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The Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Paul Richard Gallagher, speaking at the UN, called for reform of the international organization so that it can better respond to new global challenges. He also focused on the conflict in Ukraine and the inadequacy of peace efforts, instability in Syria, Sudan, and Nicaragua, and called for dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The multilateral system needs a profound rethinking if it is to respond adequately to the challenges of our time
The multilateral system needs a profound rethinking if it is to respond adequately to the challenges of our time
Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations Paul Richard Gallagher, speaking at a session of the UN General Assembly, repeated the words of Pope Francis. According to him, “the current conflict in Ukraine has made all the more evident the crisis that has long affected the multilateral system, which needs a profound rethinking if it is to respond adequately to the challenges of our time.” The diplomat noted the obvious tendency of countries to impose their own ideas and programs, calling for dialogue, shared responsibility, and cooperation, so that each state strives for the common good. “Thus, a real reform of the UN necessarily answers the question as to the functionality of the multilateral system, favoring a reversal of the current priorities, making the UN truly fit for purpose and reviving coordination among states,” he emphasized. Confirming that the conflict in Ukraine had helped put the threat of nuclear escalation back on the agenda, he said that “the use of atomic energy for purposes of war is, today more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings, but against any possible future for our common home, while the mere possession itself of nuclear weapons is also immoral.”
Addressing the subject of the expanding galaxy of digitization and, in particular, artificial intelligence, he called for serious thought about the ethics of using and integrating supercomputing systems and processes into everyday life. “This is valid in all situation also in the development of use of lethal autonomous weapons systems,” he said. The prelate added that the Holy See supports the creation of an international organization on the issue of artificial intelligence. New technologies must be used to mitigate the global crisis linked to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, and to act quickly to protect the world.
Remembering the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Gallagher drew attention to the problem of unborn children denied the right to come into the world, as well as violence against Christians, which is growing not only in countries where they are a minority. “Amid natural disasters, severe food security problems and political instability, causing anguish, hardship and uncertainty about the future, the Russian attack on Ukraine remains one of the most painful and bleeding wounds, which instead of healing is widening and deepening,” he stressed. He praised the remarkable and renewed commitment of many countries to help stricken Ukraine defend its people and territory, but said it was not accompanied by the same efforts to find ways to overcome the confrontation. He also qualified the situation in Syria and Sudan as very alarming, called for dialogue in Nicaragua, and emphasized the need for negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He expressed serious concerns about Jerusalem, calling on Israelis and Palestinians to engage in sincere dialogue.
