Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights,
the show about the government policy and human rights. And welcome back to Policy
and Rights here in Depictions Media Radio. I am your host, Michael Cloggs,
and we're gonna hear from the again from the United Nations, and it
is the beginning of the month, and we're going to actually hear from the
new President of the UN Security Council and the press conference held by Carolyn Rogue
Riege is the breakhead of Guyana as she will take the presidency of the of
the Security Council. And remember there's still issues, very very big issues on
the floor that between Israel and Palestine. We still have conflict going on between
Ukraine and the Russian Federation. There's still lots of problems to be solved around
the world that would involve the UN Security Council and how they're going to move
forward to resolve maybe at least one of those conflicts or issues. There are
still issues around crimes of war and how they're being directed, especially against not
only civilians but female civilians. When things like rape are still part of warfare,
they're considered to be a war crime, but they're still part of the
warfare. How do we find equality for everyone, no matter race, creed,
gender or selected gender. How do we allow people to be the individuals
that they should be. And there's a lot to be a work to be
done on all fronts, and we'll see how with the new president for February
of Guyana's MS Bricket right Reguez Briget in what she's going to find values in
in how she's going to help the Security Council move forward for the month of
February. Meanwhile, we're from the press floor, we're still going to hear
about, of course Undra and me or Mar issues going on there as things
are trying to to settle out and try trying to get released from prison certain
political figures and former leaders of Mirmar and how things were going to move forward
with that. And there's other course, still other issues around the world.
And as we reported yesterday, a release of POWs between Russia and the Ukraine
as citizens and residents of their perspective countries rather they were Russian or Ukrainian have
been returned home and welcome back to their families. So why don't we push
forward here from the press floor first and then let's listen to the new President
of the Security Council. To all of you, just want to give you
an update on me and More. You saw our statement yesterday and today is
the anniversary of the military takeover, and I just want to focus a bit
on the fact that our humanitarian colleagues are trying to meet people's needs wherever they
are as fighting continues across multiple fronts, including heavy fighting in Rakin State.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that humanitarian workers were able
to assist more than three million people last year, but that is not enough.
They need both greater access and drastic improvements in funding to access to the
most vulnerable people In Meanmar. More than eighteen million people need humanitarian aid,
up from one million just before the military takeover. Our OCHA colleagues tell us
that sustained underfunding of both the humanitarian and development operations in me and More has
led to significant unmet needs that are now cascading into twenty twenty four. Humanitarian
organizations are asking for a record nine hundred and ninety four million US dollars to
support the response in Myanmar. That's for twenty twenty four. The situation demands
immediate attention and increased international support to address both the humanitarian and development challenges facing
the civilian population. A quick update for you on the situation in Gaza.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs informs US that fighting is continuing in
southern Gaza, including in Conunis. The UN Relief and Works Agency ANOIR reports
that some one hundred and eighty four thousand people had registered for humanitarian assistance yesterday
in the western outskirts of Conunis after they were displayed from Conunist City in recent
days amid evacuation orders and continue hostilities along those displaced. On Why itself had
to move part of its operation from Western Communist City and is now re establishing
operations in the outskirts of that area due to constant hostilities. The scale of
explosive contamination in Gaza requires urgent action. The UN Mine Action Service continues to
provide explosive ordnance disposal support to ensure the safe passage of convoys. Last week,
the UN Mine Action Service supported three convoys to the north, including two
food convoys and one fuel delivery to shift a hospital. In addition, two
explosive threat assessments were conducted in communists, including one at the Communist Training Center,
which, as you will call, was hit last week. Moving to
the situation on the borders on the along the Blue line between Lebanon and Israel,
our peace keepers are informing us that they continue to carry out their tasks,
including patrols and other activities amid daily exchanges of fire along that blue line.
