General Assembly: 84th plenary meeting, 80th session

Good morning. The 84th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will consider sub-item B of Agenda Item 31, entitled Strengthening the Role of Mediation in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Conflict Prevention and Resolution. I will now make a statement as the President of the General Assembly. Excellency, mediation lies at the very heart of our United Nations. The Charter makes it crystal clear. I quote: "The parties to any dispute shall first of all seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement or other peaceful means of their own choice." Allow me to emphasize three key points in this regard. First, the General Assembly can and must continue to play a central role in strengthening mediation efforts in the light of the Charter, not least because it remains the world's most representative forum for dialogue and diplomacy. This role is clearly reflected in the Charter, which empowers the Assembly to make recommendations on matters related to peace and security, including the peaceful settlement of disputes. Second, we all know that mediation efforts and peace treaties last longer if women are at the table. It's leaving half of the world outside will never lead to lasting peace and stabilization. Increasing women's participation as mediators, negotiators, and signatories is not only a women's issue, but in the security interest of all of us. Or to put it more sharply, The fact that women are entirely absent in many Track I processes is a security threat to all. And third, we need political leaders to step up. Peace is not an abstract ideal, but peace does not happen by accident. It requires political will. It requires leaders and decision-makers to choose dialogue over division, negotiation over violence, and long-term stability over short-term political gain. This becomes more and more difficult in a digitalized, social media-driven world, which has unfortunately shown us over and over again that there is no glory in prevention. Yet, as we are living in the real world, we also know that what makes mediation and peace talks these days so hard is not a lack of will from most member states, government, political leaders, and definitely not the majority of the people around the world, but the intentions of a selected few who believe they can shape the world through a process of might makes right. Because of this, peace requires a deep breath and patience to never give up, even in the darkest hour, even under the most severe pressure. And it requires a cross-regional alliance of those who are ready to defend the Charter of our United Nations every day, to increase global pressure on those who undermine peace talks and mediation efforts, remembering that in situations of justice and injustice, we do not have the luxury of being bystanders. Staying silent means supporting the aggressor. As too often we speak about conflict as if it is inevitable. It is not. Every war, every ceasefire, and every peace agreement is ultimately shaped by human decisions, by leaders, by us. Decisions led society into conflict. Decisions lead us out. Political leaders have the power to prioritize peace by investing in mediation, by empowering actors at all levels, and by strengthening local and regional capacities to address disputes before they escalate and spread. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the credibility of mediation depends on trust, impartiality, and the consistent application of international law by all parties involved, and by the belief to never make it if we are doing it alone, but always remembering that we are better together. The question is not whether peace is possible. The question is whether we are willing to make it a priority by all. I thank you. Before proceeding further, as agreed in the General Committee meeting and announced in my letter dated May 20th, 2026, I propose that the time limits for statements in the debate on its item be 5 minutes for individual delegations speaking in their national capacity and 7 minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states. Is there any objection to this proposal? I hear none. It is so decided. According to Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, When a representative exceeds her or his allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay, which will be done by means of automatic microphone cutoff. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens above. As we are doing it for formal sessions the first time, please again be aware that speaking time limits will be 5 minutes in national capacity 7 minutes on behalf of a group. Please also be aware that the remaining speaking time for the speakers who come up is displayed on the left-hand side of the rostrum. Having said this, I now invite His Excellency Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, followed by the Minister of Kekisis And the Minister of Portugal. Please, sir, you have the floor.

Good morning and moin. Madam President, Mayor Kenner, first of all, thank you for your excellent remarks in the beginning of this discussion this morning. Excellencies, resolving crisis requires staying power. Success is often the product of patient and devoted mediation, which today is needed more than ever before. For 3 years now, a brutal war has been raging in Sudan. It has resulted in the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time, with millions of people suffering. To help end this suffering, we convened representatives from 55 countries at the Berlin Sudan Conference in April. Together, we mobilized $1.7 billion in humanitarian assistance for Sudan, including $270 million from Germany alone. Sudanese civil society agreed on a joint call to end the war. States and international organizations reached agreement on the Berlin Principles to guide a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This same spirit of sustained engagement has guided us in other crises. Haiti is facing a collapse of public security and a dramatic humanitarian situation. A Haitian-led political process is needed so that stability can return. Germany is among the largest donors supporting sustained efforts for peace and stability. Libya faces prolonged conflict marked by repeated breakdowns of ceasefire agreements. At the Berlin Conferences, Germany helped bring key international, regional, and Libyan stakeholders together within the framework of the United Nations, not to impose solutions from the outside, but to create a space for diplomacy. Madam President, the aggression against Ukraine must stop. Last week, Russian drones hurt civilians in Romania. I condemn the ongoing Russian attacks against Ukraine and the war's implications for all other countries. International law must be respected by all. I could go on with many more examples, but I would like instead to— like to recall a promise, a promise we made when Germany joined the United Nations to work to to work towards peace and stability, a promise that we keep. Our contributions to peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and mediation efforts are making a difference. We are convinced that resilient civil societies and strong institutions are essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and for building lasting peace. We are also convinced that peace processes must be designed from the outset to be inclusive with the effective participation of women and respecting the perspectives of young people. We share the stance that the then UN Secretary U Thant expressed 60 years ago: My conviction stands undiminished that the United Nations remains the best instrument by which nations may cooperate for the development peace of their people. Therefore, we must support the United Nations with continued financial and political commitment, and we must make it more effective. Recently, here at the General Assembly, we witnessed that together we can make progress on climate justice. At the initiative of Vanuatu, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that that sent a strong signal. Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also a matter of international responsibility and law. We proudly supported these initiatives. Excellencies, friends, as you know, Germany is once again seeking a seat in the Security Council for the 2027-28 term. We are doing so with a clear sense of responsibility, and we hope for your valuable support for our candidacy. We stand ready to continue to contribute to conflict prevention, mediation, and humanitarian action, not alone, but together with our partners. We are ready to deliver. Thank you so much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Germany, I now give the floor to His Excellency Dzhibek Golubayev, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the Kyrgyz Republic welcomes the convening of this important debate. At a time when conflicts are growing in number and complexity, the role of mediation is more important than ever. Mediation helps prevent escalation. It saves lives. It builds trust. It opens the door to peace when the other channels are closed. Kyrgyzstan has a big experience of being mediator. For Kyrgyzstan, peaceful settlement of disputes is not only a principle of the UN Charter, It is also our own experience. In the country, in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan knows that even difficult and sensitive issues can be resolved through dialogue, patience, political will, and respect for international law. Our region has gone through a long and complex process of building trust, strengthening good neighborly relations, and resolving border-related questions by peaceful means. Today, Central Asia stands more united, more confident, and more ready to act together for peace, stability, and development. This unity of Central Asia is an important message to the wider international community. It shows that dialogue works. It shows that regional cooperation can replace division. It shows that trust between neighbors can become a real foundation for security. Kyrgyzstan is proud that its candidature to the United Nations Security Council has been endorsed in a joint voice of Central Asia. Our candidature is based on a clear and practical program to promote dialogue, preventive diplomacy, mediation, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Our Central Asian resolution on the peaceful settlement of border disputes submitted by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan adopted by consensus. This initiative calls on member states to settle border-related issues only by peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. This is not abstract idea. It comes from our own experience. We believe that borders should not divide peoples. Borders should become bridges for cooperation, trade, connectivity, and mutual trust. Kyrgyzstan also organized a photo exhibition at the United Nations dedicated to peaceful border resolution and regional cooperation. Peace means open roads, safe communities, strong families, and better opportunities for people. Excellencies, UN must become even more effective in preventing conflicts before they begin. We believe that more attention should be given to early warning, quiet diplomacy, and confidence-building. Mediation should start early before tensions become crisis. We also believe the regional organizations and the regional groups should be stronger partners of the United Nations. Mediation should also be inclusive. Women, youth, and local communities must be part of the peace efforts. Madam President, this debate is also timely as I look forward to future of the United Nations, including the UN Haiti Initiative and the selection of the next Secretary-General. Kyrgyzstan believes that prevention, mediation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes must remain at the heart of the UN work. If elected to the Security Council, Kyrgyzstan will work to strengthen the Council's role in preventive diplomacy. As a bridge builder from Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan comes with practical experience, regional support, and a real program. We are ready to work with the member states to promote peace, trust, and cooperation. Peace begins with dialogue. Dialogue begins with trust and the trust begins with the political will to choose cooperation over confrontation. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kyrgyzstan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Portugal, His Excellency Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

Your Excellency President, Excellencies, Portugal thanks Finland and Turkey for their leadership of the Group of Friends of Mediation. Article 33 of the Charter is clear: disputes must be addressed by peaceful means, including negotiation, mediation and regional arrangements. Mediation is a part of our collective security architecture. It saves lives, opens channels, creates space for compromise and can prevent crises from becoming wars. We see this very clearly today. Portugal recognizes constructive mediation efforts in current crises, including in Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Middle East, Strait of Hormuz. At moments of high tension, keeping channels open and creating room for de-escalation is an act of political courage. Effective mediation must start early, before positions harden and violence becomes self-sustaining. Portugal therefore supports stronger, stronger United Nations capacity for mediation and preventive diplomacy. The United Nations has a unique advantage: universality. But it does not act alone. Regional and sub-regional organizations are indispensable. The African Union and African regional organizations, including in the context of the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2719, ASEAN, the GCC, CARICOM, the OIC, the League of Arab States, the European Union, and many others have a role to play. They bring proximity, knowledge, and political capital. And Portugal does know this from experience. In Angola, Timor-Leste, Guinea-Bissau, with the United Nations, ECOWAS, CPLP, and regional partners, we learned that peace requires persistence, legitimacy, local ownership, and partnership. Mediation must also be inclusive. Women, youth, civil society, religious and community leaders can often reach places formal diplomacy cannot. The General Assembly, with its legitimacy and convening power, can help sustain momentum for peaceful settlement. In 2 days, Member States will elect new members to the Security Council. Portugal's candidature for 27/28 is anchored in prevention, dialogue, partnership and respect for the Charter. If elected, we will bring to the Council a strong commitment to mediation, preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Mediation is not neutrality in the face of violations. It is the disciplined effort to bring parties back to law, responsibility, and peace. For us, there won't be first-tier conflicts or second-tier conflicts wherever the region of the conflicts takes place. We will treat every corner of the world with the same dignity and with the same priority. In a divided world, we need more channels, more trust, more political courage. Dialogue is stronger than violence. Compromise wiser than escalation. Peace always worth pursuing. It's time to build bridges. And we are ready to to do it. We are ready to build bridges within the Security Council.

I thank the distinguished representative of Portugal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines, followed by the distinguished representative of Austria and Finland. I give the floor to Her Excellency Maria Teresa Lázaro, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.

President, we gather today in an institution whose founding promise was simple and extraordinary, that nations, however different in size or strength, could resolve their disputes through law, dialogue, and reason rather than through force. 44 years ago, the international community gathered here and adopted the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. It was not an accident of geography that this declaration referenced our country's capital. It reflected the conviction, one the Philippines has carried across generations of foreign policy, that dialogue is not weakness, that mediation is not capitulation, and that patient work of building trust between adversaries is among the most demanding and most necessary forms of statecraft. We remain faithful to that conviction today. The Charter of the United Nations dedicates an entire chapter, Chapter 6, to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Article 33 calls upon parties to seek solutions through negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, and regional arrangements. This assembly reinforced this, emphasizing the role of the Security Council when bilateral channels have failed. As a longstanding advocate of international law and rules-based cooperation, the Philippines supports efforts to strengthen institutions and mechanisms that enable disputes to be resolved peacefully and constructively. We draw 3 lessons from our experience. First, inclusivity is not optional. Sustainable peace requires the participation of those who bear the greatest cost of conflict: women, indigenous communities, young people, civil society. The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is not a diplomatic courtesy. It is an operational requirement. Second, patience is a strategic asset. Third, regional legitimacy matters. Regional organizations and regional states bring a legitimacy that no amount of external authority can replicate. Excellencies, the Philippines at present in 2026 is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Under the Philippines chairship, we have continued to engage with persistence and with purpose on the situation in Myanmar. We are accurately, accurately acutely aware of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding there. As the Philippines Special Envoy to Myanmar, I have engaged directly with all relevant stakeholders within Myanmar and across the region in pursuit of humanitarian access, confidence-building, and the conditions for a genuine political dialogue. We are also actively engaged in confidence-building efforts related to the Thailand-Cambodia border situation, working in close coordination with both parties and ASEAN partners to prevent further escalation and to create conditions for direct dialogue. Excellencies, contemporary conflicts are shaped not only by traditional political and security dynamics, but increasingly by climate-related risks, technological disruption, resource pressures, misinformation, and the growing interconnectedness of crisis. This requires mediation frameworks that are more adaptive, more inclusive, and more preventive. If elected to the Security Council for the year 2027-28 term, the Philippines will continue advancing mediation, preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, and the peaceful settlement of disputes consistent with the UN Charter. The Philippines stands ready to work with partners in strengthening mediation as part of a rules-based international order anchored in the Charter, guided by international law, and committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria, His Excellency Peter Launsky-Tiefenthaler. Vice Minister and Special Envoy for Global Affairs of the Federal Chancellor of Austria.

