Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio. Welcome to Policy and Rights,
the show about the government, policy and human rights. Welcome back to Policy
and Rates. Your in Depictions Media Radio, I'm your host, Michael Cloggs,
and let's start off in Gaza. As we know President Joe Biden,
he has assigned documents and that places some sanctions against Israel for what is going
on in Gaza. That it has gotten to the point that civilians stopped a
truck from entering Gaza that had humanitarian goods, that they attacked it. Massive
people attacked in a mob attack the truck and stop the truck from from crossing
in to Gaza to and at the same time, it was reported in the
past few days that at least three children died of starvation. Many people in
Gaza are suffering from starvation and are dying from the lack of food, clean
water, and medical supplies. These people are non combatants and should be treated
as the civilians that they are and given the medical treatment, the food,
and the shelter and safe haven away from the fighting that they deserve. And
that's part of what President Biden is talking about in these documents. Did that
he has released it's placing sanctions against Israel for H for what is going on
with humanitarian efforts. Now, okay, let's give take a couple of steps
back. When we consider UH the Unfrore situation where UNR workers were actually part
of the kidnappers, we do have to question how these humanitarian supplies could be
distributed and are they being distributed to civilians or could they be d distributed to
UH militants? So in how in how is that truly distinguished? So there's
there's it's not a black and white situation. It is a a all over
gray situation that you have to take slow steps into how how are we going
to fix the violence in the Middle East, because it isn't just Israel,
Gaza, Palestine is a lot more to this with Syria, Iraq, and
we're gonna hear fronts of representatives later on on the UN Security Council for about
Iraq and what's going on, as well as we're going to hear things about
Miramar and the permit of representative from the UK as she makes a statement at
a media stakeout. But is the in a particular email that I received that
is President of Biden because he is not one on board with Israel. Is
he being an aseematic And that's a huge question to be answered, And that
is what was being stated in the email that I received. Is he being
ani sematic? And is anyone who says that, wait a second, Israel,
can you take a step back and take a breath and let's figure this
out in a peaceful way. Are they being antismatic because they're asking Israel to
find a more peaceful way of handling is At the same time we're asking the
people of the Hamas to do the same. Let's find a peaceful way to
settle, a peaceful way to build a dual state that allows Palestine and Palestinians
to live peacefully and allows Israel and the Israelis to live peaceful lives. After
all, that's mainly what we want. Okay. So weather happenings, old
boy. And this is when I say old boy, I mean big snow.
Big snow for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Isle, where it is becoming
almost useless to run a plow until the snow has stopped. They're running plows
to get emergency services to where they need to go. Outside of that,
they are holding off on trying to do mass clearings of the roads because the
snow is coming down so fast that they can't really keep up. We're gonna
hear more about that from Parliament about how they are going to handle the situation
because Nova Scotia is in a state of emergency. And moving forward to that,
we also have a interview that was done on Seapack with Danielle Smith,
the premiere of Alberta. As she's talking about transgender healthcare services, and yes
she's being criticized very heavily about her decisions, but if you listen to what
she has to say about how they came to the conclusions that they did,
maybe we need to listen a little closer. Maybe there she might have something.
As long as Alberta isn't limiting those those choices and putting the age brackets
up so that they are trying to discourage transgender people from existing period, then
there may not be anything too wrong with the age limitations that they're putting to
certain types of transgender medical help and healthcare. With that being said, we
have had a expert to on depictions media to speak about gender dysphoria and how
it it can affect teenagers and it is a real thing and it should be
of course addressed. So at this point, why don't we move forward and
we're gonna hear what's happening in Nova Scotia, and we will hear a couple
other things that are going on here in Canada, and then we will move
on to the UN floor and listen to what has happened there with Iraq and
me or Mar and other issues that are happening around the world. Everyone.
I just want to make a brief statement of the significant snowfall that's taken place
in Nova Scotia, something that we've been monitoring very closely, especially with my
fellow members of Parliament, some who actually couldn't make it in today. Also
spoke with the from the mayor of Cape Breton, and I spoke with Minister
Lower, so we market the situation very closely. Yesterday and late yesterday,
late last night, I think around midnight Atlantic time, we got the official
request for assistance, which I have approved, and what we wanted to do
was making sure that we can provide assistance very quickly. So the snow removal
equipment is required, also for helicopter support if we needed to move supplies,
so Parts Canada does have a snow heavy snow snow removal equipment that we have
authorized. Also, the Coast Guard will be playing an important role when it
comes to the helicopters, but also the humanity workforce, our Starovak Team,
Ruby Khan and the Red Cross will also be playing a very important role.
