General Assembly: 77th Plenary meeting, 79th session

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to start. The 77th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The General Assembly will consider agenda item 28 entitled Report of the Security Council. The report of the Security Council has been circulated in document A Slide 79/2. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome the timely adoption of this Annual Report of the Security Council and its submission to the General Assembly. Though not analytical, the data it provides sheds light on when and how the Security Council can act, and where it is unable to do so. Take, for example, the positive. This year's report shows that the Council came together to renew the mandates of numerous peacekeeping operations as well as special political missions. Conversely, there are also developments that should concern us. In 2024 alone, 7 draft resolutions were vetoed by the Council, an increase from the previous year. In terms of process, I was glad to have followed the steps of my predecessors and to have consolidated the practice of convening an informal consultation early in the year. This year we did it in January alongside the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation as the delegation responsible for the drafting of the introduction to the report. I trust that this encouraging trend of enhanced cooperation and coordination between the General Assembly and the Security Council will continue. Excellencies, in addition, I would like to note that over the past year, the Security Council and the General Assembly have worked in close cooperation each within its respective mandate. This collaboration has included the monthly meetings I have held with the incoming President of the Security Council. I have also initiated informal trilateral meetings among the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council to discuss matters of common interest. Together with the President of the Security Council, I have convened a joint informal interactive dialogue on the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review. Later this afternoon, I will address the joint meeting of the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission on Building and Sustaining Peace in Haiti. One idea runs through all these efforts, a simple truth that has been clear to me throughout my presidency: people living through conflict, poverty and crisis do not care about institutional divisions within the United Nations. Nor should they. They see united as the key word in our organization's name. They expect all parts of it to work together with one goal, to respond to their needs. As we mark 80 years of the United Nations, we are reminded of our shared duty to act. We must act as one united organization to take real meaningful steps that improve lives together. I will continue working to strengthen this Assembly's relationship with the Security Council, guided by the highest aspirations enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Peace for everyone, everywhere. I thank you. I now give the floor to the President of the Security Council, Her Excellency Caroline Rodrique Burkert, to introduce the report of the Security Council.

Mr. President, on behalf of the members of the United Nations Security Council, I'm honored to present the Annual Report of the United Nations Security Council to the General Assembly in accordance with Articles 15 and 24 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Before proceeding, I wish to express to you, Mr. President, the appreciation of the members of the Security Council for convening today's meeting and for the competence and dedication with which you have led the work of the 79th session of the General Assembly. Today's meeting highlights the significance of the relationship between the 2 main organs of the United Nations and offers an excellent opportunity for Member States to share their views on the report and the work of the United Nations Security Council. On May 30th, the members of the Security Council adopted the Annual Report of the Security Council to the General Assembly for the period of January 1st to December 31st, 2024. I thank the Russian Federation for preparing the introduction to the report pursuant to Note S/2024/507 and for leading the negotiations within the Security Council toward the adoption of the annual report. I would also like to express the appreciation of Council members to the Security Council Affairs Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs which prepared the main part of the report. The contributions from the current and former members of the Security Council, namely Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, also enriched the document. Mr. President, during the reporting period, the Council held 305 formal meetings, comprising 285 public meetings and 20 private sessions. Additionally, the Council convened 124 closed consultations and 2 informal interactive dialogues. To foster dialogue and engagement in the Security Council's work, Council members continued the practice of conducting wrap-in and wrap-up sessions at the beginning and end of their presidencies, and open briefings with the UN Press Corps and civil society organizations. The presidencies of both the Council and the General Assembly also maintained monthly meetings, while regular gatherings with troop-contributing countries were also held. These initiatives contributed to increased transparency and accountability, also evidenced by the rise in public meetings held in 2024 compared to 2023. Moreover, during the reporting period, the Security Council held 77 unscheduled formal meetings and 53 unscheduled closed consultations at the request of Member States in response to developments on the ground. The Council considered 45 items throughout the year, of which 23 addressed country-specific or regional situations, while 22 focused on thematic and other issues. The thematic and cross-cutting issues that remained high on the Council's agenda included women, peace and security, the protection of civilians in armed conflict, peacebuilding, general issues relating to sanctions, and children and armed conflict. The Council also remained seized of the threat posed posed by terrorism and received briefings from the Chairs of the 1267, 1373, and 1540 Committees. In terms of outcomes, 46 resolutions were adopted during the reporting period, along with 7 Presidential Statements and 43 Press Statements, representing a 27% increase in press statements issued by the Council compared to 2023. The Council also continued its engagements with regional organizations. In October, the 18th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council was held in New York and concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué. In February, the Council conducted a field mission to Colombia, which provided Council members with firsthand perspectives from various government, civil society, and United Nations stakeholders on the progress made in the peace process. In terms of its efficiency and methods of work, the Security Council issued Note S/2024-507, which represents an updated compendium compendium of measures and practices of the Council's working methods. In closing, Mr. President, I would like to thank the members of the General Assembly for their attention and look forward to an engaging discussion on the 2024 Annual Report of the Security Council. I thank you.

I thank the President of the Security Council I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ecuador, who will speak on behalf of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group.

