Madame / Mister President,

Let me thank you for convening today’s Open Debate on this important issue concerning the preserving international peace and security, and I thank the speakers for their valuable insights.

Effective conflict prevention demands long-term commitment and cooperation from governments, regional, and international bodies. In order to address the root causes of tensions and strengthen the resilience of societies, we must link security, human rights and sustainable development priorities. We also need to empower all voices in the global security discourse, including women and young people. These groups are the most vulnerable in conflicts.

Sadly, we have repeatedly seen that the UN Security Council continues to struggle to effectively prevent conflict in the world. Russia, a permanent member of this Council – with its devastating war against Ukraine – flagrantly violates the very purpose the UN and its Security Council: the maintenance of peace. And puts the credibility of the whole collective security enshrined in the UN Charter at risk. Czechia believes that a reformed and more representative Security Council might therefore be better equipped to address today's unprecedented multiple crises, including by making better use of the preventive tools already at its disposal. 

We also consider it necessary to apply a broader approach through system‑wide coordination across the UN. We encourage closer cooperation between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission in anticipating conflicts. Better use can be made of mechanisms of the human rights architecture in monitoring human rights violations. Especially when they are widespread and systematic, they can serve as an indicator of an increased risk of conflict.

We also support the emphasis on an increased focus on prevention at the national and regional levels, as recommended by the Secretary-General in his New Agenda for Peace. Nationally led prevention strategies are key to building and maintaining peace and security, as is the role of regional and sub-regional organisations, particularly in fostering trust and dialogue.

All political, peace, and security endeavors must have strategies for fostering alliances with civil society and guaranteeing the complete, equitable, and impactful engagement and leadership of women, alongside the inclusion of youth and marginalized communities. It is especially crucial to advocate for a secure and supportive atmosphere for female peacebuilders, human rights champions, activists, journalists, and proponents of gender equality. On this note, I would like to add that Czechia calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release journalist Alsu Kurmasheva from prison.

To prevent or resolve disputes, first of all, the UN member states need to recommit to multilateralism and to the founding principles of the UNCharter. This year’s Summit of the Future is the perfect opportunity for us to put conflict prevention – and of course, the roles of women and young people– at the forefront of our attention.