From 20-25 September, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela was in New-York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On this occasion he had several high-level meetings to advance the EU unique offer to deliver on SDGs with the Global Gateway strategy. A particular emphasis was put on its 360-degree approach with several announcements supporting health, gender and human rights as key drivers for development.
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said: “Our investment strategy and our development efforts cannot be successful without strong focus on the most vulnerable. This week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, I have reinforced our support in the area of health and women’s rights. Strong health systems are the cornerstone of sustainable development and of global stability. This is why investments in this area are a central pilar of our Global Gateway strategy.”
Commissioner Síkela announced four important initiatives:
- Launch of the phase V of the EU-WHO Universal Health Coverage Partnership. With a €40 million of new EU support, WHO will support countries that need it the most in building resilient, equitable and people-centred health systems.
- New EU support of €16.38 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for 2025-2027 to strengthen global human rights protection.
- In support of women’s rights in Afghanistan, a €8 million contribution to the second phase of the project “Protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan and delivery of essential services” with UN Women. It will provide a range of community-based prevention and response initiatives targeting women, girls, and their families, alongside engagement with communities, leaders, men, and boys to shift harmful social norms and foster respect for women’s rights. The EU remains committed to a principled “for women, by women” approach, ensuring that women play a meaningful role throughout the aid delivery process.
- In addition, the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme 2.0, announced in New York, will strengthen local women’s rights organisations in even more countries in Africa, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Commissioner Síkela also held several high-level meetings in New-York like with Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and spoke about Global Gateway on various panels:
- at the 2nd Africa Minerals Strategy Group High-Level roundtable event “Critical Minerals Development in Africa.
- in the High-Level Event with President Lula of Brazil about “Tropical Forests Forever Facility Solution Dialogue: Innovative Finance for Standing Forests and Thriving Communities” and
- at the roundtable of Climate Week on “Jobs and skills for the new economy – Building an Action Agenda for a People-Centered Climate Transition”.
He also met the President of the European Council with the Leaders of the Pacific Islands and attended a meeting with CELAC Ministers. He also discussed EU-US cooperation on the development activities in Africa with Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser on Africa to the US Administration.
Other high-level meetings included exchanges with Cheick Niang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal on taking the EU-Senegal partnership to the next level, a discussion with Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, on enhancing cooperation in this strategic region, and with Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill Gates Foundation.
At the launch of the Global Partnership for Education campaign, Commissioner Síkela also gave a keynote speech describing how Global Gateway support global education.
He also met with a group of global CEOs brought together by UNICEF to discuss how to cooperate with the private sector for upgrading skills and knowledge, to boost growth and job creation. He could for instance present the €100 million Regional Teachers ‘Initiative for Africa, designed to address teacher shortages and support quality education across the continent.
Background
Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the single largest financial contributor to the UN system, providing almost a quarter of the UN’s regular budget. The EU Global Gateway strategy is the EU strategy to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Good health and wellbeing, and gender equality are two significant Sustainable Development Goals. This is why the EU is a key contributor to them. Ensuring everyone can access quality health services without financial hardship require resilient, equitable and solid health systems, this is why the EU prioritises their development under the Global Gateway strategy. Global Gateway does not invest only in infrastructure, but also in skills, education, health and job creation for long-term economic benefits for communities.
The Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls has helped rewrite laws, challenge harmful attitudes and support survivors across 26 countries. It is a clear example of multilateral cooperation making an enormous, concrete difference in people’s lives.
