A/78/PV.47 General Assembly

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union (see A/78/PV.46), and would like to add a few remarks in its national capacity. The humanitarian situation worldwide is only worsening, and humanitarian needs are growing dramatically on a global scale. The work of the United Nations in providing a timely and effective humanitarian response is crucial in every corner of the world, from Africa to the Middle East to my own country, Ukraine. Humanitarian and development support is critical for Ukraine, because the Russian Federation has invaded our State and launched a full- scale war in which civilians are one of its deliberate targets. Russia’s aggression steals efforts and resources that Ukraine and our region could devote to tackling global threats such as climate change, and to responding to the humanitarian needs of civilians suffering from conflicts worldwide. But because of Russia’s war, 14.5 million Ukrainians, one third of the population, have been uprooted. Approximately 3.7 million of our citizens remain displaced within Ukraine, and more than 6.3 million have sought safety abroad. The targets of the attacks also include civilian buildings, Ukrainian civil port infrastructure and grain storage facilities. About 6 million people in Ukraine are dealing with the danger of mines. We need international support for the work of demining about 30 per cent of Ukraine’s territory, or 175,000 square kilometres. Our delegation commends the work of the United Nations humanitarian team on the ground in Ukraine and is grateful to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Development Programme, 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 effective and active efforts to address the brutal humanitarian crisis. We are profoundly thankful to all partners and donors around the world for the support they have provided to Ukraine. The coordination of humanitarian assistance is closely related to issues of food security, which is an increasingly pressing concern. The international community should provide assistance in ensuring the primary needs of the millions of people around the world who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated the global food crisis. Its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and use of global food supplies as a weapon of war have caused severe damage. But despite all the difficulties, Ukraine has remained a reliable global food supplier. We have been closely cooperating with the World Food Programme on the Grain from Ukraine initiative. We held the second International Grain from Ukraine Summit in Kyiv at the end of last month. The key goal was to consolidate efforts to ensure global food security and develop alternative logistics routes for exporting agricultural products to countries in need. The regional scope of the Summit included Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Together with its partners, Ukraine has proactively established alternative routes for maintaining the supply of critical goods to global markets and will continue efforts to that end. To date, 200 ships and more than 7 million tons of grain and other goods have traversed Ukraine’s Black Sea humanitarian corridor. In conclusion, I want to reiterate Ukraine’s full commitment and support to all efforts to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance provided by the United Nations, its Member States and all stakeholders.

We are pleased to be participating in the discussion of agenda item 72, which is an important one. The issue of providing humanitarian assistance to afflicted peoples is a top priority for the United Arab Emirates. The annual renewal of today’s draft resolution (A/78/L.20) is a very important step towards ensuring that our international response corresponds to the changing nature of crises and the growing humanitarian needs around the world, which have reached unprecedented levels. When the General Assembly first began discussing humanitarian issues, climate change, for example, was not a factor exacerbating humanitarian needs as it is today. In response to that, during the twenty- eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change the United Arab Emirates opened the first humanitarian centre highlighting humanitarian crises resulting from climate change and the losses that have resulted from a failure to address the problem. The centre also addresses the unjust and disproportionate impact of climate change on the poorest peoples of the world, despite the fact that they effect climate change less than anyone. In the meantime, we are witnessing many calls to the Central Emergency Response Fund to respond to climate-related situations, as well as to the finance and response mechanisms that have been established for addressing such situations. All of those efforts reflect the importance of what we are doing in this Hall today in terms of supporting the Central Fund, which is the largest mechanism in history for providing humanitarian support. Enabling the Fund and broadening its scope will be essential if we are to respond to our current and future challenges. While relief efforts continue to be essential to addressing humanitarian challenges worldwide, the evidence shows that complying with international humanitarian law, including regarding the delivery of humanitarian assistance, is vital to meeting humanitarian needs. We therefore need the international community and its leaders to urge all parties to conflicts around the globe to abide by international humanitarian law, including by working to prevent the targeting of civilians and their forced displacement, protect humanitarian facilities and teams and allow the entry and delivery of humanitarian assistance to all who are affected and in need. Yet despite all such efforts, it has now been two months since the war against Gaza began, and in the light of that it is imperative to ask whether those calls and efforts actually apply to everyone or whether where some people are concerned, double standards apply. Certain countries seem to enjoy immunity despite their violations of international humanitarian law. As Israel has continued to bomb hospitals, schools and United Nations installations in Gaza, to prevent or restrict humanitarian assistance and forcibly displace the population to areas where no place is safe, we have begun to wonder whether the world really respects our common humanity and lofty principles. The position of the United Arab Emirates in that regard is clear. The atrocities in the Gaza Strip demand that we call on all parties, regardless of their might, to abide by international humanitarian law. The lives of our brother people of Palestine will depend on that. As an international community, we must stand by the Palestinian people, who are enduring unprecedented suffering, and ensure that other peoples do not face similar circumstances as a result of previous failures to abide by international humanitarian law. The role played by the Central Emergency Response Fund is more important now than ever, especially given the enormous humanitarian needs as a result of the war in Gaza. Adequate funding must be provided to meet those needs, although funding, as important as it is, cannot mitigate the suffering of the Palestinian people without major changes to the mechanisms of providing humanitarian aid. Such changes will ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those who are in dire need of it throughout the Gaza Strip in a safe, urgent and non-obstructed manner. The United Arab Emirates has been committed to stepping up its support to the brotherly Palestinian people, especially in the last two months. We have established a field hospital in the Gaza Strip and received many injured children and cancer patients in our hospitals. Furthermore, we have established an air bridge to transfer aid to Gaza and support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. We have also launched a popular campaign to support those affected by the war. In conclusion, the United Arab Emirates reaffirms its continued steadfast commitment to supporting afflicted peoples around the world without discrimination. Our humanitarian efforts stem from our keenness to assist those in need wherever they are, in accordance with humanitarian prerogatives.

