Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
H.E Philemon Yang,
20th plenary meeting of the eleventh Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the General Assembly on Ukraine
24 February 2025
[As Delivered on his behalf by Vice President H.E. Ambassador Francisco Jose? da Cruz, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola to the United Nations
]
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Today marks a grim milestone.
Three years have now passed since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine¡ªan act of aggression that has led to untold bloodshed and destruction.
And yet, the tragedy continues.
According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, civilian casualties rose by 30 percent last year compared to the year before. More lives shattered. More futures lost.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine remains dire.
The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, launched last month, estimates that 12.7 million people¡ªroughly 36 percent of the country’s population¡ªwill require assistance this year.
We cannot afford another year of this unjust war.
The General Assembly has been clear and unwavering.
It has adopted six resolutions demanding the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine¡¯s territory and an end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
These resolutions have consistently reaffirmed the need for a peaceful solution¡ªone rooted in the Charter of the United Nations, in the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity.
At a time when the United Nations is under intense scrutiny, and when the Security Council is deadlocked on matters of key importance for our collective security, the General Assembly has demonstrated its ability¡ªand its responsibility¡ªto act.
Colleagues,
Russia¡¯s aggression against Ukraine is a grave violation of the United Nations Charter.
As the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Charter approaches, we must reaffirm that lasting and meaningful peace will never be achieved through force.
It will come through silencing the guns, turning to dialogue and diplomacy, and upholding the principles enshrined in the Charter.
We must be prepared to promote inclusive dialogue and actively work towards a just and sustainable peace¡ªone firmly anchored in international law, General Assembly resolutions, and, above all, the will and rights of Ukraine and its people.
This Assembly must stand firm in its resolve to find a way forward towards peace.
Let us prove¡ªthrough action, not words¡ªthat a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is within our reach.
Thank you.
Media Contacts
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