Vanuatu has called on the international community to recommit to the principles of the United Nations Charter, warning that small island states face existential threats from climate change, natural disasters, and unfair financial restrictions.

Speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, H.E Odo Tevi, on behalf of the Vanuatu’s delegation, said it was an honor to deliver an address on behalf of the government and people of Vanuatu. He congratulated the Assembly’s new president and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, praising their leadership in difficult times.

Tevi said that despite 80 years of the UN Charter, the world continues to face wars, human rights violations, humanitarian crises, and growing poverty. He stressed that the founding charter remains a “living document” and a collective promise to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than war.

“The lesson of the last 80 years is clear: no nation can meet these challenges alone. Multilateralism is not a choice, it is a necessity,” he said.

The Vanuatu delegate highlighted the devastating impact of recent cyclones and the 2024 earthquake in Port Vila, which together eroded up to 60 per cent of the nation’s economy. He warned that recovery is slow and resilience constantly tested.

He criticized “unjust blacklisting” and restrictions on financial access, which he said hurt small economies like Vanuatu’s, and called on development partners and regulators to recognize the unintended consequences of such measures.

Turning to climate change, Tevi reaffirmed Vanuatu’s leadership in bringing the issue before the International Court of Justice. He welcomed the Court’s historic 2025 opinion confirming states’ legal obligations to protect the environment and said Vanuatu would introduce a new resolution at the General Assembly to operationalize the findings.

Tevi also urged support for recognizing ecocide as a crime under the International Criminal Court, arguing that prevention of environmental destruction is as vital as adaptation.

He condemned unilateral sanctions on developing countries, called for the lifting of the embargo on Cuba, and highlighted ongoing concerns over the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Pacific. Vanuatu also welcomed dialogue between New Caledonian leaders and France, noting that self-determination remains a central principle of the UN.

“Eighty years on, the Charter calls us to safeguard peace, strengthen cooperation, and ensure the UN remains a beacon of hope for present and future generations,” Tevi concluded.