Brunei Darussalam aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (see A/78/PV.46). At the outset, Brunei Darussalam joins others in extending our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report (A/78/73), which outlines efforts to strengthen humanitarian coordination and response, while also bringing to light the challenges posed by increasing unpredictable global security risks on humanitarian and disaster relief assistance. We recognize and commend the efforts of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant United Nations agencies for their work in delivering humanitarian assistance to peoples all around the world. The United Nations initially estimated that 339 million people globally would require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2023. However, by midyear, the figure has already surpassed projections, reaching 363 million individuals. And with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the number is likely even higher now, with no signs of abating. In that connection, allow me to highlight three key points. First, there is an urgent need to bolster the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including granting safe and unimpeded access to those requiring protection and assistance. Humanitarian principles should serve as the foundation of our humanitarian response. They are further bolstered by the sound backing of international humanitarian law, which should be firmly upheld and respected. Safeguarding the safety and well-being of all civilians in armed conflict, particularly the vulnerable, such as the elderly and children, is essential for maintaining peace and security, as they continue to bear a disproportionate brunt of the effects of violence seen in armed conflict. Children, for example, make up approximately 40 per cent of those who have lost their lives in the recent conflict in Gaza. Adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law is therefore paramount for the preservation of the rights and well-being of the most defenceless members of our communities, and it is crucial to hold accountable those that violate those rules. Secondly, we express deep concern over the alarming statistics on gender-based violence, including sexual violence, trafficking and harmful practices. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has long been recognized by the United Nations as a matter requiring urgent and particular attention, and earlier this year the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict highlighted that women and girls account for 94 per cent of the 2,455 United Nations-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2022. The significant rise in such violence has inflicted devastating effects on individuals and societies alike. We therefore join the Secretary-General’s call to increase capacity and programming to minimize the protection risks faced by affected populations, strengthen the protective environment and promote the safety and dignity of affected persons, among others. Finally, but certainly not least, there is an urgent need to enhance the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations staff who courageously put their lives at risk for the safety of others. Brunei Darussalam joins the United Nations in mourning the loss of more than 100 humanitarian workers who have lost their lives in the recent violence in the Middle East. We recognize the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives and their families and loved ones. That sacrifice is made by all humanitarian and medical personnel who, in fact, face great personal risk, not just to their physical safety and well-being but to their mental health and psychosocial well-being as well. Their dedication and selflessness underscore the pressing importance of reinforcing protective measures and support systems for those on the front lines of humanitarian efforts, which is essential to ensure that they can carry out their roles to protect civilian lives as effectively and safely as possible. In particular, we condemn the deliberate targeting of such personnel and the attacks carried out against them. Such attacks not only have an impact on the well-being and security of said personnel, but also hinder their ability to safely and effectively perform their much-needed work, restrict their access in conflict zones and affect the delivery of much-needed food, supplies and equipment. We therefore join others in urging Member States to take all necessary steps in ensuring the safety and security of such personnel. With the world experiencing its highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, it is sometimes too easy to become desensitized and to forget the very human faces of war. Brunei Darussalam stands in solidarity with those affected by humanitarian crises worldwide and recognizes that no single country can address these challenges in isolation. As such, we reiterate our commitment to collaborative efforts calling for a coordinated, principled and timely humanitarian response to alleviate the suffering of those in need.

I would like to take the opportunity provided by this meeting to recall France’s priorities with respect to humanitarian issues. The needs have never been higher, and we must respond to increasingly complex challenges and protracted crises all over the world. Grim records were set this year, with more than 366 million people relying on humanitarian assistance in 69 countries. Against a background of heightened crises, it is essential that we agree on fundamental principles. We cannot resign ourselves to the collapse of international humanitarian law. The need to abide by international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality, humanity and neutrality, is imperative. There is an obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, guarantee full, safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance, treat the wounded regardless of nationality and guarantee the neutrality and inviolability of personnel and health facilities. In Gaza, respect for international humanitarian law is binding on all parties. France reiterates its call for another immediate and lasting humanitarian truce, which should lead to a lasting ceasefire. That is an essential condition for the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the civilian populations of Gaza, as well as for the restoration of a political horizon. France will remain committed to this, following the International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population of Gaza, held on 9 November in Paris, and its follow-up meeting, held on 6 December. We cannot tolerate attacks on humanitarian installations, humanitarian convoys and aid workers themselves. This year, we have deplored the unacceptable losses in Gaza, the Sudan and Ukraine. Whether recruited internationally or locally, whether they belong to the United Nations, the Red Cross Movement or non-governmental organizations, humanitarian and medical workers must be respected and protected. France pays tribute to all the workers who have paid the ultimate price in wanting to save lives. With the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Europe has been hard hit by the largest humanitarian crisis on the continent since the Second World War. Ukraine is preparing to enter a second winter of war, while Russia is not hesitating to deliberately target civilian infrastructure, in particular energy infrastructure. The humanitarian emergency is also due to climate change. Following the twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, we know that natural disasters lead to crisis situations, as was the case with Storm Daniel in Libya, or the unprecedented droughts in the Horn of Africa. We must also respond to the needs of millions of people experiencing food and nutritional insecurity, or even famine. With more than 108 million people displaced across the world, we commend the tireless commitment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the eve of the Global Refugee Forum, which France has the honour of co-organizing. Today’s humanitarian challenges are enormous. It is vital to support the work of the humanitarian community through the draft resolutions we will adopt today, maintaining international consensus on the key United Nations normative frameworks for humanitarian action, in the spirit of effective multilateralism. We must also collectively ensure that humanitarian actors have sufficient resources to respond to the scale of these crises, and we call on the entire international community to take action. France will continue to increase its humanitarian assistance, with the goal of providing €1 billion in humanitarian aid in 2025. France remains fully mobilized and is preparing to renew its commitment with a new humanitarian strategy, which will be presented during our National Humanitarian Conference, to be held on 19 December in Paris.

At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank the Secretary- General for the reports concerning the agenda item under discussion today, and we take note of the recommendations therein. We also thank those who introduced the draft resolutions for their efforts to reach consensus on these texts, which are considered a working constitution for humanitarian organizations around the world. Those organizations work around the clock to provide aid and relief to those in need, especially in conflict areas. In that context, we cannot but express our thanks and gratitude to the humanitarian workers and pay tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty, while carrying out their noble work. Today, we are at a crossroads, facing humanitarian situations that are increasingly complex and dangerous. Countries must come together and make effective and collective efforts that are adequate to mitigate the suffering of millions around the world. The unprecedented challenges arising from armed conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics and displacement crises require an urgent and comprehensive international response. The tragic situations highlighted in the reports by the United Nations and relief organizations undoubtedly demonstrate the need for more effective international cooperation at a greater scale. The countries of the world must overcome their political divisions and work in close cooperation together to develop and implement sustainable solutions for these consecutive humanitarian crises. International cooperation must transcend short-term efforts and apply long-term strategies to prevent conflicts and achieve peacebuilding and sustainable development by addressing the root causes of humanitarian crises in order to realize a safer and more prosperous world. Algeria is steadfast in its commitment to global solidarity and humanitarian principles. Within our capabilities, we continue to play a vital role in providing essential support for those in need during crises, in particular those in our close geographic region. That role stems from a deep feeling of responsibility and empathy for those affected. Algeria’s humanitarian assistance goes beyond mere short-term efforts. Through the Algerian International Cooperation Agency, we contribute towards developing and implementing long- term plans with the aim of addressing the root causes of crises, promoting sustainable development and strengthening resilience in fragile zones. By doing that, Algeria contributes not only towards the welfare of those directly affected by humanitarian crises, but also towards creating a more stable and prosperous future. We cannot speak of humanitarian affairs without speaking of humanitarian workers who serve others and provide aid to those in need. Therefore, the least we can offer them is continuous support and protection. Protection of humanitarian workers is extremely important, in accordance with the principles of international law and the values on which the United Nations is founded. In that regard, we are deeply concerned and saddened by the dramatic losses suffered in the Gaza Strip by personnel of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) due to the brutal aggression carried out against the unarmed Palestinian people in Gaza. The fact that more than 130 UNWRA staff are among the victims of the conflict is not only a humanitarian disaster, but also a grave threat to the Agency’s ability to fulfil its obligations and provide the basic services to Palestinian refugees in this difficult situation. We strongly condemn acts of violence that target humanitarian workers and demand immediate and fair investigations into such incidents. We also stress the need to respect international humanitarian law, as deliberate attacks against humanitarian workers undermine the foundations of humanity and hamper the delivery of vital assistance to those in dire need of it. We cannot conclude our statement without addressing the tragic situation in the Palestinian territories. The Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip, are facing a disastrous humanitarian situation due to the ongoing blockade that has been in place for nearly 17 years and the unprecedented brutal and cruel aggression perpetrated against all aspects of life, which makes living in Gaza almost impossible. The scale of the human suffering in Gaza is unbelievable. Civilians, especially women and children, are paying the heaviest price and suffering amid brutal shelling that spares no one and a severe blockade that deprives those living in Gaza of their basic life needs, such as water, food and electricity. In Gaza, children and women are being killed by shelling and premature babies are dying of suffocation for lack of electricity. These horrific events painfully weigh on the global conscience. We reiterate our support for the Secretary- General’s demand concerning the need to announce an immediate ceasefire, enabling the international community to provide the medical, food and water supplies necessary for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. Without a ceasefire we cannot speak of facilitating or increasing humanitarian assistance. In conclusion, we reaffirm that the disastrous humanitarian situations in many regions of the world require greater solidarity from the international community, in accordance with the principle of common responsibility to safeguard the dignity and well-being of all people regardless of their circumstances. The international community must guarantee the respect of law and the provision of effective humanitarian assistance leading to a more merciful and just world.