The Peacekeeping Force in Southern Lebanon UNIFIL also remains actively engaged with the authorities
on both sides to try to de escalate the situation. Yesterday, the head
of the UN mission and the force Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazzaro, held
a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najimikati and General Joseph Aoun, who is
the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission,
General Lazzaro underscored the significance of de escalating tensions in Southern Lebanon and the
region and the imperative of fully implementing Security Council Resolutions seventeen zero one, as
well as working towards a political and diplomatic solution that is crucial to re establish
stability. Turning to Ukraine, our humanitarian friends tell us that new attacks on
the east have injured civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure. Yesterday, in Kharkiv City,
a hospital was damaged in an attack, with several people injured and many
evacuated. That's what the National Rescue Service of Ukraine is telling us. Health
facility also sustained damage in Turete's town and the Donets region, as reported by
the Regional administration. In frontline areas, our humanitarian colleagues note that the continued
hostilities in their Donets and Kershon regions of Ukraine are continuing to kill and injure
civilians. Homes, educational facilities, public transport, water, electricity, and
health facilities, among others have continued to be damaged. That's according to what
local authorities are telling us. Our humanitarian colleagues add that the humanitarian hub run
by local Lengio in Kerson City was hit today. Despite challenges of operating in
frontline areas, aid organizations continue to provide assistance. In recent days, We
along with our humanitarian partners, have provided emergency repair materials, as where as
psychosocial and legal support in the Dornets and Kharkiv regions and in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo. Peacekeepers are continuing to do their utmost to protect civilians in
North Kivu amid ongoing classes between the twenty three rebel group and the armed forces
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As we mentioned a few days ago,
the UN mission established a temporary presence in Muso following classes in that area.
Peacekeepers have also created a humanitarian corridor which has allowed more than one thousand
displaced men, women and children to move to safer grounds. The UN mission
is also continuing to protect and provide medical assistance to displace communities taking refuge near
its base in in Kichunga, which is about fifteen kilometers away from Musso.
Additionally, the peacekeeping Mission reports they helped evacuate to Goma eight Congolese soldiers that
were wounded in the fighting with the twenty three and as you can imagine,
we're continuing to monitor this situation very closely. You know what week starts today,
Interfaith Harmony Week. It is an opportunity to recognize the imperative need for
dialogue amongst different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among
people. And we need that more than ever. Kumbaya, as they say
on a roll, little quiz for you. It's not about me this time.
So I know, I know, exactly exactly, Okay. This European
country has the oldest reported flag in the world, which is eight hundred years
old. Boom boom boom. They make cheese there. Who doesn't make cheese.
It's Denmark? Denmark, all right, um. And this country has
one of the oldest trees in Europe. The still Moves oak is reported to
be fifteen hundred years old. Yes, it's not Deadmark. We've done Deadmark.
We thank them. We took the money from Copenhagen, that is Lithuania.
Yeah, so we say thank you to our friends in Vilnius. And
the origins of the game of chess can be traced back to this Asian country
in the sixth century India, India. So we thank our friends in New
Delhi as well. And you're all. You all failed, But Maggie,
you failed the least so yeah, or the most equally, I believe you
said. There was assessment team that was trying to go to northern Gaza was
it supposed to be yesterday? Did it happen? I didn't say. I
don't know if I said. I can't remember what I said yesterday. But
what I can tell you is that James is taking a seat late commercy for
a TV reporter. He knows really well how to cross the caramera to make
sure everybody sees it. Yes, yes, yeah, you're like the Queen.
You're never late. Everybody's just early. Yeah, her late majesty.
Excuse me, yes, sorry. A first reconnaissance mission is in process both
yesterday and today to the North. The mission aims to ascertain the current security
and logistical conditions in the North to better understand the actual environment on which future
aid deliveries to the North might take place. But this is I know there's
been a lot of uh of discussion about the assessment mission that was announced a
few weeks ago. This is really just the first step in doing a real
assessment mission. It's a I guess you would do the reconnaissance mission, then
you do the assessment mission. Okay. Another question, given the unprecedented number
of journalists who've been killed in the Israel Hamas war, what are the Secretary
General's concerns and is there any action that the UN can take to better shield
or protect journalists covering this and other kinds. Well, let's be honest on
the ground, I don't think there is any action we can take. We
are our humanitarian workers are like journalists and in the front lines and have paid
for with their lives. We know of more than one hundred and fifty of
our colleagues have perished in this conflict, where we have raised repeatedly publicly privately.
