Statement by H.E. Dr Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, at the open debate of the UN Security Council on “Leadership for Peace: United in Respect of the UN Charter in Search of a Secure Future“

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia.

I wish to thank the Secretary General for his clear and insightful remarks. And I want to thank him for his service to the humanity. You have our strongest support in this challenging times for the Organisation.

I also want to thank the ICRC President Spoljaric Egger and president Johnson Sirleaf for their important contributions to this event.

Excellencies, Colleagues,

Since the beginning of our membership in the Security Council we, Slovenians, have been observing gradual but steady erosion of power of rules. A complete disrespect of the rules that we have built since the Second World War. Moreover, inability to respond decisively to major conflicts, such as the ones in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.

This led us to design the signature event at which you are participating today: Leadership for Peace. Peace is under threat globally. And the world is in desperate need for leadership to reverse this dangerous direction.

I will begin with the war in Ukraine. In 21^st century, we are witnessing a conventional war of aggression and the invasion of a stronger and powerful neighbour into a smaller and seemingly weaker one. This is blatant violation of the UN Charter. If we are to let this aggression pass, we open doors to many similar wars across the globe. In the case of Ukraine, we are defending the Charter, which represents the nucleus of our organisation.

There are no words strong enough to describe the catastrophe that has been unfolding in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for years, not only since the 7th of October. It is unacceptable that despite all the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people and four most recent resolutions, we, the Council, have not been able to intervene decisively to alleviate their suffering. And neither free the hostages.

In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem violence and dehumanisation of Palestinians is increasing. All this is taking us further away from the two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

As we sit here today, we are witnessing the fire of Gaza turning into a raging inferno across all of the Middle East.

War in Sudan is another tragic war for power. A man-made humanitarian catastrophe with unimaginable destruction and human suffering. After 20 years, we again find ourselves staring at the unspeakable ugliness of inhumanity. We find ourselves at the brink of another genocide in Darfur and a failure of our collective commitment to “Never again”. The humanitarian situation is extremely bleak with spreading famine, lack of access to basic medical care and extremely dangerous work conditions for humanitarian workers.

Colleagues,

The concerns and pain that we feel for civilians, condemnation of violations of the Charter and of international humanitarian law should not depend on our geographical or political proximity to the conflict. Impression of double standards is damaging the credibility and authority of the Council, contributing to erosion of compliance with its decisions.

Slovenia aspires to be an honest broker, bridge and consensus builder. Our policy is driven by core values and principles of the United Nations. What we committed in our campaign for the Council seat, we try to implement. We aim to apply the same standards for all conflicts throughout the world.  

National interests are too often being put ahead of common values and principles.

If we all put stronger efforts into giving priority to our common interests, the world would be a better place. The global public wants to hear this commitment from us today. And every day since.

Colleagues,

The Council has several tools in its toolbox to deal with crisis and conflicts. Yet, it is increasingly reluctant to use any of them.

Past success stories of Liberia, East Timor and Sierra Leone speak about the efficiency of the Council, when the consensus can be reached.

During the wars in the Balkans, this Council was willing and capable of adopting a resolution establishing accountability mechanism through the ICTY.

Similar atrocities are happening today in many conflicts and yet unfortunately, adoption of such a resolution by this Council seems unthinkable.

When the Council lacks strong unity and determination to act, warring parties read weakness. In times of weakened conflict management, warring parties sense impunity for violations of the Charter and the international humanitarian law.

This is how we can explain that last year the world marked largest number of civilians, record number of humanitarian and medical workers, journalists being killed.

This is entirely unacceptable. And the Security Council bears its part of responsibility.

Conflict management is being gradually moved out of the Council due to the polarisation, lack of solidarity and geopolitical competition among its most powerful members. The UN is being increasingly pushed aside at the expense of bilateral or regional diplomacy. This trend needs to be reversed.

This situation requires a self-reflection of the Council and the UN members on the way forward. We need to restore trust in the United Nations. We need to invest efforts into building an effective and relevant Security Council. The Council that fits the world of today. Permanent members bear, in accordance with the UN Charter, special responsibility in this regard.

We need a renewed commitment to the respect of the UN Charter, to restore unity of the Council, putting global interests first, reflecting on all tools at the disposal and using the ones with the most effect, as well as follow up on our resolutions to ensure compliance.

The Security Council needs to exercise its power with higher ambition regarding the prevention of conflicts and play a stronger role in peace-building activities that involve all aspects of the UN system.

Regional organisations are increasingly taking ownership for finding solutions for their problems. Strengthening cooperation with them opens the Council new ways of dealing with the crises.    

Let me conclude by saying that the principles of multilateralism – the idea that nations must work together to preserve peace – are as important today as they were 79 years ago.

Earlier today we were able to unite around the Presidential Statement. Let us build on these foundations and let us re-energise our collective work for a better, more peaceful and more humane world.

I look forward to listening carefully to the views, suggestions and guidance from all of you.

I thank you.

I resume my function as President of the Council.

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