EU at the 81st UN General Assembly
Standing up for effective multilateralism
From 20 to 25 September, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas will travel to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At a time when the multilateral system and international law are increasingly under pressure, HRVP Kallas will bring a clear and united EU message to United Nations in New York: international law and the UN Charter must be upheld, sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected, and violations of international law must not go without accountability. Defending these principles requires strong partnerships. Her engagement at UNGA81 will therefore focus on engaging partners across regions and building alliances in support of effective multilateralism – turning international cooperation into concrete results for shared security and prosperity.
During her visit, she will host and take part in a series of high-level events and a string of bilateral meetings with international partners across the world with the aim of forging cross-regional alliances to address shared global challenges.
EU priorities at UNGA 81
Four priorities will guide EU action at the UN this year:
I. Defend and develop an efficient, effective and inclusive multilateral system firmly rooted in the UN Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law
II. Advance reforms towards an effective, cost-efficient and responsive UN in all three pillars through partnerships and coalitions
III. Strengthen the UN peace and security architecture based on prevention and sustaining peace
IV. Advance prosperity and sustainable development towards 2030 and beyond.
EU-UN cooperation in tackling key global challenges
In the face of geopolitical pressures, marked by growing fragmentation, contestation and grave
violations of universal norms and international law, the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to a
multilateral system, based on international law, including international humanitarian law (IHL) and
international human rights law (IHRL), and true to the universal purposes and principles of the UN
Charter and the rules-based international order, with the UN at its core, to ensure peace and security,respect for human rights and sustainable development for all.
The EU underlines the critical and central role the UN plays in addressing major global challenges,
particularly threats to peace and security and the consequences of crises and conflicts on global food and water security, energy, financial systems and supply chains, especially for the most vulnerable.
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UN80 initiative
The European Union is a strong supporter of the UN80 initiative and works together with all its partners, as well as with the United Nations and its agencies, to advance comprehensive reforms across the UN system. The EU's objective is to help build a stronger, more effective, cost-efficient and responsive United Nations, capable of delivering across its three pillars—peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.
Press Material/EU Statements