Are concerned about journalists their ability to do their work out of fear free
excuse me, free from fear and free from the threat to their own personal
lives. As in any conflict, the role of journalists is critical to public
opinion, to the world getting a view to what is going on on the
ground. And can I just ask one on UNRA. About a dozen Republican
Senators have sent a letter to the majority of minority leaders at the Congress US
Congress demanding that any supplemental budget package that's passed include quote an immediate and permanent
prohibition against US contributions to UNRA. Has the Secretary General called anyone on the
hill since this situation where we've seen these reports. We're obviously in touch with
the US government. As I mentioned to you, I think the Secretary General
met with the Permanent Representative of the US a few days ago. They discussed
the issue. The Secretary generally engaged extensively with the major ANOIR donors two evenings
ago. If I recall, that meeting lasted more than two hours, where
he listened to their concerns, tried to address the concerns, and made it
very clear of the swift action that we are that we are taking. The
US is the biggest donor and there's a lot of money in jeopardy. So
has anyone on your team made any particular congressional outreach? You know, I
think ANHI it also has it has a liaison office in Washington. I know
they're fully seized of the matter. If to some do you have any comments
on are it's reporting that the Israeli newspaper arts reporting that Israeli army as Gaza
Holmes and then burns them down. And according to the newspaper, we're talking
about hundreds of homes that we were burned down after the soldiers left them.
Look, we've I think we've been very public in our condemnation of the destruction
of civilian infrastructure. Uh and I think it is critical that the Israeli authorities
respect international human humanitarian law and international law during this operation. Evelyn, and
then James, thank you, thank you, Okay, thank you, step
on me and Mark. I know there's no chance of getting an arms and
bargo China would be to it, but at least is it part possible devastatement,
at least from the Secretary General discouraging countries from giving that government weapons.
And I don't think we've ever encouraged increased military aid to that country. Your
second question, I mean discourage Okay. The second question is on the follow
up what Maggie said, Have any of our people in Washington, whether it's
UNRA or our office there, reached the Republicans because the ambassador here is not
a Republican and it would be it would be good to. As I told
Maggie, there is a office in Washington and they're fully seized of this issue.
James, following up on Maggie's question, there was a meeting yesterday between
the U. S Secretary of State and Sigared Cog. I've seen a State
Department readout. Can you give us the UNS view on what that meeting achieved.
I haven't had a chance to speak Cigarette's team this morning. This is
part of her briefing a number of Member states on the work and on her
first initial initial go around. But one assumes that she would have been making
the case in that meeting for UNRA and for the US lifting its suspension as
soon as possible. I will try to share with you a readout. Okay,
that's it for now. I do have another one, thank I've forgotten
it. We'll go to Dulci and then we'll come back to We'll go to
the screen after that on is there any progress on a personal on boy being
named? The process is ongoing. The once progress has been achieved and we're
ready to announce, we shall do it. So you do have a pool
of candidates. We are looking at numerous candidates. Okay, and over to
Gaza and so in the turnscript last night, you say that Felipe Lazarini actually
flew from Jerusalem to New York to talk to the Secretary General personally. It
looks like on January twenty second, you said on Monday, that's correct.
How long was he here talking to Secretary General about this problem. He was
in New York. In New York one of two days. I think I
saw him on Tuesday. I mean how long did the meeting last, I
don't know, but I mean they had a substantive conversation. So this was.
This was after Lazarini was followed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry that they had
a list. This was after Anhah was given information by the Israeli Foreign Ministry
and then a cross checked and the names they were given. Then mister Latzerini
came here to brief the Secretary General about what he had been told in the
actions he intended to take. So he was given a list of these twelve.
He was, as I've said repeatedly, they were giving information regarding those
staff members. And has the US seen this list? Have to ask the
United States what they've seen and what they haven't seen. But I can tell
you that mister Latzerini also briefed the US and other key donors on the developments
before we made the announcement, so there would be no surprise in a number
of capitals. Okay, so you hadn't made the announcement. I believe it
was Friday morning, or was it Thursday night. I believe I did it
Friday from here. I mean the announcement was made Friday morning. We had
a statement and then I repeated it here in this room. Okay, why
did the UN wait four days to make this because this was an this is
an extremely serious situation with grave impact and gravery percussions, and we're seeing it
now. So it was very important for mister Lazerini and THEANOIS leadership to ensure
that things were done seriously, in a particular order, and that people were
briefed. Key donors were brief that the Secretary General was briefed, and so
he acted quickly, but he also took the time to ensure that a number
of steps were taken. So there was no coincidence between the UN releasing this
information on the same day that the ICJ reuling came out. We have no
control over the calendar of the ICJ. We did things as we thought it
was the most appropriate to do in the most transparent manner that is possible for
us abdel Hamid, and then we'll go back to the room. I cannot
here. I just want to ask one question, where is dor Winslam all
this time? Mister venis Lan is in Jerusalem and he is working, and
I expect him to be here probably at some point in the next uh early
in the first two weeks of the month, you will get a briefing.
