Pedro Sánchez reaffirms Spain's commitment to multilateralism and the values of the United Nations

United Nations General Assembly, New York (United States)

"Spain will stand in defence of these values", he said, vindicating the need, to that end, to build cooperative leadership to tackle global challenges, such as climate change, the refugee crisis or the migratory challenge. On this issue, Pedro Sánchez called for empathy, commitment and responsibility from all States. "These times do not call for national or exclusive messages", he said; "we are all under an obligation to help". In this regard, he declared to the global leaders the solidarity of Spanish society, which has rejected the xenophobic narrative and "has not turned its back on the migratory drama", committing to humanity and respect for human dignity.

Pedro Sánchez advocated a migratory policy with the ultimate aim of addressing the deep-rooted causes of migration, such as poverty, environmental degradation and the absence of expectations of personal development. And this policy, for the Government of Spain, includes close cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, particularly in Africa.

Pedro Sánchez remarked to the General Assembly on the need to work on three main pillars: human dignity, the firm defence of human rights and the commitment to equality between men and women. To this end, the President of the Government reaffirmed Spain's commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and his support for the work of UN Women, which our country actively contributed to setting up, and was the first donor that established an Association Framework with the organisation.

He also referred to Spain's goal of contributing to peacekeeping and international security, and to continue its commitment to compliance with international humanitarian law and the fight against impunity from war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Pedro Sánchez thus signed up to the Circle of Leadership promoted by the Secretary-General of the UN to combat exploitation and sexual abuse on peacekeeping operations. "It is essential to promote a culture of zero tolerance in this field", he stated to the world's leaders.

2030 Agenda

The President of the Government reaffirmed Spain's commitment to sustainable development focused on human beings. "Our commitment has a name, a date and goals: the 2030 Agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals", he said, a plan that the Government of Spain has set in motion in its first 100 days of government, with measures aimed at fighting poverty and inequality to ensure higher levels of social justice and cohesion, and to achieve an ecological transition towards an economic model that is fair and respectful to the planet.

Non official translation