Good morning, Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Let me thank the co-chairs of Group of Friends of Mediation Turkey and Finland for convening this important and timely debate. We are witnessing a geopolitical moment when conflicts are becoming more numerous, more protracted and more complex. The international community cannot afford to react only after violence has escalated. Strengthening mediation, peacebuilding, and preventive diplomacy through the United Nations is therefore a necessity. Allow me to highlight 3 points. First, the United Nations has a unique and indispensable role. No other actor possesses the same universal legitimacy convening power and normative foundation to support efforts towards peaceful settlement. Particularly in fragmented environments, the UN remains an essential platform for dialogue. Austria therefore firmly believes that the United Nations must remain front and center in mediation and peace processes. Austria will continue to play its role by hosting negotiations and mediation processes in Vienna, seat of one of the four UN headquarters. Second, United Nations should make fuller and more strategic use of the tools already available under the Charter. This includes preventive diplomacy, early political outreach, the Secretary-General's good offices, and confidence-building measures. These tools are among the UN's greatest comparative advantages, yet they are often— and not underutilized. In this context, Austria believes that the next Secretary-General should continue to place a strong emphasis on mediation and prevention from the outset of her or his mandate. Austria also believes that Article 99 of the UN Charter remains an important tool for preventive action. Third, prevention must be at the center of our collective efforts. Austria believes that prevention is universal. Investing early in resilience, in inclusion, in institution building and social cohesion reduces risks and human suffering. In this regard, the Peacebuilding Fund continues to play a critical catalytic role in supporting prevention and sustaining peace. Austria has therefore recently reinforced its support with an additional contribution of €1.1 million in addition to our previous contribution of €1 million for 24-25. Madam President, distinguished delegates, mediation remains a core pillar of Austria's foreign policy. Austria has long been recognized as a trusted actor and venue for dialogue. Through Austria's mediation facility, we support discrete engagement, including through Track 2 diplomacy, in a range of regional contexts. These principles have also guided Austria's candidature for the Security Council for the term 2027-2028. Our approach to international peace and security is rooted in partnership, in dialogue, and in trust. As a small and militarily neutral country, Austria can contribute as a bridge builder and as an honest broker. We work with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and strongly believe that smaller states and underrepresented voices must be heard on peace and on security. Austria remains firmly committed to supporting the United Nations mediation efforts. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Austria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland, followed by Türkiye and the European Union.

Madam President, thank you for convening this timely debate. 10 years have passed since the last GA debate on peace mediation. As co-chair of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation with Türkiye, I'm pleased to note that the Group of Friends was very supportive to this initiative, and many members participate in this debate today. Madam President, the need for peaceful resolution of violent conflicts through diplomacy and mediation is urgent, as the number of conflicts is higher today than ever since the Second World War. In our challenging times, multilateral cooperation based on international law and the United Nations at its core must take the historic role it is meant to have. Peace mediation is at the very core of the Charter-based tasks of the United Nations. Finland does believe that the UN must play a central role in peace mediation and peaceful solution of conflicts, as well as in supporting member states and regional organizations in their invaluable efforts in mediating peace. Finland wants to commend the tireless efforts of member states who are acting as mediators, bringing parties together, convening negotiations, and supporting back-channel talks. At the same time, we have to remain— remind ourselves of the core mandate of this organization. The Security Council, the Secretary-General, the General Assembly, all have their charter-based roles to take. The UN has know-how on peace mediation. It knows how to sustain peacebuilding, political missions, and peacekeeping. It can help in ensuring humanitarian access, protecting civilians, and monitoring ceasefires. It knows how to work in an inclusive way, bringing together civil societies, women, and youth and promoting sustainable peace. It could leverage meaningful financial incentives for peace by working even closer together with international financial institutions and member states and their organizations. At country level, the UN is uniquely positioned to help member states to address also the underlying drivers of conflict, including poverty, weak governance, and climate change. The UN also has tools for prevention, and it can support interested member states in preparing their own strategies for resilience and in prevention of fragility and conflict. The UN definitely has potential. The UN can and must show leadership and together with member states put different instruments together in a meaningful and efficient way working across the system. The UN must be able to bring about true focus of all its actions for peace at the right time and show efficiency and results. Finland believes this is what the Pact for the Future and UNAID are all about. Madam President, today's major conflicts have massive global consequences. They drain resources needed to promote well-being and sustainable development in member states. They force countries to invest in countering existential threats. In our modern world, no country should need to spend more resources for defense of its territorial integrity or sovereignty, and no country should invest resources in grabbing others' territories, in acts of aggression, or in hollowing out future prospects of others in a hybrid or proxy way. The world now spends huge resources in man-made catastrophes instead of promoting well-being and tackling global problems such as climate change together. I dare argue that the vast majority of peoples in the world believe that humankind should have left behind its gloomy stages of history. Yet here we are. We all know that peace mediation is not an easy task. It requires risk-taking. But fear of failure is no reason to stop trying. The stakes are far too high. Madam President, past experience shows that the UN is in a unique position to solve conflicts, including the central role of its Secretary-General. Therefore, the Group of Friends of Mediation invited all SG candidates to present their views to the Group on Peace Mediation and Good Offices. Finally, please let me quote my former president and former Under-Secretary-General of the UN, Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari. Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be solved. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Finland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Türkiye, followed by the European Union and Fiji.

Madam President, As the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Türkiye and Finland, we thank you for accepting our proposal to convene this debate at a time when violent conflicts are proliferating in number, deepening in complexity, and persisting with alarming duration. After all, mediation embodies the very spirit of the UN Charter. The peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue, mutual respect, and compromise. Yet despite its proven value, it remains underutilized and too often politically overshadowed. Turkey's own experience has shown that mediation delivers results when it is timely, inclusive, and pragmatic. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, facilitated by Turkey and the UN, stands as a compelling example. At a critical juncture in the war in Ukraine, this arrangement helped restore the export of vital food supplies, alleviating global food security and demonstrating how mediation can produce tangible, life-saving outcomes even during the conflict. The Ankara Process between Ethiopia and Somalia is yet another example of Türkiye's result-oriented diplomacy. From Gaza and Ukraine to the Horn of Africa, Türkiye works with regional and international partners to support ceasefires, humanitarian access, prisoner exchange, and long-term stability. Our role in mediation is bolstered by our unique geographic position at the crossroads of Europe, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, as well as our extensive diplomatic network. Our approach is grounded in regional ownership, trust-building, and inclusiveness. Our aim has not been to impose outcomes on the parties, but to bring them together and facilitate sustainable solutions. Madam President, As we approach the election of the next Secretary-General, discussions around the UN's role in mediation become all the more pertinent. As the Group of Friends of Mediation, we expect the next Secretary-General to demonstrate strong leadership in mediation and preventive diplomacy, and to retain these tools central to the UN's efforts in maintaining international peace and security. Since its establishment in 2010, the Group of Friends, which we are co-chairing with Finland, has been instrumental in promoting and advancing the use of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as to generate support for the development of mediation. With these in mind, We have convened interactive informal dialogues with the candidates to allow them to articulate their vision, focusing on concrete steps they would take to revitalize UN-led preventive diplomacy and mediation efforts. The Pact for the Future and Security Council Resolution 2788 further encourages the Secretary-General to lead mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts. With the reform efforts under the UN Haiti Initiative and multilateralism under strong scrutiny, UN's role in mediation becomes more than just a brainstorming exercise. It is directly related to the credibility, effectiveness, and future relevance of the United Nations. As we consider the— and reshape the future of the organization under UN Haiti Initiative, We must ensure that the UN is equipped with the political will, collective support, as well as necessary funding and tools. Madam President, mediation is not theoretical, but it saves lives, reduces tensions, and creates pathways to peace. Türkiye, from now on also, will continue to be a strong supporter of robust and effective mediation efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace by mobilizing its national assets and leveraging its well-established relations if necessary, as was done in the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Madam President, I am grateful also to the missions for their participation. It motivated us as co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation to improve and further our activities for the mediation. Thank you again.

I thank the distinguished representative of Türkiye. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states.

Madam President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states, and the following countries align themselves with this statement: North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Armenia, Andorra, and San Marino. President, allow me to, from the outset, to convey our appreciation for today's General Assembly debate on mediation, a topic which remains absolutely central to the work of the United Nations. In the current geopolitical context, with the international rules-based order being challenged, the EU partnership with the UN is more important than ever. We face the highest number of state-based conflicts since the end of World War II. Conflicts are also becoming more complex, with 78 countries engaged in conflicts beyond their borders through proxy dynamics. We also see how armed groups interact with organized crime, with consequences for our own security. No single actor can face the challenges on its own, and our shared values and approach to peace mediation make the UN and the EU essential allies. Supporting the multilateral system and working together enables us to leverage our respective strengths to contribute to sustaining peace. The current surge in international conflicts is met with increased interest-driven mediation and rushed peace agreements. In the EU, we know that only just and lasting peace works. The UN has a unique role to bring back best practices. Let me mention a few useful examples. First, we know that dialogue involving local communities, minorities, and young people make peace stick. The EU supports insider mediation through a program implemented by UNDP. We focus on how individuals from conflict-affected communities can take the lead in facilitating dialogue, building trust, and paving the way for sustainable peace. Second, we know that including women in peace processes vastly increases the chance of lasting peace. Data shows that women around the table make lasting peace more probable by 30%. In this regard, we thank the UN for the Secretary-General's Common Pledge for Women's Full, Equal, and Meaningful Participation in Peace Processes from 2024, and for which the EU has signed up. The Common Pledge provides us with a multilateral opportunity to advance the role of women mediators in conflict resolution. Third, our main point today, we also know that involving multilateral structures, first and foremost the UN, helps bridge national interests.. In fact, the EU's most important partner in peace mediation is the UN, including by collaborating with and supporting the UN Mediation Standby Team since 2009. President, the EU is a global peace actor with a clear resolve to promote effective multilateralism and uphold the rules-based international order and the principles of the UN Charter. This is why we believe mediation must remain central to UN efforts. We would like to see the UN leading mediation in even more processes. UN mandate and capacities for peace mediation and dialogue should be strengthened, and the EU is ready to partner up. EU's strong emphasis on partnerships and its effective collaboration with international and regional organizations is a strength. Co-leading arrangements with the UN strengthens the multilateral dimension and facilitates coordination and coherence. Constellations that include regional organizations can bring significant local ownership, responsibility, and partnership elements to the mediation process. President, finally, in the lead-up to the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, and in light of the ongoing efforts under the UN80 initiatives, the EU will continue to advocate for UN engagement in peaceful conflict resolutions. We want the UN to continue being the honest broker it has always been. With more conflicts than ever, a strong UN peace mediation role is essential. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States, followed by Sweden and Latvia.

