Statement at the general debate of the 2026 session of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization

Delivered by Mr. Tale Aliyev, First Secretary

18 February 2026

Mr. Chair,

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election and assure you in our delegation’s full support.

Mr. Chair,

The international community is experiencing a complex and challenging period, where the consistency of international law and the effectiveness of multilateralism are being tested. The selective application of norms and a lack of accountability have impacted the level of trust within the multilateral system. These challenges underscore the necessity for meaningful reforms to international mechanisms and a renewed dedication to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, guided by good faith and mutual respect.

We recognize the valuable contribution of the Special Committee to examining the issues relating to the UN Charter and the strengthening of the role of the Organization with regard to the promotion of international law and the development of cooperation among States. Since its establishment, the Special Committee has developed several important instruments and resolutions. The role of the Committee may acquire additional relevance in the context of the ongoing efforts towards improving the efficiency of the United Nations and making it more responsive to the needs of the current time.

Last year the United Nations commemorated the eightieth anniversary of the entry into force of its Charter. One of the purposes enshrined in the Charter is “to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace” (Article 1(1) of the UN Charter).

The peaceful settlement of disputes remains one of the key principles of the United Nations. The commitment to resolve disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international law is one of the cornerstones of the notion of the rule of law at the international level. It is linked to various other principles of international law, including in particular the equally core principle prohibiting the use of force in international relations save for self-defence and Security Council authorized activities.

States have a free choice as to the mechanisms for settling their disputes or resolving conflicts to reach satisfactory terms for their termination by themselves. Whatever the choice of States as to the mechanisms adopted for resolving their contentions, no peace settlement can be reached which is inconsistent with international law, particularly where peremptory norms are concerned, such as the obligation to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. These foundational principles must be applied consistently and uniformly, not selectively.

Regrettably, in most cases, if not all, violators of international law seek to substantiate their claims and actions by misinterpreting the commonly agreed norms and principles and misusing the means of dispute or conflict settlement as a shield for consolidating military gains, prolonging impunity and delaying peace.

It is abundantly clear that the drafters of the Charter did not develop its purposes and principles to be arbitrarily interpreted as permitting, encouraging, or justifying aggression and other prohibited actions. Conduct inconsistent with this basic understanding necessitates greater efforts to counter misinterpretations of the Charter and international law in general, reaffirm the absence of conflict between the commonly agreed norms and principles, and recall the duty of States to implement their international obligations in good faith.

Mr. Chair,

We look forward to useful deliberations during this session of the Special Committee, including within the annual thematic debate under the agenda item on the peaceful settlement of disputes. We also expect that the Committee will conduct meaningful, constructive and result-oriented discussions on the proposals before it, with a view of their finalization.

Thank you.