Today, United Nations Daywe celebrate that 79 years ago the Charter of the United Nations came into force, whose principles and values of peace, justice and respect for Human Rights are the driving forces on which Spain wants the international community to advance.
In an international context marked by the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza and Lebanon, by the persistence of poverty and inequalities and by challenges such as climate change and digitalization, it is more important than ever to cooperate at the multilateral level to confront them, giving our citizens hope for a better future for the world. It is our obligation fight for multilateralism that preserves the achievements achievedavoiding any threat of regression, and at the same time strengthening its ability to respond to global challenges, with coherence and responsibility.
Spain reaffirms the validity of international law, the basic pillar of a fair and predictable international order. This includes the International Humanitarian Lawwhich must be respected in all contexts and circumstances, in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and in any other conflict.
Our commitment to the United Nations and to international peace and security is reflected in our participation in peacekeeping missions, such as UNIFIL in southern Lebanonled by Spanish General Aroldo Lázaro, who carries out vital work so that, one day, there will finally be stability in Lebanon and the entire Middle East region. We strongly condemn the attacks against this peacekeeping force, which constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.
Also we support their agencies, including UNRWAwhose irreplaceable work allows more than 6 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East to have access to the most basic things: food, education and healthcare.
In this context, Spain supports the leadership of its Secretary General, Antonio Guterresand his efforts for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East.
That’s why We defend the work of the International Court of Justiceinstitutional guardian of the United Nations system, and of the International Criminal Court, cornerstone of the international criminal justice system. We also want protection and assistance for victims of terrorism. That is why we are hosting the United Nations International Conference on Victims of Terrorism on the 8th and 9th of this month in Vitoria.
Our country has led and supported the adoption in September of Future Pactwith which we aspire to face global challenges and continue advancing in the fight against climate change, the eradication of poverty and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. And we have just been elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2025-2027, where we work to promote the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights.
In the last 80 years the world has evolved and so must the United Nations Organization. The reform of the Security Council is essential. Spain promotes a more effective, transparent and representative Council, based on the democratic principle and accountability, with an increase in the number of non-permanent members and the abolition of the veto to increase the effectiveness of its task in maintaining peace and international security.
In recent decades, the world has also made progress in gender equality, the basis for building a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. But there is still a way to go. In addition to the fight against discrimination and sexual and gender violenceSpain promotes the participation and leadership of women in public life. Within the United Nations, we support gender alternation in the Presidency of the General Assembly and that the next Secretary General of the Organization be a woman for the first time in history.
The changes on the international scene in recent years have also affected financing for sustainable development in all areas of action. Progress is necessary towards more fair and inclusive mechanisms, mobilizing more financing to the countries that need it and to achieve the Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals. The IV International Conference on Financing for Development, which will be held in 2025 in Seville, will be key in this.
Today, almost 80 years after its creation, we claim the importance of the United Nations Organization, its agencies, its peace missions, the principles established in its Charter and a rules-based international order. Only on the values of peace, security, freedom and humanity can we build a future of hope and prosperity for all.
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