Madam President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States. For the peoples of the Pacific, peace is not a condition that begins and ends at the absence of armed conflict. It is relational, ancestral, and ecological. It is embedded in the way we govern our commons, steward our ocean, and resolve our disputes across island communities and clan structures, across languages and generations. The Pacific Way, grounded in the Melanesian practice of Talanoa, an inclusive and non-adversarial dialogue in the primacy of relationship over procedure is not a diplomatic slogan. It is a living system of conflict resolution that has kept communities intact across millennia. It is, we would submit, precisely the kind of tradition that a struggling multilateral system most needs to study. It is worth stating plainly what is too rarely acknowledged in this hall. Mediation is not one instrument among many in the United Nations Charter. It is the Charter's load-bearing wall. Chapter VI exists precisely because the founders understood that coercion, however lawfully authorized, is a confession of failure. The veto itself, for all its present dysfunction, was a pragmatic concession to the reality that no enforcement architecture survives the refusal of great powers to participate in it. The Secretary-General's good office, the works of special envoys, the entire political architecture of this institution, all of it mediation institutionalized. Strip out mediation and pragmatism and what remains of the Charter is a document of aspirations with no mechanism for realization. We are at this moment perilously close to that condition. Madam President, in September 2025, Pacific leaders adopted the Ocean of Peace Declaration, affirming that our home, the Blue Pacific Continent, is and must remain a zone of peace anchored in the principles of the UN Charter. This was not a ceremonial gesture. It was a sovereign assertion made at a time of acute geopolitical contestation that the Pacific will not be a theatre for the strategic competition of others. It was also a call to this Assembly that the principles of peaceful settlement Dialogue and mediation must be upheld, not selectively but universally. The Pacific's Beau Declaration identifies climate change as the single greatest threat to the livelihood security and well-being of our peoples. For the Pacific Small Island Developing States, climate is not a development issue that sits alongside the peace security agenda. It is a driver of conflict that must be integrated into mediation frameworks as a structural variable. Resource scarcity, displacement, maritime boundary stress, and the erosion of state capacity in vulnerable nations are not hypothetical future scenarios. They are present conditions that are already shaping the environment in which disputes arise and and in which mediation must operate. The Pacific Islands Forum, through its longstanding tradition of dialogue and consensus, continues to demonstrate that regional arrangements, when grounded in mutual respect and genuine ownership, can resolve disputes that formal international mechanisms cannot reach. We commend this model to the broader multilateral community. Madam President, PCJ calls on all Member States to invest in mediation not as a procedural nicety,, but as the primary mechanism through which the Charter's founding promise is kept. Mediation must be adequately resourced, structurally inclusive of non-Western traditions, and honest about the power dynamics that determine whether arrangements— agreements hold. Madam President, I will now deliver the next part of my statement in my national capacity. Fiji now speaks in its national capacity, and I do so with the candour that this moment demands, that Fiji's experience earns. I stand before this Assembly not as a theorist of peace, but as a practitioner of it. I witnessed at close range what happens when mediation is reduced to procedure and stripped of political will. Thousands of Fijians—soldiers, police officers, and civilians—have served in some of the world's most dangerous and intractable conflicts. From the mountains of Lebanon to the plains of South Sudan, from the streets of Timor-Leste to the deserts of the Middle East, they have bled for peace in places that will never bear their names. It is on their collective behalf, and not from a textbook, that Fiji addresses this Assembly today. We are meeting at a moment of acute systematic stress. The permanent members of the Security Council should not be adversaries but partners. International humanitarian law is selectively applied, and that selectivity is observed and recorded by every small state in this hall. Economic interdependence, interdependence has been weaponized—sanctions, debt leverage, energy dependencies, food insecurity—each deployed as an instrument of coercion that shapes, constrains, and eliminates the very conditions in which mediation can take root. Mediation requires that parties to a dispute believe a negotiated outcome is preferable to a coerced one. When powerful states can impose outcomes through economic pressure, proxy conflict, or information warfare, that belief does not form, and without it, mediation becomes theatre. Madam President, Fiji advances three propositions grounded not in aspiration, but in operational experience. First, mediation must be politically honest about power asymmetry. No mediator—state, regional organization, or UN envoy—can succeed by pretending that parties are equal when they are not. The fiction of procedural equality at the negotiating table while military and economic imbalances persist outside produces agreements that do not hold. In several theaters, the processes that failed most comprehensively—

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji. On behalf of the Pacific Small Island Developing States, I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sweden, followed by Latvia and Romania.

Madam President, Sweden appreciates this timely initiative for dialogue from Finland and Türkiye. We are witnessing the highest number of active violent conflicts since the founding of the United Nations, while the number of negotiated comprehensive peace settlements is declining. We have a responsibility to act. Mediation efforts based on evidence and best practice are more necessary than ever. Sweden, together with our Nordic neighbors, have a long tradition of mediating and supporting mediation within the framework of the UN, starting already in 1948 with the very first UN mediator, Folke Bernadotte, through the efforts of Dag Hammarskjöld and many others. Some mediation has been successful, some less so. We have drawn valuable lessons from both. The first lesson is the importance of trust. Trust needs to be built and earned. It cannot be bought. It cannot be forced. The ability to listen and understand the perspectives of the conflicting parties is fundamental. A second lesson is to have the consent of the parties concerned. If one party is left out, the foundation for sustained peace is weak. It might come back as a spoiler in the next phase. A third lesson is the importance of the inclusion of women, youth, and local communities. The evidence is clear. The inclusion of women makes agreements more sustainable. We appreciate the Secretary General's Common Pledge on Women's Participation in Peace Processes and expect pledges to deliver and the next Secretary-General to show results. The fourth lesson is patience. Peace is not a quick fix. The commitment to peace must be long-term, requiring engagement over time. This is hard, not least for democratic governments who mediate and whose constituencies often want to see results within an election cycle. There is sometimes tension between short-term transactional deals to reduce violence and longer-term transformational peace processes. We must make sure that immediate stabilization does not undermine inclusive and sustainable peace. Madam President, Article 33 of the UN Charter guides parties to any dispute which might endanger international peace and security to seek a solution by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, or other peaceful means. This article is seriously underutilized today. We need an active UN. We need closer cooperation with the regional organizations. We need dedicated member states and improved collaboration with specialized agencies. But we must also ensure that UN-led or supported mediation efforts remain anchored in international law and human rights, including gender equality, even when this may challenge powerful member states or risk limiting short-term diplomatic gains.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Sweden. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Latvia, followed by Romania and Switzerland. Madam President, at the outset, I would like to thank the PGA for convening this timely debate upon request of the Group of Friends on Mediation, ably led by Finland and Türkiye. This discussion comes at an important moment to reaffirm the role of mediation in the UN's work. Since its foundation in 1945, The UN has been a cornerstone of the international peace architecture, and the mediation is one of the most effective tools we have at our disposal to prevent escalation and build sustainable peace. At the time of growing geopolitical divisions, effective mediation is needed more than ever. As a central pillar of mediation, I would like to underline the importance of the Good Offices of the Secretary-General. They reflect the UN's unique ability to bring parties of the conflict together and consolidate mediation tracks by individual member states or regional actors. The Secretary-General can create political space, mobilize resources, and act discreetly when open diplomacy reaches its limits. Accordingly, we call for stronger, —member state support to empower the Secretary-General to engage directly in crisis resolution, including through discreet high-level diplomacy to prevent, de-escalate, or resolve conflicts. The UN's comparative advantage lies in its impartiality and the global mandate, which must be protected and strengthened. Latvia considers that the UN Haiti Initiative offers a timely opportunity to modernize the peace architecture. It is a chance to reinforce multilateralism, optimize UN field presence, and enhance preventive diplomacy capacities. Last year's Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the forthcoming review of UN peace operations provide a roadmap for adapting our tools to today's realities.

Mediation efforts must evolve alongside these reforms. While genuine in-person engagement will always remain critical, technology can nurture mediation efforts. AI-assisted data analysis and online connectivity tools can make processes more inclusive, responsive, and effective. At the same time, mediation efforts need to factor in and address the risks to peace related to disinformation. Often fueled through digital platforms. Madam President, the UN Security Council holds a unique toolbox. For instance, political missions, early warning mechanisms, and unified messaging, among others. Yet these instruments are more efficient before crisis have escalated. The Resolution 2788 adopted by the Security Council reminds us that prevention must come first. Political will, not mandates, determines whether these tools are used in time to make a difference. I would also like to highlight the importance of women and youth participation in mediation, in line with the Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, security, and the Youth Peace Security Agenda. It is well proven that inclusive processes are always more durable. In closing, allow me to reiterate that mediation is not a sign of weakness. It is an expression of political courage. As we look beyond UN 80 and the selection of the next Secretary-General, we have a shared responsibility to give mediation the renewed momentum it deserves. Trust in the United Nations must be restored. As the place where disputes are resolved peacefully. And I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Latvia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Romania.

Thank you, Madam President. Romania aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union. Thank you for convening today's debate on peace mediation, the first of its kind in many years. It is both timely and important to have this exchange of views among Member States on such a crucial topic for the multilateral system. Mediation has a central role and places a unique value in the United Nations. It is the embodiment of fundamental principles and purposes of the UN Charter. Peace mediation and preventive diplomacy are the expression of the endurance of the international community in the face of diverging interests and growing tensions across the globe. As the global security architecture is changing, the multilateral system needs to keep up the pace and adapt its mediation tools accordingly. Against all moving pieces and changes in the international community, there remains, however, one constant: the indispensable role of the United Nations in mediation, preventive diplomacy, and conflict resolution. The crucial role of the UN in peace mediation relies on its ability to project impartiality and equidistance to conflicts, embedded in the principled approach to abide by international law in the UN Charter, particularly Chapter VI, the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes. We see a good opportunity for consolidating UN action on this front in the context of the ongoing UN80 Initiative, of the Secretary-General. The Good Offices of the Secretary-General have traditionally been one of the most successful instruments in advancing peace mediation and resolution. The review of Special Envoys is therefore an important segment of the broader UN reform agenda, aimed at repositioning the organization at the core of multilateral action across its three pillars. Madam Chair, there can be no substitute to dialogue and diplomacy when it comes to restoring trust among different actors of the system. UN peace mediation is the avenue to pursue key for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, with the UN Charter as both a legal and moral compass to guide mediation efforts. DPPA and the Mediation Support Unit are champions of peace across the world. We must continue to support and empower them to advance durable solutions to challenging crises. The UN has a central role in mediation, but not a monopoly. The most sound partnerships are forged together with other regional actors and institutions. Leveraging the full potential of such partnerships is a means of ensuring complementarity, while adapting to new and emerging challenges and geopolitical trends. Romania has traditionally been a firm supporter of multilateralism and of advancing such partnerships. More than 20 years ago, Romania initiated and put forward for successful adoption Resolution 1631 of the UN Security Council, entitled Cooperation between the UN and Regional Organizations in Maintaining International Peace and Security. Today, it would be difficult to work outside the framework of a cooperation mechanism between different stakeholders to promote and sustain international peace and stability. This is also important from an inclusivity and representativeness standpoint. Mediation works best when all parties recognize ownership over the results and outcomes. The inclusion of local communities, women and girls, vulnerable persons, and their fair representation in the solutions put forward are key to just, durable, and lasting conflict resolution processes. Madam President, turning to the ongoing process of selection and appointment of the Secretary-General, the new leader of the organization needs to place mediation at the core of their agenda for the upcoming term. She or he also needs to be prepared and equipped with the prerequisite abilities to navigate, together with other actors, the full breadth of options and formats to advance conflict resolution and the restoration of international peace and security. We are at a turning point, but it is in these challenging and complex times that the system is tested and can develop and further cultivate its endurance and resilience. The guiding principles of peaceful settlement of disputes embedded in the UN Charter and the system of norms developed as the rules-based international order carry as much significance today as they did 80 years ago. It is high time we recommitted to these primary values of multilateralism and doubled down on our collective efforts to advance the core mission of the UN—ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for the people it serves—through meaningful dialogue and cooperation among States. And meaningful dialogue and cooperation are the essence of success of successful mediation and conflict resolution processes. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Romania. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland.

Madam President, Switzerland thanks Finland and Turkey for convening this important debate. When channels of dialogue close and positions harden, the need for credible and impartial mediation becomes all the more evident. It is precisely at such times that the role of the United Nations is irreplaceable. No other actor possesses the legitimacy, the convening power, and the global reach of the United Nations. The United Nations often remains the only entity capable capable of preserving spaces for dialogue where few others can. Mediation is not a peripheral exercise of UN action, but lies at the very heart of the collective responsibility enshrined in the Charter. For Switzerland, too, mediation is not an abstract concept. It is a concrete instrument of our foreign policy and one of the fundamental pillars of our good offices. Our experience in various conflict contexts has taught us several lessons. Firstly, lasting peace cannot be imposed from above. Sustainable solutions emerge when the parties themselves take ownership of both the process and the outcome. Secondly, mediation requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to commit in the long term. There are rarely quick solutions. Thirdly, effective mediation relies on partnerships. In today's fragmented conflicts, no single actor has enough influence, legitimacy, or access to conduct mediation alone. We need closer cooperation between the United Nations member states, regional organizations, civil society, and locally rooted mediators. This is the future of mediation. Internal mediators and local peace actors are of particular importance. They often possess the trust, contextual knowledge, and access that international actors lack. Finally, women play an essential role in any meaningful mediation process. Switzerland was one of the first and strongest supporters of the Secretary-General's Joint Commitment on Women's Participation and Resolution 1325. We remain committed to implementing this joint commitment in every peace process that we support. Madam President, Excellencies, mediation is inseparable from conflict prevention. It is one of the most effective means of preserving peace and fulfilling the United Nations Charter's fundamental mandate regarding peace and security. Investing in mediation and political solutions is not only a political necessity, It is also a choice. Preventing or containing a conflict costs infinitely less than managing its human, security and economic consequences. This means less suffering, less destruction and more prospects for societies affected by violence. To be effective, mediation requires credible actors, expertise, as well as safe spaces that allow for discreet and constructive dialogue. In this regard, Geneva remains a unique platform. Drawing on its multilateral, academic, and civil society ecosystem, it has over the decades supported numerous peace processes and mediation efforts. Switzerland remains committed to preserving and strengthening this space so that Geneva may continue today and tomorrow to serve peace through dialogue and mediation. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Switzerland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Qatar.

