Costa calls for stronger multilateralism, AI rules and UN reform at General Assembly

President António Costa used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to argue that multilateralism remains the only workable response to the world's current crises. He said no country acting alone can prevent a pandemic, stabilise the climate, secure resilient supply chains, regulate artificial intelligence, ensure financial stability or deliver sustainable development.

Sponsored

Costa said the same logic applies to peace. He said no country, however powerful, can build lasting peace on its own, and called for multilateralism that is strong, effective, representative and capable of delivering for people.

He framed the central challenges as peace, the climate emergency, economic insecurity and artificial intelligence. A major part of his speech focused on AI governance.

Costa said the world needs an accountable, transparent and regulated architecture for artificial intelligence, and insisted that AI should serve humanity rather than control it. He said governments must remain "in the driving seat" and set a safe and secure pace for innovation and development.

Sponsored

He warned that the AI industry cannot be regulated by a few major global companies. Instead, he said the United Nations should play a central role in setting global standards through the UN Global Digital Compact, the Independent International Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

Costa said the United Nations is under pressure from geopolitical polarisation, financial constraints and institutional shortcomings. He rejected withdrawal as a response and said the answer is to reform, renew and reinvest.

He pointed to the UN80 initiative as an opportunity to make the organisation more efficient and more effective. He also renewed the European Union's call for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, saying it should become more effective, inclusive, democratic and accountable.

Costa said the EU will continue contributing to strengthening the United Nations politically, financially and through concrete action. To support multilateral cooperation, Costa said the EU has launched the P4M initiative this week together with Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, India and Kenya.

Sponsored

He described P4M, or Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity, as an open platform for partners from all regions who are ready to defend common principles and work toward practical solutions. Costa said the initiative is intended as a network for dialogue, coalition-building and practical cooperation.

He said it will support the work of the United Nations and other multilateral formats, help build bridges across regions, and contribute to advancing reform and modernisation of the United Nations and the wider multilateral system. He invited all nations in the chamber to join the initiative and endorse the P4M declaration.

The speech also stressed international law and accountability. Costa said there can be no double standards, and said the facts show deliberate violations of international law.

He said upholding international law is not optional and called it a responsibility of states. He said that responsibility includes safeguarding the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Costa said the EU stands firmly behind both institutions and will uphold their independence, integrity and ability to exercise their mandates fully. He said it is unacceptable to threaten or attack the ICC, its officials and its staff.

Costa said international law, international humanitarian law and human rights apply everywhere, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. He said conflicts are never confined to one place and have consequences for food security, energy markets, migration, development and global stability.

On Ukraine, Costa described Russia's war as a war of aggression chosen by Russia and said it has global consequences. He called it a devastating act of aggression against a sovereign state and noted that Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He said the war breaches the UN Charter and international law. Costa also said Russia's attacks on Ukraine threaten the security of civilian populations beyond Ukraine's borders.

He said it is unacceptable that, over the past 12 months, Russia has repeatedly threatened the security of EU member states, and said Russia must stop the dangerous escalation. He called on the international community to use every lever at its disposal to stop the war and create conditions for a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace.

Turning to the Middle East, Costa said the EU regrets the current stalemate in Gaza and in Palestine more broadly, saying it is prolonging the suffering of millions of civilians. He said the EU and its member states support the two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace, with Israel and an independent and democratic state of Palestine living side by side in peace and security.

He also said the EU supports efforts to find a solution to the conflict in Iran. Costa said the ceasefire must be fully observed, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved unconditionally and without hindrance, and the security of countries in the region must be ensured for a sustainable solution.

He said Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Costa paid tribute to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, calling him an ambitious leader committed to the UN Charter and international law.

He said Guterres' work on the Charter, human rights, global financial reform, sustainable development and climate action has been a beacon. He said the next Secretary-General will need to mobilise all available instruments to prevent conflicts, mediate crises and build peace, with particular focus on Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan.

Costa then said stronger multilateralism also requires stronger alliances, and noted that the EU is building what it describes as the world's largest network of trade agreements covering 84 countries worldwide. Costa said the EU concluded negotiations or signed trade agreements over the past 12 months with India, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mercosur and Mexico.

He said the value of partnership must go beyond trade, and argued that urgent action is needed on sustainable development as Agenda 2030 is in danger, the funding gap is widening, the climate crisis is worsening and geopolitical divisions are slowing progress. He said the EU remains committed to the Paris Agreement, the Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals, funded in line with the Sevilla Commitment.

Costa said the EU and its member states account for more than 40% of official development assistance at international level, and he pointed to Global Gateway investments in sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, health, education and poverty eradication. He closed by saying time is running out and called the 2027 Sustainable Development Goals Summit a turning point to correct course, regain momentum and meet the targets for 2030 and beyond.

He said the EU is ready to work with all those who share that conviction.

#UNGeneralAssembly #ArtificialIntelligence #UNSecurityCouncil #InternationalCriminalCourt #Ukraine