The details are being worked out at this moment. And also also told Minister
Lower that if the situation changes, we are ready to provide and additional support
is needed. It's already, in fact, actually something's already put into place.
The Search and Rescue folks has already been working since yesterday. The Parks
Canada equipment that it all is actually I was told not too far away already.
And also in Cape Breton they do actually have the Coast Guard capability very
close by as well. So this is happening literally as we as we speak.
O Nova Scotia has requested help from the federal government, including military intervention
a number of times. And what are I understand from sources that the military
is not particularly interested in dealing with these domestic situations anymore, So what are
you just try to come be further from the truth. What we want to
do is making sure that we have the right resource in the right place at
the right time. And in this case here, what we want to do
is making sure that the Canadian Forces always looked at for responding, but sometimes
they are not the best resource. In this case here the distance where the
Canadione forcer could respond is still quite far away. The Humanity and Workforce workforce
program that Team Rubicon right Cross STARVAC is a part of their locally based so
some people that can respond very quickly. So this provides immediate support. If
the Canadione Forces for whatever reason is required, they can respond. And when
it comes to wildfires and other things, let's not forget the Canadron Forces provides
Type three firefighters support. What mostly in a wildfire situation you need level one
and level two. So what we're trying to do is making sure that we
have the right resource there. And the Canadine Forces, as you know,
have been asked to do a lot in the last years and especially probably the
last three years. They will always be ready to support, but at the
same time we want to make sure we have the right resources support. You
clarify, do you think the provinces should be able to handle things like this
on their own, or do you think it makes sense in a case like
this that the federal government does need to step in. I think in an
unprecedented situation like this, where I've been told that this snowfall hasn't taken place
for some time, this is what the federal government is there off for.
But what we do need to do, province by province and territory is learn
what type of impact that climate change is having and what are the adjustments that
we need to make. We do have a federal, provincial and territorial meeting
that's coming up in a couple of weeks. We will be discussing things like
this, what type of resources I need at the provincial level, but we
actually want to go on one level even more, what resources are needed at
the local level for response, and also the adjustments that we need to make
at the federal level as well. Okay, thank you, What are your
thoughts? What's your message to people who are snowed under? Right down?
So look my writing of King's hands. We had probably somewhere between forty five
to fifty centimeters a snow, which is a significant amount, but it's not
nearly the extent that was faced in Cape Breton. I was just talking to
Mike Calway, who's the member for Cape Breton. CANSO over one hundred centimeters
was recorded at the Sydney Airport. I think we've all seen the pictures.
Really challenging times right now. The biggest concern I think, not only the
mayor has and provincial and federal officials, is some communities are actually cut off,
particularly rural and remote communities within Cape Breton Island, because plows have not
actually been able to get to them. There's about three thousand people who do
not have electricity, and just even seeing some of the images and talking again
to local officials, there's a concern that particularly vulnerable seniors or people who may
not be able to have anyone else help them, can't get over their home
and so that local state of emergency has been called. You heard the minister
say that he has accepted the request from the province. I think there's an
inventory going on right now. But what the Government of can might have on
the ground to help support Kate Bretton and Nova Scotia generally. But yeah,
we're our thoughts are with individuals who are going through difficult times. But Nova
Scotians are tough people and I know we'll rally together to help one another.
It feels like Nova Scotia has had a rough go of it in the last
couple of years. Just what message would you have for people who are thinking,
oh my god, another disaster. Yeah, look, there's no easy
words. It has been difficult. We've had Hurricane Diona, Dorian, We've
had Hurricane Fiona. We went through tragic floods in my own community actually this
past July, and then of course the worst forest fires in the province's history.
So this has been difficult, you know. Thankfully at this time,
I don't think there's any loss of life. It is a challenge and we
have to work quickly to make sure that people are protected. But hopefully we're
able to move forward, but it is going to take a number of days
to clean up and we have to work in concert together. Thank you.
Tell us specifically about the allegations that you didn't consult on the water belt.
