Luca Beccari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition of San Marino, unequivocally condemned “the horrific terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October” and called for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages.  “Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people through indiscriminate bombing, starvation and displacement”, he said, and “in this dark hour”, responsibility becomes urgent.  His Government therefore officially recognized the State of Palestine as a sovereign, independent State, within secure and internationally recognized borders.  “Having a State is the right of the Palestinian people”, however “it is not, and can never be, a reward for Hamas”, he said.  San Marino will continue to support Palestine’s admission as a full member of the UN.

As civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts worldwide, all States must implement the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, he said, also urging support for the Safe Schools Declaration and ratification of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  On sustainable development, he welcomed the Sevilla Commitment, addressing the debt crisis afflicting many of the world’s poorest countries and giving developing States a stronger voice in international financing architecture. Turning to the “triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution”, he urged a faster transition away from fossil fuels.  The fight against food loss and waste are crucial as climate change and conflict drive malnutrition, unsustainable agriculture and, most alarming, threats of famine.

Turning to technology, he called the Global Digital Compact “an important tool” underscoring the collective commitment to “bridging the digital divide”. The establishment of an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance are “fundamental to promote scientific understanding of AI” and ensure inclusive multi-stakeholder discussion at the UN.  As AI has been used in conflicts to select targets and make decisions over life or death, he asserted that “meaningful human control must be retained over such decisions”.  He also reiterated support the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group’s Code of Conduct on Security Council action against genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity, and the France-Mexico declaration on voluntary restraint use of the veto by permanent Council members.