Estonian President Kariš: UN Charter principles must not be trampled

Estonian President Alar Karis addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, warning that the international rules-based order is undergoing a profound crisis and calling on member states to recommit to the principles of the UN Charter.

Karis said it has become increasingly evident over the past year that the multilateral world order centered on the UN is at a turning point, with disregard for international law and a sense of impunity too often prevailing over cooperation and the rule of law. He pointed to ongoing suffering in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, stressing that behind the statistics are real people — separated families, affected children and destroyed homes. He noted that more than 1,000 humanitarian workers have died over the past three years.

A significant part of the address focused on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, now in its 12th year since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Karis said Russian attacks on Black Sea ports, shipping and grain infrastructure are putting global food security at serious risk, and called for using economic, diplomatic and political tools to force Russia to the negotiating table. He confirmed Estonia will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2027 together with Nordic-Baltic partners.

The president also voiced serious concern over the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, calling for humanitarian access and a negotiated two-state solution, and referenced Iran's aggression against Gulf states as well as the use of migration as a tool of pressure against countries.

Karis called for reform of the UN Security Council, including restraint on the use of veto power in cases of mass atrocities, and for strengthening the role of the General Assembly when the Council fails to act. He also said Estonia believes it is time, after 81 years, for the UN to be led by a woman as its next secretary-general.