The following is the text of remarks by Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, to the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Effective Multilateralism Through the Defense of the Principles of the UN Charter”, convened by Russia on April 24, 2023.

Mr. President,

Canada supports the title chosen for this Open Debate: Effective multilateralism through the defence of the principles of the UN Charter.

However, the “concept note” prepared by the Russian Federation is what George Orwell would call a, “deliberate exercise in doublethink.”

The Russian Federation holds two contradictory beliefs in its mind simultaneously: It believes that it is a faithful defender of the principles of the UN Charter, and a guarantor of a new system built on these principles.

At the same time, it believes that it can tear those very principles to shreds whenever and wherever it pleases – whether in Ukraine, Syria, or in Russia, against its very own people.

The Russian Federation operates as if it is above law. But none of us are above the law, Mr. President.

The arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for the massive forced deportation of Ukrainian children are a clear demonstration of this fact.

We are on several other paths now to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law in Ukraine. We will pursue these with determination.

Russia must also be held accountable for peddling disinformation and lies here at the United Nations.

Russia tells us that we are facing – and I quote from its concept note – “a steep deterioration of the situation in global security caused by the desire to review the strategic balance and ignore other states’ security concerns.”

It protests that some countries are, quote, “imposing the ‘might is right’ principle.”

And it says that any attempts to resolve conflicts should proceed from the “principles of equality,” and that, “the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, enshrined in Article 2 of the Charter, is crucial.”

The reality is that the world would not be facing such asteep deterioration in global security had Russia not launched a full-scale invasion and war of aggression against its sovereign, independent neighbour, Ukraine.

Russia protests the imposition of the “might is right” principle – yet it does just that in Ukraine.

Fortunately, Ukraine has and continues to defend itself with the support of many partners, in line with the inherent right to individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Russia also calls upon us all to, quote, “reject all neocolonial manifestations” – yet it seeks to illegally annex more Ukrainian territory, pummels Ukrainian cities with daily bombardment, and rounds up, forcibly deports, and “re-educates” tens of thousands Ukrainian children.

Russia also charges that others are, “ignoring states’ security concerns” – yet it pursues an expansionist and revisionist policy around the world.

It has suspended its participation in, or reneged on, key disarmament agreements. And it is openly threatening the use of nuclear weapons, while undermining nuclear safety and security in Ukraine.

Mr. President, if there is one country most responsible for ignoring the security concerns of other states, it is the Russian Federation.

If there is one country that has most blatantly violated the UN Charter, it is the Russian Federation.

And if there is one country that has most compromised the Security Council, it is the Russian Federation.

Russia says that it is vital to not undermine the Council’s prerogatives, and to maintain the Council’s central role in peace and security.

The Security Council’s role is central, yes.

But what the Russian Federation conveniently omits is the fact that it has used its veto to block action to maintain international peace and security more times than any other Permanent Member. 

It is Russia’s abuse of this body – and its veto power – that has done grievous damage to the credibility and legitimacy of the Security Council.

In addition to the staggering costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the country its people, Russia’s actions are costing the wider world dearly.

Food and energy prices have spiked. Global markets have been rattled.

These impacts have affected the most vulnerable in many countries around the world, many of whom were already struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We must do more to support countries grappling with economic hardship, the effects of climate change, fragility and conflict, and growing humanitarian and development needs.

Many of these issues predate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even if they have been exacerbated and compounded by the invasion.

They are also symptoms of deeper issues that require serious reforms to make the multilateral system more equitable and effective.

Here, it is important that we read the UN Charter as a whole, and not selectively.

The Charter fully embraces human rights, gender equality, and the need for social solidarity and economic development.

It is not simply a celebration of national sovereignty.

Nor should we limit ourselves in creating new institutions to meet new threats and challenges – just as we have done since 1945.

The UN Charter is not a straitjacket intended to stop us from addressing pressing issues.

It is, to borrow a phrase, a living tree, whose principles are clear, and whose vitality depends on our common and good-faith commitment to renewal.

In short, our sense of the Charter and multilateralism are very different from those of the Russian Federation:we believe firmly in rules that apply to all; in human dignity and equality, advanced by national, regional, and international instruments and institutions.

We do not think the world stopped in 1945.  We have no nostalgia for a world divided up by “spheres of influence” or power blocs.

We want to keep building a United Nations that will deal with the challenges of today and tomorrow.

And, yes, we unabashedly believe that “we, the peoples of the world” are every bit as important as states.

Thank you.