San Marino

Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of San Marino, I would like to congratulate H.E. Annalena Baerbock on her election as President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly and to wish her a fruitful work. The Republic of San Marino supports the priorities of your programme and ensures you, Madam President, full cooperation in all works of the General Assembly.

I would also like to extend my special thanks to Secretary General António Guterres for his energy and determination in leading the United Nations in these difficult and challenging times.

Madam President,

We are meeting at a moment of profound global transformation. The global order is undergoing fundamental shifts — impacting trade, technology, and international cooperation. In such times, the enduring value of a rules-based multilateral system becomes even more critical.

The eightieth anniversary of our Organization provides an opportunity for the United Nations membership to reflect on the enduring significance and relevance of the Charter of the United Nations.

As geopolitical dynamics change and new global challenges emerge, this year's General Debate must strengthen our collective reaffirmation of the spirit of San Francisco and the founding principles of the United Nations enshrined in the Charter.

Our meeting in the General Assembly not only honours the legacy of the United Nations but also regenerates the continued cooperation in the pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

Madam President,

Unfortunately, the search for peace remains as urgent today as it was in 1945, emphasizing the need for renewed commitment, collective action, and stronger multilateral efforts.

Conflicts continue to rise in different parts of the world, inflicting immense human suffering and devastation. If we want the UN to remain a light of hope for those who are experiencing the despair of war, we must advance our strategies for prevention, mediation, and resolution of conflicts.

We acknowledge the essential role of the UN in delivering life-saving assistance and protection to millions of people in countries and areas that are enduring conflicts, such as the Horn of Africa, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and beyond.

But this is not enough: We, member States, must do more in advancing international peace and security, guided by the Charter and the mandates of the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Madam President,

The war of aggression against Ukraine brought dramatic consequences for the civilian population, including civilian death, the destruction of vital infrastructures, and massive displacement. San Marino condemns the Russian aggression against Ukraine and supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We remain committed to ensure that Russia is held fully accountable for its war of aggression against Ukraine.

At the same time, San Marino welcomes all international efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the UN Charter, the resolutions of the General Assembly, and international law.

Madam President,

The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank is unbearable and remains one of the most painful and long-standing tragedies of our time. San Marino condemns unequivocally the horrific terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October and calls once again for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

At the same time, we reiterate our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and for full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to the affected civilian population. Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people through indiscriminate bombing, starvation and displacement. The continued expansion of settlements, including highly sensitive projects such as E1, together with the devastation in Gaza, threatens to erase the very possibility of peace. Unless we act with unity and determination, the vision of two peoples living side by side in dignity and security will be lost.

It is in this dark hour that responsibility becomes urgent. On 15 May, our Parliament unanimously mandated the Government to recognize the State of Palestine within this year. Today, before this Assembly, we announce the fulfilment of that mandate. San Marino officially recognizes the State of Palestine as a sovereign and independent State, within secure and internationally recognized borders, in line with the resolutions of the United Nations. Having a State is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not, and can never be, a reward for Hamas.

This decision is consistent with the message delivered last July at the High-Level Conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and with the New York Declaration, which called on States to take concrete and irreversible steps. By joining today the group of countries that move from words to action, San Marino intends to send a strong political and diplomatic signal: recognition of Palestine is essential to reaffirm that peace must be built on justice and equality.

San Marino will also continue to support Palestine's admission as a full member of the United Nations.

Madam President,

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts worldwide. The death toll of civilians, including children and women, trapped in conflict has reached a shocking number. We cannot remain silent in front of such tragedy.

They have been targeted, killed, injured, kidnapped and tortured. The number of civilians that have been displaced has reached new records. Civilians have been deprived of water, food and humanitarian assistance.

Houses, critical infrastructures, schools and hospitals have been targeted and destroyed or damaged, leaving civilians in despair, leaving children without education and patients without health care.

Extensive use of explosive weapons in populated areas have caused the majority of civilian casualties in different conflicts. San Marino condemns such attacks and calls on all States to support and implement the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.

San Marino is deeply concerned about violence against children, particularly children in situations of conflict.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), San Marino renews its commitment to the CAAC's Agenda and support the role of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.

