EU calls for reform of the UN Charter

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, addressed the 78th session of the General Assembly on 21 September on behalf of the EU.

Throughout the week, he also participated in the UN Security Council debate on Ukraine, as well as in a series of side events and bilateral meetings.

Multilateralism and the UN Charter

The EU is fully committed to a multipolar world that cooperates and progresses towards democracy and human rights.

But in the face of multiple global crises such as Russia’s war against Ukraine, the climate crisis and the combat against global poverty and inequality, President Michel emphasised in his address to the General Assembly that the multilateral system is stuck in a rut and trust in it is eroding.

The UN governance system has become dysfunctional. The system must be reformed to make it fairer and more inclusive.

European Council President Charles Michel, 21 September 2023

To resolve the most pressing issues and put multilateralism back on track, President Michel called for repairing the UN system and reforming the UN Charter by:

• changing veto rights in the UN Security Council
• improving representativeness of the UN Security Council by including regional organisations and countries from under-represented regions

President Michel proposed to host an institutional summit with the EU, the African Union, CELAC, ASEAN and the UN.​

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Ukraine is a crime scene. The perpetrator is sitting in this very room.

European Council President Charles Michel, 20 September 2023

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council debate on Ukraine on 20 September, President Michel reiterated that the European Union stands firmly with Ukraine to defend itself.

President Michel stated that, as long as innocent people are attacked, the EU will stand by the Ukrainians, who are defending their children and families, their future and freedom.

In his statement, President Michel also called Security Council members to protect peace and security for all people, regardless of their country or continent.

We all share a responsibility, to end war and to work for peace. A just peace that respects the UN Charter and its core principles, the territorial integrity of each sovereign nation.

European Council President Charles Michel, 20 September 2023

He specifically asked China to join forces to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that is hurting so many.

EU participates in the UN General Assembly

Climate change

In the main address to the General Assembly, President Michel recalled the urgent need to act now and deliver on the pledge to limit global warming to 1.5˚C.

Noting that climate change impacts the developing world more, he stressed the importance of mobilising funds and called for:

• establishing financing for the lost and damage fund at COP28 in Dubai
• increasing global investments for a clean energy transition
• setting up an international fund for natural disasters

A fairer international financial architecture

Throughout the week, President Michel stressed the importance of reforming the financial system and making it fairer for developing countries and more effective.

International financial institutions must change with the times. Or be left behind in the dust of history.

European Council President Charles Michel, 20 September 2023

He further emphasised the need to reform multilateral development banks and outlined three focus areas:

• development finance
• debt alleviation
• climate finance

Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response

In March 2021, President Michel and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, put forward the idea of an international treaty on pandemics.

Throughout the week, President Michel called for the negotiations in the World Health Organisation to be concluded by May 2024.

This treaty will be an opportunity to draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for more:

• solidarity
• prevention
• preparation
• response capacity
• equity
• justice

Bilateral meetings

In the margins of the UN General Assembly, President Michel met with leaders from around the world:

• President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev
• Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili
• President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow
• President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides
• President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan
• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Background

The EU at the UN General Assembly

The EU is committed to multilateralism, with a strong and effective UN at its core.

Since 1974, the EU has been a permanent observer at the UN General Assembly.

Every year, the Council adopts priorities for the UN and the UN General Assembly, which guide the EU’s work for the year to come. The overarching priorities until September 2024 are:

• accelerating implementation of the sustainable development goals
• strengthening global governance in line with the UN Secretary-General’s proposals on ’Our Common Agenda’
• building global partnerships

Since 2011, the President of the European Council has addressed the General Assembly on behalf of the EU.

Source: Press release – European Council