Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the occasion of the United Nations Day

23.10.2019
Brussels

On 24 October we celebrate the laying of the first stone of the most universal multilateral project in history: the United Nations. On this day back in 1945, the UN Charter entered into force and since then, the organisation has worked to deliver on peace, sustainable development and human rights – fundamental principles and goals that the European Union shares.

As a stubborn defender of multilateralism as the best possible way to find solutions to global crises, the European Union works closely with the United Nations in all regions of the world, encompassing more than 170 countries.

From Syria to Libya, from Afghanistan to Venezuela, our strong partnership contributes to safeguarding peace and security, promoting sustainable development, managing migration in a humane and respectful manner, and strengthening human rights, including education for all and gender equality. And the European Union is determined to continue to exercise its best leadership as a reliable and collaborative global actor.

In our common UN house, we are at the forefront to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We have set up an unprecedented trilateral partnership with the UN and the African Union to assist and protect refugees and migrants in Libya and the Sub-Saharan region. We will continue to defend achievements of multilateral diplomacy like the nuclear deal with Iran. And we will keep working, trough multilateral partnerships, also on emerging issues as the global challenges in the sectors of technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

As we celebrate 75 years of United Nations next year, the EU is committed to keep supporting a United Nations that delivers even better for all, leaving no one behind.

As EU we will continue to invest in a strong and effective UN system and the essential work of all UN agencies, and to support the full implementation of the UN reforms put forward by UN Secretary-General. Because we believe that international rules and international organisations are a guarantee for each and every one of us.

To use the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the UN and the EU  are the "two greatest peace projects of our time" and together they will keep being a force for peace, stability and protection of human rights.

Xavier Cifre Quatresols
Press Officer for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
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