UNGA79 side event “Strengthening Multilateralism by Upholding the United Nations Charter: The Role of Small States”
Opening remarks by H.E. Alar Karis, President of the Republic of Estonia
24 September 2024, New York
Distinguished colleagues, esteemed Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a privilege and pleasure to welcome you at this high-level roundtable today.
We gather at a critical phase in our collective history. For nearly eight decades, the United Nations has been the foundation of our multilateral engagement, working to ensure peace, security, development and equality for all. To ensure the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of every state.
The multilateral system we have created, based on international legal order with the UN and its Charter at its core, is increasingly challenged. The Security Council is too often failing to act, as it is paralysed by geopolitical divisions and by the misuse of veto power. As a result, the credibility of the entire multilateral system and the UN begins to wane.
For small states like Estonia, the stakes could not be higher. We rely on a strong multilateral system to safeguard our sovereignty, our rights, and our future. We rely on the rule of law, not the law of the strongest.
It is only by upholding the principles enshrined in the UN Charter that we can ensure that every nation – regardless of size or might – can coexist and prosper.
Dear colleagues,
As leaders, we must have the courage to acknowledge when the system is flawed, and the resolve to drive necessary change.
It is our duty to start this reform to ensure the UN remains effective in addressing the key challenges of the 21st century – whether conflict and security, climate change,
or global inequality.
We should fully implement all provisions of the Charter; improve the working methods of the Security Council; implement all the initiatives to limit the use of the veto,
we can start by discussing how we can take the “Veto Initiative” further; and, use the powers and strengthen the role of the General Assembly mandate.
The Summit of the Future has charted a course forward. However, the true test lies in our dedication to implement decisive actions that now need to follow.
With this roundtable we try to assure that the voices of small and medium-sized states are not only heard but noticed, as we strive to build a better future for everyone. We envision more just and peaceful future.
Let us remember, that the strength of our international order is rooted not in the dominance of a few, but in the united resolve of all nations. Only one principal must not change on this path: we need to collectively uphold the UN Charter as our guiding beacon for peace, prosperity, and justice for all humankind.
Thank you all for joining us today. I look forward to the open, bold, insightful discussion ahead.