Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations

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, by 17 U.N. Member States; namely, (Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Nicaragua, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Palestine, Syria, and Venezuela). Subsequently, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Mali have joined the Group, expanding its current membership to 20 countries.

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.[1][2] The grouping was initiated by Venezuela.[3]

History

In response to the creation of the group, a senior European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters declared that "These 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."[4]

The 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."[4]

In September 2022, 5 additional countries (being Burundi, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa and Vietnam) as well as Mali (now an official member) 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.[5]

In December 2022, the group held its First Meeting of National Coordinators in Tehran, resulting in the publication of their fifth political declaration.[6]

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

The following countries are the members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, with a breakdown by continents as follows: 7 in Asia, 6 in Africa, 3 in North America, 2 in Europe, and 2 in South America.[7][8]

  1.  Algeria
  2.  Angola (inactive)
  3.  Belarus
  4.  Bolivia
  5.  Cambodia
  6.  China
  7.  Cuba
  8.  North Korea
  9.  Equatorial Guinea
  10.  Eritrea
  11.  Iran
  12.  Laos
  13.  Mali
  14.  Nicaragua
  15.  Palestine
  16.  Russia
  17.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  18.  Syria
  19.  Venezuela
  20.  Zimbabwe

Political positions

The 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".[9] 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."[10]

References
  1. Dyson, Michael Eric; Azerrad, David (2021-03-12). "China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and more join forces "in defense" of U.N." Newsweek. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  2. "Palestinians team up with China, Russia, North Korea to rail against unilateralism at UN". i24 News. March 12, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  3. "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. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  4. Nichols, Michelle (2021-03-11). "China, Iran, North Korea seek support at U.N. to push back against unilateral force, sanctions". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. Official Twitter Account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Int Trade of Zimbabwe (September 2022)
  6. Political Declaration #5 (Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, November 2022)
  7. "Virtual Launch of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations". United Nations. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  8. Mali has joined the group in March 2023.
  9. 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)
  10. Political Declaration #5 (Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations, November 2022, paragraph 20)
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