Remarks for Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Summit of the Future – Interactive dialogue on enhancing multilateralism for international peace and security
New York, 22 September 2024
3pm – 6pm, Trusteeship Council Chamber
[closing remarks]
Excellencies,
Distinguished speakers,
Today’s discussion has shown that the pursuit of peace and international cooperation is not a hopeless goal.
It is tempting to despair or be cynical, amid the level of divisions in today’s world.
However, as leaders gather in New York this week, this Summit reminds us that Member States overwhelmingly want the multilateral system to be effective and fair.
They know that the challenges we face – from the climate emergency and the weaponization of new technologies to deadlier and more complex conflicts – can only be addressed through international cooperation.
I would like to make three observations on what our priorities going forward should be:
First, a recommitment to diplomacy.
Diplomacy is the essence of multilateral cooperation. If we want to overcome divisions, we need to boost diplomacy.
This requires investing in mechanisms that keep channels open, defuse tensions, and bring different viewpoints together – especially across divides and amongst countries that disagree and dispute.
I welcome the strong language around diplomacy, including on the good offices role of the Secretary-General, in the Pact for the Future.
Recommitting to diplomacy is a political choice: to resort to dialogue instead of arms, negotiation instead of coercion, and persuasion instead of imposition.
Indeed, peace instead of war.
It might be politically difficult and unpopular to do so at times, but it is the only decision that pays off in the long term.
Second, we must invest – politically and financially – in prevention.
The evidence is clear: prevention saves lives. It safeguards development gains. It is cost-effective. But it remains chronically underprioritized.
A New Agenda for Peace made a strong case for a paradigm shift on prevention, with a focus on universality and national ownership.
I am pleased that many of these ideas have found support in the Pact for the Future, and we look forward to working with Member States to carry this agenda forward.
Finally, we must ensure that the multilateral system, and the collective security system in particular, work for everyone.
Unless the benefits of international cooperation become more tangible and equitable, we won’t have global buy-in to tackle our common challenges.
The Pact for the Future points to key priorities to upgrade the different institutions at the heart of the multilateral system, including the Security Council.
We must now ensure that the principles the Member States have agreed on in the Pact can form the basis for real reform.
Excellencies,
The United Nations was born out of a shared commitment to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
You may have noticed the key words there – shared commitment.
The United Nations is shaped fundamentally by the willingness – that is, the commitment – of its Member States to cooperate.
As the Secretary-General said in A New Agenda for Peace: if war is a choice, peace can be too.
Thank you.