Well, look, we have been consulting with First Nations probably since about twenty
fifteen in one way or another, on what new legislation would look like in
terms of robustness to protect First Nations right to clean drinking water. Certainly,
we've worked closely with the AFN to host some of those consultations, but we've
also worked bilaterally with First Nations and in small groups with First Nations across the
city. And just last month I went out myself to Treaty six, seven
and eight to hear specifically from them thoughts that they had about the proposed draft
legislation. I will also say all First Nations received the early draft of the
proposed legislation and then the updated draft as we incorporated more commentary back. So
do you foresee any additional changes to the legislation following those consultations. I've been
really open that I'm looking forward to a robust study of this legislation through the
parliamentary process and in committee. I have every confidence that the committee will call
forward First Nations leaders who may want to share their perspective on various elements of
the bill, and I'm very open to hearing about those amendments. But i
will also say that I have committed to the collaborators, the First Nations partners
that have worked so closely on this bill, that the Government won't be the
ultimate arbitrator of amendments either rejected or accepted, and that will work together to
continue this co this co development work together. And just finally the king has
cancer, is being treated for cancer. What what what do you have to
say about that? Oh, that's very sad to hear. And I think
cancer is a terrible disease. It's very hard in some cases to treat and
puts a lot of stress on the family. So I'm wishing him all the
best in his recovery. Thank you very much, Aniba Solamsion. And they
knew the mcat sertain bout his son pet O PUSI woo the cutica mami venue.
Thats assembly consistent and I from a alpham that's my name more vine for
chance was the other plain pounds to collego non provide farm ociously if he is
the park soon is pascre but lebre the truly college Beru. Yeah, how
wh Lady Glass who Communist also deputy all the world is Justine pouncer and starting
to ask you the royal family today for a statement about the king. Turns
out that he was diagnosed with cancer. Has the government initiated any plans to
talk with some counterparts to you know, discuss the status and what this might
mean for Canada. But that's a great and fair question, to be honest,
I don't know where the conversations are with respect to that particular matter.
You are in the past, Yes, certainly obviously to anyone else. We'll
be facing some chance such challenging situations. And it's just you said, imagine
it's about still do I have plus and this he at the Canada pascalidation to
the existing mechanism for concu a TB a construt which is circu we have all
the all the the permetra or what the founderbagin for from Sully, I think
Premier Daniel Smith speaking with journalistic Seapac about a Burgess decision to limit transgender healthcare
to the age of sixteen, that no one younger than the age of sixteen
can receive certain types of medical treatments involving things like hormone therapies or other things
that can alter their puberty during as a transgender person. Important to introduce these
trans policies, you know, why not leave it to schools, Why not
leave it to healthcare professionals, even sports bodies. Why insert the government to
a matter that essentially is very personal. Well, I can tell you I
had an early warning sign a few months ago when I met with Lois Cardinal,
who was a trans gender woman who she was actually seeking medical assistance and
dying in Alberta because she had surgery she thinks prematurely felt forced into it and
then didn't get very good aftercare. And it got me thinking, if she
started that process of transition at nineteen and has those kinds of regrets, we
want to make sure that there are that these decisions are being made at an
age appropriate level where kids are able to deal with the consequences, long term
consequences of their choices, and we think that that happens at a bit of
an older age. So we wanted to set some guideposts in place, and
that's the reason why we came through with the policies. Well, except that
you conservatives often talk about individual choice, you yourself have warned against government overreach.
A is this not a form of government overreach? If there is one
particular case, for example, where someone is expressing regret, again, why
not just turn to healthcare professionals, let their professional bodies create different policies as
opposed to inserting the government well, because there isn't any one viewpoint on this
around the world. In fact, we're seeing in the UK with the closure
of their Tavistock clinic. We're seeing in the Netherlands, where the protocol began,
that they're also taking a bit more of a cautious approach, same with
several other European countries. And so we think it's important if people are concerned
that kids are making life altering decisions or irreversible decisions too young, we want
to make sure we're doing the proper diligence, giving them the proper support,
and making sure that they're making those decisions in an appropriate age. So those
are the reasons why we're doing it. But to my understanding, the only
thing that really is irreversible is gender reassignment surgery bottom surgery for example. Everything
else can be dealt with medically afterwards if there's a change of course, is
there not. I think at Tavistock they discovered that one hundred percent of the
kids who begin with puberty blockers go on to do cross sex hormones. So
it is the beginning of the process, and we want to make sure that
when kids are making that decision that they're making it at an age where they
know the consequences and you know the pathway that they're on. And so the
feedback that we've gotten is well, is that parents want to be involved in
what's going on in their kids' lives because these decisions, once they're made,
happened very quickly, and they're going to need all the support of the loving
adults in their lives around them. So we want to make sure that there
isn't any division between the child and the adults who are their caregivers. But
if an adult, if parents decided, for example, that their child in
conversation should be pursuing a hormone walker or some type of gender affirming therapy under
these proposals, if you're under the age of sixteen, that's not available to
you. Is it really the government's place to say it shouldn't be available to
you if you have individual consent and parental consent. Well, it's not a
parent's decision on those kinds of issues. It's not a doctor's decision on those
kinds of issues. It's not a politician's decision. It's the person's decision.
