Belarus resolutely against abandoning principle of consensus at the UN

MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) - Belarus is resolutely against abandoning the principle of consensus at the UN, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov said at a meeting of the UN Security Council, BelTA has learned.

"True multilateralism is impossible without dialogue and compromise that takes into account the interests of all stakeholders. This is the value of decision-making on the basis of consensus," the diplomat said.

“in view of the statements by some partners urging the need and, in some cases, demanding a revision of traditional forms of search for mutually acceptable solutions, the recommendation by the High-Level Advisory Board, published a few days ago, on the possibility of revising the very notion of ‘consensus' or abandoning its practice representing, as the document says, ‘a highly inefficient and unfair approach allowing a small number of States to block actions that are clearly necessary to address the matters of global concern' is particularly disturbing. We resolutely, categorically reject such approaches."

In this regard, Valentin Rybakov recalled that the UN is based on the principle of the sovereign equality which suggests that the voice of every state matters. "It is this principle that allows us to avoid dictatorship and the imposition of unacceptable solutions. Only the consent of all stakeholders makes any initiative most effective and fair," he stressed.

The Belarusian diplomat noted that multilateralism is a collective action and a joint search for solutions to common problems.

"We are convinced that it is the UN that has a key role to play in combating attempts to undermine multilateralism. It is the UN that is the universal platform with the greatest legitimacy and normative potential that is called upon to respond to challenges and threats in an interdependent world on the basis of dialogue, consensus, mutual understanding and respect, solidarity and consensus in the interests of political and economic development, social progress, peace and security, respect for human rights and the rule of law," the Belarusian diplomat concluded.