Making the United Nations Relevant to all PeoplePRESS BRIEFING BY MONICA GRAYLEY, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA
IN BRUSSELS, MS. ESPINOSA ADDRESSES MULTILATERALISM, AGENDA 2030 AND COOPERATION WITH THE UN
The President of the General Assembly is in Brussels, Belgium, for an official visit. This morning, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa addressed the Foreign Committee of the European Parliament and met with Belgian authorities.
In her remarks, the PGA highlighted the cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union by saying that the EU “has always been an indispensable partner for the UN – in conflict prevention, mediation and humanitarian assistance, as well as in tackling the root causes of violence. But we also share overlapping constituents, including millions whose lives are better because of multilateral cooperation between the EU and its partners.”
Ms. Espinosa also spoke about the importance of strengthening multilateralism in challenging times and stressed that the case for multilateralism has never been clearer and more urgent.
The President of the General Assembly noted that: “The EU and UN share objectives in peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. And the European Parliament has a special role to play in taking them forward – by integrating UN resolutions and principles into legislation, and by ensuring there is swifter and better implementation of international agreements.”
Ms. Espinosa concluded her remarks by outlining her vision on further cooperation with the European Union: “We can support each other’s efforts by making a strong case for multilateralism. And not any kind of multilateralism but one that is responsive, efficient, that is more that the sum of its parts, that brings value added to the multiple crises that the world is facing, and by ensuring that people are at the heart of all that we do.”
The PGA started her day by meeting the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini, who will be attending the WomenInPower high-level event hosted by the PGA on 12 March, in New York.
Ms. Espinosa also held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and Minister of Work, Economy and Foreign Trade, Mr. Kris Peeters. Both leaders discussed issues such as the cooperation of Belgium with the United Nations, migration, decent work, climate change and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
Before delivering her address to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, the President of the General Assembly took part in a working luncheon hosted by the President of the Board of the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Bruno van der Pluijm, and the Deputy Director-General for Multilateral Affairs, Mr. Werner Bauwens.
On Tuesday, 5 March, Ms. Espinosa will meet Heads of UN Agencies and Funds in Belgium and speak at the Political and Security Committee of the European Union.
The President of the General Assembly will conclude her official visit to Brussels with a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker.
Whilst in Brussels, the PGA will grant interviews to national media outlets.
More on Ms. Espinosa’s speech to the Foreign Committee can be found on our website: www.un.org/pga/73
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