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Delivered By: Mr. Mohamed Al-Ali, Second Secretary

Thank you, Madame President, for convening this important debate. 

Regrettably, the use of the veto has hampered the Security Council in fulfilling its mandate and eroded the credibility of the United Nations with the publics that we are here to serve.

In this context, I would like to highlight three points: 

First, the General Assembly is well-placed to assess the use of the veto, given its Charter-based role in matters related to the maintenance of international peace and security, and given that the Council acts on behalf of the entire UN membership. 

The formal meetings held in accordance with resolution 76/262 serve as a useful accountability mechanism that should be developed and built upon. 

Such meetings can also spur breakthroughs towards peace. When there is a deadlock in the Security Council, the Assembly can chart a way forward: whether through the Uniting for Peace mechanism, or by fostering political solutions, by supporting credible, timely and decisive action by the Council, or through other means. 

Second, we must redouble our efforts to prevent the misuse of the veto in the first place. While an assessment following the casting of a veto can prove useful, it is no substitute for preventing the misuse of the veto in the first place. 

The UAE reaffirms its position that there should be guardrails against the misuse of the veto, to guide Permanent members of the Council. In particular, a veto should not be used: 

  • where a demonstrable overwhelming majority of its members are in favor of Council action on a particular point; 
  • where the Secretary-General has invoked Article 99; 
  • or where the use of that veto would undermine international law.

The UAE reaffirms its support for the French-Mexican “Initiative on Veto Restraint in Cases of Mass Atrocities” and the “Code of Conduct on Security Council Action against Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, or War Crimes,” that was put forward by the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group.

Madame President,

My final point is that the work of the Security Council is a collective endeavor of all its members. In the context of this debate on the use of the veto, it is helpful to examine the processes that lead to its use. 

Responsible penholdership and the need to guard against the misuse of the veto are two sides of the same coin. Penholders should conduct the drafting and negotiation process in line with best practices, to facilitate agreement. 

In closing, let us work toward a future marked by fewer case studies of Council deadlock, and more examples of the Council taking robust action in fulfilment of its mandate to maintain peace and security. 

Thank you, Madame President.