We are particularly worried about the high number of grave violations against children that have been reported: the denial of humanitarian access, killing and maiming of children, the recruitment and use of children, abduction, rape and other forms of sexual violence.

San Marino calls on all armed forces and armed groups to constructively engage with the United Nations for reaching and implementing action plans to end and prevent grave violations against children in accordance with their obligations under international law.

San Marino also firmly condemns attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as their use for military purposes. We reiterate our support for the Safe Schools Declaration. Educational facilities should be a safe place for all children, students and teachers.

We call on all member States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. We also encourage all parties to support other important tools, such as the Paris Principles and Commitments and the Vancouver Principles.

San Marino reiterates the importance of accountability for all grave violations against children. Impunity for the perpetrators of grave violations is not acceptable.

The international community has the duty not only to stop and prevent these violations, but also to assist child victims and to work for their reintegration.

Regrettably, violence has increased also against humanitarian actors and journalists. Humanitarian personnel and aid workers are being killed in unprecedented numbers.

Attacks against humanitarian personnel, aid workers and journalists must end as they are illegal and unacceptable.

San Marino firmly condemns such attacks and cannot remain silent against the fact that impunity is becoming the new normal. Attacks on humanitarian personnel cannot be tolerated. Perpetrators must be held to account.

San Marino has recently endorsed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, developed by Australia with a group of Countries. This Declaration demonstrates a strong political will to protect humanitarian personnel and to uphold compliance with international law.

Madam President,

The urgencies and uncertainty underpinning the current international context are jeopardizing progress towards sustainable development.

San Marino is concerned about the crises that are precluding progress on the SDGs, particularly where terrorism, regional conflicts, acts of aggression are unravelling years of achievements. Sustainable development must remain high on our agenda. The Pact for the Future, adopted last year, is a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate multilateralism, and turbocharge the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

We believe that monitoring and evaluating the Pact is a decisive part of its implementation as it not only enables us to assess progress, identify gaps, and make the necessary adjustments, but also helps ensure that our collective commitments lead to tangible results. With the 2030 Agenda as our collective roadmap, we must act to reverse the current backsliding in the implementation of the SDGs. This includes enhanced mobilization of financial resources from all sources in order to contribute to eradication of poverty, social inclusion, stronger partnerships, and a collective commitment to leave no one behind.

Financing for sustainable development remains an essential priority.

San Marino welcomes the Sevilla Commitment, adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, concluded in Spain, in July, which promotes investment in sustainable development, addresses the debt crisis afflicting many of the world's poorest countries and gives developing countries a stronger voice in the international financing architecture.

We need to strengthen a rules-based and equitable financial system that ensures a more effective and inclusive global economic governance.

Madam President,

We are concerned by the multiple interlinked crises that are pushing our world over the brink, especially developing countries.

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, must remain at the centre of the UN Agenda.

Climate change and environmental degradation lead to increased instability and conflicts, as well as to human suffering, lack of sufficient accessible fresh water, food insecurity, internal displacement and forced migration.

An urgent collective action is required to fully implement the Paris Agreement and keep the 1.5°C temperature goal within reach. We must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and ensure a global, just and inclusive green energy transition.

Halting and reversing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution must remain solid priorities of the UN as healthy ecosystems are vital for achieving the SDGs.

Malnutrition, unhealthy diets, unsustainable agriculture, and most alarming, the threats of famine caused primarily by ongoing conflicts and negative consequences of climate change, take a terrible toll on human suffering: addressing food security must also be at the core of the work of the UN.

In this context, San Marino firmly believes that the fight against food loss and waste will contribute to promote food security and welcomes all the initiatives aiming at developing awareness in such responsible behaviors.

Madam President,

Since the foundation of the UN, significant progress has been made in advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, but inequalities and backsliding persist.

The world continues to witness persistent violations of human rights.

In 2025, 30 years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, gender equality remains one of the world's greatest challenges – and most transformative opportunities.

It is extremely important to address the root causes of gender inequality, alongside efforts to combat gender-based violence in all its forms.

