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Partners for multilateralism, international law, peace and prosperity summit

The EU, together with co-sponsors Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, India and Kenya, launched the 'Partners for multilateralism' initiative, for countries committed to working together in support of peace, stability, inclusive and sustainable development, shared prosperity, human dignity and rights for all on 21 September 2026 in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.

EU
© EU

As the meeting has demonstrated something important: in a world of growing divisions, there is still a strong shared commitment to cooperation. And that commitment extends across continents, regions and political traditions. The road ahead will not be easy. But today, we have shown that we are not walking it alone.

President António Costa

Press point by President Costa

As geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and emerging global challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence are increasing pressure on the multilateral institutions, the P4M summit sought to bring together a diverse group of countries from different regions with the aim of defending and strengthening the multilateral system and promoting peace and inclusive prosperity, by fostering a debate at the highest political level.

Today, at a time of global transformation and mounting pressure on the international order, we choose cooperation, respect for international law, multilateralism and shared responsibility as the foundations of our collective efforts.

Joint declaration

Support to multilateralism and international law

The signatories reaffirmed that the multilateral system founded on the United Nations Charter remains indispensable, but that it should be renewed and reformed to be more effective, representative, inclusive and fit for purpose.

Leaders will work together to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions to ensure that they are better able to prevent conflict, respond to crises, deliver sustainable development, promote fair trade, protect human rights and the rule of law, and address existing and emerging global challenges.

We commit to strengthening multilateral cooperation that is open, fair, equitable, inclusive, networked and practical, including through closer partnerships with regional organisations and support for regional integration.

Joint declaration

They also underlined their commitment to international law and to the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force as well as the importance of international humanitarian law and the promotion and protection of fundamental freedoms for all.

Economic cooperation

The signatories support fair, open, resilient, predictable and inclusive economic cooperation.

This includes:

  • more diversified and resilient global supply chains
  • a reform of the multilateral trading system
  • an improved international financial architecture
  • stronger coordination on international finance, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate change and global health issues

See also

Background

The event took place in the margins of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, will address the General Assembly on behalf of the EU on Thursday 24 September.