Sánchez reaffirms Spain's commitment to multilateralism to Guterres in tackling global challenges

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

During the meeting, Sánchez stressed that one of the lessons of the last four years, accentuated by the pandemic, is that we must be even more committed to multilateralism.

The President of the Government of Spain underlined: "Support for multilateralism and the work of the United Nations are hallmarks of this government's policy. We want to continue demonstrating that Spain is a reliable, constructive and increasingly relevant actor in the collective search for solutions to the problems facing global society.

Pedro Sánchez promoted the 'Together for a strengthened multilateralism' initiative at the end of 2020, an initiative co-sponsored by Sweden, which aims to strengthen the multilateral system, to face the great global challenges together and to build a more peaceful, just, inclusive and sustainable world. The text calls for improving the global health system; protecting the planet; reducing inequality and leaving no one behind; building peace, security and justice; upholding human rights and gender equality; harnessing the digital revolution; and ensuring sustainable financing.

In this regard, the head of the Executive stressed that "Spain has a clear roadmap to address the socio-economic effects of this crisis: the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement. We have ten years to build back better and move towards a sustainable economic model that leaves no one behind.

During his first day in Spain, in Valencia, the UN Secretary General yesterday visited 'La Base de Quart de Poblet', the UN Information and Communications Technology Centre. La Base, an example of success and synergy that celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2021, has become the digital campus of various UN agencies.

Multilateral approach to combat COVID-19

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoSpain is fully committed to the multilateral approach to fight the pandemic and has been a leader and driving force behind several initiatives. Spain will donate 22.5 million vaccines through COVAX, of which 7.5 million will go to Latin America, and contribute a total of 180 million euros to multilateral efforts against COVID-19.

"We must continue to work together to address the severe impact the pandemic is having on the economies of developing countries, including middle-income countries, where levels of poverty and inequality are rising," the president said.

To raise the level of ambition on a global scale, our country has launched 'Vaccines for All', an international initiative that aims to increase vaccine production and expand vaccine distribution to all countries "to leave no one behind".

The fight against climate change, to which Spain is very committed, was another issue addressed by the two leaders. During 2020, Spain presented the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, signed up to the Declaration on Climate and Environmental Emergency, and promoted the initiative to increase the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 55% by 2030, approved by the European Council.

Sánchez pointed out that the government "is firmly committed to achieving a green and sustainable transition, ensuring growth and development without leaving anyone behind". For this reason, Spain's National Energy and Climate Plan will mobilise 230 billion euros over 10 years to reduce energy dependence, save lives (by reducing premature deaths from pollution by 25%), and create between 250,000 and 350,000 jobs.

Sánchez, who is committed to achieving real, full and effective equality between men and women in Spain, shares Guterres' concern about the attempts to roll back the rights of women and girls, aggravated by the pandemic.

"Spain will continue to work to achieve progress on key issues such as economic recovery, the fight against gender violence, sexual and reproductive rights and the participation of women in decision-making spheres," concluded the president.

Non official translation