EU priorities at the United Nations
EU priorities at UNGA81: Standing up for effective multilateralism
On 13 July 2026, the Council adopted Conclusions setting out the European Union's priorities at the United Nations for the upcoming 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (September 2026 – September 2027).
The EU firmly believes that it is in the collective and individual interest of all to ensure respect for international law and the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of all States, to commit to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to invest in international cooperation. At a time of growing fragmentation, contestation and serious violations of international law, the EU and its Member States remain steadfast in their commitment to an effective multilateral system, based on international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The EU will remain a predictable and credible partner, working with partners and across regions to defend and uphold international law and to find global solutions to common challenges, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future.
In a changing world, the multilateral system must continue to evolve. The EU also stands ready to engage with partners in advancing the UN80 reform initiative towards a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive United Nations that is fit to address today's and tomorrow's challenges.
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 participation at the United Nations
The UN General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 UN Member States are members of the General Assembly and have an equal vote. The EU has enhanced observer status. This allows the EU to intervene in debates, submit proposals and take part in negotiations, and participate in the general debate each September. The EU’s special status does not include the right to vote, but the EU coordinates among its 27 Member States to present unified positions. The EU also coordinates its voting within the UN General Assembly’s six Main Committees, as well as other bodies such as the Economic and Social Council. The GA has taken a more prominent role in recent years on peace and security matters.
The UN Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is composed of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Currently, there are four EU Member States on the Security Council. France as a permanent member, and Denmark and Greece (2025-2026), and Latvia (2026-2027), as non-permanent members. From January 2027, Austria and Portugal will join the Security Council as non-permanent members for the 2027-2028 term. EU law obliges EU members of the Security Council to act in unison, promoting and defending the positions and the interests of the Union.
Advancing UN80: a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive United Nations
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. The EU supports reforms that strengthen the UN's impact on the ground, enhance coherence and complementarity across the UN system, and reinforce effective country-level action. At the same time, a healthy, stable and resilient environment is a foundation for the effective delivery of all three UN pillars.
In line with the Pact for the Future, the EU supports comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic and accountable. The EU also continues to champion meaningful participation of civil society in multilateral processes and supports a stronger partnership with the UN in humanitarian action and sustainable development, including through the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
