A/77/PV.45 General Assembly

Our world is currently going through a rapid and unbroken succession of major humanitarian crises. The past year has been particularly difficult, as evidenced by the numerous reports of the Secretary-General published this year. The international community is facing a myriad of challenges whose intersection has aggravated humanitarian needs and slowed progress towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Humanitarian actors struggle every day to respond to crises linked not only to political and armed conflicts but also to extreme climatic events and their impact, such as droughts, floods, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the multiple risks and severe consequences that result from them, ranging from food insecurity to people’s forced displacement. Along with that, the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) and its direct and indirect effects continue to take a heavy toll on the most vulnerable, especially women and children, who are disproportionately affected. The United Nations, in coordination with Member States, is therefore called on to redouble its efforts and to continue to strengthen the coordination of emergency humanitarian aid in order to respond effectively to the needs of the growing numbers affected by these humanitarian crises. If we really want to succeed in reducing the risk of natural disasters, conflicts and humanitarian crises, we must invest more in prevention, particularly through an anticipatory approach and the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Early- warning systems need to be comprehensive, because fast and flexible funding for preparedness and rapid response, combined with climate predictions, makes it possible to save more lives. What we also need now are more green partnerships and pilot actions aimed at adapting agriculture to climate change. The alarming state of food insecurity and concurrent risks of famine are more than ever in need of a comprehensive and coordinated response through humanitarian action in synergy with development and peacebuilding efforts. It is therefore our duty to work together, within a diverse and varied system of humanitarian partners, including Member States, the United Nations, its funds and programmes, international financial institutions, international and regional humanitarian organization and civil society, in order to bridge the funding gap and ultimately alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable populations. In that respect, Morocco commends the efforts and leadership of Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as Mr. Martin Griffiths, Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the other relevant agencies of the United Nations for their admirable humanitarian work. We also want to pay tribute to humanitarian workers at the national and international levels for the selflessness they show when operating in the most dangerous regions of the world. These humanitarian actors must be able to fulfil their noble mandate in complete safety and without political interference. In that regard, the Kingdom of Morocco calls for further mobilization of the international community in order to guarantee the safety of medical and humanitarian personnel and to prevent disinformation, the dissemination of false information and instances of hate speech. Humanitarian action is a fundamental and structural pillar of the Morocco’s foreign policy under the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. In that regard, we have always been committed to supporting the humanitarian action of the United Nations, especially through financial assistance to the Central Emergency Response Fund and other timely contributions to country-based pool funds, in accordance with national circumstances and priorities. In 2022, Morocco provided $1.5 million in financial assistance in support of many of our brother countries, including Yemen, Tonga and Pakistan, with the aim of mitigating the impact of the humanitarian crises they had to face this year. In addition, pursuant to royal directives, we have set up a humanitarian operation for the benefit of some 20 brother countries in Africa, as well as for the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, with donations including 228 tons of products for fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, on His Majesty’s instructions, our armed forces have deployed 19 field hospitals and provided large amounts of medical services for local populations and refugees in 14 countries on four continents. Similarly, we have strengthened our efforts to mitigate humanitarian crises through our effective contributions to peacekeeping operations. Cognizant of the importance of the peace, humanitarian and development nexus, we have been working to support South-South and triangular cooperation that is centred on the promotion of sustainable initiatives and partnerships and that benefits human development and investment in productive sectors that generate growth and employment. In order to meet the unprecedented humanitarian challenges our world is facing, we must ensure full respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation must be strengthened. In that respect, the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence must be scrupulously respected in all circumstances. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Morocco supports the three humanitarian resolutions that will be adopted today (A/77/L.30, A/77/L.32, A/77/L.35) and would like to thank their co-facilitators — Sweden, the European Union and Bangladesh, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China — for their efforts to reach compromise on the texts.

Chile thanks the Secretary-General for his report on assistance to the Palestinian people (A/77/93) for the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, providing a description of the efforts made by the United Nations and its agencies, in cooperation with the Government of Palestine, donors and civil society, to support the Palestinian people and their institutions. Chile notes with great concern the increase in violence during the reporting period, especially the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip in May 2021, in which more than 200 Palestinians, nine Israeli citizens and three residents of Israel were killed. Any human death should be condemned wherever it takes place and regardless of the circumstances. We deplore the fatalities and hope that the perpetrators will be held to account for these losses. In addition, the significant material losses in this conflict must come to an end. Chile regrets that despite the efforts of the United Nations system, the humanitarian, economic and development needs of the Palestinian people increase every year, reflecting the gravity of the health and economic crisis facing Palestinians in the occupied territory. We therefore reiterate how urgent it is to provide assistance on the ground and enable mechanisms that can alleviate the financial precarity of such agencies as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to respond to the crisis. Chile reiterates its rejection of the disproportionate use of force in this conflict, which has caused numerous deaths and thousands of injuries. Any indiscriminate use of violence against civilian populations is unjustifiable. It is a violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and is unacceptable to the international community. We urgently call on the parties to abide by their international obligations regarding the protection of the civilian population. We reiterate that any violence against civilians, especially women and children, by any of the parties to the conflict must stop. By the same token, in the quest for a lasting, just and sustainable solution, we call for peaceful coexistence among the two peoples, which would be conducive to dialogue between Palestine and Israel. My country will continue to support efforts to achieve a solution based on the concept of two independent States within secure and internationally recognized borders. The Government of Chile reaffirms its position on the question of Palestine, which is based on respect for international law, in accordance with the United Nations resolutions that promote the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to a free, sovereign and independent State, in the spirit of achieving a just and lasting peace. In conclusion, Chile expresses its solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose largest diaspora lives in our country. We highlight the valuable contributions made by immigrants of Palestinian descent to our nation and its development.

