UNGA81 : dans un monde plus fragmenté, la Belgique défend le multilatéralisme

UNGA81 : dans un monde plus fragmenté, la Belgique défend le multilatéralisme

UNGA81: in a more fragmented world, Belgium defends multilateralism lien.horemans Mon, 09/21/2026 - 07:16 Press release United States Multilateralism Diplomatic map September 21, 2026 From 22 to 28 September 2026, Belgium will participate in the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York. This annual gathering is the world's foremost international forum, bringing together Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers from across the world to discuss major international challenges within the framework of the United Nations. UNGA81 takes place in an increasingly fragmented world, marked by multiple crises, growing geopolitical tensions and a liquidity crisis that is putting pressure on the functioning of the United Nations. In this context, Belgium is making a clear choice: to support effective multilateralism, grounded in international law and capable of delivering concrete results. For an open country such as Belgium international cooperation is not simply a matter of principle: it contributes directly to our security, prosperity and the protection of our interests. Defending multilateralism also means accepting the need to reform it. Belgium supports ambitious reform through the UN80 initiative, with the aim of making the United Nations more effective, more coherent and more focused on the areas where it can have the greatest impact. Belgium's participation is fully in line with the theme of UNGA81: "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that delivers for All." The United Nations system also represents a tangible economic interest for our country. Between 2015 and 2024, Belgian suppliers were awarded nearly USD 9 billion in United Nations contracts, particularly in the pharmaceutical, medical and logistics sectors. An effective UN therefore also creates an ecosystem in which Belgian expertise and innovation can find international opportunities. The Belgian delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot. The delegation will also include Minister of Justice and the North Sea Annelies Verlinden and Minister of Security and the Interior Bernard Quintin. Her Majesty Queen Mathilde will be present from 20 to 22 September in her capacity as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocate. Expanding Europe's international partnerships Minister Prévot will be in New York on 22 September during the day and on 23 September during the morning for the opening of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly. He will address the General Assembly on Tuesday 22 September. Several bilateral meetings are also planned. He will furthermore participate in the ministerial meeting between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC). "Europe must broaden its network of partnerships. With those who share our commitment to international law and a rules-based order, we need to deepen our cooperation. But diplomacy also means engaging with those with whom we have differences. In a more fragmented world, we must be present wherever our interests are at stake without abandoning our values. Retrenchment is not an option for Europe," Minister Prévot underlined. More strategic international cooperation in response to global crises As Minister responsible for Development Cooperation, Minister Prévot will advocate in New York for a more strategic and transactional development cooperation that is fully integrated into Belgium's foreign policy. The objective is to build more balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships, while focusing resources more effectively on three priorities that transcend borders: climate change, global health and stability. This more transactional approach concerns development cooperation. Emergency humanitarian aid, on the other hand, follows a different logic: when it comes to saving lives, the needs of the people remain the starting point of our action. In a context of increasing conflicts, climate disasters, and health crises, Belgium intends to continue taking on its humanitarian responsibilities, including in crises that too often fade from the international radar. Belgium will therefore continue to support UN agencies capable of acting at scale in these areas, while advocating greater coordination, efficiency and impact. Whether with regards to global health, humanitarian response, food security, refugees, development or climate action, no country can effectively tackle these cross-border challenges alone. Belgium's candidacy to host the BBNJ Treaty Secretariat Minister Verlinden will promote Belgium's candidacy to host the Secretariat of the BBNJ Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction in Brussels. Belgium ratified the Agreement in 2025 and has played a leading role for many years in international ocean diplomacy, marine scientific research and sustainable ocean governance. Thanks to its strong diplomatic presence, international institutions and scientific expertise, Belgium aims to offer an ideal location for the Secretariat of this global agreement. Minister Verlinden will also participate in the annual meeting of the Informal Ministerial Network for the International Criminal Court, which will focus on safeguarding the Court's independence and strengthening international criminal justice. "Belgium is ready to make Brussels the diplomatic heart of the ocean, where science and policy meet, and where every nation can make its voice heard in protecting our blue planet," Minister Verlinden emphasised. Ocean protection and maritime security Belgium remains committed to safe and open seas and to combating maritime crime. In New York, Minister Quintin will participate, together with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in a panel discussion on the future of combating maritime crime, with a particular focus on new technologies and public-private cooperation. For an open economy and international logistics hub such as Belgium, the security of maritime routes is also a direct matter of security and prosperity. Respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and for freedom of navigation is essential to ensure the flow of goods, protect global trade and prevent maritime tensions and conflicts. Freedom of navigation will therefore be the central theme of Belgium's intervention at the General Debate this year. "The safety of Belgium doesn’t stop at our borders. It relies on strengthened cooperation at the European and international level. That’s why Belgium is constantly expanding its partnerships in police matters with its allies. The same goes for our ports, whose protection remains a shared responsibility involving the police and customs, port authorities, shipping companies, and all logistics operators. That’s exactly the goal of our Port2Port platform, which enhances information sharing and cooperation between public and private actors. Artificial intelligence and satellite data give us tools today for analysis and anticipation that we didn’t have yesterday. We will continue to invest in these tools and further develop their use internationally to dismantle criminal organizations, their structures, and networks. Belgium has also taken the initiative, within the International Maritime Organization, to propose a revision of the ISPS Code to strengthen port security worldwide and ensure common rules for all ports, big or small. This proposal has already received support from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. This General Assembly should allow us to expand this support and move this proposal forward at the international level,” emphasizes Minister Quintin. International Law as Our Compass, from Ukraine to the Middle East In the face of a return to power politics, Belgium will continue to defend respect for the United Nations Charter and international law consistently and wherever they are challenged. Our country will reaffirm its unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to work towards a just and lasting peace. The protection of civilians, particularly children, will also be at the heart of Belgium's engagement regarding Gaza and the West Bank. Together with Jordan and the European Commission, Belgium will organise a "Call to Action for Palestinian Children in the West Bank and Gaza." Belgium will also use the High-Level Week to hold bilateral meetings with partner countries, United Nations organisations, private sector representatives and civil society actors. The General Debate and several other events can be followed live on the United Nations website. You can also follow Belgium's participation in the United Nations High-Level Week on social media: Facebook: Diplomatie.Belgium X: @BelgiumMFA & @BelgiumUN & @BelgiumDGM Instagram: @BelgiumMFA LinkedIn: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium & Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations in New York Keep up-to-date Subscribe to our newsletters to stay informed about the activities of our FPS Our spokespersons Florinda Baleci florinda.baleci@diplobel.fed.be Maxime Ramon maxime.ramon@diplobel.fed.be Social Media Hide all social media Show all social media