EU at the UN General Assembly – Day 2

Today, the UN General Assembly Ministerial Week officially kicks off, again with high-level EU participation. On Monday, at the UN Summit on large movements of refugees and migrants in New York City, the European Union highlighted its strong engagement in managing the global migration challenge. Specific angles of responsibility sharing were discussed in several round tables, following President Tusk’s intervention during the plenary meeting. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans chaired the discussion on a global compact for responsibility-sharing for refugees. He reiterated the European Union’s approach of co-responsibility as guiding principle in advancing a rules-based global order in a more connected world. High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini spoke at the round table on a global compact for safe regular and orderly migration: towards realising the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. She underlined the need to work together to explore the opportunities human mobility can offer and the win-win solutions that can only be agreed in partnership with third countries. Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos participated in the round table on addressing vulnerabilities of refugees and migrants in their journeys from their countries of origin to the countries of arrival. He stressed in particular the need to provide protection closer to the country of origin or to develop resettlement to reduce the risk of abuses. Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva attended the plenary session of the summit, while Commissioner Johannes Hahn participated in the round table on addressing drivers of migration, particularly large movements, and highlighting the positive contribution of migrants. All interventions are available on EbS.

EU side events

Yesterday HR/VP Mogherini and Vice-President Georgieva presented the new European External Investment Plan at the EU hosted side event entitled ‘Investment in partnership: a new investment plan to address root causes of migration and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’. The HR/VP underlined that investing in the most fragile states and provide opportunities to young people can help addressing root causes of migration, prevent radicalisation and counter criminal organisations; it is also an investment in the future of everyone. Vice-President Georgieva explained how the experience with the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) can be put to good use with partner countries and invited participants to take stock of results achieved in a year from now. Coverage of this event can be found here.

Bilateral meetings & Events

In the margins of the summit, EU representatives had a busy schedule with many bilateral meetings and events around New York City. First Vice-President Timmermans met with UNICEF President Anthony Lake. Together with Vice-President Georgieva he also attended a round table on the World’s forced migration and refugee challenges, hosted by the ONE campaign. HR/VP Mogherini participated in the panel discussion ‘Partnering for global prosperity‘, organised by the Clinton Global Initiative, with U2 singer Bono among others. She also chaired an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers and together with Commissioner Hahn, participated in the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee – a donor coordination group in support of the Palestinian economy. Both HR/VP Mogherini and Commissioner Hahn held a large number of bilateral meetings. Commissioner Avramopoulos met with the Foreign Minister of Niger, Mr Yacoubou, as well as with the Minister of Interior of Mali, Mr Sallay. The Commissioner also signed a visa weaver agreement with Micronesia. Commissioner Stylianides addressed the UN event entitled ‘Supporting greater dignity and protection: Self-reliance in Food Security & Nutrition in Protracted Refugee Situations’. Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis attended the meeting of the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic growth.