S/PV.9845 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Egypt to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations; and His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/39, which contains the text of a letter dated 16 January 2025 from the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept note on the item under consideration.= I now give the floor to Mr. Khiari. Mr. Khiari: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to highlight our long and multifaceted cooperation with the League of Arab States, a key regional organization that will mark the eightieth anniversary of its founding in March. I take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency Mr. Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League, ahead of that auspicious occasion. We meet today in the early days of the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. That critical and long-awaited agreement offers a ray of hope  — a long- overdue moment that provides much-needed relief for Palestinians in Gaza and for the hostages reunited with their loved ones. Egypt, Qatar and the United States of America all made significant efforts to broker the agreement. The United Nations is now doing its part to ensure the rapid scaling up of the humanitarian relief effort. We must all work together to ensure its success. In that regard, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East must be enabled to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all its areas of operation. We again commend the League of Arab States for its vocal support of that vital United Nations Agency. The United Nations Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continuing violence in the occupied West Bank, particularly the ongoing large-scale military operation in Jenin, which has reportedly resulted in Palestinian casualties. The League has always supported the Palestinian people, including through its efforts to rally international support for a ceasefire. The international community has a shared responsibility to support efforts towards a just and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A negotiated two-State solution remains the only viable path to ensuring peace, security and coexistence for both Israelis and Palestinians. In Lebanon, the election of a President, after a vacuum of more than two years, and the appointment of a Prime Minister can pave the way to ensuring the country’s security and stability. The United Nations stands ready to support the Government of Lebanon, once formed, in its reform and reconstruction efforts. We also commend the role played by the League of Arab States in contributing to the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel through tireless advocacy and engagement. In Yemen, political progress has stalled amid Houthi attacks on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and on Israel. We hope that the ceasefire and hostage deal will lead to de-escalation in the region. Looking forward, the support of regional partners — including the League of Arab States — will be crucial to promote de-escalation, rebuild trust and move towards a United Nations road map for a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement of the conflict in Yemen. The political deadlock persists in Libya, and the fragile status quo risks being destabilized through unilateral actions. To help break the status quo, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya recently launched an inclusive, intra-Libyan political initiative to guide the country towards elections. In that regard, the League is an important partner for the United Nations and is well positioned to rally and demonstrate collective Arab support for Libyan-led and Libyan-owned solutions to the political deadlock through the United Nations-facilitated process. Finally, we remain extremely concerned about the situation in the Sudan, which continues to deteriorate. The fighting is devastating the lives of Sudanese civilians, threatening the future of the country and having an increasing impact on a region already beset by deep fragility, conflict and displacement. Diplomatic efforts must be intensified to finally bring an end to the conflict. Personal Envoy Lamamra is working tirelessly to support mediation efforts and promote dialogue to bring an end to the war. We commend the efforts of the League, including in bolstering multilateral coordination, by convening the first iteration of its consultative group on the Sudan in June 2024. While the situation in the Middle East remains fragile and several key conflicts continue unabated, the ceasefire in Gaza, the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and developments in Syria together represent an opportunity for significant positive change in a region that has been in acute crisis for far too long. The extreme challenges across the Middle East come at a time when the international system has been struggling. Climate change, inequality and other global issues continue to grow increasingly intense, often exacerbating the conflicts themselves or risking others being drawn towards disaster. In September 2024, Member States came together to bolster our joint efforts to strengthen multilateralism and restore trust in our institutions. With the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), they reaffirmed the importance of the United Nations and called for a recommitment to international cooperation on the basis of respect for international law. Our cooperation with the League, in line with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, itself is an important aspect of implementing the Pact. As highlighted in July 2024 at our biennial United Nations- League of Arab States General Cooperation Meeting, our strengthened cooperation extends across all pillars. In that context, we look forward to the League’s hosting of In recent years, the United Nations has supported the League on the youth, peace and security agenda, efforts that have culminated in the landmark Arab regional youth, peace and security strategy and work towards a draft action plan for its implementation. Implementing the strategy is an important investment in the future of the entire region. In a region where young women and men constitute as much as 60 per cent of the population, listening to their voices and offering them opportunities are vital steps that can help strengthen peace and stability. The League of Arab States was founded in March 1945, several months before our own Organization was established in October of that year. We have since enjoyed a strong partnership on the basis of robust cooperation for decades, and we see that continuing far into the future. We commit to continue our partnership with the League of Arab States to augment our joint efforts to improve the lives of people across the Arab region and beyond.

I thank Mr. Khiari for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Aboul Gheit.

I would like to begin, Mr. President, by congratulating the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on its assumption of the Security Council presidency for this month. We express our deep appreciation for the role of Algeria as the Arab member of the Council. I would like specifically to commend your initiative, Sir, in convening this important meeting under your presidency in order to promote the relationship between the League of Arab States and the Council. It is no secret that the Council’s programme of work contains many Arab issues, from the question of Palestine to the situation in the Sudan, as well as Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. We find that our concerns are one and the same, which requires us to intensify the cooperation between us in order to attempt to resolve ongoing crises in the region and to promote regional and international security and justice. It is no secret to Council members that the world is currently witnessing a strategic international rivalry between major Powers at the global level. That has been reflected in the high level of tensions within the Council, which has unfortunately adversely affected the handling of Arab issues, especially the question of Palestine. It is necessary to continue developing the conceptual and operational framework for cooperation between the League of Arab States and the Security Council, based on the Council’s historical role in dealing with Arab issues, and to invest in the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), which was adopted by the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session. The Pact stresses the necessity of strengthening the foundations of that cooperation, especially at the current stage, which is witnessing the redefinition of the parameters of the multilateral international system through the United Nations system. In that regard, I welcome the success of the international and regional tripartite mediation endeavours in concluding the agreement between the Israeli and Palestinian sides after 15 months of the criminal genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. I reaffirm that a ceasefire is not a permanent solution; that the basis for peace will be established only when the Palestinian people attain their right to establish their independent State along the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital; and that relinquishing the Palestinian right poses an ongoing threat to international peace and security, as we have witnessed during the past months of a war that did not stop at the borders of Gaza or Palestine, but whose flames spread throughout the region. I look forward to the Council’s encouragement and endorsement of the initiative of I reiterate my congratulations to Lebanon on the election of President Joseph Aoun, putting an end to the vacancy in the presidency that prevailed for more than two years. I also welcome the broad consensus on the designation of Judge Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, and I look forward to Lebanon seeing a new beginning of stability, reconstruction and a relaunched economy. In that regard, I emphasize the need to maintain the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel and to extend that agreement through the strict implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), leading to Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the areas from which the withdrawal is taking place. With regard to developments in Syria, the Arab League supports the will of the Syrian people and their aspirations for a better life after the prolonged suffering inflicted upon all Syrians at the hands of the former regime. A mission from the General Secretariat of the League, headed by my Personal Envoy, was tasked with visiting Syria and learning about the new situation. The mission took place on 18 and 19 January. We distributed a comprehensive report to Arab League member States to help them understand the facts. It is hoped that Syria will undergo a successful political transition, paving the way for it to emerge from its crisis without external interference or dictates while preserving the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In