I thank the President of the General Assembly for organizing this important annual meeting. The Kingdom of Morocco commends the efforts and leadership of the Secretary-General, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant United Nations bodies for their selfless work and continued commitment to improving humanitarian action and assistance. The Kingdom of Morocco also commends the facilitators of the draft resolutions presented today and reiterates its continued commitment to contribute to the efforts of the United Nations and other humanitarian actors to strengthen the coordination of assistance to vulnerable populations across the world, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and in full respect of the provisions of international humanitarian law. First, the new reports of the Secretary-General described 2022 as an extreme year in humanitarian terms, while the situation in 2023 continues to worsen on a number of levels, in particular in terms of humanitarian aid funding. Indeed, the Global Humanitarian Overview 2023 attests to an increase in emergency humanitarian needs, which amount to $55.5 billion, while the rate of recovery has barely reached 32 per cent. The rate recorded for the same period in 2022 was 37 per cent. Secondly, as regards the security of humanitarian staff, 2023 risks becoming particularly deadly for humanitarian workers. Acts of violence and abductions are increasing in number and complexity, and the mortality rate is unacceptable. Unfortunately, added to that are the deaths in Gaza of more than 130 workers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The Kingdom of Morocco pays tribute to the humanitarian workers who have lost their lives while carrying out their noble work of providing support and assistance on the ground. We highlight the need for humanitarian actors to be able to carry out their mission in complete safely and in an unhindered manner. The Kingdom of Morocco therefore supports the draft resolution submitted today (A/78/L.17) that would further reinforce the protection framework for those workers, while establishing greater operational and on-the-ground flexibility in the day-to- day management of their work. Thirdly, regarding natural disasters and climate change, the growing number of disasters has exerted pressure on the response capacity of the United Nations system and is hindering the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The consequences of the coronavirus disease pandemic continue to affect economic stability and the markets, in particular in developing countries. Climate change represents an existential threat to hundreds of millions of people around the world, in particular small island States. Displacement due to climate change is a reality and could worsen in the future, threatening international peace and security. Faced with our planet’s turbulence, we must urgently mobilize our efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change and further invest in the proactive approach and the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 by setting up early-warning mechanisms, green partnerships and pilot programmes in the area of adapting agriculture to climate change. On 8 September 2023, the Kingdom of Morocco was struck by an earthquake that resulted in the loss of more than 3,000 lives, besides those injured, and damaging local infrastructure in the zones around the earthquake. His Majesty Mohammed VI immediately gave instructions to mobilize every available resource for the search-and-rescue teams in record time and in order to support those in difficulty. Furthermore, pursuant to royal directives, a programme to reconstruct and generally upgrade the regions affected by the earthquake was set up and is currently being implemented, with a provisional overall budget of $12 billion over five years. The Kingdom of Morocco, whose sovereign, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is Head of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, reiterates its great concern and deep indignation concerning the increase in military action and worsening of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has killed thousands of women and children and left tens of thousands injured, homeless or missing. Places of worship, hospitals and refugee camps are also being bombarded, with a mass forced displacement of Palestinians. The Kingdom of Morocco reaffirms that all those escalatory acts on the part of Israel run counter to international humanitarian law and reiterates the need to bring an end to the military aggression in order to achieve a lasting and verifiable ceasefire, ensure the protection of civilians, guarantee the continued delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza and outline a political horizon for the Palestinian question aimed at reviving the two-State solution. In that regard, we reiterate our firm support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the June 1967 borders, living side by side with Israel. In the context of the current crisis, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency, in accordance with the instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Head of the Al-Quds Committee, has sent major contributions to the main hospitals and social institutions that are dealing with emergency medical and social cases resulting from the situation in Gaza. The Kingdom of Morocco, under royal directives, has also provided humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people following the crisis in Gaza. Morocco has always been committed to supporting the humanitarian work of the United Nations and its bodies through regular and voluntary financial assistance to the Central Emergency Response Fund in addition to further voluntary contributions to other humanitarian agencies. It continues to reinforce its efforts towards mitigating humanitarian crises through its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions and by organizing regional initiatives such as the first Africa Action Summit for Continental Co-Emergence in 2016, which took place on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2016, and led to the Adaptation of African Agriculture to Climate Change initiative and the creation of three African climate committees — for the Sahel, the Congo Basin and island States. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Morocco’s support for the humanitarian draft resolutions presented here today and the importance of redoubling our efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to ensure that no one is left behind.

