Remarks by Ambassador Lambrinidis to the press ahead of UNSC open debate on multilateral cooperation

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Remarks by Ambassador Lambrinidis to the press ahead of UNSC open debate on multilateral cooperation

15.07.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

16 July 2024, New York - Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis at a press stakeout ahead of the UN Security Council open debate on multilateral cooperation

© European Union

• Ahead of today's open debate on multilateral cooperation, 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.
• However effective multilateralism is too important to not be defended. Its values and principles are embedded in international law, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - in other words, in the UN as a whole. Effective multilateralism means ensuring that international law and the UN Charter apply to all states in the same way. That might does not make right.
• The EU and its Member States are doing their utmost to live up to our commitments: 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 today, 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.
• Despite Russia's grave violations, multilateralism still offers great hope. Together with our partners around the world, we will continue to addressthe many global crises we are facing, from the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, from Sudan to the DRC and from Haiti to Myanmar.
• 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.