President, I am pleased to take the floor on behalf of the 27 members of the Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency Group. We welcome the timely adoption of the Annual Report of the Security Council to the General Assembly under Greece's presidency of the Security Council on May 30th, 2025, to whom we thank for facilitating its adoption. We thank you also, President, for convening today's meeting in Guyana as President of the Council for the month of June, for the presentation of the report. The group aims to promote a more transparent, effective, and efficient United Nations. In this regard, we advocate for the continuous improvement of the Council's working methods, as well as other ways to promote meaningful interaction between the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as with the ECOSOC and the PBC, the Peacebuilding Commission. President, the ACT Group would like to address the process and the substance of the annual report of the Security Council. First, the ACT Group welcomes adoption of the report by the Security Council within the deadline set out in Note 507. We would also like to welcome the interactive informal session held in January for the second year in a row in preparation of the annual report in line with Note 507 and ACT's prior recommendations. The meeting allowed once again for an insightful exchange of views of the Council's work last year ahead of the drafting of the introduction of the report. However, its late scheduling hampers meaningful participation and interaction. We call for this dialogue to continue to be held every year and for an agreed timing that would allow more member states and observers to participate, express their views, and provide input for the preparation of future annual reports. Furthermore, we welcome the timely consideration of the annual report by the General Assembly in line with the last resolution on revitalization of the work of the General Assembly which took a first step to set a timeline for this debate. This enhances transparency and predictability for all. In this vein, we continue to encourage the earliest possible consideration of the annual report following its adoption by the Council. Second, the introduction of the report provides an overview of the work of the Security Council during 2024. We welcome the inclusion of useful statistics in the introduction, namely on the participation of women and of relevant information on the number of occasions where a veto was cast. The group also commends the reference in the report to substantive issues or trends. The body of the report is a factual account of the work of the Security Council, and we once again encourage the Council to provide a more complete substantive and analytical account of its work to the General Assembly, it is important to discuss instances where the Council has been unable to act despite an obvious need and the mandate to do so. We would therefore welcome further details on the draft resolutions that failed to be adopted by the Council, such as brief description of the resolution purposes and main provisions and an indication of the grounds for rejection. We acknowledge the reference to the submission of special reports in accordance with the veto initiative. It is the second time that such a chapter on the veto with the cases in which it has been exercised is included in the body of the Council's annual report. This is a significant achievement that is now part of the provisions of Note 507. We welcome the meaningful steps towards accountability as well as the adoption by the Council of an updated Note 507 last December in an effort to enhance its efficiency and transparency. We believe the report should also include statements of explanation by the permanent members who exercise the veto and statistics on the number of times it has been exercised in the past. Information could also be included on the implementation of Security Council resolutions and decisions with an indication on the— of the constraints and reasons behind any lack of implementation during 2024. As the introduction states, challenging political dynamics and divisions were affecting the Council's ability to fully fulfill its responsibilities as established in the Charter of the United Nations. This is why, at a time where in 2024 the number of vetoes has increased to its highest since 1989, the General Assembly must be ready to fill the gap left by the use of the veto. We need to strengthen the General Assembly's own role in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly when the Council cannot or does not act. In this regard, we welcome the launch last August of Assembly for Peace, the digital handbook on the UN General Assembly's past practice on peace and security, and encourage its broad dissemination by the PGA to the wider membership. Third, the ACT Group has long advocated for greater transparency in the work of the Council. We therefore wish to encourage the timely compilation of the monthly assessment by Council presidencies which constitute important reference documents reflecting the views of members on the work of the Council. As such assessments do not have to represent the views of the Council as a whole, but rather offer an honest assessment of the work conducted throughout the month by each presidency, their substance should not be reduced to the lowest common denominator. As a complementary document, we would also like to highlight the important work of the Security Council Affairs Division, SCAD, in preparing the repertoire of the practice of the Security Council. We encourage all member states to provide support to ensure the preservation of the Council's institutional memory. We also commend the continued efforts of successive Council presidencies in 2024 to increase the transparency by holding rapid and wrap-up sessions and encourage broad participation to the wider membership in these formats with a view to foster interactive exchanges. Fourth and lastly, we suggest the annual report should highlight information regarding the Council's close consultations and discussions held under any other business to promote transparency and help the membership understand the full range of issues and situations the Council is engaged with. The group also encourages the PGA to assess today's debate and continue transmitting a summary of the recommendation expressed by the membership to the President of the Council for the subsequent consideration and action by the IWG. The ACT Group looks forward to engaging with Pakistan and all Council members in the drafting process of the 2024-2025 Annual Report. I thank you.

Mr. President, allow me now in a national capacity to briefly highlight that 3 years ago in this same debate, Ecuador formally announced its candidature for the Security Council for the period 2023 to 2024. This report bears out and details the last year during which my country was elected for that council. I wish to recognize the efforts of all Security Council members over those years to support the progress of the methods of work of that body towards greater transparency, including the constant improvement of the annual report. Much remains to be done in order to achieve the overwhelming goal to address the most pressing concerns of humanity. I reiterate my country's wish to continue to work in that direction. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ecuador. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica.

Mr. President, allow me to begin by expressing my thanks for the convening of this debate. My delegation would also like to express its thanks to the current President Guyana for the presentation of the report of the Security Council. We associated ourselves with the statement given by Ecuador on behalf of the ACT Group, and we'd like to share 3 additional observations in our national capacity. Firstly, this debate does not represent a merely procedural activity. Rather, it is a key opportunity to strengthen an institutional link between the Security Council and this General Assembly. As the main representative and deliberative body of the full membership. Article 24 of the Charter grants the Council a prime— primary role in maintaining international peace and security, but it also sets out its main responsibility to all states. This accountability is materialized, among other things, through this annual report. Accountability must be substantive and transparent. The 2024 report reflects the intensive work of the Council with the adoption of 46 resolutions. However, it continues— we continue to be concerned by the incapacity of the Council to effectively address urgent crises, such as the lack of— due to the lack of unanimity among its permanent members, the reiterated use of the veto, with 7 cases in the last year, has led to urgent— the inability to address urgent crises. The General Assembly here has not only the power but also the responsibility to act. We welcome the inclusion of a specific chapter on the challenges addressed, which is a step towards greater transparency. Greater accountability means that we need to address this in substance, not only form. Greater interaction and representativity would benefit the legitimacy of the Council. Transparency and inclusion should permeate through all of the work of the Council. We recognize the efforts of the Council to ensure open, briefings, but we believe that the overwhelming dynamic of this organization makes it very difficult for many delegations to be included, particularly those with limited resources. We appeal for the strengthening of these spaces and greater participation of delegations that are able to do so. We also welcome the progress to include disaggregated data by gender in line with Rule 39, and we encourage the Council to consolidate this practice. In terms of the interaction between the bodies, we underscore that informal consultations carried out in February were useful, but their late notification hampered greater participation. We believe that these should be systematized as a permanent mechanism of interaction between the GA and the Council. The outcomes of this, just like this debate, should continue to be considered regularly by the Working Group on Documentation and Working Methods of the Council. Thirdly, democratizing the practices of the Council is key to ensure its effectiveness. The United Nations Charter is clear in underscoring that the Council acts on behalf of all members. This representative function means that it must be more inclusive in its practices. Non-permanent members grant legitimacy, geographic diversity, and commitment to our collective interest. However, their role in substantive issues continues to be limited. Costa Rica reiterates its appeal to further democratize these practices towards equative representation in the role of penholdership to overcome divisions and to strengthen collective action. President, for Costa Rica, peace cannot be founded on the use of force nor on the unjustified and unacceptable use of weapons. Only through multilateralism and equitable participation can all states maintain a truly fair and lasting international order. When the Security Council does not act, this Assembly must stand ready to exercise its powers guided by the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, this on behalf of the international community as a whole. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Mr. President, Thailand wishes to thank you for convening today's meeting, which allows the General Assembly to reflect on the work of the Security Council and provide constructive input on its performance. And I thank the Permanent Representative of Guyana, the President of the Council in June, for presenting the annual report. My delegation would like to highlight the following key points. First, echoing the views by many member states, Thailand believes the Council annual report should be further enhanced to become more substantive and analytical document. This would not only provide greater insight into its deliberations and decisions, but also promote transparency and accountability to the broader UN membership. Second, the report reflects growing divisions within the Council. In 2024, only 65% of resolutions were adopted unanimously. A decline from 70% in 2023. This trend is concerning. Thailand strongly urges the Council to uphold its unity and effectiveness, as these are critical to fulfilling its primary mandate of maintaining international peace and security. Third, to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving global challenges. The Council should strengthen its engagement with regional and sub-regional organizations whose perspectives and capabilities are indispensable in addressing complex context-specific situations. Mr. President, Thailand reaffirms that multilateralism is more essential than ever as the issues of peace and security, sustainable development, and human security are increasingly interconnected. We must foster closer and more effective cooperation between the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Peacebuilding Commission, and other UN organs. A more coherent and inclusive UN system is crucial for addressing today's multidimensional crises.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal.

