UN, EU forum highlights global partnership to achieve SDG goals

MANILA, Philippines – The European Union and the United Nations in the Philippines have launched a forum on multilateralism, seeking to emphasize the importance of global partnerships and cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum entitled Multilateral Responses to Global Challenges: Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity was held on Thursday, October 19.

The main purpose of the event is to highlight and strengthen cooperation between the United Nations and partners in government, civil society, the private sector and the international community.

During the event, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron highlighted the “important multilateral support” for the peace process in Mindanao.

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He also underlined that “lasting peace is crucial to achieving sustainable development.”

“More than ever, we need a well-functioning, rules-based international order, with an effective United Nations at its core,” Veron said.

He then cited the upcoming Green Economy Program, which will support the Philippine transition to a circular economy in collaboration with European Union member states and the United Nations.

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In the same forum, Gustavo Gonzales, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, said there is an urgent need to establish a “new generation of multilateralism” amid the evolving global conflicts.

“We must recognize that the multilateral system is now under greater pressure than at any time since the founding of the United Nations,” he said.

Gustavo then emphasized that the effectiveness of our multilateral system will be measured by whether it will lead to a safe, healthy and inclusive world for current and future generations.

JPV