It is my privilege to deliver a joint statement on behalf of India and Sweden on the agenda item entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance”. Our joint statement is a reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening the United Nations system in order to respond to the complex humanitarian challenges of our time. We would first like to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of United Nations humanitarian and medical personnel around the world who have been at the front lines of our joint response to humanitarian emergencies, often at immense personal risk and sacrifice. We believe that the primary responsibility for providing protection and assistance in a humanitarian crisis lies with the countries concerned and their national Governments. However, when international humanitarian assistance is provided, it must be given impartially, in accordance with the guiding principles outlined in resolution 46/182 and other relevant resolutions. India and Sweden remain committed to preserving the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in responding to all humanitarian situations. We also believe that respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including sovereignty, political independence and the territorial integrity of Member States, should remain the basis for all humanitarian assistance. The magnitude and scale of some of the unprecedented natural disasters that the world has witnessed in the past couple of years, together with a number of other complex emergencies, have not only exerted pressure on the humanitarian response system but also disrupted progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The world is still experiencing the after-effects of the pandemic, which have resulted in economic instability, disrupted global markets and added to poverty. Development gains in employment, food security, education and health care have been seriously affected and in some cases even reversed. Those most severely affected are often the most vulnerable segments of populations. India and Sweden greatly value the coordinating capacities of the United Nations system, through the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and we encourage all actors to continue enhancing their support to the Office. The latest Global Humanitarian Overview report, released just a few days ago, illustrates in detail the humanitarian challenges the world is facing now. As the Secretary-General notes, 2022 has been a year of extremes. The conflicts and tensions across the world have triggered unprecedented challenges to global food and energy security. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, natural disasters such as floods, and climate change continue to cause and exacerbate humanitarian emergencies. The Global Humanitarian Overview 2023 calls for $51.5 billion to bring life-saving support to 230 million of the most vulnerable people. That is a formidable challenge for the entire international community and one that we cannot afford to downplay. While the outlook provided by the report may be bleak, there are some encouraging indicators on delivery by the United Nations and the entire humanitarian system. Data collection has improved, flexible instruments such as the Central Emergency Relief Fund and country-based pool funds have made it possible to quickly redirect resources to address the most acute needs. The private sector is increasingly stepping in as a strong and creative partner for traditional humanitarian actors. Increased global Internet access, coupled with new innovative technologies, offers potential for improving humanitarian action. For example, artificial intelligence has been used for mapping pandemic outbreaks, drones have delivered medical supplies and testing samples and three-dimensional printers have helped in the production of face shields, personal-protective-equipment kits and ventilators. Collaboration between humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts has increased, something we also saw during the pandemic. The localization of humanitarian work has improved. Building on that will help meet the needs of those in need of humanitarian assistance in future. Violence against humanitarian workers in situations of armed conflict remains a matter of serious concern. We extend our condolences to the families of humanitarian workers reported to have been killed over the last year. We strongly condemn all attacks and threats against humanitarian personnel. Member States must take every possible measure to ensure the protection of humanitarian personnel and actors in accordance with international law. All humanitarian organizations must also strictly adhere to a policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse and ensure that the victims are provided with adequate protection. The persistent shortfalls in the financing of humanitarian appeals remain a challenge. Today the funding of humanitarian systems relies on too few donors, with 10 donors currently providing 90 per cent of humanitarian funding. That is not sustainable. We call on Member States to consider increasing their contribution to the United Nations humanitarian assistance system, including the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, country-based pooled funds and the Central Emergency Response Fund, to which India and Sweden are long-standing donors. We would also like to emphasize to our humanitarian partners the value of non-earmarked flexible funding and predictable support. We believe that our approach to humanitarian response must put the people affected at the very centre. That will ensure respect for human dignity, as well as the flexibility necessary to make choices about the goods and services that the populations affected need the most. The need for greater complementarity between humanitarian action and development cooperation is well recognized. Action for development by national Governments and the international community should focus on reducing risk and vulnerability, which will contribute to building resilience and capacity. We encourage further work to enhance coherence between humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts, with full respect for their respective mandates. Guided by its ancient philosophy of viewing the world as one family, India has been at the forefront of supporting fellow developing countries by providing assistance and relief efforts in humanitarian emergencies, including natural disasters. Those efforts have ranged from the immediate supply of relief materials to the emergency evacuation of large numbers of people of various nationalities from affected zones. Moving forward, we need to look beyond immediate relief and rehabilitation. India’s call for promoting infrastructure’s resilience to disaster through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure has received global attention, with many new countries adopting the Coalition’s charter. The Coalition’s membership has expanded and now includes 30 countries and seven multilateral organizations. Several countries have supported its mandate by committing technical assistance and financial resources. The Coalition’s strategic initiative for small island developing States (SIDS), the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States initiative, was also launched last year. It is envisaged that it will be truly owned by SIDS with a view to achieving sustainable development through a systemic approach to promoting resilient, sustainable and inclusive infrastructure. Humanitarian assistance is a strong priority for the new Swedish Government. Sweden will remain one of the top humanitarian donors. Sweden has contributed a record amount, more than $900 million, in humanitarian aid in 2022. Sweden will remain a strong voice for principled humanitarian assistance and a leader in developing new, innovative and efficient solutions to the challenges facing the world in the humanitarian field. As part of its European Union (EU) presidency, next March in Brussels Sweden will co-host the European Humanitarian Forum together with the European Commission. We look forward to discussing with international partners the main strategic challenges facing the humanitarian system today. India and Sweden remain particularly concerned about the deterioration of global food security. India and Sweden fully support the Black Sea Grain Initiative and welcomed the announcement on 17 November of its extension by 120 days, which means that Ukraine’s grain, foodstuffs and fertilizer can continue to be exported from its Black Sea ports. To help support the delivery of grain from Ukraine to people facing acute hunger, Sweden has contributed some $50 million to enable wheat to be delivered from Ukraine to Yemen, Somalia and the Sudan for humanitarian purposes. To help low-income countries fight rising prices and shortages of foodstuffs, India has exported more than 1.8 million tons of wheat to countries in need, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Sudan and Yemen. The humanitarian system makes a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people every day. It provides assistance to the people who are suffering the most and saves lives in some of the worst places across the globe. But we must ensure that 2023 is not the year that breaks the system. This is a shared responsibility. The creativity and magnitude of our response must match the unique nature of the challenge. We, India and Sweden, reiterate our commitment to working with all Member States to ensure a united and effective response to the world’s humanitarian challenges. Our debate today is an opportunity to send a strong and united message of support to those in need of humanitarian assistance and to humanitarian actors worldwide. India joins Sweden in calling on delegations to adopt the humanitarian draft resolution (A/77/L.32) by consensus.

My delegation is pleased to participate in this debate on strengthening the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance. The State of Kuwait, its leadership and people, is firmly convinced of the importance of giving ultimate priority to humanitarian action, which is an approach whose mechanisms and endowments are based on the enormous historical and societal generational experiences of our parents and grandparents in providing assistance. The teachings of our Muslim religion also urge us to extend a friendly hand to those who most need it. The Holy Qur’an says that “those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s cause) by night, by day, secretly, and openly, their rewards are with their God. There is no fear on them, nor shall they grieve” (The Holy Qur’an, II:274). The increasing disputes and disasters facing the world, natural or human-made, have serious humanitarian and economic repercussions. They also exacerbate food insecurity and increase the numbers of displaced persons and refugees. All of that has increased the burden on the United Nations and relevant partners in the work of addressing humanitarian and development challenges and coordinating humanitarian efforts. As a result, and considering the relevant resolutions and reports of the General Assembly on providing humanitarian assistance, the State of Kuwait reiterates the importance of strengthening and coordinating the rapid humanitarian assistance and relief provided by the United Nations in the event of disasters and crises to afflicted areas in order to save lives. We have noted the reports of the Secretary-General under agenda item 69. We share his concern in his report (A/77/362) about the millions who have been compelled to flee their homes and lose their livelihoods while also dealing with starvation and disease. That has been made even worse by the spread of pandemics, foremost among them the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its disastrous consequences. More than 1.8 million people have lost their lives, while poverty has increased along with conflicts, acts of violence and persecution, resulting in serious effects and grave violations of international law and international humanitarian law in many parts of the world. The Secretary-General also highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people in their occupied territory in his report (A/77/93). It is an explicit confirmation of the many systematic violations committed by the occupation authorities, including the expansion of settlements, home demolitions, forced evictions, the fencing-off of areas and the imposition of limitations on people’s free movement. The report also underscores that the protracted military occupation has had a strong impact on the humanitarian, social and political life of Palestinians and their ability to exercise their most fundamental rights. In addition, the occupation authorities continue to perpetrate acts of violence against unarmed Palestinian civilians and to maintain their unjust blockade against the Gaza Strip. In conclusion, we commend the vital and effective role performed by various bodies and organs of the United Nations, as well as their partners, in supporting and coordinating humanitarian assistance and relief around the world. We also highly value the increasingly important work of United Nations personnel and all humanitarian actors. They make tireless efforts in carrying out their humanitarian activities. We express to them our thanks and appreciation.

My country’s delegation has reviewed the reports of the Secretary-General under agenda item 69 (a) (A/77/72, A/77/318 and A/77/361), which reflect the dangerous humanitarian situation throughout the world resulting from natural disasters due to climate change, including destructive floods, severe droughts, hurricanes and others, not to mention protracted and emergent conflicts. Those disasters and conflicts have wreaked mass destruction on the infrastructure of some countries and caused massive displacement and migration of people. They have also led to food insecurity in certain regions, most of the victims being the elderly, women or children. In view of that, it is imperative that we prioritize the search for ways and means to deal with the repercussions in the short and long terms. Moreover, there is a need for more efforts to raise funds to provide urgent support to those affected by floods, droughts, pandemics and diseases  — not just to save their lives, but to rehabilitate infrastructure and create the conditions conducive to restoring their activities and guaranteeing their resilience in the future. My country’s delegation values the role of the United Nations, especially the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and humanitarian organizations that provide humanitarian aid to those afflicted. At the same time, we call for enhanced partnerships with regional and international organizations and donors. We also call for coordination with local communities to offer the appropriate level of services and to create a balance among the priorities in a manner that will meet the humanitarian needs of everyone. It is important to pay due attention to rehabilitating the infrastructure that has been destroyed by floods and conflicts, including schools, homes, health-care centres and roads. That is always important, because it contributes to the recovery of those who have been displaced and to assistance for children whose schools have been destroyed. In addition, it enables those affected, in particular those living in agricultural societies, to restore their normal lives and their ways of living by meeting their needs. The delegation of the Sudan underscores the importance of connecting humanitarian work with peacebuilding, as some reports have mentioned. Experience has proved that humanitarian aid in cases of emergencies and disasters must expand to include the creation of projects to gain livelihoods, as well as proactive pilot projects to guarantee the stability of populations and families. Such projects should help to avoid any migration, displacement or friction and should alleviate severe humanitarian suffering. Those projects should also prevent societies from depending on humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian aid should arrive at the right time and should seek to rehabilitate and protect the humanitarian workers while respecting the basic principles of humanitarian action, namely, transparency, impartiality, neutrality, independence and non-discrimination. Coordination and cooperation between Governments, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations remain imperative in any humanitarian operation. The Sudan has faced several crises as well as humanitarian and natural disasters, the most recent of which were the heavy rains and floods that affected most of the states of the country during the rainy season this year. That has led to severe and widespread damage to infrastructure and public facilities, causing the displacement of thousands of families and disrupting education in schools. The Government made immediate efforts to deal with the situation in the short term. However, the crisis was more profound than expected, large gaps remain, and international and United Nations support is therefore needed to assist those afflicted. It is crucial that such support not be politicized.

