The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, travels this Monday to New York to participate in the 81st High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly. In this context, he will present Spain's proposals in favor of the protection of international law and the reform of multilateral institutions, in addition to reiterating his commitment "to end the war in the Middle East and in Ukraine."
Albares will emphasize Spain's commitment to a "renewed, effective, and inclusive" multilateralism, with the UN as the central axis, which guarantees a global order based on respect for international law, human rights, cooperation, and dialogue. He will also convey Spain's support for the election of the first woman Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The upcoming Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, which will take place on November 4 and 5, will be one of the key points on the minister's agenda. In this context, the traditional breakfast of Ibero-American foreign ministers, chaired this year by Spain, and the EU-CELAC Ministerial meeting will be particularly relevant.
Among the events organized by Foreign Affairs is also the event co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme, titled "Democracy, Development and Shared Futures: Ibero-America on the way to the Madrid Summit."
Within the initiatives promoted by Spain, the High-Level Round Table convened together with Brazil, focused on the fight against hunger and poverty and the goal "to leave no one behind," also stands out.
The situation in the Middle East will be prominently addressed through participation in the Ministerial Meeting for the implementation of the two-state solution and in the Ministerial Meeting supporting UNRWA, co-chaired by Spain, Jordan, and Brazil. In this latter meeting, Albares will reiterate the strong political and financial support for the Agency, as well as its importance for regional stability, human development, and the defense of the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Spain's Priorities at the UN
Throughout the week, the minister will reaffirm Spain's priorities for this 81st session, including support for the reform process of the United Nations system through the UN80 Initiative, in order to move towards a "more effective, efficient, and agile Organization, with greater transparency and accountability."
These lines of work will be promoted in high-level meetings and in parallel events of interest to Spain focused on democracy and development, human rights, gender and diversity, climate change, social justice, governance of artificial intelligence, food security, conflict prevention and resolution, and non-proliferation, as noted by the Ministry in a press release.
Among the other issues in which Spain will have a relevant presence are the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, the colloquium on Women, peace and leadership at the International Institute for Peace, and the international High-Level Panel dedicated to the fight against inequalities.