Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN Security Council debate on peace and security.
Mr President, the United Kingdom thanks Pakistan for convening this timely debate at a time when multilateralism faces unprecedented strain.
As the Secretary-General has said, the world is witnessing more conflict than at any time since the founding of the United Nations.
From Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine to the protracted crisis in Gaza, the international community is being tested.
Our response must strive for peace and be guided by the principles of the UN Charter.
Multilateralism remains the best tool we have to meet the shared challenges of the 21st century.
And this Council, as the UN organ with the primary responsibility for international peace and security, should play a central role.
That includes through a collective commitment to the rule of law, including international humanitarian law, and to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
These are not abstract ideals.
They are principles by which we could collectively prevent and resolve conflict.
That is why the United Kingdom has kept these principles at the heart of its foreign policy.
But as we mark the UN's 80th anniversary, we must seize this moment to revitalise the peace and security architecture, champion human rights, and strengthen the UN development system and humanitarian architecture to ensure all three pillars are collectively fit for purpose.
We should make full use of the UN's mediation and conflict prevention capabilities.
In Sudan, we continue to urge the warring parties to engage meaningfully with existing diplomatic initiatives, including the United Nations' mediation efforts to achieve a lasting national ceasefire and political solution.
Here and elsewhere, we need the UN to help address the root causes of conflict.
Peace operations should be more adaptable, politically attuned and better coordinated with other UN and regional actors, leveraging new technologies and local expertise.
We must focus not only on brokering peace but on sustaining it.
The UN's efforts to verify the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia is a good example of this work in the field.
And here in New York, we can make better use of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture to support national efforts to sustain peace.
Underscoring this, we must recall that crucially, sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive peace processes, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women.
Mr President, the UN Charter is our shared foundation.
In this moment of global uncertainty, we must recommit to multilateralism, not as a slogan, but as a strategy.
The United Kingdom stands ready to work with all Member States to this end, including to uphold peace, security, and the rule of law.
Thank you.