At the outset, I wish to thank the Secretary-General for his extensive and insightful reports under this agenda item. Myanmar welcomes the recent developments in humanitarian operations and coordination, particularly on accountability to affected people, localization efforts, anticipatory action frameworks and a new cash coordination model. The global security and political environment remains fragile and precarious owing to escalating tensions among nations, increasing conflicts, military coups and violence around the world. At the same time, the impact of climate change and epidemics are wreaking havoc across the globe. Natural and man- made disasters have caused the forced displacement of millions of civilians and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection rose from 274 million to 348 million throughout 2022. The overstretching of the humanitarian system underscores the importance of sustained resource mobilization and strengthened coordination among Member States, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. In that regard, Myanmar echoes the Secretary-General’s recommendations on mobilizing the Central Emergency Response Fund and humanitarian response plans, implementing the Early Warnings For All Initiative and supporting inclusive partnerships among local actors. As we focus on strengthening and coordinating measures to scale up assistance, we must not lose sight of addressing the many underlying drivers of natural and human-induced disasters. In my country, Myanmar, the military’s attempted illegal coup, its atrocities and its “four cuts” strategy have caused mass displacement of civilians across the country and to our neighbours. We thank the neighbouring States for hosting some of our people and providing assistance to them. In total, more than 2 million people have been displaced. More than 15 million people are experiencing food insecurity. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has grown from 1 million before the illegal coup of February 2021 to more than 18 million in 2023. At the same time, the humanitarian response plan of $887 million remains critically underfunded. I urge Member States and international donors to continue injecting funds to help the people in need. While mobilizing resources is critical, we are of the view that equal attention must be paid to the modality of humanitarian assistance to ensure its effective coverage in Myanmar. In that regard, I wish to highlight the following four criteria on finding the best possible aid channel. The first point regards access. Full and unimpeded access is a prerequisite to delivering aid to the neediest and the areas most difficult to reach. In addition to lacking a stable control of the majority of the country, the military deliberately imposes administrative barriers and travel restrictions to delay and block access to people in need of assistance. The second point concerns trust and acceptance, which are the foundations of effective humanitarian assistance. The military junta lacks both popularity and legitimacy in the country, and any form of aid coming through the military channel will have limited reach and capacity. Transparency will help to build trust between donors and local actors and recipients. Under those circumstances, it is essential to make the most effective possible use of those local actors whom recipients trust. I encourage the international community to engage with the National Unity Government, ethnic resistance organizations and local actors. The third point pertains to impartiality. The provision of aid must follow the principles of humanity, impartiality and transparency. The military has been weaponizing aid for political leverage and systematically denying life-saving aid, including, most recently, by blocking the delivery of aid to survivors of Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State. The fourth point concerns protection. Aid workers and humanitarian personnel must be protected, in accordance with international humanitarian law. The military treats humanitarian actors as political opponents by intimidating, arresting and killing them for providing aid without discrimination. Therefore, providing humanitarian assistance through community networks and cross-border channels by local actors in conflict-affected areas remains the best possible modality in a situation like that of Myanmar at the present time. Local actors have access, trust and acceptance from the community, which are integral to delivering a contextually appropriate and effective humanitarian response. We commend the courage, dedication and creativity of our local, ethnic and community volunteers in their efforts to deliver life-saving aid to the vulnerable and the needy. I urge international organizations and donor countries to adopt a more flexible approach and provide increased funding to local aid groups. In addition, localization should be community-centric, based on listening to the needs and knowledge of the people on the ground and ensuring their active participation. In that context, the National Unity Government and the Emergency Operation Coordination Committee are working directly with local actors and people on the ground to safeguard civilians and deliver urgent humanitarian assistance, health services, emergency communications and supplies. We call on international actors to collaborate with the Committee to leave no one behind and provide relief assistance to the vulnerable community in Myanmar. In conclusion, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is projected to deteriorate further as the military intensifies its indiscriminate attacks on civilians and villages. The international community must take proactive measures to address the root cause of the conflict and to support the people of Myanmar in their resolve to eradicate the military dictatorship, restore democracy and build a federal democratic union.

Today, we stand at a crossroads. The crises with which the world is confronted as a result of armed conflicts, natural disasters and climate change have caused the affected populations massive suffering and left them in dire need of humanitarian assistance and relief  — hence the need for coordinated international efforts to direct and deliver international assistance to those in need as promptly as possible, in order to alleviate their suffering. A culture of humanitarian work has long been entrenched in Kuwaiti society, which spares no effort to assist those in need and participate in charitable works. Those values have become an integral part of the culture of the Kuwaiti people, enshrined in the Constitution of the State of Kuwait, which articulates in its preamble our faith in the service of world peace and human civilization. My country has always played a pioneering role in humanitarian work at the local and international levels. In spite of its small area, the State of Kuwait has provided humanitarian assistance to all persons in need worldwide, regardless of race, religion or language. Over the years, the State of Kuwait has eagerly lent a helping hand to countries and peoples and provided them with relief during crises by supplying urgent humanitarian relief assistance following natural disasters and in situations of armed conflict. In addition to that prompt assistance, my country has provided development assistance to States, through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which was established in the early 1960s to build bridges of friendship, cooperation and brotherhood between the State of Kuwait and all other countries of the world and to help improve peoples’ living conditions and achieve progress and prosperity for countries and peoples by providing soft loans, grants and technical assistance to regional and international development organizations. Those loans have helped to fund numerous development projects, including projects related to infrastructure, educational institutions and health-care centres. Furthermore, the Fund made a pioneering contribution in the food security and renewable energy sectors, among others, to limit the impacts of and adapt to the climate change crisis. At the multilateral level, the State of Kuwait is one of the largest donors to international humanitarian institutions. My country also contributes actively to many regional and international humanitarian initiatives, out of its belief in the importance of coordinating international relief and humanitarian efforts to ensure that aid promptly reaches those in need of it. While crises and natural disasters are usually the greatest obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian and relief assistance to those in need of it, today we are witnessing a completely different phenomenon. Instead of those obstructing obstacles, it is the Israeli occupation forces that are hindering the delivery of assistance to those in greatest need of it in the Gaza Strip. They are the same forces that, from the very beginning, caused and continue to cause the humanitarian catastrophe by continuing to commit the most heinous crimes, massacres and crimes against humanity that target our defenceless Palestinian civilian brethren. The reach of those crimes extends even to hospitals, schools and houses of worship, in violation of all international laws and norms and even humanity. Today, that war on humankind is entering its third month, and as winter begins, the innocent civilians who survived the Israeli raids that have killed more than 17,000 people — most of them women and children — are faced with bitter cold, hunger and thirst. In that regard, we commend Secretary-General António Guterres for invoking Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, drawing the attention of the Security Council to the situation in the Gaza Strip, which poses a threat to international peace and security as a result of the brutal Israeli attacks on the defenceless Palestinian people. Those attacks are not only preventing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip but also endangering the lives of relief workers, including United Nations employees. The Kuwaiti people recognize well the suffering of peoples as a result of their lands being occupied, and my country is counting on the international community and the United Nations to put an end to the war crimes and massacres being perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly Palestinian people. Therefore, in order to show mercy for hearts burned by the blazes of war, bodies destroyed by exodus, displacement and persecution, and children experiencing the woes of war, let the Organization uphold its fundamental responsibilities and take the measures necessary to put an end to the humanitarian crisis and preserve international peace and security. That requires the deterrence of the occupation authorities from their repeated blatant violations and crimes committed against the Palestinian people and humankind. Only then peace will prevail in the Middle East region and the world. Peace begins with the end of occupation.

