Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the member countries of the Pacific Island Forum with a presence in New York.  

We are grateful to have the opportunity to address the General Assembly today.  We commend the work of the countries that championed the Veto Initiative which has enabled this important conversation.  It is our hope that these mandated meetings will, over time, lead to better standards governing the use of the veto, so that its use is more transparent and limited when needed.

Mr President,

We wish to state plainly at the outset of this meeting our disappointment that the Russian Federation, a permanent member of the Security Council voted to block a humanitarian resolution.

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, to uphold international peace and security. This includes a duty to prevent innocent people from further suffering. While we are pleased with the Council extending the cross-border mechanism in Syria, the delay and uncertainty has been unacceptable and completely avoidable.

The use of the veto on a humanitarian resolution is of particular concern. The provision of humanitarian assistance should be in-line with International Humanitarian Law and follow the internationally agreed humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity and independence.  Providing people with the means of survival in their most difficult circumstances should be above geopolitics.

The Secretary-General’s most recent report on Syria makes clear that humanitarian needs have never been greater. WFP estimates that 12 million people are suffering from food insecurity of which 2.5 million are severely affected.[1]  Malnutrition rates are increasing rapidly. Millions of people lack access to safe, reliable water supplies. Less than eight percent of the population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In this context, the use of a veto to block a resolution that would ease this immense human suffering and provide operational certainty to responding humanitarian organisations for a minimum of 12 months, is a travesty.

Mr President,

In our own Blue Pacific region our Leaders have declared a climate emergency – the peoples of our many small island states understand well the importance of a fair and functioning multilateral system in protecting the most vulnerable.

As members of the Pacific Islands Forum, we have consistently opposed the unconstrained use of the veto. Its use must be limited and transparent. And it is in situations like this – where it is used to prevent lifesaving assistance from reaching some of the world’s most vulnerable people – that we can see clearly how outdated and obstructionist the veto really can be.

Vinaka vakalevu - I thank you.