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Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Türkiye, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, as well as, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Let me reiterate the importance that the European Union attaches to the Culture of Peace agenda.

This agenda not only reflects our history and core values, but it also guides our actions - within and beyond our borders.

• Concretely, this means that we are deeply committed to the respect for life and dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice.
• It means that we are attached to non-violence, the peaceful settlement of conflicts and to democratic participation.
• It also means that we are deeply committed to solidarity and cooperation for development, and to the promotion and respect of human rights as well as equal rights and opportunities for all.

Let me convey three messages:

• First, pursuing a Culture of Peace can help us bridge the divides across and within societies worldwide. And it can help to advance the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace with its eight pillars remains as valid today as it was in 1999. Even if we have witnessed tremendous change in societies worldwide. Even if we are facing new global challenges.

• My second message is that if we want to be faithful to this agenda, we need effective multilateralism, founded on universal rules and values, with a strong United Nations at its core.

This is the only way to respond collectively and efficiently to global crises, challenges and threats that no one can tackle alone. The Summit of the Future must be a milestone moment in that regard.

• Thirdly and finally, we have all committed in the Declaration on a Culture of Peace to support the free flow of information and knowledge, to support the important role of the media, to ensure freedom of the press and freedom of information and communication and protection of civic space (online and offline). In this digital age, let us translate this into action. Let us confront the challenges but also seize the many opportunities before us.

Mr President,

There can be no Culture of Peace without respect for international law, human rights, democratic participation and the rule of law. We must do away with all forms of discrimination and prejudice:

• Let us join efforts to achieve gender equality and the full enjoyment of all human rights by all women and girls.
• Let us safeguard the freedom of religion or belief for all. We must strive towards democratic societies, where freedom of opinion and expression prevails, in a spirit of tolerance and dialogue, and where we stand united against all forms or racism.
• Let us instill a Culture of Peace in children through inclusive quality education that fosters tolerance, that empowers them as agents of change, and that safeguards their rights to protection from violence and discrimination.

To succeed in all this, a strong partnership with civil society is vital. That is why it is so important to ensure a safe and enabling environment where civil society can thrive. We also encourage enhancing the participation of civil society as well as the dialogue between the UN and the civil society organizations.

To conclude Mr President, you can count on the EU’s full commitment to contribute to the effective implementation of the UN Culture of Peace agenda.

I thank you