The delegation of France aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union (see A/77/PV.44) and would like to make the following remarks in its national capacity. We have listened with concern to the statements on the increase in humanitarian needs, which have reached an unprecedented level. The United Nations warns that more than 339 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2023. In that respect, France is fully mobilized. First, I would like to recall that we are all bound by international humanitarian law and the preservation of the humanitarian space. Humanitarian workers, including local staff, are increasingly the victims of attacks. The international community has both a moral duty and an obligation to those who put their lives at risk to help people on the ground. Perpetrators and accomplices to attacks on humanitarian workers must be prosecuted and punished. France calls for the guaranteeing of rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access wherever people need to receive assistance. My country is fully mobilized to respond to the humanitarian crises in Ukraine, Africa and the Near and Middle East. The humanitarian emergency is due, in particular, to climate change, which causes natural disasters, as in Pakistan, or unprecedented droughts, as in the Horn of Africa. Conflicts also continue to make civilian populations their first victims. In the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and using winter as a weapon of war. Faced with global food insecurity that is exacerbated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, France’s approach is based on three initiatives in particular. The first is the European Union solidarity corridors. The second is the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission, which was launched in March to support the countries most affected by the global food crisis. The third is the Save Crops Operation, which was launched on 23 September by the President of France, along with his partners, to facilitate access to fertilizers for vulnerable countries, in particular African countries. Today’s humanitarian challenges are immense. Humanitarian response funding must be increased and diversified. We must continuously optimize the effectiveness of aid, placing the voices and needs of affected populations, especially the voices of women and girls, at the centre of responses. We must anticipate better in order to respond better, and we must increase the presence of women in management positions in humanitarian organizations. It is important to strengthen cooperation between humanitarian, development and peace actors. In March 2022 France, along with the European Commission, organized the first session of the European Humanitarian Forum, thus demonstrating its commitment to responding to these challenges. It is essential to support the work of the humanitarian community through the draft resolutions (A/77/L.30, A/77/L.32, A/77/L.34 and A/77/L.35) that we will adopt today. To do so, we must all mobilize and join in collective efforts in the spirit of effective multilateralism. We therefore call on States to join the appeal for humanitarian action launched jointly by France and Germany in 2019.

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union (see A/77/PV.44) and would like to add several points in its national capacity. In recent years, we have witnessed rapid growth in humanitarian needs across the globe. This year, however, the number of people in need has increased enormously. One of the main reasons for that is Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, which has further exacerbated global food insecurity. Russia’s war on Ukraine provoked the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War. It uprooted some 14.5 million Ukrainians  — or one third of the population. Today about 4.7 million of our citizens have been displaced within Ukraine, and more than 7.7 million have been seeking safety abroad. Since 24 February, Russia has attacked Ukraine with more than 16,000 missiles, rockets, bombs and drones, 97 per cent of which were targeted at civilian infrastructure and residential areas. Faced with military defeats, losses of personnel and vigorous resistance, the Kremlin regime began systematic mass targeted attacks on critical civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, aimed at creating conditions that are unsuitable for the population’s life. That constitutes not only a war crime but an act of genocide. Today millions of Ukrainians are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Winter is here, and this winter will be the hardest to live through. Among the serious problems for the security of the civilian population is the heavy contamination of large areas of Ukraine with mines and explosive remnants of war. Ukrainian authorities face the extremely difficult task of cleaning up these territories, which could last for years, if not decades. Ukraine needs international support in that area. We commend the courageous work of the United Nations humanitarian team to ease the suffering of Ukrainians on the ground. We are grateful to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration and other United Nations agencies for their active efforts in addressing this harsh humanitarian crisis. We are also profoundly thankful to all our partners and donors around the world for the assistance and help provided to Ukraine, in particular to the European Union, United States, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Canada, Norway and many others. We urge the global humanitarian community to continue to ramp up its assistance and protection services in Ukraine. It is also crucial to continue to expand these efforts to the liberated areas, in which the situation is the direst. Despite the horrors of the war, Ukraine is one of the guarantors of global food security, and we remain committed to our obligations. We are ready to continue shipping agricultural products to ensure global food security and price stability on the international market. As at 2 December, over 12.4 million tons of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported via the Black Sea Grain Initiative. That was made possible owing to the strong participation of the United Nations, Türkiye and other partners. In order to increase our exports by several million tons per month, Ukraine proposes to expand the grain export initiative to other ports, in particular the ports of Mykolayiv and Olvia in the Mykolayiv region. Ukraine has also launched the Grain from Ukraine initiative to support the most vulnerable. For that purpose, Ukraine will send 60 ships to Ethiopia, the Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Congo, Kenya, Yemen and others. About $190 million have already been raised for this initiative. Any country can join and contribute to ensuring that Ukrainian grain will be supplied to those in need. On 21 July, the delegation of Belarus, Russia’s proxy, made a deliberate attempt to prevent the debate on sub-item (d) of agenda item 69, entitled “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster,” as well as the issuance of the relevant report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on this important issue (see A/76/PV.96). We are grateful to United Nations Member States for their strong stance. By rejecting draft decision A/76/L.71, the General Assembly demonstrated that it has the right to know the truth and to get a credible update on the current situation and its implications for the international efforts to mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. For a few decades, the Chornobyl issue has been a symbol of unity of purpose for the world. By attacking and seizing the Chornobyl nuclear power plant and the exclusion zone in February, the Russian federation opened another tragic page in the history of Chornobyl and exposed the world to a new nuclear catastrophe. During the attack on the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Russia’s military captured representatives of the Ukrainian National Guard, while civilian personnel were, in fact, held hostage. As a result of the temporary occupation of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, almost every office space in the buildings on the territory of the power plant was broken into and completely pillaged. The hostilities in the territory of the exclusion zone, as well as the digging of trenches by the Russian military in close proximity to the area of the temporary localization of radioactive waste known as the “Red Forest”, caused an intense increase of radioactive dust and aerosols. In addition, all construction projects have been suspended, and their funding has been terminated. Owing to Russia’s destructive actions at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, with the complicity of Belarus, both of these countries have lost the right to be co-penholders on sub-item (d) of agenda item 69, entitled “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.” The delegation of Ukraine will proceed, in close consultation with United Nations Member States, with this issue accordingly within the General Assembly. We cannot help but mention the ongoing situation in and around the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the largest station in Europe. As of today, Russia continues to regularly shell the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and holds its personnel hostage. As a result of the latest missile attacks by Russia against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant went into full blackout mode, with the start-up of all diesel generators. Thus, for the first time in the 40- year history of the Ukrainian nuclear power industry, all nuclear power plant power units were shut down. Also, for the first time ever, owing to a decrease in frequency in the power system of Ukraine stemming from Russia’s attacks against our energy infrastructure, emergency protection was activated at the Rivne, South Ukraine and Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plants. As a result, all power units were automatically disconnected. This shows once again that Russia’s missile terror poses an unprecedented threat to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and may lead to a nuclear accident with potentially grave consequences not only for Ukraine but for the European continent and beyond. Ukraine welcomes the establishment of the presence of the International Atomic Energy Agency at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and its most recent extension. That is an important step, but as we have stated on a number of occasions, the only way to guarantee the nuclear safety and security of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant remains a complete demilitarization and de-occupation of the plant. Without the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and its vicinity, including the city of Enerhodar, the grave risks to the nuclear safety of Ukraine and beyond will remain.

