EU priorities at the United Nations
The EU Priorities at the United Nations during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly renew the EU’s determination to promote multilateral solutions based on the UN Charter, and back the UN Secretary General’s drive for “peace in all its dimensions” and call for international cooperation to that end.
In the context of the grave, triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which poses a global and existential threat and aggravates existing security concerns, the EU is committed to working with partners to accelerate a global, just and inclusive green transition. The EU is also determined to accelerate efforts to deliver the 2030 Agenda and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and looks forward to the Summit of the Future as a critical milestone for the multilateral system.
The EU will continue working on strengthening respect, protection, and fulfilment of all human rights and to call on all States to fully engage with the UN human rights system.
EU action at the UN in the coming year will be guided by the following overarching priorities:
I. Recommit to the foundations of a rules-based international order
II. Support international peace and security
III. Advance sustainable development and financing for development
IV. Address the triple planetary crisis
V. Foster trust through a more effective multilateral system
Furthermore, the EU will advocate for the meaningful participation of an independent, rights-based, diverse civil society in multilateral processes, including but not limited to human rights fora, peace mediation and decision-making process.
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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 UN Security Council is the main global body responsible for ensuring 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. France is a permanent member and Malta is currently a non-permanent member until 31 December 2024. Slovenia will become a non-permanent member of the Security Council on 1 January 2024, for a two-year period. EU law obliges EU members of the Security Council to act in unison, promoting and defending the positions and the interests of the Union.
UN reform and increased efficiency
The EU supports the effective implementation of the UN reforms and plays an active role in the follow-up process on “Our Common Agenda” launched in line with the Political Declaration on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN. To remain legitimate, the UN must be equipped to tackle increasingly complex global challenges and respond to the growing demands of citizens in terms of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and effective delivery.
The EU has provided €30 million for the UN’s Joint Sustainable Development Goal Fund to support the Development System reform and €27.1 million through the 1% levy (during the inception phase 2019-2021). The EU further funded the reform efforts indirectly through a EUR 500 million contribution to the Spotlight Initiative. The EU’s support to the Joint SDG Fund has been crucial for mobilising the RCs as the central coordinating components of the UN family at country level and for funding outreach on Integrated National Financing Frameworks. The EU has delegations accredited to the UN in Geneva, New York, Paris, Rome and Vienna.
