(Continued) Promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes - Security Council, 9962nd meeting Security Council Date: 24 July 2025 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/sc/9962/3 Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- Pakistan · President [0:00]: The 9,962nd meeting of the Security Council is resumed. I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Bahrain. Bahrain · Permanent Representative [0:24]: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, at the outset, please allow me to welcome His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Adar, at the open debate. I thank Pakistan for convening this important meeting. I also extend my thanks to the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his valuable briefing and ongoing efforts to promote international peace and security. Mr. President, the challenges facing the world today, however complicated, can be addressed with collective will and renewed commitment to multilateralism grounded in shared values, with the people's prosperity at the core. The principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations most notably the peaceful settlement of disputes, are effective tools for conflict resolution and prevention, peacebuilding, and development. In the Pact for the Future adopted, member states pledged to promote cooperation and understanding, defuse tension, seek the peaceful settlement of disputes, and resolve conflicts. Mr. President, in his speech, Thank you. By His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect him, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, he said that the UN embodied the living conscience of the world and that the Kingdom of Bahrain endeavored to promote its historic cooperation with the UN to achieve shared development and humanitarian objectives and promote strategic partnerships to address global challenges. Pakistan · President [2:21]: Thank you. Bahrain · Permanent Representative [2:21]: For the benefit of humanity. Mr. President, Bahrain reiterates its unwavering commitment to conflict resolution through peace and diplomacy. This is grounded in the values and principles we uphold: moderation, openness, coexistence, mutual respect, respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and the settlement of disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. This will lay solid foundations for regional and international peace, security, stability, and development. Given the protracted conflicts in the Middle East, Bahrain reiterates its full support for the rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to live in peace, dignity, and freedom. We support efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the scaled-up delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need and the reconstruction of Mr. President, Bahrain underscores the importance of further developing the working methods of the UN, including the Security Council, and promoting cooperation with regional organizations for an enhanced multilateral system that copes more effectively with fast-paced challenges. During the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister said that the systems in place to promote the rules-based international order came under mounting pressure, hence the need for the U.N. and the Security Council to evolve to keep pace with current geopolitical transformations and effectively shoulder their global mandates. Bahrain thus supports a consensus-based and comprehensive reform of the organization to make it more representative effective, and capable of collectively responding to global challenges. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its unwavering commitment to multilateralism and to the settlement of disputes through dialogue, negotiations, peaceful means, and diplomacy. The settlement of dispute remains the best means to achieve peace, security, stability, and prosperity for all peoples. Thank you for your kind attention. Pakistan · President [4:56]: I thank the Permanent Representative of Bahrain for his statement and now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Armenia. Armenia · Permanent Representative [5:08]: Mr. President, we thank the Presidency for organizing this UN Security Council open debate focused on the role of multilateralism in promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes While all Member States of the United Nations are bound by their commitment to seek settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, we regretfully continue to witness proliferation of conflicts across the globe and a sustained pattern of the use of threats of force to advance political goals. Racism, xenophobia, state-led politics, of incitement to hatred on ethnic and religious grounds, disinformation, fabricated historical narratives used to justify aggression continue to undermine international peace and security in various parts of the world. We attach great importance to international legal mechanisms that prevent grave violations of international law and ensure accountability. In this vein, the imperative for robust Early warning and early action mechanisms are critical, with the central role of the UN Security Council as the primary body mandated to maintain international peace and security. This should include effective conflict prevention mechanisms. Arm control, disarmament, and non-proliferation play an indispensable role in ensuring military and political stability and international, regional, and sub-regional levels. Mr. President, Armenia, remaining faithful to achieving just and lasting peace in the region and building good neighbourly relations, has taken decisive steps towards regional peace and stability. As a result of consistent effort, just a few months ago, Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized the text of the draft agreement on peace and establishment of diplomatic relations. Armenia has also announced its readiness to begin consultations on the venue and timing for signing this historic agreement. We stand ready to seize the momentum to bring peace to our peoples. We have introduced important initiatives, such as the Crossroads of Peace, aimed at opening all regional communications for the movement of people and goods across the South Caucasus, based on respect for sovereignty, national jurisdiction, as well as equality and reciprocity. This initiative is a real and tangible invitation to all our neighbours to shift the paradigm in our region from confrontation to trade, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts as vital catalysts for peace. To build another layer of confidence and promote peace in our relations with Azerbaijan, we have submitted a written proposal for establishing a bilateral mechanism for mutual arms control. We are convinced that through bilateral arrangements we can promote transparency, build confidence, and reduce misperceptions and security risks. Mr. President, in conclusion, we once again reaffirm our commitment to effective multilateralism, with the United Nations as its core, which is capable to prevent and respond to situations which, if left unaddressed, could lead to dangerous escalations and drive violations. I thank you. Pakistan · President [8:27]: Thanking the representative of Armenia for the statement, I now give the floor to the representative of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe [8:34]: Thank you, Mr. President. Zimbabwe thanks the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for convening this important debate and commends the Secretary-General for his insightful briefing. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we must recommit to its founding promise to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to resolve disputes by peaceful means. In today's world of deepening conflict, geopolitical rivalry, and emerging threats such as cyber insecurity, the tools of peace must be sharpened. Zimbabwe reaffirms the primacy of Chapter 6 of the Charter and supports the call in Action 16 of the Pact for the Future for full use of peaceful dispute settlement mechanisms negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and the good offices of the Secretary-General. These instruments must not lie dormant until crises erupt. Conflict prevention must begin upstream, addressing tensions early and proactively. Articles 33 and 36 of the Charter are clear in both their obligations and powers, yet the Council too often defaults to reactive crisis management. We urge greater use of fact-finding missions, mediation panels, and special envoys supported by political will, adequate resources, and genuine impartiality. In this regard, Zimbabwe welcomes Pakistan's initiative to institutionalize regular reporting on conflict prevention and supports a stronger advisory role for the Peacebuilding Commission. Mr. President, we also call for enhanced cooperation between the UN and regional organizations under Chapter 8. Africa has long championed homegrown solutions. The African Union and SADC remain indispensable partners, and we support deeper collaboration in early warning, mediation, and capacity building. As we say in Africa, when the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches. The roots of conflict— exclusion, injustice, poverty— must be addressed through inclusive governance, equitable development, and reconciliation. Finally, peace is more than the absence of war. It is the presence of justice, dignity, and mutual respect. We call for the meaningful inclusion of women and youth in peace processes and for the strength and protection of human rights and the rule of law. Mr. President, in conclusion, Zimbabwe reiterates its firm belief in the value of inclusive multilateralism. A more representative Security Council, greater coherence across the UN system, and stronger partnerships with regional organizations will be critical to building durable peace. I thank you. Pakistan · President [11:28]: Thank the representative of Zimbabwe for the statement, and now give the floor to the permanent representative Mr. Saudi Arabia · Permanent Representative [11:41]: President, Your Excellencies, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. At the outset, I would like to express our thanks to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its initiative to hold this debate at a very important time when the world is witnessing an escalation in the pace of crises and a growing number of challenges facing the multilateral international system. And we also appreciate the efforts of your distinguished presidency of the Council this month. And we also extend our thanks to His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his valuable briefing. Mr. President, my country's foreign policy is based on a firm commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and a strong belief that multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes constitute the cornerstone of the main maintenance of international peace and security. My country has stressed in various forums the need to adhere to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, foremost among them respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the adoption of peaceful means of settling disputes as the essence of international system based on law. My country believes that genuine and effective multilateralism is the best way to face the complex challenges that threaten international peace and security. Sustainable peace can only be achieved through genuine collective will, as well as the activation of fair and transparent mechanisms and the full implementation of international resolutions in a comprehensive manner, free from selectivity and double standards. Mr. President, my country has made mediation and dialogue a consistent approach in its foreign policy and has always sought to support initiatives for a political solution and has facilitated dialogue among conflicting parties and has attached the utmost importance to the path of a peaceful settlement. This has been demonstrated by its leadership role in supporting mediation and dialogue efforts both regionally and internationally. the framework of its partnership with the U.N. and other actors, has sought to facilitate political solutions to the crises in Yemen, the Sudan, Lebanon, Libya, and others, recognizing that military solutions only produce more suffering and that dialogue is the only way towards a more stable and equitable future. My country reiterates its full support for the effort of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the field of preventive diplomacy and good offices, and calls for strengthening the capacity of the Secretariat and enabling it to have effective tools for early intervention and the settlement of disputes in line with what— in line with what was stated in the Pact for the Future, which stressed the need for proactive action to address crises before they escalate. In this context, the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip represents a blatant example of the failure of the international community to settle disputes by peaceful means and of the declining effectiveness of multilateralism in the maintenance of international peace and security. The Israeli military operations have led to heavy casualties, widespread destruction, and a worsening humanitarian crisis that threatens regional and international stability. This situation underscores the urgent need to activate the tools of diplomatic prevention and peaceful settlement in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and resolutions of international legitimacy to ensure the protection of civilians and end the recurrent cycle of violence. Mr. President, experience has shown that the lack of both political will and respect for international relations only prolong conflicts and undermine the credibility of the international system. Achieving a just and sustainable peace requires a transition from the logic of crisis management to the logic of sustainable solutions. In this context, my country within the framework of its Vision 2030, attaches increasing importance to the promotion of global stability through partnerships based on dialogue and sustainable development, and devotes an approach based on partnership, integration, and development as the basic pillars of achieving security and peace at the regional and international levels. It affirms that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of conflicts through comprehensive political solutions that take into account the aspirations of peoples and promote justice and dignity. In closing, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, my country renews its firm commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at consolidating multilateralism, promoting a culture of dialogue, and activating mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes in order to build a more just and stable international order that meets the aspirations of future generations. I thank you, Mr. President. Pakistan · President [17:21]: I thank the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia for the statement and now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine. Ukraine [17:31]: Thank you, Mr. President. Ukraine welcomes the initiative of the Presidency of Pakistan to convene this debate, and we are grateful to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing. Multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes constitutes a cornerstone of the UN founding vision. These principles are fundamental prerequisites for the maintenance of international peace and security. Today, multilateralism is facing perhaps its gravest test since the establishment of the UN. The full-scale war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine represents a blatant violation of the UN Charter. It is a direct assault on the very foundations of international law and the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes. This aggression is not only a war against Ukraine, it is a war against international law and multilateralism itself. Russia has weaponized food, energy, and even nuclear threats creating ripple effects far beyond Ukraine's borders. It is the antithesis of multilateralism. It is coercion through force, not diplomacy. Mr. President, the peaceful settlement of disputes requires not just dialogue, but also good faith, respect for international law, and accountability. Ukraine has consistently demonstrated commitment to peace through diplomatic channels and negotiations. Based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Multilateralism, to be effective, must be supported in good faith by the international— wide international community. It must not be reduced to an empty ritual. Nowhere is this contradiction more visible than in this Chamber. A state that commits aggression against its neighbor continues to enjoy the privileges of a permanent seat and exercises veto power. To shield itself from accountability. This structural flaw severely undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council. We therefore reiterate the urgent need to reform the UN Security Council as the core platform for the peaceful settlement of disputes, including by addressing the misuse of the veto. Mr. President, true multilateralism demands action not only to prevent war, mediate, and facilitate dialogue, but also to ensure justice. It demands collective courage to uphold international law and to act decisively in the face of aggression. It also requires strengthening the UN's preventive tools, from early warning to mediation and conflict resolution support, and ensuring their impartial application. Ukraine believes that building sustainable peace requires the meaningful participation of all affected States and peoples. Let us be clear: if we allow aggression to go unpunished and principles to be selectively applied, we will set a dangerous precedent. We will signal that might makes right, a message that will embolden future aggressors and jeopardize global peace. And aggressor, instead of bearing consequences of its unlawful actions, will enjoy privileges as any other member state. state. The international community cannot allow this. Peace has a chance— comprehensive, just, and lasting peace has a chance— when accountability is in place. Ukraine stands ready to work with all responsible nations to protect and revitalize multilateralism for the peaceful settlement of disputes, not as a slogan, but as a force of diplomacy for real solutions. Thank you. Pakistan · President [21:05]: Thank the representative of Ukraine for the statement. And now I give the floor to the representative of Burundi. Burundi [21:17]: President, Burundi welcomes the holding of this high-level debate. We would like to thank the Pakistani presidency for this timely initiative. We also welcome the statement delivered by the Secretary-General. His unswerving commitment to preventive diplomacy deserves our full support. The world is living through a period characterized by persistent unresolved disputes, protracted tensions, and the resurgence of geopolitical rivalries. Far too often, the mechanisms set forth by the UN Charter to prevent crises are either underutilized or even ignored. The price to pay for this inertia is measured in lives lost, in regional instability, and in weakening of the international rules-based order. The promotion of peace through dialogue is today an absolute necessity, especially in light of recent developments in the international arena. Confronted with the multiplying crises and an exacerbation of tensions, today More than ever, there's a pressing need for the international community to exhibit discernment and integrity. This requires placing diplomacy and dialogue at the heart of our collective efforts so as to promote de-escalation and craft lasting solutions. Leaving conflict dynamics to play out in the hope that peace will spontaneously prevail once military means have been exhausted would be a serious error of judgment, with sizable human and political repercussions. In this spirit, Burundi would like to welcome the appointment of His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, as the African Union's Special Envoy for the Sahel. This appointment attests to the African Union's renewed commitment to conflict prevention and dialogue, all the while demonstrating the trust Placed in Burundi's willingness to actively contribute to stability and peace in the strategic region. We reaffirm our strong determination to supporting this mission in close cooperation with regional and international partners, working in the spirit of African solidarity and constructive multilateral cooperation. President, the peaceful settlement of disputes lies at the heart of the collective security architecture. Established by the Charter. It is also the very basis of the United Nations identity. Chapter 6 provides for concrete tools— negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. They have proven to be useful in many a situation. Burundi believes that the Security Council absolutely must accord the necessary place to these tools. Too many conflicts have been aggravated due to the absence of early warning, structured dialogue, or a willingness to compromise. We must buck this trend. First, it's high time that we put