Prime Minster Robert Golob urged the restoration of trust in the UN, particularly in the Security Council, as he oversaw a special open session of the council held under Slovenia's presidency on 25 September. He condemned the unacceptable fact that last year saw a record number of civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists killed globally.

Prior to the Slovenia-organised Leadership for Peace debate, the Security Council unanimously endorsed a presidential statement, which, among other things, recognises the importance of multilateralism and acknowledges the council's responsibilities.

Golob said the statement reaffirms the commitment of countries that the UN is the sole guardian of peace and we must do everything we can to strengthen it. "We often hear criticism about double standards and I'm proud to say that Slovenia shares the same criteria on Ukraine, Gaza, the West Bank and Sudan," he said.

Asked how Russia had been persuaded to join the declaration, Golob replied that everyone agreed on the need to go back to the basics.

Quizzed if he was disappointed that neither US President Joe Biden nor Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended, Golob replied that the Security Council is more than just one country. He noted that there was a consensus and that he believes that they have the support of the US.

In his address, which included him reading the statement, the prime minister said that since Slovenia joined the Security Council, it has observed a steady erosion of the post-WWII international order and an inability to respond effectively to major conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan. "This is why we organised this event. The world urgently needs leadership," he said.

He described the war in Ukraine as a clear violation of the UN Charter, which could pave the way for similar conflicts around the world. Golob also expressed frustration that the Security Council has been unable to take decisive action against the atrocities committed against Palestinians and warned of a looming genocide in Sudan, particularly in Darfur.

"Slovenia strives to be an honest broker, a bridge, and a builder of consensus. Our policy is rooted in values and principles. What we promised during our campaign for a seat on the Security Council, we are now working to fulfil. We aim to apply the same standards to all conflicts," Golob stressed.

He called for greater consideration of collective interests rather than national ones, citing past successes of the Security Council, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and East Timor, where the council acted using the tools at its disposal. He also highlighted the establishment of the international tribunal for crimes in the former Yugoslavia, something he said seems almost unimaginable today.

Golob added that the Security Council shares responsibility for the record number of civilian casualties worldwide, and urged member states to reflect on this. "We must restore trust in the UN," he said, calling for efforts to improve its effectiveness and enact reforms, while stressing the particular responsibility of the permanent members.

"The principles of multilateralism - the idea that nations must work together to maintain peace - are just as important today as they were 79 years ago. Today, we came together around the presidential statement. Let us build on this foundation and reinvigorate our collective efforts for a better, more peaceful, and more humane world," Golob concluded