Excellencies, Portugal aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ecuador on behalf of the ACT Group. and would like now to add a few remarks in its national capacity. We welcome the timely adoption of the Security Council's annual report and acknowledge the efforts to provide substantive elements and statistics on the Council's work in 2024 in this year's report. As reaffirmed in Article 24 of the Charter, the Security Council acts on behalf of all members of the United Nations. And as Article 27 stipulates, decisions on substantive matters require the concurring votes of permanent members, a provision which grants the veto its constitutional status. Yet with that prerogative comes a profound responsibility. As seen in 2024, When the veto is used repeatedly to block Council action in the face of mass human suffering, it risks undermining not only the Council's legitimacy, but also the trust that Member States and global citizens place in the multilateral system. The veto must not become a shield for inaction, because inaction costs lives. Portugal therefore reiterates its strong support for greater accountability in the use of the veto, including through the initiatives adopted by this Assembly, such as Resolution 76/262. We once again call for wider adherence to the ACT Group's Code of Conduct and to the French-Mexican initiative, both of which aim to ensure that the veto is not used in situations involving atrocity crimes. The report before us today continues recent improvements, including data on participation and the inclusion of a chapter on the use of the veto. But transparency must go further. We encourage more detailed reporting on draft resolutions not adopted, implementation of Council decisions, and the full scope of deliberations, including closed consultations, informal formats, and AOBs. We also welcome the second consecutive year of informal interaction with the wider membership during the report's drafting. This good practice should be institutionalized in the resolution on GA revitalization. Finally, we note with appreciation the launch of the Assembly for Peace Digital Handbook and are pleased to inform that Portugal will soon host a dedicated workshop on the role of the General Assembly in good offices and preventive diplomacy, in partnership with relevant stakeholders. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we must recommit to a Security Council that is more representative, more transparent, and more responsive to those it was created to serve. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank the Permanent Representative of Guyana for introducing this year's Security Council's annual report. The report captures the Council's work over the past year, a year where we witnessed the highest number of humanitarian workers and journalists killed in conflict zones, from worsening humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, to the rising security tensions in Ukraine and the DRC. Indeed, 2024 was a period marked by significant challenges to international peace and security. We therefore welcome this meeting to enable transparency and accountability towards better decision-making in the Council, a valuable opportunity for the wider member states, the global community, to reflect on and provide feedback for the Council's work in delivering its mandate. In this regard, Indonesia would like to underline 3 points. First, the continued paralysis of the Council on grave situations is a fundamental cause for concern. We continue to underscore the need for the report to identify and analyze challenges for the Council in reaching common grounds. In 2024, the Council conducted more meetings than in previous years, but falls short in achieving consensus, underscoring the persistent division among its members even for such issues as the monthly Programme of Work. The Council failed to adopt 7 draft resolutions due to veto, including most notably 4 resolutions on Gaza. While the current dedicated chapter on Special Reports on Veto is welcome, The format merely lists reports without providing meaningful insights. We believe the Council would benefit from including its response to the debate under the ESS or veto initiative in its annual report, which will also enhance accountability and demonstrate engagement with the wider UN process. Second, the need to incorporate critical assessment of Council meetings as a tool for future strategy. Planning. A comprehensive critical analysis will enhance the report's value to inform the Council members in its own decision-making. For instance, as a major troop-contributing country, Indonesia benefits from the regular TCC meetings held under the Council framework. Analysis of meeting outcomes can offer insights into future planning and functioning of peacekeeping operations, ensuring they are tailored to evolving situations and challenges on the ground. Incorporating such reviews will improve the Council's mandate implementation while ensuring that the wider UN membership and public remain well-informed. Third, incorporating an assessment of working methods. By systematically assessing its procedures, the Council can streamline its operations to facilitate more efficient decision-making. Such process will help identify procedural bottlenecks and promote more transparent and inclusive practices, ultimately strengthening the Council's credibility. Indonesia therefore welcomes the adoption of the updated Note 507 on the Council working methods in December last year. Mr. President, having a more comprehensive and analytical report must be part of the whole reform of the Security Council. Let us work together towards a Council that is more effective, democratic, transparent, and representative, and rest assured of Indonesia's commitment on this matter.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Myanmar.