And I forgot I failed to mention the lead that Ambassador Carolyn Rodriguez Berkitt of
Guyana will be here to brief you at one o'clock on the program of work
you'll see hi Middle East briefing. We expect mister Venislan to be here in
person. The fact that he is, like many of our envoys and special
representatives, the fact that they are not in the media speaking to camera,
giving quotes does not mean they are not working. You are the question,
Okay, thank you? Uh yes, Fran Hello Steph. Just wondering if
you've seen the report from Sky News that the number of the ANDRA employees who
was originally twelve NRA employees allegedly accused of aiding October being part of October seven
attack, now it's being brought down to six. Have you heard of that.
I've seen the reports. You know, there's a lot of there's a
lot of information that seems to be shared with the media that may not be
shared with with Anhua. We acted and acted on the information. Uh,
it was given based on their own feeling of confirmation that of the veracity of
the information. There's a lot of other dosiers and reports that are coming out.
We would welcome any sharing of any written information that's good at James because
I think I don't want to miss his memory. No, it might pass
again. Now I follow up though on that. Yeah, you must know
how many people you dismissed, six or twelve, twelve? I mean we
we the state the statement. I would refer you to the the statement it
talked about twelve and that was what was impacted, the twelve twelve names,
because it's the one is not even alive apparently. Can you check with unrope
because you know I can check. I would refer excuse me, I would
refer you to what the original state from from Ana, which was very clear
and still stands, and we just based its information on the information that was
shared that was shared with them at the time. Okay, one more quick
follow up before I remember my question, and the quick follow up is mister
Wennersland, can he please come into this room and do a press briefing with
us. We will ask okay my question. A new draft resolution, an
early draft we're told, has been circulated by Algeria again calling for a cease
fire in Gaza, circulated to the Security Council. As Security Council members look
at this draft, what would the Secretary Channel's message be to the fifteen members?
I mean, I want to press the pre record button right. The
message is one of unity. The message is one of the support from the
Secretary. The Secretary General has been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. That's what
he would like. He would like to see unity from the Council on this
issue. Margaret Diana will take the presidency of the UN Security Council for the
month of February and of the media. Thank you for joining us for the
press conference, those of you who are joining us here in the room,
as well as those who we have with us virtually. My name is Trishallah
Prasad. I'm the Deputy Permanent Representative for the Guyana Mission and the media focal
point for our Security Council team today. As you're aware of, Guyana assumed
the presidency of the Security Council for the month of February and in keeping with
the tradition. Ambassador Carolyn Roderigs Burkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN
and this month's President of the Security Council, will brief you on the program
of work which was adopted this morning, and with us also is our political
coordinator, Miss Nischanta Bed. After the briefing, I will open the floor
for questions. So now I'm Massador Roderick's bucket. Good afternoon, ladies and
gentlemen, and let me also join in welcoming you to this press conference.
I'm pleased to be here to present to you February's program of work of the
United Nations Security Council. Before doing so, I would just like to indicate
how we intend to approach our presidency in relation to the working methods. As
President of the Security Council, Guyana will promote enhanced transparency, efficiency, effectiveness
and inclusiveness in the Council's work. We also commit to adopting a consensus building
approach and to executing our mandate in full collaboration with all Council members. We
will also seek to include a gender perspective in meetings as far as appropriate,
in keeping with our commitments to the women's peace and security, our commitments to
women's peace and security. We are thankful for the guidance and advice that we
have received from fellow Council members, and for the steady support that has been
provided to us by the Secretariat. Now for the Program of Work, I
understand that you are already in possession of the Program of Work, which has
just been adopted by the Council. We have a very busy month ahead with
many important matters demanding the Council's attention. On the program are all the mandated
meetings for the month and our signature event. As you are aware, the
Program of Work does not represent the totality of all the meetings that will be
held in February. We expect additional meetings, including on Ukraine and Me and
mar and on other matters as they arise. Of course, the war in
Gaza will remain a priority. There will be sixteen mandated meetings, including on
UNAMI, Somalia, UNSMIL Minuska, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and the situation
in the Middle East. On the fifteenth of February, we will have the
annual Briefing on Threats to International peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Based
on the Secretary General's Strategic Level Report on the threat posed by ISIL. There
is one adoption schedule for the month, the renewal of the mandate of the
Panel of Experts of the fifteen nine to one Sanctioned Committee concerning Sudan. Also
during this month, the Council will on the take of field visit to Columbia
within the context of Resolution twenty seven twenty seven to zero four. The mission
will be co ed by the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the Presidency Guyana.
