United Nations General Assembly: Use of the Veto – Item 60

Statement delivered by Permanent Representative, H.E. Ms. Carolyn Schwalger

President

Thank you for convening today's general debate on the use of the veto, the third since the adoption by consensus of the resolution 'standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast by the Security Council'.

Resolution 76/262, or the veto initiative as it has come to be known, has played an important role in enhancing the United Nation's ability to respond to matters of international peace and security.

The veto initiative has demonstrably improved the accountability of the Security Council and its Permanent Members. In a practice previously lost to history, the Security Council has routinely produced a Special Report on every occasion that a veto has been cast since the adoption of Resolution 76/262. In addition, those Permanent Members who have cast a veto have subsequently come to this hall to explain its actions.

The veto initiative has also enhanced the relationship between UN organs in a manner consistent with the UN Charter. It has enabled the General Assembly to act on its political responsibility to address situations where the use of the veto has resulted in paralysis in the Security Council's decision-making responsibilities.

And it is has provided a platform for Member States to exercise their legitimate right to state their positions and participate in conversations on questions of international peace and security.

President

New Zealand recognizes that our multilateral institutions are imperfect.

We have been a consistent and vocal opponent of the veto since its inception. The veto is perhaps one of the most egregious imperfections facing our organisation.

We have long maintained the casting of a veto is not a display of power, but rather an act of weakness which shows the caster of the veto has failed to convince others of its position.

It is an undemocratic tool and its effect has been one of disillusionment and the erosion of trust.

President

Despite its imperfections, New Zealand's approach will always be to find ways to contemporise our multilateral institutions, making them stronger, more responsive, and better networked in responding to the challenges we face today and those which lie ahead.

We have much work to do.

There has never been a greater need for innovation and creativity to secure the central place of the UN in addressing the collective challenges facing us, particularly as they relate to international peace and security.

That is why we remain steadfast in our commitment to the full and effective implementation of the veto initiative.

It is why we support the meaningful implementation of the provisions in the Pact for the Future as they relate to Security Council Reform.

And it is why we will continue to work with other delegations to identify opportunities to further enhance the accountability of the Security Council to the wider UN membership, and the people we serve.

Thank you.

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