Madam President, we thank you for convening this important session. We also thank Turkey and Finland, our friends and co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, for requesting the convening of this meeting. The State of Qatar expresses its— and reaffirms its firm conviction that mediation remains one of the most effective tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prevention of their outbreak, and the building of sustainable peace. Accordingly, we stress that mediation must remain a fundamental pillar of preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. This is particularly important at a time when the need to strengthen mediation is growing, especially with the increase in and complexity of conflicts in light of modern technology. The State of Qatar takes pride in its established role in mediation, or prevent— as preventive diplomacy, mediation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes constitute core pillars of its foreign policy. This is rooted in the principle enshrined in its constitution as well as in line of the purposes of the UN Charter and the implementation of relevant UN resolutions. Over more than two decades, Qatar had remained a strategic partner of the UN and a trusted mediator. This included undertaking efforts that facilitated ceasefire agreements, prisoner exchanges, dispute settlements, and the conclusion of peace agreements across most continents of the world. In this context, we highlight the joint mediation efforts undertaken by Qatar alongside Egypt, the United States of America, and Turkey to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which was signed in October of last year. In this regard, Qatar stresses the necessity for all parties to fulfill their commitments, ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and open crossings to guarantee the sustained and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian assistance into the Strip. The State of Qatar also continues its efforts in Eastern Congo through the Doha Framework for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on November 15, 2025. We also refer to Qatar's mediation efforts in Afghanistan Afghanistan, which culminated in the signing of the peace agreement between the US and Taliban in Doha on February 29, 2020. Qatar has continued its humanitarian, developmental, and political efforts in Afghanistan. We continued to host the Doha process led by the UN on Afghanistan, during which meetings were held between the UN Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Afghanistan in May 2023, as well as in February and July 2024. Qatar also hosted the third meeting of the Working Group on counter-narcotics and the second meeting of the working group on the private sector last July. In the context of the current crisis, we reaffirm the appreciation and support of the State of Qatar for Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we stress Qatar's full support for mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation, contributing to the enhancement of security and stability in the region. In conclusion, Madam President, in light of the growing number and complexity of conflicts, we reaffirm that our mediation efforts will continue to support efforts to de-escalation and enhance peace and security internationally. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Qatar. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Madam President. Conflicts are not inevitable. They are often the result of diplomacy delayed, dialogue denied, and disputes left to fester. The first responsibility of the United Nations is not merely to respond to conflict, conflicts after they erupt, but to prevent them before they consume lives, regions, and generations. Madam President, for Pakistan, peaceful settlement of disputes is a cornerstone of our foreign policy and a solemn obligation under the UN Charter. This conviction was reflected in Security Council Resolution 2788, presented by Pakistan and adopted unanimously in July last year, which reaffirmed the centrality of Chapter 6, encouraged the effective use of mediation and good offices, and underscored the role of the United Nations regional and sub-regional organizations in the peaceful settlement of disputes. This belief has all along guided Pakistan's diplomatic conduct. In the recent crisis in the Middle East, for example, Pakistan stood for restraint, de-escalation, and a return to diplomacy. As a friendly neighbour of Iran, a brotherly partner of the Gulf countries, and a country with longstanding ties of amity with the United States, Pakistan continues to make sincere efforts to facilitate a durable solution for regional and global peace and stability. And President, mediation must become the guiding principle of prevention, not an instrument of crisis management. We would like to suggest the following. First, mediation must begin early. The United Nations must invest more in early warning, quiet diplomacy, preventive engagement, the Secretary-General's good offices, and the use of Chapter VI before disputes lead to confrontation. Second, mediation must be anchored in international law, including the UN Charter. Lasting peace cannot be built on the denial of rights, including the right to self-determination, normalization of foreign occupation, aggression, and the violation of treaties. Third, mediation must address root causes, not just the symptoms. Protracted disputes that continue to endanger international peace and security must be resolved in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions to deliver justice and durable peace. Fourth, United Nations mediation architecture must be strengthened. This entails the predictable and adequate funding for the mediation support unit from the regular budget. United Nations may also strengthen partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations. Finally, mediation requires trust and political courage. In particular, the parties to a dispute must approach it not as a concession to the other side, but as a responsibility to their own people and to the cause of international peace. Madam President, the true test of our commitment to peace is not how we condemn conflicts after they break out, but how proactively we prevent them in the first place. Mediation is the bridge between confrontation stability and peace. It enables diplomacy to further its noble purpose, that is, to replace force with reason, silence with dialogue, and human suffering with justice. Pakistan will continue to uphold mediation at the heart of our collective efforts for peaceful settlement, conflict prevention, and resolution. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Thank you, Madam President, for convening this timely meeting. At a time of growing fragmentation, escalation of conflicts, and erosion of trust in multilateral mechanisms, mediation cannot be seen as something that's an accessory. It's fundamental to prevent conflicts, to reduce tensions, and to build politically sustainable solutions. The United Nations Charter is quite clear in this regard— to promote dialogue, good offices, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. And that is why in a complex international situation what we need is to revitalize the role of the United Nations in the peaceful settlement of disputes and make use of the role of the Secretary-General and his special envoys in order to work together with regional organizations and states— member states. Colombia recognizes on the basis of our own experience the value of mediation and international assistance. Our peace processes have shown the relevance of guarantor countries and international support mechanisms for verification. All of them help to build trust, keep open channels of dialogue, and move forward to possible agreements. This experience reaffirms our conviction, and that is that lasting political solutions rarely can be built in isolation. What they require is the willingness of the parties, credible mediation, and international support that is consistent over time. And as part of Colombia's presidency and of the Security Council for the month of June, Colombia will convene a high-level open debate putting forward political solutions in the Middle East through mediation and dialogue for lasting peace. The initiative aims to open up an area for reflection and action on how we can strengthen mediation efforts and good offices and political solutions in the light of the multiple crises that the region is encountering. And we invite all member states to actively participate in this debate to share lessons learned and make concrete proposals with regard to how we can strengthen mediation initiatives and ensure that we have credible inclusive and sustainable mediation processes that are able to lead to a de-escalation of tensions, protect civilians, and build lasting peace in the world and particularly in the Middle East. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Colombia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Madam President, I thank Finland and Türkiye for convening this meeting today. The world is facing the highest number of armed conflicts since the establishment of the United Nations. This is a clear sign that Chapter VI of the UN Charter is widely quoted but not sufficiently implemented. Preventive diplomacy, good offices, and mediation may have subtle conceptual differences, yet all of them are instruments that can either avert the tipping point when tensions escalate or de-escalate conflicts towards their possible peaceful resolution. The cost of their use, if any, is certainly lower than the use of military force in terms of human lives— suffering, destruction, effectiveness, and long-term consequences. In the context of the UN80 Initiative, it is of the utmost importance to preserve and strengthen the United Nations' capacity to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as to maintain and further advance its mediation capabilities. Moreover, Action 16 of the Pact of the Future is entirely dedicated to reaffirming our collective of will and obligations to settle disputes peacefully. Both member states, as well as the Secretary-General, must be permanently committed to this important task as mandated by the Charter. The Secretary-General is in fact uniquely positioned to offer good offices in mediation, drawing on the independence, impartiality, and integrity required by the role. This direct engagement, whether public or more discreetly cannot be— is of the utmost importance in defusing tensions and facilitating agreements. The Secretary-General is the top world diplomat uniquely positioned to play the role of mediator. The SG can pick up the phone and have almost any world leader on the other side to talk peace, security, and international law. And this is why in selecting the next Secretary-General we have the responsibility to choose a candidate who is up to the task. With this in mind, Brazil, together with Mexico has presented Michelle Bachelet as the GULAC woman candidate for the highest office of this organization. We are confident that her gravitas and biography, her extensive experience as twice head of state, and her widely recognized commitment to multilateralism make her a most suitable Secretary-General for our times. Not to mention that it is past time that we choose a female leadership for the SG post. The General Assembly is equally a key stakeholder in the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes. Articles 12 and 14 of the UN Charter establish its authority to discuss any question relating to the maintenance of international peace and security and to recommend measures for the peaceful settlement of of situations that could impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations. Through its emergency special sessions and relevant resolutions, the General Assembly has had a decisive influence both in the prevention of conflict as well as in the settlement of disputes. The landmark 1982 Malila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes also highlights its role in fostering peaceful peaceful solutions. Colleagues, we— in the United— UN Charter, we have— the international community has a toolkit for the peaceful settlement of disputes. What we need is political resolve to make use of these tools in times of crisis. We also need to choose a new leadership for the organization that has the experience and the necessary authority to ensure that peace is always attainable when political wisdom prevails. Thank you.

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

Madam President, I thank you for convening today's plenary session. Today's discussions not only bring the focus on this important theme but also remind us of the foundational reason for the establishment of the United Nations. The UN was built on the ravages of the Second World War. It was a reflection of the world's desire for lasting peace. Legitimacy The credibility and efficacy of this organization are assessed primarily on the basis of its ability to purposefully intervene in conflict situations. Victims of the conflict need outcomes. They need peace and normalcy. UN's interventions on this front in the recent past have not been sufficiently impactful. Raging conflicts in different parts of the world and the immeasurable human suffering bear testimony. Against this backdrop, I would like to make the following points. First, the UN Charter offers a repertoire of options to address disputes. None of these options have universal applicability. The context must be an important consideration in identifying the best approach. Second, national ownership is a key parameter. External solutions must not be imposed. Actions must be governed by consensus. Third, battlefields do not bring about peace. They have never done so, nor can they ever do so. Dialogue and diplomacy offer the best means to achieve lasting and sustained peace. These are powerful tools that could forge desirable and mutually, mutually acceptable outcomes in diverse settings. Fourth, the international peace and security landscape is dynamic and ever-changing. There are growing complexities due to decelerating development, climate change, supply chain disruptions, rising terrorism, and increasing risks from emerging technologies. It is important in this context that the UN is agile and equipped to deal with contemporary and future challenges. Finally, the UN must mirror today's geopolitical realities to be fit for purpose. As the principal organ with the onerous, onerous task of maintenance of international peace and security. UN Security Council's 8-decade-old architecture is clearly outdated and not designed to handle issues of the times we live in. Reform of the Security Council is not a choice anymore. It is vital to UN's continued relevance and its future. Madam President, in closing, I would like to underline that India, with unwavering faith in multilateralism, stands ready to contribute towards working for peace, security, and prosperity of all.