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I wish to begin by thanking you for convening this meeting. I also thank the Presidency of the UN Security Council, Permanent Representative of Guyana, for the presentations of the report. And I also like to thank the delegation of Russian Federation for drafting the report. Today's deliberation provides an opportunity to evaluate the overall past work of the Council by, by the UN membership, explore the relationship between the 2 principal organs of the United Nations, and contribute to further strengthening of it. Mr. President, we as member states of the United Nations confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, with a view to ensure prompt and effective actions in accordance with Article 24 of the UN Charter. Despite shouldering this responsibility on our behalf, the Council remains divided and paralyzed, with inaction on many of the files under its agenda over the years. The Council's lack of unity is reflected in the use of vetoes on many resolutions in public meetings, as well as threats of use of veto on draft resolutions behind closed doors last year. Another reflection of the Council's divergent dynamics is the continued stylistic choice of descriptive information throughout the report. Despite the call from the member states for more analytical assessment. Mr. President, given this pervasive style of descriptive reporting on the work of the Council, including on the situation in Myanmar, allow me to focus on the analytical assessment of the situation as a representative from Myanmar. First, the need to duly consider the situation in Myanmar as threats to international peace and security by the Council. The situation in Myanmar poses a clear threat to regional and international peace and security. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Myanmar ranks highest among all member states for organized crime. The rise of cybercrime has driven human trafficking. According to OHRH, these camps generate revenue amounting to billions of US dollars each year. It is crystal clear that urgent global interventions are seriously needed to address the root cause of the situation in Myanmar, along with the surge in TOC. The global implications of the conflict and its consequences is also echoed by the Secretary-General, the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, and ASEAN. Therefore, the Council must respond to the irrefutable evidence and act in accordance with— that brought me to next point. Second, the urgency to take effective and decisive actions by the Council. It is regrettable that Article 31 of the UN Charter was selectively applied by the Council on Myanmar last year. In addition, the call to respond to the situation in Myanmar by the Council is consistently dismissed with an attempt to play the number games. It is not the number of private meetings or consultations on Myanmar that matters. What matters is immediate, effective, and decisive action by the Council to save lives of the people of Myanmar. Since the attempted coup in 2021, nearly 6,800 have been brutally killed by the military junta. Over 3.5 million people have been displaced. Over 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Even after the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the military junta continues their indiscriminate violence, killings, and human rights violations unabated over the entire population. Despite the urgency to act, the Council remains silent. Myanmar takes note of the report that the Council members discussed how the United Nations could be could best support ASEAN in the implementation of ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. I wish to take this opportunity to highlight that members of ASEAN have expressed that ASEAN cannot shoulder this responsibility alone to solve the situation in Myanmar. We are of the view that a follow-up resolution to Resolution 2669 including its effective implementation and a regular reporting mechanism, is long overdue. Third, coherent and coordinated response from the Security Council, the General Assembly, and other UN agencies. In light of the current deadlock in the Council, the General Assembly, along with other relevant UN agencies, should correspond to the alarming situation with sustained increased attention and appropriate actions to stop the military from further killing more civilians. Our call for the cessation of transfer and export of weapons, jet fuel, and dual-use items does not take place in a vacuum. It came from the direct experience of the people of Myanmar who are losing their lives and suffering from frequent aerial and artillery attacks every day. It came from the tragic experience of our children who have to hide in bunkers upon hearing the sound of fighter jets. In addition, we have relevant references to the GA Resolution 75/287, which called upon all member states to prevent the flow of arms The Human Rights Council Resolution 55/20, which called for all states to refrain from the export, sale, or transfer of jet fuel, civilian goods, and technologies to the military. And most recently, the International Labour Conference resolutions invoking Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, which asked the member states to comprehensively review their support and supply of military equipment, jet fuel, and the free flow of funds to the military junta. The call to pressure the military junta is growing inside and outside the country, both from the people on the ground and other international fora. Once again, I appeal to the member states and the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to respond to this growing call individually and collectively. And last but not the least, centering the agency of the people of Myanmar. We may have different viewpoints on how to resolve the situation in Myanmar. However, any resolution that does not center the will and interests of the people of Myanmar is designed to be a short-term respite at best and will become a long-term failure at worst. Inclusivity, trust, transitional justice, and professional military institutions under civilian oversight, among others, are all critical elements for Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led process. A credible process to achieve sustainable peace in Myanmar lies ahead. The National Unity Government and other allied ethnic resistance organizations have been in talks for future Myanmar. Any inclusive dialogue must occur in line with the will and interests of the people. The people clearly expressed time and again that the junta's violence against civilians must come to an end now. The military must not be in politics of future Myanmar and must be under civilian oversight. Fundamental human rights must be be respected fully, and all political prisoners, including State Councillor Dong San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, must be released immediately. For Dong San Suu Kyi, she will turn 80 years old next week. While she is in jail, many people are now organising various activities to celebrate her 80th birthday. and pray for her immediate release and for her good health. Mr. President, it is time for member states and the international community to genuinely center the voices and agency of the people of Myanmar and support their aspirations to end the military dictatorship and build a federal democratic union. I thank you.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Myanmar. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.

