FILIP IVANOVIĆ, Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Montenegro, said the global community has failed to provide an effective and a comprehensive response towards the key challenges of carrying everyone along in matters of peace and security, sustainable development and human dignity. “Achievement of a peaceful and sustainable future, against the backdrop of one-sided, arbitrary and authoritative actions of a handful of international actors, but whose actions are jeopardizing the peace and welfare of the majority, will insist on our full-scale vigilance and awareness, and put our words and our rhetoric to a practical test,” he stressed.  Multilateralism is the solution.  Expressing support for the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, he called on Member States to throw their weight behind the realization of the 2030 Agenda, pointing out, however, the inability of developing economies to sufficiently finance policies in this regard, particularly in the light of the negative impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic and the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine.

“We are committed to promoting good governance and strong institutions at all levels as key enablers of sustainable development, peace and security, and we strongly advocate for reforms towards a more inclusive and representative international financial architecture,” he stressed.  He lamented the escalating violence and humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a humanitarian ceasefire, during which negotiations would be conducted towards a two-State solution, “as only a two-State model guarantees lasting and sustainable peace in the region”, he said.

Similarly, then the Russian Federation should, in line with international humanitarian law, protect children, halt attacks on civilian infrastructure and allow aid to get to the affected civilian population.  “We emphasize yet again that there can be no impunity for war and other heinous crimes and that we must ensure responsibility, as a precondition for ensuring a durable peace,” he said, supporting all accountability initiatives to fight impunity and ensure justice.  Montenegro will continue to support Ukraine and provide it with financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic aid, he said, calling for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and Assembly resolutions.  On climate change, he urged the international community to strengthen climate action and fully implement relevant treaties like the Paris Agreement.  He highlighted the Human Rights Council as a platform to be harnessed in preventing the emergence or escalation of conflicts and committed to strengthening that body in a bid to preserve the universality and independence of the human rights system.

He further called for a reform of the United Nations system, particularly the Security Council in its constitution and representation and the General Assembly, whose role and authority should be strengthened.  Echoing John Adams’ words:  “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise,” he said the current global challenges in their various dimensions present the international community “a unique opportunity to use the current deteriorating international environment as momentum for building a more equal, just and sustainable world, with a revitalized multilateralism based on fair and humane globalization, respect for human rights and dignity of all”.