Minister Svetlan Stoev reaffirmed Bulgaria's firm support for the UN as an expression of multilateralism and a global moral leader in overcoming modern challenges
24 September 2021 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev confirmed Bulgaria's firm support for the UN as an expression of multilateralism and as a global moral leader in overcoming modern challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic.
He emphasized this in a video address broadcast during the Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism, organized in the framework of the General Debate after the opening of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
The video address also highlights Bulgaria's support for the UN Secretary-General's report "Our Common Agenda" and its main message that now is the time for a stronger and inclusive system based on multilateralism with the UN as a centre. Progress in sustainable development cannot be achieved without tackling the effects of climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. "My country supports the efforts made by UN agencies, funds and programs to accelerate the implementation of national commitments in the field of development," said our Foreign Minister.
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including gender equality, women's and children's rights, must be guaranteed, as they have been most severely affected by the pandemic. The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need to unite efforts through effective multilateral cooperation and unreserved solidarity with those in need all over the world.
The meeting, which marked two years since the creation of the Alliance for Multilateralism, was chaired by Germany and France.
Also in the General Debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, our Foreign Minister represented Bulgaria at the 12th Conference in Support of the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). In a video address, he praised the CTBT, concluded nearly 25 years ago, which is one of the most important pillars of the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament system.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed that the CTBT has come a long way and achieved important successes, led to the creation of an effective and respected international monitoring system, and put an end to nuclear tests in almost all countries. As an Annex II country that has signed and ratified the Treaty, Bulgaria has consistently called on all States, and in particular Annex II States that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible. Svetlan Stoev stressed that with its entry into force, the Treaty will provide a legally binding global ban on nuclear explosions of all kinds and this will be a decisive step forward in the noble goals of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Our Foreign Minister also called on the DPRK to sign and ratify the CTBT without delay and to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. He congratulated Italy and Republic of South Africa on chairing the 12th Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT and expressed his appreciation for the work done by Germany and Algeria as former coordinators under Article XIV. He also extended his heartfelt wishes for the success of Dr. Robert Floyd in his future endeavours as newly appointed Executive Secretary of the CTBT.