Chapter 6 of the Charter to use in a more bold and systematic fashion. We encourage the Council to proactively take up situations of tension, drawing on the Secretary-Generals, regional organizations, and member states. An emerging crisis met with silence is a squandered opportunity to prevent violence. Second, Burundi calls for building up Secretariat capacity as regards preventive diplomacy. The Mediation Support Unit, although it is effective, is under-resourced. It is vital that we provide the Unit with the human, technical and financial resources required for it to act rapidly, discreetly and flexibly. The Secretary-General's good offices must be used in full. The SG's impartiality is a strength that we should draw on more. Third, the Security Council should establish structural cooperation with regional organizations. Regional mechanisms are better versed in local dynamics. They speak the people's languages and they often enjoy trust the roots of which run deep. Their contribution— that of these mechanisms— to mediation and reconciliation is valuable. The Security Council would gain from establishing institutionalized and regular dialogue with these actors. Fourth, Burundi would like to propose the setting up of a registry of peaceful settlement of disputes good practices hosted by the UN. This registry would be a tool for financing, training, and Capacity building, especially for the benefit of developing countries. It contributes to building a genuine culture of dialogue in international relations. President, the Pact for the Future, in particular its Action 16, powerfully calls for peace. Unless we have cooperation, mutual understanding, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, we won't have lasting peace. Paragraph 37 calls on us to intensify early diplomatic efforts. This is a call which Burundi takes very seriously because we know full well peace is never a done deal. Peace has to be built patiently with courage, lucidity, and humility. Last but not least, President, Burundi remains fully committed to preventive multilateralism— multilateralism that's reactive and effective. We will continue supporting all initiatives which help diplomacy dialogue and mediation to prevail over a logic of confrontation. I thank you. Pakistan · President [27:07]: I thank the representative of Burundi for the statement and now give the floor to the representative of Georgia. Georgia [27:16]: Mr. President, Excellencies, at the outset let me express our gratitude for the presidency of Pakistan for convening this important debate. Georgia aligns itself with the— made by the European Union and I would like to make some additional remarks in my national capacity. Multilateralism, a global rules-based international system with the United Nations in the core, are the key for ensuring the maintenance of international peace and security. However, today we witness that multilateralism has been undergoing one of the most challenging periods since the establishment of the UN. Nearly 8 decades since it was founded, we still live in a world where the founding principles of the UN are violated on a daily basis. crises, as conflicts are raging all over the world. Moreover, grave threats stemming from hybrid warfare, pandemic diseases, technology-enabled cyber-related threats, and the rapid spread of disinformation, coupled with unmitigated climate change, exacerbate this gloom reality. Unfortunately, my own country is not an exception. Excellencies, as I speak, Russia's illegal occupation of 2 regions of my country, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, still continues in a blatant violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law, the UN Charter and its other international commitments, and earlier the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement. Russia's illegal occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinval regions of Georgia continues to have severe impacts on populations living therein and areas adjacent to the occupation line. Both regions remain heavily militarized with Russia's full-fledged military bases. Russia's ongoing steps towards the de facto annexation of these Georgian regions through gradually dragging them into its military, political, economic, social, and legal system further aggravate the situation. Let me also underline that to this very day, even international human rights mechanisms are not allowed to enter the occupied regions. We believe that multilateralism and the respect for the rules-based international order must be a foundation to eliminate these threats and ensure international peace and security, upholding human rights and attaining sustainable development. However, multilateralism works when the members of the international community abide by their common rules and principles. While the governments have primary responsibility for peacebuilding and sustaining peace, the United Nations system also can do to build more peaceful and resilient societies. In this context, within broader UN system reform, the Security Council's reform has a special role to play, which is also reflected in the recently adopted Pact of the Future, stating that it should be a member-state-driven process. Our position implies equitable representation and enlargement of the Security Council, reform of the use of veto, the working methods and decision-making principles of the Council, as well as more accountability before the General Assembly, as they will increase its legitimacy, authority, and credibility. Emanating from the UN Charter, no state shall be presiding over another state and be above the authority of the collective decisions made by the United Nations. Without going into details, let me underline the need for fully enforcing the current UN Charter by the Council, namely Article 27.3, stipulating that in a series of specific important decisions, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting. Moreover, the restriction of a veto right shall be applied when the Security Council addresses core crimes. Furthermore, coordination between the UN and regional organizations can also play an important role in conflict prevention, post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and development, as they are better equipped for dealing with the peculiar challenges characterized by regional and sub-regional contexts. The United Nations should continue endeavors aimed at addressing pressing global challenges through collective actions. We shall collectively recommit to ensuring peaceful world based on the international law, with the UN Charter at its core, better upholding human rights, and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In conclusion, let me underscore that our collective promise for peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development depends entirely on our commitment to the UN Charter and international law. I thank you for your kind attention. Pakistan · President [32:01]: I thank the representative of Georgia for the statement. With this, we have concluded the open debate on promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.