Remarks by the President of the UN General Assembly,
Mr. Philemon Yang,
On the Report of the Security Council
Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, General Assembly Hall
[As Delivered]
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I welcome the timely adoption of this annual report by the Security Council and its submission to the General Assembly.
Though not analytical, the data it provides sheds light on when and how the Security Council can act, and where it is unable to do so.
Take, for example, the positive: this year’s report shows that the Council came together to renew the mandates of numerous peacekeeping operations as well as special political missions.
Conversely, there are also developments that should concern us.
In 2024 alone, seven draft resolutions were vetoed by the Council, an increase from the previous year.
In terms of process, I was glad to have followed the steps of my predecessors and to have consolidated the practice of convening an informal consultation early in the year.
This year we did it in January, alongside the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation as the delegation responsible for the drafting of the introduction to the report.
I trust that this encouraging trend of enhanced cooperation and coordination between the General Assembly and the Security Council will continue.
Excellencies,
In addition, I would like to note that over the past year, the Security Council and the General Assembly have worked in close cooperation, each within its respective mandate.
This collaboration has included the monthly meetings I have held with the incoming President of the Security Council.
I have also initiated informal trilateral meetings among the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council to discuss matters of common concern.
Together with the President of the Security Council, I convened a joint informal interactive dialogue on the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review.
Later this afternoon, I will address the joint meeting of the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission on building and sustaining peace in Haiti.
One idea runs through all these efforts.
A simple truth that has been clear to me throughout my presidency: people living through conflict, poverty, and crisis do not care about institutional divisions within the United Nations.
Nor should they.
They see “United” as the key word in our Organisation’s name.
They expect all parts of it to work together, with one goal: to respond to their needs.
As we mark eighty years of the United Nations, we are reminded of our shared duty to act.
To take real, meaningful steps that improve lives, together.
I will continue working to strengthen this Assembly’s relationship with the Security Council, guided by the highest aspiration enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Peace, for everyone, everywhere.
I thank you.
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Media Contacts
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Dr. Mariam Shaikh, Adviser/ Social and Digital Media/Media Relations, M: +1 917 3614990, Email: mariam.shaikh@un.org
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