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

Before I start my statement, I would like to express our deep regret that the Security Council just voted, and the use of the veto was exercised on a draft resolution (S/2023/970) calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. As I address the General Assembly today, children in Gaza are being killed, injured, maimed, orphaned and buried alive under the rubble of their homes, as unspeakable crimes and atrocities are being unleashed against the Palestinian people. At this pivotal moment in human history, the citizens of the world look to the United Nations not as an international institution, but rather as the collective voice of conscience for humankind. Their expectations and our duties and obligations have come into stark relief. That is because, more 78 years ago, the United Nations was established as a humanitarian beacon, a catalyst for change in a world ravaged by the scourge of war and a source of hope for peace, stability and prosperity for all peoples in the world. All these decades later, the international community’s commitment to upholding and implementing the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations is more crucial than ever. Billions of human lives in our world depend on it, and, for millions, this is an existential matter. This is the plight of the Palestinian people, who are enduring these days one of the darkest chapters in their history and what is surely one of the darkest chapters for the international community since the Organization was established. The Palestinian people’s prolonged struggle for their inalienable rights, justice and freedom makes it the longest-standing issue on the United Nations agenda and makes it more compelling than ever to finally actualize the principles and ideals upon which the United Nations was founded to guarantee a better future for all humankind and, more importantly, for generations to come. Far from being just a day to commemorate, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which was observed last week, must be given tangible meaning, with solidarity aimed at alleviating the plight of our people and assisting them to realize their inalienable rights. One can say that there are no words to describe the unfathomable horrors and the extent of human suffering that our people are facing today in the Gaza Strip, as mass graves with unidentifiable bodies are being dug across our land for the thousands of victims of Israel’s criminal war against our people, which has caused so much death, destruction and devastation. This is why the Secretary-General invoked Article 99 of the Charter — because the world cannot remain paralysed in the face of such cruelty and inhumanity, which is destroying everything in sight in what many have acknowledged is not only a humanitarian catastrophe, but tantamount to a blatant genocidal assault on the Palestinian people. In this Hall, we have spoken of the ongoing Nakba against our people, the source of their suffering and the reason that this grave injustice persists. We have appealed to the international community, not only to recognize the Nakba, but to act to bring it to an end and to bring about justice and peace for our people, without which they cannot realize any of their human rights and full human potential. The Nakba has continued every day since 1948, and, in the span of just two months, nearly 2 million of our people have been forcibly uprooted and displaced. More than 17,000 have been killed — the overwhelming majority of them women and children, with some estimates that they represent more than 70 per cent of the victims. More than 45,000 have been injured, and thousands remain buried underneath the rubble, as homes, entire towns and neighbourhoods have been bombed into dust. These are not just numbers, but people with names, families, stories and dreams who deserve to be mourned and buried with dignity — an entire nation denied its rights, an entire nation being destroyed and an entire nation facing annihilation. Palestine remains the most protracted refugee crisis in modern history, and our people today are facing the largest forced displacement since the Nakba before the world’s eyes. Palestine remains the most protracted humanitarian crisis in modern history, as international humanitarian law has been violated and trampled for 75 years. Palestine remains the litmus test of modern history, as humankind’s inaction in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza stains our collective conscience. Our people in Gaza say that “the protection of civilians” is an expression that they do not want to hear anymore. They need action, not words alone. It is unthinkable that, in the twenty-first century, when the world is becoming more interconnected by the minute and everything is documented by the hour, schools and hospitals are being constantly bombed, United Nations humanitarian personnel, medics and journalists are being deliberately killed, and children, women and men are being starved and slaughtered under the guise of “self-defence”, in breach of every rule of law and every standard of human decency. No amount of assistance in the world will help our people if they do not live to see another day. The slaughter must end. That must be the starting point for any contemplation of how we alleviate the unimaginable suffering, how we heal, and how we believe that there can be and will be a day after. As we gather to consider the importance and absolute necessity of humanitarian and development assistance, I renew our sincere gratitude to the humanitarian community assisting the Palestinian people over the decades and in these days of unprecedented crisis. In that regard, I must express our grief over the killing of 130 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over the past two months, together with the doctors, nurses and medical workers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of humanity, and the courageous journalists, of whom 60 have been killed to date in Gaza, trying to expose the grave injustice through their lenses and pens. Truth is the first casualty of war, as the saying goes. We renew today our deep gratitude to the entire United Nations family for its critical humanitarian role in Palestine, especially UNRWA, a lifeline for Palestine refugees, but also the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme, 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, UN- Women, the World Food Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UN-Habitat. We also express our deep appreciation to States and organizations that have provided generous and compassionate support to the Palestinian people, in recognition of their plight but also their rights and their humanity. While we are immensely grateful for the support extended to the Palestinian people, a humanitarian response alone to the question of Palestine can never replace a human-rights approach to our people’s struggle and noble cause. International assistance has helped to alleviate the suffering endured by the Palestinian people over the years, but it has now been severely undermined, if not negated, by this latest aggression against our people. As concluded in the report prepared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: “The Palestinian people’s right to development, self-determination and statehood cannot be replaced by humanitarian and economic assistance, essential as these may be in the interim.” (A/78/303, para. 53) Development and self-determination cannot exist with occupation, colonization, apartheid and genocide. Our people hold immense untapped potential that, if the occupation were non-existent, would redefine the future of generations to come. As we stated last year, the Palestinian people do not ask for anything more than what other nations represented here enjoy (see A/77/PV.41). Nor will they ever settle for less. The Palestinian people have a proud history that reflects our values and potential, including in Gaza, which connected Palestine to the world for thousands of years. Seventy-five years ago, Palestinian oranges from Jaffa were exported to European capitals from Gaza, and our centuries-old soap was exported to the capitals of the Arab world. To this day, our ancient olive oil continues to reach every corner of the globe. Against all odds, our people — though struggling for survival in Gaza and in the rest of occupied Palestine, including East Jerusalem, and under the oppression of an illegal, colonial, apartheid regime, and though millions remain in exile as refugees — remain resilient, unyielding in pursuit of their rights, including to self- determination and freedom, the key to their well-being, stability and development and to a just peace and security in our region.

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

It is a pleasure 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. We thank the Secretary-General for his reports under agenda item 72 on strengthening the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations. On a yearly basis, the General Assembly meets to reflect on the state of current humanitarian crises and to deliberate on how we can better prevent, prepare for and respond to future challenges. Yet, this year, there are no words to describe the state of the current humanitarian crises. Humankind is facing one of its darkest moments, as crises — from climate and weather- related disasters to health emergencies, to fragile and conflict settings  — are intensifying, compounding and becoming more politicized across every region. Innocent lives and livelihoods are lost, and homes, schools and hospitals are destroyed. Our collective inaction today is extracting a heavy and unacceptable price on people, families and communities around the world. As humanitarians, the IFRC network is doing our best to anticipate and respond to these high humanitarian needs. Our national Societies and 16.5 million volunteers work in their local communities and are often the first to take action in a crisis, including by pre-positioning stocks, evacuating and rescuing people and families and providing essential medical services. They are overwhelmed and underfunded but keep delivering. Unfortunately, with escalating tensions and the politicization of humanitarian assistance, the space for principled humanitarian action, especially neutrality, and respect for international humanitarian law, is being challenged. We do not take sides. We help all who are in need. There is no hierarchy of humanitarian suffering, and Governments and other actors must urgently respect principled humanitarian action and international humanitarian law in order to save and protect lives. While we mourn the loss of humanitarians every year, too many humanitarian staff and volunteers, including from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, have died this year. As we ask for critical access into affected areas to do our jobs, our staff and volunteers, including medical personnel, must be protected at all costs and not targeted by attacks. Another crisis is around the corner, and we know that its impact will not affect everyone equally. It is often people and communities in the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach situations who are hit the hardest. While progress has been made, many Governments still remain unprepared for their next disaster. The IFRC is ready to support the development of policies and programmes that anticipate and act ahead of disasters to reduce risks, save lives and minimize overall humanitarian needs. First, the IFRC and our national Societies, in their auxiliary role to public authorities in the humanitarian field, have been working with Governments for more than 20 years on effective disaster-risk governance. While no disaster or crisis is alike, disasters laws are an important foundation. They identify roles, responsibilities and coordination mechanisms before, during and after crises. In that regard, the IFRC strongly supports the development of a treaty based on the International Law Commission’s draft articles on the protection of persons in the event of disasters. It could not be truer that national and regional disaster laws, policies and plans are critical. Yet a treaty could provide a degree of certainty about what Governments can expect from other Governments and humanitarian organizations following a disaster and clarify the facilitation of such external assistance, relieving domestic authorities and protecting lives. Secondly, the IFRC network, through its Global Climate Resilience Platform, has been scaling up investments in climate adaptation in 100 countries by investing in early-warning and early-action programmes, including anticipatory action, nature-based solutions and social protection systems. According to the Global Centre on Adaptation, an early warning — even just 24 hours ahead of an incoming hazard — saves lives and can cut ensuing damage by 30 per cent. As such, the IFRC is pleased to be part of new and transformative partnerships that include the Secretary-General’s Early Warning for All initiative and the Water at the Heart of Climate Action programme, which invest in building local capacities for early-warning and early- action systems. Finally, the IFRC is working with Governments and the private sector to scale up IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund with the addition of an innovative insurance mechanism. In particularly hazardous years, that insurance mechanism will provide a needed contingency financing layer that will allow the IFRC to continue distributing funds to countries and communities both before and after a disaster. In conclusion, the IFRC knows that, through partnership and solidarity, we can course-correct, reverse our inaction and push beyond these dark times. The IFRC calls on Governments to respect principled humanitarian action and to invest in laws, policies and plans that prevent and prepare for the next crisis.

