The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations is a grouping at the United Nations, established in July 2021 in New York. The group was initially formed by 16 UN member states (Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Nicaragua, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Syria, and Venezuela) and one UN observer state (Palestine). Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Mali have since joined the group, while Angola and Cambodia have withdrawn their membership, bringing the total membership of the group to 18 states.[1]
| Formation | July 6, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 335 E 46th St New York, NY 10017 United States |
| Membership | See § Membership |
| Website | gof-uncharter.org |
The main goal of the grouping is to issue a message in support of the United Nations' founding treaty, commonly referred to as the UN Charter, seeking to promote multilateralism and diplomacy over the use of force against perceived violations from other UN Member States.[2][3] The grouping was initiated by Venezuela.[4]
History
editThe March 10, 2021 concept note said "the world is seeing a growing resort to unilateralism, marked by isolationist and arbitrary actions, including the imposition of unilateral coercive measures or the withdrawal from landmark agreements and multilateral institutions, as well as by attempts to undermine critical efforts to tackle common and global challenges."[5]
In September 2022, six additional countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Mali, Namibia, South Africa and Vietnam) participated as guests and/or observer(s) at the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends, held in New York City, on the margins of the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly.[6]
In December 2022, the group held its First Meeting of National Coordinators in Tehran, resulting in the publication of their fifth political declaration.[7]
The Group of Friends operates in New York, since its establishment in July 2021, and during first quarter of 2023 initiated its activities in Geneva. The Members of the Group of Friends have agreed to continue identifying other potential spaces for expanding the scope of action of the grouping, particularly to other cities that host United Nations Offices or other International Organizations.
Membership
editThe following countries are currently members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, with a breakdown by continents as follows: 6 in Asia, 5 in Africa, 3 in North America, 2 in Europe, and 2 in South America.[8][9]
Political positions
editThe group advocates for a multipolar system in international relations. It stands against the practice of unilateral interventionism, and "concepts or notions that have not been internationally-agreed upon, such as the 'responsibility to protect' or a so-called 'rules-based order'".[10] The group advocates for the lifting of sanctions and unilateral coercive measures against its members, such as Nicaragua, Iran, and Zimbabwe.
The group advocates for Palestine, endorsing its full membership of the UN and right to a capital in East Jerusalem. The group reaffirms their "firm commitment to the just cause of Palestine" and commits to "unwavering solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle to achieve their inalienable rights, freedom and justice." They seek to support efforts "aimed at ending the Israeli occupation, which constitutes an illegal colonial occupation and apartheid regime, and at achieving the independence of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital."[11]
Criticism
editIn response to the creation of the group, a senior European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters declared that "[t]hese so-called friends are the ones who have done most to breach the charter. Maybe they should start by respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in their own countries."[5]
References
edit- ^ Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations
- ^ Dyson, Michael Eric; Azerrad, David (2021-03-12). "China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and more join forces "in defense" of U.N." Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ "Palestinians team up with China, Russia, North Korea to rail against unilateralism at UN". i24 News. March 12, 2021. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ "中国等多国举行"捍卫《联合国宪章》之友小组"首个部长级会议". finance.sina.com.cn. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ a b Nichols, Michelle (2021-03-11). "China, Iran, North Korea seek support at U.N. to push back against unilateral force, sanctions". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ "Official Twitter Account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Int Trade of Zimbabwe (September 2022)". Archived from the original on 2022-09-24. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
- ^ "Political Declaration #5 (Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, November 2022)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ "Virtual Launch of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations". United Nations. July 6, 2021. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Mali has joined the group in March 2023". Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ "Joint Inputs for the Development of the 'New Agenda for Peace' (Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, December 2022, paragraph 16)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ^ "Political Declaration #5 (Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, November 2022, paragraph 20)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-11-03.