EU tackles sea level rise, maritime security, conflicts, international criminal justice and global health in discussions at the UN General Assembly

Yesterday, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System together with the Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, rallying 30 countries around the need to support global ocean observation and raising almost €220 million. You can find more information in our press release, in President von der Leyen's speech as well as in Commissioner Costas Kadis’ closing remarks. In the afternoon, the President delivered a speech at the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Event on Climate Action and the Just Transition. During this event, the President qualified this summer as ‘the summer of truth’. While the past months were the hottest on record, they may also be the coolest for the years to come. Which is why Europe remains firmly on course, the President underlined, driving both emissions and energy prices down, for a sustainable future.

High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas co-chaired the EU-CELAC Ministerial Meeting. Read the opening remarks as well as the co-chairs’ press statement. Commissioner Hadja Lahbib also delivered remarks at the event. HR/VP Kallas also delivered opening remarks at the ministerial-level side event on ‘Reinforcing cooperation to achieve a secure and stable maritime domain’. She also delivered joint press remarks at the UN Security Council stakeout on Ukraine, together with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, the EU27 Member States and likeminded partners.

Commissioner Dubravka Šuica announced new funding worth €505 million for Lebanon during the high-level policy dialogue ‘Moving Beyond Crisis: Investing in Development from Day One’, co-hosted with UNDP Administrator Alexander de Croo and the Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam. The Commissioner announced the launch of the EU-UN Women Regional Initiative to increase women’s employment in MENA by 5% by 2030. Later, the Commissioner signed two early recovery projects for Gaza, delivering on the EU-led Team Gaza Initiative, worth €43 million. Later, the Commissioner co-chaired the high-level roundtable ‘On Gaza recovery: From Sharm El Sheikh to Phase II – Consolidating Peace and early recovery’, with Germany, France and Egypt. Read her opening remarks.

Commissioner Lahbib co-hosted the event ‘Call to Action for Palestinian Children in the West Bank and Gaza’, with Jordan, Belgium, with OCHA, UNRWA, UNICEF, WFP, and Save the Children. Read her opening remarks. The Commissioner also delivered a statement on behalf of the EU at the high-level panel discussions marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Commissioner also delivered opening remarks at the event ‘Humanitarian Diplomacy in Practice’. The Commissioner delivered a statement on behalf of the EU at the event on the Political Declaration on the Protection of Aid Workers.

Today, President of the European Council António Costa will deliver a speech on behalf of the European Union at the general debate of the UN General Assembly.

In the morning, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas will attend an informal ministerial meeting of the International Criminal Court network, alongside Commissioner Michael McGrath. HR/VP Kallas will then co-chair a meeting of the Group of Friends of Accountability on Ukraine, together with the Netherlands, Estonia, Ukraine, Denmark, the Marshall Islands, Albania, Canada and Lithuania. She will also co-host the high-level Ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, together with Norway and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Commissioner Šuica will also participate. HR/VP Kallas and Commissioner Šuica will then take part in the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee Meeting on Palestine, where the HR/VP will deliver remarks.

Commissioner Šuica will co-host the Ministerial roundtable on health and humanitarian access in Gaza, with the UK, Jordan and Qatar. Commissioner Šuica will also take part in the ministerial meeting of the Rome Coalition on Fertilisers Access and Food Security. She will then participate in the UNRWA ministerial meeting.

Commissioner Jozef Síkela will host a high-level side event on how the EU is Powering Global Health Resilience, where he will announce three new initiatives in support of the global health system.

Commissioner Kadis will take part in the high-level plenary meeting on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise, at 10:00 EDT (16:00 CEST) where he will deliver a statement on behalf of the EU.

Commissioner Lahbib will attend the G20 High Level Independent Panel focused on tangible actions to accelerate financing for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. She will then deliver a statement during the UN Economic and Social Council’s high-level event on Haiti, where participants will discuss concrete avenues to support the country on its path to stability and development. Her statement will be broadcast on UN Web TV. In the afternoon, she will deliver opening remarks at the event ‘The Humanitarian Reset and Responsible Transitions: Safeguarding Resilience and Principled Action’, also broadcast on UN Web TV.

Commissioner Magnus Brunner will launch the Eastern Corridor Initiative with IOM Chief Amy Pope and co-host the ‘The Eastern Corridor – A Collective Route-Based Response’. In the afternoon, he will participate in the event ‘Forging Alliances: Strengthening Collaboration Along Migration Routes’.

Commissioner Tzitzikostas will attend the Europe Gulf Forum breakfast, organised by the Atlantic Council and Antenna Group.