EU priorities and values in the multilateral system
The challenges of the 21st century call for more, not less, multilateral governance and rules-based international cooperation. The EU has defined clear strategic priorities on issues that no country can face alone: peace and security, human rights and the rule of law, sustainable development, public health, or climate. Now, it needs to advance these priorities multilaterally in a strategic approach to ensure a safer world and a sustainable, inclusive global recovery.
The EU must step up its leadership and ‘deliver as one' to ‘succeed as one'. To this end, the EU will advance more efficient coordination mechanisms around joint priorities and make better use of its collective strength, including building on the Team Europe approach. Its democratic and unique regulatory strengths are assets to help build a better world, while its security and defence structures support global efforts to keep, sustain and build international peace and security.
EU at the negotiating table
The EU will continue to support the modernisation of the multilateral system, including the reform efforts of the UN Secretary-General, as well as the reform of the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization.
The EU will build new alliances with third countries, reinforce cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations, as well as other stakeholders.
Key events
- 19-21 May 2023
President von der Leyen attended the G7 summit. The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, in the Indo-Pacific, economic resilience and security, and engagement with G20 and Global South partners
- 15-16 November 2022
G20 summit took place in Bali, Indonesia. Ahead of the Summit, the Commission has stepped up support to help those most affected by the devastating effects of rising food insecurity globally
- 6-20 November 2022
COP27: The EU showed ambition and flexibility to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees within reach and helped to put in place balanced new funding arrangements to help vulnerable communities to face loss and damage caused by climate change
- 31 October - 12 November 2021
COP26: EU helped deliver outcome to keep the Paris Agreement targets alive.
- 30-31 October 2021
G20: Ahead of COP26, this Summit focused on climate change, as well as global economy, health, and sustainable development.
- 11-13 June 2021:
G7 leaders agreed on further commitments regarding vaccine sharing, climate finance and making concrete progress towards a global solution for digital taxation and for the reform of the World Trade Organization.
- 21 May 2021
At the Global Health Summit, leaders of the G20 committed to a series of actions to accelerate the end of the COVID-19 crisis everywhere and better prepare for future pandemics.
- 2-13 December 2019: