Discurso do Brasil na Cerimônia de Troca de Bandeiras do Conselho de Segurança - 4 de janeiro de 2022 (texto em inglês)

I would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan for the initiative of creating this ceremony. I am profoundly honoured as we formally begin one more mandate on the Security Council.

In this respect, we are deeply grateful for the expressive support we received in last year’s election in the General Assembly.

I would also like to convey our congratulations to Albania, Ghana, Gabon and the UAE, with whom I am sure we will develop an even more constructive relationship in the Council, as with the other ten members.

Upon initiating our 11th mandate, Brazil reiterates its unwavering commitment to fostering international peace and security and to strengthen the UN collective security system, in line with the mandate conferred upon the Council by the Charter.

We come to this Council as a vibrant democracy, in which the prevalence of human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflicts are constitutional principles that guide our international relations. Our history speaks for itself. Despite being a continental country and having almost 17.000 km of territorial borders, Brazil has lived in peace with all its 10 neighboring countries for more than 100 years.

I am confident that our credentials and our twenty-year experience serving in the Council as an elected member will be an asset when tackling the complex and multifaceted challenges that await us in the next 2 years.

As in previous occasions, Brazil will favor prevention and mediation to avoid conflicts and their escalation. We will work tirelessly towards the improvement of the efficiency and coherence of peacekeeping operations and political missions. We will also advocate the need to enhance the role of the PBC in post conflict situations. We will also actively pursue improving the Council’s transparency and accountability to the wider UN membership.

We will also be guided by the principle that issues of universal concern should be dealt with in a manner that respects opportunities for participation by all.

With independence and balance, I hope Brazil will be able to contribute to bridging some of the persistent gaps in the resolution of conflicts, as well as towards a more efficient and legitimate Council.

Our utmost objective in the Council is to perform a job well done, to the benefit of all those whose lives and well-being depend upon this body. Thank you.