Statement by Mr. Zhirayr Ananyan, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Open Debate «Leadership for Peace»

15 December, 2025

Mr. President,

We thank the Slovenian Presidency of the Security Council for convening this Open Debate to build upon the previous deliberations under the topic of “Leadership of Peace”. We also thank Elder Emeritus and former UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon and her interlocutors for comprehensive and sobering remarks.

The unresolved challenges of the past, present threats and future uncertainties remind us about the indispensability of multilateralism with the United Nations at its core. At the time of geopolitical turbulence and alarming polarization, the United Nations is more than ever relevant to lead the international efforts to prevent conflicts, solidify the global peace and security architecture, promote sustainable development and uphold human rights and dignity.

Mr. President,

In the Pact for the Future the Member States reiterated the relevance of the Article 99 of the UN Charter by “encouraging the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter that may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security”.

In this regard, Armenia has consistently advocated for strengthening early warning capacities of the Organization to enable the UN to timely and efficiently identify warning signs of gross human rights breaches and other violations of the international law, which, if not addressed, can constitute a threat to international peace and security. As the chief administrative officer of the Organization the Secretary-General plays a crucial role in analyzing this information and ensuring a UN system-wide coherent response to the evolving security challenges in cooperation with the UN Security Council.

Mr. President,

In September 2024, while addressing the Security Council under this very topic, the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stressed that “peace requires leadership and sincere political courage. My Government and I are dedicated to closing the chapter of conflict in our region and transforming the dynamics into cooperation for prosperity, stability and peace”.

Today, one year after, I am pleased to state that, indeed, signing of the Joint Declaration by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in witness of the United States President and initialing of the Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August in Washington have established new realities in the region and opened up opportunities for regional cooperation. We expect the newly elected Secretary-General to consistently support the efforts to sustain and reinforce peace in our region anchored on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, in particular the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of states.

Building on the decades-old legacy left by the predecessors, the 10^th Secretary General of the UN will need to act as the guardian of the Charter to fulfill the promise given 80 years ago “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

I thank you, Mr. President.

MFA RA
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