Albares presents Multilateral Policy Strategy for Sustainable Development in the face of attacks on international law

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today presented the Multilateral Policy Strategy for Sustainable Development to the Council of Ministers. It is the Government’s integrated response to the current context of attacks on international law, seeking to promote more inclusive global governance, boost the effectiveness of the multilateral system and strengthen coordination and coherence among Spanish Cooperation actors.

“At a time when violations of international law are becoming increasingly frequent and unilateralism and war are being used as a means to achieve foreign policy objectives, it is essential to defend the multilateral order,” the minister said at a press conference.

He added: “In the face of the law of the strongest, Spain offers an alternative path. In the face of arbitrariness, we are committed to multilateralism as a method for development, for tackling global challenges and for the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The Strategy reaffirms Spain’s commitment to multilateralism and to the values and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The overarching aim is for Spanish Cooperation to contribute to the establishment of an international order that guarantees democracy, human rights, equality and inclusion—and, consequently, peace.

To this end, it is based on three main pillars: the fight against poverty and inequality with a feminist and democratic participation approach; climate action and protection of the planet; and food security, health and decent work with a rights-based approach.

Furthermore, the Strategy sets out three systemic objectives: firstly, to promote more inclusive and transparent global governance, enabling the mobilisation of resources for development financing; secondly, to boost the effectiveness and coordination of the multilateral system so as to effectively facilitate progress in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda at global, regional and local levels; and, finally, to promote coordination among Spanish Cooperation actors to foster greater synergies and increase their impact on multilateral cooperation for sustainable development.

Furthermore, the Strategy aims to strengthen Spain’s position as a Member State particularly committed to multilateralism and global solidarity in processes of particular relevance to multilateralism. 

For this reason, the Strategy sets out a strategic response to the crisis in multilateralism and its reform, preserving essential mandates and increasing its effectiveness. In short, the Multilateral Policy Strategy for Sustainable Development represents a further step in this Government’s policy to implement the 2025 Plan to Support Multilateralism and Financing for Development.

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