New York: Peace is a choice, and the world expects the Security Council to help countries make that choice, said the United Nations chief during an open debate on promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes. At the outset of the meeting, the 15-member organ unanimously adopted draft resolution 2788 (2025), aimed at strengthening mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
According to EMM, the resolution urges all Member States to effectively utilize mechanisms for pacific settlement of disputes, as outlined in Article 33 of the UN Charter. These include negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice. The Council also expressed its readiness to utilize the investigative mechanism provided in Article 34 of the UN Charter.
Furthermore, the resolution calls on Member States to support the Secretary-General’s mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts. It emphasizes the importance of inclusive participation of women and youth in conflict prevention and dispute resolution efforts. Conflicts raging in various parts of the world, such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sahel, Sudan, Haiti, and Myanmar, highlight the need for enhanced international cooperation.
While divisions and escalatory discourse obstruct the Council’s ability to act effectively, there have been examples of solutions to global problems, such as the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation. The Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, demonstrates a recommitment to strengthening the UN’s collective security system, with a focus on preventive diplomacy and mediation.
Member States emphasized the need to refocus on Chapter VI’s peaceful dispute resolution tools, highlighting prevention over crisis response and reaffirming support for the UN’s mediation role. Guyana’s delegate noted the international community’s role in encouraging conflict parties to settle disputes using the comprehensive options under Article 33 of the Charter.
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, stressed the need for multilateralism, calling for a UN that delivers justice, upholds international law, and promotes sustainable peace. Lord Ray Collins of Highbury emphasized multilateralism as a strategy to recommit to global peace and security, while Panama’s delegate highlighted the Council’s moral duty to maintain international peace and security.
Several delegates underscored the importance of prevention. Denmark’s representative noted that prevention and peaceful settlement, though often unnoticed, are vital. Slovenia’s delegate emphasized preventing conflict as a moral imperative and strategic necessity. Sierra Leone’s delegate urged diplomacy, solidarity, and justice to prevent conflict outbreaks.
Cooperation with regional and subregional organizations was highlighted by Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tomáš Taraba and Thailand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa. They emphasized that such organizations have local knowledge and can contribute to global peaceful settlement efforts.
Security Council reform was deemed urgent by various delegations. Somalia’s delegate called for reform to tackle weakened multilateralism, advocating for at least two permanent African seats. France’s delegate echoed the need for greater African representation and suspension of veto powers in situations involving mass atrocities.
Support for the International Court of Justice was reiterated by Ireland’s Minister Darragh O’Brien, emphasizing the importance of a rules-based international order. Bulgaria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Pavlov stressed the role of diplomacy in resolving Middle East disputes, while the United States representative highlighted recent de-escalations achieved through diplomatic efforts.
In response to international disputes, China’s delegate urged rejection of the “law of the jungle” and emphasized multilateralism as a stabilizing force. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Garib Abadi condemned aggression and stressed that peace is achieved through rights, justice, and diplomacy.