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Colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

I want to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting.

We are here today because of Russia’s decision to veto a resolution of the UN Security Council aimed at vastly improving the protection of civilians in Sudan. We deeply regret such behaviour and recall the French/Mexican initiative on veto restraint in cases of mass atrocities.

We thank the co-penholders UK and Sierra Leone for their work on a balanced and important initiative. They took into account all viewpoints, including Russia’s, and their text received the support of 14 Council members. All members but one.

When the UN Security Council fails to take a decision, it is civilian lives that are lost, it is steps towards a ceasefire that are hindered, it is peace that is prevented. We, as international community, have a collective responsibility to strive to overcome our differences, for the sake of those civilians. We have a responsibility to work to fulfil the core objectives of the UN Charter and not to instrumentalize civilian lives in Sudan for political purposes.

The EU remains deeply concerned by the magnitude and the escalation of hostilities in Sudan. Continued reports of famine, mass atrocities, and large scale ethnic and sexual and gender-based violence underline the urgency of a united international response. All those responsible must be held fully accountable.

We urge the parties to agree to an urgent cessation of hostilities and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. An immediate scale-up of assistance, together with rapid, safe, unhindered, and sustained humanitarian access, is required to mitigate the large-scale loss of life. All parties must also ensure space for neutral and impartial humanitarian action. We condemn that, despite the overwhelming urgency, both SAF and RSF persist in obstructing the humanitarian response.

External actors must refrain from fuelling the conflict and undermining peace and stability. The EU welcomes all efforts that support dialogue and mediation and a path towards the return of a democratic transition, including the work of UN Personal Envoy Lamamra.

Russia claimed it blocked the resolution on account of Sudan’s sovereignty. Nothing in the text undermined Sudan’s sovereignty in any way, and the text was discussed at length with the Sudanese mission in New York. The Sudanese authorities must recognize that it is essential to work in partnership with the international community. The UN’s actions in Sudan contribute to alleviating the suffering caused by two generals fighting for power. We commend the determined efforts by the UN and all humanitarian actors to deliver lifesaving aid in extremely dire circumstances. The bravery and commitment of local NGO’s and Emergency Response Rooms are a testament to the resilience of the Sudanese people.

President,

While Russia blocks initiatives that would alleviate the suffering of millions of Sudanese, while contributing little to the humanitarian effort in support of the population, the EU continues to mobilize the international community to focus on Sudan. Together with our Member States we have raised nearly 900 million EUR in response to the crisis. We have set up air bridges and sea freight. And we will continue to support the UN, as well as the African Union and others, in their mediation efforts, in particular with a view to protecting civilians and critical infrastructure. All such initiatives must be closely coordinated.

The people of Sudan deserve peace, justice, and a life of dignity. The EU reaffirms its steadfast support and solidarity with the Sudanese people. We call on the international community, including the members of the Security Council, to do everything in their power to this end.

We must all keep our eyes on Sudan.

I thank you.

* Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.