Seventy-ninth Session,
42nd Meeting (PM)
GA/12659
Note: A complete summary of today’s meeting will be made available on Wednesday, 27 November.
Delegates in the General Assembly took turns today to express their regret over the Russian Federation’s recent vetoing of a Security Council resolution concerning the situation in Sudan, stressing that such action translates to immense and continued suffering in that strife-torn country.
The Assembly met pursuant to the April 2022 resolution (document A/RES/76/262), by which it is stipulated to formally convene within 10 working days of the casting of a veto by one or more permanent Council members. (For background, see Press Release SC/15901 of 18 November.)
The Russian Federation’s action on 18 November further generated calls on the need for Security Council reform to position itself and the Organization to better function as the safeguard for the prosperity and liberties of individuals and nations all over the world.
“Today’s meeting underscores the shared responsibility of the Security Council and the General Assembly to work collaboratively to safeguard peace and collective security,” said Assembly President Philemon Yang (Cameroon). He expressed concern over increasing use of the veto since 2022 following adoption of Assembly resolution 77/262. The alarming trend highlights, yet again, the urgent need for the 193-member organ to take initiative on critical issues of peace and security when the Security Council “finds itself paralyzed and unable to fulfil its core mandates”.
With over 11 million persons displaced in Sudan, 3 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and 80 per cent of the country’s healthcare centres in conflict areas closed or nonfunctional, “these atrocities demand our immediate and collective attention”, he said, calling on all parties to the Sudanese conflict to engage in dialogue, institute an immediate cessation of hostilities and work towards a sustainable resolution. Likewise, the Council must rise to its responsibility and fulfil its mandate in maintaining international peace and security. He called on the international community to not allow the situation to fade in the background as other global conflicts are addressed as it “is equally tragic, equally urgent and demands action”.
For information media. Not an official record.