Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at UN Security Council Open Debate "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism"
Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at UN Security Council Open Debate "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism" on Wednesday, 14 December 2022.
Thank you, Mister President. I would like to start by thanking India for convening this timely debate and the Secretary General and President of General Assembly for their briefings. We subscribe to the statement delivered by the EU Delegation on behalf of the EU and its Member States earlier today.
Meaningful multilateralism is the only credible answer to the multiple, multifaceted and interconnected challenges of contemporary world. It is also key to maintaining the integrity of the UN Charter - the backbone of the rules based international order.
Acting collectively, we stand stronger and are better equipped to work towards maintaining peace and security, preventing war, resolving conflicts, as well as promoting and protecting human rights. This is also true with regard to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, as well as in providing development assistance or humanitarian aid.
Collective decisions and coordinated actions are key in addressing new and emerging challenges, be it climate change, health emergencies, food insecurity or hybrid threats, such as instrumentalized migration or information manipulation and disinformation.
In this light, Lithuania strongly supports the Secretary General’s report on Our Common Agenda, including the New Agenda for Peace that aims at reinvigorating multilateralism and enhancing the UN’s existing toolbox. We also welcome the ongoing work towards more effective and adapt peacekeeping, which has been one of the concrete examples of successful collective action by the UN.
Mister President,
Many mentioned today the need for new and reformed multilateralism and multilateral institutions that reflect the changed geopolitical realities, are more transparent, legitimate and effective. Lithuania maintains its longstanding position that we must work, collectively, on the Security Council’s reform to make it to reflect the modern global challenges and to act upon them more effectively without the further delay.
The unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine waged by Russia – the permanent member of the Security Council - clearly exposed the structural and procedural weaknesses of this body, mandated to maintain the international peace and security. With this war, Russia not only cynically disregards its permanent membership duties and flagrantly violates the UN Charter, but also continues to block the Security Council as a whole from implementing its responsibilities.
The Council’s failure to live up to its own decisions and act swiftly and firmly in response to illegal programs of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, also raises concerns to many UN member states.
The current structure of the Council must reflect today’s geopolitical realities; its membership must include underrepresented regions, in particular, Africa, Asia, Latin America the Eastern European regional group (EEG), in permanent and non-permanent categories.We need more transparency and accountability. We need to put a stop on abuse of veto power, in particular, in cases of mass atrocities, as well as in cases of permanent member being a party to a conflict.
Lithuania remains a strong believer in the transformative power of collective action. We stand ready to continue working together and continue our support and contribution towards more effective multilateralism, based on the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
I thank you.
