WEBVTT 1 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:19.559 Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights, 2 00:00:21.160 --> 00:01:07.319 the show about the government, policy and human rights. Welcome back to Policy 3 00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:12.040 and Rates. Your in Depictions Media Radio, I'm your host, Michael Cloggs, 4 00:01:14.480 --> 00:01:19.319 and let's start off in Gaza. As we know President Joe Biden, 5 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:33.840 he has assigned documents and that places some sanctions against Israel for what is going 6 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:42.359 on in Gaza. That it has gotten to the point that civilians stopped a 7 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:56.719 truck from entering Gaza that had humanitarian goods, that they attacked it. Massive 8 00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:04.000 people attacked in a mob attack the truck and stop the truck from from crossing 9 00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:10.800 in to Gaza to and at the same time, it was reported in the 10 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:16.800 past few days that at least three children died of starvation. Many people in 11 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:24.719 Gaza are suffering from starvation and are dying from the lack of food, clean 12 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:36.400 water, and medical supplies. These people are non combatants and should be treated 13 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.599 as the civilians that they are and given the medical treatment, the food, 14 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:49.680 and the shelter and safe haven away from the fighting that they deserve. And 15 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:59.719 that's part of what President Biden is talking about in these documents. Did that 16 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:10.280 he has released it's placing sanctions against Israel for H for what is going on 17 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:22.159 with humanitarian efforts. Now, okay, let's give take a couple of steps 18 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:30.240 back. When we consider UH the Unfrore situation where UNR workers were actually part 19 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:40.360 of the kidnappers, we do have to question how these humanitarian supplies could be 20 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:49.560 distributed and are they being distributed to civilians or could they be d distributed to 21 00:03:52.039 --> 00:03:58.319 UH militants? So in how in how is that truly distinguished? So there's 22 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:03.280 there's it's not a black and white situation. It is a a all over 23 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:12.199 gray situation that you have to take slow steps into how how are we going 24 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:19.199 to fix the violence in the Middle East, because it isn't just Israel, 25 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:28.759 Gaza, Palestine is a lot more to this with Syria, Iraq, and 26 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:36.600 we're gonna hear fronts of representatives later on on the UN Security Council for about 27 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:41.680 Iraq and what's going on, as well as we're going to hear things about 28 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:51.279 Miramar and the permit of representative from the UK as she makes a statement at 29 00:04:51.360 --> 00:05:04.000 a media stakeout. But is the in a particular email that I received that 30 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:15.279 is President of Biden because he is not one on board with Israel. Is 31 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:24.480 he being an aseematic And that's a huge question to be answered, And that 32 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:30.399 is what was being stated in the email that I received. Is he being 33 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:41.319 ani sematic? And is anyone who says that, wait a second, Israel, 34 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:46.000 can you take a step back and take a breath and let's figure this 35 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:57.040 out in a peaceful way. Are they being antismatic because they're asking Israel to 36 00:05:57.079 --> 00:06:02.319 find a more peaceful way of handling is At the same time we're asking the 37 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:08.759 people of the Hamas to do the same. Let's find a peaceful way to 38 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:23.160 settle, a peaceful way to build a dual state that allows Palestine and Palestinians 39 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:31.199 to live peacefully and allows Israel and the Israelis to live peaceful lives. After 40 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:39.360 all, that's mainly what we want. Okay. So weather happenings, old 41 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:44.480 boy. And this is when I say old boy, I mean big snow. 42 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:58.399 Big snow for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Isle, where it is becoming 43 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:05.480 almost useless to run a plow until the snow has stopped. They're running plows 44 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:13.079 to get emergency services to where they need to go. Outside of that, 45 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:18.920 they are holding off on trying to do mass clearings of the roads because the 46 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:26.639 snow is coming down so fast that they can't really keep up. We're gonna 47 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:32.160 hear more about that from Parliament about how they are going to handle the situation 48 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:42.720 because Nova Scotia is in a state of emergency. And moving forward to that, 49 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:50.279 we also have a interview that was done on Seapack with Danielle Smith, 50 00:07:50.639 --> 00:08:03.360 the premiere of Alberta. As she's talking about transgender healthcare services, and yes 51 00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:09.000 she's being criticized very heavily about her decisions, but if you listen to what 52 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:16.120 she has to say about how they came to the conclusions that they did, 53 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:20.360 maybe we need to listen a little closer. Maybe there she might have something. 54 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:35.320 As long as Alberta isn't limiting those those choices and putting the age brackets 55 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:45.080 up so that they are trying to discourage transgender people from existing period, then 56 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:52.320 there may not be anything too wrong with the age limitations that they're putting to 57 00:08:52.080 --> 00:09:07.840 certain types of transgender medical help and healthcare. With that being said, we 58 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:16.480 have had a expert to on depictions media to speak about gender dysphoria and how 59 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:28.720 it it can affect teenagers and it is a real thing and it should be 60 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:37.200 of course addressed. So at this point, why don't we move forward and 61 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:46.960 we're gonna hear what's happening in Nova Scotia, and we will hear a couple 62 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:52.919 other things that are going on here in Canada, and then we will move 63 00:09:52.960 --> 00:10:00.879 on to the UN floor and listen to what has happened there with Iraq and 64 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:13.320 me or Mar and other issues that are happening around the world. Everyone. 