UNITED NATIONS, Jan 17 (APP): Speakers at a high-level side event, held at the United Nations Headquarters Thursday, called for renewing commitment to the UN Charter, especially its provisions on peaceful settlement of disputes, to promote international peace and security.
In making that call, they underscored the “enduring relevance” of the Charter and affirmed its mechanisms under Chapter VI for resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and judicial settlement.
The well-attended event — a discussion on ‘UN Charter at 80: Reimagining Conflict Prevention and Resolution’ — was organized by Pakistan Mission to the UN and Global Peace Chain. it was moderated by Saima Saleem, a counsellor at the Pakistani mission.
The panelists included, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa; ?Dr. Felipe Paullier, UN ASG for Youth Affairs; ?Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz, Permanent Representative of Turkiye, Ambassador Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland; Elyse Mosquini, Permanent Observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Jonah Harris, Policy Analyst, Peace, Climate and Sustainable Development Programme of the International Peace Institute (IPI).
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, delivered the keynote address.
The Pakistani envoy called the Charter a solemn covenant which he said remains humanity’s most enduring promise to prevent conflict and resolve disputes peacefully.
In this context, he said the credibility of the UN Charter is ultimately tested in its application to long-standing disputes — particularly where political sensitivities are high, but legal and moral clarity is unmistakable.
Citing the situations of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir as among the most stark examples, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the Kashmir dispute could have been a successful example of the application of Charter provisions for pacific settlement of disputes.
The Security Council, he said, acted effectively in the late 1940s and early 1950s by providing the relevant framework for peacefully resolving the dispute, providing for self-determination, pointing out that it remains unimplemented to this day.
“Similarly,” he said, the situation in Palestine continues to underscore the grave consequences of selective application of international law.”
“The prolonged denial of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination, perpetuates injustice and fuels instability far beyond the region,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding, that the failure to implement the relevant Council resolutions remains one of the most enduring challenges to maintenance of international peace and security.
Peace cannot be selective, and justice cannot be deferred indefinitely, he stressed.
“The authority of the Charter rests on its consistent and impartial application — especially in situations where principled multilateral action is most needed,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said.
“Let us reimagine conflict prevention and resolution by applying the Charter as it was intended — faithfully, courageously, and without exception.”
In the ensuing discussion, other panelists also called for employing preventive diplomacy and mediation as cost-effective and credible tools for conflict prevention, building on the guidance of Resolution 2788 (2025), adopted under Pakistan’s presidency of the Council in July, and the commitments made under the 2024 Pact for the Future. Resolution 2788 sends a clear and timely message: dialogue is not a concession — it is a Charter obligation, and prevention is not optional — it is indispensable.
They highlighted the need for innovative approaches to conflict resolution by drawing lessons from peacekeeping, peace-building, regional cooperation, and leveraging emerging tools such as digital diplomacy, community mediation, and artificial intelligence for early warning. Also assessed were evolving threats to global stability, including cyber warfare, terrorism, disinformation, and climate-related security risks.
Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz stressed that enduring global conflicts demand renewed commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter, especially as it marks its 80th anniversary. He said that the Charter remains a vital framework for peaceful conflict resolution, yet its preventive tools—particularly those under Chapter VI—are underused and under-resourced, requiring stronger diplomacy, early warning, and closer UN–regional cooperation to restore trust.
The Turkish envoy highlighted the Pact for the Future and General Assembly resolution 2788 as key steps in revitalizing preventive diplomacy, emphasizing mediation as a professional, inclusive, and non-politicized discipline. Citing Gaza and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, he reaffirmed his country’s readiness to support peace efforts and urged the international community to uphold multilateral principles over power politics.
Finland’s Ambassador Elina Kalkku stressed that the UN’s credibility depends on concrete action, not new documents, and warned that perceptions of irrelevance are damaging. She emphasized that Member States must mobilize political will, press the Security Council to act, strengthen the General Assembly’s role, and better use existing UN tools—particularly for prevention and mediation—while reaffirming the UN’s obligation to act decisively when humanitarian crises collapse.
UN ASG Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee highlighted that shifting geopolitical dynamics have led to a rise in protracted conflicts, making preventive diplomacy and mediation more critical than ever. She underscored the Pact for the Future as a reaffirmation of Member States’ commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, noting that prevention is a cost-effective investment that saves lives.
ASG Youth Affairs Dr. Felipe Paullier emphasized that young people are not disengaged but frustrated with unresponsive systems, urging institutions to adapt, practice more inclusive and tangible multilateralism, and better use existing structures. Highlighting community-level UN peacebuilding efforts, he underscored the need for accountability, connection, and genuine inclusion by working with youth, not merely for them.
ICRC Permanent Observer Elyse Mosquini emphasized that with hundreds of millions affected by conflicts, adherence to international humanitarian law is essential to protect human dignity, preserve social cohesion, and sustain pathways to peace. She warned that erosion of these rules narrows prospects for peaceful solutions.
IPI’s Policy Analyst Jonah Harris, Policy Analyst highlighted the need for strong partnerships between the UN, regional organizations, and civil society, emphasizing collaboration, flexibility, and evidence-based approaches. Harris noted that regional and civil society actors bring local knowledge, expertise, and legitimacy, and stressed that support—especially funding—is essential to strengthen these partnerships and uphold the multilateral system.
The Ambassadors/permanent representatives who took the floor to express their views emphasized that the UN Charter remains the foundation for conflict prevention, mediation, and peaceful dispute settlement. Austria, Azerbaijan, and China highlighted the importance of upholding international law, supporting the UN and regional organizations, and countering disinformation.
Cambodia, Egypt, Timor Leste, and Cuba stressed preventive diplomacy, Chapter VI tools, and addressing root causes, while Slovenia, Qatar, and Indonesia called for locally grounded, inclusive, and innovative approaches. Venezuela and Russia underscored the Secretariat’s role and the importance of early warning systems.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmad, the Pakistani envoy, highlighted the strong engagement and participation at the session and underscored the doubling of global conflicts over the past 15 years. He reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the UN Charter as a guiding framework, emphasizing that consistent application of its principles and preventive measures—particularly under Chapter VI—is key to addressing the root causes of disputes.
In his vote of thanks, Kamran Zafar, CEO of Global Peace Chain, extended his heartfelt thanks to all panelists, delegates, and participants for their invaluable insights and active engagement.
He said that thoughtful contributions have highlighted the critical importance of conflict prevention, dialogue, and inclusive peace, reinforcing the enduring relevance of the UN Charter. “We are inspired by the shared commitment to translate these principles into action.”