The global humanitarian overview for 2023 presents a very grim picture. A record number of 339 million people are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance, which is almost 24 per cent higher than in 2022. Acute food insecurity and imminent famine loom large, as 45 million people in 37 countries face the real risk of starvation. More than 1 per cent of the global population is displaced, with the majority being hosted in developing and least developed countries. Many of those countries face compound humanitarian emergencies due to climate change, conflicts, rising food and fuel prices, economic downturns and debt crises. The overview also reveals disturbing global trends of extremes  — extreme levels of violent conflict, extreme poverty and hunger, extreme weather patterns and frequent natural disasters. These are not only escalating global humanitarian needs, but also having a negative impact on the capacity of public institutions at both the national and global levels to prevent, prepare and respond to humanitarian emergencies. Against that backdrop, we welcome today’s general debate under agenda item 69 (a). We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports (A/77/72, A/77/318, A/77/361) and appreciate his useful recommendations. We believe those recommendations are going to help strengthen international efforts to respond to the growing humanitarian needs around the world more effectively and sustainably. We also take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation and pay tribute to all humanitarian personnel, volunteers and local responders for their courage, dedication and commitment to serving humankind in the face of challenges and, often, threats. As the Assembly is aware, Bangladesh is hosting 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas who fled atrocities in Myanmar. Within our limited capacity, we are providing necessary humanitarian support to them. We have also arranged education based on the curriculum of Myanmar in the camps for the Rohingya children and a skill development programme for the Rohingya women and youth. We appreciate the assistance provided by the international community and the humanitarian operations run by the relevant United Nations agencies. However, we are concerned that the growing humanitarian needs at the global level are having negative impacts on the humanitarian assistance programme for the Rohingyas. Given the protracted nature of the crisis, we urge our partners to scale up efforts for international burden and responsibility sharing. At the same time, we also stress the need for increased international attention to the deteriorating situation in Myanmar in order to create the conditions for the safe and sustainable return of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland. The prolongation of the crisis will further compound the already complex political and humanitarian situation in the country and for all its neighbours hosting the persecuted minorities, including my own country, Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a highly climate-vulnerable and disaster-prone country. Climate change in particular is affecting our food, energy, water, health and economic security and is also directly and indirectly forcing people to leave their homes and causing internal and cross-border displacements. We see growing needs for the collection and sharing of data and evidence on displacements caused by multiple and intersecting sets of factors with a view to a coordinated international response to this challenge. We attach high importance to the work of the United Nations humanitarian and emergency relief assistance entities and support international efforts to build resilient societies in order to respond to humanitarian challenges. Indeed, resolution 46/182 remains the cornerstone of all such efforts. Allow me to underscore a few points in this regard. First, we recognize the importance of transition from emergency response to preparedness and resilience-building as fundamental to humanitarian situations. In preparing for that transition, the international community’s response mechanism should be tailored in accordance with the national priorities and the situation on the ground. And this should be backed by sustainable, flexible and multi-year financing support and the necessary expertise and technologies. It is also critical to have good coordination between national Governments and other relevant actors, including United Nations agencies and local responders, in addressing humanitarian situations on the ground. Secondly, the international community must undertake development activities with a focus on building resilience and ultimately reducing dependency on humanitarian aid. It is imperative to ensure better cooperation between humanitarian and development actors, including the international financial institutions, to enable a smooth transition from relief dependency to sustainable development. There must be a balance in funding between humanitarian and development work without their respective priorities being compromised. Thirdly, we acknowledge the centrality of women as first responders in humanitarian crises. Therefore, it is very important to further strengthen gender- responsive policy development for disaster-risk reduction and mitigation as well as in the planning and implementation of all humanitarian response plans. In Bangladesh, our National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security has integrated disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation as the priority context. Fourthly, rising food insecurity and the risk of famine in many parts of the world, due to armed conflicts, extreme weather events, including floods and drought, as well as food, energy and economic crises need to be addressed urgently through concerted international efforts. We urge the development and international partners to extend their support to the countries that are shouldering a disproportionate humanitarian burden and are also vulnerable to shocks. We commend in that regard the initiatives of the Secretary-General, including the establishment of the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance, and appreciate the efforts of the Group in addressing and mitigating rising food insecurity. Finally, we remain concerned at the denial of humanitarian access in many conflict situations and at the indiscriminate armed attacks against humanitarian personnel and convoys, medical and peacekeeping personnel and civilian infrastructure essential to humanitarian operations. We would like to stress the importance of ensuring accountability and justice in the event of any reported violence. The four draft resolutions (A/77/L.30, A/77/L.32, A/77/L.34 and A/77/L.35) that are going to be considered today after this debate are going to be important instruments to better equip the humanitarian arms of the United Nations. Our delegation thanks the delegations of Sweden and the European Union for their extensive work on the draft resolutions contained in documents A/77/L.30 and A/77/L.35, which we are pleased to sponsor. We are also grateful to the Chair of the Group of 77 (G-77) and China for entrusting our delegation with the coordination and facilitation of the draft resolution on natural disasters, which is contained in document A/77/L.32. We also express our sincere appreciation to all members of the G-77 and China, as well as other delegations, for their constructive engagement and support during the negotiations. In that regard I would also like to thank the Secretariat, the secretariat of the G-77 and China, as well as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for their continued support during the negotiations stage. We remain committed to the effective implementation of these four important draft resolutions, which we very much hope will be adopted by consensus today.

I now give the floor to the observer of the Observer State of Palestine.

Our multilateral order was conceived and built in the aftermath of the Second World War, as we became conscious that a crisis somewhere could turn into conflict everywhere. We discovered we were interconnected in the worst way possible and decided to address it in the best way possible. One of the most important manifestations of this consciousness is humanitarian assistance to help those most vulnerable when they are most in need. You rightly described our world today, Mr. President, as one in a permanent state of humanitarian emergency. The Secretary-General also analysed these complex, long-lasting, overlapping, nature-made or human-made emergencies and crises. Palestine epitomizes them. It is the most protracted refugee crisis, the most protracted protection crisis, the most protracted justice crisis in the history of the United Nations. The Palestinian experience has been one of man-made, occupation-made insecurity, from physical insecurity to food insecurity. Our people suffered dispossession, displacement and denial of rights 75 years ago and continue to suffer from dispossession, displacement and denial of rights 75 years later. We owe our survival and our ability to cope and to carry on first and foremost to our people’s extraordinary resilience and determination, but also to all those who stood by our side all these years. From this podium, allow me to express our deep gratitude to peoples and Governments around the world for standing in solidarity with Palestine. Allow me also to express our deep appreciation to the United Nations for its critical humanitarian role in Palestine, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, a lifeline for Palestine refugees. And of course, I cannot help but also mention the host countries of Palestine refugees. Allow us to thank the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UN-Women, UNESCO, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Habitat. We also express our deep appreciation to the States and organizations that have provided support to the Palestinian people, and we recognize the humanitarian actors, Palestinian and international, who endure great risk and sacrifice to deliver aid to those who need it. In particular, I would like to mention here the six Palestinian human rights and humanitarian non-governmental organizations that Israel has outrageously labelled as terrorist organizations, with their staff arrested and their offices ransacked in a failed attempt to silence them and deter them from pursuing their sacred mission. I want to salute Mohammad El- Halabi, who has been languishing in an Israeli prison since 2016. United Nations human rights experts said of his detention that “convicting a humanitarian aid worker in serious violation of the right to a fair trial and on baseless charges of ‘terrorism’ is further evidence of Israel’s egregious misuse of counter-terrorism measures to suppress voices of human rights defenders”. I want to salute Salah Hammouri, a son of Jerusalem and a lawyer and advocate for prisoners’ rights who was himself arbitrarily detained. Israel asked him to choose between prison and leaving the country, and he chose prison in his homeland rather than freedom away from it. Now Israel has revoked his right to reside in his own city, Jerusalem, and wants to deport him from his homeland. United Nations human rights experts consider that may constitute a war crime and stress that “such unilateral arbitrary measures taken by Israel and Israeli authorities in retaliation against Mr. Hammouri as a human rights defender violate every principle and the very spirit of international law”. Stand with the six. Free Mohammad El-Halabi. Justice for Salah. There is no effective humanitarian response without a political response that is grounded in the law and upholds the law on the ground. I will give one example out of thousands. In Masafer Yatta, where 1,200 Palestinians are under threat of forcible displacement and hundreds have already been forcibly displaced, the international community helped build a school to counter attempts to uproot the community. The diplomatic corps visited the school in a sign of solidarity and commitment. The very next day Israeli bulldozers and occupation forces were deployed while schoolchildren were attending class and the school was destroyed in front of their eyes. Accountability is what ensures that in this race bulldozers do not prevail over humanity and legality. When humankind is faced with a disease, it searches for a cure. Here we know the cure. Now it is just a matter of will to address climate change, which is a clear and present danger, because there is no possible humanitarian response if we do not. As millions of our fellow humans suffer today and many more will suffer tomorrow, we have a responsibility to act, collectively and decisively. It is a matter of will to uphold international law, our first line of defence. It is a matter of will to end colonialism, foreign occupation and apartheid, which are anachronistic and shameful realities. It is a matter of will to resolve lingering crises, to end famine and poverty, to address dire health and education needs. It is a matter of will to build resilient communities, resilient countries and a resilient planet. There is a human and an economic cost to political inaction that no humanitarian response can address. The human cost of Israeli occupation is felt in every Palestinian family, every home. It translates into pain and loss, separation and subjugation. But let me speak of the economic cost of the occupation. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the lost potential gross domestic product in the West Bank alone in the last two decades due to Israeli restrictions amounts to $58 billion. That does not include the cost of the damage to and destruction of Palestinian assets under Israeli military operations and other measures. It does not include the loss due to Israel’s full control of 60 per cent of the West Bank, which is off limits for Palestinians, including the Jordan Valley, our water reservoir and our food basket. UNCTAD also estimates the cumulative economic cost of the prolonged blockade of the Gaza Strip and of military operations there at $16.7 billion. The cost of the occupation since its onset can therefore be estimated at several hundred billion dollars, more than all of the humanitarian assistance provided to the Palestinian people since 1948 several times over. In parallel, the contribution of illegal settlements to the economy of Israel is estimated at $30 billion a year. If we want to end occupation, we must make sure that we stop bearing its costs while Israel reaps its benefits. Palestine can become aid-independent virtually overnight once its political independence is effectively guaranteed. We have human capital we are proud of. We have natural resources. We have an entrepreneurial spirit. That potential must be unleashed. That only happens with freedom, sovereignty and self- determination, and must be our primary objective.

