Thank you, Madame President, and thank you USG DiCarlo for the update.

I will make a few quick points:

First, Albania condemns strongly and unreservedly the launch of the military reconnaissance satellite by the DPRK regime two days ago, the sixth of such attempts, and the first since 2016.

Second, the launch failed but it is just another escalatory step by Pyongyang, and a brazen violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions. I will not enumerate them, they are too many.

Third, with its egregious and reckless behaviour, the DPRK continues to openly defy the UN, the SC and the international community, the established norms and rules. It is only seeking provocation, destabilisation and escalation. Including by announcing that it will proceed to another satellite launch.

Forth, every time the Security Council is prevented from taking action, the regime feels more empowered to continue on the same path. As we have seen in the course of the last two years, the recipe is working.

DPRK shows only disregard and contempt for the SC and its decisions, more and more. Because it feels protected, because it is protected. This is wrong, utterly wrong as it goes against what this Council stands for.

We regret, that the voice of the majority of the members of this Council calling for a clear and strong reaction to the illegal, unprovoked and reckless actions by the DPRK continues to be ignored.

If the Council continues to tolerate the indefensible actions of North Korea now, it will be even harder to react and act later.

Unless this is the true aim, we should get out immediately of this deafening silence.

Colleagues,

We reiterate that with its inactivity, the Security Council has conveyed to the warmongers in North Korea that for them, actions have no consequences.

We should not wait for the worst to happen, to do something which may prove to be too little, too late.

With its inactivity on this matter,

• the Council is failing to have the DPRK regime understand the limits of its unacceptable policies and behaviour;
• It is failing to help open an avenue of negotiations, the only way to properly address and contribute to solving the crisis;
• it is failing to reassure neighbouring countries, including the people of Japan and the Republic of Korea;
• it is failing its core duty and responsibility, it is eroding its credibility.
• It is failing to explain to the wider UN membership how a continued, open and defiant disregard of multiple Security Council resolutions by the DPRK is contributing to peace and security.

It is time to speak up, be united around enough is enough.

The people of North Korea do not need more weapons;

the region doesn’t need more provocations,

and the world doesn’t need more dangerous escalations.

What is needed are talks through good faith diplomacy, to ensure a full, transparent, comprehensive and irreversible end of WMD, ballistic and nuclear programme.

Only this would help North Korea become a normal country, start developing and progressing.

The Security Council can help in this respect, if it decides to speak with one voice and with a united and clear response.

I thank you!