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

We meet this year at a time of significant humanitarian challenges, and armed conflict is at the heart of those challenges. Thousands of our colleagues are mobilized in contexts around the world to reach out to those in need and uphold the principle of humanity. The provision of humanitarian relief by impartial humanitarian organizations is essential for reducing the suffering in armed conflict. This year, I wish to highlight three important issues that continue to affect our operations. First, compliance with international humanitarian law in armed conflicts is not optional. We have heard many States echoing that as a political priority. It is now imperative to make it an operational priority. International humanitarian law seeks to limit the humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts. Better respect for international humanitarian law means making sure that civilians are never directly targeted and that loss of civilian life and damage to civilian infrastructure are minimized. It also means that violence to life and person, the taking of hostages and committing outrages on personal dignity are prohibited. Those obligations may not be conditioned on the behaviour of one of the parties. International humanitarian law must be respected in all circumstances, even if it is violated by the adversary. Better respect for international humanitarian law also leads to better humanitarian outcomes, limits suffering on all sides and preserves a pathway beyond the conflict. When rhetoric dehumanizing the civilian population associated with the opposing side is amplified, we see significant humanitarian impacts and long-term risks. Disinformation and misinformation campaigns against humanitarian actors put those trying to help and those who need that help at direct risk. In the light of the dangerous consequences of dehumanizing language in armed conflict, we urge political and military actors not to resort to or endorse such practices. Member States have a critical role in the preservation of the humanitarian space, and we ask for their support to ensure it is upheld, even in the most polarized crises. Secondly, we must ensure better humanitarian access, in particular in urban areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been carrying out neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian action since 1863  — for 160 years. In 1992, the General Assembly adopted resolution 46/182, outlining similar ways of working for the United Nations and its implementing partners. Those modalities are key to gaining the confidence of the parties to an armed conflict. Assistance must be provided solely on the basis of need. Access and space for impartial humanitarian organizations and their personnel, including for experts who are able to repair essential services and infrastructure, may not be unlawfully denied by warring parties. Today we are losing precious time in negotiations around the modalities of humanitarian responses, yet it is particularly as crises become more acute that needs are most desperate and timely access is therefore most critical. Respecting international humanitarian law means ensuring that humanitarian assistance is provided to the civilian population. The parties to a conflict have the primary responsibility to meet the basic needs of the population in areas under their control. But where they are unable to do so, impartial humanitarian organizations must be able to do their work, including throughout the hostilities and not just when those have ceased. Without that immediate access, humanitarian consequences will be far greater and more difficult to address. Under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian objects must be protected against direct attack, including in urban settings. When an attack against a military objective is expected to cause civilian losses greater than the anticipated military advantage, it must be suspended or cancelled. And the parties to an armed conflict must do everything they can to minimize civilian harm. It is critical, in that sense, that the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, which has been signed by 83 States, be implemented in order to see a change in warring behaviour, and we ask Member States that have not signed it to consider doing so. It is also more essential than ever that States with influence do what they can to ensure better respect on the part of their partners and allies in fulfilling their obligations to both respect and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions. Thirdly, we must understand the limits of humanitarian action. Humanitarian action is vital, but it cannot be the only answer. We encourage political actors to engage in establishing political pathways that will ensure life with dignity and development for their peoples. Without such engagement, humanitarian responses quickly reach their limit. Three years ago, we highlighted the fact that we had been in our 10 largest operations for an average of 36 years. We therefore also encourage political and development actors to prevent development reversals, especially when a crisis hits, and to find a way to stay engaged in fragile settings. Ensuring that the populations affected by conflict can meet their needs and rebuild their lives in the long run cannot be done solely by humanitarians. Essential public services and systems of entire countries need to be maintained, whatever the circumstances may be. As conflicts continue to be increasingly protracted and affect a variety of countries, the resources and capacities of the entire aid ecosystem must be harnessed in order to provide wider systemic responses to increasingly complex needs in crises. That is a humanitarian imperative for affected populations that requires action by a variety of actors and above all a political commitment from States. 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 also matter. It is through renewed collective action that we will preserve our common humanity and make a difference in the lives of the 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/78/L.17, A/78/L.20, A/78/L.21 and A/78/L.22 and draft amendments A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I would like to address additional sponsors on the six draft proposals, one by one. First, with regard to draft resolution A/78/L.17, I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft resolution A/78/L.17  — Albania, Andorra, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Honduras, Mexico, Palau, Peru, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Türkiye, Vanuatu, Viet Nam and the State of Palestine. Draft amendment A/78/L.18 is the first of the two amendments proposed by the Russian delegation. Draft amendment A/78/L.19 is the second of the two draft amendments proposed by the Russian delegation. Turning to draft resolution A/78/L.20, the omnibus draft resolution, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/78/L.20, the following countries have become co-sponsors: Algeria, Andorra, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Maldives, Monaco, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Türkiye, Uganda, Vanuatu, Viet Nam and Zambia. Turning to draft resolution A/78/L.21, on natural disasters, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/78/L.21, the following countries have become co-sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Finally, turning to A/78/L.22, on assistance to the Palestinian people, since the submission of the draft resolution and in addition to the delegations listed in document A/78/L.22, the following countries have become co-sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Australia, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of Korea, San Marino, Slovakia and Switzerland.

Delegations wishing to make a statement in explanation of vote before the voting on any proposal under this agenda item are invited to do so now, in one intervention. After action on all of them, there will be an opportunity for statements in explanation of vote after the voting on any or all the proposals. Before giving the floor for explanation of vote before the voting, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member States. The European Union regrets the decision by the Russian Federation to put forward amendments on the thirty-third preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 8 of draft resolution A/78/L.17. It is a humanitarian draft resolution and is traditionally adopted by consensus, meaning that all here in the Hall agree on the final text. We believe that the European Union conducted the process of negotiating that draft resolution in a transparent and fair manner, which allowed each Member State to defend its position before the wider United Nations membership. Regarding those two paragraphs, there was wide agreement among delegations to revert to previously agreed language, as is the well-established practice in humanitarian resolutions when there is disagreement. The protection of United Nations humanitarian personnel is an obligation under international humanitarian law. These amendments request the deletion of the only references to war crimes and the International Criminal Court in the text. Omitting those topics would be a setback in ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and for holding the perpetrators of war crimes accountable. For those reasons, the 27 member States of the European Union will vote against these amendments, and we call on all other States to do likewise.

