainable peace at global level, requires a global ‘culture of prevention’.”

Sustainable Peace: “Sustainable peace is not an end in itself. Decent life for all people, must be our global goal. There must be synergies, between sustaining peace and development Agenda. We must cultivate peace and stability, to work for us in achieving sustainable development.”

General WPS: “Indonesia always desires to always contribute to global partnership.... To global peace and security....”

SDGs: “The SDGs are critical in this regard. They give us reason for hope. While every one of the 17 Goals will contribute to eradicating the scourge of poverty, our common resolve is articulated powerfully in the very first goal of the SDGs, which promises nothing less than to "end poverty in all its forms everywhere."”

Peacekeeping: “Therefore, it was with a sense of pride and duty, that Bhutan joined the peacekeeping movement in 2014. Since then, we have gradually deepened our peacekeeping engagement in keeping with our duty to contribute, albeit in a small way, to the cause of global peace and security.”

Peacekeeping: “Today, our  militaryand police officers serve in 11 peacekeeping missions. And the first ever military contingent from Bhutan is now ready for deployment to a peacekeeping mission.”

Inequalities: 8 people are as wealthy as half of the population of the planet. Inequality is immoral.

Humanitarian relief: We are living the worst humanitarian crisis since the foundation of the UN.

Displacement: We propose the creation of a universal citizenship. This social and migratory crisis stems from the world order with domination, with measureless greed which generates violence, promotes inequality and destroys mother earth.

Colombia: We welcome the peace process in Colombia and the consolidation of the ceasefire the giving up of the arms and the integration of the FARC into political life. By means of votes and awareness amongst peoples it is possible to bring people together, not with bullets.

Implementation: Our region is nobody’s back yard.

Palestine: We condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.  We condemn the construction of new settlements. We condemn the military aggression against the Palestinian  people. We demand that the two state solution be implemented with a Palestinian state with the pre 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as a capital.  

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear proliferation: The Republic of Chad is deeply concerned by the threats of nuclear tests carried out by North Korea, which threaten world peace. The leaders of this country must realize the potential dramatic consequences that may result from this policy and privilege dialogue to enforce its rights.

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement and Humanitarian action: The humanitarian situation is aggravated by the security context particularly difficult in our subregion. It translates into humanitarian crises, large-scale displacements of populations, famine, malnutrition and epidemics.

Libya:  With regard to the situation in Libya, Chad gives its full support to the United Nations and the African Union in the search for reconciliation between the different Libyan parties. But the solution of the crisis is in the hands of the Libyan politicians who have the respond to the expectations of the population.

Palestinian Question: The Palestinian question remains a fundamental issue, its impact on other crises is evident. For this reason, a fair and acceptable solution must be one which involves the peaceful cohabitation of two states Israel and Palestine. Therefore, will Chad support the State of Palestine in all its aspects and on the basis of the borders of 1967.

Nuclear weapons: “I once again, call upon all concerned nations to de-escalate the tensions and to commit to a path of peace. It is zambia's longstanding position that nuclear weapons are not a source of security but rather, the opposite is true”.

Reconstruction and PB: “Peace, security and the rule of law continue to be the basis for meaningful development of any society.”

General WPS: “As a member state, we note the role of the commonwealth in various subjects such as gender and youth matters, climate change, the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, good governance, socio-economic development, and so on.”

Protection/ HR: “The commitment should not be limited to preventing conflict, but should go further to seek the protection of the victims of conflict, including the displaced persons. we all need to cooperate in providing for a conducive environment for them in respect of their human rights and their social development and wellbeing.”

Protection: “My government attaches great importance to the needs and welfare of all with a particular focus on women, children and youth.”

Nuclear weapons/DPRK: “The North Korean nuclear weapons programme is a threat to global peace and stability, and it must be stopped. The United Nations Security Council's co-operation on North Korea has been successful. It is important that unity prevails.”

NPT/nuclear weapons: “Nuclear weapons represent a severe threat to mankind. As long as nuclear weapons exist there is a risk of a catastrophe. The NPT remains the cornerstone of global non-proliferation and the foundation for nuclear disarmament.”

