01.10.2025 GA Statement on behalf of the E10 Veto debate

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Madam President,

Madam President, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the ten elected members of the Security Council, namely Algeria, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia and my own country, Denmark.

We, the E10, were elected by this very Assembly and entrusted with the solemn responsibility to maintain peace and security.

It was in this spirit that we put forward a draft resolution aimed at addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the declaration of famine in Gaza City, while also demanding the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, suffering in captivity since the horrific attacks on 7 October.

Madam President,

For nearly two years, civilians in Gaza have endured a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions.

Vast areas lie in ruins. Homes, schools, hospitals, all reduced to rubble.

Civilians have been forced to flee repeatedly and a majority of the population is now displaced with little access to safety or shelter.

Hospitals are collapsing under impossible strain.

All the while, aid deliveries remain heavily restricted, food rots on the border, while civilians starve on the other side. We are now all painfully aware that famine is present in Gaza.

Entire families face daily shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and fuel.

Children in particular bear the brunt, suffering from starvation, malnutrition and disease. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military campaign continues to expand in scope and intensity, particularly in Gaza City.

The longer the conflict continues unmitigated, the deeper the humanitarian catastrophe will grow and the greater the risk of further regional escalation.

As elected members, we believe that the Council should not remain silent in the face of such devastation. When civilians are subject to relentless suffering, it is our duty to respond with resolve.

Madam President,

The draft resolution had three urgent demands.

Demands that many in this Assembly have made time and time again:

First: an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties;

Second: the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

And third; that the Government of Israel immediately and unconditionally lifts all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensures its safe and unhindered distribution to the population in need of such assistance in line with international humanitarian law.

Madam President,

14 members of the Council voted in favor of the draft resolution – with only one member voting against.

We deeply regret that it was not adopted.

And that - as a result - the Council was once again prevented from responding to the urgent needs in Gaza and the suffering in the territory has been prolonged.

We are encouraged now by recent indications of progress in the negotiations for  a ceasefire. We welcome these efforts and hope that they will lead to a conclusive end to the hostilities in Gaza.

In closing,

The elected ten members of the Security Council remain undeterred in our commitment to upholding the mandate of the Council to maintain international peace and security. To representing the will and the expectations of this Assembly.

I thank you Madam President.