Remarks by the President of the General Assembly
Mr. Philemon Yang
at the plenary meeting under the agenda item “use of the Veto”
6 March 2025
General Assembly Hall
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We meet once again pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 76/262—also known as the veto initiative—following the casting of a veto by a permanent member of the Security Council.
It is regrettable that we must convene under these circumstances, as the frequency of vetoes has continued to rise since 2022.
Today’s meeting serves as yet another reminder that, while the Security Council bears primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, the General Assembly plays a crucial role in responding to conflicts and crises.
The efforts of both must be complementary, reinforcing one another in the pursuit of peace.
In this regard, I welcome the timely submission of the Security Council’s special report on the use of the veto on 28 February.
The Veto initiative clearly demonstrates an improvement in the United Nations capacity to address matters of international security. But, we could do more. We could reflect on how the outcomes of deliberations on the Veto initiative can be more binding.
Excellencies,
The General Assembly must remain steadfast in promoting peaceful solutions and inclusive dialogue.
At the plenary meeting of the Eleventh Emergency Special Session on 24 February 2025, the General Assembly adopted two resolutions: one entitled, ‘Advancing a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine’ and the other entitled ‘The Path to Peace’.
In both, the General Assembly reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Moreover, the Assembly was unequivocal in its call for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Ukraine and the Russian Federation—a peace that aligns with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of sovereign equality and territorial integrity.
I call upon Member States to actively work toward the implementation of these resolutions and to reaffirm their commitment to upholding the United Nations Charter and international law.
Let us meet this responsibility with urgency and resolve to make a just and lasting peace a reality.
I thank you.
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More Information on the UNGA 60th Plenary Meeting.
Use of the veto – Item 63: Special report of the Security Council (A/79/804)
Debate pursuant to resolution 76/262
– Global health and foreign policy – Item 127
- Draft resolution A/79/L.58 Scope, modalities, format and organization of the fourth high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being
- A/79/L.60 draft amendment to draft resolution A/79/L.58
- Action on the draft amendment and the draft resolution
- UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k16/k16fiq8iti
Media Contacts
Sharon Birch, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly, Tel: +1 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org
Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
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Resolutions of the 79th Session – UN General Assembly