And so we have to make a judgment about whether or not that child is
mature enough to understand the long term consequences of affecting their reproductive health, their
ability to have children, and so most practitioners read that that age of maturity
comes somewhere around age sixteen, and that's part of the reason why we put
the policies in place. You've heard this transactivist. They're upset by what was
introduced last week. They make the argument that essentially it is abusive to bring
about policies that limit gender affirming therapies. They say that someone who has to
go through puberty not affirming their gender is excrucially painful. That leads to self
doubt questions, oftentimes suicidal thoughts. Are you concerned that you might be contributing
to the challenge of suicide with trans kids? With this, I can tell
you that there is not a single viewpoint in the LGBT plus community that we've
had many people who've expressed concern as kids are exploring their identity that they are
not locked into a position prematurely if they're going to make a decision that's going
to alter their sex and affect their rep deductive health. The advice that we've
been given is those are decisions that are adult decisions, and so we're going
to make sure that we're preserving those choices for kids. Randy Bossino, who
of course hails from Alberta, Alberta, he says, with this policy,
you are bringing in an American style cultural war to Canada. We've also spoken
to others who say this is purposely a wedge issue by which you are gaining
support by dividing Alberta's What do you say to that look, We've been watching
the discussion. I've been very thoughtful as we've watched the discussion play out in
Saskatchewan and New Brunswick as well as internationally and around the world, and we
think it's important, especially with the case that I mentioned at the top,
that if there are individuals who feel like they have made the decision prematurely or
we're pressured, we want to make sure that there's a considered approach to that
process. That young people need to know that when they make their decisions,
it has lifelong consequences. And the question is at what age should a child
be able to make those kinds of life altering decision. We think that age
is sixteen. We saw people come out this weekend opposing to what was introduced
last week? Is there any room for amendment for you? Is there any
room for changing what you've introduced? Look, we're going to have discussions.
We wanted to put it on the table, and I will continue to have
discussions, feedback with parents, with teachers, with medical professionals. Understanding that
there isn't one right answer on this. There isn't one viewpoint. There's multiple
viewpoints, and so we've got to balance that and make sure that everything that
we do is done through the lens of what's best for the child and making
sure that the children preserve all of their choices, I think should be what
is guiding our decisions. A joint stakeout on the you and floor, as
the representative of the United Kingdom takes the microphone and speaks about what is happening
in me or Mar and what the expectation from the mayor Maara militants, the
demands of releases of people and in how they overturned and its imprisoned who could
be innocent people. So let's listen to what was said in the stakeout as
also there's a defense, make a defense asks about other moral judgments because of
some of the things that happened with Anrah and the UN workers with things that
happened in Palestine. Right, good morning everyone. This morning, the Security
Council will convene a private meeting to discuss the situation in me and Mark.
We will hear from Special Envoy alum Ko Kitkun on laos plans as chair of
Asian to address the Meh and Maar crisis, and from Assistant Secretary General Kiari
for an update on the UN's efforts in this regard. I'm making the following
statement on behalf of Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of
Career, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom. The
first of February marked three years since the me and Maar military overturned the democratically
elected government. The situation in the country remains dire. We strongly condemn the
ongoing violence harming civilians, including the military's continued use of indiscriminate air strikes.
We echo the call of Asian in urging the me and Mah armed force,
in particular to cease its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Three years in,
more than eighteen million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and two
point six million have been and remain displaced from their homes. We reiterate the
Council's repeated call for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered, unimpeded humanitarian
access to all people in need, including women, children, and members of
ethnic and other minority populations. We remain deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine
State, which has further deteriorated following the breakdown of the ceasefire. Within the
state, Rahinga, who have faced systematic discrimination for decades, continued to be
disproportionately affected by the conflict. We're increasingly concerned by the restrictions on freedom of
movement, as well as the denial of access of medicine and medical care.
