Speeches

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your In 2015, I was at the UN General Assembly as Sweden's minister when the global goals were adopted. The room was full of hope and optimism. The whole world had agreed on a common global agenda and vision for humanity and for our planet. Today, that optimism feels very distant. Conflicts are on the rise, more people than ever are fleeing, democracy is backing down, women's rights are under threat and the climate crisis is already here. Many people are beginning to doubt that we can solve our common problems, but I think we can. But only if we work together. Global cooperation was created once for a reason – because on its own it is not strong. That understanding should be as important now as it was then. I therefore look with concern at the new Commission's focus on aid, on the EU's own interests over solidarity. Solidarity is the core value of the European Union and we must continue that line.