Remarks by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Imran Riza, at NDU's Model United Nations

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed delegates, 

It is with great admiration that I stand before you today at this conference at Notre Dame University. Amidst the complexities of our global landscape and the significant challenges facing Lebanon, your motivation and commitment to addressing crucial issues of diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution are essential.

I extend my gratitude to NDU for hosting this important conference. Organizing such events highlights the key role that educational institutions in Lebanon play in shaping the vision, understanding, and thinking of new generations. It is the new generations that will determine how to move ahead.

What I will talk about today is advancing peace: the role of the UN in Diplomacy, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution.

As we gather to explore the workings of the United Nations, we focus on three core themes: diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution. These themes are not just concepts; they are the keys to building a better, more peaceful world.

Diplomacy is the cornerstone of international relations. It is the practice of managing interactions between states through dialogue and negotiation. It enables nations to bridge divides, build trust, and work toward common goals. In our increasingly interconnected world, diplomacy plays a crucial role in promoting the peaceful resolution of global issues. And this itself is under pressure at this time. 

The importance of diplomacy was, in fact, the driving force behind the creation of the United Nations in 1945. In the aftermath of World War II, world leaders came together to adopt the UN Charter with a clear mission: "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war." Has that been successful? In a lot of places, it has been very successful, and that is what you need to build on.  

Since then, threats to peace and security have unfortunately multiplied and taken new forms, yet the UN remains a vital global convening platform for diplomacy and conflict resolution. Drawing its authority from the collective weight of its member states, the UN is uniquely positioned – through its neutrality and impartiality - to engage all parties in conflict and bring them to the table to find solutions that have previously evaded progress. When the UN benefits from consensus and cooperation among its members, it can deliver more than the sum of its parts. 

Here in Lebanon, as in many other parts of the world, the UN has contributed to the prevention and mitigation of conflict. Since its adoption in 2006, Security Council resolution 1701 has served as the overarching framework for the UN's efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. 

Although almost two decades have passed since the adoption, many of the key provisions of Resolution 1701 remain unfulfilled, preventing the attainment of long-lasting stability and security that Lebanon desperately needs. 

In fact, the incomplete implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 made Lebanon and Israel vulnerable to the recent recurrence of conflict and collapse of the cessation of hostilities.

The devastating 14-month-long conflict between Hizbullah and Israel, for which Lebanese communities across all affiliations paid a heavy price, served as the ultimate testament that diplomacy represents the sole sustainable path out of violence and that the failure to uphold commitments to UN resolutions may cause further violence. 

What we saw over that period was an incredible level of destruction. I was here throughout the war, as all of you, and I had both the duty and, in a sense, the privilege to be able to travel to a lot of areas that were affected and see the effects of the war on people, on schools, on children. On the one hand, I saw a great deal of devastation, but on the other hand, I saw firsthand how communities came together and tried to help each other during that time. It was quite a remarkable period. What we saw also is that it is not military action that is going to provide any solutions; it is very much returning to a path of diplomacy and dialogue and trying to find a consensual way forward. Unfortunately, we are not completely there yet, as you all know, we are still under pressure, and resilience is still needed.

Throughout the conflict, we, the UN, through its Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and UNIFIL, the UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon, worked tirelessly in coordination with international partners to bring the fighting to a halt and restore the cessation of hostilities. Today, the UN is actively supporting international efforts to address all outstanding issues between the two countries, ensuring that the current stability is sustained. Indeed, even today as we speak, these discussions are happening.       

Experiences from Lebanon also teach us that diplomacy for peace is dynamic and extremely complex. Progress may not always be linear. It is through setbacks that we aim to forge a more sustainable way forward. In conflict, there is no victor, and negotiations are not about winning or losing. Rather, it is through negotiations that we can reconcile divergent positions and forge common ground. It requires patience, understanding, trust, and the ability to see issues from different perspectives. The ability to listen and understand. This is not only critical for the UN’s mission but also vital for any aspiring global leader.

However, diplomacy and negotiation alone are not enough. Sustainable conflict resolution goes beyond addressing immediate disputes. It requires tackling the root causes of conflict. Poverty, inequality, weak governance, and limited resources often fuel tensions. Long-term solutions and sustainable peace can only be achieved when these underlying issues are addressed.

This is why peace and security must be integrated into our development efforts. By promoting education, economic opportunities, and social inclusion, we can break cycles of violence and build a more stable future.

It is also why peace processes must be inclusive: to ensure that the perspectives, interests, and inputs of key proponents – and spoilers – of peace are brought into the process to ensure that the solutions enjoy and benefit from broad ownership. And here, we often talk about the groups that are not represented. Very often, you don’t have women represented in peace processes, which is extremely important, especially since they bear the brunt of the war and are very keen to find solutions. But also, the youth; it goes back to your perspectives and where you are going to work on these issues as we move ahead.   

The Youth’s potential to shape a better future is key.

As we conclude, I want to leave you with a message of hope. Yes, the challenges we face today—conflict, climate change, economic and humanitarian crises—are alarming, and the geopolitical context is increasingly and unfortunately polarizing. But solutions to these challenges will, and can only be found through enhanced cooperation and dialogue and through breaking down, not erecting, barriers. In fact, youth are key to finding new solutions that will secure the breakthroughs our world so urgently needs.

We must redesign our systems, realign our values, and reaffirm our values, and create structures that enable meaningful youth engagement and representation, especially in peacebuilding and decision-making processes. 

The Lebanese youth have the potential to push Lebanon toward a sustainable path, politically, economically, and socially. Each of you can make a difference. By learning and embracing the principles of negotiation, diplomacy, and conflict resolution, and by being able to understand and listen, you can contribute to a more peaceful and just world. Because your ideas matter. Your actions matter. Your commitment matters. A more hopeful, prosperous vision for Lebanon’s future is a call to action for your greater engagement.

In the quick chats I had with you earlier, it was clear that you have come with enthusiasm and a strong will. And what you are learning here, what NDU is offering you at this 5th MUN at a time of complete uncertainty, where resilience does matter, and at a time of immense pressure, is extremely admirable. That is the bottom line of all of this; that you commit even in such situations to find the way forward, which is what you will hopefully conclude today. 

Allow me finally to congratulate you very much for your participation in this Model United Nations and for what you are going to do throughout these 2 days, and how you are going to make the overall situation in this country, in this region, in this world a much better place. 

Thank You.