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EU Statement - UN Security Council: Multilateral cooperation

16.07.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

16 July 2024, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council open debate on Multilateral cooperation in the interest of a more just, democratic and sustainable world order

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Colleagues,

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

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

Let me start by restating the obvious. Russia is grossly violating international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermining European and global security and stability. The member state currently holding the Presidency of the UN Security Council, the body responsible for maintaining peace and security, is intensifying attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including on hospitals and power plants. We urge Russia to fully respect its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. We call on it to immediately end its illegal war of aggression and to unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Russia must abide by the order of the International Court of Justice of 16 March 2022. It should abide by the resolutions adopted with an overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly, including last week's on nuclear safety and security. Its arms transfers from the DPRK openly violate UN Security Council resolutions and endanger peace and security in Europe and the Korean Peninsula.

Colleagues, however, effective multilateralism is too important to not be defended. Of course, we all live in a multipolar world. Of course, we all bring to it our unique histories, backgrounds, and interpretations of events, sometimes diverging ones. But for multilateralism to work, to bridge gaps, to help us reach common ground, our discussions need to be underpinned by a common foundation of shared values, principles, and legal commitments that form the basis for international relations. Without them, the world is chaos. Without them, there is no right or wrong. Without them, might makes right.

These values and principles are embedded in international law, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - in other words, in the UN - in our UN -- as a whole. They are not, as some would have it, open to the interpretative whim of the powerful. They have, if anything, been the dailyshield of the powerless against the whims of the mighty and the powerful, for decades. They are the bedrock of international relations, which we have all established and strive to abide by, even if at times imperfectly.

The EU and its Member States are doing their utmost to live up to our commitments: As we speak, we are financing one quarter of the UN regular budget as well as that of UN agencies. While accounting for only 6% of the world's population, and only 18% of the world's GDP, we are the world's largest provider of official development assistance, amounting to 42% of global ODA last year alone. Our initial humanitarian aid for 2024 alone already exceeds 2 billion USD. Our funding to UNRWA accounts for over 40% of the agency's budget. We call on all member states, including those championing multilateralism so loudly, to step up their own contributions to the UN's essential work.

We are also, proudly, among the UN's closest partners in crisis management and peace operations. The EU works in over 25 crisis contexts, providing mediation and supporting dialogue. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU Operation Althea is implementing a mandate of the Security Council to maintain a secure environment for all citizens. Operation Irini in the Mediterranean implements the UN arms embargo in Libya. Operation Aspides contributes to maritime security in the Gulf, and Operation Atalanta to countering piracy in the Horn of Africa.

Colleagues, despite Russia's grave violations, multilateralism still offers great hope. Together with our partners around the world, we continue to addressthe many global crises we are facing, from the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, and from Sudan to the DRC and elsewhere. In all these contexts, consistently, the EU is demanding respect for international law, we are deploying our humanitarian assistance and urging parties to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and we are advocating for peace in line with the UN Charter, no matter the parties involved.

The UN still represents humanity's best attempt to prevent a repetition of the horrors of two World Wars and their aftermaths. This is why we need to mobilize all our efforts for an effective multilateralism that can make a real difference on the ground. Examples show it is possible:

• UN-led humanitarian assistanceis saving the lives of people affected by natural disasters and armed conflict.
• The BBNJ agreement ensures protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• UNSC resolution 2719 allows for more predictable and sustainable financing for AU-led Peace Support Operations.
• A Convention on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, if agreed, could ensure accountability for some of the worst crimes.
• And the Summit of the Future provides an opportunity to uphold and reinvigorate multilateralism and to summon fresh momentum to reform the UN Security Council, Peacebuilding Commission, and international financial institutions, among many other key deliverables.

Colleagues,

This is what multilateralism can look like.It means ensuring that international law and the UN Charter apply to all states in the same way. That might does not make right. That solidarity and responsibility towards our people and towards each other prevail over war, repression, and polarization. It is elusive, sometimes imperfectly pursued, and tough to uphold, but still the best hope we have.

In closing, let me pay tribute to the courage and professionalism of UN staff around the world, dedicated to defending the UN Charter and protecting those most in need. The EU is committed to working with all countries in this room to build a better world for ourselves and for future generations.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.