Nuclear weapons: “Finland's approach to nuclear disarmament is result-oriented and pragmatic. It is imperative that the countries possessing nuclear weapons are on board on any negotiations. I call on all nuclear weapon states and countries possessing these weapons to promptly take concrete actions in nuclear disarmament. It is important that the nuclear deal on Iran is honoured by all parties. I also welcome the recent talks on strategic stability between the United States and Russia. It is our hope that they will restart the arms control talks in Europe and globally.”

Gender: “Transparency, accountability, efficiency and gender balance should be the guiding principles of the UN System.”

Conflict Prevention: “Successful conflict prevention saves lives and financial resources. Finland continues to advocate the use of mediation in conflict resolution. Mediation efforts, when successful, prevent conflicts and decrease human suffering.”

Protection: “Those who are marginalized must be given a voice in peace processes. Women, children and
adolescents often pay the highest price in conflicts but they can also help to pave a way out of
the crisis.”

Participation: “Finland has contributed to the establishment of a Nordic network of women mediators. It aims at sustaining peace through the inclusive and meaningful participation of women in all phases of peace processes.”

SGBV: “Finnish police officers, including a specialized team on sexual and gender based violence in UNMISS, are now deployed in seven UN operations.”

Ukraine/Syria: “In wars, there are no winners. Yet the conflicts continue. In 2016,157 000 lives were lost in violent conflicts globally. There are almost 68 million refugees in the world today. The conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Ukraine are all examples of untold human suffering. But they are not the only ones.”

Human rights: “The relationship between peace, security and respect for human rights is undeniable: the measures for the protection and promotion of human rights are essential to prevent conflicts and to support peace.”

Sustainable development and peace: “Moreover, peace and sustainable development are two complementary concepts: more inclusive and peaceful societies set the conditions for sustainable development and vice versa.”

SDG 17: “The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the responsibility of individual States, which should keep faith to their promises by incorporating sustainable development objectives into their development laws and policies.”  

Protection: “The Republic of San Marino has always paid special attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled.”

SDG 5: “Gender equality must be the goal of the international community. Unfortunately, women are still the victims of discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, also in the most developed countries.” 

Sexual and gender-based violence: “In support of the initiatives promoted by the Secretary-General, San Marino signed the Compact to combat and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation in the context of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”

Conflict prevention: “The Republic of San Marino supports the Secretary General in his initiative aimed at strengthening prevention activities and conflict mediation.”

Peace process: “In this regard, my country will participate in the Italian initiative for the creation of a network of women mediators in the Mediterranean area, whose purpose is to contribute to peace processes through prevention and mediation.”  

Disarmament: “The recent tests carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the context of a program to build nuclear weapons threaten security not only regionally but also globally and stress the need for a robust disarmament and non-proliferation policy.”

Human Rights: “The legal status of Artsakh, or, to be more precise, the lack of the international legal recognition, is not and cannot constitute an obstacle for the women and men who live there to exercise their rights.”

Syria: “It is with great pain that we have been following the crisis in Syria and the humanitarian situation there, which has brought about suffering of the civilian population, including the Armenian community of the country. Within its means, Armenia strives to mitigate the suffering of the Syrian people by providing humanitarian assistance. We also express our willingness to engage into possible discussions on the peacemaking efforts in Syria under the UN auspices and with an appropriate mandate.”

In order to address the question of gender balance and gender mainstreaming in a holistic manner, Uganda has made tremendous strides in empowering women and girls through not only the provision of universal primary and secondary education, but also the introduction of affirmative action in admissions to tertiary institutions in the country. That has greatly enabled more women to acquire the necessary education that empowers them with the required skills and knowledge to compete with men in various aspects of life, both internally and globally.

Multilateralism: “If the UN is to be more relevant to countries like mine, it must deliver as One UN. But this has not yet been fulfilled. The inherited model of the UN agencies as instruments of technical assistance and capacity building should be subjected to the market test, namely value for money and sustainability of results in comparison to government, private sector and non-governmental modes of delivery. Mutual accountability is a proven mechanism of consolidation and expansion of partnerships, and trust-building.”

Women: “We are reaching out to those who had previously been excluded from society—young people, the poor, and women. Yet these people are our nations' source of resilience.”

