On Thursday night, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria before the General Assembly of the United Nations. His speech marked the traditional highlight of the trip to the United Nations in New York.
The past year has shown that no nation can shoulder today’s and tomorrow’s challenges alone, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg emphasised in his speech. COVID-19 has demonstrated countries’ vulnerability in the face of a worldwide pandemic with frightening urgency. The only way out is through rapid global vaccination progress.
The pandemic has shown us the simple truth of how closely we are all linked and how dependent we are upon each other. We have all learned the hard way that we cannot overcome a challenge like the pandemic alone. Although it is forcing us to practise social distancing, it has also brought us closer together as a human family,
said the foreign minister.
In addition to its economic and health impact, COVID-19 has also intensified geopolitical tensions which have led to new international conflict zones, Alexander Schallenberg noted. What is important now is to defend universal values – basic human rights and civil liberties.
We must draw clear red lines that we as the human race are not prepared to cross,
highlighted Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
This is never easy, he pointed out, and is once again being put to the test with the latest developments in Afghanistan. But for now, the focus here needs to be on the people.
From my perspective, the answer is clear: we cannot turn our backs to the people in Afghanistan. We must remain committed to our work in Afghanistan, and provide the urgently needed humanitarian aid on the ground,
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called on the international community.
At the same time, he emphasised Austria’s commitment to the shared fight against climate change, against nuclear armament, and for a legally binding international prohibition on developing autonomous weapons systems without human control.
Internationally, Austria will remain a driving force for disarmament and arms control. As technological progress continues to advance, decisions about life and death must remain human decisions,
stated the Foreign Minister.
This is why Austria explicitly supports the vision of Secretary-General António Guterres for a “UN 2.0” that is “equipped for the 21st century.” Austria plans to actively participate in and help shape this concept.
We know that our security depends on the rule of law, not the law of the jungle. This will be at the core of our efforts if we are elected to the Security Council for the 2027-28 term,
said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as he concluded his speech before the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations.