I now give the floor to the observer of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The Sovereign Order of Malta thanks the President for calling this meeting to discuss key comprehensive reports published by the Secretary-General (A/77/72, A/77/93, A/77/318 and A/77/361). Transparency remains our most effective tool at the United Nations, and the transparency shown in the reports enables us to better understand and therefore better respond to the natural disasters and humanitarian crises we will continue to face. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, fuelled by ever-rising greenhouse-gas concentrations and accumulated heat. Extreme heatwaves, droughts and devastating flooding have affected millions and cost billions. In an annual report published by the global reinsurance company Swiss Re, it is believed that in 2021 the global economic losses from natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and wildfires exceeded $260 billion. This is a price that is too often borne by the least affluent of our brothers and sisters, and which, in its turn, consigns them and future generations to deeper levels of poverty and privation. But sometimes, even in moments of crisis, opportunities are created. We must use this opportunity to reflect on and reconsider our expenditure priorities. We must step up to the plate when it comes to following through on the funding promises made to our most at- risk nations following the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and dealing with the economic and social dimensions of the North-South divide. Some here may disagree, but I ask, if not now, then when? Across the world, Governments, sovereign entities like ours and non-governmental organizations are accelerating humanitarian and disaster relief in concert with the United Nations, helping those living amid armed conflict and natural disasters by providing medical assistance and care for refugees and by distributing medicines and basic equipment for survival. By focusing on disaster risk reduction, we implement measures to ensure that communities are prepared when disasters strike. At the Order of Malta, through our prevention programmes, we particularly reach out to people who are the least able to flee from war and conflict — the elderly and the disabled. After an epochal level of rain and flooding in recent months, and when 33 million people in Pakistan continued to be affected by the monsoon, our international aid agency, Malteser International, assisted in rescue operations and the evacuation of families in the severely affected province of Sindh. In training sessions, our volunteers were trained to warn the population of disasters at an early stage and then to accompany people to higher ground during flooding. We were one of many aid agencies that quickly came to the aid of that beleaguered nation. Furthermore, considering the Secretary-General’s report entitled “Persistent legacy of the Chernobyl disaster” (A/77/537), we join his call to ensure that no one is left behind and unable to find help in the face of such disasters. In recent years, we have donated Order of Malta ambulances to affected areas and have provided financial aid and rehabilitation services to first- and second-generation victims of the meltdown. Our response to that disaster has continued since 1986, and we have not lost sight of the fact that 36 years after the explosion, we are still making monumental efforts to alleviate its social and environmental effects. Yet in recent months we have all witnessed the potentially very similar near-destruction of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power station. Humankind seemingly remains unenlightened by its very own history. We commend the focused discussion that the United Nations has had on Palestine in recent weeks. As is highlighted in the report (A/77/93), the social sector there was hit hard by the coronavirus disease, and the recent security escalations have significantly weakened the safety net for the most vulnerable in their society. In response, we are expanding our resources to protect its most at-risk citizens, namely women, children and refugees, and we are trying to provide them with hope through employment and medical assistance. We know there are no easy solutions to the world’s problems, but the urgency of reconciling our own political differences and seeking common action in the face of those clear and present dangers, which transcend political and cultural domains, must not be lost on any of us. After all, the United Nations is our last best hope, not only for coordinating humanitarian and disaster relief but for energizing in all of us the will and the power to break through our differences and put the needs of the sick, the poor and the marginalized at the centre of our efforts. It is they who demand justice in regions that too often put national self-interest, power and control before a concern for the victims of our own disregard for the common good. Drawing on our Christian heritage and tradition, we seek hope in the words of the beatitudes — “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill”. If all of us expand our collective collaboration with United Nations aid agencies and related bodies, we can be on the right side of history and continue to earn the respect of those who, tragically, are on the wrong side of the economic divide.

I now give the floor to the observer of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to address the General Assembly on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Throughout the year in this Hall we have heard resounding statements that climate change is having far-reaching consequences, affecting every aspect of our lives and making humanitarian assistance more unpredictable and complex. Yet nearly every day we hear stories of the suffering caused by the effects of climate change in communities across the world. The climate crisis is not just an important issue for the humanitarian community. It is the main issue because the threats posed by climate change are growing everywhere. They cause increasing humanitarian needs and greater losses of life and livelihoods. They reverse hard-won development gains and so demand an unprecedented global response. As the world’s largest and oldest humanitarian network addressing disasters and climate-related emergencies, we have been tackling the adverse effects of climate change for a long time. We first talked about it from this very rostrum in 2008 (see A/63/PV.29), long before the climate crisis hit the headlines. It is sad that after so many years I am standing here today with the same message. The climate crisis is a threat to humankind, and the humanitarian impact from climate change will continue to escalate everywhere if we do not act now. Over the past decade, 83 per cent of all disasters were caused by climate-related events. We estimate that 200 million people every year could need international humanitarian aid by 2050 because of a cruel combination of climate-related disasters and their socioeconomic impact. If we let the number of people in need increase, the cost of failing to act will be an extra $29 billion for the humanitarian system, which is already struggling to meet overlapping crises with half its current financial needs. Climate change is today’s defining humanitarian, development and human rights challenge, and its impact could cancel the development and human rights progress of recent decades and put further pressure on a humanitarian system that is already stretched due to overlapping crises. It is therefore important to further study and understand climate risks for people and the humanitarian effects of climate change, which are becoming more frequent and intense with each new year. Based on the work and operational experience of our Red Cross and Red Crescent network, I want to urge all Member States and partners to focus on two priorities. The first is that locally led climate adaptation should be scaled up. As the humanitarian impact of climate change keeps growing, so too should the financing for local action for climate adaptation, ensuring that it reaches the world’s most impoverished communities, which are often the most affected and most at risk. No country is immune to the climate crisis, and all Governments need to invest in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. However, some countries and communities are more vulnerable than others. They have greater exposure to extreme climate and weather events, higher susceptibility to disasters and a lower capacity to adapt. According to our latest analysis, climate adaptation funding averages less than $1 per person in countries where vulnerability is highest. We welcome the new language in this year’s draft resolution entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations” (A/77/L.30), recognizing the importance of enhancing access to international climate finance to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. But urgent action is needed now, because climate finance is not yet targeted to the people who need it most. We therefore call on all Member States, United Nations agencies and other partners to prioritize the most vulnerable and commit to the accountable funding allocation of climate finance for adaptation. That is best done by developing and sharing robust frameworks that target the countries most vulnerable to climate change and account for funds spent on the basis of people’s risks and needs. Secondly, the amount of climate finance to local actors should be increased and made easier to access. Our new data shows that climate funding is not reaching the local communities at the sharp end of climate change, despite the political promises of that. Currently, only about 10 per cent of adaptation funding is granted at the local level, and with less than 2 per cent of total climate funding. The top 30 countries that receive most adaptation funding are not among the top 30 most vulnerable countries. Additionally, multilateral humanitarian finance remains particularly difficult for local organizations and groups to access. International investment, attention and authority still flow mainly to international organizations rather than the local actors on the front lines of the fight against climate change. The barriers to climate finance are still too high for local communities, especially in what are already fragile contexts. Determined political commitment is needed to lower those barriers, and the IFRC stands ready to work with all Member States and other partners on financially responsible and operationally effective ways to do this. A key part of the solution will be ensuring that climate, development and humanitarian funds work together for a common purpose. We very much welcome the agreement reached at the twenty- seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to establish a new funding arrangement on loss and damage. However, that must be complemented by new and additional financing that reaches the people and communities most at risk. That financing must be predictable, adequate and flexible enough to address risk and disaster as they happen. We in the IFRC and our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are steadfast in our dedication to responding to the climate crisis by scaling up local action and lowering the barriers to climate financing for the people who need it most. We look forward to continuing to work with the communities and Governments affected to build their preparedness and resilience in the face of today’s rising risks and increasing impact.