We underscore the need to create conditions conducive to voluntary, safe, dignified and
sustainable return of Rahinga refugees and internally displaced persons, as set out in UN
Security Council Resolution twenty six sixty nine. We demand an immediate end to all
forms of violence, and we urge restraint and de escalation of tensions. We
continue to urge the me and MAH military to immediately release all arbitrarily detained prisoners,
including President Win Mint and State Councilor ungsangsu Chi. We urge all parties
to respect human rights, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and the
democratic will and interests of the people of Me and Mar. We remain deeply
concerned at the continued lack of progress on these issues and once again call for
the full implementation of Resolution twenty six sixty nine. We reiterate our strong support
for Asian and the efforts of the Asian Chair and acknowledge Asian's central role in
pursuit of a peaceful, comprehensive and durable solution to the ongoing crisis. We
call on the Me and Mar military to fulfill its commitments to effectively and fully
implement the Asian Five Point Consensus. We look forward to the timely appointment of
a Resident Coordinator and the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Me and Mar to
enable close coordination between Asian and the UN. We continue to stand in solidarity
with the people of Me and Mar and their desire for peaceful, inclusive and
democratic future. Thank you question please if our mariarty news, can I ask
do you think that Britain stands on the Israel Gaza war undermines your moral authority
when it comes to conflicts like me and mar So we're intensely engaged in the
Israel Gaza discussions. My Foreign Secretary as well as Secretary Blincoln are on the
road as we speak. Right now, we're going to discuss me and Mah.
Thank you in the next segment from the UN Security Council floor, as
a representative from Iraq talks about how the attacks should come to an end,
that there should be a cease to all attacks in Iraq from Iran and from
other neighboring countries as they push forward with rebuilding their own country. I now
give the floor to Miss Janine Henni's pleasure. Thank you, Madame President,
distinguished members of the Security Council. With the conflict raging in Gaza as well
as armed action elsewhere, the Middle East is at a critical juncture, and
the same is true for Iraq. Now, to be clear, Iraq's government's
efforts are focused on avoiding a domestic and regional spillover. Still, continued attacks
have become a harsh reality, and these attacks originate from within and outside of
the country's borders attacks, which if they were to continue, is tend to
undo Iraq's hard won stability as well as other achievements made in the past eighteen
months. Now. As we all know, history can have a long till
one which can impact the presence and this is seriling true. For the Middle
East. To fully grasp the current regional and domestic dynamics, therefore, we
would need to traverse decades and exercise this breathing does not allow for that said,
it is within this context that various Iraqi armed groups groups acting outside state
control that is reference as a justification for their operations, a doctrine which transcends
politics and state borders. Other motivations expressed pertain specifically to Iraq, such as
calls for Iraqi skies to be an quote free and for an ant to the
international military presence in the country. However, for Iraq to further continue on
its path of stability and progress, an enabling environment will prove essential, and
such an environment requires restraint from all sides, yes, indeed from Iraq's armed
actors, and as might be expected, restrained from Iraq's neighbors and other countries
is just as crucial. I have said it numerous times in the past and
will say it again. Messaging by strikes only serves to height intentions to kill
or injure people and to destroy property. A case in point was the attack
on twenty eight January, which killed and injured US service members. This was
seen again with the retaliatory strikes on two February, which also resulted in casualties.
But rather than resorting to the use of force, all efforts should center
on safeguarding Iraq from being drawn in any way into a wider conflict, and
it is precisely within this context that many expressed shock over Iran's missile attack on
Urbil a few weeks ago, which killed civilians, including a little girl,
based on accusations the Iraqi government has strongly refuted these actions were sorely at odds
with a great efforts made on the Iraq Iran Security Agreement, which I highlighted
in my October briefing. Meanwhile, Turkish military operations in the north also continue.
