Today, the world pays tribute to the entry into force of the United Nations (UN) Charter in 1945, marking the birth of multilateralism and the rules-based international order. The European Union (EU) stands up for these values in close partnership with the UN.
The EU and the UN have a successful track record of close cooperation in countries around the world. On its part, the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments currently funds well above 40 UN-implemented projects through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) and the Partnership Instrument and cooperates with the UN in many other fields. This includes support to UN missions through parallel civilian Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) operations and the 2018 chairmanship of the UN-mandated Kimberley Process. In addition, under the European Commission’s Gender Action Plan the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments contributes to including gender equality in all its actions in line with the UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a statement on UN Day, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Federica Mogherini said: “Investing in our partnership with the United Nations is natural as we share the same fundamental values and goals. Together, we join forces in our work around the world and in Europe, for sustainable development, peace and security, and humanely and respectfully managed migration. And together we fight for education for all, gender equality and human rights.”
An overview of all IcSP and Partnership Instrument projects implemented by UN agencies is available on the IcSP map and the Visibility map of the Partnership Instrument. Two flagship projects with UN Women to advance the economic empowerment of women and EU support to the UN-led Syrian Peace Process provide evidence to the excellent EU-UN partnership.
EU-UN cooperation to advance women’s economic empowerment
The European Union funds two flagship initiatives to support women’s economic empowerment, working with UN Women and the International Labor Organization (ILO). While the WE EMPOWER project promotes the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and calls on the private sector in G7 countries to support gender equality, the Win-Win programme supports the economic empowerment of women in Latin American and the Caribbean countries through responsible business conduct. Both initiatives aim at strengthening key partnerships with like-minded countries in G7 and Latin America and Caribbean countries, to influence agenda settings in multilateral fora so as to keep gender equality a priority around the world.
In the context of this programme, UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, visited Argentina from 2 to 5 October. In her meetings with civil society and women’s groups, the Executive Director recognised and celebrated the catalytic role that they have played in shaping the narrative on gender equality and women’s rights and discuss emerging challenges in the region. She also took this opportunity to inaugurate UN Women’s office in Buenos Aires and launch two programmes, the joint UN Women and International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative “Win-Win Programme” and the EU-UN “Spotlight Initiative”.
The EU confirms its commitment to a peaceful future in Syria at the UN General Assembly
The EU hosted a high-level side event at the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York on 26 September through the Syria Peace Process Support Initiative (SPPI) financed through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP). Chaired by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Christos Stylianides and attended by Foreign Ministers from around the world, the event aimed to ensure the renewed international commitment to achieving lasting peace and stability in Syria through a political settlement of the Syrian conflict, as well as to address its humanitarian consequences. More information on the EU’s support to the Syrian Peace Process is available here.
Background
The Partnership Instrument enables the EU to advance its strategic interests, shape global change and promote its fundamental values. Through the Partnership Instrument, the EU cooperates with partners around the world to address global challenges and find joint solutions to issues of mutual interest. The Partnership Instrument funds activities that carry forward the EU's priorities, translating political commitments into concrete measures.
The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) provides short- and mid-term assistance on conflict prevention, crisis-response and peace-building actions around the world. There are currently around 200 projects in over 75 countries, many of which are implemented by agencies from the United Nations System.
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Details
- Publication date
- 24 October 2018
- Author
- Service for Foreign Policy Instruments