Mister President,
I would like to begin by thanking Gilles Michaud, Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security for his first intervention at the Council, Lisa Doughten, Director of OCHA's Financing and Partnerships Division, and Abby Stoddard. We have heard and listened carefully to your message.
Last May, Switzerland had the honor of introducing draft resolution 2730, adopted by this Council. It was an urgent response to the alarming situation we have just heard about. In adopting this resolution, we committed ourselves - together - to better protecting and respecting humanitarian personnel as well as UN and associated personnel, including national and locally recruited personnel. Switzerland would like to pay tribute to them: their courage and action are essential to saving and preserving the dignity of millions of lives, despite increasing risks and difficult conditions. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and their families.
Mister President,
Thank you for convening this meeting. Today, Switzerland wishes to convey two key messages:
Our first message is addressed to all UN member states: an urgent call for the full implementation of resolution 2730. The adoption of this resolution does not mean the end of our commitment, but rather its beginning. The trend - as we have heard - is more than alarming. This morning's numbers speak for themselves: those who provide support also need protection – whether in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti or elsewhere. As states, we cannot remain mere observers. We can and must act – without delay.
Switzerland welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendations, which show us how we can better prevent attacks on humanitarian and UN personnel, and strengthen their protection. They offer concrete avenues for action to better implement Resolution 2730 and international humanitarian law. I would like to highlight a few aspects.
First of all, our legal responsibility is paramount. Law, whether international or national, is one of our most powerful tools. States must respect and protect humanitarian personnel, investigate violations and, in the absence of action, refer cases to international tribunals. At the national level, we must guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian access, criminalize attacks on humanitarian personnel, facilitate the granting of visas, and include the necessary humanitarian exemptions in our legislation.
Beyond the law, the Secretary-General also recommends that we lead by example. In a world where misinformation undermines trust and hampers humanitarian action, we have a duty to fight this scourge and to provide objective information about the work and role of humanitarian and UN personnel. We must also provide ourselves with the resources to meet our obligations. Within the UN, we emphasize the crucial role played by UNDSS in ensuring the safety of UN workers, whatever the context of their engagement. It must be supported.
Finally, we must also support the victims of violence and amplify their voices to ensure that their suffering is not repeated.
Our second message is addressed to us, the members of the Security Council: let's listen and act! Around this table, let us remain attentive to the voices of humanitarian actors. They are the best compass to guide our action. Let's put aside political differences to prioritize the protection of human lives and humanitarian principles. It is our duty to keep a close eye on those who are saving thousands of lives, on the appeals they make and the alerts they send us. In Resolution 2730, the Security Council mandated the Secretary-General to provide an annual briefing on the challenges, opportunities and progress made in strengthening the protection, safety and security of humanitarian and UN personnel. This will be an essential step in guiding our collective action. The Secretary-General calls on this Council to place the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers and UN personnel at the heart of its decisions. Let's heed his call! Whether in examining geographical contexts, defining mandates or adopting resolutions, this priority must guide our every action, at all times.
Mister President,
Switzerland welcomes the growing commitment of States to the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel. In May, 98 countries co-sponsored Resolution 2730. In September, at Australia's initiative, a Ministerial Group for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel was created, bringing together nine states, including Switzerland, representing different regions of the world. Just this morning, 116 states reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel in front of this chamber. Such a large number of countries committed to improving the current situation has the power to make a difference. Switzerland will continue – with them – to work for the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel.
I thank you.