A meeting in the General Assembly regarding the use of the veto against a Bahraini draft resolution regarding the Strait of Hormuz

The draft resolution received the support of 11 members of the Security Council – consisting of 15 members – while Pakistan and Colombia abstained from voting. Due to the opposition and veto use of China and Russia, the two permanent members of the Council, the draft resolution was not adopted.

Today’s meeting comes based on a procedure known as the (Veto Initiative) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2022 that authorizes it to meet automatically, within ten days, after any of the five permanent members of the Security Council uses the veto, so that all member states of the United Nations can scrutinize and comment on the veto.

The permanent members of the Security Council are: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Russian Federation and China.

Kuwait on behalf of the Gulf states and Jordan

Ambassador Tariq Al-Bannai, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, delivered a speech on behalf of his country, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

He announced the intention of these countries – collectively – to continue working and coordinating with the member states of the United Nations in preparation for submitting a new draft resolution aimed at securing freedom of maritime navigation.

And he said: “This move will be based on a comprehensive, consultative approach that takes into account all concerns, enhancing the chances of reaching a broad international consensus that reaffirms the principles of international law applicable to straits used for international navigation in order to protect freedom of navigation and maintain maritime security.”

He stressed that the right of these countries to defend their security and sovereignty remains guaranteed in accordance with Article 51 of the Code United Nations Charter In the face of any ongoing threats.

Al-Bannai concluded his speech by saying that the credibility of the international system is measured by the unity of its voice and its ability to implement its decisions on the ground. He added that “This credibility stands today under a real test.”

“An opportunity not to end the debate with a veto.”

Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, said at the opening of the meeting: “In light of the Security Council’s failure to support efforts to ensure safe and unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the General Assembly now has the opportunity and responsibility to ensure that the debate on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz does not end with a veto.”

She added that member states also have the opportunity to talk about the ongoing conflict and the situation in the Middle East more broadly, to hold the Security Council accountable and most importantly remind the parties of their obligations in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

In her speech, she spoke about the real consequences borne by people on the ground, countries and affected communities, especially in today’s interconnected world. It touched on the rise in oil, fuel and transportation prices, trade costs, and disturbances in the field of fertilizers and their impact on food security for millions of vulnerable people.

added: “In an interconnected world, it is in all of our interests to stand up and protect the rules-based international order, as the consequences of a crisis anywhere affect us all, everywhere.”

Russia

Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Anna Evstignyeva said that her country used its veto against the draft resolution because the text “Ignoring the broader context of the conflict in the Middle East, because it may effectively legitimize further military actions against Iran.”

She said the draft resolution contained “confrontational and inaccurate” elements and risked escalating the situation by allowing the use of force “under the pretext” of protecting ships.

Russia warned against repeating the “precedent” that occurred in 2011 regarding Libya, when the Security Council resolution at the time – according to what the Russian delegate said – was interpreted loosely and led to dire consequences.

She added that her country, for this reason, would not allow the Council to…“Legitimizing aggression.”

She noted that Russia and China had submitted an alternative draft resolution “More balanced, aimed at supporting negotiations and diplomatic settlement.”. She affirmed Russia’s support for freedom of navigation, and called for addressing the root causes of the crisis through an inclusive dialogue that includes all regional parties.