I thank you, Madam President. I thank the distinguished representative of India. I now give the floor to to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

At the outset, I would like to thank Madame President of the General Assembly for convening this timely debate and the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation Finland and Türkiye for their continued efforts. We align ourselves to the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union: We meet at a time of many wars and very few peace processes. In too many places, there is no real prospect for peace and the space for diplomacy is shrinking. This rare debate on mediation is therefore both necessary and urgent. Mediation must be at the centre of our collective efforts, with the United Nations at the heart. As we implement the Pact for the Future, move towards the implementation of UN 80, and approach the selection of the next Secretary-General, we have a real opportunity to recalibrate our expectations and strengthen the UN's role in mediation. UN mediation capacities must be preserved, adequately funded and politically backed. Mediation should be treated as a core UN function, not an add-on. The Mediation Support Unit and its standby team of senior mediation advisers are essential assets in this context. Mediation should also be high on the agenda of all candidates for Secretary-General. We need a Secretary-General who sees mediation as a strategic tool for prevention and conflict resolution, who is ready to invest personal political capital in difficult talks, who is also focusing on mediation as a link to justice, human rights, and inclusion. Now, allow me also to turn to what the Netherlands is doing to advance this agenda. The Netherlands is a proud member of the Group of Friends of Mediation and a longstanding donor for conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding. In a recent policy framework on diplomacy, prevention, and mediation endorsed by our parliament, we commit to better coordination and more strategic use of diplomatic tools. Our mediation approach rests on three key pillars: First, strong and predictable support to the United Nations. The Netherlands has been one of the top financial contributors to the UN political work. We are a longstanding donor to the DPPA Multi-Year Appeal, with largely unearmarked contributions. This allows DPPA to rapidly deploy mediators, sustain field offices, and support political solutions. Including through its Mediation Support Unit and Standby Team. We are also among the top donors to the Peacebuilding Fund, which acts as a financial engine for mediation and dialogue initiatives on the ground. Second, as the Netherlands, we have identified two specific niches where we can be of particular support: on water peace and security, and on the connection between transitional justice and mediation. Peace and justice cannot operate in isolation. If we want peace agreements to endure—if we want them to become more than temporary pauses in violence—we must also address the deeper drivers of conflict. As the Netherlands, we stand firm in the belief that peacemaking must address grievances, exclusion, trauma, and injustice. On water, we see how political and social dynamics can turn water into a driver of conflict or of cooperation. We therefore must invest in water diplomacy to navigate shared water challenges through dialogue and building inclusive water governance that addresses inequality and exclusion. Third and lastly, structured collaboration between states, civil society, and communities We need to align strategies, share analysis, and combine diplomatic capital with the access and expertise of mediation institutes and insider mediators. The Netherlands recently established a mediation support unit within our Foreign Ministry. With this unit, we invest in skills and the wider ecosystem of peaceful dispute settlement. We support training and capacity building for mediators and diplomats. Conflicts, and we work to support mediation processes, including with the tools of the rules-based international order. Excellencies, colleagues, as a member state we can and must combine political commitment, predictable funding, strong partnerships and investment in UN capacity and international law. The Kingdom of the Netherlands stands ready to work with all of you to place mediation where it belongs.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.

Your Excellency, President of the General Assembly, distinguished colleagues, we would like to begin by thanking the facilitators, Türkiye and Finland, for the timely convening of this meeting. In a context marked by geopolitical fragmentation and the increasing complexity of conflicts, strengthening mediation is an imperative of collective survival. We welcome the fact that this meeting represents an opportunity after nearly a decade to bring peace mediation back to the agenda of this assembly, as well as preventive diplomacy. The pacifist vocation of Uruguay is a legal and concrete commitment based on unwavering respect for international law, the sovereign equality of states, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In 1921, we were the first country to accept the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of International Justice, maintaining that force never creates rights. This conviction guides our historical participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations in which thousands of Uruguayan Blue Helmets have served. President, as part of this historical commitment, in 2025, we launched our Uruguay Promoter of Peace policy, seeking to strengthen our capacities in the area of mediation, dialogue facilitation and preventive diplomacy. With its robust institutional stability and international trustworthiness, Uruguay offers its services to the international community as an honest facilitator and a builder of bridges, and does so humbly, convinced that dialogue is the most effective tool to de-escalate tensions before violence erupts or deepens. We take on this responsibility through various roles. We currently hold the chairmanship of the G77 and China CELAC and the Brasilia Consensus, multilateral fora where we advocate for peaceful, inclusive, and consensual solutions, recognizing the value of regional alliances for mediation. This effort to bolster stability extends across our region of Latin America and the Caribbean, which we must preserve as a zone of peace in the broadest sense. In the face of fragmented mediations or merely transactional ones, Revitalizing the central coordinating role of the UN is more necessary than ever. In the context of the UN80 initiative and the upcoming selection of the next Secretary-General, we urge Member States to reaffirm the essential role of our organization. We must ensure that mediation processes address and resolve the root causes of conflict, such as inequality, socioeconomic exclusion, and the impact of climate change, among others, and that they are not limited solely to precarious ceasefires. Likewise, we reaffirm the importance of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, aware that the meaningful participation of women as well as young people guarantees the legitimacy of agreements and the construction of a lasting peace. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya.

Madam President, I thank you as well as the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation for convening this important session. Peace mediation remains one of the most essential instruments available for the peaceful settlement of disputes, prevention of armed conflict, and the preservation of international peace and security in line with the U.N. Charter. Mediators today operate in an increasingly complex global environment defined by a troubling erosion of the norms and institutions that once constrained the use of force and the rise of transactional diplomacy that undermines confidence in multilateral conflict resolution mechanisms. The steady increase in global military expenditure to $2.9 trillion US dollars $1 billion in 2025, while the entire UN Peace and Security Bureau operates on under $1 billion, underscores the continuous prioritization of conflict preparation over conflict prevention. Excellencies, Kenya believes that lasting peace and stability is built through inclusive dialogue political compromise, mutual trust, accountability, and the shared determination of conflicting parties to resolve their differences through negotiation rather than force. We have been actively engaged in supporting regional peace efforts, including through the East African Community Red Peace Nairobi process for Eastern DRC— the Tumaini Initiative on South Sudan, the IGAD-led efforts on Sudan, and the African Union initiatives in Northern Ethiopia. These peace efforts have revealed a central lesson: peace— successful mediations depends above all on the willingness of conflicting parties to prioritize political accommodation over military confrontation. We observed that mediation must begin with realistic and immediate priorities that consider the urgent imperative to reduce human suffering while preserving the political space necessary for a more sustainable settlement over time. In our experience, mediation yields the strongest results when it is locally owned, regionally supported, internationally coordinated, and firmly rooted in the life realities and legitimate aspirations of affected populations. Excellencies, as we reflect on the future of peace and peace mediation, Kenya encourages the international community to recommit to preventive diplomacy and act before, not after, violence has escalated into full-scale humanitarian catastrophe. Early warning mechanisms, confidence-building measures, and sustained diplomatic engagement must become central pillars of our collective peace architecture. We also call for greater investment in the capabilities of mediators, including training, institutional support, and the promotion of inclusive mediation leadership, particularly for the Global South. Lastly, Kenya reaffirms that the United Nations remains uniquely positioned to convene, coordinate, and legitimize international peace efforts, and reiterates our full support for the Secretary-General's efforts to advance mediation, dialogue, and peaceful conflict resolution. I thank you all.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kenya. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland.

President, we welcome the convening of this important and timely debate. Ireland strongly supports mediation as an essential tool for conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and sustaining lasting peace. Peace. At a moment of increasing geopolitical tension, protracted conflict, and growing challenges to international law and multilateralism, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusive and locally grounded mediation efforts, including the meaningful participation of women and youth. Following the UN's 80th anniversary last year, Ireland believes that this is an important moment to reflect on how the organization can strengthen its role in preventive diplomacy peacekeeping and mediation. In the context of ongoing UN 80 reform discussions, we must ensure that the United Nations remains equipped and adequately resourced so that it can respond effectively to evolving peace and security challenges while upholding the principles and the values of the UN Charter. Ireland strongly supports the central role of the United Nations in peace mediation efforts, and we commend the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Representatives and Envoys, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, including the Mediation Support Unit, and the Department of Peace Operations. We also recognize the crucial role of regional organizations, member states, and local actors in supporting complementary mediation efforts grounded in local realities. President, Ireland's commitment to mediation is informed by our own experience of conflict resolution in the Northern Ireland peace process. Supporting sustained peacebuilding and reconciliation remains a core element of Ireland's foreign and development policies. The Good Friday Peace Agreement was anchored in political agreement, popular support, inclusivity, equality, human rights, and international law, and these are the principles that continue to guide Ireland today. We know from bitter experience that dialogue, with political courage, inclusive engagement and sustained international support can help transform conflict and build lasting peace. Effective mediation must therefore be inclusive at all stages. Ireland has long championed the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and we recognise both the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and their indispensable role in peacebuilding. Women's full, equal and meaningful participation is essential to building sustainable peace. At a time of alarming levels of armed conflict and setbacks in gender equality globally, implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is more urgent than ever. We welcome the growing emphasis on the participation of women and youth in peace processes, and we stress that mediation efforts must reflect the diversity of women's experiences, including women with disabilities, youth, and members of the LGBT IDKI community. community. We also underline the importance of engaging local actors and supporting dialogue processes rooted in local leadership. Mediation efforts should be coordinated and complementary in order to maximise impact. Madam President, humanitarian mediation can help alleviate suffering and facilitate access, but it cannot substitute for broader political efforts to resolve conflict. Sustainable peace requires a coherent approach across the humanitarian, development, peace axis. Madam President, as conflicts become more— as conflicts become more complex and more interconnected, the UN must continue to strengthen its mediation capacities and partnerships while remaining firmly anchored in the principles of the UN Charter. Above all, the UN must be present in such peacebuilding efforts. Ireland remains committed to working with all our partners to advance mediation and dialogue dialogue as pathways towards just, inclusive, and sustainable peace. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malta.

Thank you, Madam President. We thank the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Finland and Türkiye, for convening today's important debate. As a proud member of this Group of Friends, Malta welcomes this opportunity to reaffirm its strong support for mediation as an essential instrument for conflict prevention, de-escalation, mediation, peaceful resolution, and the advancement of peace. For my country, mediation is not simply a tool of last resort. It is a practical expression of the international community's collective responsibility and obligation to pursue peace. Multilateralism and the United Nations must remain central to this effort and be adequately equipped to respond to today's challenges. This requires stronger cooperation among UN Member States and enhanced capacity for the UN to serve as an effective mediator. In the context of the UN80 Initiative, Malta reaffirms the importance of strengthening the UN's mediation capacity and advancing effective UN-led mediation. Madam President, mediation is not an automatic process. It requires careful design, sustained attention, and credibility. No two conflicts are identical. Each country brings its own history, cultural sensitivities, and degrees of societal polarization that must be taken into account. Malta strongly believes that regional and sub-regional organizations have a unique and indispensable role have a vital role to play in the peaceful settlement of disputes. We encourage closer cooperation and stronger partnerships between these organizations and the Security Council. It is equally important for the Security Council to recognize the vital contribution of the NGOs and civil society in mediation, particularly in engaging non-state parties and ensuring that all sides feel included in the process. Central to effective mediation is the role of women. Women's full, equal, and safe participation mediation is not optional. It is mandated by Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions and is a core obligation under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Women are essential actors in conflict prevention. Resolution and recovery. Their participation broadens the range of voices at the table, strengthens legitimacy of peace processes, and supports the development of more comprehensive, innovative, and sustainable solutions that contribute to lasting peace. Young people are also among those most affected by conflict, yet they are also key agents agents of positive change and peacebuilding. The Youth Peace and Security Agenda affirms the important role of young people in preventing and resolving conflict and calls for their meaningful inclusion in peace processes, including mediation. Their grassroots perspectives enrich negotiations and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable peace outcomes. Madam President, the state of our world today makes the case for mediation unmistakable. Effective mediation requires strong political will, continuous dialogue, and sustained diplomatic engagement. Malta believes that multilateralism remains indispensable to addressing conflict and shared challenges, fostering trust among nations, and upholding a rules-based international order grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malta. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Madam President, I thank you for organizing this important meeting which is taking place at a delicate time when the international order is facing profound and multidimensional changes. Our world is witnessing multiple crises that are worsening simultaneously while trust among states continues to erode increasingly. At the same time, the United Nations is undergoing unprecedented tests overall as well as the entire multilateral system. In this context, mediation is no longer merely an option. It has become an urgent necessity. Mediation remains one of the most effective tools for preventing conflicts, putting an end to violence, and avoiding humanitarian tragedies. Today, given the increase in the outbreak of conflicts and their ever more complex nature, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, allow me to highlight the following key points. Firstly, traditional approaches to conflict resolution have demonstrated their limitations in terms of effectiveness. The gap between the outbreak of conflicts and achieving their settlement continues to widen at an alarming rate. However, the U.N. Charter, particularly Chapter VI of that Charter, provides a clear framework for the peaceful settlement of disputes, establishing it as a fundamental obligation incumbent upon States. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to fully respect this commitment. Secondly, the most pressing challenge that we face today lies in the erosion of trust. Without trust, no agreement can endure. Rebuilding trust requires renewed commitment to the United Nations Charter. It requires respect for international law and the equal application of rights and obligations to all. Thirdly, sustainable peace must address the root causes of conflicts. Particularly inequality, exclusion, and unresolved historical grievances. Peace agreements that fail to earnestly address these fundamental realities may achieve only temporary stability and ultimately lead to a return to violence. Fourthly, No mediation efforts can succeed in isolation. The ownership by regional actors and their effective participation in mediation initiatives remain essential. Regional organizations possess the expertise and knowledge necessary to support lasting and sustainable solutions to conflicts. The African Union, through its structures dedicated to peace and security embody this approach, reflecting and promoting the principle of African solutions to African problems. Madam President, Algeria's engagement in mediation efforts is not a matter of circumstance, but rather it is a constant, deeply rooted, and established choice in its foreign policy. Grounded in the principles of international legitimacy. Algeria has played important roles in the peaceful settlement of numerous international and regional disputes. Algeria has supported dialogue during periods of heightened tension, and we've also contributed to historic peace processes within our region and beyond. In conclusion, Algeria calls upon all member states to remain committed to the United Nations Charter, to strengthen the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to invest in mediation as a fundamental pillar of international peace and stability. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Madam President, I wish to express my gratitude to Finland and Türkiye for their leadership as co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation. To which Japan proudly belongs. We are currently witnessing shifting power dynamics among major nations and an increasing number of conflicts and tensions across the globe. In these challenging times, a proactive approach to sustaining peace is essential. A key component of this effort is mediation, which offers a path towards peaceful to resolution. This past March, Japan newly established the International Peace Mediation Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This unit is to be actively engaged with counterparts from various countries, fostering relationships and accumulating practical knowledge. In this regard, Japan places great importance on a long-term commitment to sustainable peace. Our approach is deeply rooted in the concept of human security, through which we have provided capacity-building support for countries to build resilient institutions focused on people. Mediation efforts should be advanced in parallel with such long-term support, as both are essential and mutually reinforcing. In the pursuit of sustainable peace. Even as the United Nations undergoes necessary reforms and re-evaluations of its mandate, the pursuit of peaceful settlement of disputes, including mediation, as enshrined in Chapter VI of the UN Charter, must remain a core function of this organization. We believe the Secretary-General should leverage his good offices more actively in mediation and preventive diplomacy, a course that was also reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future. Japan remains committed to contributing to global peace and stability through robust international cooperation. We believe that by standing— strengthening our collective capacity for mediation and preventive diplomacy, we can contribute to building a more peaceful and better world. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland.

