As delivered  

Statement by the delegation of Ukraine
on retaining of the item “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” to the agenda of UNGA 79th session

13 September 2024

 

Mr. President,

As this is my first time taking the floor in the current session, I would like to begin by congratulating you on assuming this important role and assuring you of my delegation's full support.

Mr. President,

We thank the General Assembly for the adoption by consensus the inclusion of the item “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” in the agenda of its 79th session.

As a nation that has consistently resisted brutal aggression for the past decade, we are not surprised by the manipulative tactics employed by Russia.

However, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it was the General Assembly that decided to include this item on its agenda.

In its resolution A/77/229 titled “The situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine”, the General Assembly, and I quote: “decided to include the item entitled “The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine” in the  agenda of the General Assembly until the violations committed as a result of foreign occupation and control of parts of the territory of Ukraine are duly dealt with and the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders is fully restored.” 

The above decision was reaffirmed in the A/RES/78/221 “The situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol”.

We deeply regret the disrespectful attitude displayed by the Russian delegation towards the General Assembly, the most representative principal organ of this organization. Against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we firmly believe that retaining this agenda item in the UNGA's agenda is of paramount importance.

We are convinced that the vigilant attention of the UNGA, as the primary deliberative, policy-making, and representative body, is indispensable in addressing Russia's heinous acts of terrorism and reprisals against the civilian population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This year's debate on the item has garnered substantial interest from member states, underscoring its significance.

Like any criminal seeking to hide their crime, Russia's actions are no different. However, it is our collective responsibility to counter these efforts and, instead, ensure vigilant monitoring and demand accountability for all violations of international law and the UN Charter.

Thank you!