United Nations: The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted Resolution 2788 (2025), aiming to strengthen the UN's toolkit for peaceful conflict resolution. The adoption took place during an open debate on promoting international peace and security through multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes.
According to EMM, the 15-member Council urged all Member States to effectively utilize mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes as outlined in Article 33 of the UN Charter. This includes negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, and resorting to regional agencies or other peaceful means of their choice. The resolution also expressed the Council's readiness to use the investigative mechanism provided in Article 34 of the UN Charter.
The resolution called on Member States to support the Secretary-General's mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts, which should include well-trained, impartial, and geographically and linguistically diverse mediation experts. It emphasized the importance of inclusive participation of women and youth in conflict prevention and resolution efforts.
The UN chief highlighted ongoing conflicts across the globe, from Gaza to Ukraine and the Sahel to Myanmar, emphasizing the persistent challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crime. Despite divisions that hinder the Council's effectiveness, there have been inspiring examples of solutions to global problems, such as the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation.
Diplomacy, while not always successful in preventing conflicts, holds the power to stop them. Cooperation, anchored in shared interests and the greater good, is seen as the sustainable pathway to peace. Member States emphasized the need to focus on Chapter VI's peaceful dispute resolution tools and reaffirmed support for the UN's mediation role.
As the UN approaches its eightieth anniversary, conflicts are at the highest number since World War II. The international community is urged to encourage parties to settle disputes using the options available under Article 33 of the Charter. Multilateralism, viewed as a necessity, remains the best tool to address the shared challenges of the twenty-first century.
Delegates underscored the importance of prevention, noting that while it often escapes headlines, its impact is vital. Members also stressed the value of cooperation with regional organizations, which are close to problems and have local knowledge.
There is a growing call for Security Council reform to reflect today's geopolitical realities. The need for greater representation of African countries among the Council's permanent members was highlighted, along with calls to suspend veto powers in situations involving mass atrocities.
Support for a rules-based international order and the International Court of Justice was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of peaceful dispute resolution. Ongoing conflicts, such as those in the Middle East and Ukraine, underscore the crucial role of diplomacy in achieving lasting peace. The United States has been actively working to de-escalate tensions in various regions, while China and Iran have called for respect for rights and justice in conflict resolution.
Overall, the resolution reflects a strong commitment to enhancing the UN's role in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and adapting multilateralism to meet the complex challenges of the modern world.