President Karis: Multiple crises present a window of opportunity for UN reforms

Speaking today at a high-level peace conference taking place as part of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, President Alar Karis remarked on the need for change in a time of crisis.

"With the world being rocked by so many conflicts, a window of opportunity has opened up to reform the UN, because expectations of the organisation are high," he said. "It is perhaps easier for Estonia - a country which was itself once occupied - to explain to the international community why the UN should operate more effectively. If we are to resolve conflicts, we must also engage more with our global partners, because all wars and conflicts have wide-reaching international impact."

Taking part in the debate alongside the Estonian head of state were Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Christoph Heusgen, Filipino peace mediator Miriam Coronel Ferrer and Anka Feldhusen from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. The panel was moderated by renowned British journalist Femi Oke.

President Karis drew attention to the provision of the UN Charter which states that any party to a dispute shall abstain from voting on the UN Security Council. "Russia is ignoring that principle," he noted. "We must consider how the work of both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council can be reformed so that the organisation as a whole is capable of responding appropriately to a changed world."

The head of state said that the war in Ukraine had led to a situation in which everything possible must be done to ensure that the principles of the UN Charter are upheld in fending off the aggressor. He added that if and when peace treaties are agreed, it must be guaranteed that they endure. He highlighted the agreements that have been reached with Russia which the country has simply flouted. "In order to achieve peace in Europe, it is vital that we boost our collective deterrence and defence capabilities," he said.