In his speech at the UN General Assembly high-level meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged to stave off attempts to weaken the global arms control framework, TASS reported.
"We need to stave off attempts to weaken arms controls, disarmament and non-proliferation frameworks for the sake of global stability," he said in a video statement on behalf of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) at the UN General Assembly high-level meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN.
"Special attention must be given to fending off transnational threats, including the deployment of foreign terrorist fighters to conflict zones, chemical and biological terrorism, as well as ensuring that outer space is used for peaceful purposes," Lavrov continued.
Russia’s Lavrov went on to say that the United Nations should remain focused on facilitating development, which is an indispensable condition for strengthening peace.
"It is essential that the decolonisation process, which is complicated by the determination of the former colonial powers to maintain their influence in a new environment, is brought to an end," the minister said.
According to Lavrov, the future of the global organization is in the hands of its member states.
"Just like in 1945, we need to cast aside our differences and come together for the sake of delivering on common objectives based on equitable dialogue and the mutual respect for one another’s interests. The UN offers all the necessary conditions to this effect," he said.
UN mandate system
In his speech, Lavrov called for preventing the mandates of the UN’s major bodies from being diluted and and their responsibilities from overlapping.
"In today’s world, the UN must remain an effective structure carrying out coordinated work strictly in keeping with its Charter. We cannot allow the mandates of the main bodies within the UN system to be diluted or have their responsibilities overlap, since this would only set us back from achieving our goals," he said.
According to Lavrov, the UN should take into consideration the experience of regional organisations like the CSTO while conducting its day-to-day operations.
"Settling conflicts exclusively by peaceful, political and diplomatic means within the framework of internationally recognized negotiating formats and based on international norms must remain among the main objectives for the international community," Lavrov continued.
He added that stepping up cooperation in fighting terrorism and its links with organized crime should remain an absolute priority.
"Ensuring international cyber security is becoming increasingly important with the development of information and communications technology that are used to further terrorist, criminal and military ends," Lavrov added.
Fragmentation of global community
It is getting harder and harder for the international community to respond to global challenges and threats as it is becoming more and more fragmented, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
"With every year, responding to <…> global issues is becoming increasingly challenging, especially as the international community is becoming increasingly fragmented. We believe that this is largely attributable to the fact that some countries are not willing to account for the legitimate interests of other states," he said.
"They are seeking to impose concepts and standards like the "rules-based world order," while attempting to meddle in the domestic affairs of other states, using unilateral sanctions in violation of the UN Security Council prerogatives, and exhibiting intolerance and hatred," Lavrov continued.
However, in Lavrov’s words, "history runs its course." The minister noted that new economic growth centers are affirming themselves on the international arena, the demand for settling armed conflicts by exclusively peaceful means is growing, and connectivity is on the rise.
"The world is tired of dividing lines, of separating states into friends and foes, and demands stepping up all-encompassing and inclusive mutual assistance and cooperation. In other words, the goals articulated 75 years ago at the founding of the United Nations are becoming increasingly relevant," he said.
According to Russian FM, under those conditions it is becoming even more important to reaffirm commitment to the UN Charter and the universally recognized norms of international law, emphasize that there is no alternative to genuine multipolarity and step up collective efforts to find solutions to global issues with the UN playing its central coordinating role.
A high-level event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UN is taking place in New York on September 21-22. A video address by Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of the UN General Assembly’s 75th session is scheduled for September 22.
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