Remarks by the President of the General UN Assembly,
H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang,
at the Tenth Emergency Special Session
Thursday, 12 June 2025
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We convene today following the use of the veto by a permanent member of the Security Council against a draft resolution that contained three urgent demands:
– One, an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties;
– Two, the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups;
- And three, the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the United Nations and humanitarian partners, throughout the Gaza Strip.
After 20 months of war, the horrors in Gaza must end.
Despite the urgency, the Security Council remains once again paralysed on this issue, unable to fulfil its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
And once again the General Assembly is called upon to take the lead in addressing the unacceptable and catastrophic situation in Gaza.
It is unacceptable that the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, persists with no end in sight.
It is unacceptable that hostages continue to be held.
It is unacceptable that civilians are wilfully deprived of food, water and medicine.
And that they continue to be forcibly displaced.
Today, the General Assembly is called upon to act.
As representatives of the international community, we must translate our commitment
- To the Charter of the United Nations
- To international law
- To justice
- And to the dignity and worth of every human being
into meaningful action on the ground.
These values are not simply ideals.
They are the very foundation of hope and peace.
Together, we must work to finally end the horrors in Gaza.
We must start building a better future where the peoples of Palestine and Israel can live in peace, security and dignity in their own sovereign and independent States.
Next week, Member States will have an opportunity to showcase their resolve in realising that promise at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
Let us not forget that the two-State solution is based on resolution 181, adopted by the General Assembly in 1947 – 78 years ago – and reaffirmed by many other resolutions.
I call upon all delegations in this Hall today to do the utmost:
To lay the groundwork for the two-State solution.
It is the prize for durable peace and security between Israel and Palestine.
The time to act is now.
I thank you.
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Media Contacts
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