ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred to the United Nations as a beacon of hope and an authentic example of global cooperation while speaking at an online conference to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. He underlined the undisputed contribution of the organisation to maintaining and building peace, as well as in preventing conflict, adding that the United Nations is a powerful vehicle for change. He also stressed that the observance of International Law is at the heart of this multilateral cooperation system.

Mitsotakis referred to the meeting of delegates from 46 countries – including Greece – in San Francisco in June 1945 when they were facing a world torn apart by six years of war. Freedom, democracy and the rule of law were preserved, but at unimaginable human cost, he noted.

That is why the UN Charter that the delegates implemented with their signature that year was inspired by three fundamental goals: peace and security, development and human rights.

"As we stand here today, united and demonstrating our determination to face a new and ever-evolving set of challenges to our way of life, I am proud to say that Greece unites its voice with the international community in embracing these values, on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations," Mitsotakis said.

He stressed that the UN's contribution to maintaining and building peace and to preventing conflict is undeniable, explaining that countless lives have been saved thanks to the actions of the United Nations. Millions of people displaced within their own country or forced to cross borders in search of security have found refuge, care and protection from this wonderful and evolving international institution, he said and added: "The adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals have strengthened our common ambition and have taken us, as an organisation, to a new level, and rightly so. Ongoing reforms to the UN Development System deserve our full support," he stated.

Regarding the need to promote change, the prime minister said that it is up to each member of the international community to seize the opportunities that are at everyone's disposal together, stressing that in order to do that, "we must remain committed to the multilateral cooperation system, with the United Nations at its core." He added at the same time that the observance of international law is at the heart of this multilateral cooperation system. Ensuring respect for human rights, international arms control, non-proliferation (of weapons of mass destruction), the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and world peace and security. "These are the values of multilateral cooperation on this, our 75th anniversary," Mitsotakis underlined.