UN Security Council - High-Level Open Debate: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centered International System

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President,

I thank the Chinese Presidency for convening this meeting. 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, as well as Andorra and San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

Over the past eighty years, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter have underpinned the global order and served as the foundational framework of international relations. 

Today’s world is marked by intensifying geopolitical rivalry. We are witnessing the unprovoked use of force against sovereign nations and violations of international humanitarian law. Drivers of conflict are multiplying, including widespread violations of international human rights law, the weaponization of food and water, climate change, and persisting inequalities. 

In such uncertain and unpredictable times, the Charter of the United Nations, and international law in general, continues to serve as guidance to steer our action. It is our compass in times of division, it navigates us through crises. Respecting the purposes and principles of the Charter including those of sovereignty and territorial integrity, political independence and self-determination isincluding those of sovereignty and territorial integrity, political independence and self-determination,  a choice we have to make every day. These principles cannot be negotiated or compromised. WhThese principles cannot be negotiated or compromised. When violations of international law occur, they must entail accountability. In the context of the security and stability of the European continent, for any peace in Ukraine to be just, lasting and comprehensive, it must uphold the principles of the Charter and international law. In the context of the security and stability of the European continent, for any peace in Ukraine to be just, lasting and comprehensive, it must uphold the principles of the Charter and international law.

President,

The EU will remain a predictable, reliable and credible partner of the UN, committed to finding global solutions to common challenges, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future. Together with our partners, we are supporting the SG’s UN80 initiative towards a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive UN, capable of delivering effectively across the three pillars.

At the heart of this effort lies the UN’s peace and security architecture. As the central pillar of the collective security system established under the Charter, the Security Council has, for eight decades, held the principal responsibility for safeguarding international peace and security. The EU supports a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council towards making it more effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic, and accountable and better reflecting today’s realities by strengthening the voice of underrepresented regions. The EU supports the French-Mexican initiative aimed at restricting the use of the veto in case of mass atrocities, as well as the veto initiative to trigger a GA debate in case of a veto. The EU supports a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council towards making it more effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic, and accountable and better reflecting today’s realities by strengthening the voice of underrepresented regions. The EU supports the French-Mexican initiative aimed at restricting the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities, as well as the veto initiative to trigger a GA debate in case of a veto. We underline the particular responsibility the Council’s permanent members bear and stress that a focus on prevention and peacebuilding are crucial means in dealing with crises effectively and sustainably. 

In this context, the EU also commends the work of the General Assembly in matters pertinent to international peace and stresses the need to continue enhancing ways in which the UNGA can further contribute to strengthening the UN peace and security architecture. 

We also reiterate our strong support for the International Court of Justice and recall that the ICJ’s orders and judgements are binding for the parties to the dispute.

The EU will continue to work with the UN to address global peace and security challenges, with focus on conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and crisis management as per the EU-UN Strategic Partnership on Peace and Security.

We also reiterate our strong support for the International Court of Justice and recall that the ICJ’s orders and judgements are binding for the parties to the dispute.

The EU will continue to work with the UN to address global peace and security challenges, with focus on conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and crisis management as per the EU-UN Strategic Partnership on Peace and Security. 

President, 

The EU remains

The EU remains committed to peace, to justice, human rights and a future where respect for the UN Charter is not just words on paper, but a living reality for all.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.