President of the General Assembly, distinguished representatives of member states, the Kingdom of Morocco would like to express its firm rejection of the singling out 2 parties on the paragraph of Moroccan Sahara in the Security Council report today. The position of my delegation had been expressed earlier in identical letters sent to the President of the Security Council and the Secretary General of— Secretary General and the President of the Security Council. The partial preference is in flagrant violation with what is in the beginning of the report. Shouldn't be a selective reading of the events of the year. This paragraph steers away from this guideline and uses biased language. It does not reflect the collective position of the Security Council nor the sincere efforts to arrive at a mutually acceptable political resolution to this regional difference. It represents an imbalanced representation, aligned with the national preference of the author of that paragraph, which is also not in line with what the Security Council should be doing. It ignores the contributions of other member states, which had always guided the Security Council in its resolutions. I would like to recall that since 2018, all of the Security Council resolutions do mention the 4 Parties to the political process there, namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario. Neither one of those documents limits the framework to the 2 parties. No Security Secretary General report, no resolution has this reduction from 4 to 2 either.

Thank you.

The usual rigor and impartiality of report is at variance of this report, and it undermines the credibility of the Council and arises the question of the accuracy of the information that is being thus conveyed. We are of the view that the drafters of the introduction should have stuck with the parameters put forward by the Security Council on the Moroccan Sahara. Namely, the 4 parties, the exclusive framework, which is the United Nations, and the preeminence of the Moroccan autonomy initiative. They should have also accepted the correction of this obvious mistake when it was raised by Security Council members, instead of opposing to it a procedural justification which is unfounded. Mr. President, these attempts to falsify cannot undermine the international momentum going towards a political solution based on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which is supported by 118 member states, 3 of them permanent members of the Security Council. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Morocco denounces in the strongest terms possible this lack of rigor, impartiality, and the integrity that we would have expected from such a document. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Mr. President, this debate represents a valuable opportunity for member states to reflect on whether the Security Council has fulfilled its mandate of maintaining international peace and security during 2024. While we welcome the report as an instrument for accountability, accountability and transparency, once again we believe that it must go beyond the mere presentation of facts and figures. It should provide a substantive analysis of the trends borne out in the Council dynamics. Furthermore, it should identify not only the areas in which agreements were not reached, it should go further to incorporate a more far-reaching assessment of the restrictions that have affected its performance over the last few years, as well as its working methods. We'd like to thank the President of the General Assembly and the Russian Federation for convening a consultation of the full membership last January to collect ideas and proposals for the drafting of this report. At that time, Mexico made a few suggestions as to the inclusion of analysis of the effectiveness of sanctions regimes as they support peace processes. We made a similar suggestion on the impact of peace operations in terms of conflict management and resolution under the analysis of the Security Council. We regret that none of these aspects were included because they reflect points that should ensure a comprehensive understanding as to the impact of decisions taken by the Council. We ask that the drafters of the Council's report next year to bear this in— these recommendations in mind. We also call for the institutionalization of informal consultations to support the drafting of the report, following up on the example of the Russian Federation. President, the UN's peace and security architecture, and within that, the Council itself, is without doubt facing a critical stage. The increasing politicization and geopolitical trends have prevented the Council from acting effectively in light of some of the most pressing crises of our time. Such as those in Haiti, Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza. The reiterated use of the veto has weakened its credibility and called into question its ability to comply with the mandate conferred on it by the Charter. This reality further strengthens the need for the General Assembly and the PBC, as well as other UN bodies, to play a more active role in peace and security matters when the Council is not able to to do so. During the presentation of the 2023 report one year ago, Mexico flagged that the Council only adopted 50 resolutions and 6 presidential statements, which we thought was worry— worryingly low. However, in 2024, the Council adopted just 46 resolutions and 7 presidential statements. In addition to being a regressive trend, we are now facing a lack of consistency between the action of the Security Council and the will of the General Assembly, including them reaching contradictory outcomes. In 2024, 7 draft resolutions were not adopted due to the veto. This is the highest figure since 1986. This very clearly shows once again that the veto does not foster unity or promote the pursuit of common understandings. It simply represents an act of power exemplifying an abuse of a method of work. In this context, we call on all those states that have not yet done so to join the Franco-Mexican initiative to restrict the use of the veto in cases of mass atrocities. We welcome Armenia as signatory 107 of the initiative just a few months ago. President, it is also unacceptable for the Security Council to remain in silence or avoid debate when a state invokes self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter. Some countries invoke this article to make preventive use of force on the territory of another state without their consent, particularly in the cases of attacks attributed to non-state actors such as terrorist groups. This reinterpretation of international law undermines the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations and jeopardizes the UN's collective security system. In addition, there's no willingness to scrutinize this action by members of the Security Council. Mexico actually put forward a document on this aspect, and we call on all states to hold a substantive debate in line with the seriousness of this situation. I conclude by underscoring the need to continue strengthening the Security Council's methods of work so as to foster greater transparency, inclusion, and collaboration with all the members. We appeal for us to continue exploring innovative approaches that would grant the Council greater operative effectiveness so that it can exercise its mandate legitimately, with impartiality, and fully in line with the principles of the

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. President, in line with the provisions in the Security Council President's Note number 507, the Council prepares an annual report about its work and then submits it to the General Assembly for its careful consideration and subsequent discussion by all member states. In line with Article 24 of the Charter, The Council is doing this on behalf of all member states of the United Nations. Russia has consistently been supporting efforts to refine the working methods of the Security Council, including preparing Security Council reports, which reflects the activity undertaken by the— by main UN Charter bodies and the main challenges that the body is encountering during the period. This year, the duty to introduce this comprehensive document fell upon our country. The report, which was submitted on time, contains information about measures undertaken by the Council from January 1st through December 31st, 2024, so as to maintain international peace and security. As a responsible personal member of the Security Council, we have since the very beginning tried to show to be as constructive and balanced as possible while working on this document. We were of the view that we were making a comprehensive product containing analysis of the main types and areas of Security Council work during this period. We paid special attention also to take into account the opinions of other members of the Security Council, and the proposal we heard in the course of the interactive dialogue which was organized by us together with the PGA in January. As a result of all of these efforts is a document which is an important mechanism which allows us to inform other member states about our work. We are pleased to say that this year we managed to conclude agreeing the introductory part in early February, and this is to the merit of all members of the Council who contributed to preparing this draft, including those members who were members in 2024: Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, Ecuador, and Japan. And this shows that the Security Council thus can expeditiously and collectively resolve the issues it has. Mr. President, we noted the comments made by some members about the unconsensus wording in the introductory part. I'd like to underscore that this outcome document is a general product by the Council. We prepared it after several rounds of bilateral, multilateral consultations so as to achieve consensus, and we took into account all of the comments we received, and we showed maximum flexibility. And our efforts were crowned with success on the 10th of February, and there were no objections to the text by that date. We call upon everyone who had new considerations after that date to please be more organized and not introduce disorder into the work of the Council. We are also grateful to the representative of the Secretariat for their support, in particular the staff of the Security Council Affairs Division, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, who shouldered preparing the main body of the report. And we also thank them for the useful recommendations we received while working on the introduction. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador.

