Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
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General Assembly first formal debate on the Use of the Veto
(As Delivered)
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
“Only he deserves power who every day justifies it”.
These are the words of our second Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld.
Words that get right to the heart of our reason for meeting today.
A year ago, you all came together and adopted the “veto initiative”.
This move was in itself a breakthrough. A gamechanger.
This new agenda item opened the door for a new form of collaboration and accountability.
It plays a pivotal role in bringing two key organs of our institution – the General Assembly and the Security Council – closer together.
These organs were designed to be complementary.
I commend the membership for taking a step further in this direction with today’s first ever formal debate on the use of the veto.
This is a unique opportunity to, rather than sow division, seek unity.
The General Assembly and the Security Council have separate mandates. But we must share the same goal.
This goal is of a future free from the scourge of war, in a world nurtured by genuinely United Nations.
To the outside world we are One UN.
One UN that must deliver on the promise to ensure global peace and security.
Today’s debate is an unprecedented opportunity to discuss how our new tool can make this ideal a reality, for all.
We do not meet to discuss Security Council reform. Nor to pit UN bodies against each other.
We are here to figure out the best ways to exploit this new instrument in our big UN toolbox.
Do you want it just to replicate divisions at the Security Council?
Or do you want a General Assembly that complements the work of the Council, being more active on specific issues and situations, as it has done in the past?
Do you want the General Assembly to take decisions, consider concrete recommendations and send these back to the Council?
Which direction do you think we should go?
There is no wrong answer, only new ideas.
And I do genuinely encourage you to use this debate creatively and constructively.
Ask tough questions.
Seek game-changing solutions.
Dare to be bold.
Dare to bring about change for a more efficient and impact-oriented UN.
The issue of the use of the veto affects the whole UN.
And the decisions taken in these halls – or the lack of decisions – reverberate world-wide.
Vetoes should always remain the very last resort.
It is my hope that Council members can come together, and work for viable solutions.
To go beyond their immediate interests.
To act responsibly for the sake of peace across the world.
That way we will never have to fall back on the veto resolution.
Because, in my view, it is like an oxygen mask in an airplane: good to have, but best never to be used.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just as the Security Council sends its special report to our Assembly when a veto is cast, I intend to send the verbatim records of today’s debate, as well as all future debates on this item, back to the Council President.
With this in mind, I ask you to be as solution-oriented, and concrete, as possible.
Today’s exchange of views cannot be just a pro forma event, or a mere administrative procedure.
This is an opportunity to chart new avenues for multilateralism and cooperation.
An opportunity to rebuild trust both within our institution and in it.
An opportunity to do better for the 8 billion who count on us.
Let me close my statement with wise words by the same man, Dag Hammarskjöld: “It is by playing safe that we create a world of utmost insecurity”.
And we are here to create a world where people can thrive in peace and security.
I wish you all a very fruitful discussion today.
I thank you.
