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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 10.00 A.M., GA Hall<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are meeting today for the third time under the agenda item \u201cUse of the veto\u201d following the adoption of resolution 76\/262 on 26 April 2022.<\/p>\n This resolution, which is better known as the \u201cVeto Initiative\u201d remains a significant milestone that goes beyond mere symbolism.<\/p>\n This resolution, passed by consensus, ensures that the Security Council is held accountable each time a permanent member casts a veto.<\/p>\n Since its adoption, we have held ten debates in this same format, each time demonstrating how the Veto Initiative contributes to increased transparency and accountability.<\/p>\n With another veto cast at the Security Council this week, the relevance of the Veto Initiative becomes even more profound.<\/p>\n The Veto Initiative builds on the Uniting for Peace resolution, under which the 10th and 11th Emergency Special Sessions have been convened in recent years, leading to several constructive actions.<\/p>\n However, the achievement of the Veto Initiative is bittersweet.<\/p>\n Its very existence underscores the troubling reality that divisions in the Security Council are incapacitating this vital organ of the United Nations from taking action.<\/p>\n Its very existence, however, also underscores that in such circumstances the General Assembly can step in to act.<\/p>\n Too often, against strong majorities in the Security Council and an uproar among Member States and the public opinion, we are faced with paralysis, inaction, and a failure to address urgent global crises.<\/p>\n We have seen this paralysis impair responses to pressing situations in Gaza, Syria, Mali, the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, and Ukraine.<\/p>\n The vetoing of a draft Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Sudan this week proves further that inaction has often become the norm, not the exception.<\/p>\n A norm that directly undermines the Council\u2019s mandate, damaging the United Nation\u2019s legitimacy as a whole and, more importantly, its credibility.<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n It is true that the Veto Initiative arose out of frustration and deadlock within the Security Council.<\/p>\n However, I urge each of you to reflect on new approaches that we can take to improve our Organization\u2019s effectiveness and credibility; to reflect on how we can uphold the moral authority of this Organization.<\/p>\n We need to respond to crucial questions:<\/p>\n Should the General Assembly build on the Veto Initiative and adopt further measures to ensure that international peace and security are upheld?<\/p>\n Should it recommend action to parties in conflict, or to the Security Council itself?<\/p>\n Or should we consider other tools at our disposal, such as seeking advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice?<\/p>\n I invite Member States to reflect on these and other questions, including in the context of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Revitalization of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n While we must fully support the Security Council to discharge its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, the General Assembly must be ready to act in case of a deadlock.<\/p>\n The pursuit of global peace and saving future generations from the \u201cscourge of war\u201d are embedded in the very purpose of the United Nations\u2014a founding mission enshrined in its Charter.<\/p>\n As the most inclusive, representative, and authoritative platform for global dialogue, the General Assembly has a crucial role in this mission.<\/p>\n Let us move forward with boldness, using the full authority vested in us.<\/p>\n Let us constructively use the synergetic relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council in the interest of achieving international peace and security.<\/p>\n When the Security Council is unable to fulfill its responsibilities, this General Assembly should embrace its own authority to act.<\/p>\n If the Member States decide so, the General Assembly can act decisively and employ all mechanisms at its disposal to uphold and advance peace and security worldwide.<\/p>\n This is the mission of our Organization.<\/p>\n And it is our responsibility to carry it forward.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/p>\n ****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Media\u00a0Contacts<\/b><\/p>\n Sharon Birch<\/b>,\u00a0Spokesperson for\u00a0the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh, <\/b>Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0: Website<\/a><\/u><\/b>:\u00a0 <\/b>YouTube: <\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0<\/b>X (Twitter):<\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0<\/b>Instagram<\/a><\/u><\/b>:\u00a0 <\/b>LinkedIn: <\/a><\/u><\/b>\u00a0<\/b>Photo Repository<\/a><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/4NQzOoQ7Hpw” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General AssemblyMr. Phil\u00e9mon Yangat the plenary debate under agenda item 63 entitled \u201cuse of the veto\u201d \u00a0 Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 10.00 A.M., GA […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Mr. Phil\u00e9mon Yang
<\/strong>at the plenary debate under agenda item 63 entitled \u201cuse of the veto\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n