Madam President, we thank Finland and Türkiye for organizing this important debate. With so many conflicts persisting and emerging across the globe, the importance of mediation cannot be overstated. Early and effective political and diplomatic engagement remains our best tool for preventing and resolving them. My country, Poland, as a strong supporter of the peacebuilding settlement of this disputes, is firmly convinced that the international community must sharpen its focus on prevention, including robust mediation capacities. For this reason, we support the central role of the United Nations in peace mediation and value the important contribution of the Peacebuilding Commission. Madam President, making full use of the United Nations' diplomatic toolbox, including the Secretary-General's good offices, is more important than ever. We therefore expect the next Secretary-General to be an experienced mediator and crisis manager. Strong leadership grounded in the UN Charter and supported by committed Member States is what will keep the United Nations effective and in the service of peace. We also wish to underscore the need for more consistent Security Council support for the Secretary-General's mediation initiatives. The Council must effectively and actively champion peaceful solutions, whether through mediation, negotiations, conciliation, or arbitration. In this context, we reaffirm that it is wholly unacceptable for any member of the Security Council, and especially its permanent members entrusted with the responsibility to uphold international peace, to violate the sovereignty of the other states. Yet today, this is the very principle of mediation UN's equal, impartial engagement in the peaceful settlement of conflicts is under serious threat. Some UN members seek to restore a concert of great powers, and to reinstate spheres of influence, to revive subjugation and dependence, and to resurrect the logic of old empires. In doing so, they openly undermine the multilateral system born from the devastation of the Second World War. This cannot be accepted. Madam President, In closing, Poland firmly believes that conflict prevention and mediation are among the most powerful tools we have, capable of tackling the underlying drivers of instability before they spiral into violence. Effective prevention saves lives and resources. But it only works if all UN Member States stand behind it—not just in rhetoric, but in genuine commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.

And I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Poland. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Djibouti.

Madam President, Djibouti expresses his gratitude to you as well as the co-chairs Finland and Turkey for convening this timely plenary debate on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution. This dialogue could not have come at a better time. It's an opportunity to assess the impact of Resolution 7304, adopted on September 9, 2016, which no doubt has made significant progress inspired of enduring challenges. Resolution 70/304, which was well grounded in the UN Charter Article 33, moved mediation away from being a supplementary effort on diplomatic interaction towards being a central pillar in the operations of our organization. The Secretary-General's good offices, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Mediation Support Unit, Regional envoys, special representatives, standby experts, and the Peace Building Fund constitute impressive architecture for preventive diplomacy and mediation. However, the significant resources at the disposal of the United Nations are largely emasculated in today's geopolitical realities. Early warning capacities, we have learned, do not imply early action. Continued political divisions among external actors, which incentivize zero-sum calculations, constrain early action, and make the prospects of peace increasingly dim. Madam President, to reverse this trend, several steps deserve urgent consideration. First, we must continue to emphasize and improve preventive diplomacy as the centerpiece of the United Nations peace and security— security agenda. Second, member states should provide determined and stronger political support for mediators and special envoys. Fourth, under-resourced mediation efforts often fail to produce the expected outcome. Therefore, finance should not be a challenge to mediation efforts, whether by the UN or regional organizations. Fifth, perhaps the most visible achievement since 2016 has been the stronger emphasis on women's inclusion in mediation and peace processes. However, progress is still slow. Sixth, the United Nations must deepen cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations. Despite setbacks and continued challenges, regional organizations have done comparatively better on mediation. Regional actors indeed possess unique insights, proximity, and legitimacy. Seventh, mediation must adapt to contemporary challenges. Today's conflicts increasingly involve non-state armed groups —terrorist organizations, criminal networks, climate-related pressures, and transnational dimensions that were less prominent in earlier decades. Mediation involving non-state actors presents unique political, legal, and operational challenges. The United Nations should continue strengthening the expertise and flexibility of its mediation mechanisms to respond to these evolving challenges. The United Nations should also seek to build constructive coalitions to help manage geopolitical rivalries among external actors. Sustainable peace is achieved when mediation places the security, dignity, and aspirations of the people at the center of the peace process while accommodating the legitimate interests of external actors. Madam President, Djibouti strongly supports mediation. Under the leadership of President Guelleh, we have been engaged in determined efforts efforts with our sub-regional partners in the Horn of Africa to move mediation between the theoretical levels. The United Nations was established to prevent wars. Mediation remains the organization's most valuable instrument for fulfilling that mission. The challenge before us is to ensure that this instrument is employed more consistently, more courageously, and more effectively. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Djibouti. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Georgia.

Madam President. Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in the national capacity. Madam President, from Georgia's perspective, mediation should be fair, credible, and grounded in international law. At the same time, mediation should not blur the distinction between a state that violates human rights and international law and a state that is subjected to such violations. Partiality should not ignore the facts on the ground. Georgia's experience demonstrates both the value and the limitations of mediation. The Geneva international discussions remain the only international format in which Georgia and Russia discuss the consequences of the 2008 war. Which left hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees unable to return to their homes and properties. We believe that this format should be maintained, strengthened, and focused on delivering tangible results. Mediation is most effective when it is followed by implementation. Agreements and commitments should not remain merely on paper. In Georgia's case, key provisions of the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement remain unimplemented. Confidence-building measures and local dialogue are important, particularly for conflict-affected communities. Mechanisms such as the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism help address practical humanitarian and security concerns. However, confidence-building measures alone cannot substitute for efforts aimed at achieving a lasting political solution. In addition, the meaningful participation of women in mediation processes is essential to ensuring more inclusive, sustainable, and effective outcomes. Madam President, Thank you, Mr. James, President. Justice is an essential element of conflict resolution. Mediation can help parties engage in dialogue and reduce tensions, but lasting peace is difficult to achieve when serious violations of international law remain unaddressed. In this regard, the work of international judicial and accountability mechanisms, including the European Court of Human Rights, UNHCR, and the International Criminal Court can complement mediation efforts by establishing facts, ensuring accountability, and clarifying responsibilities. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Thank you, Madam Vice President. Madam Vice President, Excellencies, Timor-Leste welcomes this debate at a time when the international security system faces sustained pressure. Unresolved, protracted conflicts delay diplomacy, and institutional deadlock continues to impose high human and economic costs. Timor-Leste speaks from direct experience in conflict resolution and state-building. Mediation is not a secondary or symbolic tool. It is a primary instrument for conflict prevention, dispute settlement, and the maintenance of international legal order when applied early, inclusively, within rules-based framework. Effective mediation depends on 3 conditions: factual clarity, inclusive participation, and respect for state sovereignty. Without this, processes lose credibility and durability. Timor-Leste's experience shows that mediation can operate across 4 interconnected levels. First, at the grassroots level, Following the 1999 crisis, local communities applied, applied nahebiti bode, a customary dispute resolution mechanism. This process resolved over 1,000 cases involving property disputes, community tensions, and acts of violence. Second, at the national level, the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation, which was mandated to address the 20 year conflict in Timor-Leste provided a structured platform for addressing past violations. Third, at the bilateral level, Timor-Leste and Indonesia established the Commission of Truth and Friendship to address responsibility for past violence. Fourth, at the international level, Timor-Leste engaged Australia through compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which enabled agreement on permanent maritime boundary. Test examples demonstrate that mediation is scalable, adaptable, and compatible with formal legal processes. Its effectiveness increases when deployed early and supported by institutional consistency. Based on these experiences, Timur Leste proposes three priorities for member states. First, early deployment. Mediation mechanism should be activated before dispute escalates into armed conflict, requiring political will and institutional triggers within the United Nations system. Second, integration of local mechanisms. Peace processes should incorporate community-based mediation structures where they exist to enhance legitimacy, compliance, and sustainability. Third, legal inquiry. Mediation must operate within international law. Reinforcing rather than bypassing legal norms, particularly for smaller or more vulnerable States. Excellencies, the international community must now translate these principles into concrete actions. Timor-Leste calls upon Member States to mandate systemic early deployment of mediation capacities within the United Nations, to allocate predictable and sustained resources for mediation support, to strengthen institutional linkages between local, national, and international mediation We further urge member states to reaffirm their commitment to international legal frameworks by utilizing existing mechanisms, including conciliations and arbitration, as viable pathways for dispute resolution. These steps are necessary to restore confidence in multilateralism and to prevent the escalation of disputes into protracted conflicts. Conflict. Timor-Leste stands ready to work with all partners to advance these priorities and to contribute its experience to the development of practical, practical, result-oriented mediation strategies. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Hungary.

Madam President, Hungary aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU and reaffirms with conviction the indispensable role of mediation as a tool for the peaceful settlement of disputes and welcomes today's debate on mediation convened by Türkiye and Finland. We live in an era of growing geopolitical fragmentation and a moment of acute global anxiety. Armed conflicts rage on multiple continents. Trust between states is becoming a scarce commodity. The multilateral architecture constructed after the Second World War faces unprecedented pressure. The credibility of the multilateral system will increasingly be judged by our collective ability not only to— how to react to wars but to prevent them. At a time of profound uncertainty, the Charter of the United Nations remains our collective compass, and we must get back to basics: the peaceful settlement of disputes, where mediation is a demonstration of strategic responsibility. Madame President, history has shown repeatedly that conflicts left unmediated become longer, costlier, and more deadly. The human toll of delay is never abstract. It is measured in lives lost, families displaced, and generations scared. It is precisely for this reason that the multilateral framework of the UN, with its unique legitimacy, its global reach, and its accumulated experience, remains the most appropriate setting to bring parties together and sustain the difficult work of mediation. Mediation and conflict prevention is the best— best way to protect future generations from the scourge of war. We encourage the use of the Secretary-General's good offices to prevent and mediate conflicts. Sustainable peace cannot be imposed from the outside. Mediation processes must be locally owned and must include all relevant parties. At the same time, mediation must adapt to contemporary contemporary realities. Today's conflicts are increasingly complex, involving regional dimensions, non-state actors, disinformation, and the growing impact of emerging technologies. The United Nations must therefore continue strengthening its mediation capacities, including through early warning, preventive diplomacy, and closer cooperation with regional and sub-regional actors. Madam President, Hungary has a deep interest in a stable, rules-based international order. We have seen in our own region what happens when disputes go unresolved and dialogue breaks down. Dialogue must begin early, remain continuous, and be supported with genuine political will from the international community. We cannot afford to treat mediation as a last resort, something to consider only after violence has already taken hold. It must be a priority— proactive, preventive, and principled. Hungary stands ready to contribute to international mediation efforts in partnership with the United Nations and all member states committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Hungary. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bulgaria. Bulgaria aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and wishes to add the following remark in international capacity. At a time of geopolitical tensions, crisis, and polarization, mediation remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools available to international community for the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention, and sustainable peacebuilding. The Pact for the Future provides a strong political framework for reinvigorating multilateralism, strengthening preventive diplomacy, and improving the capacity of the United Nations to address contemporary security challenges.

