Brazilian UN Ambassador Calls Out 'Double Standards' In Applying Int'l Law Amid Iran, Ukraine Wars

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]for a statement. Now I give floor to representative of Brazil.

[00:00:03]>> Mr. President, I commend China for this timely and most important debate and the Secretary General for his briefing. At a time of growing instability and mistrust, it is all the more urgent that member states uphold international law and multilateralism.

[00:00:18]This holds true particularly for members of the Security Council, an organ whose credibility and legitimacy are increasingly challenged. We cannot meet today's challenges through unilateralism. We need multilateral solutions to global problems. The council must ensure the maintenance of international peace and security and serve as a chamber of dialogue and mutual understanding, able to offer solutions the international community so urgently demands. as shared in the D20 call to action adopted during Brazil's presidency, and I quote, "In order to live up to our shared goals and deliver the promise of the United Nations, we must urgently work for a reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system with renewed institutions and a reformed governance that is more representative, effective, transparent, and accountable, reflecting the social, economic, and political realities of the 21st first century." End of quote. Talking past each other, selective actions, or even in action often reveal this council's incapacity to fulfill its primary responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security.

[00:01:31]Deadlock in the face of urgent crisis creates more instability and carries vast human and political costs. Equally concerning are the double standards in the application of international law which erode confidence in the system we have collectively built. Selective adherance to norms and principles weakens the council's authority and deepens divisions among member states precisely now when unity and trust are most needed. As we cannot be selective in the application of international law, we cannot be selective in our support for multilateralism.

[00:02:10]Unilateral coercive measures have no place in international legal order. They bypass the council's mandate and weaken our collective security system. They are illegal, illegitimate, and ineffective and entirely disregard the charter. They too often entail grave humanitarian consequences for the very people they allegedly aim to protect. They are desired goals, however, are rarely, if ever, achieved. Mr. President, addressing these challenges requires renewed commitment to a comprehensive reform of the Security Council. This council must better reflect today's realities by becoming more representative, more legitimate, and thus more effective. The pact for the future underscores that security council reform is a priority to be pursued without delay. Member states agreed to intensify efforts through the intergovernmental negotiations. The decadesl long standill that has prevented the very start of actual negotiations on this matter is incompatible with the growing urgency acknowledged in the pact. The pact also gives us the tools to break this inertia, including by mandating work toward a consolidated reform model based on models presented by member states to enable the prompt start of textbased negotiations. Brazil stands ready to work with all member states to strengthen the United Nations, restore confidence in this council, and ensure that our collective action is guided by fairness, consistency, and respect for international law. Thank you.

[00:03:56]I thank the representative of a Brazil for the statement.