I deliver this statement on behalf of Norway and my own country, Switzerland. We regret the draft amendments proposed by Russia (A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19), which consist of removing two paragraphs from this important draft resolution (A/78/L.17); one encouraging States to become parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the other recalling the importance of international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute, as well as the role of the Court in bringing to justice those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The International Criminal Court is an essential component of the international legal order, and we therefore fully support it in its work to combat impunity. We encourage all States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Rome Statute. As a reminder, those two paragraphs were introduced several years ago and have been adopted by consensus ever since. We encourage all States to vote against the proposed draft amendments regarding the thirty-third preambular paragraph and operational paragraph 8 so as to retain them in this draft resolution. Furthermore, in keeping with the usual tradition of consensus for this resolution, we encourage all States to support the text as it stands. Today more than ever, it is important to send a strong signal of unity to the actors concerned by this resolution.

Canada regrets to see draft amendments (A/78/L.19 and A/78/L.18) on operative paragraph 8 and the thirty-third preambular paragraph, respectively. These draft amendments are extremely concerning. As a State party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Canada strongly supports the Court and its role in pursuing accountability. The thirty-third preambular paragraph deals with intentional attacks against humanitarian or peacekeeping actors. The paragraph recalls the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC and recognizes the role of the Court in the fight against impunity by ensuring accountability and holding accountable perpetrators of the most serious crimes of international concern. Operative paragraph 8 calls on all States to become parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC. As a Court of last resort, the ICC is an essential mechanism towards ending impunity. Those paragraphs merely recall one of the tools available to the international community should such attacks be made intentionally against humanitarian and peacekeeping personnel. The fact that those paragraphs are now under threat, to the detriment of our common cause, is deeply concerning. Canada condemns the attempts to undermine the role of the Court by presenting these draft amendments, and calls upon all delegations to vote against them.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote before the voting. Before we proceed to take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.17, in accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly shall first take a decision on draft amendments A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19, one by one. After action on draft resolution A/78/L.17, the Assembly will then turn to draft resolutions A/78/L.20, A/78/L.21 and A/78/L.22, one by one. The Assembly will first take a decision on draft amendment A/78/L.18. A recorded vote has been requested.

We turn next to draft amendment A/78/L.19. A recorded vote has been requested.

Since draft amendments A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19 were not adopted, we shall proceed to take action on draft resolution A/78/L.17. The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.17, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.17?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.20, entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.20?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.21, entitled “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.21?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.22, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.22?

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

At the outset, I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the delegations of the States of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, namely, the State of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my country, the State of Qatar. Our countries express their thanks and appreciation to the delegation of Sweden for its efforts to facilitate resolution 78/119, entitled “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations”. Our delegations joined consensus on the resolution as they believe in the importance of the issues addressed by it. However, with regard to “sexual and reproductive health” and “sexual and reproductive health-care services” mentioned in the text, in particular in operative paragraphs 65 and 66 of the resolution, our States deal with those issues in the context of their national legislation, religious beliefs and cultural values.

Cuba supports the noble objective of resolutions 78/118, 78/119, 78/120 and 78/121, which were just adopted under the agenda item on the strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations. Those resolutions and the United Nations efforts in that area should continue to be implemented in strict compliance with resolution 46/182 and the United Nations guiding principles of international humanitarian assistance, in particular the requirement that assistance be provided with the consent of the affected country and on the basis of an appeal by the affected country. Humanitarian assistance should not be politicized or manipulated for hegemonic purposes, which are divorced from the noble humanitarian objectives. Conditions should not be placed on the provision of humanitarian assistance, nor should the provision of humanitarian assistance be used to obtain concessions from the affected countries. On the basis of those principles, my delegation engaged in the negotiations on the humanitarian texts on which consultations were being held and has joined the consensus. However, with regard to resolution 78/118, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”, I would like to indicate that my delegation does not endorse the references to the Rome Statute, to which Cuba is not a party, or to the International Criminal Court, whose jurisdiction Cuba does not recognize, in the thirty-fourth preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 8. For that reason, my delegation supported draft amendments A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19, aimed at addressing the legitimate concerns of a group of countries, which go beyond the intent of the resolution. Given that the draft amendments were not adopted, my delegation must disassociate itself from the thirty- fourth preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 8 and state that it does not consider them to be agreed language nor does it feel bound by them or by their possible scope. On the other hand, we note that resolution 78/121, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”, makes no reference to the worrisome deterioration of the humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people. Although the resolution does not mention it, there is proven evidence, including from United Nations agencies, that the humanitarian situation in Palestine, and especially in Gaza, is today more serious than ever. There have been several weeks of indiscriminate shelling and military operations against the civilian population in Gaza; the destruction of homes, hospitals and civilian infrastructure; the deprivation of water, food, electricity and fuel; forced displacement of thousands of people; collective punishment; serious violations of international humanitarian law and full- fledged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel has committed before the eyes of the international community and which have no justification. If at this stage of the genocide being perpetrated against Gaza anyone had any doubts about how dire the situation on the ground was, they would have only to read the letter dated 6 December from the Secretary- General (S/2023/962). More than 15,000 people have reportedly been killed, over 40 per cent of whom were children. More than half of all homes have been destroyed. Some 80 per cent of the population of 2.2 million has been forcibly displaced. The health-care system in Gaza is collapsing. At least 130 colleagues of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East have been killed. How many more must die at the hands of Israel, with the cover of impunity granted by the United States and which prevents the United Nations from acting? How much more must the Palestinian people suffer? The Palestinian people have been systematically traumatized for decades, with illegal occupation of their territories and colonization of their lands, violations of their rights and apartheid practices against them. The story did not begin on 7 October. We reject the killing of civilians and innocent people of all parties involved in the conflict, regardless of ethnicity, origin, nationality or religion. We reaffirm our support for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the basis on the creation of two States, allowing the exercise of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and also guaranteeing the right of return of refugees. We reaffirm our full solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people. Palestine is not alone.

Nicaragua is taking the floor to explain its position following the vote on resolution 78/118, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”. Nicaragua is not a State party to the Rome Statute. In that regard, we disassociate ourselves from the references to the International Criminal Court in the resolution. Nicaragua believes in international criminal justice that is impartial, non-selective and complementary to national justice systems, without politicization or double standards.

I will be brief. We have always called and continue to call for the adoption by consensus of humanitarian resolutions in the General Assembly, and this year is no exception. However, given our country’s position vis-à-vis the International Criminal Court (ICC), which we stated earlier (see A/78/PV.46), our delegation disassociates itself from the thirty-fourth preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 8 of resolution 78/118, entitled “Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”. I also want to point out that the ICC has not reached even half of the delegations here in the vote on our draft amendments today (A/78/L.18 and A/78/L.19). We believe it is a vote that speaks volumes.

