The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, travels this Monday, 21 September, to New York, where he begins his participation in the 81st High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly, to which he will take Spain's proposals for the defence of international law and the reform of multilateral institutions.
Albares begins a week with an intense agenda in which he will convey Spain's commitment to ending the war in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Minister will highlight Spain's commitment to the defence of a renewed, effective, and inclusive multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, capable of guaranteeing an international order based on international law, human rights, cooperation, and dialogue. He will also convey Spain's support for the election of the first female Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Ibero-American Summit in Madrid
The Ibero-American Summit in Madrid will occupy a prominent place on the agenda during the High-Level Week due to its imminent celebration on 4 and 5 November. The traditional working breakfast of Ibero-American Foreign Ministers (Thursday 25), which Spain chairs this year, and the EU-CELAC Ministerial meeting (Wednesday 24) are the main events in this regard. Also noteworthy is the event co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the United Nations Development Programme entitled "Democracy, Development and Shared Futures: Ibero-America heading towards the Madrid Summit" (Tuesday 22).
Among the meetings organised by Spain, it is also worth mentioning the High-Level Roundtable jointly convened with Brazil (Wednesday 23), which will emphasise the fight against hunger and poverty and the goal of leaving no one behind.
Situation in the Middle East
The situation in the Middle East will also be prominently addressed through participation in the Ministerial Meeting for the implementation of the two-state solution, and the Ministerial Meeting in support of UNRWA on Thursday 25, co-chaired by Spain, Jordan, and Brazil. At this event, the Foreign Minister will reiterate firm political and financial support for the Agency, as well as its crucial role in regional stability, human development, and the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Spain's priorities at the UN
Throughout this week, Albares will reaffirm Spain's priorities for this 81st session, including support for the reform process of the United Nations system through the UN80 Initiative, to achieve a more effective, efficient, and agile Organization, with greater transparency and accountability. He will do so in high-level meetings and side events of interest to Spain regarding democracy and development, human rights, gender and diversity, climate change, social justice, artificial intelligence governance, food security, conflict prevention and resolution, and non-proliferation.
Other events with a notable Spanish presence throughout the week include the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers at the informal Foreign Affairs Council (Monday 22); the meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism (Wednesday 23); the symposium on Women, Peace and Leadership at the International Peace Institute (Wednesday 23); and the High-Level International Panel on tackling inequalities (Wednesday 23).