Muchísimas gracias.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Allow me to begin by thanking you for convening this important plenary debate on the Security Council's annual report for 2024. El Salvador would also like to express its thanks to Guyana in its capacity as President of the Council for June for presenting the report. President, extremely worrisome dynamics and persistent divisions have affected the Council's ability to to fully shoulder the responsibilities entrusted upon it by the United Nations Charter. Against this backdrop, closing gaps and working with renewed commitment for consensus is not only necessary, it is more urgent than ever. The exercise that we are undertaking today is particularly crucial. It represents an essential opportunity for all member states to be able to constructively assess the Council's performance and in so doing contribute to strengthening the United Nations collective response. This process of assessment should be guided by one central premise, that ensuring the United Nations' rapid and effective action means that member states have entrusted The United Nations has entrusted the Security Council with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

This—

that responsibility is not abstract. The Council acts on behalf of everyone, and it is under this understanding that we must assess its work objectively but also stringently. President, El Salvador welcomes the timely adoption of the report. And we convey our thanks to the distinguished delegation of the Russian Federation for facilitating the negotiations that made that possible. Likewise, we encourage future presidencies of the General Assembly, as well as delegations leading this process, to continue to promote spaces for interactive dialogue with the full membership and to systematize the results of these through informal summaries that would feed into future processes for the preparation of the report. President, for El Salvador, much remains to be done for this report to evolve into a concise— from being a concise review towards being a substantive, analytical, exhaustive document of the work of the Council, as is established in Resolution 77335 of this Council. In our view, it is fundamental for the report to include a more detailed and systematic analysis of these situations under the review of the Council. It should include an assessment of the real impact of the resolutions adopted, as well as the main obstacles faced by states and actors on the ground to implement these resolutions. Along the same lines, We welcome the inclusion of information on the 7 occasions in which it was not possible to adopt resolutions or amendments due to the exercise of the veto by one or more permanent members, as well as the presentation of subsequent special reports published pursuant to Resolution 76262. However, we believe that the recurrent use of the veto has been a source of profound concern for many member states. We support the annual report including a specific chapter with detailed explanations provided by those exercising the veto, as well as statistics that would enable an objective and transparent analysis of the historic use of the veto. In line with that resolution, we further encourage the inclusion of information on meetings convened pursuant to that mandate and the outcomes of those meetings. Further, we encourage further exploration of the collaboration between the Security Council and the General Assembly to address international crises in a coordinated and consistent manner. President, another dimension that we believe is relevant is the documentation within the Council's open debates. These meetings not only enable broad-based participation from member states, but they are also essential spaces for us to be able to make recommendations. Recommendations. We encourage the report to systematically include substantive accounts of these debates reflecting the voices and proposals made there. We also believe it's relevant for the report to include information on the interaction between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. That relationship is key to guaranteeing an effective transition from emergency responses towards sustainable peacebuilding efforts. Mr. President, El Salvador firmly calls for the Security Council to act with vision, bravery, and unity. At a time of far-reaching geopolitical tension, the Council cannot remain paralyzed. It is high time to overcome divisions. To prioritize collective action, and to respond effectively to the complex challenges threatening international peace and security. We make these recommendations to the Security Council's report bearing in mind that behind every resolution adopted or every situation where the Council fails to act, there are people, communities, and entire generations awaiting an effective response from the United Nations and who have been doing— and who are awaiting an effective response from the entire organization. The future of our multilateral system will depend on our ability to renew trust in this organization. This Assembly has an essential role to play to ensure that the Security Council is up to the job truly entrusted to it. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of El Salvador. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of India.

Mr. President and Excellencies, we thank the President of General Assembly for convening today's, today's meeting. At this juncture, we would like to place on record our hearty congratulations to the 5 newly elected members for the 2026-27 term. We thank Guyana, President of the Security Council, for introducing the report. The mandated provision in the UN Charter for the consideration of the Security Council annual report by the General Assembly underscores its salience. In this backdrop, India would like to make the following specific points. First, we have been reiterating that the report needs to be analytical in nature. It should not be a compilation of facts. It needs to focus on the gaps in meeting the core mandate of the Security Council— maintenance of international peace and security— and the means to address them. Second, the annual report could be made more substantive. They lack essential details on several key aspects. For instance, UN peacekeeping. The absence of finer points pertaining to operational modalities, associated challenges, review of respective mandates, etc., with regard to peacekeeping stands out. 3, consideration of the annual report by the UNGA is aimed at improving the transparency and accountability of the Council. Presentation of the report in the second quarter is not a mere formality. Therefore, this process needs to be accorded due priority. Finally, in terms of functioning, inadequacies of the Council are largely structural in nature. Expanding membership in both categories in a manner that reflects the current geopolitical realities will equip the Council to respond more effectively to the pressing complex challenges across the globe, particularly conflicts. India continues to stress that reformed multilateralism is critical to improving both credibility and effectiveness, effectiveness of the Security Council. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of India. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mozambique.

