Speech by President von der Leyen at the Summit in Support of Multilateralism

President Costa, President Ruto, thank you for bringing us together today.

Much has already been said on the need for multilateralism.

First, the importance of partnerships in these times of a fractured world.

Because the challenges we face are too many and too complex to go alone.

This is why the EU is growing our network of trade agreements. We have 80 of them. India, Australia, Mercosur, and Indonesia, for example.

These partnerships not only bring greater prosperity and economic security.

They are also a platform for broader cooperation on key issues –  and you mentioned them as crucial for multilateralism.

Support for the World Trade Organisation and its reform.

Even in a more fragmented world, this is how we can drive momentum and results.

My second point, in a fast changing world, we need institutions that can move as fast.

The United Nations will always play a crucial role.

I want to emphasise the UN's role in brokering the Black Sea Grain Initiative – protecting global food security at a moment of crisis.

 The UN is indispensable, and this is precisely why we need to reform it.

So that our institutions remain fit for purpose.

AI, climate change, escalating regional conflicts  –  today's challenges will not wait for us to catch up.

This is why the EU supports the UN80 initiative for a simpler, more efficient United Nations.

We need to be fast, ambitious and courageous.

We need a system that rises to the challenges.

Europe will always stand for international law and for multilateralism.