Addis Ababa, May 12, 2025 (FMC) — Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ethiopian delegation underscored the need for renewed global cooperation, stronger multilateralism, and reform of the UN Security Council to reflect equitable representation.
Recalling Ethiopia’s historic 1935 appeal to the League of Nations during its invasion by fascist forces, the delegation stated that Addis Ababa’s early warnings about global inaction foreshadowed the catastrophic conflict that followed. “It was not the covenant of the League that was at stake, but global morality itself,” the delegation noted, referencing Emperor Haile Selassie’s famous plea to the international community.
The statement emphasized that World War II was a “stark reminder of the horrific manifestation of what destruction of that magnitude could do to humanity and human civilization,” and paid tribute to the millions who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom and humanity.
The Ethiopian delegation credited the founding of the United Nations in the aftermath of the war as a pivotal moment in global history, recognizing the organization’s enduring role in promoting international peace and security. “It is in this global body that the principle of collective security is enshrined,” the statement said, calling the UN Charter “a declaration of the noblest aspirations of humankind.”
However, the delegation stressed that the world faces new and complex challenges that require updated approaches to multilateralism. “We need to further strengthen global cooperation and forge stronger partnerships,” Ethiopia stated, urging efforts to make the UN “fit for purpose.”
A central part of Ethiopia’s message was the need to reform the Security Council. The delegation pointed out the lack of permanent African representation on the Council, describing it as a critical shortcoming in the current multilateral system. “Our multilateral framework has failed to ensure equal representation of states,” the delegation asserted.
The delegation also called for greater political and financial support to UN peace operations to safeguard the gains made through peacekeeping missions. “The world cannot afford to witness any relapse in the hard-fought gains,” the statement said.
Concluding its remarks, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and pledged continued support for its mission, as per a video reposted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by the FDRE President Taye Atske-Selassie via Ethiopian Mission to the UN in New York.