Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at the UN General Assembly Debate under agenda item 63 on the “Use of the Veto”

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening this important debate on the Use of the Veto. Slovenia co-sponsored Resolution 76/262, known as the veto initiative. And we would like to align with the statement delivered by Liechtenstein on behalf of a group of States committed to its implementation.

Mr. President, I would like to highlight three points.

First, on the use of veto:

In the past couple of decades, we have seen a regrettable resurgence in the use or threat of use of the veto, which has prevented the Security Council from delivering on its responsibility to take action on several situations representing a threat to international peace and security.

The most recent example being the war in Gaza, where a draft resolution focusing on the demand for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire was vetoed just this morning. The inability of the Council to take a more decisive action continues to expose the civilian populations to indescribable horrors and atrocities. It furthermore renders the Council incapable of preventing the conflict to spill over into a wider regional crisis. There must be an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Hostages must be released. Humanitarian aid must be scaled up. Slovenia will continue to support further efforts towards peace.

This brings us to the second example – the war in Sudan, where just two days ago a draft resolution on protecting civilians was vetoed. A resolution proposed to aid civilians, who are suffering the world’s most severe acute food insecurity crisis and daily unimaginable violence, including horrific sexual and gender-based violence. The crisis in Sudan demands decisive and united action. The silence of the Council means this tragedy continues unabated. The people of Sudan deserve better. Slovenia will continue to support any efforts for their protection.

Mr. President, while the Council is still not able to adopt more decisive measures to restore international peace and security, we note that since our last debate in April, the Council has been able to act unanimously on several important issues. We note the unity of the Security Council in its support to UN peacekeeping efforts, its recommitment to the UN Charter and international law and in extending measures to maintain international peace and security. As a Non-Permanent Member of the Council, Slovenia will continue to exert all efforts towards a more responsive, responsible, efficient and transparent Council, capable of delivering on its mandate.

Mr. President,

My second point is on limitations to the use of veto:

The UN Charter itself provides limitations on the use of veto, in Article 27 (3), which obliges a party to a dispute to abstain from voting. This provision should be applied strictly and consistently. Slovenia’s principled position is that while the veto exists – it should only be used exceptionally and with the highest degree of responsibility and accountability. It should never block urgently needed action to maintain peace and security. This equally applies to the actual use of veto as it does to the threat of using it. The efforts and initiatives towards limiting the use of veto have a key role to play in this regard.

Slovenia, as a member of the ACT Group, continues to advocate for the ACT Code of Conduct. We furthermore support the French-Mexican Political Declaration on Suspension of Veto Powers in Cases of Mass Atrocity. We encourage Member States that have not yet done so to join these important initiatives.

In the recently adopted Pact for the Future, we committed at the highest political level to “intensify efforts to reach an agreement on the future of the veto, including discussions on limiting its scope and use”. We look forward to continuing these discussions with the urgency it requires.

Addressing the question of the veto is central to the discussions on a comprehensive reform of the Security Council towards making the Council more representative, efficient, transparent and accountable.

Mr. President,

My third point is on transparency and accountability:

Slovenia welcomes the Special Reports of the Security Council that have been produced in advance of every General Assembly debate pursuant to the Veto initiative; as well as the inclusion of the section on special reports in the last annual report of the Security Council to the General Assembly. We see it is a further important step toward ensuring greater transparency and accountability of the use of the veto.

To conclude, Mr. President,

We firmly believe that the veto initiative has had a real impact on the contribution of the General Assembly to peace and security in accordance with the Charter, as well as on the transparency and accountability of the Security Council to the wider membership. We hope that it will also contribute to a more responsible and limited use of the veto.

I thank you.

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