that regard, it is important to warn of the danger of Israeli expansionist ambitions in Syria, taking advantage of the country’s delicate situation. I emphasize the need to abide by the Disengagement of Forces Agreement of 1974 as a basis for calm between Syria and Israel. I also emphasize that, in accordance with Council resolutions, the occupation of the Golan is legally null and void and has no justification apart from Israel’s expansionist desires. The Arab League supports the Sudan as it fights the war with the highest humanitarian cost in the world. We stand for the unity of the Sudan and the unity of its national institutions. We call on the Sudanese parties to put an end to the military clash and return to the paths of calm and constructive fraternal dialogue grounded in wisdom and the spirit of patriotism, while prioritizing the higher interests and stability of the Sudan and affirming the good cooperation and coordination among the League and the United Nations, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General and the Organization’s specialized agencies in addressing the humanitarian situation in the Sudan. We look forward to working with the Security Council to build sustainable peace in the Sudan by restoring calm, paving the way for a comprehensive settlement that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people and maintains their unity and sovereignty over its territory. We look forward to Security Council’s support for the Arab League’s efforts, especially in rationalizing and coordinating peace initiatives, alongside the United Nations and the African Union. In Libya, the Arab League looks forward to further coordination by the United Nations to resume the political process at the earliest opportunity. We are also striving, in coordination with the African Union and Libya’s neighbouring countries, to unite the spectrum of Libyan society under unified leadership. The Arab League looks forward to the Security Council’s support for those efforts and endeavours, which aim to help Libya emerge from its complex political crisis, free from the influence of foreign agendas, starting with the appointment of a Special Envoy of the Secretary-General. We would prefer that the person chosen to perform that role be familiar with Arab culture and Libyan traditions. The conceptual framework is an essential element in our joint efforts to address global challenges, including pandemics, armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, food security, water security, desertification, climate change, disaster risk reduction and crisis mitigation and their impact on different segments of our societies, among other things. Our joint efforts to address those challenges intersect with those of the United Nations, but they require greater reinforcement through exchanges at the level of the Organization, including expediting the upcoming visit of Security Council members to the headquarters of the League of Arab States, after the last visit in 2016, in order to hold intensive meetings with the League Council in Cairo. With increasing international attention on aspects of humanitarian assistance aimed at alleviating human suffering during challenges and crises, in particular in humanitarian situations in conflict areas, the League is stepping up efforts to support the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in addressing the humanitarian situation in Arab countries, such as Syria, Yemen, Libya and the Sudan. In that connection, the League of Arab States draws attention to the gravity of Israel’s plans and decisions that seek to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and eliminate its critical and irreplaceable role in serving Palestinian refugees. UNRWA does not only play a humanitarian role, but it also represents a considerable pillar of stability in the Arab region. The elimination of its role is a direct threat to that stability, and we look forward to the Security Council’s playing a decisive role in defending that specialized agency, whose role is indispensable. In conclusion, the League of Arab States looks forward to greater involvement in the settlement of the Arab issues on the agenda of the Security Council through closer cooperation with the Special Envoys of the United Nations Secretary-General in conflict areas in Arab countries. We always welcome visits by some envoys to our Headquarters, and we welcome cooperation in the effective selection of the United Nations representatives who will lead international efforts in our region by making use of the Arab cadres that the League can propose, so as to contribute effectively to enhancing the chances of reaching agreements for the benefit of Arab countries and peoples at this time of unprecedented challenges.

I thank Mr. Aboul Gheit for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria. (spoke in Arabic) I would like to thank Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, for enlightening us on the status of, and prospects for, cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations. In our view, the strengthening of ties of cooperation, coordination and complementarity between our two organizations has become an imperative and is dictated by a number of considerations that cannot be ignored or overlooked. Secondly, when it comes to the law, Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations clearly established the role of regional organizations in resolving crises that arise within their geographical scope, in undertaking their share of responsibilities and in bearing their share of the efforts to achieve the collective security sought by the international community as a whole. Thirdly and lastly, logic dictates that the United Nations and the Council must heed the views and recommendations of those closest to conflict zones, as they are better able to grasp the conflicts and their intricacies and are directly affected by their repercussions. From that perspective, Algeria supports every effort to strengthen relations between the League of Arab States and the United Nations. Upon becoming a member of the Council, my country has striven to act as the voice of the Group of Arab States, defending its worries and concerns, stances and positions, with honesty, sincerity and loyalty. We consider that role serves a bridge between the two organizations — a bridge that we look forward to strengthening in coordination with the sisterly Republic of Somalia. It is incumbent upon us as Arab members of the Security Council to bear what our duty dictates to us towards our Arab affiliation and to uphold the purposes, principles and values upon which the United Nations was founded. The rapid developments in the region have dangerous repercussions not solely in terms of the existential challenges connected to our central cause — the Palestinian cause — or in terms of the conflicts and wars that are spreading from the ocean to the Gulf, but also in terms of the growing and aggravated threats confronting a number of Arab States as regards their territorial integrity, the unity of their peoples, the inviolability of their sovereignty and the right to control their own destiny. Under the circumstances, we are in dire need today of an honest, purposeful and effective Arab-United Nations partnership. We are in dire need of a partnership in which efforts are concerted and strengthened. We are in dire need of a partnership that reinstates Arab and United Nations diplomatic endeavours in laying the foundations for peace, security and prosperity in the entire Arab region. Above all, what we hope to see from that partnership is a reaffirmation of the fact that the key to restoring security and stability in the Middle East lies in resolving the Palestinian question on the basis of international law. The history of every corner of the region proves beyond any doubt that ignoring the issue and excluding it from the equation of regional peace serves only to increase tensions and crises in the region. We therefore have a historic opportunity today to avoid the mistakes and excesses of the past, by capitalizing on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza to revive a political process that promotes a lasting, just and definitive solution, namely, the two-State solution, which the entire international community supports. Secondly, we hope that the League of Arab States-United Nations partnership will make it a priority to put an end to the phenomenon of external interference of all kinds, forms and manifestations. Such intervention has become a common factor across all crises in the Arab world, from Libya to Syria, from the Sudan to Yemen. It has become a major barrier to all endeavours and initiatives aimed at developing sustainable solutions to crises. It now threatens the entities of the States concerned with fragmentation and division, embodying projects and goals that have nothing to do with national interests. The same applies to brotherly Syria, which has suffered unspeakable and indescribable tragedies and woes. It is therefore the responsibility of our two organizations to help Syria today along the path to the restoration of peace and security in all its regions and its full sovereignty and along the path of imposing the sanctity of its territory. Last but not least, we must help Syria along the path of reuniting all its sons and daughters around a comprehensive national project that lives up to the authenticity and nobility of Syria’s history and identifies and harmonizes with the aspirations of that brotherly country for a better tomorrow. In the light of those priorities, and as we celebrate this year the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the League of Arab States and the United Nations, we should strive to build a complementary relationship between the two organizations — one based on constant interaction and constructive dialogue, an institutional framework that preserves its permanence and continuity and one that takes into account the need to take advantage of the comparative advantages and qualitative characteristics of each organization and to employ them for regional and international peace and security. It goes without saying that the United Nations and the League of Arab States both need that complementary relationship to develop and maximize their influence for the better and the best. The Arab region needs it to create opportunities to restore peace, security and stability within it. The international system also needs this complementary relationship, which represents the raison d’être of multilateral international action and one of its main tributaries. