United Nations Day (24 October 2018)

On this occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to the UN, the world’s only universal organization, which constitutes a unique forum for dealing collectively through dialogue and discussion with shared challenges that can be resolved only at the international level. We hope the UN will play an active role in asserting the kind of strong, effective multilateralism promoted by President Macron. It is on this basis that France supports the ambitious reforms undertaken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Within the UN, France is working daily in the following priority areas:

• As a permanent member of the Security Council, France has particular responsibilities in promoting peace and international security. Of the five permanent members, it is the second-largest contributor of troops to peacekeeping operations, with more than 700 staff members, and is the fifth-largest financial contributor. It helps define demanding, innovative mandates to ensure the full effectiveness of these operations, notably in Mali, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lebanon. France is in favor of reforming the Security Council to make it more representative and to limit the use of the veto when mass crimes are committed.

• Development and international cooperation: For France, health and education are priorities. It is committed to girls’ education and wants to foster equal access to education, food, justice and healthcare. On September 25, France emphasized the stakes of girls’ education at a high-level event it co-hosted with the United Kingdom and Canada on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

• Human rights and values: As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed in Paris on December10, 1948, France reiterates its commitment to the universality of human rights, particularly within the framework of the Human Rights Council, to which it is a candidate for the 2021-2023 term. France champions respect for international humanitarian law and increased protection for humanitarian personnel. It is committed to the protection of journalists; it was at our behest that November 2 was established as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

France works within the UN in cooperation with its European partners and all those who share our priorities with respect to multilateralism.