Mr. President, Mozambique welcomes the presentation of the 2024 Annual Report of the Security Council and thanks our fellow A3+ member Guyana in its capacity as Council President and for presenting these important documents. We also thank the Russian Federation for coordinating the drafting of the introduction. We acknowledge the indispensable support of SCAD and express our sincere appreciation for its invaluable contribution to the Council's work. This debate allows us to examine not merely what the Council did over the past year, but how it conducted its deliberations and on whose behalf it acted, namely the broader UN membership represented at this Assembly. Mr. President, during the reporting period, Mozambique had the profound honor of concluding its historic first term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, a milestone that marked not only our nation's emergence on the global stage but also Africa's continued contribution to international peace and security. The report before us chronicles the final year of our tenure, an intense and and at times sobering period that exposed deep divisions among Council members while simultaneously illuminating moments of principled unity and collective action. Throughout this challenging year, Mozambique served with humility and steadfast determination, guided by the fundamental conviction that smaller nations possess both a legitimate stake and a moral responsibility in shaping the global architecture of peace and security. Mr. President, the statistics contained in this report tell a story of relentless engagement with the world's most pressing challenges. In 2024, the Council held over 300 formal meetings and deliberated on 45 agenda items ranging from protracted crises in the Middle East and Ukraine to cross-cutting challenges such as the protection of civilians and the role of women and youth in peace process. Mozambique contributed meaningfully to this extensive agenda, culminating in our presidency of the Council in May 2024, a month that exemplified our commitment to principled multilateralism and inclusive dialogue. Mr. President, Mozambique also engaged substantively in the work of the Council subsidiary organs most notably through our chairmanship of the ad hoc working group on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, using this platform to deepen coordination between the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, a partnership we regard as a practical application of Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. Mr. President, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the Council's persistent structural and political limitations, which constrain its effectiveness in addressing contemporary challenges. The 2024 report documents— I mean, the 2024 report documents 7 instances of the veto, a decline in unanimous decisions, and growing frustration among member states regarding the Council's responsiveness to their legitimate concerns. The stark reality is that the Council often faces paralysis, whether addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, the ongoing crisis in Gaza or the Sahel, not due to a lack of understanding, rather due to the absence of political consensus among its permanent members. Nevertheless, even with such formidable constraints, the Council continues to deliver meaningful results that matter to millions of people worldwide. It renewed critical peacekeeping mandates, upheld sanctions regimes, and adopted meaningful statements on conflict prevention, humanitarian access, and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. These achievements, while perhaps incremental, represent genuine lifeliness for civilians trapped in the crucible of armed conflict. Mr. President, Mozambique strongly endorses ongoing efforts to enhance the Council's working methods, including earlier circulation of draft texts, broader participation in plenary leadership, and greater inclusion of non-Council members in deliberations. We firmly believe that transparency is not a a diplomatic luxury. It is an essential prerequisite for institutional legitimacy and public trust. In this regard, we welcome the expanded utilization of open debates and wrap-up briefings, and we encourage the innovative application of digital technologies to broaden access and enhance global engagement with the Council's work. Mr. President, Mozambique's participation in the A3+ platform, together with Algeria, Guyana, and Sierra Leone, represented one of the most meaningful aspects of our Council tenure. The A3+ brought unprecedented coherence to Africa's voice within the Council and served as a vital bridge connecting regional perspectives with global imperatives. Similarly, the E10 group comprising 10 elected members demonstrated conclusively that cohesion among non-permanent members can yield transformative results. A compelling illustration of this principle was Resolution 2728 adopted in March last year, which demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. It was under Mozambique's coordination of the E10 that this crucial consensus was forged through inclusive consultation, careful drafting, and persistent engagement with all members. This achievement reinforces our conviction that strengthening the E10 collective agency is vital to the Council's future relevance and effectiveness. Mr. President, as we reflect on the Council's 2024 report, we urge all member states to view this debate not as a procedural formality but as a strategic opportunity for forward-looking reflection, firmly anchored in the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform and the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative. The fundamental question before us is clear: What kind of Security Council do we need for the complex contemporary world we live in, a world characterized by multipolar fragmentation, climate emergency, digital threats, mass displacement and unprecedented global interconnectedness. Mozambique pledges to continue its contribution to this vital conversation, both as, as a former Council member with recent institutional experience and an active advocate for a more representative multilateral system, including the long overdue allocation of permanent African representation of the Security Council, reflecting the continent's growing contribution to global peace and security. In conclusion, Mr. President, we reaffirm our unwavering conviction that the Security Council must remain the cornerstone of international peace and security and the ultimate guarantor of the universal application the application of the UN Charter. The challenges facing our world demand nothing less than a Council that is both effective in its deliberations and legitimate in its composition, one that truly represents the international community it serves. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representatives Mozambique, and I give the floor to distinguished representative of Cuba.

Señor Presidente.

Mr. President, we're grateful for the convening of this meeting to discuss the annual report of the Security Council before the General Assembly. For 2024. We recognize the efforts made to present this report in line with the established calendar, and we're grateful for the information on the draft resolutions that were not adopted due to the use of veto and the use of procedural votes that happened over the course of the year. We welcome the fact that the report recognizes the concern of many member states regarding the Security Council's ability to fully shoulder its responsibilities under the UN Charter. There are some concerns, fundamental concerns, that require attention. These are the fact that the document remains descriptive in nature, limited to listing meetings and resolutions without providing a critical analysis of the causes and implications of the decisions adopted by the Council. It is, for instance, inconceivable that in the context of the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, the report has once again omitted an analysis of the violations of Council resolutions by Israel over the reporting period, including Resolution 2334 of 2016 and others adopted following the escalation of the conflict in Gaza. Report also fails to analyze the paralysis of the Security Council in— before this situation due to the knowing and reiterated veto used by the United States, which shows absolute disregard for multilateralism and the UN. We note that 2024 saw a rise to a certain extent in the number of public meetings of the Security Council and the practice of council presidents providing updates on the report of the body at the beginning and the end of each month. However, we continue to see the trend of this body to work behind closed doors, away from the other member states of the United Nations on whose behalf the Council is behooved to act in line with Article 24 of the Charter. President, in this context, we insist on the following. Firstly, the adoption of the Council's rules of procedure to bring an end to 80 years of their provisional nature; the presentation of detailed and analytical reports at the Security Council representing a true exercise of accountability before the General Assembly; the issuance of minutes of the informal consultations to provide information to the full UN membership; the end of the selective manipulation of the Council's methods and practices as a result of political agendas and domination, the comprehensive reform of the Security Council to make it a sorely needed transparent democratic and representative body, as well as the end of the continued and dangerous misappropriation of the General Assembly's powers by the Council. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the organization, we reaffirm the importance of the role of the United Nations and the full respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, as well as the rules of international law, particularly in light of the unprecedented challenges facing the international community. We highlight the value of multilateralism in addressing the continued violations of the UN Charter and international law, interference in the internal affairs of states, the imposition of unilateral coercive measures for political purposes, as well as the use of aggressive, domineering, expansionist supremacist military doctrine— doctrines that erode the very foundations of international peace and security. At this crucial time, we urge the Council to fulfill its mandate without political manipulation, selectivity, or double standards, and to rise to the level of global challenges. Its inertia before pressing matters for the international community has imperiled multilateralism and the very credibility of the UN. It must act immediately, effectively, and with a basic sense of justice and well-being for the whole of mankind. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein.