I now give the floor to the observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

We are again meeting this year at a time of significant humanitarian challenges compounded by armed conflicts, climate change and a global food and energy crisis. Thousands of our colleagues are mobilizing in places like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Israel and the occupied territories, the Sahel region, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti to uphold the principles of humanity. In that context, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calls on all parties to facilitate the work of medical and humanitarian personnel, respect their safety and security and preserve humanitarian space. This year we would like to draw the attention of the Assembly to three important issues that continue to shape the operational landscape of impartial humanitarian organizations. The first is urban warfare, including the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The urbanization of warfare is a reality for populations and humanitarian agencies. Last month, more than 80 States adopted a milestone political declaration to improve the protection of civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, one of the major causes of civilian harm in today’s armed conflicts. That collective achievement has the potential to change the fate of hundreds of thousands of people. It is a major step towards strengthening the protection of civilians and essential services and respect for international humanitarian law. For the first time in an instrument of this kind, States have acknowledged the gravity of the problem and committed to taking concrete actions to address it, including by restricting or refraining from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. It sends a powerful signal that belligerents cannot continue fighting in populated areas the way they have until now. That change in mindset and perspective is crucial. Yet we are only at the beginning of a long process. We urge Member States to work together to broaden support for the Declaration and implement it effectively, turning ambitious commitments into concrete measures to alleviate human suffering during armed conflicts and their aftermath. The ICRC will continue to work closely with other parts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to prevent and respond to the devastating and cumulative effects of urban warfare on essential services such as water, sanitation, electricity and health care. We also call on all Member States to operationalize Security Council resolution 2573 (2021), on the protection of essential services, and to comply fully with international humanitarian law. The second issue is digital threats. In recent years, several cyber operations have affected States’ critical civilian infrastructure, such as nuclear plants, electricity grids and water systems, as well as humanitarian organizations. The disruption or destruction of outer- space systems serving critical infrastructure could also have broad consequences for the civilian population, including humanitarian organizations. In addition, the growing involvement of civilians and civilian companies in military cyber operations and other digital activities during armed conflict exposes them to harm and risks undermining the principle of distinction, a central tenet of international humanitarian law. In that respect, the ICRC urges States to consider the risk of adverse humanitarian consequences when making any decision at a national or multilateral level regarding cyber operations during armed conflict. Essential questions on the protection of civilian life require further discussion and clear positions from States, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the information and communications technology and space environments. In that context, we call on States to interpret and apply existing rules of international humanitarian law in good faith to ensure sufficient protection for civilians, civilian infrastructure and civilian data. States should also take measures to ensure that humanitarian organizations are protected online just as they are offline, and that civilians are protected against harmful information such as hate speech. In October, the ICRC also announced that in close collaboration with the Movement’s partners, it would seek States’ and other stakeholders’ views on whether and how to develop a digital emblem, meaning a digital signal to identify medical facilities and the ICRC and the Federation, and to provide an additional layer of protection against cyber operations. The third issue concerns obligations under international humanitarian law related to prisoners of war and missing persons in international armed conflicts. In international armed conflicts, international humanitarian law requires captured soldiers and interned civilians to be treated humanely and allowed to communicate with their families and the ICRC granted regular access to them to verify the conditions of their detention and restore contacts between those persons and their families. In such conflicts, States must account for protected persons, in particular by sharing relevant information on prisoners of war, wounded, sick and dead military personnel and other protected persons in their hands via their national information bureaus with the Central Tracing Agency of the ICRC, intended for onward transmission to their countries and families. States must also ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and properly identified. Measures such as these are critically important in preventing people from going missing and fulfilling the right of families to know the fate and whereabouts of their relatives. In the light of resurgent international armed conflicts, we call on all States to redouble their political efforts and leadership to respect and ensure respect for these fundamental provisions through their concrete and timely implementation. Now is the time to redouble diplomatic efforts to put our shared humanitarian values at the centre of international cooperation. Multilateralism matters. International humanitarian law and humanitarian principles matter. It is through renewed collective action that we will preserve our common humanity and make a difference in the lives of millions of people affected by armed conflicts and other humanitarian emergencies.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item. We shall now proceed to consider draft resolutions A/77/L.30, A/77/L.32, A/77/L.34 and A/77/L.35. Delegations wishing to make statements in explanation of position before adoption on any or all these draft resolutions are invited to do so now in one intervention. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.30, entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of draft resolution A/77/L.30, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, the Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Palau, Qatar, San Marino, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Viet Nam.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/77/L.30?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.32, entitled “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development”. For the Assembly’s information, the draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/77/L.32, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/77/L.32?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.34, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. For the Assembly’s information, the draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/77/L.34, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Djibouti, Georgia, Guinea- Bissau, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Monaco, Mozambique, North Macedonia, the Republic of Korea, Senegal, Serbia and Switzerland.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/77/L.34?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/77/L.35, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”. For the Assembly’s information, the draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/77/L.35, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Indonesia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Montenegro, Mozambique, Palau, Panama, Peru, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, the State of Palestine, Timor-Leste, Türkiye, Uruguay and Viet Nam.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/77/L.35?

Before giving the floor for explanations of position after adoption, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by representatives from their seats.

At the outset, I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the delegations of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Kuwait, the State of Qatar and my own country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our States express their thanks and appreciation to the delegation of Sweden for the efforts exerted in facilitating draft resolution A/77/L.30, entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations”. Our States’ delegations joined consensus on the draft resolution because they believe in the importance of the issues that it addresses. However, with regard to the topics on reproductive and sexual health needs and services, especially as contained in paragraphs 62 and 63 of the draft resolution, our countries consider that those topics must be considered in line with our national legislation and the religious and cultural values of our society. We ask that this statement be recorded in the official record of the meeting.

We traditionally join the consensus on resolutions concerning humanitarian personnel, but I would like to touch on the International Criminal Court. This judicial body is deteriorating. It is far from the high ideals of justice enshrined in the Rome Statute. In the 20 years of its existence, there have been scandalous falsifications and unprecedented use of incorrect and politicized approaches. We therefore dissociate ourselves from operative paragraph 8 and the relevant preambular paragraphs in resolution 77/31 concerning this, and we do not believe that we can accept the provisions related to the International Criminal Court. We would like this to be reflected in the record of the meeting.

I deliver this statement in explanation of my delegation’s positions on the resolutions adopted today under agenda item 69. Humanitarian work occupies an extremely important place in the agenda of the United Nations and its agencies owing to its profound impact on the lives of persons needing humanitarian assistance and the recurrence of natural disasters and armed conflicts, which make the burden even heavier for relief organizations. We call on the international community to demonstrate greater solidarity in order to provide humanitarian aid to people in vulnerable situations. My country’s delegation joined the consensus on — and welcomes the adoption of — resolutions 77/28, 77/29 and 77/31. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the facilitators for the efforts they have made, which enabled us to reach consensus on those draft resolutions. They will undoubtedly contribute to the enhancement of humanitarian work in a manner that will meet the needs of persons while giving due respect to the principles and rules of humanitarian work. However, we would like to clarify our position on some of their contents. First, with regard to references to sexual and reproductive health care, we would like to stress that this concept only refers to health-care services that are in line with the national legislation and religious and cultural values of our society. At the international level, such services must be in line with the agreed- upon Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the policies agreed upon internationally and adopted by the General Assembly. Secondly, with regard to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, we would like to stress that the Compact is not a legally binding document. While we agree with its objectives, which aim to deal with the structural reasons for migration, such as development, the negative impact of climate change and the degradation of the environment, we also confirm the sovereign right of countries to adopt legislation, as they see fit, to manage the migration dossier. We ask that this statement be recorded in the official record of the meeting.

