President Sergio Mattarella affirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting the United Nations in its efforts to address global challenges during his speech at the UN General Assembly. He emphasized Italy’s role as a bridge between peoples, countries, and civilizations due to its geographical location, history, and culture. Italy’s foreign policy is focused on promoting dialogue and supporting peace, human dignity, and universal values. The country hosts UN offices in various cities and actively engages in stabilizing post-conflict situations, advocating for youth and women’s rights, and supporting campaigns against discrimination and the death penalty.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, President Mattarella called for an end to the cycle of violence and emphasized the need for a process that leads to a stable peace, including the mutual recognition of Israel and Palestine. He highlighted the importance of a ceasefire, humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of hostages, and the cessation of support for terrorist organizations. He stressed the need to respect international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions to protect civilian populations in conflict zones. The President also underscored the significance of continuing to fund the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
President Mattarella discussed the conflicts in Africa and stressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and African nations taking responsibility for peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts. Italy supported the UN Security Council Resolution 2719 as a means to address conflicts on the African continent and endorsed the UN Secretary-General’s new Peace Agenda. He warned of the global repercussions of conflicts, such as food security risks resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, which could impact millions of people in Africa. The President also criticized Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and its destabilizing impact on Europe.
The President highlighted the challenges facing the world and quoted former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the importance of collective action. He emphasized the need for countries to work together through the United Nations to address shared global challenges. President Mattarella called for renewed efforts to strengthen and promote the UN and its rules to ensure effective global governance. He emphasized the need for inclusivity in UN reform efforts and supported the “Uniting for Consensus” proposal to enhance the Security Council’s representativeness by giving more space to historically underrepresented regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
President Mattarella’s speech at the UN General Assembly underscored Italy’s commitment to multilateralism, peacebuilding, and upholding international law. He called for global cooperation to address pressing challenges, including conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, food security risks, and the need for UN reform. The President emphasized the importance of collective action through the United Nations to promote peace, human rights, and global stability. Italy’s support for the UN’s efforts reflects its commitment to being an active participant in advancing global governance and addressing common challenges facing the international community.
