7.2.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 47/133 Wednesday 6 July 2022
M. whereas multilateralism is in need of swift revitalisation in order to tackle this multidimensional and multifaceted crisis; whereas threats to peace and security, fundamental freedoms and democracy, climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, disaster risk management, global public health challenges, increasing protectionism, disinformation, foreign interference, gender equality, sustainable development and the deepening of poverty and inequalities at the global level are some of the pressing challenges that the world is facing right now; whereas only through a reinforced multilateral order and political leadership will the international community be able to find lasting and sustainable answers to these and future challenges;
N. whereas in order to revitalise and defend multilateralism, the EU must help to keep multilateral institutions and international organisations alive and functioning, while seeking deeper cooperation with like-minded partners in order to fight for its values and interests; whereas these coalitions will change on the basis of issues and should not undermine existing institutions; whereas the EU should strive to build open coalitions rather than exclusive clubs; whereas the EU needs to find new ways to engage with countries from the Global South and to do this on an equal footing with them, as equal partners;
O. whereas climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the global importance and policy primacy of global public goods, such as, inter alia, access to health, clean air and water, food and other resources, education, technology and cyberspace in an inclusive, secure and reliable fashion; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of an obvious fact: in the face of a pandemic, our health safety chain is only as strong as the weakest health system; whereas COVID-19 anywhere is a threat to people and economies everywhere; whereas access to global public goods and policy responses seeking to standardise and expand such access across countries and communities requires global cooperation on objectives, minimum common standards and active support for the most vulnerable countries and communities; whereas this requires an effective multilateral agenda focused on global public goods and governance structures that reinforce access to such goods; whereas effective policy dialogue, cooperation and delivery on access to global public goods cannot and must not be decoupled under any circumstances from the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and dignity, as well as the empowerment of all people, in particular the most vulnerable; whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of the work of the WHO and the WHO’s capacity to manage the response to the pandemic rapidly and effectively, while also bringing to light concerns such as attempted interference and manipulation of its actions to this end;
P. whereas terrorism continues to be one of the most serious threats to peace and international security;
Q. whereas the growing assertiveness of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and illiberal governments in multilateral fora and international organisations, including through attempts to weaken and rewrite international norms, and their strong involvement in the management and decision-making processes of relevant international organisations and multilateral fora can lead to asymmetric, less effective and biased policy responses, eliminate the level playing field for all members of the international community, and to much weaker international community commitment to the defence and advancement of universal values and universal rights; whereas individual agendas, unilateral actions and a lack of engagement and support for multilateral solutions can further undermine multilateralism as an essential organising principle for tackling transnational challenges; whereas, in this context, it is essential to reaffirm the value of rules-based governance, international cooperation, a commitment to fundamental rights and a true level playing field for all members of the international community; whereas relevant international organisations and multilateral fora will be key to achieving these objectives; whereas these objectives will not only allow a more effective positive policy impact on global challenges, but will also curb and prevent the risk of conflict;