Just because these attacks have become the new normal does not mean that they
do not seriously compound the risk of new arenas of violence being opened. Now
when talking about the incendiary potential of retaliatory strikes. We would like to welcome
the recent launch of dialog through the United States Iraq Higher Military Commission. This
dialog channel opened at a critical moment, and the setting of joint objectives could
only be a positive development amid rising tensions. Having settled this today, I
am compelled to reiterate our appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint. With
Iraq cloaked in an already complex tapestry of challenges, it is of the greatest
importance that all attacks cease. And while we are of course aware that many
authorities and actors seek to limit further escalation, it is clear that the situation
remains volatile Iraq, indeed, the wider region remained on a knife edge,
with the tiniest miscalculation threatening a major conflagration. Now on a more optimistic note,
Madame President. On eighteen December twenty twenty three, Iraq held local elections
for the first time in ten years, and in the case of Kirkuuk,
for the first time since two thousand and five. This electro process took place
in a broadly peaceful and technically sound manner. It marked another milestone in the
government's efforts to break from past cycles of dysfunction, and we truly hope that
the re establishment of local representative bodies, which have been in active since twenty
nineteen, will signify another major step forward. Now, a challenge for future
elections will be to rally a higher voted turnout and importantly, to encourage Iraq's
eligible voters to register. While turnout among registered voters for the twenty twenty three
Governored Council elections was on part with Iraq's national parliamentary elections two years prior,
around sixty percent of Register's voters did not cast their ballots, and this,
combined with the fact that millions of Iraqis did not even register to begin with,
spotlights the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead. Building public trust and
thus encouraging the majority of Iraq's eligible voters to participate in the democratic process will
until continuous and hard work. Another positive development to report on is that Iraq's
government continues to strengthen the country's finance and banking sectors. Mergers and structural reforms
of key insurance and banking entities demonstrate yet again the government's commitment to nurturing a
transparent compliant financial sector in The steps taken to strengthen public financial management, including
by establishing a single treasury account, have also been welcomed by the IMF and
others. Now alongside new electronic platforms for foreign currency sales which I mentioned in
my last briefing, these initiatives are set to be instrumental in enhancing the transparency
and manageability of Iraq's public finances. Meanwhile, ambitious construction projects continue apace.
These have included major housing complexes which will I hope be opened to all iraqis.
Similarly, a government commitment to build one thousand new schools by the end
of twenty twenty four, if realized, would be a real opportunity accelerator,
and national incentives for development projects like special loans and exemptions also indicate the government's
determination to see these and other visions take concrete shape. Next month, Iraq
will become the first country in the region to join the International Labor Organization's Convention
on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. Coupled with
the new National Security Law, this sets a regional precedent for employee protection,
which should benefit Iraqi workers, especially women. And such standard setting and benefit
expansion must also be seen as part of efforts to strengthen Iraq's private sector.
Now, these and other reforms, as I have said before, are critical
to unlocking a brighter future for all iraqis a future in which the country can
move from fighting fires to crafting sustainable solutions, a future in which young people
can use their skills and capacities to better their lives and communities, rather than
taking to the streets out of desperations or words taking up arms. Madame President
m let me hone in on a few other issues. Firstly, climate change.
Iraq's participation in a COP twenty eighth summit in December produced some promising commitments.
These included a complete phase out of gas flaring by twenty twenty eight and
the establishment of a new Green Sustainable Bank to dive versify the Iraqi economy away
from fossil fuels. A slew of projects to incentivize water conservation and sustainability across
various sectors, as well as promised investments in clean energy exploration also overwell for
the future Now. When it comes to climate change, cries from global platforms
have increasingly formed a crescendo of doom, and in Iraq, it is not
hard to see why. Water scarcity, the certification forced migration, conflict over
natural resources, extreme weather events. It all combines to paint a rather bleak
picture in which existing fault lines come under increasing pressure. But instead of giving
into a sense of despair, and as emphasized by Iraq's Prime Minister, focus
must now shift to mitigation and adaptation, for instance, through the implementation of
inclusive, peace positive environmental management programs, the modernization of irrigation infrastructure, and
immediate steps to reduce oil reliance. That said, without moving from promises to
actions, opportunities may slip away and fast. Secondly, I wish to again
highlight existing feelings of exclusion and marginalization, which, as we all know,
often lead to recurring cycles of conflict. Managing diversity is never easy, but
if done well, represents a major win in preventing instability, mistrust and violence
and in promoting respect for human rights. Key to this is the rule of
law. Of course, if justice systems are seen to be treating people in
these criminatory ways, tensions among communities can quickly boil over. Madame President,
as you know, in mid November, a ruling of the Federal Supreme Court
suddenly and the term of Iraq's parliamentary speaker. Today, nearly three months later,
political bickering continues to prevent consensus on his replacement. Needless to say,
we can only hope that an agreement will emerge sooner rather than later on the
Courtisan Region. I regret to report that the region's parliamentary elections have again been
held up. Initially scheduled for October twenty two, they were postponed to November
twenty three, then further delayed to February of this year, and we are
now awaiting a new date. Let me be clear, these continued postponements do
not help already low trust levels, nor do they contribute to Iraq's stability,
and wrangling between Baghdad and Urbil on financial and budgetary issues goes on. While
acknowledging that there are various difficult and technical issues at play, this does not
change the fact that in the absence of a sustainable agreement, it is the
everyday people who suffer. The recent decision of the federal government to approve the
financing of the region for the month of January in accordance with the federal budget
for the year twenty twenty four is of course to be welcomed, but we
can only reiterate that a more permanent solution is desperately needed. In simple terms,
if stability is to be preserved, the Kurdystan Region must receive funding to
pay its civil servants their monthly salaries. Meanwhile, YUN Iraq continues to evolve.
