Rules-based international order is under “great strain,” Donald Tusk, President of the European Council of the European Union (EU), told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, saying that his organization is “fighting intensely” to preserve it.

“We say this not only as countries strongly supporting the United Nations, but as a continent that cares deeply about respect, mutual understanding and solidarity between nations,” he stressed.

Currently, trade, security, climate change and human rights are in jeopardy, according to Mr. Tusk, who urged the world’s leaders to better equip the UN with the means to successfully fulfil its mandate.

“More unity and collective action are needed in the struggle against conflict, poverty and famine, terrorism and mass displacement,” he said, voicing support for “badly needed and overdue” UN reforms.

The EU is taking on more security responsibilities, he said, noting new, ambitious cooperation among its own militaries and it readiness to “step-up help to our neighbours through crisis management missions, capacity building and peacekeeping, in cooperation with others.”

Turning to democracy, he explained that Europe has acted against disinformation and outside propaganda in open democratic elections.

However, many countries have experienced the anonymity of cyberspace used by external actors “to cloak malicious political interference.”

“The United Nations should help expose this phenomenon, attribute responsibility and increase democratic resilience,” maintained Mr. Tusk.

Turning to migration, he pointed to the excellent cooperation between the African Union, EU and UN, noting by example that “we have until today helped over 30,000 people to leave Libya through voluntary humanitarian returns.”

Hoping to expand its partnering work in other areas, he said that “education, investment in development, climate change and free trade will be at the heart of our future relations.”

Pointing out that instability in Libya has shined a light on human smugglers and traffickers who take advantage of vulnerable people, he pledged to “work diligently and in good faith with our North African partners on search and rescue efforts in the Mediterranean.”

“Only collective responsibility can offer effective solutions to global phenomena such as migration and forced displacement,” he said. “And I truly hope that the recent UN debates on the future governance of migration and refugee protection represent a step in the right direction.”

Meanwhile, the Syrian people are suffering as the war continues.

“The European Union leads global resettlement efforts, including through resettlement from Turkey, which is hosting refugees displaced by the fighting in Syria, as are Jordan and Lebanon,” he said, adding that a “meaningful political process” under UN auspices is “especially needed to bring about a resolution to the conflict.”

Full statement available here

With collective will, compassion and humanity, world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly Hall have what it takes to deal with complex and worsening global challenges, the Indonesian Vice-President declared on Thursday.

“Collectively, we have the strength of superheroes…as global leaders – young and old, women and men – we must work together and encourage others,” said Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, the Vice-President of Indonesia.

“This is the very essence the of United Nations.”

In his address, the Indonesian leader outlined that the continuum of peace requires continuous efforts to maintain stability, prevent conflict and ensure prosperity, and at such endeavours are vital at the national and regional levels.

Vice-President Jusuf Kalla also highlighted his country’s support of UN peacekeeping efforts through its military and police contributions to UN missions around the world. Looking ahead, he announced, Indonesia would increase its troop contribution as well as the proportion of female peacekeepers it deploys.

Alongside peace, sustainable development is equally important, he added, the two “must go hand-in-hand” and are mutually reinforcing.

In that context, the Indonesian leader underscored the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, particularly for island nations, such as his own.

Further in his address, Vice-President Jusuf Kalla also highlighted the need to create societies that are just, inclusive, democratic and respectful of human rights. Such societies are also vital to keep the threats of terrorism and vital extremism at bay.

“To create peaceful, sustainable and equitable societies, all countries must respect international law and principles of the UN, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

Concluding his speech, the Indonesian leader called for a more responsive, responsible, and credible United Nations and in that context called for reforms to the Organization to ensure that it is best positioned to help countries sustain peace and achieve sustainable development.

Full statement available here.

Galvanizing an effective global fundraising campaign to address climate change and achieve sustainable economic growth is key for small island developing States, Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, told world leaders at the seventy-third United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

Mr. Holness expressed concerns over his country’s vulnerability to a raft of social, economic, environmental, financial and trade-related hazards.

“Together with persistent challenges linked to climate change and more frequent intense weather events; these all impact the pace of our development,” he told world leaders gathered in New York for the Assembly’s annual general debate.

As a small island developing state, Jamaica is pursuing policies to secure its economic independence, Mr. Holness said, also stressing the importance for his country to foster traditional partnerships and build new ones.

He went on to add that Jamaica’s representation for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at outreach sessions this year demonstrated “extremely influential groupings of countries.”

“Jamaica believes that groupings like these, have a unique opportunity, working alongside the international development partners, to address the

problems that face weaker economies across the globe,” said Mr. Holness.

Spotlighting that many SIDS are extremely indebted and vulnerable, he highly commended the work of UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to tackle the gap for middle-income countries.

Prime Minister Holness further reiterated his call for collaborative partnerships with international financial institutions, UN member states and the private sector to mobilize funding for Jamaica’s sustainable development.

On commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mr. Holness said Jamaica has been the first country to incorporate human rights into their foreign policy strategy, which is a principle that they guard fiercely.

A summary  of the statement and be found here.

The world is at a “decisive crossroads,” Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly’s annual debate on Thursday.

“We have retreated from the ethos of integration, cooperation, and consensus building…which is absolutely necessary to solve the global problems that confront us.” he explained.

As a small island developing State, St. Vincent and the Grenadines faces challenges to sustainable development, a small but growing population, limited resources, and susceptibility to natural disasters and climate change.

“Small size is no impediment to impactful contributions on the world stage,” Mr. Gonsalves told the Assembly.

Mr. Gonsalves’ encouraged solidarity and equality from the member states present for the general debate to deal with these challenges by invoking the a “recommitment to the bedrock foundations of our [UN] Charter.”

Citing Goal 17 (on global partnerships)of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he told the gathered leaders that “We have mainstreamed and prioritized goals related to clean energy, economic growth, sustainability, climate action and biodiversity. We have chalked up home-grown progress in tandem with selfless solidarity from some of our regional and global friends and allies, but much more is required to be done.”

He went on to say that St. Vincent and the Grenadines “stands firmly against the continued interventionist assaults on the sovereignty of our neighbors in the Republic of Cuba and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” calling for “constructive dialogue between and among the contradictory parties.”

“Ours is a flame of respect,” Mr. Gonsalves said, concluding: “For sovereignty, for diversity of views, for dialogue, for peace and for development.”

Summary of statement available here.