Statements
UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Economic and Social Council
On July 20, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, gave an intervention during the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development before the Economic and Social Council.
In his statement, Archbishop Auza commended the solidarity exhibited by governments who have committed to “leave no one behind” in their adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He urged governments never to forget the human dimension of the policies being implemented, reminding them of the Holy Father’s words from his September address to the General Assembly to put the “real men and women who live, struggle and suffer, and are often forced to live in great poverty, deprived of all rights” before plans and programs. Archbishop Auza called on the international to ensure the needs of those in the most vulnerable situations and urged that “leaving no one behind” be the guiding vision of development policy and programs moving forward.
His statement can be found here.
Open Debate on Security Council Working Methods Security Council
On July 19, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, gave an intervention during the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Security Council Working Methods.”
In his statement, Archbishop Auza noted that reform and adaptation are always necessary to keep the Security Council fit for its purpose. Many are calling, he said, for the council to be more transparent, efficient, effective, accountable and representative. He mentioned criticism that national and geopolitical interests can override the Council’s primary function to maintain international peace and security and said a key point of reform would be a commitment by all countries that serve on the Security Council not to vote against or veto credible resolutions preventing or ending genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. He added that the Council’s legitimacy and authority would be buttressed by developing clear and effective criteria for the “responsibility to protect” as well as by considering seriously the calls of Member States for a more representative Council. He specified that ways to respond to the call for greater transparency would include openness during the election of the next UN Secretary General later this year and a reform of the working methods of the Council’s sanctions committee.
His statement can be found here.
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