Women: “Through unimaginable hardship, women kept the fabric of our communities and societies together even as they fell to shreds. Yet women were relegated to the very bottom of society. This was unacceptable and our nation suffered for it. Today, there are more Afghan women in government, in the workforce, and active in civil society than ever before in Afghan history, yet we still have far to go. At the helm, we have 6 women Ambassadors, and 4 women cabinet members. Simply put, women's empowerment is crucial to our future.”

Women: “Women, in some places, are denied equal opportunities to enjoy a 'good life'. The gap between the world's rich and its poor remains unacceptably wide. Conflicts,within states, have spawned international refugee crises which have resulted in millions being displaced from their homelands.”

Palestine: “We iterate our support for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict. We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland and to a dignified existence.”

Human Rights: “Every year, the United Nations channels billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. It also sets the global agenda on key policy issues, from development, to women’s rights, while providing a platform for major international agreements.” 

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: “In this context, I would like to commend the Secretary General, for the two important initiatives he championed this week, on United Nations reform, and response to sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Implementation: “We have the tools and the mandates to address the global challenges of our day, from climate change, to peace-building, to human equality and development.”

Human rights: “Women and children, in particular, face the worst brutal forms of abuses in this world, especially in conflict ridden countries.”

SDG 17: “Our resolve and commitment to implement SADC decisions as the new Government of Lesotho signifies our commitment to work together with our regional Body in pursuit of lasting peace and security in our country and indeed in the whole SADC Region.”

SDG 16: “At the same time, we are relentlessly committed to combatting crime and corruption at all levels of our society, in accordance with Goal 16 of the SDGs, which recognizes that corruption undermines efforts to combat poverty and gender equality.”

Women and empowerment: “Empowerment of women is a focal point of our development policy; and we believe that the elevation of women to positions of leadership, both in the private and public sectors, will lead to a more equitable and prosperous society in Lesotho.”

Palestine: “The Palestinians too deserve to enjoy the Right to Peace, Development and Sanctity of Life.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear disarmament: “But today, we refuse to remain silent and it is on this note that I would like to register our strongest condemnation of the actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We too would like to echo the global call on DPRK to abide by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions”

Disarmament: “The recent testing of ballistic missiles by DPRK over the Pacific Ocean is an insult to the people of the Pacific.”

Quotes/References to WPS:

Displacement: Sadly, the majority of these displaced people are women and children.

Protection/HR: “Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide - my country and region included. Violence against women is an obstacle to gender equality in economic opportunities and livelihoods”         

Participation: “We have made big strides in not just counting women but more importantly in making women count.”

Quotes/References to disarmament:

Nuclear weapons: “(North Korea) illegal nuclear and missile programs violate multiple UNSC resolutions. The security of millions of people is at risk as a result of North Korea's refusal to abide by international laws and norms (...) The Security Council has responded with tough new economic sanctions. It is crucial that all UN member states and especially the Permanent 5, who have a particular responsibility, strictly implement these sanctions to compel North Korea to abandon its illegal programs.”

Chemical weapons: “ The use of chemical weapons presents another serious threat to the rules based order. (...) Australia supports the work of the UN - and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons - in identifying those who deployed these appalling illegal weapons.”  

Quotes/References to WPS:”

Peacekeeping:”The UN must focus on conflict prevention as that is more effective than dealing with the tragic consequences of conflict. UN management systems must be made more efficient and accountable.”

Participation: “There must be more women in senior positions.”

General WPS: “Empowering women and girls to reach their full potential lifts a country's productivity and underpins stability."

Protection: “The number of journalists and human rights defenders detained, abused or killed each year should be of grave concern to us all.”

Human Rights: “Similarly, we will promote strong, independent national rights institutions - to raise awareness of human rights, to address violations and to hold to account those responsible for abuses.”                 

Gender Equality: "The world has recognized the need to ensure the rights of women. However, there are still countries and societies, where women are not treated equally. In my country, more that 52% of the population are women. New changes in our Constitution protect the rights of women. New measures include the legislation that makes it mandatory that a minimum of 25% candidates at elections should be women."