Mediation must remain at the center of these efforts. Bulgaria supports a stronger, more coordinated, and better resourced UN mediation architecture.

We believe that closer cooperation between the United Nations regional and sub-regional organization and members States directly engaged in mediation efforts is essential. Regional organizations bring political leverage, regional ownership, and local expertise that are indispensable for effective mediation and conflict prevention. Bulgaria has consistently supported UN mediation and conflict prevention efforts, including through voluntary financial contributions to the UN Mediation Trust Fund in support of the mediation and good offices activities in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs in the Western Balkans in recent years. Bulgaria also supported financially the work of this department of the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. My country also actively contributes to the strengthening of the humanitarian development,— nexus through support of UN humanitarian activities in a number of crisis-affected regions. We welcome the work of the Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation, as well as the important role of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation in promoting awareness of mediation as a vital tool for preventing and resolving armed conflicts. Bulgaria will continue to actively support these initiatives. We underline, Madam President, the importance of inclusive mediation processes. The meaningful participation of women and youth is essential for building durable and legitimate peace. Bulgaria remains firmly committed to Women, Peace and Security agenda and to advancing the relevant commitments contained in for the future. In this context, the UN Haiti Initiative provides a timely opportunity to strengthen mediation and preventive diplomacy as core function of the United Nations. As the organization adapts to contemporary global realities, mediation should be viewed as a strategic investment in international peace and security, in restoring confidence in multilateralism, Terrorism. The discussions under UNHCR framework should therefore focus on enhancing institutional support for mediation, improving coordination across the UN system, and ensuring adequate and predictable resources for preventive action. UNHCR also offers an opportunity to reflect on how the organization can better use its legitimacy, convening power, and field presence to support inclusive and sustainable mediation efforts worldwide. Bulgaria also believes that continuity and institutional memory within UN mediation system are of importance, especially during leadership transitions within the organization. In this regard, the forthcoming selection of the next Secretary-General offers an important moment to reaffirm our collective expectation for a proactive, credible, and effective UN role in mediation and preventive diplomacy. Bulgaria will continue to support all efforts aimed at strengthening international peace and security through dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation, in full accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. I thank you, Madam President. I thank the distinguished representative of Bulgaria. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Madam President, Mexico, as a member of the Group of Friends of Mediation, recognizes Finland and Türkiye and thanks them for inviting us to this timely and necessary debate given the alarming escalation of global tensions and actions that could be serious threats to humanity. In adherence to our political constitution, Mexico historically has spoken out in favor of preventing conflicts and in favor of the peaceful settlement of disputes. Mexico is firmly convinced that strengthening the role of the organization depends on an effective use of the tools provided under Chapter VI of its charter, particularly with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes and particularly mediation and active Participation in negotiations. In order to respond effectively to the complex current challenges, the role of member states and of international organizations in the area of mediations must develop and adapt to the changing nature of conflicts as well as the increase in the number and diversity of actors on the ground. Over and above traditional patterns when it comes to mediation, what we need today is to use broad multidimensional approaches that are inclusive as well as innovative in addition to being effective to create conditions that will lead to lasting peace. This being the situation, we support the New Agenda for Peace, which proposes a more strategic use of the United Nations as the central place for international diplomacy. It must be consolidated as an essential platform where member states cooperate together, including in situations where there is a lack of mutual recognition. We have insisted that this organization should play a leading role as a guarantor, a negotiator of peace. The absence of the United Nations at the main negotiating tables will not lead to peace. The legitimacy of the organization means that we have to act above individual geopolitical interests and ensure the principle of legal equality between all states and at the same time see peace as a public good. Focusing on people. The UN80 initiative contains activities that will lead to the strengthening of mediation as an important part of that reform under the pillar of peace and international security. We'd also call upon the next Secretary-General, who we hope will be the former President of Chile and a candidate nominated by Brazil and Mexico, Michel Bachelet, we hope that first of all they will renew good offices that will help in peace negotiations. Secondly, strengthen preventive diplomacy to ensure the effective participation of the organization in those negotiations and promote measures that will involve all parties and increase Trust. So, Mexico would like to focus on the mandates of the representatives of the special envoys, for example, of the Secretary-General. The mediation tools should increase the level of participation and help the organization to work together with regional organizations, particularly prevent— in the area of preventive diplomacy and early warning system. For peace to be lasting and inclusive, we must ensure that we include women and young people in peace processes, including in mediation and negotiation. In that regard, Mexico works together with 11 countries in our region, working together with women to promote the participation of women in mediation and in the peaceful settlement of disputes as well as in peacebuilding. We continue to reassess mediation and preventive diplomacy at all levels with the firm conviction that we must always place people at the heart of our actions. You can count on Mexico's support to make progress towards this noble goal. I thank you.

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

Madam President, We meet at a time of deep global strain. Conflict is more widespread than at any point since the Second World War. While military power expands, the mechanisms to constrain violence have not kept pace. We must renew our collective effort to break this cycle and strengthen the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. And there is no place more vital to that task than the United Nations, founded on the principle that peace is built by many, not just the powerful. First, prevention must be our top priority. Acting only after violence escalates is too late and too costly. We need stronger early warning systems, earlier action, and closer coordination across the UN, regional organizations, organisations and member states to address risks before they become crises. Second, mediation must be strengthened and sustained. Peace requires trust, dialogue, and inclusive processes. We must equip mediators with the mandate and resources they need, and ensure women, youth, and civil society are fully included. Regional organisations Alliances like ASEAN in our Indo-Pacific region play a central role and must remain essential partners in this effort. Third, we must protect the foundations of peace. This includes supporting rules and institutions that uphold accountability, dialogue, and stability, even in times of tension. And while we make all efforts to prevent conflict, Australia is also taking action to protect those who protect others in conflict. This is not optional. It is essential, as recognized by the 112 member states who have signed the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Mediation is not a single act. It is a long-term commitment. Australia stands ready to work with all member states to prevent conflict, build peace, and uphold human dignity. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Today the world is confronted with the highest number of conflicts since the end of the Second World War. From protracted civil wars to renewed interstate confrontations, the global peace and security landscape is under unprecedented strain. At the same time, trust in multilateral cooperation is eroding, making it harder for the international community to respond with unity, with consistency, and with resolve. Peaceful means of dispute settlement, including mediation, have therefore become a more important and more necessary than ever. Meditation offers one of the most effective multilateral tools at our disposal for preventing conflicts, for de-escalating tensions, for fostering dialogue and resolving disputes through peaceful means. Excellencies, the UN Charter is unequivocal in its obligations upon states to settle their disputes conflicts by peaceful means. 8. We have not been able to fully utilize the full potential of mediation as a preventive and confidence-building tool, nor have we consistently invested in the capacities required to deploy it at scale and on time. In this context, Madam President, allow me to highlight 4 key messages. First, we must reaffirm our full commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, negotiations, and mediation as the primary tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. Second, we must give priority to preventive diplomacy and the strengthening of early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms. For this, it is incumbent upon us to strengthen the United Nations' capacity for preventive diplomacy and mediations by ensuring political, technical, and financial support so as to enable it to respond swiftly and effectively. Third, we must ensure that mediation efforts are inclusive and representative., engaging women, youth, and local communities, while addressing the root causes of conflict and advancing equal opportunities, dignity, and peaceful coexistence for all. Advancing genuinely inclusive mediation processes enhances the legitimacy, durability, and overall effectiveness of negotiated outcomes. Fourth, fostering stronger partnerships between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations is essential for leveraging regional expertise, for deepening local ownership, for strengthening complementarity, and for promoting shared responsibilities. Madam President, Nepal reaffirms its unwavering faith in the values of peace, preventive diplomacy, and mediation at home and globally. Our own nationally-led and won peace process This process exemplifies the transformative power of dialogue, consensus-building, and mediation in overcoming conflict and advancing sustainable peace. In closing, Madam President, reaffirming the UN-led peace mediations is not merely a policy choice; it is a Charter obligation, and it is a strategic necessity to uphold the peaceful to settlement of disputes, advance dialogue over confrontations, and to ensure that conflicts are resolved in accordance with international law. Let us therefore fully harness the power of dialogue, power of diplomacy, and power of mediation to bridge divides, to restore trust, and to chart pathways towards lasting and sustainable peace. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Assalamu alaikum, Madam President. Thank you for convening this important debate at the General Assembly on mediation. Egypt believes that mediation is not merely a tool for managing crises after they erupt, but rather a fundamental pillar of preventive diplomacy and addressing the root causes that lead to the outbreak or recurrence of conflicts. In a world witnessing an unprecedented rise in armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, there is an increasing need to strengthen political, institutional, and financial investment in mediation efforts at the national, regional, and international levels. The success of mediation efforts requires first and foremost respect for the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, especially the respect for sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their domestic affairs, and ensuring national ownership of the political process. Effective mediation cannot be imposed from the outside. Rather, it must be based on the will of the concerned parties and take into account the national and regional context specific to each conflict. Egypt also stresses the importance of strengthening partnerships between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations, as these entities possess a deeper understanding of local realities and of political, social, and cultural dynamics within their regions. In this regard, the importance of enhancing cooperation between the UN and the AU stands out, building on the comparative advantages of each in a manner that supports mediation efforts and conflict prevention on the African continent. Madam President, since the establishment of the UN, the international community has recognized the central importance of mediation in maintaining international peace and security. Article 33 of the Charter stipulates that parties to any dispute, the continuation of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, they should seek a solution first of all by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, or other peaceful means. This provision confirms that mediation is not merely an optional tool, but a core component of the UN system for preventing and peacefully resolving conflicts. In this context, the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs plays a pivotal role in supporting mediation and preventive diplomacy. Through the Mediation Support Unit and the Standby Team of Senior Experts, the department contributes to providing technical and institutional support to special envoys and to regional and international efforts aimed at resolving conflicts. It also assists in building national and regional capacities in the field of mediation and conflict prevention. Egypt believes that strengthening Increasing the political, human, and financial resources allocated to these efforts is a necessary investment in conflict prevention that is far less costly than addressing their humanitarian, security, and economic consequences after they erupt. We also believe in the importance of investing in national and regional mediation capacities, including training mediators with the participation of women and youth and drawing on local and traditional expertise in a manner that ensures the inclusiveness of political processes and the sustainability of their outcomes. The importance of mediation is more evident today than ever before in the light of the multiple crises and protracted conflicts across various regions of the world, from Middle East to Africa and Europe. Current experiences confirm that military solutions cannot achieve sustainable peace. Ongoing efforts in the Gaza Strip, initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Sudan, and initiatives concerning the Great Lakes region as a whole, particularly Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as other hotspots, hotspots underscored the urgent need to give mediation greater political priority within the UN system. In this context, Egyptian foreign policy has historically been closely associated with supporting dialogue, mediation, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Over decades, Egypt has contributed to bridging differences between conflicting parties in the Middle East and Africa, playing important roles in reaching understandings and ceasefire in Gaza Strip, supporting Palestinian reconciliation, and contributing to efforts to resolve crisis in Libya, Sudan, and South Sudan. In addition to continued support for African efforts to find African solutions for African problems. Drawing on this experience, Egypt concludes by calling for strengthening the position of mediation within the UN system, not only as a tool for crisis management, but as an integral part of comprehensive framework that includes preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, thereby contributing to addressing the root causes of conflicts and preventing their recurrence. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Vice President and distinguished colleagues. We appreciate this opportunity to underline Norway's strong commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in general and the UN's collective role in these efforts in particular. The pursuit of peace is the core mandate of this organization. Equally important is the need to support and to strengthen the multilateral system to enable collective efforts efforts to sustain peace. Maintaining a UN that can provide leadership, normative guidance, and processual support and design for peace efforts is a central priority for Norway in the ongoing UNHCR reforms. President Norway has consistently expressed its strong support for the Secretary-General's good offices— anchored in the UN Charter. The ability to protect and to advance this authority will be key also for the next Secretary-General. We recognize, however, that this is not an easy task. Peacemaking requires a willingness to take political risk and to maintain a persistent and long-term engagement. We, as Member States, must support the UN and the SG to take on this crucial role. Peace efforts cannot be measured solely by the conclusion of comprehensive peace agreements. Preventing, preventing escalation, reducing violence, maintaining channels of communication, securing humanitarian access, and creating space for political dialogue are often essential achievements in themselves. For the UN, this means safeguarding and strengthening capacities for prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding. President, the UN has the tools, and Norway remains committed to collaborate and maintain our significant political and financial support. This includes continued support to DPPA through its multi-year appeal, to the UN Mediation Standby Team, the Peace Building Fund, the SBMs and all the envoys, and UNDP DPPA joint programme and its competent peace and development advisers, and in many other ways. President, the regional level matters. We emphasize the important and complementary roles that regional organizations and Member States play in conflict resolution and mediation. In this regard, we would particularly like to recognize the African Union and the established AU-UN partnership. President, there is no substitute for lasting political solutions to armed conflict. This conviction guides our peace and conflict resolution efforts across regions and across conflicts. We also know that the meaningful participation of women Women, youth, civil society, and all affected communities is not only a matter of principle, it improves the prospect for lasting peace. The UN plays a key role in both crafting political solutions, but not the least to ensure inclusive processes. To conclude, Norway remains committed to conflict resolution as set out in our recent white paper entitled Norway's Effort for Peace and Conflict Resolution in a Troubled World. While more, more member states get involved in supporting peace process— peace processes, which obviously is something positive and that we welcome— there is no substitute for the multilateral system and the UN's very unique role in providing legitimacy, inclusion, and thereby also lasting solutions. You remain committed to support and to enable the UN to deliver on its core mandate, which is to play a leading, impartial, and effective role in ending armed conflicts. I thank you, Vice President.

