Defenders of UN Charter Call for Promotion of Multilateralism

Members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations stressed the importance of preserving, promoting and defending the prevalence and validity of the UN Charter, both in its letter and spirit, calling for improving multilateralism and a multipolar system.
“We call for the redoubling of efforts toward the democratization of international relations and the strengthening of multilateralism and of a multipolar system,” the group’s members said in their final political declaration at the end of their meeting in Tehran on Saturday, IRNA reported.
It said such a multipolar system should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, the rule of law, diplomacy, political dialogue, peaceful coexistence, a culture of peace and non-violence, and due consideration for existing differences which are all essential for constructively and effectively working together on issues of common interest and concern.
It warned that double standards, coupled with selective approaches or interpretations of the provisions of the UN Charter, which are aimed at advancing political agendas of dubious nature, represent “one of the major threats to the prevalence and validity of that universal and legally binding instrument that constitutes an exceptional achievement for humankind and a true act of faith on the best of humanity.”
The group’s members emphasized that the United Nations remains a “central and indispensable” forum for addressing and advancing issues relating to international cooperation for economic development and social progress, peace and security, peaceful settlement of disputes, human rights and the rule of law.
They expressed their concern at the potential impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the world and urged respect for the sovereignty and independence of states, while rejecting any attempt at entrenching a Cold War-era mentality that is based on confrontation and the deepening of divisions.
“We call on the Secretariat of the United Nations to strictly adhere to the founding Charter of the Organization, in particular the provisions of Article 100, in the performance of its duties, in accordance with their respective mandate, including when implementing General Assembly and Security Council resolutions,” the declaration said.

Opposing Coercive Measures 

The participants at the Tehran meeting expressed their “categorical rejection of all unilateral coercive measures, including those applied as tools for political or economic and financial pressure against any country, in particular against developing countries.”
They said the continued imposition and expansion of such measures would hinder the wellbeing of targeted populations, create obstacles to the full realization of their human rights, including their right to development, jeopardize international cooperation on aviation safety, and exacerbate global food insecurity, particularly at the current juncture.
“We reiterate our unwavering support and solidarity with nations and peoples subjected to unilateral and arbitrary approaches that violate both the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms of international law, especially those that are part of our Group of Friends, and further renew our call for both their complete, immediate and unconditional lifting.”
“We, in accordance with international law, support any claim of states affected by unilateral coercive measures, including the targeted states, to compensation for the damage incurred as a consequence of the implementation and extraterritorial implications of such measures.”
In line with the group’s principled and historic positions, the declaration reaffirmed the members’ firm commitment to the just cause of Palestine and their unwavering solidarity with the heroic
Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle to achieve their inalienable rights, freedom and justice.
They expressed their grave concern at the “instrumentalization of the United Nations, in particular the Security Council,” by certain states with the purpose of meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign country in violation of the UN Charter.
The declaration renewed member states’ firm determination to continue defending the UN Charter through concerted actions from the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and to stand by one another in this noble endeavor.
Established in March 2021, the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations is made up of 19 countries with the aim of preserving, promoting and defending the United Nations Charter.
Bolivia, China, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, the State of Palestine, the Russian Federation, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe are among member states of the group.