My delegation would like to explain its vote and make some comments on resolution 78/121, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. While we would like to thank the sponsors of the resolution for reaffirming the humanitarian assistance provided to the Palestinian people, we want to express reservations about certain terms in the text that run counter to our national legislation. The resolution does not reflect the current situation and the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, who have been enduring the killing of unarmed civilians, including children, women and the elderly. Houses, schools and hospitals have been destroyed, border crossings closed and the provision of humanitarian assistance hindered. Those and other brutal acts are being committed by the occupying Power and are violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. My delegation would also like to explain its vote on resolution 78/118. We dissociate ourselves from any references to the International Criminal Court, regardless of where they appear in the text of the resolution.

I thank you, Sir, for giving me the floor to make a statement on resolution 78/120, which we have just adopted. Hungary is deeply concerned about the increasing impact of natural disasters, which is resulting in loss of life worldwide, along with food insecurity, water- and sanitation-related challenges, displacement and the destruction of housing and infrastructure. Nevertheless, we would like to take this opportunity to put on record our position on preambular paragraph 13 of the resolution, 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 is not a participant in its implementation. As a result, we cannot accept any reference to it in international documents. Hungary therefore dissociates itself from preambular paragraph 13 of the resolution.

My delegation would like to make a comment on resolution 78/118. Belarus shares the concerns about the extremely important issue of the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and joins the consensus on the resolution. However, at the same time, we dissociate ourselves from its preambular paragraph 33 and operative paragraph 8 and do not consider ourselves bound by those provisions.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia would like to take the floor to explain its position following the adoption of resolution 78/121, entitled “Assistance to the Palestinian people”. While my delegation joined the consensus on the resolution, we would have liked to have a text that better reflects the current situation in the Middle East and the tragic situation that the Palestinian people are going through. Israel cannot continue to kill Palestinian people without any kind of compunction, nor can it continue to kill United Nations humanitarian workers. The international community and Member States must take action that can halt this massacre. Israel’s attitude demonstrates a lack of respect for the entire international community, and we cannot stand idly by.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the voting. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 72 and its sub-items (a) to (c).

I now give the floor to the representative of Estonia to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.11.

On behalf of Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Fiji, India, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, Türkiye and my own country, Estonia, I would like to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.11, “World Cleanup Day”, under agenda item 13. It is no secret that we are facing a global waste crisis, with the world generating more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste every year. If no action is taken, that is set to double by 2050. The World Cleanup Day movement, which started as a bottom-up civic movement, has been mobilizing millions of citizens for years to clean up their surroundings and take a step that while seemingly small is collectively a crucial leap forward towards a waste-free world. This year, around 19.1 million people in 195 countries and territories cleaned up litter and mismanaged waste from communities, urban environments, beaches and forests. They made a difference. And this year the most significant, standout trend was the remarkable surge in youth engagement, which is heart-warming news. In addition to physical cleanup, World Cleanup Day has also been instrumental in raising awareness of the importance of waste management and of removing uncollected waste and legacy plastic waste in the environment to bring about a lasting change in the societal mindset. The central aim of draft resolution A/78/L.11 is to proclaim 20 September as World Cleanup Day on the United Nations calendar in order to give additional support and prominence to the movement and accelerate its activities through better visibility. A resolution to recommend that the General Assembly proclaim 20 September as International World Cleanup Day was unanimously adopted at the United Nations Habitat Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Nairobi in June. We thank the United Nations Human Settlements Programme for agreeing to facilitate the observance of World Cleanup Day and for all its support on this journey. We would also like to thank all delegations for their constructive engagement throughout the course of the informal consultations on the draft resolution in October, and we would like to sincerely thank all the delegations that have sponsored the draft resolution to show their support for this global grass-roots initiative to collectively make our planet a better and cleaner place. We hope that others will also join.

I now give the floor to the representative of Peru to introduce draft resolution A/78/L.16.

In introducing draft resolution A/78/L.16, entitled “International Day of Potato”, the delegation of Peru would like to express its appreciation and thanks to the 37 Member States that have strongly supported this initiative by granting us their initial co-sponsorship. History and science have shown conclusively that the potato, which is recognized to have originated in the highlands of the South American Andes, is more than just a staple food. It is a symbol of cultural heritage and an essential food resource that is manifested on a daily basis among our peoples in myriad ways that have a beneficial impact on the lives of millions of people. The first traces of its domestication have been found in the Chilica culture in Lima, approximately 5,000 years ago. Its cultivation was vital to the development of the pre-Inca and Inca cultures, which even developed processing methods that made it possible to preserve potatoes. The storing of potatoes in structures known as tambos therefore led to the development of one of the first food security systems. The process of its domestication in Peru has yielded approximately 3,000 varieties currently registered in germplasm banks. Introduced in Europe via Spain in 1560 on the initiative of the conquistador and chronicler Pedro Cieza de León, the potato was at first slow to find acceptance and was even resisted. It was regarded as a mere botanical eccentricity and was questioned by some because it was not mentioned in any sacred text. In that regard, it came to be said that it was the work of the devil, since its rapid growth seemed to prove that this fruit of nature was under some kind of spell. Thanks to the tenacity of the French botanical pharmacist and lover of good taste Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, the potato came to be accepted at people’s dinner tables on a massive scale and highly valued for its flavour and nutritional properties. We should also recall that it has been a powerful means of combating famine for many of our peoples. The potato’s contribution to the global food supply continues to grow, and its consumption has more than doubled over the past 30 years. It is currently grown on more than 24 million hectares in more than 150 countries. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), global production is estimated at 400 million tons a year. It is therefore an invaluable food resource and a substantial source of revenue for families and rural producers. In that connection, Peru considers it pertinent to increase global awareness of the day of this tuber in the family diet and the world economy by establishing the International Day of the Potato, which, as proposed in the draft resolution, would be commemorated on 30 May of every year. Such a measure would enable us to draw attention to the importance of this ancestral crop in sustaining efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty, as well as to promote agricultural development, food security and the preservation of biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems. The adoption of the draft resolution we are presenting today will promote the implementation of activities in support of the entire value chain of potato cultivation, in addition to stimulating cooperation and the adoption of measures to ensure its sustainable production and consumption. In that regard, the draft resolution is based on the recommendation contained in resolution 3/2023, adopted by consensus in July of this year at the forty-third session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which in turn contains the technical endorsements of the FAO Committee on Agriculture and the FAO Council. We thank FAO for the technical support it has provided to make this initiative a reality and welcome its willingness to facilitate the observance of this International Day. I will conclude by mentioning the historical importance of the potato in the global fight against hunger, its relevance to culinary refinement and present-day economic significance, resulting from its role in our peoples’ agricultural and industrial activity. We thank all members who have co-sponsored draft resolution A/78/L.16 and invite those delegations that have not yet done so to join us in sponsoring it.

The Assembly will now take action on draft resolutions A/78/L.11 and A/78/L.16. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

With regard to draft resolution A/78/L.11, entitled “World Cleanup Day”, I should like to announce that since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lesotho, the Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tajikistan, Togo, the United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu and Zambia. I should also like to announce that since the submission of draft resolution A/78/L.16, entitled “International Day of Potato”, and in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of the draft resolution: Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chad, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Palau, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Suriname, Tajikistan, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.11, entitled “World Cleanup Day”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.11?

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/78/L.16, entitled “International Day of Potato”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/78/L.16?

The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 13.