Turning to our signature event, on the thirteenth of February, we will host
an high level open debate focusing on the impact of climate change and food insecurity
on the maintenance of international peace and security. The meeting will be chaired by
the President of Guyana, His Excellency, Doctor Muhammadir Finale. Our Foreign Minister
on Rebehutad will also be here for the meeting. The topic chosen is one
that Guyana attaches high importance suit The meeting will examine the dynamic relationship between climate
change, food insecurity and conflicts within the context of maintaining international peace and security.
We anticipate a very rich discussion given the interest in this topic by many
Council members but also by the wider United Nations membership, and Guyana intends to
provide a summary of that event following its conclusion. The meeting will see the
presence of the Secretary General. We also have three briefers in the persons of
the Head of the Executive Secretary of the United Framework Convention and Climate Change,
the Deputy Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, and one civil society
briefer. We are grateful that they have accepted our invitation to brief the Council.
As mentioned earlier, we do not expect that this program of work will
remain as it is now, given the many issues that is attracting the Council's
attention, and we do intend to keep you a price of any updates through
weekly emails to the UN Press. Scoretionally, my mission remains available if you
have any questions for the Presidency or for me and my national capacity, and
I know open the floor to for you for any questions you may have on
the program of work. Thank you, ambassador, and we'll start over here.
Thank you so much, Thank you ambassador, and be also of the
United Nations Correspondent Association for this briefing and we wish you the best of luck
for the busy mant ahead. My question is on Venezuela. Are you planning
to bring to the Security Council attention the issue Venezuela that wanted to annext a
Guayana region in a referendum. There will be a possible debate on that,
discussion of sanctions or any other steps. Thank you so much. It's Valle
Rebecca from ans and is Wire. Sorry, thank you Vera. In my
capacity as President of the Council, I can see that Venezuela is not on
the program of work. In my Nashnal capacity, I can see that Guyana
has not requested a meeting on Venezuela. That'll take good. Question for James
Berrys from Our Jazeera like to ask you two related questions related to Gaza and
the wider problems in the Middle East region. First, I mean you can
welcome to answer these as president or probably more interestingly, in your national capacity.
There's now we believe an early draft of from Algeria of a resolution again
on a ceasefar In your view, what do you think of the chances of
getting that much needed cease far for Gaza during this month when you are presiding
over the Security Council. And secondly, as you know, there was that
attack on a US base with three US service personnel killed. The US is
now planning, we're told, a extensive military response to that attack on that
based in Jordan's clost to the Syria border. How worried are you that this
could just lead to further escalation in the region. Thank you, James.
We are aware that a resolution, a draft resolution, is being discussed.
I can tell you that in our national capacity, we intend to adopt a
constructive approach towards the resolution. On the other question you ask, I can
say again, in my national capacity, we are concerned about spillovers. Based
on what has happened, what is happening in Gaza, I would expect that
the US would be more appropriate to answer the other part of the question.
Thank you. Hello, Ambassador. I'm Margaret Basher with the Voice of America.
Good Luck this month, I would like to ask you about Haiti,
especially because Guyana is the chair of carry COM. Also for the next six
months. Your president has said regional security is a key priority. So what
is Guana going to do in the Security Council to get this multinational force deployed,
especially since we've seen now an obstacle arise in Kenya with the High Court
decision. Thank you very much for the question. Hiti is one of the
priorities for sure, for our region, for Guyana and for the Caribbean community.
As you know, the multinational support mission is a non UN mission.
But nevertheless, the Security Council is cease of this matter. We have seen
that the Kenyan government has decided to appeal the decision and we are hoping to
as we go along this month to have an update at the appropriate time.
But we are concerned and I can say that for Guyana in our national capacity
with the growing challenges in Haiti and the dire humanitarian situation. But the work
of the Eminent Persons Group of CARACOM continues in terms of the political tract and
just has Carrie Com gotten any more regional countries interested in contributing to the force
at this point in time, we are advised that the countries that have indicated
their participation would be the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica insct question.
Thank you very much, Madam and sorter edith letter from the Associated Press.
First, a follow up on the possibility of another ceasefire resumelution. You said
Guyana would take a constructive approach. Could you expand or on what exactly that
means? And secondly, February twenty fourth is the second anniversary of the Russian
invasion of Ukraine? Is the Security Council planning anything to mark that occasion,
any kind of meeting, any kind of outcome document? Thank you, thank
you for your question. Let me answer on gas in my national capacity.
Ghana has called for a ceasefire and Ghana will continue to call for a ceasefire
in Gaza. We believe that we should not wait another day for that,
and this is why I said we will be constructive in the resolution and hopefully
we would be able to have a resolution on Ukraine confirmed that there will be
a meeting. We are finalizing the date at this point in time on a
product We do not foresee one at this point in time. Sorry, do
you expect any senior officials from Ukraine to come to the United Nations for that
meeting whenever it's scheduled. We do not have that information as yet, but
we believe we will be informed in the coming days. Good question, thinking,
Ambarsador. So my name is you from kild On News, Japanese media.
So I have two questions. So one is that you mentioned about the
meeting of Myanmar, so could you give me more details? And then second
question is about the North Korea dprkare so are you ready for the meeting about
the North Korea? You think about the issue. We will be attentive to
all the requests of Security Council members for various meetings. I can confirm that
the meeting on ME and MAR will take place in the first week. Yes,
yeah, yeah, sorry, Thank you very much for ambassador on February
thirteenth year high level meeting. Are you going to have a product a statement
of resolution? And secondly, could you give me some details on what you're
doing on ME and MAR? Thank you on the in terms of a product.
As you know, it's still a very complex situation discussing at least half
of the topic the depart on climate. But this is but we believe it's
a very important topic for most of the UN membership, and so this is
why I indicated we will do a summary and hopefully in the future we can
have a product and I speak there in my national capacity on me and Mar.
The meeting will take place and we will see where we go from there.
Yeah. What kind of an agenda at the meeting? Just a general
discussion on me and Mar. And also I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself.
It's evidently approach God prat media and past. Thank you. We we understand
that their work is ongoing by the ass and Special Envoy and so we will
be having a report from him. Yeah, thank you so much, Am
Bessador. My name is that from Society from Arab News Daily. A bit
of a bit of a wider question, please, as a representative of a
country that has suffered under colonialism and has a history with that struggle, how
is that past and history informing today your foreign policy and your role on the
council. How does it feel to be in the same room now with the
former colonizer And what is your message to if you feel any connections with what's
happening in Palestine today? And if so, what's your message to Palestinians and
Israeli? Thank you, thank you. Yes, we do have a colonial
past. We like to consider ourselves friends with everyone as a small state.
We bring to the Council what we have always practiced and held through to,
and that is our principles. And also in terms of Palestine, Guyana is
actually a founding member of the Committee on the Alienable Rights of the Palestinian People,
and we have continuously advocated for the two state solution, and we believe
that this is the ultimate solution in the crisis that we face right now.
And while what we see is unprecedented, we also believe that there's opportunity in
this to move forward that process. I would say to our Palestinian brothers and
sisters and to our Israeli brothers and sisters, that we hope that even though
at this point in time we see disaster and destruction in Gaza, and we
see the wider complications of this in Palestine, we would like to see Israel
and Palestine living side by side in peace and security and in harmony. We
believe it is time. Yes, Medavia Messador, have you retalted from f
newswhere? Last December the Security Council held a meeting on your conflict with Venezuela
as a kibo and how come you are not taking advantage of your presidency to
bring again the subdue to the Council, or maybe you consider that the conflict
is overall on the right track. Let me say that when we decided to
put forward our candidacy for the Security Council, it's because we believe, as
a small state, especially from the group of small island developing states, that
we can bring a unique perspective to the Council. And at that time,
just twelve years ago, Venezuela was one of the first countries, the government
of Venezuela to support our candidacy. We decided that it was necessary for us
to inform the Council in December of what was happening between our two countries.
