UK assumes UN Security Council presidency for November

WASHINGTON

The UK on Friday took over the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council from Switzerland for the month of November.

"We assume the presidency during an exceptionally difficult time, the world is facing more conflict now than at any other point since World War II," Ambassador Barbara Woodward, permanent representative of the UK to the UN, told the reporters.

The UK will focus on the three biggest conflicts in the world, she said, citing the devastation and the risk of war in the Middle East, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in Sudan.

Stressing that over 339 million people currently rely on humanitarian aid delivered by the UN and its humanitarian partners just to survive, the ambassador said the UN is under "enormous pressure" from various quarters.

"The UN remains in every war zone, in every refugee camp, the UN is a beacon of hope for so many, but in particular, I would say at this time, a beacon of hope for Palestinians, and UNRWA is their irreplaceable lifeline," she said, adding Israel's bill to restrict UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) ability to work are "totally wrong."

"Palestinians need the UN, but we all need the UN," she said.

Turning to the Middle East, Woodward said an immediate cease-fire is needed in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, and also an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Further escalation is in no one's interests. No good can come from pouring fuel on the fire of the flames and escalating this cycle of violence," she added.

The ambassador reiterated that "only way" to secure not just an immediate but also a lasting cease-fire is a two state solution between Israel and Palestine.

"And to achieve this, of course, we need to think about what pathway there is to rebuilding Gaza as part of a viable Palestinian state, including East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, living side by side with a secure and safe Israel," she added.

About Russia, Woodward said the UK will be using its presidency to call out Moscow's "disinformation and expose their crimes."

It may be two and a half years now since Russia first invaded Ukraine, but our support for Ukraine as it fights to defend its sovereignty, its territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter remains ironclad," she added.

On Sudan, Woodward said both sides in the country are committing "egregious human rights violations," including the widespread rape of women and girls.

"More than half the Sudanese population are experiencing severe food insecurity," she expressed concern.

The Security Council presidency will pass from the UK to the US in December.