San Marino supports women, youth and vulnerable groups' equal, full, effective and meaningful participation in all spheres of public and political life.

We support the Declaration on Future Generations, adopted last year at the Summit of the Future, which aims at unleashing future generations' full potential through an inclusive and equal access to quality education.

San Marino believes it is essential to safeguard human rights in the digital age. In this respect, the Global Digital Compact is an important tool that underscores our collective commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion, creating a more equitable and sustainable future and finally ensuring that digital technologies are used for the benefit of all humanity.

Moreover, 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 to ensure inclusive multi-stakeholder discussion on AI at the UN. It will contribute to building the UN membership's capacity on AI by fostering shared knowledge, common understanding, and pooled experiences, equally benefiting all stakeholders, particularly from developing countries.

We are worried about the risks related to new technologies in the military domain. The rapid advances in artificial intelligence have led to concerning levels of autonomy in conflicts. Artificial Intelligence has been used in conflicts to select targets and make decisions over life or death. San Marino believes that meaningful human control must be retained over such decisions, guided by international law and ethical principles.

San Marino is also worried about the enlargement and upgrading of nuclear arsenals. Amid escalating global tensions, the threat of nuclear weapons' use continues to pose an existential risk to humanity. Furthermore, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in global military expenditures. We are walking on a dangerous and unpredictable path; we need to redirect our efforts on our multilateral system, renewing our commitment to peace through diplomacy.

Madam President,

Multilateralism and our international order stand on the principles of justice and international law. However, in recent years, we have witnessed a progressive erosion of international law and the rule of law.

San Marino believes in the principle that true rightness is based on fairness and ethics, not on brute force.

The rule of law exists for this reason: to ensure that all States, regardless of their power, are held accountable, that a rules-based international order with the Charter at its centre, is our best guarantee against chaos and war.

Thanks to its unique role as the centre for setting goals, the United Nations serves the collective interest of all nations and people transcending any individual State.

San Marino reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its centre and in particular in the framework of the General Assembly, as the most representative body of the United Nations on account of its deeply democratic nature, universal participation and undisputed legitimacy.

Accountability is an integral and essential part of the multilateral system. It plays an important role in addressing global challenges, fostering trust and legitimacy in international institutions.

We are deeply worried about the disregard and violations of international law.

The Republic of San Marino reaffirms its full commitment to the obligations under human and humanitarian law, such as the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions.

We reaffirm our full support to the International Criminal Court, whose work is crucial in the fight against impunity for genocide and crimes against humanity and it represents one of the core elements for the implementation of the Responsibility to Protect.

The Republic of San Marino would also like to reiterate its support for initiatives such as the ACT Group's Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity and the French and Mexican declaration on voluntary restraint on the use of the veto by the Permanent Members of the Security Council.

Madam President,

We need to revitalize the United Nations by reinvigorating multilateralism, if we want to pursue credible solutions to the global challenges.

The SDGs, the 2030 Agenda, the Pact for the Future and the Sevilla Commitment are recent testimonials to our joint commitments and to what multilateralism can deliver.

But this is not enough.

It is essential to rebuild trust in the potential of the Organization, in its leadership, and, most of all, trust between its members and all the stakeholders.

Reforms must remain at the centre of our actions because they are crucial to future world stability and maintenance of international peace and security.

The UN80 initiative, launched in March 2025 by Secretary General António Guterres must be an inclusive reform process, capable of delivering innovative solutions. Its purpose is to make the UN more efficient, integrated, effective at tackling complex global challenges and adjusted to the financial realities.

We believe that this reform's efforts should preserve the integrity and balance of the three UN pillars on an equal basis and continue to primarily support those most in need as well as those affected by crises, disasters, and armed conflicts.

In conclusion, Madam President,

Member States must assume their responsibilities, including that of making our organization able to fulfil its mandate, which is to protect the citizens of the world.

It is essential to find new ways of working together and to ensure that multilateral institutions will be able to address the rapid changes taking place.

I would like to reiterate the strong support of the Republic of San Marino to all initiatives aimed at implementing the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.