65 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:18.360 I just want to make a brief statement of the significant snowfall that's taken place 66 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:22.600 in Nova Scotia, something that we've been monitoring very closely, especially with my 67 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:26.200 fellow members of Parliament, some who actually couldn't make it in today. Also 68 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:31.240 spoke with the from the mayor of Cape Breton, and I spoke with Minister 69 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:37.120 Lower, so we market the situation very closely. Yesterday and late yesterday, 70 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:41.480 late last night, I think around midnight Atlantic time, we got the official 71 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:46.120 request for assistance, which I have approved, and what we wanted to do 72 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:50.600 was making sure that we can provide assistance very quickly. So the snow removal 73 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:54.759 equipment is required, also for helicopter support if we needed to move supplies, 74 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:58.919 so Parts Canada does have a snow heavy snow snow removal equipment that we have 75 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:03.000 authorized. Also, the Coast Guard will be playing an important role when it 76 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:09.039 comes to the helicopters, but also the humanity workforce, our Starovak Team, 77 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:11.799 Ruby Khan and the Red Cross will also be playing a very important role. 78 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:16.039 The details are being worked out at this moment. And also also told Minister 79 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:20.720 Lower that if the situation changes, we are ready to provide and additional support 80 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:24.600 is needed. It's already, in fact, actually something's already put into place. 81 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:31.320 The Search and Rescue folks has already been working since yesterday. The Parks 82 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:35.519 Canada equipment that it all is actually I was told not too far away already. 83 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:39.759 And also in Cape Breton they do actually have the Coast Guard capability very 84 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:46.399 close by as well. So this is happening literally as we as we speak. 85 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:54.360 O Nova Scotia has requested help from the federal government, including military intervention 86 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:58.879 a number of times. And what are I understand from sources that the military 87 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:03.919 is not particularly interested in dealing with these domestic situations anymore, So what are 88 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:05.120 you just try to come be further from the truth. What we want to 89 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.799 do is making sure that we have the right resource in the right place at 90 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:11.320 the right time. And in this case here, what we want to do 91 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:16.399 is making sure that the Canadian Forces always looked at for responding, but sometimes 92 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:20.039 they are not the best resource. In this case here the distance where the 93 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:24.639 Canadione forcer could respond is still quite far away. The Humanity and Workforce workforce 94 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:30.759 program that Team Rubicon right Cross STARVAC is a part of their locally based so 95 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:35.000 some people that can respond very quickly. So this provides immediate support. If 96 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:37.519 the Canadione Forces for whatever reason is required, they can respond. And when 97 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:43.200 it comes to wildfires and other things, let's not forget the Canadron Forces provides 98 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:50.000 Type three firefighters support. What mostly in a wildfire situation you need level one 99 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:52.039 and level two. So what we're trying to do is making sure that we 100 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:56.840 have the right resource there. And the Canadine Forces, as you know, 101 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:01.279 have been asked to do a lot in the last years and especially probably the 102 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:03.080 last three years. They will always be ready to support, but at the 103 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:07.039 same time we want to make sure we have the right resources support. You 104 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:09.159 clarify, do you think the provinces should be able to handle things like this 105 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.600 on their own, or do you think it makes sense in a case like 106 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:13.840 this that the federal government does need to step in. I think in an 107 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:18.600 unprecedented situation like this, where I've been told that this snowfall hasn't taken place 108 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:22.440 for some time, this is what the federal government is there off for. 109 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:26.440 But what we do need to do, province by province and territory is learn 110 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:31.639 what type of impact that climate change is having and what are the adjustments that 111 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:35.240 we need to make. We do have a federal, provincial and territorial meeting 112 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:39.919 that's coming up in a couple of weeks. We will be discussing things like 113 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:41.840 this, what type of resources I need at the provincial level, but we 114 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:46.519 actually want to go on one level even more, what resources are needed at 115 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:48.840 the local level for response, and also the adjustments that we need to make 116 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:54.440 at the federal level as well. Okay, thank you, What are your 117 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.679 thoughts? What's your message to people who are snowed under? Right down? 118 00:13:56.879 --> 00:14:01.879 So look my writing of King's hands. We had probably somewhere between forty five 119 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.879 to fifty centimeters a snow, which is a significant amount, but it's not 120 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:09.279 nearly the extent that was faced in Cape Breton. I was just talking to 121 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:11.879 Mike Calway, who's the member for Cape Breton. CANSO over one hundred centimeters 122 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:16.519 was recorded at the Sydney Airport. I think we've all seen the pictures. 123 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:20.480 Really challenging times right now. The biggest concern I think, not only the 124 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:26.679 mayor has and provincial and federal officials, is some communities are actually cut off, 125 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:30.879 particularly rural and remote communities within Cape Breton Island, because plows have not 126 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:33.759 actually been able to get to them. There's about three thousand people who do 127 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:39.639 not have electricity, and just even seeing some of the images and talking again 128 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:45.240 to local officials, there's a concern that particularly vulnerable seniors or people who may 129 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.919 not be able to have anyone else help them, can't get over their home 130 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:50.759 and so that local state of emergency has been called. You heard the minister 131 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:56.799 say that he has accepted the request from the province. I think there's an 132 00:14:56.840 --> 00:15:00.600 inventory going on right now. But what the Government of can might have on 133 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:05.440 the ground to help support Kate Bretton and Nova Scotia generally. But yeah, 134 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:09.480 we're our thoughts are with individuals who are going through difficult times. But Nova 135 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:13.080 Scotians are tough people and I know we'll rally together to help one another. 136 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:15.720 It feels like Nova Scotia has had a rough go of it in the last 137 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:18.360 couple of years. Just what message would you have for people who are thinking, 138 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:22.639 oh my god, another disaster. Yeah, look, there's no easy 139 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:26.919 words. It has been difficult. We've had Hurricane Diona, Dorian, We've 140 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:31.600 had Hurricane Fiona. We went through tragic floods in my own community actually this 141 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:35.960 past July, and then of course the worst forest fires in the province's history. 142 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:39.799 So this has been difficult, you know. Thankfully at this time, 143 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:43.320 I don't think there's any loss of life. It is a challenge and we 144 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:48.600 have to work quickly to make sure that people are protected. But hopefully we're 145 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.799 able to move forward, but it is going to take a number of days 146 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:52.840 to clean up and we have to work in concert together. Thank you. 147 00:15:54.639 --> 00:16:00.600 Tell us specifically about the allegations that you didn't consult on the water belt. 148 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:07.000 Well, look, we have been consulting with First Nations probably since about twenty 149 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:11.559 fifteen in one way or another, on what new legislation would look like in 150 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:19.200 terms of robustness to protect First Nations right to clean drinking water. Certainly, 151 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:26.200 we've worked closely with the AFN to host some of those consultations, but we've 152 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:30.919 also worked bilaterally with First Nations and in small groups with First Nations across the 153 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:34.519 city. And just last month I went out myself to Treaty six, seven 154 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:41.399 and eight to hear specifically from them thoughts that they had about the proposed draft 155 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.000 legislation. I will also say all First Nations received the early draft of the 156 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:52.519 proposed legislation and then the updated draft as we incorporated more commentary back. So 157 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:56.960 do you foresee any additional changes to the legislation following those consultations. I've been 158 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:02.799 really open that I'm looking forward to a robust study of this legislation through the 159 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:07.920 parliamentary process and in committee. I have every confidence that the committee will call 160 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:12.519 forward First Nations leaders who may want to share their perspective on various elements of 161 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:15.759 the bill, and I'm very open to hearing about those amendments. But i 162 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:22.480 will also say that I have committed to the collaborators, the First Nations partners 163 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:26.640 that have worked so closely on this bill, that the Government won't be the 164 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:30.640 ultimate arbitrator of amendments either rejected or accepted, and that will work together to 165 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:37.640 continue this co this co development work together. And just finally the king has 166 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:41.680 cancer, is being treated for cancer. What what what do you have to 167 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:45.240 say about that? Oh, that's very sad to hear. And I think 168 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:48.160 cancer is a terrible disease. It's very hard in some cases to treat and 169 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:52.119 puts a lot of stress on the family. So I'm wishing him all the 170 00:17:52.119 --> 00:18:02.359 best in his recovery. Thank you very much, Aniba Solamsion. And they 171 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:12.960 knew the mcat sertain bout his son pet O PUSI woo the cutica mami venue. 172 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:22.720 Thats assembly consistent and I from a alpham that's my name more vine for 173 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:30.519 chance was the other plain pounds to collego non provide farm ociously if he is 174 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:45.200 the park soon is pascre but lebre the truly college Beru. Yeah, how 175 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:55.160 wh Lady Glass who Communist also deputy all the world is Justine pouncer and starting 176 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:59.440 to ask you the royal family today for a statement about the king. Turns 177 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:03.079 out that he was diagnosed with cancer. Has the government initiated any plans to 178 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:06.759 talk with some counterparts to you know, discuss the status and what this might 179 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:10.799 mean for Canada. But that's a great and fair question, to be honest, 180 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:15.000 I don't know where the conversations are with respect to that particular matter. 181 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:22.319 You are in the past, Yes, certainly obviously to anyone else. We'll 182 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:29.000 be facing some chance such challenging situations. And it's just you said, imagine 183 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:37.039 it's about still do I have plus and this he at the Canada pascalidation to 184 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:47.119 the existing mechanism for concu a TB a construt which is circu we have all 185 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:56.359 the all the the permetra or what the founderbagin for from Sully, I think 186 00:19:56.119 --> 00:20:08.079 Premier Daniel Smith speaking with journalistic Seapac about a Burgess decision to limit transgender healthcare 187 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:15.759 to the age of sixteen, that no one younger than the age of sixteen 188 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:27.720 can receive certain types of medical treatments involving things like hormone therapies or other things 189 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:41.559 that can alter their puberty during as a transgender person. Important to introduce these 190 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:45.200 trans policies, you know, why not leave it to schools, Why not 191 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:49.880 leave it to healthcare professionals, even sports bodies. Why insert the government to 192 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:53.119 a matter that essentially is very personal. Well, I can tell you I 193 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:57.759 had an early warning sign a few months ago when I met with Lois Cardinal, 194 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:03.160 who was a trans gender woman who she was actually seeking medical assistance and 195 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:08.839 dying in Alberta because she had surgery she thinks prematurely felt forced into it and 196 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:11.720 then didn't get very good aftercare. And it got me thinking, if she 197 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:17.119 started that process of transition at nineteen and has those kinds of regrets, we 198 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:21.079 want to make sure that there are that these decisions are being made at an 199 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:25.839 age appropriate level where kids are able to deal with the consequences, long term 200 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:27.680 consequences of their choices, and we think that that happens at a bit of 201 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:30.519 an older age. So we wanted to set some guideposts in place, and 202 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:33.599 that's the reason why we came through with the policies. Well, except that 203 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:40.599 you conservatives often talk about individual choice, you yourself have warned against government overreach. 204 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:44.559 A is this not a form of government overreach? If there is one 205 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:48.599 particular case, for example, where someone is expressing regret, again, why 206 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:52.920 not just turn to healthcare professionals, let their professional bodies create different policies as 207 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:57.240 opposed to inserting the government well, because there isn't any one viewpoint on this 208 00:21:57.359 --> 00:22:00.440 around the world. In fact, we're seeing in the UK with the closure 209 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:07.200 of their Tavistock clinic. We're seeing in the Netherlands, where the protocol began, 210 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:10.720 that they're also taking a bit more of a cautious approach, same with 211 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:15.519 several other European countries. And so we think it's important if people are concerned 212 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:21.880 that kids are making life altering decisions or irreversible decisions too young, we want 213 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.480 to make sure we're doing the proper diligence, giving them the proper support, 214 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:27.480 and making sure that they're making those decisions in an appropriate age. So those 215 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:30.680 are the reasons why we're doing it. But to my understanding, the only 216 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:37.599 thing that really is irreversible is gender reassignment surgery bottom surgery for example. Everything 217 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:41.839 else can be dealt with medically afterwards if there's a change of course, is 218 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:45.400 there not. I think at Tavistock they discovered that one hundred percent of the 219 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:48.119 kids who begin with puberty blockers go on to do cross sex hormones. So 220 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:51.759 it is the beginning of the process, and we want to make sure that 221 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:55.200 when kids are making that decision that they're making it at an age where they 222 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.279 know the consequences and you know the pathway that they're on. And so the 223 00:22:57.519 --> 00:23:00.720 feedback that we've gotten is well, is that parents want to be involved in 224 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:03.799 what's going on in their kids' lives because these decisions, once they're made, 225 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:07.839 happened very quickly, and they're going to need all the support of the loving 226 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:11.119 adults in their lives around them. So we want to make sure that there 227 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:17.200 isn't any division between the child and the adults who are their caregivers. But 228 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:22.960 if an adult, if parents decided, for example, that their child in 229 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:29.559 conversation should be pursuing a hormone walker or some type of gender affirming therapy under 230 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:32.799 these proposals, if you're under the age of sixteen, that's not available to 231 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:36.119 you. Is it really the government's place to say it shouldn't be available to 232 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:40.079 you if you have individual consent and parental consent. Well, it's not a 233 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:42.440 parent's decision on those kinds of issues. It's not a doctor's decision on those 234 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:47.200 kinds of issues. It's not a politician's decision. It's the person's decision. 235 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.759 And so we have to make a judgment about whether or not that child is 236 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:55.920 mature enough to understand the long term consequences of affecting their reproductive health, their 237 00:23:55.960 --> 00:24:00.880 ability to have children, and so most practitioners read that that age of maturity 238 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:03.880 comes somewhere around age sixteen, and that's part of the reason why we put 239 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:08.880 the policies in place. You've heard this transactivist. They're upset by what was 240 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:15.200 introduced last week. They make the argument that essentially it is abusive to bring 241 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:19.799 about policies that limit gender affirming therapies. They say that someone who has to 242 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:27.759 go through puberty not affirming their gender is excrucially painful. That leads to self 243 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:33.240 doubt questions, oftentimes suicidal thoughts. Are you concerned that you might be contributing 244 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:37.599 to the challenge of suicide with trans kids? With this, I can tell 245 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:45.599 you that there is not a single viewpoint in the LGBT plus community that we've 246 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:52.559 had many people who've expressed concern as kids are exploring their identity that they are 247 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:56.079 not locked into a position prematurely if they're going to make a decision that's going 248 00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:02.480 to alter their sex and affect their rep deductive health. The advice that we've 249 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:04.960 been given is those are decisions that are adult decisions, and so we're going 250 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:08.799 to make sure that we're preserving those choices for kids. Randy Bossino, who 251 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:12.839 of course hails from Alberta, Alberta, he says, with this policy, 252 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:18.359 you are bringing in an American style cultural war to Canada. We've also spoken 253 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:22.839 to others who say this is purposely a wedge issue by which you are gaining 254 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:26.839 support by dividing Alberta's What do you say to that look, We've been watching 255 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:30.400 the discussion. I've been very thoughtful as we've watched the discussion play out in 256 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:36.119 Saskatchewan and New Brunswick as well as internationally and around the world, and we 257 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.240 think it's important, especially with the case that I mentioned at the top, 258 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:44.359 that if there are individuals who feel like they have made the decision prematurely or 259 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:47.440 we're pressured, we want to make sure that there's a considered approach to that 260 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:51.920 process. That young people need to know that when they make their decisions, 261 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:57.039 it has lifelong consequences. And the question is at what age should a child 262 00:25:57.119 --> 00:26:00.119 be able to make those kinds of life altering decision. We think that age 263 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:04.920 is sixteen. We saw people come out this weekend opposing to what was introduced 264 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:08.640 last week? Is there any room for amendment for you? Is there any 265 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:11.880 room for changing what you've introduced? Look, we're going to have discussions. 266 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:15.160 We wanted to put it on the table, and I will continue to have 267 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:22.440 discussions, feedback with parents, with teachers, with medical professionals. Understanding that 268 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:26.039 there isn't one right answer on this. There isn't one viewpoint. There's multiple 269 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:30.240 viewpoints, and so we've got to balance that and make sure that everything that 270 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:33.240 we do is done through the lens of what's best for the child and making 271 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:36.319 sure that the children preserve all of their choices, I think should be what 272 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:47.480 is guiding our decisions. A joint stakeout on the you and floor, as 273 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:55.039 the representative of the United Kingdom takes the microphone and speaks about what is happening 274 00:26:55.720 --> 00:27:03.640 in me or Mar and what the expectation from the mayor Maara militants, the 275 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:18.200 demands of releases of people and in how they overturned and its imprisoned who could 276 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:26.720 be innocent people. So let's listen to what was said in the stakeout as 277 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:34.359 also there's a defense, make a defense asks about other moral judgments because of 278 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:44.799 some of the things that happened with Anrah and the UN workers with things that 279 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:56.319 happened in Palestine. Right, good morning everyone. This morning, the Security 280 00:27:56.359 --> 00:28:00.880 Council will convene a private meeting to discuss the situation in me and Mark. 281 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:07.680 We will hear from Special Envoy alum Ko Kitkun on laos plans as chair of 282 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:12.559 Asian to address the Meh and Maar crisis, and from Assistant Secretary General Kiari 283 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:19.119 for an update on the UN's efforts in this regard. I'm making the following 284 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:26.240 statement on behalf of Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of 285 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:33.319 Career, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom. The 286 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:38.599 first of February marked three years since the me and Maar military overturned the democratically 287 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:47.200 elected government. The situation in the country remains dire. We strongly condemn the 288 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:53.599 ongoing violence harming civilians, including the military's continued use of indiscriminate air strikes. 289 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:59.960 We echo the call of Asian in urging the me and Mah armed force, 290 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:07.599 in particular to cease its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Three years in, 291 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:15.000 more than eighteen million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and two 292 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:22.400 point six million have been and remain displaced from their homes. We reiterate the 293 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:30.359 Council's repeated call for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered, unimpeded humanitarian 294 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:37.880 access to all people in need, including women, children, and members of 295 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:45.279 ethnic and other minority populations. We remain deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine 296 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:52.119 State, which has further deteriorated following the breakdown of the ceasefire. Within the 297 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:59.880 state, Rahinga, who have faced systematic discrimination for decades, continued to be 298 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:06.799 disproportionately affected by the conflict. We're increasingly concerned by the restrictions on freedom of 299 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:11.680 movement, as well as the denial of access of medicine and medical care. 300 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:19.240 We underscore the need to create conditions conducive to voluntary, safe, dignified and 301 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:30.079 sustainable return of Rahinga refugees and internally displaced persons, as set out in UN 302 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:37.079 Security Council Resolution twenty six sixty nine. We demand an immediate end to all 303 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:44.200 forms of violence, and we urge restraint and de escalation of tensions. We 304 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:49.960 continue to urge the me and MAH military to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners, 305 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:57.480 including President Win Mint and State Councilor ungsangsu Chi. We urge all parties 306 00:30:57.599 --> 00:31:03.440 to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and the 307 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:11.000 democratic will and interests of the people of Me and Mar. We remain deeply 308 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:17.960 concerned at the continued lack of progress on these issues and once again call for 309 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:25.519 the full implementation of Resolution twenty six sixty nine. We reiterate our strong support 310 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:32.839 for Asian and the efforts of the Asian Chair and acknowledge Asian's central role in 311 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:40.359 pursuit of a peaceful, comprehensive and durable solution to the ongoing crisis. We 312 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:47.079 call on the Me and Mar military to fulfill its commitments to effectively and fully 313 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:53.759 implement the Asian Five Point Consensus. We look forward to the timely appointment of 314 00:31:53.839 --> 00:32:00.640 a Resident Coordinator and the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Me and Mar to 315 00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:07.799 enable close coordination between Asian and the UN. We continue to stand in solidarity 316 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:15.240 with the people of Me and Mar and their desire for peaceful, inclusive and 317 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:22.480 democratic future. Thank you question please if our mariarty news, can I ask 318 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:29.160 do you think that Britain stands on the Israel Gaza war undermines your moral authority 319 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:34.400 when it comes to conflicts like me and mar So we're intensely engaged in the 320 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:37.440 Israel Gaza discussions. My Foreign Secretary as well as Secretary Blincoln are on the 321 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:40.039 road as we speak. Right now, we're going to discuss me and Mah. 322 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:52.119 Thank you in the next segment from the UN Security Council floor, as 323 00:32:52.440 --> 00:33:01.200 a representative from Iraq talks about how the attacks should come to an end, 324 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:14.119 that there should be a cease to all attacks in Iraq from Iran and from 325 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:30.680 other neighboring countries as they push forward with rebuilding their own country. I now 326 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:38.680 give the floor to Miss Janine Henni's pleasure. Thank you, Madame President, 327 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:45.640 distinguished members of the Security Council. With the conflict raging in Gaza as well 328 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:49.160 as armed action elsewhere, the Middle East is at a critical juncture, and 329 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:52.720 the same is true for Iraq. Now, to be clear, Iraq's government's 330 00:33:52.920 --> 00:34:00.039 efforts are focused on avoiding a domestic and regional spillover. Still, continued attacks 331 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:06.279 have become a harsh reality, and these attacks originate from within and outside of 332 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:09.760 the country's borders attacks, which if they were to continue, is tend to 333 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:15.400 undo Iraq's hard won stability as well as other achievements made in the past eighteen 334 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:20.400 months. Now. As we all know, history can have a long till 335 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:24.119 one which can impact the presence and this is seriling true. For the Middle 336 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:29.760 East. To fully grasp the current regional and domestic dynamics, therefore, we 337 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:35.800 would need to traverse decades and exercise this breathing does not allow for that said, 338 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:40.199 it is within this context that various Iraqi armed groups groups acting outside state 339 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:46.440 control that is reference as a justification for their operations, a doctrine which transcends 340 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:54.199 politics and state borders. Other motivations expressed pertain specifically to Iraq, such as 341 00:34:54.280 --> 00:35:00.119 calls for Iraqi skies to be an quote free and for an ant to the 342 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:05.639 international military presence in the country. However, for Iraq to further continue on 343 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:10.239 its path of stability and progress, an enabling environment will prove essential, and 344 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:16.559 such an environment requires restraint from all sides, yes, indeed from Iraq's armed 345 00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:22.000 actors, and as might be expected, restrained from Iraq's neighbors and other countries 346 00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:27.599 is just as crucial. I have said it numerous times in the past and 347 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:32.000 will say it again. Messaging by strikes only serves to height intentions to kill 348 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:37.239 or injure people and to destroy property. A case in point was the attack 349 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:42.880 on twenty eight January, which killed and injured US service members. This was 350 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:47.880 seen again with the retaliatory strikes on two February, which also resulted in casualties. 351 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:53.199 But rather than resorting to the use of force, all efforts should center 352 00:35:53.320 --> 00:36:00.079 on safeguarding Iraq from being drawn in any way into a wider conflict, and 353 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:06.400 it is precisely within this context that many expressed shock over Iran's missile attack on 354 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:09.679 Urbil a few weeks ago, which killed civilians, including a little girl, 355 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:15.599 based on accusations the Iraqi government has strongly refuted these actions were sorely at odds 356 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:21.400 with a great efforts made on the Iraq Iran Security Agreement, which I highlighted 357 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:27.639 in my October briefing. Meanwhile, Turkish military operations in the north also continue. 358 00:36:28.280 --> 00:36:30.840 Just because these attacks have become the new normal does not mean that they 359 00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:37.000 do not seriously compound the risk of new arenas of violence being opened. Now 360 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:43.519 when talking about the incendiary potential of retaliatory strikes. We would like to welcome 361 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:49.079 the recent launch of dialog through the United States Iraq Higher Military Commission. This 362 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:52.400 dialog channel opened at a critical moment, and the setting of joint objectives could 363 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:59.760 only be a positive development amid rising tensions. Having settled this today, I 364 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:05.599 am compelled to reiterate our appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint. With 365 00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:09.519 Iraq cloaked in an already complex tapestry of challenges, it is of the greatest 366 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:15.960 importance that all attacks cease. And while we are of course aware that many 367 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:20.679 authorities and actors seek to limit further escalation, it is clear that the situation 368 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:24.840 remains volatile Iraq, indeed, the wider region remained on a knife edge, 369 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:32.480 with the tiniest miscalculation threatening a major conflagration. Now on a more optimistic note, 370 00:37:32.599 --> 00:37:37.360 Madame President. On eighteen December twenty twenty three, Iraq held local elections 371 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:40.559 for the first time in ten years, and in the case of Kirkuuk, 372 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:45.960 for the first time since two thousand and five. This electro process took place 373 00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:51.639 in a broadly peaceful and technically sound manner. It marked another milestone in the 374 00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:55.440 government's efforts to break from past cycles of dysfunction, and we truly hope that 375 00:37:55.519 --> 00:38:00.159 the re establishment of local representative bodies, which have been in active since twenty 376 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:07.079 nineteen, will signify another major step forward. Now, a challenge for future 377 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:10.480 elections will be to rally a higher voted turnout and importantly, to encourage Iraq's 378 00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:15.599 eligible voters to register. While turnout among registered voters for the twenty twenty three 379 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:21.280 Governored Council elections was on part with Iraq's national parliamentary elections two years prior, 380 00:38:22.039 --> 00:38:25.920 around sixty percent of Register's voters did not cast their ballots, and this, 381 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:30.679 combined with the fact that millions of Iraqis did not even register to begin with, 382 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:35.840 spotlights the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead. Building public trust and 383 00:38:35.960 --> 00:38:40.000 thus encouraging the majority of Iraq's eligible voters to participate in the democratic process will 384 00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:46.360 until continuous and hard work. Another positive development to report on is that Iraq's 385 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:52.840 government continues to strengthen the country's finance and banking sectors. Mergers and structural reforms 386 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:57.679 of key insurance and banking entities demonstrate yet again the government's commitment to nurturing a 387 00:38:57.760 --> 00:39:04.000 transparent compliant financial sector in The steps taken to strengthen public financial management, including 388 00:39:04.039 --> 00:39:07.840 by establishing a single treasury account, have also been welcomed by the IMF and 389 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:14.280 others. Now alongside new electronic platforms for foreign currency sales which I mentioned in 390 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:19.159 my last briefing, these initiatives are set to be instrumental in enhancing the transparency 391 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:25.840 and manageability of Iraq's public finances. Meanwhile, ambitious construction projects continue apace. 392 00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:31.719 These have included major housing complexes which will I hope be opened to all iraqis. 393 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:37.239 Similarly, a government commitment to build one thousand new schools by the end 394 00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:40.880 of twenty twenty four, if realized, would be a real opportunity accelerator, 395 00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:46.639 and national incentives for development projects like special loans and exemptions also indicate the government's 396 00:39:46.679 --> 00:39:53.159 determination to see these and other visions take concrete shape. Next month, Iraq 397 00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:58.880 will become the first country in the region to join the International Labor Organization's Convention 398 00:39:59.079 --> 00:40:02.719 on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. Coupled with 399 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:07.039 the new National Security Law, this sets a regional precedent for employee protection, 400 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:14.119 which should benefit Iraqi workers, especially women. And such standard setting and benefit 401 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:17.360 expansion must also be seen as part of efforts to strengthen Iraq's private sector. 402 00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:22.320 Now, these and other reforms, as I have said before, are critical 403 00:40:22.360 --> 00:40:25.719 to unlocking a brighter future for all iraqis a future in which the country can 404 00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:31.320 move from fighting fires to crafting sustainable solutions, a future in which young people 405 00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:36.280 can use their skills and capacities to better their lives and communities, rather than 406 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:43.360 taking to the streets out of desperations or words taking up arms. Madame President 407 00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:46.199 m let me hone in on a few other issues. Firstly, climate change. 408 00:40:46.360 --> 00:40:52.280 Iraq's participation in a COP twenty eighth summit in December produced some promising commitments. 409 00:40:52.000 --> 00:40:55.639 These included a complete phase out of gas flaring by twenty twenty eight and 410 00:40:55.719 --> 00:41:01.000 the establishment of a new Green Sustainable Bank to dive versify the Iraqi economy away 411 00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:07.440 from fossil fuels. A slew of projects to incentivize water conservation and sustainability across 412 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:14.480 various sectors, as well as promised investments in clean energy exploration also overwell for 413 00:41:14.599 --> 00:41:19.280 the future Now. When it comes to climate change, cries from global platforms 414 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:22.280 have increasingly formed a crescendo of doom, and in Iraq, it is not 415 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:28.320 hard to see why. Water scarcity, the certification forced migration, conflict over 416 00:41:28.440 --> 00:41:34.760 natural resources, extreme weather events. It all combines to paint a rather bleak 417 00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:40.360 picture in which existing fault lines come under increasing pressure. But instead of giving 418 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:45.519 into a sense of despair, and as emphasized by Iraq's Prime Minister, focus 419 00:41:45.840 --> 00:41:51.239 must now shift to mitigation and adaptation, for instance, through the implementation of 420 00:41:51.360 --> 00:41:55.920 inclusive, peace positive environmental management programs, the modernization of irrigation infrastructure, and 421 00:41:57.119 --> 00:42:01.960 immediate steps to reduce oil reliance. That said, without moving from promises to 422 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:08.000 actions, opportunities may slip away and fast. Secondly, I wish to again 423 00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:13.320 highlight existing feelings of exclusion and marginalization, which, as we all know, 424 00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:19.480 often lead to recurring cycles of conflict. Managing diversity is never easy, but 425 00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:23.639 if done well, represents a major win in preventing instability, mistrust and violence 426 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:29.480 and in promoting respect for human rights. Key to this is the rule of 427 00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:34.760 law. Of course, if justice systems are seen to be treating people in 428 00:42:34.840 --> 00:42:40.960 these criminatory ways, tensions among communities can quickly boil over. Madame President, 429 00:42:42.039 --> 00:42:44.880 as you know, in mid November, a ruling of the Federal Supreme Court 430 00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:50.000 suddenly and the term of Iraq's parliamentary speaker. Today, nearly three months later, 431 00:42:50.199 --> 00:42:55.119 political bickering continues to prevent consensus on his replacement. Needless to say, 432 00:42:55.159 --> 00:43:01.519 we can only hope that an agreement will emerge sooner rather than later on the 433 00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:07.400 Courtisan Region. I regret to report that the region's parliamentary elections have again been 434 00:43:07.480 --> 00:43:10.800 held up. Initially scheduled for October twenty two, they were postponed to November 435 00:43:10.880 --> 