The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in the framework of the United Nations High-Level Week, has taken part in the event 'In Defence of Democracy. Fighting extremism', co-organised with the Brazilian government.
It was attended by other leaders and representatives from countries such as Barbados, Cape Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Norway, Mexico, East Timor and the US.
The president stressed that the reactionary wave of attacks threatening all democracies has a transnational dimension that requires a coordinated response. First of all, he referred to inequality, an issue also highlighted by Brazil's President Lula da Silva.
Second, Pedro Sánchez addressed disinformation and the spread of hate speech, stressing the need to guarantee freedom of the press and the right to truthful information, which are inherent to the very concept of democracy. In this regard, the President of the Government advocated promoting transparency and accountability of the media and digital platforms, especially those that develop Artificial Intelligence.
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He also highlighted the value of the 'Action Plan for Democracy', recently approved by the Government, which aims to implement specific measures to improve the quality of information and strengthen transparency. In this respect, the president stressed that the public must know who the owners of the media behind the information that is published and consumed are. He also mentioned that the plan provides for the accountability of the branches of government.
He went on to warn that the rise of far-right movements is also due to good coordination between their promoters and their political leaders, referring to the sources of funding that nurture networks of contacts on a global scale.
On this matter, he stressed the need to mobilise and work together to defend democracy in all possible forums and platforms. "Because we must respond to the enemies of democracy with the same tenacity and coordination that they use to undermine democracy; and with the strength, moreover, of everything in which we surpass them by far, which is our principles and our values", he concluded.
10th anniversary of UN Women's HeForShe initiative
The president accepted an invitation from UN Women to champion the HeForShe initiative, which aims to engage men and boys in the promotion of gender equality, the fight for women's rights and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and gender-based violence. Pedro Sánchez concluded his day in New York with his presence at the opening of the gala dinner organised by the initiative to commemorate its tenth anniversary.
The event, which was attended by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, was an opportunity to present the new champions of the initiative, as well as to present the commitments that Spain has undertaken to be part of it.
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During his speech, Pedro Sánchez advocated promoting gender rotation in the UN, including the presidency of the General Assembly and the post of Secretary General of the Organisation. He pointed out that in almost 80 years there has never been a woman Secretary General. "Enough is enough. The time has come to change this situation," he said.
He also pledged to continue to support the work of UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The third of the commitments adopted by the president is to advance gender equality in Spain, in the EU and in the world. In this regard, the President of the Government highlighted the value of the Parity Law approved in June, which aims to guarantee that women hold half the political power and half the economic power.
In this context, Sánchez highlighted the fact that Spain will continue to be governed by a Feminist Foreign Policy, which involves feminist activism in international relations and the promotion of gender rights and parity throughout the world.
The president stressed that "we are witnessing setbacks in many of the rights for which our movement fought so hard", such that "we must raise our voices and remind the world that, unfortunately, gender equality is not a reality but an aspiration. It is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is not a progressive whim, but a basic human right that concerns us all". In this regard, he referred to the important role that young people and children should play.
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The fourth commitment adopted was to promote a global care society. Sánchez pointed out that women spend up to three times more time than men caring for children and the elderly, underlining the obstacle this poses to women's full participation in the labour market.
In this respect, the President of the Government argued that Spain will move towards a comprehensive care system that promotes the shared responsibility of women and men, the state, the market, families and the community.
Last, Pedro Sánchez stressed that Spain will continue to apply the values of feminism and the gender approach in all its policies, including those that form part of the triple social, digital and ecological transition. "You can continue to count on me to work tirelessly towards this goal," he concluded.
Non official translation
President's News - La Moncloa