Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said at the UN on Monday that Portugal is committed “to reforming the global governance system, including the international financial architecture.
In a speech representing Portugal on the second and final day of the Future Summit promoted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, Paulo Rangel highlighted that, in a time of conflicts and tensions, “Portugal chooses the path of collective action, interaction, multilateralism, dialogue, peace”.
“We live in a world of geopolitical tensions, conflicts and crises, which affect citizens’ trust in multilateralism. We do not forget those who die in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, in the Sahel conflicts, in inequality and gender-based violence or in the growing and terrible impacts of climate change,” he said.
António Guterres promoted this summit to reach a consensus on the reform of the global institutional system and to promote the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda.
On Sunday, the first day of the Future Summit, the UN General Assembly agreed to adopt three documents: the Compact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.
On behalf of Portugal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed support for the “ambitious process” launched by the Secretary-General of the UN to rebuild confidence in an effective multilateral system centered on the United Nations.
According to Paulo Rangel, “aligned with this ambitious and broad vision of more effective multilateralism, Portugal actively participated in the negotiations of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations”, in an expression of “determination to promote peace, sustainable development and respect for human rights”.
“We are committed to reforming the global governance system, including the international financial architecture. We remain committed to this objective, as a country invited by the Brazilian presidency of the G20, whose call to action we subscribe to, and with a view to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, whose preparatory process is co-chaired by Portugal and Burundi”, he said.
In his speech, Paulo Rangel referred to the Portuguese candidacy for a non-permanent member seat on the UN Security Council in 2027/2028.
“It was precisely to maintain and promote peace and security that we created the United Nations. It is also one of the objectives of this Pact for the Future to which we have committed ourselves, including with a view to our candidacy for the Security Council,” he said.
The minister mentioned that he was speaking at this summit “representing Portugal and also the Prime Minister of Portugal [Luís Montenegro] who, contrary to expectations, is not here today due to the terrible fires” last week in Portugal.
He then made a connection between the fires and climate change: “Now, here is a fundamental issue for the future of the world, for the future of our nations. These uncontrollable fires are linked to climate change, sustainable development, forest and city planning.”
“The challenges we face today know no borders and deserve a Pact for the Future. It is now up to each country and each league, each one of us, to choose the path for the future. Portugal chooses the path of collective action, interaction, multilateralism, dialogue, peace and an unwavering commitment to a better future for all,” he added.