9. This context of global instability and insecurity is all the more worrying as, in addition to themaintenance of international peace, the world is facing a number of other distinct and interrelated challengesthat can only be addressed through concerted action, ranging from climate change and environmentaldegradation to mass migration, growing inequalities, global health risks, food and energy crises, terrorism andviolent extremism, the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on all aspects of society, and the explorationof space.

10. In order to counter the threats to the European way of life, protect democracy, human rights and therule of law, and preserve Europe’s position in the world, Council of Europe member States should strive for anopen rules-based international order of realism, rather than an ever-shrinking club of “like-minded” countries,while ensuring that any State engaging in acts of aggression or grave breaches of international law is heldaccountable and does not benefit from unmerited diplomatic or economic privileges.

11. The Parliamentary Assembly firmly believes that a renewed commitment to international law and to thereform of the multilateral system of global governance is necessary to address these challenges effectively.The ability to resist the destabilising forces that seek to replace international law with the rule of force, and thecapacity to renew and reinvigorate the rules-based international order, will determine the resilience not only ofdemocracies, but of the world as a whole.

12. In light of these considerations, the Assembly welcomes the adoption on 22 September 2024 by theUnited Nations General Assembly of Resolution A/RES/79/1 “The Pact for the Future”, which demonstratesthe commitment of the international community to reform the rules-based international order in order to meetthe grave challenges we face. The Assembly therefore urges all States to implement the 56 actions containedin the Pact for the Future, and in particular to:

12.1. ensure the strictest respect for international law, including the United Nations Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as well as the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly;

12.2. uphold the mandate of the International Court of Justice and comply with its decisions;

12.3. refrain from the threat or use of force, or acts of aggression; respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity, within internationally recognised borders, of all States;

12.4. commit to reforming the multilateral system and its institutions through an inclusive approach, to ensure:

12.4.1. a reform of the United Nations Security Council, enlarging its membership to increase its representativeness and giving a stronger role to under-represented and unrepresented regions, such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific; revising its working methods; and reconsidering the use and scope of the veto power by permanent members, to avoid any abuse;

12.4.2. revitalising the work of the United Nations General Assembly, which should be entrusted with stronger powers in matters related to the maintenance of international peace and security, especially when the United Nations Security Council fails to reach a common position, including in cases where a permanent member exercises its veto power to shield itself from accountability;

12.4.3. a reform of the international financial and economic institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to grant developing countries with stronger representation and voting powers in their decision-making bodies, as well as easier access to financing and credit, and to identify sustainable ways to restructure their debt;

12.5. significantly strengthen actions aimed at addressing the global challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, as well as the global governance of artificial intelligence.

13. The Assembly further urges all States to promptly accede to the International Criminal Court for thosecountries that have not yet done so, and to co-operate fully with the International Criminal Court and complywith its orders for those countries that have already acceded, in particular with a view to ensuringaccountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.

14. The Assembly recalls that, at their Fourth Summit in Reykjavik in 2023, the Heads of State andGovernment of the Council of Europe reiterated their commitment to strengthening “the role of the Council ofEurope in the evolving European multilateral architecture and in global governance by enhancing its externaldimension, through its liaison offices and through a new engagement based on its core values withdemocracies in the world and its southern neighbourhood”.

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