EU cooperation with the United Nations
The EU is committed to multilateralism, with a strong and effective UN at its core. The Council of the EU adopts the EU’s priorities annually at the UN and the UN General Assembly.
The EU and the UN
The EU and the UN are committed to upholding the multilateral system that governs global relations in a way that benefits all. This commitment is rooted in the conviction that in order to respond to global crises, challenges and threats, the international community needs an efficient multilateral system, founded on universal rules and values.
Over the years, the EU has built a strong relationship with the UN. The EU participates in the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) and has delegations accredited to the UN in Geneva, New York, Paris, Rome and Vienna.
EU-UN cooperation spans multiple areas and issues, including human rights, sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection, digital issues, peacebuilding, disarmament and non-proliferation, humanitarian assistance, fighting corruption and crime, advancing global health security, managing migratory flows and labour issues.
When the European Council was attended by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations on 23 March 2023, the Council and the Secretary-General stressed the importance of EU-UN cooperation in tackling key global challenges.
The members of the Council reaffirmed their full commitment to the United Nations Charter and its principles, at a time when these are being violated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been roundly and repeatedly condemned by the United Nations General Assembly. António Guterres also attended the European Council in March 2024.
EU financial support to the UN
The EU and its member states together are the largest financial contributor to the UN system.
EU member states jointly finance one quarter of the UN’s regular budget and, together, the EU and its member states provide one third of all financial contributions to UN agencies, funds and programmes.
Between 2013 and 2024, the EU committed a total of over €33 billion to UN agencies, funds and programmes, of which 18% went to the World Food Programme (WFP), 13% to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 14% to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 10% to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and 45% to other agencies, funds and programmes.
In 2024, the UN system received contributions of approximately:
In 2024, the EU provided approximately €3.9 billion in voluntary contributions to the UN, meaning a 27.9% increase compared to 2022. This is the highest amount to date.
Participation in UN bodies
UN General Assembly
The UN General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. All 193 UN member states are members of the General Assembly and have an equal vote. The EU has enhanced observer status.
This allows the EU to join in debates, submit proposals, take part in negotiations and participate in the general debate each September. The EU’s special status does not include the right to vote, but the EU coordinates among its 27 member states to present unified positions.
The President of the European Council, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission and the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations in New York can therefore present the positions of the EU and its member states at the UN General Assembly.
Additionally, the EU has obtained the right to reply once to a speech concerning EU positions and to present proposals and amendments orally, an opportunity granted to no other observer.
When the EU obtained its enhanced observer status in 2011, it was agreed that the President of the European Council would address the General Assembly on behalf of the EU.
UN Security Council
The UN Security Council is the main global body responsible for ensuring international peace and security. It is composed of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
France is the only EU member state with a permanent seat on the Security Council. EU law obliges EU members of the Security Council to act in unison, promoting and defending the positions and the interests of the Union.
EU priorities at the UN
Each year, the Council adopts conclusions on the EU priorities at the UN General Assembly and in UN human rights fora.
Priorities at the General Assembly
In its conclusions on the priorities for the 80th UN General Assembly (September 2025-September 2026) - adopted in June 2025 - the Council renews its commitment to multilateralism based on international law, including the UN Charter, and recognises the intrinsic link between peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.
The EU engages to remain a predictable, reliable and credible partner, committed to finding global solutions to common challenges, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future.
The EU stands ready to engage with partners in driving forward UN reform through the UN Secretary General’s 'UN80 initiative'.
Concerned over the increasing and diverse threats to international peace and security, the EU remains committed to safeguarding and restoring a just and lasting peace and stability across the world.
The EU will continue working on strengthening the respect, protection, and fulfilment of all human rights.
EU action at the UN in the coming year will be guided by the following overarching priorities:
- supporting a multilateral system based on international law and the universality of human rights
- advancing comprehensive reforms to reinvigorate the UN system, and pursue effective partnership
- strengthening the UN peace and security architecture
- advancing sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda
- addressing the triple planetary crisis
Priorities in human rights fora
In its conclusions on EU priorities in UN human rights fora in 2026, the Council stressed that the EU is unwaveringly committed to the universal respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights for everyone, everywhere.
The Council highlighted that under all circumstances, international law, including the UN Charter, must be upheld and that the EU will use every opportunity in multilateral fora to counter the pushback against human rights.
The EU’s priorities include :
- Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and human rights abuses in Russia and Belarus
- human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in Iran
- a peaceful and inclusive democratic transition in Venezuela
- the accountability mechanism for Afghanistan
The EU will also focus on ending impunity and ensuring accountability, as well as on civic space.
The Council stressed that effective and inclusive multilateral institutions, with the United Nations at their core, are the best means to ensure peace, security, human rights, prosperity and sustainable development for all.
Areas of EU-UN cooperation
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The UN’s 2030 Agenda, adopted in 2015, informs much of the EU’s internal and external policymaking. Several key EU policy initiatives, such as the European Green Deal and the Global Gateway, are guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals contained in the agenda.
The EU and its member states are committed to maintaining the EU’s position as the largest global provider of official development assistance, which plays a crucial role in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Peace operations and crisis management
The EU and UN are partners in promoting a rules-based world order and multilateral solutions to pressing global challenges. Close cooperation based on mutual benefit, reciprocity and shared ownership increases the coherence between, and the effectiveness of, EU and UN missions and operations, often running in the same country at the same time.
In 2003, the EU and the UN issued a joint declaration on EU-UN cooperation in crisis management. Since then, they have further strengthened their strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management. On 20 October 2025, the Council approved conclusions on upgrading the EU-UN strategic partnership on peace and security.
- Security and defence
- Council conclusions on upgrading the EU-UN strategic partnership on peace and security: joint priorities 2025-2028 (20 October 2025)
Human rights
By supporting the work of human rights defenders, fighting discrimination and strengthening democratic institutions, the EU and the UN cooperate to promote and protect human rights globally.
The EU is committed to upholding the universality and indivisibility of human rights and is a steadfast supporter of the UN human rights system.
Humanitarian aid
The EU cooperates closely with the UN to deliver emergency relief, rebuild damaged infrastructure and support vulnerable populations impacted by manmade or natural disasters, such as armed conflicts, drought, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.
The EU has delivered humanitarian aid to over 110 countries, reaching millions of people each year. The EU and its member states are the leading donors of humanitarian aid in the world.
Climate change and environmental protection
The EU and the UN work closely together to address climate change and biodiversity. They collaborate in implementing the Paris Agreement, advancing sustainable land and ocean management, and implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework (GBF).
In promoting implementation of the Paris Agreement, the EU also emphasises the alignment between the 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal.
Global health and governance
The EU and the UN work together on various health-related issues, seeking to address global health challenges, promote public health and improve global health security. These objectives all form part of the EU’s Global Health Strategy.
The EU and its member states are the largest donors to the UN health agency, the WHO.
Last review: 30 January 2026