Albares participates in the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, with Ukraine and the Middle East at the centre of the debates

This annual meeting is an opportunity to address global challenges and identify courses of action to promote peace, security and human rights, as well as sustainable development.

The Spanish delegation is participating in this UN General Assembly with the firm intention of reinforcing its commitment to inclusive and effective multilateralism, which allows us to build consensus and fight in an effective, committed and coherent manner for peace, development and human rights.

The general debate at the 79th UNGA, which will last until 27 September, is taking place in a turbulent context characterised by simultaneous and persistent conflicts. Faced with this situation, Spain argues that urgent action by the international community is needed to overcome the security and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Sahel, as well as in other regions across the world.

During the High-Level Week, leaders will discuss the situation in the Middle East and other conflicts to advance the quest for lasting peace. In addition, they will address priority issues on the global agenda, such as the fight against impunity, cooperation on global health and action against climate change, in order to make progress on implementing the Paris Agreement.

Summit of the Future

The theme of the 79th UNGA session, 'Leave no one behind. Standing together to promote peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations' reflects the major global concerns and ties in with the main themes for the Summit of the Future (22-23 September).

This summit, a central element and guiding thread of the General Assembly - in which Spain will play a very prominent role - will allow all participants to rethink the multilateral system, the major global challenges and the role of the United Nations in this complicated context.

Participating countries will discuss multilateral responses to global challenges arising from the North-South political and economic divide, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the accelerating climate emergency and the challenges of the digital transition.

Within this framework, the Africa Strategy Meeting also stands out, which will analyse the transformation and strengthening of Spain's relations with the continent, making them more strategic, as well as supporting the economic and social transformation of the countries in the continent, with a focus on youth and employment.

The agenda for the High-Level Week is packed with numerous events, including Spanish leadership on priority issues of Spanish foreign policy. This is the case of the commemoration by UN Women of the 10th anniversary of the HeForShe initiative, a roundtable co-organised with Brazil on promoting democratic principles and protecting institutions against extremism; and a meeting within the framework of the Feminist + Foreign Policy Group, co-led this year by Spain and Mexico.

Ibero-American agenda

Ibero-America will also play a central role in developing this week's agenda at the United Nations, with a greater presence and greater relevance. Minister Albares will once again have the opportunity to thank his Ibero-American colleagues for choosing Spain to host the next Ibero-American Summit.

The occasion of New York's status as the diplomatic capital of the world will also be used as an opportunity to hold an informal EU-CELAC ministerial meeting.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs' agenda also includes a four-way meeting with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil to address the situation in Venezuela. Albares will also meet with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix; UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini; and the Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, as well as other high-level contacts over the coming week.

Non official translation