The EU and the United Nations
The European Union and the United Nations are natural partners in promoting peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights. The EU works closely with the entire UN system — including the Secretariat, Agencies, Funds and Programmes — across all major policy areas.
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EU-UN Cooperation
EU-UN cooperation spans multiple areas and issues, including human rights, sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection, digital issues, peacebuilding, disarmament and non-proliferation, humanitarian assistance, fighting corruption and crime, advancing global health security, managing migratory flows and labour issues.
EU financial support to the UN
EU Member States form the cornerstone of UN financing, collectively contributing over 22% of the regular budget, 21% of peacekeeping operations, and more than one-third of all voluntary contributions. Together, the EU and EU Member States account for 33% of all voluntary contributions to the UN system, with the EU alone providing 8% (the highest non-governmental contributor).
EU-UN strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management
The EU and the UN cooperate closely in crisis management around the world. In 2003, when the EU deployed its first civilian and military operations, the two organisations issued a Joint Declaration on EU-UN Cooperation in Crisis Management. Since then, they have strengthened their strategic partnership. In December 2021, the EU and UN renewed the priorities for cooperation on peace operations and crisis management for 2022-2024. Work on the new cycle of priorities is currently underway. The Strategic Compass adopted in March 2022 further calls for a reinforced EU-UN strategic partnership on the basis of the new set of priorities.
