Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, addressing the nation in the general debate on Thursday, said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights inspired him to become prime minister from his student days, because it spoke of equal rights and peace.
But today, in the face of war, poverty, climate change and the spread of epidemics, that idea seems like a distant ray of hope.
He said: “My message today is this: we are returning Britain to responsible world leadership because I think the international system can be better.”
“This is the moment to renew our core principles… to recommit to the United Nations… to work together for peace, progress and equality.”
Sir Keir Starmer, to set the course towards those goals, first drew attention to the ongoing war and expressed Britain’s support for Ukraine.
He urged Israel to “step back from the brink” and make room for a diplomatic solution.
Sir Keir Starmer said there was an urgent need for a cease-fire in Gaza, where human suffering continues to rise. Diplomacy is the only way to stop the cycle of violence.
He said, “We have to face some hard truths. “Peace institutions are dilapidated, underfunded, under pressure and highly politicized.”
The entire arms control framework began to crumble, and artificial intelligence began to be used for military purposes in the absence of adequate regulations.
The British Prime Minister said, among other things, that the ‘Consensus for the Future’ passed at the ‘Summit for the Future’ last Sunday was so important.
“Strengthening peacekeeping institutions is essential at a time when the world needs to get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Existential crisis
He warned that besides these, existential crises like climate change are also happening before us.
Sir Keir Starmer noted that the UK was doing its part by lifting restrictions on offshore wind, ending new oil and gas licenses and aiming to complete the clean energy transition by 2030.
He announced that the net-zero target will be achieved and we will help other countries to do the same.