I take the floor to explain the position of my delegation in relation to resolution 77/29, entitled “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development” and its paragraph 17. As my delegation explained during the consultations on the draft, there is prickly evidence on and no direct causal link between climate change and displacement. Assumptions linking these two phenomena as a single or main cause actually hinders the focus on the root causes of displacement and other human mobility. Indeed, the agreed language from various General Assembly resolutions, including in relation to internally displaced people, migration and disaster risk reduction, refers to the adverse effects of climate change as one of the risk multipliers or push factors in certain instances and among other drivers. That also reflects the position of my delegation.

The Philippines was pleased to join the consensus on resolution 77/31, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”. We express profound appreciation to all humanitarian personnel and those who take part in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. We strongly condemn all acts of violence, attacks and threats against all humanitarian workers, their transport, equipment and medical facilities. The Philippines, however, disassociates itself from all paragraphs mentioning the International Criminal Court (ICC), including preambular paragraph 33 and paragraph 8 in the resolution. Notwithstanding our withdrawal from the Rome Statue, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to protecting humanitarian and United Nations personnel and to applying the full force of the law against persons who attack them. The Rome Statute is anchored on the principle of complementarity, not substitution. It recognizes that States have the first responsibility and right to prosecute international crimes and that the ICC may only exercise jurisdiction where national legal systems fail or are unable to do so. Since we are able and willing, and our courts are fully functioning, we do not accept the ICC as a substitute for our national courts. We request that this statement be made part of the record of this meeting.

Hungary is deeply concerned about the increase in the impact of natural disasters, resulting in losses of life worldwide, food insecurity, water- and sanitation-related challenges, shelter and infrastructure losses, as well as displacement. Nevertheless, we would like to take the opportunity to put on record our position concerning preambular paragraph 13 of resolution 77/29, which contains references to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. We would like to recall that Hungary did not endorse the Global Compact and does not participate in its implementation. Therefore, we cannot accept any reference to the Compact in international documents. Therefore, Hungary would like to disassociate itself from preambular paragraph 13 of the resolution.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position after adoption. I now give the floor to the observer of the Observer State of the Holy See.

The Holy See welcomes the consensus-based adoption of resolutions 77/28, 77/29 and 77/31. Regarding resolution 77/28 on “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations”, the Holy See thanks the Permanent Mission of Sweden for presenting the text and for facilitating the informal consultations. The Holy See welcomes the positive additions included this year, in particular the recognition of the initiatives and efforts by the Secretary-General and the United Nations system to address and mitigate rising food insecurity. The Holy See also welcomes that this year’s text includes language about the critical importance of enhancing the capacities of the United Nations humanitarian system and humanitarian organizations to reach people in need. Another crucial element is the acknowledgement that increased efforts are needed to address the root causes of internal displacement, achieve durable solutions and prevent, protect and improve assistance to internally displaced persons. The Holy See recommends that, in future years, all announcements regarding this process go through official United Nations communication channels. This is to ensure transparency and inclusivity, so that all delegations are promptly informed about every step of the negotiation process and therefore can participate in the informal consultations. Regarding resolution 77/29, on “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development”, the Holy See thanks the Group of 77 and China for presenting the text and expresses its appreciation to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh for facilitating the informal consultations on the resolution. The Holy See welcomes the calls in this year’s text to prevent famine and prevent and address food insecurity and malnutrition, their underlying causes related to disasters and the adverse effects of climate change. The Holy See is also pleased to see that the text includes language about the need to identify and apply lessons learned and best practices for major sudden-onset and slow-onset natural disasters to improve humanitarian system-wide responses and outcomes for people in need. Finally, the Holy See, in conformity with its nature and particular mission, is obliged to express two reservations on the following concepts used in resolutions 77/28 and 77/29. First, the Holy See understands the terms “sexual and reproductive health” and “sexual and reproductive health-care services” as applying to a holistic concept of health. It does not consider abortion, access to abortion or access to abortifacients as a dimension of these terms. Secondly, with regard to “gender” and its derivates, the Holy See understands the term to be grounded in biological sexual identity and difference, male or female.

The exercise of the right of reply has been requested. May I remind members that statements made in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and to five minutes for the second intervention and should be made by delegations from their seats.

We cannot cover all the facets of the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people without indicating the systematic and continued looting of Syria’s wealth, including its oil, wheat and agricultural harvests, being perpetrated by the United States occupying forces. It is interesting to hear the claims being made by the United States delegate, according to which the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic is hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Syrian Government is sparing no effort to guarantee protection for humanitarian convoys crossing the lines and has lost some of its best men in its effort to protect these convoys. I would like to indicate here what was mentioned by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. These unhumanitarian, illegal and unethical measures deepen the suffering of the Syrian people and lead to an extreme shortage of medications, specialized medical equipment and limited access to food, water, electricity and fuel. (spoke in English) Only when the United States withdraws its forces from Syria, stops supporting separatist militias and lifts its unilateral coercive measures, which contribute to the suffering of Syrians, can it talk about humanitarian assistance.

I would like to use this right of reply in order to repudiate the open speculation that has taken place, in particular by Ukraine, regarding events at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. We strongly reject the misinformation of Ukraine and their Western backers who are accusing us of endangering the security of Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Not a single real fact was presented in this regard, only baseless speculation. In April and June, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) missions to Chornobyl showed that radiation levels at the plant were within the normal range. Russian forces took control of the plant in such a way as to pose no threat to its security. Russian forces kept the plant safe between 24 February and 31 March. There was no interference with the work of its operators — it continued to be run by its Ukrainian personnel. No workers were pressured in any way. All of the necessary conditions were fulfilled for them to perform their duties as usual. Complications that arose related solely to the actions of Ukraine, which created artificial obstacles for personnel rotation. In particular, the Kyiv regime blew up a bridge that was used to ensure the safe passage of workers from the city of Slavutych to the power plant. Formations controlled by the Kyiv regime orchestrated provocations aimed at creating an emergency situation at the power plant. For example, on 9 March, Ukraine deliberately damaged an electricity line that provided supply to the cooling system of the storage facility for spent nuclear fuel located on the territory of the plant. The consequences of this diversion were swiftly dealt with. Backup diesel generators were used, and later, in agreement with Minsk, the electricity supply was replenished from the Belarusian power grid. Having completed the assigned tasks, Russian divisions returned the station to full Ukrainian control. At the time, the management of the power plant made no complaints about the manner in which the Russian military acted, which is confirmed in the relevant document. The main threat to the security of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is the ongoing shelling by Ukrainian armed forces who, since mid-July, have carried out attacks on the station and created real threats to its security, including the risk of a technical accident with radioactive substances. The most recent example of this was the shelling of the Zaporizhzhya plant by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 19 and 20 November. We provided the relevant information in official Security Council and General Assembly documents. However, the United States of America and its allies continue to ignore what happened and are in no hurry to reason with the Zelenskyy regime, which is playing games with the lives of people in the country and across all of the European continent. Russia did everything that it could to do to effectively and safely carry out the IAEA mission on 1 September to the station, despite the provocations from the Kyiv regime. After the visit to the plant, the Director General of the IAEA proposed an initiative to create an operational and physical nuclear safety protection zone around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The aim was to prevent any threat to the station as a result of the ongoing attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces. We support this initiative in principle, but we must agree on the parameters of the zone so that it does not risk lead to a lower level of protection or an increased threat of terrorist acts. The State that are now again allowing themselves anti-Russian tirades are turning a blind eye to the provocative actions of the Kyiv regime towards the Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plants. That threatens the security of the entire European continent. Such permissiveness by Western countries creates a false idea for Kyiv that such actions will remain unpunished and will also encourage new, even more dangerous actions. Those countries will therefore share responsibility for those actions and consequences with the Kyiv regime.

The delegation of Belarus would like to use its right of reply relating to this agenda item. We are sure that the international cooperation on Chornobyl must be continued exclusively in a spirit of coordination and partnership. That should not be a platform for politicization, manipulation or aggravating confrontation. The consequences of the accident at the power plant have caused us shared pain, and overcoming it is our common goal. The people of Belarus are grateful for assistance for the sustainable development of the territories that have suffered as a result of the accident at Chornobyl — this assistance complements the national efforts of all States concerned. Belarus remains committed to international cooperation on Chornobyl based on dialogue and partnership. We are grateful to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the active participation of the Agency in providing, as requested, support in ensuring nuclear and radiation safety at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. We are pleased that the situation at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant is returning to normal. For its part, Belarus has done everything it can to organize ongoing and reliable electric supply to the station’s facilities, which had been cut off in March. In March and April, Belarus provided 12.5 million kilowatts of electricity to the station, which made it possible to prevent an environmental disaster in the region. Belarus has always been willing to support and engage in cooperation. Along with Russia and Ukraine, Belarus itself suffered the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. We understand better than anyone the possible consequences of those types of events. We continue to hope that nuclear security and guarantees thereof will remain an absolute priority for all stakeholders. On the resolution, Belarus made its position clear in July when we considered the decision of the General Assembly on the rollover of sub-item (d) of agenda item 69, entitled “Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster”, to the next session.

