The United Nations Security Council has adopted a Pakistan-led presidential statement highlighting the importance of diplomatic engagement during armed conflicts to protect civilians, prevent further escalation and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Titled “The Role of Diplomacy during Active Hostilities”, the statement stresses that diplomatic efforts must continue even after wars begin. It calls on countries to pursue mediation, good offices and direct or indirect communication between conflicting parties to ease tensions and create opportunities for negotiations.
The statement was adopted under Latvia’s November presidency of the Security Council, led by Ambassador Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, welcomed the adoption, describing it as a significant contribution to international efforts aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully.
Speaking to the media after the adoption, Shah said diplomacy should not come to an end when hostilities begin, adding that its role becomes even more crucial during periods of armed confrontation.
The Pakistani initiative builds on Security Council Resolution 2788, unanimously adopted in July 2025 during Pakistan’s presidency of the Council. The resolution reaffirmed the importance of resolving international disputes through peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter.
The latest statement expands on this framework by specifically addressing the need for diplomatic engagement after armed conflicts have erupted, when communication between opposing sides often deteriorates and the threat of further escalation grows.
The Security Council underscored the importance of maintaining communication channels between parties involved in armed conflicts, either directly or through intermediaries. Such engagement can help prevent misunderstandings, reduce tensions and create opportunities for political negotiations.
Shah said that mediation, open communication channels and sustained dialogue could serve as a crucial bridge between confrontation, de-escalation and peaceful resolution.
The statement outlined several key objectives of diplomacy during active hostilities, including facilitating pauses in fighting, ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access, protecting civilians and preventing conflicts from expanding into regional or international confrontations.
It also stressed that a ceasefire should not mark the conclusion of diplomatic efforts. Instead, political engagement must continue after hostilities end to secure a sustainable and lasting settlement.
The Council acknowledged the role of individual UN member states in undertaking diplomatic initiatives during armed conflicts and encouraged them to continue using mediation and other diplomatic channels to reduce tensions and support peaceful transitions.
Regional and subregional organisations were also recognised as important partners in conflict resolution. The Council welcomed initiatives aimed at strengthening their mediation capabilities and called for greater cooperation between these organisations and the United Nations.
The statement further highlighted the responsibility of the UN Secretary-General, along with his representatives, special envoys and mediators, in facilitating dialogue and promoting peaceful settlements.
It encouraged the Secretary-General to continue supporting diplomatic initiatives before and during armed conflicts, particularly those focused on de-escalation and long-term political solutions.
The Security Council reaffirmed that all diplomatic efforts must remain consistent with the UN Charter, international law and relevant Council resolutions. It also recognised the contribution of other UN bodies to peaceful dispute resolution, including the International Court of Justice, which adjudicates disputes where states have accepted its jurisdiction.
Shah said the adoption brought together the Council’s experience in addressing individual conflicts under a common thematic framework, offering a political reference point for diplomatic initiatives in current and future disputes.
He described the development as a meaningful addition to the Security Council’s thematic work and said it reflected Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
The Council also called on the UN Secretary-General to continue promoting diplomacy, mediation and peaceful dispute resolution, and to keep the Council informed of relevant efforts when appropriate