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary- General Khiari and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Aboul Gheit, for their insightful briefings. We also extend our gratitude to the Algerian presidency for convening today’s meeting at this pivotal moment of transition for regional security. Among a number of regional issues discussed in the Security Council, at least 10 are related to the Arab world, and many of those issues, including Gaza, Syria, the Sudan and Yemen, to name just a few, have had a significant impact on the security architecture of the wider region. The importance of the cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States therefore cannot be overemphasized in searching for a way to enhance peace and stability in the region and beyond. The Republic of Korea has constantly pursued cooperation and co-prosperity with all 22 members of the League of Arab States, which represents 460 million people from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. As a Security Council member, the Republic of Korea is committed to contributing to peace and development efforts in the Arab world, both bilaterally and multilaterally. For the past 15 months, the eyes of the entire globe have been focusing on the developments in the Middle East. And now, with the ceasefire deal in Gaza, the international community is hoping and praying that the agreement can lead the In that regard, we recall the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, championed by Saudi Arabia and endorsed by the Arab Summit, which reaffirmed the commitment of the countries of the region to peaceful coexistence based on the two-State solution. Reiterating our firm support for the two-State solution as the sole way to lay a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, we appreciate the ongoing efforts by Arab countries to seek tangible progress to that end. We therefore welcome the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and the forthcoming high- level conference on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian question, set for June. We also applaud the steps taken to foster amicable relations among the countries of the region. The Abraham Accords Peace Agreement represents a significant milestone, and we hope that good-neighbourly relations can be further encouraged. Turning to other parts of the region, we note the recent hopeful developments in Syria and Lebanon, which could guide the Levant onto a new path of stability and prosperity, with support from the international community and the constructive engagement of the League of Arab States. We particularly take note of the League’s consistent support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Syria and the principles of resolution 2254 (2015). We also believe that the League of Arab States will continue to support the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) to revive the stability and prosperity of Lebanon, which had been the centre of Arab culture owing to its unique diversity. Meanwhile, the Yemeni issue remains critical and requires the constructive contributions and the engagement of key stakeholders, especially those neighbouring Arab States, as expressed in the final communiqué of the Summit of the League of Arab States last May. In that regard, we highly appreciate Oman’s successful mediation efforts, resulting in the release of the MV Galaxy Leader crew. We hope that will be followed by the release of all arbitrarily detained personnel, including United Nations staff. The protracted conflict in the Sudan exemplifies the fact that all the major issues in the Arab world have multiple layers of ramifications for the wider region. Indeed, it poses a serious threat to peace and security in the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and beyond, with huge implications for the Arab world. The ongoing terrorist threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia also deepens the chronic instability in and around the Red Sea. In Libya, illegal arms flows, due to the lack of effective and unified governance, bolster terrorism and create insecurity in the wider continent. As such, the entire region and beyond are intertwined, and it is our responsibility to help that interconnectivity spur positive interactions. Thus, ongoing discussions within the Arab League, as well as broader cooperation with relevant organizations, including the African Union, should be constantly encouraged. Cooperation between the Arab League and the Security Council should also be enhanced, with the latter’s long expertise in crucial thematic issues, such as the protection of civilians in armed conflict, counter-terrorism, women and peace and security, food security and climate insecurity. The Republic of Korea stands ready to participate in all efforts to that end.

I thank you, Mr. President, Your Excellency Minister Ahmed Attaf, for convening this important meeting today. This discussion on the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is timely and crucial, as it directly addresses the peace and security challenges we face in the Middle Sierra Leone reaffirms its belief that the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, such as the League of Arab States, is fundamental to addressing global peace and security challenges. In particular, Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations underscores the importance of regional arrangements in the maintenance of peace and security and in improving the Charter’s collective security scheme. The League of Arab States, with its intimate understanding of the sociopolitical dynamics of the Arab region, is uniquely positioned to assist in the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the region. By continuing to strengthen its partnership with the United Nations, especially with the Security Council, we can achieve substantial progress in resolving the ongoing crises that threaten the stability of the Middle East. Sierra Leone wishes to highlight the importance of the Arab League in several current crises — in the Sudan, Gaza, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Lebanon — which require urgent international attention. In the Sudan, the ongoing conflict has caused devastating humanitarian consequences. We commend the League of Arab States for its active engagement and partnership in facilitating humanitarian access and promoting dialogue towards a peaceful resolution. We call on the Arab League to continue using its influence to support a mediated settlement, through the leadership of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, and alongside the African Union, through the expanded mechanism for the Sudan. Regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip, while we welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The destruction of infrastructure in Gaza is catastrophic, and the Palestinian civilians continue to suffer. It is crucial that the Arab League and the Security Council, as well as other United Nations agencies, work closely together to expedite humanitarian assistance and support the rebuilding efforts. The continuation of the ceasefire is essential for maintaining peace, and we call on the Arab League to leverage its influence to ensure its sustainability. Sierra Leone also sees the ceasefire in Gaza as a potential catalyst for a renewed focus on the peace process in Yemen. The escalation of attacks from the Houthis against Israel and the Red Sea region has had serious implications for broader regional stability. We encourage the Arab League to engage with the Security Council and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Hans Grundberg, to achieve a sustainable peace in Yemen and to prevent the spread of conflict beyond its borders. In Libya, we call on the League of Arab States to continue its support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to ensure that a peaceful, free and fair election process is held. The Libyan people have long yearned for stability, and a unified approach by the Arab League, the African Union and the United Nations is key to facilitating national reconciliation integration and rebuilding. For Syria, with the recent shifts in the political landscape, there is an opportunity to move towards a more inclusive political transition. However, as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, Mr. Geir Pedersen, has noted, the conflict is far from over and the humanitarian needs are urgent. Sierra Leone believes that the League of Arab States, in partnership with the United Nations and the Security In Lebanon, we welcome the ceasefire commitment between Israel and Lebanon and call for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006). We welcome the political progress and the engagement by the Arab League, and we support the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The Middle East faces challenges that reverberate beyond its borders, with far- reaching consequences for global peace and security. The League of Arab States, with its expertise and regional influence, is central to addressing those crises. We are confident that enhanced collaboration between the Arab League and the United Nations, including the Security Council, can yield effective solutions to those pressing issues. We thank our briefers for highlighting the ongoing engagement between the United Nations and the League. To better synchronize efforts, the Security Council and the League of Arab States can engage in more frequent and structured dialogue, ensuring that the Arab League’s regional knowledge and sensitivities, as well as the Security Council’s global mandate, are effectively combined. A coordinating mechanism can assist in focusing the two bodies on the most pressing regional crises, for informed and timely Security Council interventions and decisions. With the consent of participating States, a focus on developing early warning systems, supported by joint analysis teams, to monitor emerging threats would enable both organizations to act swiftly in addressing potential crises before they escalate. The overarching outcome of the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the Arab region could be achieved, inter alia, through the alignment of the mandates of designated United Nations representatives for conflict situations in the Arab region and context-specific objectives for the Arab League’s missions aimed at addressing conflict. Convening periodic consultations between the two bodies and organizing joint periodic capacity-building sessions, as well as adopting joint resolutions and/or communiqués on issues of mutual interest and an ongoing cooperation framework and ongoing coordinating efforts between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and other partners, are recommended. In conclusion, Sierra Leone calls for increased engagement between the League of Arab States and the United Nations, particularly through the Security Council, as a matter of importance. We must build on the progress made and continue to work towards addressing conflicts in the Arab region in a comprehensive and strategic manner. We also recognize the need to adopt both immediate and long-term strategies for conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance and civilian protection. A robust framework for addressing the spillover effects of regional conflicts must be developed, and practical steps must be taken to enhance joint capacity for conflict prevention and resolution. Finally, we congratulate the League of Arab States on the auspicious celebration of its eightieth anniversary.