The mission's independent strategic review is ongoing and the country team has shifted,
as you know, from a humanitarian to a development focus, and of course
a new YUN Corporation framework is on its way which will support national priorities and
accelerate the achievements of the SDGs. We wish to mention that Iraq's Council of
Ministers has set thirty July twenty twenty four as d date for the closure of
all displacement camps throughout the country, including the Kurdystan Region. This decision is
welcome as it defines concrete steps, establishes mechanism and dedicates government funding to the
goal of ending displacement. Having said this, Yun Iraq underscores that this decision
should be complemented by solutions for displaced people outside camp. Equally important is ensuring
all returns and relocations are informed, safe, voluntary, dignified and inclusive,
and pursued in cooperation and coordination with the Courtisan regional government. Madame President,
turning to the issue of missing Covetian third country nationals and missing Coveti property,
including the National Argives. The Government of Iraq remains undoubtedly committed to this file,
but with three hundred and eight missing persons still unaccounted for, swifter progress
is needed and this must involve the dismantling of bureaucratic hurdles and immediate immediate follow
up on outstanding issues. There is also a clear need to redouble efforts to
locate and return missing Coveti property, including the National Argives. What we are
essentially saying is that it is in everybody's interests to show a sense of urgency
so as to bring this important file to a close. Madame President, what
is needed now, As I have said many times, no governments can go
it alone. Hence, we can only hope that each and every one of
Iraq's politicians will continue working to put the country on the clearest path to success
in the best interests of all Iraqi is, whatever their affiliation, background or
ethnicity, and the same goes for any other actor in or outside Iraq.
They are expected to support this objective rather than to thwart it. One thing
is for sure, the need for sustainable progress, for real reform, for
better living standards will not decline. Iraq's population grows every year, driving even
more demand for jobs, housing, water, and other essential services. And
while many of the plans on the government's books hold the key to meeting these
needs, they will become more and more difficult to realize with each year that
passes, and so the time to act is now enclosing. Man and President,
let me once again stress the importance of an enabling environment and thus the
urgent need to seize attacks b they originating from within or at sight of Iraq's
borders, and as stated many times in past years, this must include reigning
in armed actors operating outside state control. It is quite simple. The enormous
risks and potential devastating consequences of continued escalation cannot be overstated. And this is
again true for Iraq, the region and beyond Los Butnu's least, Madame President,
in December twenty eighteen, I arrived in Baghdad. Now five years later,
it is almost time for me to say goodbye. I expect to depart
from this position at the end of May, and this is not easy.
I have to say, through the many highs and lows, Iraq simply has
become part of me. That said, today's briefing could very well be my
last address to the Security Council on Iraq. And while it's tempting to look
back and reflect, I am conscious of time constraints, of course, but
please allow me to use this opportunity to thank both the Council and Iraq's authorities
for their support, and to express my vast appreciation for each and every one
of my Yuan Iraq colleagues. Most importantly, I wish to thank the people
of Iraq for their boundless hospitality, their generosity and their kindness. And wherever
I go, they will always have a special place in my heart and I
can only hope that one day, in sha allah, people from around the
world will get to know the real Iraq, a country of immense beauty,
a country of rich diversity and culture where there are so many opportunities to grasp.
Now let me ud by publicly paying tributes to all Iraqi men and women
for their sacrifices, their strength, and the depth of their commitment to building
a prosperous, democratic, and peaceful Iraq. Ash Elirak, Long live Iraq.
Thank you, thank you for listening. We need to impress upon government
officials and global government officials that we need to find peaceful and less harmful ways
than going to war and activating military actions to our conflicts. We should sit
at tables, talk, figure things out, plan things so that we all
have a happy space to live in. Please find that subscribe button wherever it
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