The President’s remarks opening the General Assembly debate on the use of the veto, held under resolution 76/262 following the veto cast in the Security Council on draft resolution S/2026/740. They are reproduced in full below, as delivered, and are available as issued in PDF.
In His Words
Quoted verbatim from the speech as delivered. The full text follows below.
The Council’s deliberations revealed significant differences concerning the draft resolution; it is precisely when positions diverge most sharply, that dialogue and diplomacy become most indispensable.
H.E. Dr. Khalilur Rahman
General Assembly debate on the use of the veto, 1 October 2026
The Speech in Full
Excellencies,
Let me begin by thanking you for joining today’s debate on the “use of the veto”, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 76/262.
Today’s debate follows a veto in the UN Security Council on draft resolution S/2026/740, convened under the agenda item “non-proliferation”.
Each invocation of the General Assembly’s “veto initiative” highlights both the value of this mechanism and the circumstances that make it necessary.
It affirms the complementary role of the General Assembly as the most universal and representative organ of the United Nations. It ensures that the use of the veto is accompanied by transparency, explanation and consideration by the wider membership, while maintaining international attention on matters of peace and security.
While we value the voice afforded to the wider membership by resolution 76/262, we recognize that this mechanism cannot substitute for effective Security Council action. Its purpose should be to promote transparency and accountability, clarify positions and, above all, help identify a constructive path forward.
As I emphasized at the opening of the General Debate, the Assembly and the Council serve humanity best when they operate in balance, each fulfilling its distinct but complementary responsibilities under the Charter.
In this regard, I welcome the timely submission, on 28 September, of the Security Council’s special report, which gives effect to the institutional dialogue envisaged in resolution 76/262 and Article 24, paragraph 3, of the Charter.
Excellencies,
The Council’s deliberations revealed significant differences concerning the draft resolution; it is precisely when positions diverge most sharply, that dialogue and diplomacy become most indispensable.
Let us therefore use this debate not to exacerbate tensions or assign blame, but to clarify positions, identify common ground for constructive solutions, and chart a credible path forward to support dialogue and diplomacy, and ultimately restore trust in the organization and its ability to deliver.
In keeping with established practice, I will transmit a summary of this plenary debate to the President of the Security Council.
I thank you.