I would like to warmly welcome Mr. Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and to thank him and Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for their important briefings. A strong supporter of multilateralism and a country that holds international law at the core of its conduct, Greece places a high premium on the cooperation of regional organizations with the United Nations, and the Security Council more specifically, consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. As turmoil, upheaval and renewal are engulfing the Middle East and the Arab world, the Greece has long-standing political, economic and cultural ties with the Arab World. Arab countries are our natural partners for promoting a prosperous and stable “day after” during the post-conflict phase in our wider region. We are grateful for the broad support received from members of the League of Arab States in our bid for Security Council membership, and we are privileged and happy to serve alongside two League members, Algeria and Somalia, in this organ. As an honest interlocutor with all Member States, including the Arab world, we aspire to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the regional issues of which the Council is seized. We share the aspirations and concerns of Arab countries in preventing further escalation in the Middle East, which seems to be going through a profound transformation. Greece consistently supports all efforts to seek a comprehensive resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict towards a viable two-State solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. Only a few days ago, we witnessed here in this Chamber the international community’s warm yet cautious welcome of the long-overdue ceasefire and hostage release deal, achieved through the tireless efforts of two members of the League of Arab States — Egypt and Qatar — along with the United States (see S/PV.9841). As the Secretary-General said, while a ray of hope shines in the region, challenges remain for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. It is now time to seize the momentum and redouble our collective efforts towards our shared objective of regional peace and stability. Likewise, following major developments in Syria, we see eye to eye with the League of Arab States on the necessity for an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, on the basis of the principles of resolution 2254 (2015) and facilitated by the United Nations. Syrians finally have the peace they have long deserved — one that can be assured only through an orderly and fully inclusive political transition towards a legitimate, representative and non-sectarian Government, on the basis of democratic legitimacy, with full respect for its unity, independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. No effort should be spared regarding the protection of all civilians affected  — including Christians and all religious minorities and ethnic groups. All this is taking place while a new dawn has emerged in Lebanon — a unique opportunity to restore political unity in a country tormented by instability for years, in which a Government for all Lebanese and a State able to ensure and guarantee security for all its citizens will hopefully soon take shape. As our Prime Minister pledged during his recent visit, Greece will continue to support the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, whose role has been constructive in monitoring the cessation of hostilities, as well as the Lebanese Armed Forces, charged with the prominent task of extending their control over all Lebanese territory, in accordance with resolution 1701 (2006). Finally, let me turn to the Sudan, where the humanitarian situation is dire and a famine crisis has taken root in large swathes of the country. More than 24.6 million Sudanese  — more than half the population  — face acute food insecurity. As a result, there are refugee and migratory flows, placing neighbouring countries, such as Egypt — one of our close strategic partners and host of the League of Arab States — under immense pressure. Working closely together, our two organizations must collectively ensure unrestricted access for humanitarian aid, expand humanitarian assistance and silence the guns, while seeking a political solution and respecting the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of the Sudan.

I would like to thank Assistant-Secretary- General Khiari and Mr. Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, for their briefings. The League of Arab States and the United Nations share a common mission — the protection and promotion of peace and security through solidarity and cooperation. The League of Arab States is therefore an important partner of the Council. We support the League’s proactive engagement in a range of situations, from early warning and prevention to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and the maintenance of peace. With that in mind, during its Council presidency in September 2024, Slovenia organized a high-level informal interactive dialogue on cooperation between the two organizations. The dialogue offered space for a frank exchange of views on the latest developments in the region. Let me mention four of the many concrete examples of how we can work together in order to achieve the goal of peace and security. First, concerning Syria, the country has a historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild after more than a decade of conflict. The involvement of the Arab League will be pivotal in supporting Syria’s reconstruction and fostering international legitimacy for its new leadership. Slovenia underlines the importance of an inclusive Syrian-led, Syrian-owned political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with resolution 2254 (2015). In that regard, we call for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women on all levels of that process. We also stress the need to restore justice and ensure accountability. It is imperative to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, non-sectarian governance and the protection of persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities. We welcome the continued active involvement of the League of Arab States in cooperation with the United Nations in assisting Syria towards a better future. Secondly, Slovenia welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and urges all parties to uphold and implement their commitments. The ceasefire must not be an end in itself but a stepping stone towards a permanent peace. The ceasefire must first translate into safe and unhindered humanitarian access and an urgent and substantive scaling up of aid. And it must lead to lasting peace. We remain firmly convinced that implementation of the two-State solution is the only viable path to peace in the Middle East. It is critical to move beyond rhetoric and to take concrete actions to ensure its realization, as it constitutes a central element of regional security. The League of Arab States has an important role to play. We commend the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers a valuable framework for a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thirdly, in Yemen the situation remains precarious, and we call upon all parties, including the Houthis, to engage constructively with the United Nations Special Envoy to achieve a nationwide ceasefire and a lasting and inclusive political solution. Finally, in the Sudan, thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions are facing the terrifying threat of hunger. Many are dying of famine as a consequence of war. That humanitarian catastrophe underscores the urgency of an immediate halt to all hostilities and of the delivery of humanitarian aid. We remain steadfast in our support for diplomatic avenues to end the conflict, including the efforts led by Personal Envoy Lamamra, alongside international and regional actors, including the Arab League. Let me end by stressing that it is only through collective action and collaboration that we can effectively address global and regional challenges, and it is in that spirit that Slovenia looks forward to continuing to work together with the League of Arab States.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khalid Khiari for his briefing, and we are pleased to welcome the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, to this dialogue with the Security Council. I also welcome the representative of Egypt to this debate. The United States believes that the League of Arab States can play an important role in addressing conflicts that affect its member States, particularly after the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. We appreciate the tireless efforts of two Arab League members, Qatar and Egypt, in helping to reach a long-overdue agreement on a ceasefire to the conflict that Hamas started on 7 October 2023. The United States will help Israelis and Palestinians seize this moment together, but we also need our Arab friends and partners to step up and to use this moment to engage Israelis and Palestinians, to show that a better, more peaceful future is possible. Building on the momentum from the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza offers a historic opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords and promote greater regional integration. We look forward to working with members of the Arab League in that regard. We also have shared interests in pursuing stability and security in Syria and pressing Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham to make progress towards an inclusive, non-sectarian political transition. The Syria that the United States would be inclined to support is one that lives in peace with its neighbours, respects the rights of minorities and prohibits terrorists from using Syria as a platform. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, it is in our interest to have a Syria that is no longer a playground for the Islamic State, respects religious minorities and is not a vehicle through which Iran can spread terrorism. The United States believes that other members of the Arab League beset by conflict also deserve a better future; that includes Yemen and Lebanon, countries that have been dragged into conflicts by Iran-backed terrorist organizations. And in the Sudan, we appreciate the role of the Arab League in calling for humanitarian access, a cessation of hostilities and a resumption of an inclusive political process. The United States will continue supporting the efforts of the Arab League and the United Nations to address the region’s challenges.

