- International Summit
UN General Assembly, New York, 27 September 2018
Main results
President Donald Tusk addressed world leaders on behalf of the EU at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2018.
He called for the defence of the rules-based international order in his speech to the assembly:
"The European Union is fighting intensely to preserve the rules-based international order, which is currently under great strain, in terms of trade, security, climate change or human rights." President Tusk at the 73rd UN General Assembly
Donald Tusk stressed that the EU strongly supports the current effort to reform the UN. "The urgency is clear and implementation is essential", he said.
President Tusk also focused on migration. He recalled the EU's efforts to support migrants in Libyan in cooperation with the UN and the African Union:
"We have until today helped over 30,000 people to leave Libya through voluntary humanitarian returns. We want to expand the work with our partners in other areas. Therefore, education, investment in development, climate change and free trade will be at the heart of our future relations." President Tusk at the 73rd UN General Assembly
Regarding the situation in Syria, President Tusk said that the memorandum of understanding on Idlib needs to be fully implemented to help avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
Donald Tusk reaffirmed that the EU stands behind the Iran nuclear deal:
"The agreement is good for European, regional and global security. That is why the European Union is committed to maintaining the agreement, as long as Iran remains fully committed to it." President Tusk at the 73rd UN General Assembly
President Tusk also highlighted the EU's commitment to implement the Paris Agreement. He called on all the leaders to safeguard the Antarctic:
"Let me say it loud and clear: those who can imagine our planet without whales, penguins and other species will also have to imagine our planet without humans." President Tusk at the 73rd UN General Assembly
UN peacekeeping operations
On 25 September President Tusk attended an event on the UN's action for peacekeeping initiative. He stressed the need to strengthen UN peacekeeping operations:
"UN peacekeeping must become far more effective and efficient so as to confront the new conflicts and crises that arise every day around the world. The Union wants to see greater emphasis on political solutions, prevention and an integrated approach to interventions. We also have to do more to keep our peacekeepers safe." President Donald Tusk at the high level UN's action for peacekeeping event
Bilateral meetings
In the margins of the UNGA, President Tusk met with leaders from Europe, Africa and South America. He had bilateral meetings with:
- President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
- President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko
- President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi
- President of Peru Martín Vizcarra
- President of Chile Sebastián Piñera
EU priorities at the UN General Assembly
The Council adopted the EU priorities for the UN and the 73rd UNGA in June 2018. The EU will focus on:
- engaging to boost multilateralism and support the UN
- fostering peace and investing in conflict prevention
- protecting human rights
- promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
- addressing issues related to migrants and refugees, counter-terrorism, and the environment
Ahead of UNGA, the Council endorsed the UN-EU strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management priorities for 2019-2021. The Council recognised the longstanding UN-EU cooperation in these areas. It also reiterated the EU's firm commitment to a strong UN as the backbone of multilateralism.
See also
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Last review: 9 January 2025