I thank the distinguished representative Representative of Norway. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Thank you, Madam President. Malaysia commends co-chairs Finland and Türkiye for their continued leadership in advancing the cause of mediation within the United Nations through the Group of Friends of Mediation. Just days ago, the Secretary-General addressed the Security Council. He reminded us that the tools of peace are available and well-established: negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and good offices. His message was clear: these tools must be used fully and in good faith. Today's debate is an opportunity for us to reflect on why they are not used more often and more urgently to silence the guns and to reduce tension. Madam President, to contribute to today's debate, Malaysia wishes to offer three reflections. First, this debate takes place as the UN prepares to select a new Secretary-General. Security Council Resolution 2788, called on Member States to support the Secretary-General's mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts, and encouraged the Secretary-General to ensure the UN can lead and support these efforts. Malaysia believes the next Secretary-General must be equipped with a sufficient mandate and the necessary resources to fulfill this responsibility. We encourage Member States to make this expectation clear in the selection process, including within the context of the ongoing UNAT reform initiative. Second, views have been expressed on the need to improve coordination between the UN and regional organizations in advancing mediation. Malaysia fully agrees. Regional organizations bring what the UN alone cannot always provide: proximity to the conflict, a unique shared history and a peer solidarity that can influence the conflicting parties to accept and not to reject mediation. When close neighbors advise mediation and peaceful negotiations, the message carries a different weight. Malaysia encourages efforts to deepen the cooperation between the UN and regional organizations as genuine and equal partners in the service of peace. Third and finally, Malaysia believes that unity within the Security Council is a critical factor for mediation to succeed. When the Council speaks with one voice, it signals strongly to parties in conflict that the cost of rejecting mediation is high. Conversely, when the Council is divided, that signal is lost. And with it the leverage that makes mediation work. The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788 was an encouraging and important step. Malaysia urges all members of the Council to build on that unity and to recognize that their unity is essential for peace. Madam President, the UN Charter, specifically Chapter VI, is clear: the responsibility to settle disputes by peaceful is an obligation that all Member States assume when they join this organization. That obligation has not changed. What is needed is the political will to fulfill it. We need to place mediation where it belongs—at the center of our pursuit of peace. Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the Charter, to multilateralism, and to the Pacific settlement of disputes. We will continue to work alongside all partners within the Group of Friends and beyond to advance mediation as a tool of peace. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.

Madam President, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends its appreciation to Türkiye and Finland for convening this debate. As a member of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Saudi Arabia remains committed to supporting international efforts aimed at strengthening mediation capacities, promoting dialogue, and fostering peaceful solutions. The Kingdom also welcomes the convening of this important debate on peace mediation and reaffirms its strong support for the central role of the United Nations in preventing a peaceful solution of the conflict. At a time when the international community faces an increasing number of complex, uh, protected conflicts, effective mediation remains one of the most valuable tools for sustaining international peace and security. The United Nations continues to play an indispensable role in facilitating dialogue, building trust among parties, and supporting political solutions to conflict. Today, the international community is confronted with an increasingly challenging global environment marked by ongoing armed conflict, geopolitical tensions, human— humanitarian crises, forced displacement, food insecurity, and growing distrust among nations. These interconnected challenges have not only increased the number of conflicts but have also made them more complex and difficult to resolve. Against this backdrop, the importance of effective mediation has never been greater. The United Nations must continue to strengthen its capacity to respond to emerging challenges promoting dialogue among parties, and building— and build bridges of understanding in order to prevent escalation and support durable political solutions. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes that renewed investment in mediation and preventive diplomacy is essential to addressing today's crisis and safeguarding international peace peace and security for future generations. The Kingdom believes that successful mediation efforts require strong partnership among the United Nations, regional and sub-regional organizations, and member states. Regional actors often possess valuable knowledge of local dynamics and can contribute significantly to increasing conditions conducive to dialogue and reconciliation. In this regard, Saudi Arabia encourages cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations based on the principles of mutual respect and adherence to their purposes and the principle of the Charter of the United Nations. Saudi Arabia has constantly supported initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue dialogue, de-escalation, peaceful settlement of disputes. Guided by its commitment to regional and international stability, the Kingdom has contributed to mediation and facilitation efforts in various contexts and remains convinced that sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive political processes that address the root causes of the conflict and reflect aspirations of affected populations. The Kingdom further underscores the importance of strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations mediation by ensuring adequate resources, investing in preventive diplomacy. Finally, the Kingdom stands ready to work with, with all member states and partners to strengthen the role of the United Nations nations in mediation efforts and advance a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia. I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Guatemala.

Thank you, Madam President. Guatemala firmly aligns itself with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. We reiterate that preventive diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateralism must always be a priority over unilateral force, geopolitical interference, and aggression. Guatemala Canada not only sees this as an issue of foreign policy, but we see it based on our historic experience. Three decades ago, we put an end to 36 years of internal armed conflict through the historic peace agreements that were signed in 1996. This monumental achievement was possible thanks to prolonged negotiations under the auspices of the Good Offices of the Secretary-General. Our history shows us that when the United Nations uses its mediation tools patiently, flexibly, and when it has sustained political support, including in the most deep-rooted conflicts, then it is possible to find a peaceful solution. After those agreements, we can now say that successful mediation needs three fundamental pillars to be successful. Firstly, inclusion and national ownership. A peace process that excludes people that are affected will not last. The very architecture of Guatemala's peace was strengthened with the active participation of civil society. Today, we defend the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all stages of peace and security processes, fully in line with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda Charter and Resolution 1325 of the Security Council. Secondly, the integration of local peace infrastructure— effective mediation cannot just be a vertical process driven forward by the state. Genuine prevention of conflicts begins at the community level, and we're very grateful for the valuable support that the Peacebuilding Fund currently provides to Guatemala in order for us to strengthen our local infrastructure, making it possible to have formal recognition by the ancestral indigenous authorities of the agreement. These mechanisms, national mechanisms, allow us to solve community disputes with regard to resources and land before they escalate. And based on that successful model, we would urge the international community and the Peacebuilding Fund to continue to provide sustainable support. These traditional practices for solving conflicts can be used globally. Finally, international law. When bilateral mediation stagnates, states have to then be bold enough to go to multilateral institutions and submit disputes to the jurisdiction of international courts—represents the maximum expression of the commitment of a state to peace and the rule of law, internationally speaking. Madam President, strengthening the mediation capacities of the UN is essential to achieve the goal of sustainable development, Goal 16, relating to peace, justice, and solid institutions. Mediation is not a sign of weakness. It is the maximum expression of sovereign responsibility. As a country that chose negotiated peace over violence, Guatemala would call upon I call on all member states to reinvest in the diplomatic tools of this organization. We chose dialogue over confrontation and the force of international law over the use of force. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain.

Madam President, the Kingdom of Bahrain, thank you— thanks you for convening this important debate in the context of the agenda item of strengthening the role of mediation, the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution. This is very important in the light of increasingly major conflicts that threaten international peace and security. We thank Türkiye and Finland for their facilitation for organizing this debate. We reiterate that mediation is a peaceful tool enshrined in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter. It is an effective tool for the prevention of conflicts as well as their escalation in order to create a favorable environment for sustainable development in accordance with GA Resolution 65283 on the prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes. In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates the importance of a culture of dialogue and restoring trust between states. These are essential principles for the success of any mediation efforts. Mediation's effectiveness requires a national ownership of the political process and the constructive involvement of all parties, as well as the involvement of the United Nations and regional organizations. We have made mediation and negotiation part of our national policy, and we have employed this approach through initiatives such as the Center of King Hamad, as well as the Declaration on the Freedom of Faith and Religion. This demonstrates that trust and tolerance are an essential foundation when it comes to preventing conflict, estimate, uh, escalation. We believe that conflict prevention begins with addressing the root causes of these conflicts, including underdevelopment, lack of participation or opportunities, as well as a lack of trust. Mediation must work hand in hand with efforts towards sustainable development and upholding the rule of law in order to find lasting, sustainable solutions. We reiterate the importance of the role of the UN, including through the good offices of the Secretary-General and his special envoys, as well as United Nations missions that support mediation efforts as well as conflict prevention efforts. We place a particular emphasis on cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations, uh, pursuant to Chapter 8 of the Charter. These organizations understand national contexts and can bring concrete solutions. Madam President, despite efforts made by a number of countries to strengthen mediation, the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, have been victims of attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran. These attacks are unjustifiable. The principles of international law and the United Nations Charter must be respected. This includes the principles of good neighborliness and the non-interference in the internal affairs and respect for the sovereignty of states. Efforts must be strengthened aimed at preserving peace and stability at the regional level. The safety of maritime corridors must be guaranteed and the safety of international trade must be guaranteed. This is pursuant to a number of relevant Security Council resolutions. Including Resolution 2217, which focused on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We reiterate our commitment to dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and we call for strengthening the role of the United Nations in the context of mediation, as well as strengthening the participation of women and youth in order to achieve greater effectiveness. To conclude, we reiterate that mediation is an investment in lasting peace and a return to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. It is the foundation of a stable system.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh.

Madam President, at the outset, let me thank you and the co-chairs Finland and Türkiye for convening this important debate. Madam President, we meet at a moment when the international community is faced with conflicts and mistrust. Though Article 33 of the UN Charter gives us clear guidance for peaceful means, yet too often we see the international international community reacting only after the violence has escalated. We must shift from this culture of reaction to a culture of prevention. In this context, mediation remains the practical and cost-effective tool. Here I'd like to highlight that since 1999, Bangladesh has been facilitating, facilitating the annual— on a culture of peace, promoting tolerance, dialogue, solidarity, and non-violence. We believe that mediation and a culture of peace are mutually reinforcing and can help prevent societies from falling into hostility. Bangladesh's approach to the Rohingya crisis also speaks of our commitment. We continue to seek a peaceful peaceful and durable solution through dialogue and engagement with Myanmar, with the support of regional and international partners. The return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar remains the only lasting solution. For this, mediation, confidence-building, and coordinated international engagement remain indispensable. Madam President, as a member of the Group Friends on mediation, allow me to highlight some key points here. First, mediation must be used early. Following the early warning, the Good Offices of the Secretary-General, the Mediation Support Unit, Special Envoy, and regional organizations should be supplemented with adequate support and resources by member states. Second, mediation must be Inclusive peace agreements are more durable when they reflect the voices of those most affected by conflict, including women, youth, and displaced communities. In this regard, through our national experience, we believe championing the women, peace, and security agenda can greatly strengthen the inclusive cause. Third, mediation must remain anchored in the values of UN Charter and international law. Adding to the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference, mediation efforts must uphold justice, accountability, and human rights. Fourth, mediation must be linked with peacekeeping, peacebuilding, humanitarian action, and and sustainable development. As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, we believe that force deployments can stabilize— stabilize situations, but durable peace requires continuous dialogue, institution building, and development. Madam President, Bangladesh calls for stronger investment in UN mediation capacity. The General Assembly must complement the work of the Security Council, ECOSOC, the Peacebuilding Commission, and other UN bodies in preventive diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes. We also attach importance on closer cooperation between the UN and regional organizations. Bangladesh remains committed to the ongoing work of the group and will extend its full support. I thank you.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this meeting. We shall hear the remaining speakers at a later date to be announced. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of consideration of sub-item B of Agenda Item 31. The meeting is adjourned.