I thank Algeria for the initiative of convening this meeting. I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefings. Strengthening the cooperation of the United Nations with regional and subregional organizations is a requirement clearly laid out in the Charter of the United Nations and a meaningful demonstration of multilateralism. Under the current circumstances, the League of Arab States represents an important platform for Arab countries to seek strength through unity and plays an ever more prominent role in regional affairs. China supports the United Nations in further deepening cooperation with the League, in accordance with the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter, and jointly promoting peace and development in the region. We must support the strategic autonomy of Arab countries. The international community should fully respect the historical and cultural traditions of Arab countries, support the League in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs and support Arab countries in exploring development paths that accord with their national conditions. The question of Palestine lies at the heart of the Middle East issue. China welcomes the ceasefire reached in Gaza and appreciates the efforts made by the League of Arab States and relevant countries in the region to that end. China calls on the parties concerned to earnestly implement the ceasefire agreement, with a view to achieving a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We express serious concerns about Israel’s recent attacks in Jenin. China supports initiatives guided by the principle of Palestinian-led, Palestinian-owned and Palestinian-governed building of a coordinated post-war governance framework in Gaza and ensuring unified and effective administration of Gaza and the West Bank. We commend the just position of the League and Arab countries on the question of Palestine, and we support the relaunching of the two-State solution based on international consensus, including the relevant United Nations resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, to help the Palestinian people achieve independence and statehood as soon as possible. The situation in Syria is at a critical stage. We support Syria in maintaining unity, restoring stability and promoting an inclusive political transition in accordance with the spirit and principles of resolution 2254 (2015). China supports the United Nations in playing an active role in providing good offices and facilitating dialogue among all parties. Syria must not become a base for terrorism or be used by any terrorist forces to threaten the security of other countries. Syria is a member of the Arab family. China supports the important role of the Arab ministerial contact group on Syria in facilitating a political transition and promoting reconstruction. China and Arab countries enjoy long-standing ties of friendly exchanges. The peace and development of Arab countries has always been close to our hearts. In May 2024, President Xi Jinping, together with Heads of State from Arab countries, attended the opening ceremony of the tenth Ministerial Conference of the China- Arab States Cooperation Forum. President Xi delivered an important speech on that occasion, identifying the overall direction and presenting a blueprint for the development of relations between the Arab States and China in the new era. The outcome documents adopted at the Conference, including the Beijing Declaration and the Forum’s execution plan for 2024 to 2026, reflected the strategic consensus of the two sides on major regional and international issues and deepened their practical cooperation in such fields as business, trade, investment, finance, infrastructure, education, health and aerospace. China stands ready to work with Arab countries to accelerate the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future and make greater contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East. Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is crucial to addressing the many challenges facing the region. The crises currently confronting the Arab world are many and varied. The agreement on the ceasefire and on the release of the hostages in Gaza must bring an end to the unprecedented cycle of violence that began with the terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023. It must also guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale to people and pave the way for a political solution. The region is also confronting major challenges. The terrorist threat, specifically that posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, is ever-present. It is important for the new de facto authorities in Damascus to continue the fight against terrorism; we will continue to play our part. To avert conflict, the social, economic and political aspirations of peoples must be met. The nascent transition in Syria will be key to that, and we appeal for it to involve all segments of Syrian society fully. Climate change compounds vulnerabilities. Desertification, an increase in droughts and greater water insecurity are a fact of life in the Arab world. Mitigating and adapting to them are necessary to promoting regional stability. France and the European Union stand with their Arab partners in tackling those numerous challenges. We encourage the United Nations and the League of Arab States to work together towards that end. In Gaza, aside the short-term humanitarian response, concurrent efforts towards a political settlement based on the two-State solution are urgently needed. France will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the United Nations and the League of Arab States to achieve that. In New York in June, France and Saudi Arabia will be co-chairing an international conference on the implementation of the two-State solution. In Lebanon, the cessation of hostilities secured through the joint efforts of France and the United States has given renewed hope to displaced communities on both sides of the Blue Line. It is essential that the parties honour all their commitments so as to build on the momentum and ensure that resolution 1701 (2006) is implemented in full. In the Sudan, France will pursue efforts to galvanize the international community on the humanitarian front and to promote the urgent conclusion of a ceasefire and the search for a political solution. The United Nations plays a decisive role in resolving those crises through the peace operations it deploys to a number of countries. The involvement of the League of Arab States is just as essential. In Yemen, the peace process must resume without delay under the auspices of the United Nations Special Envoy. It is France’s abiding belief that dialogue is crucial to easing tensions and finding solutions to the challenges in the region. In Iraq, we will continue to promote the Baghdad format, which brings together most of the region’s players and remains entirely relevant given the shifts taking place in the Middle East. France believes that upholding multilateralism grounded in respect for the rule of law is in the interests of the League of Arab States and the countries of the region. France wishes to help all its partners to mitigate climate and environmental threats and stands ready to step up its commitment and contemplate at new areas for cooperation in that field with the League of Arab States and the countries of the region.

We welcome your participation, Mr. Minister, in today’s briefing as President of the Security Council. Russia has consistently advocated strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. Both organizations pursue the same goals of ensuring peace and security at a global and a regional level. We are also guided by the long-standing friendship and fraternal ties that bind us to the Arab world. Over the past year, many States in the Middle East have unfortunately been affected by the turmoil that was sparked primarily by the sharp escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That escalation was followed by Israel’s full-scale war against Lebanon, the dramatic developments in Syria and the intense exchanges of fire between Ansar Allah and the Anglo-Saxon coalition. Hotbeds of instability also persist in North Africa — in Western Sahara, Libya and the Sudan. The complex socioeconomic situation in a number of Arab countries is fuelling radicalism and is contributing to extremism and terrorism. In that extremely volatile climate, the agreement on a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages between Hamas and West Jerusalem that was secured in early January through the mediation of two member States of the League of Arab States offers hope for a stabilization of the situation in the region. In our view, the League of Arab States can — and should — play a significant role in supporting that agreement and in coordinating the efforts of Arab countries to provide post-conflict assistance to the Palestinian people. It is important that a just solution to the Palestinian question not be omitted from any blueprints for normalizing relations in the region that non-regional mediators put forward; otherwise a return to violence of the kind that we witnessed over the past 15 months will be inevitable. For our part, we will monitor the implementation of the deal between Israel and Hamas and support any initiatives aimed at securing an unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian theatre of conflict, at ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access and at rekindling negotiations on a universally recognized international legal basis that includes decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. In that regard, it is with concern that we note that, only two days after the agreement entered into force, the Israel Defense Forces launched a major military operation in the city of Jenin in the West Bank. In 24 hours alone, 10 Palestinians were killed and at least 35 people were injured. Also alarming is the attack in Tel Aviv, in which four Israelis were injured. We urge the parties to refrain from any aggressive action and provocation that could derail the implementation of the agreements reached. Russia remains committed to a further and gradual strengthening of multilevel cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. Of particular importance are cooperation on collective security, the tackling of new challenges and crisis resolution in the region. The Arab countries have first-hand knowledge of the problems of their region. The use of their knowledge and experience would contribute to a peaceful resolution of problems and disputes, free from external interference, with due consideration for the interests of all parties involved and on the basis of the provisions and rules of international law. The United Nations Liaison Office to the League of Arab States, established in 2019 in Cairo, is an effective channel for such cooperation. We welcome the Security Council’s annual informal meetings with members of the League of Arab States, which provide a forum for examining crisis situations in the region and discussing possible joint efforts to avert crises early on. We encourage fruitful dialogue between In conclusion, we wish to state our readiness to do our utmost to facilitate the normalization of the situation in the region, both in our national capacity and as part of collective arrangements, including through cooperation with the League of Arab States and the United Nations. Russia will continue to strengthen partnership and cooperation with the League of Arab States on international and regional issues of pressing concern. We will also continue to champion coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.

