Security Council High-Level Open Debate on “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centered International System”
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
New York, 28 May 2026
President,
I thank Chinese Presidency for convening today’s meeting and the Secretary-General for his briefing. Estonia aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.
The world around us has changed profoundly. International law based multilateral order is under growing pressure, conflicts are multiplying, and trust in multilateral cooperation is being tested. Yet it is precisely in such times that we must hold even more firmly to our core values, to international law, and to the principles of the UN Charter. These are not abstract ideals — they are the foundation of global peace and security, as well as stability and cooperation between states.
I would like to make three points.
First, international law protects small states from the rule of force.
In a world where might is right, the sovereignty and independence of states would depend on their military strength or economic influence. Survival of small countries would always be under threat. The UN Charter establishes clear principle: all states, regardless of their size, are sovereign and equal. This gives small states a voice and a rightful expectation that international rules apply equally to everyone. For countries like Estonia, this principle is not abstract — it is existential.
Second, international rules must not only exist — they must be enforced.
Principles on paper are not enough. Rules must be respected, defended and applied consistently, not selectively. Violations of international law must be called out and the violators need to face the consequences – political, financial and judicial if called for. As history has shown us, an aggressor unpunished, returns.
Third, the Security Council, the body entrusted with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, needs to start taking its responsibilities seriously.
The Council too often fails to act due to geopolitical ambitions of the key players and massive misuse of veto power. The Security Council has to improve its working methods; implement all the initiatives to limit the misuse of the veto, including the French-Mexican initiative and ACT Code of Conduct. Full and consistent implementation of all provisions of the Charter need to be assured, notably with regard to the Article 27(3) of the UN Charter, which stipulates that “a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting” in the Security Council.
If we want to revert the decline of the political relevance of the Security Council and the UN more generally, we collectively need to finally stop Russia’s brutal drones and missiles attacks on Ukraine. What happened on the night of the 24th of May in Ukraine, in Kyiv should never happen again. How can the Security Council be taken seriously when a permanent member of the Council, the Russian Federation, after more than four years of its aggression against Ukraine still manages to reach new levels of escalation and brutality, carrying out one of the largest attacks including using nuclear-capable “Oreshnik” against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure? The Security Council, the UN Membership need to respond to that, resolutely and firmly. Russia should be collectively forced to peace in Ukraine.
President,
At a time when the challenges facing the United Nations are immense, we are approaching a pivotal moment: the selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General. This person will have an important role in restoring the credibility of the UN. It is therefore essential that the next Secretary-General be someone with an impeccable track record on international law, human rights, and the principles of the UN Charter.
President,
Estonia believes firmly in international law based multilateral order. Our security depends on whether international law remains strong and binding. If the UN Charter is upheld, and international law applied equally to all states, a fairer and safer world remains within reach — for both large and small nations.