00:43:15.920 twenty three, then further delayed to February of this year, and we are 436 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:21.880 now awaiting a new date. Let me be clear, these continued postponements do 437 00:43:22.079 --> 00:43:27.119 not help already low trust levels, nor do they contribute to Iraq's stability, 438 00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:32.239 and wrangling between Baghdad and Urbil on financial and budgetary issues goes on. While 439 00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:37.519 acknowledging that there are various difficult and technical issues at play, this does not 440 00:43:37.719 --> 00:43:42.159 change the fact that in the absence of a sustainable agreement, it is the 441 00:43:42.239 --> 00:43:46.079 everyday people who suffer. The recent decision of the federal government to approve the 442 00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:50.920 financing of the region for the month of January in accordance with the federal budget 443 00:43:51.000 --> 00:43:53.679 for the year twenty twenty four is of course to be welcomed, but we 444 00:43:53.800 --> 00:43:59.840 can only reiterate that a more permanent solution is desperately needed. In simple terms, 445 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:05.679 if stability is to be preserved, the Kurdystan Region must receive funding to 446 00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:13.880 pay its civil servants their monthly salaries. Meanwhile, YUN Iraq continues to evolve. 447 00:44:14.280 --> 00:44:17.719 The mission's independent strategic review is ongoing and the country team has shifted, 448 00:44:17.880 --> 00:44:22.320 as you know, from a humanitarian to a development focus, and of course 449 00:44:22.400 --> 00:44:28.639 a new YUN Corporation framework is on its way which will support national priorities and 450 00:44:28.800 --> 00:44:32.880 accelerate the achievements of the SDGs. We wish to mention that Iraq's Council of 451 00:44:34.000 --> 00:44:37.320 Ministers has set thirty July twenty twenty four as d date for the closure of 452 00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:43.559 all displacement camps throughout the country, including the Kurdystan Region. This decision is 453 00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:49.800 welcome as it defines concrete steps, establishes mechanism and dedicates government funding to the 454 00:44:49.880 --> 00:44:55.079 goal of ending displacement. Having said this, Yun Iraq underscores that this decision 455 00:44:55.199 --> 00:45:01.679 should be complemented by solutions for displaced people outside camp. Equally important is ensuring 456 00:45:01.840 --> 00:45:07.599 all returns and relocations are informed, safe, voluntary, dignified and inclusive, 457 00:45:08.079 --> 00:45:15.880 and pursued in cooperation and coordination with the Courtisan regional government. Madame President, 458 00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:20.559 turning to the issue of missing Covetian third country nationals and missing Coveti property, 459 00:45:20.599 --> 00:45:25.800 including the National Argives. The Government of Iraq remains undoubtedly committed to this file, 460 00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:31.519 but with three hundred and eight missing persons still unaccounted for, swifter progress 461 00:45:31.679 --> 00:45:37.599 is needed and this must involve the dismantling of bureaucratic hurdles and immediate immediate follow 462 00:45:37.679 --> 00:45:43.280 up on outstanding issues. There is also a clear need to redouble efforts to 463 00:45:43.400 --> 00:45:47.199 locate and return missing Coveti property, including the National Argives. What we are 464 00:45:47.360 --> 00:45:52.000 essentially saying is that it is in everybody's interests to show a sense of urgency 465 00:45:52.079 --> 00:45:58.599 so as to bring this important file to a close. Madame President, what 466 00:45:58.719 --> 00:46:00.519 is needed now, As I have said many times, no governments can go 467 00:46:00.719 --> 00:46:05.920 it alone. Hence, we can only hope that each and every one of 468 00:46:06.039 --> 00:46:12.480 Iraq's politicians will continue working to put the country on the clearest path to success 469 00:46:12.800 --> 00:46:16.400 in the best interests of all Iraqi is, whatever their affiliation, background or 470 00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:22.239 ethnicity, and the same goes for any other actor in or outside Iraq. 471 00:46:22.880 --> 00:46:29.039 They are expected to support this objective rather than to thwart it. One thing 472 00:46:29.159 --> 00:46:31.840 is for sure, the need for sustainable progress, for real reform, for 473 00:46:32.000 --> 00:46:37.800 better living standards will not decline. Iraq's population grows every year, driving even 474 00:46:37.880 --> 00:46:43.159 more demand for jobs, housing, water, and other essential services. And 475 00:46:43.280 --> 00:46:46.119 while many of the plans on the government's books hold the key to meeting these 476 00:46:46.239 --> 00:46:51.159 needs, they will become more and more difficult to realize with each year that 477 00:46:51.280 --> 00:46:55.280 passes, and so the time to act is now enclosing. Man and President, 478 00:46:55.400 --> 00:46:59.880 let me once again stress the importance of an enabling environment and thus the 479 00:47:00.119 --> 00:47:05.239 urgent need to seize attacks b they originating from within or at sight of Iraq's 480 00:47:05.280 --> 00:47:09.800 borders, and as stated many times in past years, this must include reigning 481 00:47:09.880 --> 00:47:16.880 in armed actors operating outside state control. It is quite simple. The enormous 482 00:47:17.000 --> 00:47:23.360 risks and potential devastating consequences of continued escalation cannot be overstated. And this is 483 00:47:23.639 --> 00:47:30.159 again true for Iraq, the region and beyond Los Butnu's least, Madame President, 484 00:47:30.440 --> 00:47:35.679 in December twenty eighteen, I arrived in Baghdad. Now five years later, 485 00:47:36.079 --> 00:47:39.199 it is almost time for me to say goodbye. I expect to depart 486 00:47:39.239 --> 00:47:43.880 from this position at the end of May, and this is not easy. 487 00:47:44.000 --> 00:47:46.480 I have to say, through the many highs and lows, Iraq simply has 488 00:47:46.599 --> 00:47:51.880 become part of me. That said, today's briefing could very well be my 489 00:47:52.159 --> 00:47:55.679 last address to the Security Council on Iraq. And while it's tempting to look 490 00:47:55.760 --> 00:48:00.400 back and reflect, I am conscious of time constraints, of course, but 491 00:48:00.519 --> 00:48:05.599 please allow me to use this opportunity to thank both the Council and Iraq's authorities 492 00:48:05.719 --> 00:48:09.480 for their support, and to express my vast appreciation for each and every one 493 00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:15.519 of my Yuan Iraq colleagues. Most importantly, I wish to thank the people 494 00:48:15.559 --> 00:48:21.400 of Iraq for their boundless hospitality, their generosity and their kindness. And wherever 495 00:48:21.519 --> 00:48:24.239 I go, they will always have a special place in my heart and I 496 00:48:24.320 --> 00:48:29.360 can only hope that one day, in sha allah, people from around the 497 00:48:29.400 --> 00:48:32.840 world will get to know the real Iraq, a country of immense beauty, 498 00:48:34.360 --> 00:48:38.840 a country of rich diversity and culture where there are so many opportunities to grasp. 499 00:48:39.480 --> 00:48:44.480 Now let me ud by publicly paying tributes to all Iraqi men and women 500 00:48:44.880 --> 00:48:49.760 for their sacrifices, their strength, and the depth of their commitment to building 501 00:48:49.840 --> 00:48:54.280 a prosperous, democratic, and peaceful Iraq. Ash Elirak, Long live Iraq. 502 00:48:54.480 --> 00:49:02.599 Thank you, thank you for listening. We need to impress upon government 503 00:49:02.679 --> 00:49:17.119 officials and global government officials that we need to find peaceful and less harmful ways 504 00:49:17.880 --> 00:49:28.199 than going to war and activating military actions to our conflicts. We should sit 505 00:49:28.719 --> 00:49:35.199 at tables, talk, figure things out, plan things so that we all 506 00:49:35.519 --> 00:49:42.239 have a happy space to live in. Please find that subscribe button wherever it 507 00:49:42.320 --> 00:50:24.639 may be on the screen. The show has been produced by Depictions Media. 508 00:50:25.599 --> 00:50:30.360 Please contact us at depictions dot media for more information.