First of all, let me thank you, Mr. President, for taking the initiative to convene this meeting under the Algerian presidency. We also want to warmly welcome the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Aboul Gheit, and to thank him for his very important and cogent briefing. This has come at a critical time in the Middle East, and we are confident that the League of Arab States will continue to have an important role in the resolution of the multifaceted challenges that we face today in the Middle East. I would also like to welcome the Ambassador of Egypt. Egypt is the host country of the League of Arab States and played a critical role together with Qatar in the United States in achieving the Gaza ceasefire. While the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security remains with the Security Council, regional organizations working under the framework of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations can complement and supplement the Council’s role. Their role has been increasing, particularly in the promotion of peacemaking and peacebuilding in recent years. The League of Arab States — one of the oldest and most prominent regional organizations — has worked consistently to advance peace, security and development in the Arab world. Its efforts in conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance and promoting dialogue have been pivotal in addressing regional crises. Pakistan values its historic and deep-rooted ties with the Arab world, which are based on shared faith, history and values. We strongly support the League of Arab States efforts to resolve regional conflicts, foster dialogue and promote peaceful dispute resolution. A key priority for Pakistan is the resolution of long-standing and festering disputes, particularly those that arise from foreign occupation and the denial of self-determination, such as in Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir. The League of Arab States has played a leading role in addressing the challenges posed by Palestine, which is at the heart of the issues in the Middle East. We have been concerned that, following the welcome Gaza ceasefire, we are now witnessing intensified Israeli violence on the West Bank and particularly in Jenin at present. We hope and are confident that the League of Arab States will continue to play a significant role in supporting the ceasefire in Gaza, making it permanent, ensuring humanitarian relief for the besieged people of Gaza and, most importantly, reviving the diplomatic process to achieve a two-State solution. The League of Arab States will also no doubt play a helpful role in stabilizing the situations in Lebanon, Syria, the Sudan and Somalia. Let me assure our colleagues from the League of Arab States and the Muslim world that Pakistan will work with them in tandem to address the many challenges we face in common in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Panama expresses its appreciation to the presidency for convening today’s meeting and to the briefers — Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Khaled Khiari, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit — for their valuable statements. The relationship between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a clear example of the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing common challenges and crafting sustainable solutions for international peace and security. We also welcome the presence and participation of the delegation of Egypt in today’s meeting, and we congratulate it for its participation, along with Qatar and the United States, in achieving the ceasefire. Over the years, this cooperation has evolved considerably through agreements and mechanisms that have bolstered institutional ties and facilitated coordinated action in priority areas. The creation of the Liaison Office to the League of Arab States in Cairo in 2019 established a direct channel for dialogue and strategic collaboration. Similarly, several Security Council presidential statements have reaffirmed the importance of that relationship, establishing guidelines for more effective joint action in order to tackle the challenges in the region. The Arab region is currently facing a series of interconnected challenges that have an impact on peace, stability and sustainable development. Panama welcomes the recent cessation of hostilities agreements, such as the one achieved between Israel and Hamas, and the ceasefire in Lebanon, which, while fragile, remain significant steps towards regional stability. Those agreements, which we hope will hold, offer an opportunity for building peace, and they can serve as a basis for promoting political dialogue and building trust among the parties involved. The commitments made must be respected, and any action that could undermine the progress achieved must be avoided. The Arab region is facing complex challenges, such as protracted conflicts, humanitarian crises, massive forced displacement, illicit arms trafficking, terrorism and transnational organized crime, which generate instability and hamper recovery and reconciliation efforts. Combating terrorism and transnational organized crime remains a key priority for the international community given their capacity to destabilize entire countries and regions. International cooperation must be bolstered, addressing not just the current signs of those phenomena but also the root causes through sustainable development strategies and through institution-building. In addition to those challenges, there are emerging threats, such as piracy and other illicit activities on strategic maritime routes, which pose a growing risk to the safety of navigation and international trade. Those threats compromise freedom of movement, generate significant economic repercussions and directly affect international peace and security. Protecting those routes is crucial not just for trade, In that regard, Panama recognizes the strategic role of the Suez Canal, sovereignly administered by Egypt, as a vital artery for global trade and economic stability. Together with the Panama Canal, whose sovereign Administration rests with our country, those maritime routes facilitate the safe and efficient transit of essential goods, strengthening global maritime connectivity and ensuring the resilience of international supply chains. Ensuring the operability and security of those maritime routes requires constant cooperation among States, based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and existing international agreements. Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is crucial to consolidate the progress achieved. A coordinated, inclusive and results-oriented approach is essential to comprehensively address current challenges and build a more secure and sustainable future for the region and the world. In that context, Panama considers it essential to focus our efforts on the following priority areas. First, we must prevent conflicts and build peace by strengthening mediation and political dialogue. Secondly, we must ensure an effective humanitarian response and the protection of civilians by optimizing coordination between United Nations agencies and the League of Arab States to ensure the timely delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable populations affected by conflicts. Thirdly, we must combat terrorism and transnational organized crime by strengthening international cooperation to prevent violent extremism, improve national and regional capacities and disrupt illicit financing networks. Fourthly, we must promote sustainable development and climate resilience by implementing comprehensive strategies to address challenges such as desertification, water scarcity and food insecurity, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on climate change and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Furthermore, the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is key to strengthening the region’s capacity to respond to extreme weather events. Fifthly, we must promote the inclusion of youth and women, ensuring their meaningful participation in peace and development processes. Sixthly, we must strengthen institutions and technological cooperation by promoting the modernization of governmental structures and digital innovation. Panama greatly values its historic relationship with Arab countries, founded on mutual respect, cooperation and a shared commitment to development and prosperity. The Arab region, throughout its long history, has contributed significantly to the advancement of humankind in various fields, and Panama recognizes its potential to continue to play a key role in building a more peaceful and prosperous future. We reiterate our readiness to continue strengthening those ties of friendship and cooperation, reaffirming our conviction that stability and peace in the region are essential for global well-being. Within that framework of cooperation and mutual understanding, the relationship between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a testament to the power of multilateralism to address shared challenges and forge sustainable solutions. We urge the international community to redouble its efforts in support of those processes, convinced that dialogue and joint action are essential to build peace and stability in the region.

Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations recognizes the crucial role of regional organizations in the maintenance of peace and security. Their knowledge is unparalleled, their approaches are tailored, and their commitment is unwavering. Put simply, here in this Chamber, we have a lot to learn from them. I thank you, Minister Attaf, for your presence. I also wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their insightful remarks. Under the leadership of Secretary-General Aboul Gheit, the League of Arab States continuously demonstrates its commitment to even closer dialogue within the Arab world and beyond. The Middle East region faces serious and interconnected challenges  — from armed conflict to humanitarian emergencies and the adverse impact of climate change. Those are crises that transcend borders and frameworks and demand our collective attention and action. Last week, the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan and Lebanon. He left the region with a sense of cautious optimism for peace — a sense which has been confirmed by others here today. The long-awaited ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas offers a glimmer of hope. We sincerely hope that this will be the first step on the path to durable and lasting peace and lay the foundation towards a two- State solution. We learned this week of the release of the MV Galaxy Leader crew. The ceasefire between Hizbullah and Israel is another positive development towards de-escalation in the region. Moreover, the new dawn in Syria, which provides an opening to restore hope and dignity for the long-oppressed Syrian people, is also a window of opportunity which must not be missed. Finally, as mentioned by many here today, long-awaited positive developments in Lebanon are creating hope and optimism in a country plagued by bad news for so many years. Those developments and others require closer regional and international collaboration, which is why the League of Arab States and its cooperation with the United Nations are critical. There are multiple avenues to strengthen the collaboration between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. In particular, Denmark would like to highlight the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda. In that regard, we welcome the joint initiative of UN-Women and the League of Arab States to advance the women and peace and security agenda in the Arab region. We hope that such efforts can help to fully implement the League’s Executive Action Plan “Protection of Arab Women: Peace and Security”. It is also vital that young people are involved in the decisions that shape the future of their region — a future that, ultimately, they will inherit. Denmark therefore commends the League of Arab States on the development of the Arab Strategy for Youth, Peace and Security (2023–2028). The young people in the Arab region are taking action. They are engaged and energized to reduce violence, to combat violent extremism and to promote the disengagement and reintegration of former fighters. They deserve our support. In conclusion, Denmark is a firm advocate for bold regional leadership for peace and security. The League of Arab States exemplifies that. As Secretary-General Aboul Gheit’s region navigates immense challenges and changes, he can count on Denmark’s close partnership. We look forward to deepening the engagement of the Council with the League of Arab States for peace and security.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefings, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Egypt in today’s meeting. Guyana joins Assistant Secretary-General Khiari in emphasizing the important role that regional and subregional organizations play in the maintenance of international peace and security. Those organizations, such as the League of Arab States, have a unique advantage in conflict resolution given their understanding of the political, economic and social underpinnings of conflicts and threats within the region. They are not only better placed to support the development and implementation of conflict prevention and early-warning strategies but, more importantly, they also have a stake in the outcomes of dispute resolution. In that respect, we underline the following points. First, Guyana has long held the view that enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations is vital in achieving a more stable world and the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Agenda for Peace. As we confront increasingly complex and multifaceted contemporary threats, it has become necessary to strengthen multilateral cooperation and coordination and to prioritize holistic solutions. It has also become increasingly evident that, as outlined in the New Agenda for Peace, robust regional frameworks and organizations that have strong partnerships with the United Nations and the Security Council are better placed to effectively address the increasingly transnational nature of security threats. In that context, and while reaffirming the Security Council’s primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, Guyana commends and supports the efforts of the League of Arab States in promoting conflict resolution in the region. Secondly, we believe that there is a need to pursue a more strategic approach in strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. The region today faces a range of complex challenges, including military conflicts, economic instability, humanitarian crises and climate change, which all require more holistic and comprehensive solutions and strategic partnerships. They also require engaging and empowering women and young people so that their voices, needs and perspectives are heard and considered, leading to more sustainable and equitable solutions. Thirdly and finally, we emphasize the importance of ensuring greater synergy in the interactions between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, and between the League and other regional and subregional organizations. Guyana is aware that the United Nations and the League of Arab States engage in joint efforts to promote sustainable development in the region. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals as a shared priority cannot go unmentioned. We note the complementarity of the League’s regional initiatives with the United Nations global framework, which ensures that the unique challenges and opportunities of the Arab world are addressed in a way that is inclusive and effective. With that in mind, we encourage greater In particular, we look forward to closer engagement between the United Nations and League of Arab States towards achieving a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian question and reiterate our unwavering commitment to the vision of two- States, with two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. In conclusion, Guyana stresses that the collaboration between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is not only essential for addressing the specific needs of the Arab region, but also for advancing global peace and stability. It is through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation that we can confront the challenges of today and build a more prosperous and peaceful future for all. We reaffirm our full support for a more robust partnership between the two organizations, with the aim of building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Arab world for all its people.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting. I also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari and Secretary-General Aboul Gheit for their briefings today, and I welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Egypt in this meeting. The United Kingdom strongly supports coordination between the United Nations and the League of Arab States on matters of international peace and security. The League of Arab States is an important and valuable partner in the region, one that has consistently used its voice to call for de-escalation and progress towards peace. That includes efforts to bring about ceasefires and to alleviate the suffering of the people in the region over the past 15 months. After more than a year of devastating bloodshed in Gaza, the ceasefire and hostage release deal offers hope. We must ensure that that ceasefire holds and that we have a smooth transition into phase two. We must also see an immediate surge of aid into Gaza in accordance with the terms of the deal. Israel must ensure humanitarian access and the adequate provision of humanitarian aid after the implementation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East legislation on 30 January, according to its obligations as an occupying Power. The ceasefire offers an opportunity that we must seize to pursue a lasting peace that offers a credible pathway towards a two-State solution. Turning to Lebanon, the agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizbullah has also offered hope for civilians whose lives have been devastated by more than a year of conflict. It is a first step towards a long-term political solution, and we call upon the parties to fulfil the obligations within that agreement and in line with resolution 1701 (2006). On Syria, its people are finally free of Al-Assad, and there is real hope that they can at last take control of their future. The United Kingdom remains committed to a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative Government that can provide a secure and peaceful future. We must also be clear on the malign role of Iran and its partners in undermining peace and security across the region. The Iranian regime exports violence and instability, and it has had a hand in all of those conflicts. We call upon Iran to cease its support for those groups and respect the resolutions adopted by the Council. Let me conclude by underlining the importance of close partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States in pursuing resolutions to those