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 69 and its sub- items (a) to (d).

The General Assembly will now take action on the draft resolution contained in document A/77/L.10. Before we proceed to take action on the draft resolution, I should like to inform members that the Assembly will hold a debate on this item at a later date to be announced. I now give the floor to the representative of Turkmenistan to introduce draft resolution A/77/L.10.

It is my honour, on behalf of the delegation of Turkmenistan, to introduce the draft resolution entitled “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, 2023”, contained in document A/77/L.10. At the outset, let me express our sincere gratitude to all delegations for their productive engagement and the constructive inputs they brought to the negotiations, which resulted in the substantive text of this draft resolution. We note with appreciation the broad interregional support for the document submitted. Thus, in addition to the initial co-sponsors, more than 60 countries have joined the list. Throughout the negotiation process on the text, we made every effort to maintain a constructive atmosphere and reach broad consensus. The Charter of the United Nations calls upon all Members to maintain international peace, develop friendly relations, carry out international cooperation and resolve their disputes by peaceful means through negotiation and dialogue. In developing those principles and goals, the President of Turkmenistan, in December 2021 in Ashgabat, put forward the global initiative “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace” during the Forum of Peace and Trust. That idea directly correlates with the initiative of the Secretary-General to form an ambitious New Agenda for Peace, which includes reducing global strategic risks, investing in conflict prevention and peacemaking, and supporting regional preventive measures. The philosophy of “dialogue is a guarantee of peace” is aimed at pooling the efforts of the international community in strengthening the tradition of the peaceful and trusting coexistence of nations, restoring the values, views and traditions relating to preserving and promoting peace, and establishing an extensive culture of peace in international relations. The draft resolution entitled “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, 2023” is a product of comprehensive consultations that takes into account the constructive opinions and proposals of all member countries. The document reflects the main principles of the Charter of the United Nations: to settle disputes by peaceful means and to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. This document reaffirms that inclusive dialogue in its various manifestations plays an important role in strengthening relations and cooperation among Member States. The text of the draft resolution emphasizes the special role of women and youth as well as the contribution of children and older persons to the promotion of a culture of peace and in particular the importance of women’s active participation in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in the promotion of a culture of peace, including in post-conflict situations. We believe that broad and sustainable dialogue will contribute to mobilizing the efforts of the international community to strengthen peace and trust among peoples, based on mutual understanding and cooperation, with a view to building solidarity and harmony. In that regard, our objective is to call upon the international community to promote the ideals of peace and trust and to demonstrate its commitment to dialogue in every possible way. The operative part of the draft resolution declares 2023 the International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace and calls on the community of nations to resolve conflicts through inclusive dialogue and negotiation in order to ensure the strengthening of peace as a value that promotes sustainable development, security and human rights. It is a great honour to inform the Assembly that in a few days, on 11 December, Turkmenistan will host an international conference entitled “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”. We strongly believe that the convening of that forum in neutral Turkmenistan in today’s geopolitical conditions is a timely and necessary step towards sustainable peace to put multilateral dialogue on a peaceful, diplomatic course. That is part of a long process, and now we are continuing the global campaign to promote a culture of peace based on the results of the International Year of Peace and Trust, in 2021, initiated by Turkmenistan. The States Members of the United Nations and international, regional and subregional organizations are invited to participate in that important conference. It will also be broadcast in real time on Internet platforms. We are convinced that Turkmenistan’s initiative to launch in 2023 the Global Campaign for Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace will make a significant contribution to the development of equal, mutually respectful and trusting ties between nations. We thank the delegations that co-sponsored the draft resolution that we are considering today and look forward to reaching consensus on it.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/77/L.10. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution, entitled “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, 2023”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/77/L.10, the following countries have also become co-sponsors: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Chile, China, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Viet Nam and Yemen.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/77/L.10?

Before giving the floor for explanations of vote or position after the voting, I would like to remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

The United States firmly supports efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation as a means of promoting peace. We thank Turkmenistan for having submitted resolution 77/32 on an important topic. We would like to take this opportunity to clarify our position on the following issues. First, the United States has not seen evidence that the policy of neutrality plays an important role in the development of peaceful and mutually beneficial relations among countries and contributes to the strengthening of international peace and security. Collective self-defence is an inherent right reflected in the Charter of the United Nations. Defensive security alliances promote international peace and security by deterring aggression and violence. They protect territorial integrity and provide conditions for political independence, principles enshrined in the Charter. Alliances and alignments based on democratic values and transparency can also be effective at preventing aggression and strengthening peace and security. We are open to conversations about the links between neutrality and the goals of the resolution. We believe that this resolution would have been stronger and more effective if it referred to tangible goals supported by data. Secondly, and similarly, the United States supports the idea of friendship to all and malice towards none, as referenced in preambular paragraph 14, but the language in that paragraph does not explicitly link and clarify how that will contribute to strengthening international peace. Finally, resolution 1980/67, paragraph 11, of the Economic and Social Council states: “A final decision on a proposal for an international year should be taken by the General Assembly, not earlier than one full year after the introduction of the proposal, thus allowing the views of all Member States to be taken into account and allowing the competent organs to make a thorough assessment of the proposal in the light of its practical desirability and the probability of real results”. Any decision on international years or dates should be announced a full year ahead of time, meaning that the first possible year to observe this International Year would be 2024, not 2023. Member States should have had more time to reflect on the commitments that this type of announcement entails. Nevertheless, we reiterate our appreciation for the efforts of Turkmenistan in submitting this resolution in support of dialogue in establishing and maintaining peace. The United States remains committed to working with Member States to promote tolerance and understanding.

The United Kingdom would like to thank Turkmenistan for bringing forward resolution 77/32 and for its helpfulness in coordinating important discussions throughout negotiations. As we look ahead to 2023 as the International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, we must recall what the Charter of the United Nations says about the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and peaceful settlements of disputes. Actions must follow words. We cannot truly have a year of peace, and we cannot implement this resolution unless and until Russia stops its illegal war in Ukraine.

The delegation of Ukraine has joined the consensus on resolution 77/32, entitled “International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace”. We commend the efforts of Turkmenistan in promoting that important topic. We have always considered dialogue to be an important element of peace efforts. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against my country, in 2014, Ukraine has been committed to a peaceful settlement through dialogue and negotiation. Instead of reciprocating Ukraine’s peaceful aspirations, Russia started a military build-up along our borders at the end of the previous year and remained deaf to our attempts to get back on a diplomatic track. On the eve of the invasion, President Zelenskyy publicly addressed the Russian leader, calling for dialogue and talks on the escalation. There was no response to that call, just as there been none to any of our previous attempts. Several hours later, Russian rockets and bombs hit peaceful Ukrainian cities and villages. The invasion had begun. Now, more than nine months later, Russian troops are still invading Ukraine, although they have had to flee from several regions. Russian missiles and shells continue to target Ukrainians, our homes, schools, hospitals, industrial facilities and critical infrastructure. Just yesterday, more than 70 missiles were launched from Russian aircraft and ships to destroy critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine. All Ukrainian regions have suffered from emergency power outages, and millions of people were left without electricity, heat or water, in freezing temperatures. That was Moscow’s deliberate goal. We are therefore baffled to find the aggressive State of Russia and its accomplice, Belarus, on the list of sponsors of resolution 77/32, a list that contains many Member States that we respect as responsible and peace-loving nations. A rotten apple that could spoil the whole barrel, Russia discredits all the decent things, institutions and initiatives it touches, speaks about or joins, or it tries to manipulate or misuse them for its aggressive purposes. In that regard, Ukraine, while supporting the initiative of declaring 2023 the International Year of Dialogue as a Guarantee of Peace, harbours no illusions that it will have an effect on Russia’s aggressive stance or make Moscow withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of Ukraine or stop killing Ukrainians. At the same time, there is no doubt that Moscow will be forced to halt its aggression and to quit Ukraine and that it will be brought to justice for the crimes that its troops have committed and continue to commit. The initiative that we have just supported should serve a reminder that sustainable peace is possible only if we remain resolute in defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and in responding to violations thereof until they are stopped.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position after the voting. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 14.