United Nations General Assembly – Annual debate on the use of the veto

United Nations General Assembly

Item 64 – Use of the veto

New York, 26 October 2026

Statement by H.E. Ms. Véronique Dockendorf

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg

on behalf of the Benelux countries (Belgium – Kingdom of the Netherlands – Luxembourg)

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Benelux countries, Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and my own country, Luxembourg. We thank you for organizing this annual debate on the use of the veto. We align with the statement just delivered by Liechtenstein on behalf of a group of countries.

More than 4 years ago, the Benelux countries were proud co-sponsors of resolution 76/262, which was adopted by consensus. We once again thank Liechtenstein for its leading role in the adoption of this historic resolution.

The past years have clearly demonstrated the added value of the veto initiative: the implementation of resolution 76/262 contributes to increasing the transparency of the Security Council and its accountability to all Member States. It is strengthening the role of the General Assembly by giving all Member States the opportunity to express their views on the veto cast and the issue on which the veto was cast.

Since the adoption of said resolution, there have been twenty-one vetoes in the Security Council, and this Assembly has held debates on a number of issues, ranging from non-proliferation, the Middle East and the situation in Gaza, to Ukraine. Since our last debate, this Assembly has met within ten working days after vetoes have been cast on resolutions concerning the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the renewal of the mandate of the Iran Panel of Experts.

Mr. President,

Article 24.1 of the Charter provides that the Security Council acts on behalf of all Member States in carrying out its mandate to maintain international peace and security. The veto initiative is therefore a powerful reminder that the use of the veto by any permanent member of the Council carries with it an obligation to be accountable to all Member States, and to hear the views of the wider membership on whether the use of the veto is in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter or undermines those purposes and principles. In other words, the veto does not end the discussion; it triggers a wider debate on the consequences.

Let us be clear: the veto is not a privilege, but a huge responsibility. And the veto is neither a carte blanche for impunity nor an automatic shield against accountability, or a license to disregard the UN's collective interests.

We deplore any use of the veto that prevents the Council from taking decisive action, particularly with regard to ending and preventing the most serious atrocities and crimes affecting the international community. We must never forget: the cost of inaction is measured in lost human lives. For this reason, the Benelux countries support initiatives to limit the use of the veto, such as the political declaration on the suspension of the veto in cases of mass atrocities, presented by France and Mexico, and the Code of Conduct on Security Council Action against Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, and War Crimes, elaborated by the ACT Group.  We call on all Member States and in particular the permanent members of the Security Council that have not yet done so to support those two initiatives.

Furthermore, we believe that all members of the Security Council must act in accordance with Article 27.3 of the Charter. A party to a dispute shall abstain from voting when it comes to decisions of the Council promoting the peaceful settlement of that dispute. Limiting the use of the veto should also be a key consideration in the comprehensive reform of the Security Council.

Mr. President,

While the Security Council remains the body with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly must allow these two bodies to strengthen and complement each other. The veto initiative plays a crucial role in enhancing their interaction. This Assembly can and must be much more than a forum for expressing statements of principle. In the past years, the Assembly has demonstrated its capacity to identify alternative pathways to address threats to international peace and security, by strengthening preventive diplomacy, requesting the International Court of Justice to give advisory opinions pursuant to Article 96 of the Charter, creating truth and justice mechanisms and institutions, and supporting humanitarian action, particularly when the use of the veto prevents the Security Council from discharging its duties and upholding the Charter and thus from protecting the general interest of all UN Members.

The Benelux countries welcome the inclusion of the question of the veto in the Pact for the Future, and we encourage this Assembly to continue to build on the veto initiative and take further action.

Thank you.