The delegation of Somalia would like to thank the delegation of Algeria, Mr. President, for having convened this important meeting, which highlights the close cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States, cooperation that reflects the power of collective action to face common challenges and achieve peace and sustainable development. At the outset, I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Mr. Mohamed Khaled Khiari for their comprehensive and rich briefings on the vital partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. Their insights constitute an important resource for strengthening regional and international cooperation to achieve peace and security. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Egypt in this meeting. The Federal Republic of Somalia believes in the vital role played by regional organizations in promoting international peace and security, as stipulated in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States represents an outstanding model of integration between regional and international institutions in dealing with the complex issues facing our region and the world. In that context, I would like to focus on the following key aspects of cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States. First, with regard to conflict prevention and peacebuilding, Somalia appreciates the role played by the League of Arab States in addressing conflicts in the Arab region, including in Palestine, Libya, Syria and the Sudan. Strategic cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States promotes inclusive political processes, mitigates tensions and supports visions of achieving lasting peace. We therefore call for strengthening early-warning systems and preventive diplomacy to deal with emerging challenges effectively Secondly, with regard to protecting the most vulnerable, millions of people in our Arab region are facing severe humanitarian crises. Somalia emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, with a focus on women, children and refugees. We call on all Member States to provide the necessary funding to ensure an effective and timely humanitarian response. Thirdly, with regard to promoting the women and peace and security agenda and the youth, peace and security agenda, we commend the initiatives launched by the League of Arab States, such as the executive action plan entitled Protection of Arab Women: Peace and Security and the Arab Women Mediators Network. Somalia emphasizes the importance of cooperation to enhance women’s participation in peace processes and political decision-making and to promote the economic empowerment of women in the Arab region. Somalia welcomes the Arab youth, peace and security strategy for 2023 to 2028, which focuses on empowering youth to be agents of positive change. Somalia calls for joint initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, education, vocational training and the constructive engagement of youth in peacebuilding processes. Fourthly, with regard to addressing cross-border challenges, we commend the recent memorandum of understanding between the United Nations and the League of Arab States to strengthen cooperation on combating terrorism, organized crime and trafficking in persons, and we emphasize the importance of joint capacity-building, information exchange and joint action in those vital areas. Sixthly and lastly, with regard to supporting a just and sustainable peace in the Arab region, Somalia reaffirms its commitment to achieving a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian question, while ensuring the vision of a two-State solution in which two States live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative as a framework for achieving that goal. We also call for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement to ensure respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria. That will allow them to continue their political processes without any external interference and to find solutions stemming from their national will. That is the best way to achieve the desired regional stability. The current situation in the brotherly Sudan requires all of us to stand in solidarity and effectively support the Sudanese people in overcoming this difficult phase by intensifying diplomatic and humanitarian efforts and providing all forms of support needed to achieve the peace and stability to which the Sudanese people aspire. The partnership between the United Nations and the League of Arab States is a model for multilateral action. By working together, we can advance the goals of peace, security and sustainable development in the Arab region and beyond. In conclusion, Somalia reaffirms its strong support for strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States and calls for continued joint efforts to address challenges and build a future on a foundation of peace, stability and prosperity for all.

I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting today, and I welcome His Excellency the Secretary- General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, representing an international organization, which is one of the oldest international organizations, at the United Nations. My thanks also go to my brother Ambassador Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, for his thorough briefing. I am honoured to deliver today’s statement on behalf of the Group of Arab States. Today’s meeting is taking place against the backdrop of a very serious regional and international situation, namely, the Israeli military aggression on Gaza, which Egypt, Qatar and the United States have succeeded — with difficulty — in stopping through tireless mediation efforts. That aggression violates the most important principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the charters of all regional organizations, as well as the main role of the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security, while also increasing the challenges in the Arab region, which is witnessing successive developments, especially in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen. The Arab Group stresses the importance of cooperation between the two organizations and, in order to consolidate that cooperation, the Group demands that the presentation of United Nations initiatives and resolutions on the Arab region begin with a discussion with the League of Arab States and its member States to identify their priorities and benefit from their familiarity with the nuances of Arab issues. Solutions for the Arab region must emanate from it and be Arab-led. The Group also points out that cooperation represents an opportunity for the United Nations to increase the capabilities of Arabs to participate in resolving international We present the Arab Group’s vision for cooperation between the two organizations as follows. First, the Arab Group affirms its commitment to close cooperation with the United Nations and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, in accordance with the Bahrain declaration issued by the Arab Summit in Manama in May 2024. Second, the Arab Group calls for the effective implementation of the resolution adopted by the General Assembly in November 2024 (General Assembly resolution 79/12) on cooperation between the two organizations. The Group stresses the importance of developing the conceptual and operational framework for effective cooperation between the League of Arab States and the United Nations, particularly the Security Council and its committees. The Group also calls for follow up on the implementation of the main pillars related to Arab issues, within the framework of the effective follow up on presidential statements adopted by Security Council in 2012, 2019, 2021 and 2022. We look forward to the adoption of the draft presidential statement that is the subject of negotiations at the moment in order to promote the frameworks of cooperation. Third, we also propose that the Council visit the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, following its previous visit in 2016. We also call for the Council to visit several of the countries in the region, including Palestine and Lebanon. Fourth, we call on the Council to assume its responsibility for resolving the Palestinian question in line with the relevant United nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and international law, so as to build an independent Palestinian State along the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. We also underscore the importance cooperation to protect and support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in the light of the illegal Israeli measures that aim to undermine the Agency. Fifth, we emphasize that promoting our cooperation requires a serious reform of the Security Council to allow it to benefit from the expertise of regional organizations and ensure that decisions are made based on accurate assessments, in particular on Arab issues. We stress that any reform of the Council must include an expansion in both categories of membership — permanent and non-permanent — and permanent representation for the Arab Group with all rights, including the veto, in addition to non-permanent representation. Sixth, the ِ Arab Group stresses the importance of the role of the United Nations in humanitarian, economic and reconstruction support projects and calls for mobilizing the necessary funding for it and implementing it in coordination with Arab Governments and Arab League agencies. Seventh, we attach particular importance to Arab-United Nations cooperation in the area of disarmament, including within the framework of the Arab Forum on Disarmament. We also call for continued support for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, in addition to capacity-building and training with regard to the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004). Eighth, we call for promoting cooperation to achieve sustainable development in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as the cooperation between our two organizations represents a fundamental pillar to support those Ninth, we affirm the Group’s commitment to the universality and interdependence of all human rights and support all efforts to realize all human rights and for promoting them equally, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the right to development, while implementing the principles of constructive dialogue, neutrality, non-selectivity and non-politicization and consolidating national ownership. Tenth, we support the effective implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, appreciate the support of UN Women for the Arab League executive plan of action on women and peace and security, aimed at protecting Arab women and involving them in peacemaking and peacebuilding processes, and look forward to activating the Arab Women Peace Mediators Network. Eleventh, the Arab Group looks forward to expanding cooperation between the different bodies of the Arab League in the area of socioeconomic development with the United Nations Youth Office to include, inter alia capacity-building, training, and knowledge transfer. We also look forward to implementing resolution 2250 (2015), in line with national priorities, as well as the strengthening of cooperation between the Arab League and the United Nations to implement the youth, peace and security agenda, especially with the adoption of the Arab strategy on youth, peace and security until 2028. Twelfth, we call for intensifying cooperation between the bodies of the Arab League and its member States and the United Nations bodies concerned with counter- terrorism, on the basis of a comprehensive approach aimed at developing strategies that include political, security, economic and social dimensions and that are based on the principle of the primary responsibility of the State. We emphasize the need to consolidate our cooperation to combat terrorist groups and transnational organized crime, address phenomena such as foreign terrorist fighters and eliminate conditions conducive to radicalization. In conclusion, we appreciate the cooperation between our two organizations and emphasize the importance of its continuation to achieve peace and stability in the region. We call for developing that cooperation periodically, enhancing support for the United Nations Liaison Office at the Arab League and its strategic framework and providing all the necessary human and financial resources to it to enhance its ability to deal with developments occurring in the region. We look forward to the next meeting of both organizations including the State of Palestine as a fully fledged State Member of the United Nations.