Human Rights: "When I came into power having gone through nearly three decades of war, we were facing two main challenges. The first of them was the huge debt burden on the economy. We had to pay insupportable amounts for servicing our debt, emptying our coffers. The other was facing the allegations of wartime human rights violations by United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council...At the same time, as a government, we are paying serious attention to the aforementioned allegations and to find solutions to them as a matter of priority. Mainly, my government has performed well in terms of strengthening democracy and protecting human rights. I must mention here that the government will continue to ensure their progress in the future. My government is committed to work tirelessly to achieving reconciliation by fostering understanding among all ethnic and linguistic groups, while eliminating mutual suspicion and hatred in order to create a society where all can live freely and harmoniously."

Gender Equality: “The state of Timor-Leste, with the support of the civil society and the development partners, has been implementing initiatives to promote the participation and the contribution of women in the process of social and economic development, including legal provisions against discrimination. There are many Timorese women in positions of high responsibility within the government, the Justice system, and other public or civil society institutions. One third of the members of the Timor-Leste National Parliament are women. Nevertheless, the protection of women against exploitation and the advancement of their role in society still require the development of policies that promote equality.”

Conflict Prevention: “Given significant ongoing challenges to international peace and security, the UN’s role in preventing and resolving conflict is as relevant now as ever. [...] The United Nations needs to invest a much greater proportion of its resources and effort in preventing conflict, rather than focusing primarily on the consequences of conflict.”

Syria: “On the Security Council, New Zealand made determined efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. Alongside Spain, Jordan and Egypt, we managed to renew and improve cross border access arrangements. [...] Only a sustainable peace based on an inclusive long-term political settlement can bring this needless conflict to an end.”

Iraq: “In Iraq, New Zealand Defence Force personnel are working to strengthen the capacity of Iraqi forces in their battle against Daesh. We welcome the liberation of Mosul, Tal Afar and Nineveh province. [...] It will be important for Iraqi forces to consolidate the gains they have made, and for the international community to support Iraq in stabilising and rebuilding areas that have been recaptured. We must prevent any resurgence in violent extremism.”

Financing: “We are exploring alternative sources of development financing including working with the private sector, tapping into diaspora as a source of skills and investment, maximising the value of remittances, and increasing temporary labour market access.”

UNSC Reform: “New Zealand continues to support Security Council reform to make the Council
more representative, as well as to improve its working methods, which was a high
priority during our Council term.”

Peace and SDGs: “It is worth recalling that our resolve is to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a framework that brings together the collective will to transform people's lives in a sustainable way, by lifting them from poverty and promoting human dignity without neglecting peace as a critical factor for the attainment of sustainable development, based on the interplay of the economic, social and environmental pillars.”

Civil Society: “The Government of Mozambique, under the leadership of President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi strives for an inclusive dialogue with all political actors and the civil society through both formal and informal mechanism, including the Parliament. This inclusive approach is also used to engage all Mozambicans in the conceptualization and implementation of the national development agenda.”

Gender: “Our focus on people also envisages not to leave anyone behind, one of the guiding precepts of our universal agenda. Therefore, particular attention is given to policies and strategies aimed at the protection and the full enjoyment of human rights, the promotion of gender equality and equity as well as the empowerment of women and youth who constitute the majority of our people.”

Conflict Prevention: “The international community should come together, to redouble efforts and to build consensus to prevent the senseless loss of lives. We need to adopt measures to reduce people's vulnerabilities, complemented by actions that address the complex and structural causes of these mass movements such as conflicts and political, social and economic exclusion.”

Israel/Palestine: “The principle of self-determination and right of freedom should also be a reality for the Palestinian people. To this end, it is imperative that the relevant UN Security Council resolutions are implemented. We believe that the solution relies in the two states principle, Palestine and Israel coexisting side by side, in peace and security.”

Women: “Our policies on women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, are designed to protect and uplift the most vulnerable.”

Human Rights: “The Philippines integrates the human rights agenda in its development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence, and anarchy; particularly families, women and children, the poor, indigenous people, migrant workers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.”

Women: “Women, victims of historic discrimination, are demanding what they must get: gender empowerment. [...] Our ‘Save the girl, Educate the girl’ campaign is reducing gender inequality.”