Given the narratives, the worrying narratives that was coming out at that time from
Venezuela, and given the responsibility of the Council for international peace and security,
we taught it important to inform the Council. At this point in time,
we do not believe that it is a matter that we need to bring to
the Council again. I should inform that following that Council meeting, there was
a meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana and Venezuela signed an agreement,
and part of that agreement is for a joint commission to discuss issues that
are consequential. Of course, the matter is in the hands of the ICG,
the land border matter is in the hands of the i c J.
But consequential matters relating to our cooperation with Venezuela as a neighbor is included in
that joint commission where those issues would be discussed. And the first meeting was
held already. Thank you. If we could before I get to the remaining
questions in the room, if we could go online. We have if the
car Ali, you have the floor, mister, if the car Ali,
if there is an issue with the audio, maybe we can go to the
second person online, who is Abdelhamed C. It doesn't give your designation.
If you could indicate that would be helpful. Thank you. Could we have
volume for the questions for technical team. Thank you. It seems that there's
difficulty in us hearing those questions, so we'll go back to the room and
see if that can be fixed. We'll take the question there first. If
you could identify the literally thank you. My names I to Sam as a
ladder BLD newspaper. My question is about some breaking news that coming out from
the Qatari Foreign Ministry, a spokesperson that's saying that Israel agreed to assist for
her proposal, and we have initially positive confirmation from Hamez. My question here
first, do you have any comments on that and do you believe that such
an agreement should come also in front of the Security Council, that should be
discussed in details. Thank you very much. We do, We do not
have any information, does not have any information as that, as you said,
it just came out. But let me say that if there's a ceasefire,
we certainly welcome that. Will they be as I mentioned earlier? In
fact, as was mentioned earlier, there is a draft resolution that is being
discussed and we will see how that will progress in light of this new information
that you just provided. The other question, thank you, Mradashi. What's
your position regarding the human rights violations violations in Gaza and West Bank and do
you support a rule on this matter by i CC and ICG. We have
consistently called, of course international capacity for the respect for international law, international
humanitarian law and of course human rights, and we will continue to do so
on the matter of the ICJ. We welcome the provisional measures of the ICJ
and we look forward to the consideration of the larger matter as we go forward.
We understand that that will take some years, but we are concerned of
the the overall situation in Gaza, of the women and children that have died,
of everyone that is suffering in Gaza. Step go ahead, Stefan,
New York and ital Press. Are you satisfied with the way the Security Council
is uh you know, is proceeding so far or do you think a reform
should be very urgent? And just recently the Secretary General repeated that he thinks
is the time for a new permanent seat for Africa and what you think about
new permanent seats? In my national capacity, we believe Security Council reform is
urgent and it may sound hollow because we've been saying this for the past three
decades or so, but we believe that it is. Guyana supports the common
African position. We believe that it's a historical injustice that should be made right,
and so we support Africa having a permanent seat on the Council. I
should indicate that this is also the position of many Caracom countries as well.
We also advocate for a rotating seat on the Council non permanent seat for small
island developing states. We believe that they bring a unique perspective, especially being
on the front lines of climate change, and as we spoke about earlier,
the impacts of climate change on the maintenance and peace and security is something that
we must continue to consider. And so yes, we believe that the reform
of the Security Council should not wait before I go to the hands I see
in the room. I think we'll try again with those who are online if
we could see if mister if we car Ali, if we can hear you
now? Yeah, still not able to hear you. I'm not sure if
you're on mute. We did have a second request online, which is mister
Abdelhahmed, can you hear me? We're hearing you. Go ahead? This
oh great, Thank you so much, thank you, mister Madame President.
I have a few questions and my first question about visiting Gaza by the Security
Council. Last December, the Ambassador of the United arm Emeris took a delegation
to the Rapha crossing, but they didn't cross to Gaz. Would you consider
the taking a group of members of the Security Council or suggest at least to
visit Gaza and see for yourself autrocities and genocide in the making. That my
first question and the second. There are now floating ideas to recognize Palestine as
a full, independent, softfire state in the UN. What is the position
of your country if this issue came to the forefront of the Security Council during
your membership. And finally, I don't want to take much of your time,
but if you can tell me, would you work with the non permanent
members to form some kind of common ideas of the ten elected members to influence
the outcome of the Security Council resolutions and the statements and not to leave it
only to the permanent five. Thank you very much for your patients and accepting
my three questions, thank you very much. There is no plan at this
time to Gaza, but I can say in my national capacity, this is
something we would welcome when it is appropriate for us to do so, and
when the Security allows us to do that as well in terms of Palestine as
a sovereign state, and should that be considered here, Ghana will certainly support
that as we have advocated for this for many many years in terms of the
elected members working together, we try to do this all the time, but
also as the Council as a whole, and we will always adopt a constructive
approach to whatever is before us, always keeping in mind that we are there
to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. Aaron Lewis from Indoasian
News Service. I see that you have a private meeting setup for Afghanistan,
and you said that one of your main priorities is a gender issue, and
I see that pretty much reflected very prominently right here on the podium. Would
you be considered would you consider taking any further steps on Afghanistan, especially on
the gender issue and related manners of human rights? Thank you, thank you.
