Summit of the Future: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in the EP plenary on transforming global governance for building peace, promoting human rights[...]

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Opening remarks

Madame President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

At a time when the world is becoming darker, ravaged by conflicts, geopolitical competition, climate change and surging inequalities, the recent adoption of the Pact for the Futuregives us some light and hope.

The Pact and its two annexes reflect that even under very difficult circumstances, United Nations members managed to come together and agree on a broad set of actions, including sustainable development, international financial architecture reform, digital cooperation, youth and future generations and, for the first time, concrete commitments towards a United Nations Security Council reform.

On peace and security, the Pact emphasises conflict prevention, a review of United Nations peace operations and strengthens the role of regional organisations and peacebuilding.

Regarding the United Nations Security Council reform, the Pact aspires to redress the historical injustice against Africa and aims to improve the representation of underrepresented regions and groups, such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Developing countries need more private and public investment now. We are pleased that the banks welcomed the United Nations Secretary General [António Guterres'] efforts to push the needle on the ongoing International Financial Architecture reform, and even called for further ambitions. The Pact provides solid ground for more progress towards the fourth Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla next year.

On climate and environment, there is no falling behind the Paris Agreement and the [28^th Conference of the Parties] (COP28). We remain aligned with the "UAE Consensus" and keep important ambitions towards the 1.5°C temperature target; second, transitioning away from fossil fuels; and third, tripling renewable energy capacity.

There are strong references to human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment throughout the text. Especially regarding the interdependence of human rights and sustainable development. We welcome an increased financing for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the revitalisation of the mandate of the Commission on the Status of Women.

The Global Digital Compact promotes a human-centric approach to digital technologies and a free, inclusive, open, safe, fair and secure digital future for all with a strong focus on development.

The Declaration on Future Generations looks at leveraging science, data, and strategic foresight to ensure long-term thinking and planning - crucial for preserving the interests of generations to come.

The Pact contributes to building trust and sets up building blocks to make the multilateral system more fair, equitable, and inclusive.

A United Nations negotiation process is not an easy journey. Throughout the negotiations, the European Union has been a constructive partner and bridge-builder often supporting other regions' proposals, like on Sustainable Development Goals acceleration and international financial architecture reform. We also ensured that the Pact keeps a balanced approach among the three United Nations pillars: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.

At the last stages of negotiations, the European Union and the G7 decided to break their silence. In particular the African Group, that stood up against a last-minute Russian attempt to spoil the process. It showed that this was not about the 'West versus the Rest' or the 'North versus the South'. It was about the whole world coming together, and Russia becoming more isolated than ever.

Thank you very much.

Link to the video (starting 0:38): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261646

Closing remarks

President, Honourable Members,

On behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, I would like to praise the role of the co-facilitators, among them three European Union Member States - Germany, Netherlands and Sweden - and also the European Union Delegation and European Union Member States' missions to the United Nations. I also want to pay tribute to the United Nation and its staff, particularly the Secretary General [António Guterres], whose initiatives are behind many of the actions included in the Pact.

The Pact may not be as ambitious as we hoped for in some areas, but its adoption and the broad consensus achieved represent an important step in the right direction. Most actions will be implemented through a mandated intergovernmental process, but we are waiting for the United Nations to come [up] with a road map that allows us to do a proper follow up of the implementation of the Pact. We will continue working together at the United Nations in order to walk the talk and ensure that the Pact delivers tangible results.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261648