Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks to the Security Council on multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes, in New York today:
I want to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan for convening today's open debate. The topic of today's debate shines a light on the clear connection between international peace and multilateralism.
Eighty years ago, the United Nations was founded with a primary purpose - to safeguard humanity from the scourge of war. The architects of the United Nations Charter recognized that the peaceful resolution of disputes is the lifeline when geopolitical tensions escalate, when unresolved disputes fuel the flames of conflict and when States lose trust in each other.
The Charter lays out a number of important tools to forge peace. Article 2.3 of the UN Charter is clear: "All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered."
Chapter VI of the Charter is equally clear on the specific responsibilities of this Council to help ensure the pacific settlement of disputes "by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice". Action 16 of the Pact of the Future calls on Member States to recommit to all the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
I commend Pakistan for utilizing its presidency to put forward a resolution urging all Member States to make full use of these tools in our collective pursuit of global peace. This is needed now more than ever.
Around the world, we see an utter disregard for - if not outright violations of - international law - including international human rights law, international refugee law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter itself, without any accountability.
These failures to uphold international obligations are coming at a time of widening geopolitical divides and conflicts. And the cost is staggering - measured in human lives, shattered communities, and lost futures.
We need look no further than the horror show in Gaza - with a level of death and destruction without parallel in recent times. Malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door.
And now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. That system is being denied the conditions to function. Denied the space to deliver. Denied the safety to save lives. With Israeli military operations intensifying and new displacement orders issued in Deir al-Balah, devastation is being layered upon devastation.
I am appalled that UN premises have been struck - among them facilities of the UN Office for Project Services and the World Health Organization (WHO), including WHO's main warehouse. This is despite all parties having been informed of the locations of these UN facilities. These premises are inviolable and must be protected under international humanitarian law - without exception.
From Gaza to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, and many other parts of the world, conflict is raging, international law is being trampled, and hunger and displacement are at record levels. And terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime remain persistent scourges pushing security further out of reach.
Diplomacy may not have always succeeded in preventing conflicts, violence and instability. But it still holds the power to stop them. Peace is a choice. And the world expects the UN Security Council to help countries make this choice. This Council is at the centre of the global architecture for peace and security. Its creation reflected a central truth.
Competition between States is a geopolitical reality. But cooperation - anchored in shared interests and the greater good - is the sustainable pathway to peace. Too often, we see divisions, entrenched positions and escalatory discourse blocking solutions and the effectiveness of the Council.
But we have also seen some inspiring examples of finding common ground and forging solutions to global problems.
For example, today marks three years since the signing of the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation - efforts that show what we can achieve through mediation and the good offices of the United Nations, even during the most challenging moments.
And we've seen many other recent examples.
From the Sevilla Conference on Financing for Development, to the Oceans Conference in Nice, to the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction and the Cybercrime Treaty, to the Pact for the Future adopted last year.
The Pact, in particular, demonstrates a clear re-commitment by the world to strengthen the United Nations collective security system. Drawing from the New Agenda for Peace, it prioritizes preventive diplomacy and mediation - all areas where this Council can play a vital role.
As we look to the theme of today's debate, I see three areas where we can live up to the Pact's call to renew our commitment to - and the world's faith in - the multilateral problem-solving architecture.
First - this Council's members, in particular its permanent members, must continue working to overcome divisions. The majority of situations on the Security Council's agenda are complex and resist quick fixes.
But even in the darkest days of the cold war, the collective dialogue and decision-making in this Council underpinned a common and effective system of global security. One that successfully deployed a range of peacekeeping missions. One that opened the door for vital humanitarian aid to flow to people in need. And one that helped prevent a third World War.
I urge you to summon this same spirit by keeping channels open, continuing to listen in good faith, and working to overcome differences and building consensus.
We must also work to ensure that this Council reflects the world of today, not the world of 80 years ago. This Council should be made more representative of today's geopolitical realities. And we must continue improving the working methods of this Council to make it more inclusive, transparent, efficient and accountable. I urge you to continue building consensus to move the intergovernmental negotiations forward.
Second - this Council must continue strengthening cooperation with regional and subregional partners. The landmark adoption of Security Council resolution 2719 supporting African Union-led peace support operations through assessed contributions is a good example of how we can join efforts with regional organizations to support more effective responses.
I also commend this Council's steps to strengthen and rebuild regional security frameworks to encourage dialogue and advance the peaceful settlement of disputes.
And third - Member States must honour their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The Pact for the Future calls on all Member States to live up to their commitments in the UN Charter, and the principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the political independence of States.
All grounded in international law, and a commitment to prioritizing prevention of conflict and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. The Pact also recognized the critical contribution of the International Court of Justice, which celebrates its eightieth anniversary next year.
As we mark the eightieth anniversary of our Organization and the Charter that gave it life and shape, we need to renew our commitment to the multilateral spirit of peace through diplomacy. I look forward to working with you in this important effort, to achieve the international peace and security the people of the world need and deserve.
