Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

8 June 2022

 

Excellencies,

 

It is my firm belief that a more efficient and accountable United Nations can help build a more resilient world. This conviction is reflected in the fact that I made revitalizing the United Nations one of my key priorities for this session.

That is why I welcome resolution 76/262 – mandating a meeting of the General Assembly whenever a veto is cast in the Security Council. It is with good reason that it has been coined as ‘revolutionary’ by several world leaders I have recently met.

By mandating discussion, and by encouraging reflection on every veto cast, it fosters further accountability of this great organization.

While the Security Council is the prime UN organ responsible for the maintenance of peace and security, the Charter also mandates an important role for the General Assembly in this regard. On matters of international dispute, the General Assembly has a right – and a responsibility – to act.

At this time, when questions have been raised about the Security Council’s ability to carry out its mandate, and at a time when multilateralism itself is under duress, the General Assembly and its membership have demonstrated a commitment to uphold the UN Charter and international law.

Furthermore, I note that General Assembly resolution 75/325 on ‘Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly’ “encourages regular interaction and continued coordination between the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the ECOSOC” to “reinforce synergy, coherence and complementarity”.

Those values and sentiments continue to guide my Presidency, and they must guide our multilateral discussions.

Excellencies,

On the context that spurred the proposal, I have this to say: achieving a nuclear-free world is a universal hope. The existence and proliferation of these weapons poses an existential danger not only to humanity, but to all life on this planet.

We, as the international community must redouble our efforts to realize our common vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

And we must mobilize with conviction and energy to resolve the many security challenges that humanity currently confronts. Our constituents expect nothing less of us, and we owe it to them to deliver.

In this task, the General Assembly has a critical role to play. Our discussions and deliberations here can – and must – renew our commitments toward non-proliferation, nuclear-disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Let us keep that responsibility in mind as we begin our conversation.

In that spirit, I look forward to today’s debate.

Thank you.