PIETRO PAROLIN, Secretary of State and Head of Delegation of the Holy See, underscored the importance of multilateralism and the irreplaceable role of the United Nations.  Governments must heed the plea of countries and peoples who suffer most from the consequences of the Organization’s current limitations.  Revitalization must go beyond the General Assembly and extend to reform of the Security Council, he said, stressing that its members, especially the permanent members, hold a crucial responsibility for the maintenance of peace and order in the world.  “When there is no shared vision or political will for peaceful coexistence, and the very guardians of peace ignore the rules they claim to uphold, they become themselves the perpetrators of grave injustices,” he underscored.  Instead of squandering vast sums on military equipment, countries should invest in avoiding war, rather than preparing for it.  Education is the primary vehicle of integral human development and therefore should be a priority.  He also drew attention to the war in Ukraine and its impact on nuclear security and food and fuel prices, among others, voicing concern that:  “As winter approaches in the Northern hemisphere, many living in colder climates will face an existential choice between heating and eating.”

Addressing these crises — which can only be resolved fully once the violence in Ukraine ceases — requires urgent and concerted action, he stressed.  Spotlighting the refugee crisis in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia, he said that implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Regular, and Orderly Migration, as well as the Global Compact on Refugees, remain among the best ways to encourage international cooperation and burden‑sharing.  States must continue to fulfil their obligations to their citizens, including ensuring their people to live in peace, security and dignity in their countries of origin.  He expressed concern about situations across the world, including in the State of Palestine, Libya, Sahel and across Africa, Haiti, Nicaragua, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that the Holy See continues to follow those situations.  He also said that, in regards to climate change, it was up to each State party to honour the obligations incumbent upon them and to implement the relevant agreements.  The Holy See, acting in the name and on behalf of the Vatican City State, recently deposited the instruments of accession both to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to the Paris Agreement on climate change.  Thus, it will become a party to both prior to COP27.