Yes. As I mentioned earlier, the meeting will take place and in
my national capacity, Guyana has made certain commitments to the WPS agenda and whichever
a file we're looking at, we also look at it through a WPS lens
as well. Thank you, Yes, oh, thank you. My name
is sin and with rude our media network could short that my question is about
Iran. Iran has been attacking Iran attack kills willims in Pakistan a few weeks
ago and in curtict our region over ark and a few days ago they killed
three American soldiers in Jordan. So I wonder if you have any message for
Iran and what would you like to say about this escalations or any comment on
that. I think I have a message for everyone that we just need to
make this world a better place, safer, more prosperous for all our people.
Thanks ambassador, it's Margaret again. I just wanted to follow up on
the Afghanistan meeting. What will the topic actually be and why is it a
private meeting? I assume that's in part so the charge can attend, but
could you explain to us what the subject is actually the As you would recall,
there was a resolution that was passed and the Secretary General is expected to
report within sixty days on his meetings with the various envoys there, and so
that report will be considered. I just ask you one question, in your
national capacity, where are your talks at with the United States in terms of
strengthening your military. We have very good relations with the United States on many
matters. The United States is our largest trading partner and our largest diaspora actually
reside in the United States. So we have cooperation and a number of issues
for many, many years. But there was supposed to be some new military
cooperation I believe following last year's incident with Venezuela. We have had these types
of cooperations with the United States and several other countries, and I think those
continue. So what you see us doing right now is part of that program
that we have, and every year, of course, we perhaps add to
that corperation as well. Thank you very much, madame Ambassador. I just
wanted to say, and I'm sure all my colleagues agree, we would greatly
appreciate it if you came to the stakeout after all the meetings and at least
gave us a rundown on what happened and your view. Thank you, Thank
you. We'll consider that. Taking second questions very kindly, I'm going to
ask another one, and again it's going to be about Gaza. At the
end of last year, there were despite all the efforts to get a cease
far, there were two resolutions passed. Both of them said that the humanitarian
aid needed to be scaled up. You listened yesterday to Martin Griffiths in the
Council, and he made it very clear that's not happening. And he also
made it clear that part of the reason is Israel that Israel is taking items
out of the AID, is blocking convoys coming in, is not allowing all
the crossing points that you n would like. Is Israel complying with those two
resolutions? And if not, what action can be taken. The information we
have, and I speak here in my national capacity, is that for those
two resolutions to be implemented, you need a ceasefire. And this is why
we continue to call for this. We are very, very concern about the
humanitarian situation and access to AID because in some cases what we know is there
is aid, but access is the problem. I'm getting it to the people
who really need it. But yes, what we have before us is that
those two resolutions cannot be fully implemented and also the provisional measures of the ICG
unless there's a cease fire. We will take two final questions. Unless there
are no more. Maybe we can give mister mt if car Ali final try
see sir, if we can hear you this time. I know you've been
trying really hard to get your question in cank you hearing me now, yes
we can, thank you, madam ambassador and Fanny and the last one to
get the question, bye bye. Now all my questions have been answered them
Ghada and thank you very much. Thank you, and I have I have
a final question, can I yes, go ahead? Thank you very much
again. I mean Pastilians have been under occupation. Occupation is illegal. As
you know, international law supports people under occupation but resist occupation. Why when
Palestinians resist occupation they are labeled at terrorists, but when the Ukrainians resist occupation
they are labeled as heroes. Do you see the double standard in the international
community in this labeling of both sides doing the same thing. Thank you.
It's a concern for us. Thank you, and I see no further questions
in the room, so I just want to say thank you for your very
many questions and also for your interest. The show has been produced by Depictions
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