KEIR STARMER, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which had a profound effect on him as a student, still inspires him as Prime Minister.  “Because it speaks about our inherent dignity and the very essence of what it is to be human … of equal and inalienable rights based on a foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” he said. The international community must not lose hope of these ideals even as conflicts touch more countries around the world and 20 years of gains in tackling poverty, disease and ill health are stalled.  “War is one of the major reasons that progress has now stalled.  This is a catastrophe made by human hands,” he said, adding that the international community has turned the geopolitical dial away from the rule of law towards brute force and aggression.  This matters to everyone, including the British people, who want change, he said, adding that the United Kingdom is returning to responsible global leadership.

The international community must turn away from the sense of fatalism that has taken hold.  “Our task is to say no.  We won’t accept this slide into greater and greater conflict, instability and injustice,” he said.  “This is the moment to recommit to the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law.”  The international community must use its diplomatic tools to address the increasing conflicts.  It must prevent a regional war in the Middle East and achieve a long-term political solution that delivers the long-promised Palestinian State alongside a safe and secure Israel.  It must achieve peace in Sudan and develop a proper response to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.  It must also stand up for international law.  “That’s why we are so resolute in our support for Ukraine.  They are exercising their rights to self-defence, as provided for under the UN Charter,” he said.  The United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Turning to climate change, he said his Government has reset its approach to the existential threat of climate change.  This includes lifting the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, ending new oil and gas licenses and creating Great British Energy.  The United Kingdom will become the first major economy to transition to clean power by 2030, he said.  The country will meet its net zero target and will support others by being a leading contributor to international climate financing.  This includes supporting nature and forests, as they are vital for biodiversity and reducing emissions, and funding for climate adaptation. “Because those who did not cause this crisis should not be left to cope with the consequences,” he said.  The United Kingdom also remains committed to development and believes public finance should be used as a multiplier to unlock much greater levels of private investment.  It has created a new facility, British International Investment, to work with the city of London to develop funding.

The international system, including the Council, must be made more representative so it can respond to people in need and produce fairer outcomes.  “It has to change to become a more representative body … willing to act and not be paralyzed by politics,” he said.  He supported Africa’s permanent representation on the Council as well as Brazil, India, Japan and Germany as permanent members and more seats for elected members.  The United Kingdom will change from “the paternalism of the past towards partnership for the future”, he said.  It will join the Paris Pact for People and Planet, pursue a new Global Clean Power Alliance and stand for a new term on the Human Rights Council.  It also will work with other Member States to tackle the toughest challenges, including conflicts, climate change and poverty.  “And reforming the international system so that it’s fit for the twenty-first century,” he said.  “We can change direction from the dangerous, destructive path we find ourselves on and turn instead towards the rule of law, towards cooperation, responsibility and progress.”