Recognising the EU’s role in addressing global challenges and supporting Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Ambassador Barbara Woodward gave a statement at the United Nations Security Council briefing on EU-UN cooperation.
Thank you, President, I join others in thanking the High Representative for his briefing.
This has indeed been a challenging year for the multilateral system. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw the return of war to Europe. The knock-on effects have made it harder to tackle the most pressing global challenges, exacerbated food insecurity and prolonged the damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this challenging context, we welcome the positive role played by the EU and other regional organisations in championing multilateralism, and supporting the Security Council on international peace and security. I’d like to highlight three areas in particular:
First, we recognise the EU’s efforts to address global challenges. The UK is proud of our work alongside the EU to establish Energy Transition Partnerships. The ETP has helped coal-dependent emerging economies make a just energy transition by building on the model pioneered at COP26, and we look forward to continuing this work through COP28. We also welcome the EU’s considerable support for the UN’s Education Cannot Wait fund. As a co-founder of the fund, the UK values this support to high quality education in emergencies.
Second, we recognise the EU’s contribution to the UN’s work. This includes cooperation with UN peace operations and peacebuilding, for example in Mali and Somalia, and efforts to promote regional stability. We expect the EU Partnership Mission to Niger will play a vital role in supporting stability in the Sahel.
In Europe, we strongly support the EU’s role upholding peace and security in the Western Balkans. This includes through the EU facilitated Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue and the ongoing important role of EUFOR.
Finally, the UK welcomes the EU’s support for Ukraine. The EU has given vital humanitarian assistance and helped tackle global food insecurity by supporting the Black Sea grain-deal. As we map out Ukraine’s reconstruction, we look forward to working with the EU on preparations for the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference, hosted by the UK and Ukraine in London this June.
President, the role of the EU in tackling global challenges and assisting the UN’s work encapsulates, in these times of crisis, the need for responsible multilateralism. We need an engaged role for regional organisations to address the problems we face and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.
Thank you.