At the plenary session of the UN Summit on the “Future,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that “there are global threats that require global solutions.” Speaking in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations, he underlined that the Pact for the Future serves as a symbol of global consensus, adding, “We have a roadmap that will lead us there. Nothing could be more vital.”
Mitsotakis noted that “there is a global interest that transcends the individual interests of states,” highlighting the immediate opportunity to take action before it is too late, warning against the potential for a real global crisis. He stated, “We can still reverse the destruction.”
The summit is based on the UN Declaration from 2020, marking 75 years of the international organization, and aims to rejuvenate global cooperation.
Mitsotakis’s Intervention
The Prime Minister highlighted the urgent need for action to implement the initiatives outlined in the Pact for the Future, which include sustainable development, peace and security, addressing climate change, and restoring trust in global governance.
He stressed that an agreement was ultimately reached “in a time of increased distrust, division, polarization, and conflict” because “the stakes are extremely high, and the global threats we face as an international community far exceed the individual interests of regions, countries, or governments.”
He further remarked, “The generation that created the United Nations and adopted its Charter left us an invaluable legacy. However, a significant difference between their historical moment and ours is this: they created the international system after suffering a devastating and unprecedented global catastrophe, the Second World War. We, on the other hand, have the opportunity to act before it is too late, before we face the next real global crisis. We still have the ability to prevent destruction that could arise from today’s global threats.”
Mitsotakis concluded with the following:
“The Pact for the Future, as a point of global consensus, is merely a first step. But it is a necessary first step. It is ultimately a political declaration for action. And political will is the essential driving force for action, both nationally and collectively on a global scale. Greece, as a newly-elected member of the Security Council for the next two years, actively participated in these challenging negotiations.
We believe we have reached a commendable outcome, and I am pleased to note the inclusion of paragraphs of particular interest to us, such as maritime security and the protection of culture as integral elements of sustainable development. It is important that today we renew our trust in the multilateral system and reaffirm our commitment to it. At this moment in time, this reaffirmation was necessary — a “return to basics” of the UN Charter, like peaceful resolution of disputes with respect for international law.
Moving forward, we can jointly address the principal challenges of our time. They are global challenges and require global solutions. With the Pact for the Future, we have a “roadmap” that will lead us there. Nothing could be more vital.”