Mr. President, Mr. President, Liechtenstein aligns itself with the statement made by Ecuador on behalf of the ACT Group earlier today in our debate. We welcome the submission of the annual report of the Council and for your convening of today's debate. We also appreciate the decision of the penholder to hold an informal consultation with the membership in January, and we hope that this will continue as a regular best practice. We note that for the second time in a row, an important chapter on the use of the veto was included in the annual report. Mr. President, while like many others we would of course like to see a more analytical and substantive report, we also acknowledge the difficulties of finding agreement in the Council. We note therefore that contrary to the annual report, members' monthly assessments do not need to be agreed by consensus and can therefore be a good tool for providing more political analysis to the membership. Mr. President, unfortunately 2024 was not A very good year for the Security Council. 3 permanent members cast vetoes on 7 texts on 5 different agenda items. This signifies as much as anything in many instances the Council's failure to meet the urgent needs of civilians. These vetoes demonstrate that the Council is often unable to fulfill the primary responsibility that we have conferred on it under the UN Charter. This also places a responsibility on all of us in this room. Notably in this respect, in 2024, this Assembly continued to adopt resolutions on issues of peace and security, including where vetoes were previously cast in the Security Council. We have seen resolutions in ESS format on Gaza and also on Ukraine, and in notable instances, the Council has directly taken language to be adopted from GA resolutions. All of this points to an evolving relationship between the Council and the membership at large, who are increasingly progenitors of solutions under Chapter 4. The veto initiative which we were proud to bring to this Assembly, provides one platform for us in this room to take action on peace and security. Mr. President, we also want to reference the Pact for the Future, which lays out a roadmap for the relationship between the Council and the Assembly, in which these 2 bodies, with full respect for their respective functions under the Charter work together to uphold peace and security. As reflected in the Pact, we would like to see a more comprehensive implementation of the latter part of Article 27 of the Charter regarding parties to a dispute and their obligation to not participate in decision-making. Mr. President, resolutions, however well-crafted or well-intentioned, will not alone give effect to the Council's mandate. Council members themselves have on too many occasions not fully implemented the Council's resolution, and during 2024, we heard repeated promises by states not to implement the Council's resolution, a step that gravely undermines the authority of the body that they serve on. We also encourage the Council to take steps to ensure adherence to the provisional measures and rulings of the International Court of Justice. Finally, Mr. President, we would be remiss not to take account of the extremely concerning dynamic this year where Security Council members were unable to agree firstly on the distribution of informal penholderships and for far longer on the chair and vice chairs of subsidiary bodies. At a time when the Council's influence is increasingly brought into disrepute in the wider world, we must take all steps to ensure that its bodies and committees are able to function as intended. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Liechtenstein. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria.

Mr. President, I thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's important debate, and I thank the President of the Security Council for her presentation of the annual report. Austria fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ecuador on behalf of the accountability, coherence, and Transparency Group. Austria welcomes the timely adoption of the Security Council's annual report for 2024. We also value the continuation of the practice of informal consultations in preparation of the report. We believe these interactions are a useful opportunity for member states to provide input and enhance transparency and accountability in the Council's work. More critically, we must express our deep concern over the Security Council's growing inability to fulfill its Charter-mandated responsibilities. In 2024, colleagues, the number of vetoes reached its highest point since the end of the Cold War. This is very alarming. The repeated use of the veto by permanent members has prevented effective Council action in situations where there was a clear and urgent need to act. This trend is really concerning. Under Article 24 of the Charter, let me recall that the Security Council acts on behalf of all member states and permanent members have a special responsibility. Responsibility to maintain peace and security. This responsibility must be exercised in full respect of the purposes and principles of the United Nations and not in pursuit of narrow national interests. In this context, we again reiterate our call for the full implementation of Article 27 of the UN Charter. Austria welcomes the continued inclusion of special reports on the use of the veto in the annual report. This is an important step towards greater accountability. We also echo the call for a more analytical and substantive report overall, including clearer explanations of failed draft resolutions and the reasons behind them. Member states, we all here in the General Assembly deserve a full picture of why and how the Council acts or fails to act. Mr. President, in times where the Council is gridlocked, the role of the General Assembly becomes even more important. We welcome initiatives such as the Assembly for Peace Digital Handbook, which helps strengthen the General Assembly's capacity to act when the Council cannot or will not. Finally, as a candidate for the Security Council for the term 27/28, Austria remains firmly committed to the principles of accountability, coherence, and transparency. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Austria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine.

Mr. President, the delegation of Ukraine would like to thank for convening this meeting. to discuss the report of the Security Council on its activity in 2024. We also thank Ambassador Kerenan Rodriguez-Purkett for presenting the report to the UN General Assembly. The delegation of Ukraine would like to take this opportunity to commend for the excellent job the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has been done so far in steering the Council work in June. Like many UN members, Ukraine remains convinced that such report must be elevated from compendiums of mostly technical information to analytical documents applicable to our collective efforts to restore the efficacy of the Council. The Russian Federation's actions in the Security Council following its aggression against Ukraine clearly show how the misuse and instrumentalization of Council toolbox can severely undermine its ability to respond effectively and to carry out its mandate under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security. It is critically important to recall the root causes of this failure, namely the presence of the Council permanent seat of the country that is carrying out armed aggression against a sovereign and peace-loving state, and this hadn't been recognized by the UN General Assembly as an aggressor. However, this shameful situation doesn't change the fact that serving justice is inevitable. The sooner Russian aggression and the war crimes are ended, the justice is served. The sooner the Security Council can restore its effectiveness in fulfilling its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Mr.

President, The Russia's misuse and manipulation of the Council tools aim to divert attention, distort realities, and induce fatigue among Council members regarding the issues of aggression and ongoing war against Ukraine. We have observed from year to year civil destructive practices in this regard, in particular spamming the agenda with questions that is hardly aligned Council mandate, particularly ideological and politically motivated topics; retaliating against meeting under the agenda item Maintenance Peace and Security of Ukraine by requesting another Ukraine-related meeting the following day or shortly thereafter; blocking the presidency monthly program if the draft contained meeting under the agenda item Maintenance of Peace and Security All of the above-mentioned practices lead to further discrediting of the Council and undermine its integrity. Ukraine believes that in order to make annual report a useful tool for securing the credibility of the Council, those problems must be openly identified in the text of the report. It's also important to use accurate and appropriate terminology. We reiterate that the term conflict in Ukraine used in the report is not an appropriate option. The conflict involves 2 parties, and one of them has been recognized by UN General Assembly resolution as an aggressor and instigator. We don't believe that concealing this fact by using vague and inaccurate terminology contributes to the credibility of this document. We encourage Council member states to continue exploring new ways to improve the preparation of annual reports of the Security Council to the UN General Assembly, as well as to upgrade the Council's overall working methods. And I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ukraine. We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this meeting. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the report of the Security Council contained in document A/79/2?

Yes.

It is so decided. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of Agenda Item 28. The meeting is adjourned.