European Council President Antonio Costa urged reform of the UN and its Security Council on Thursday, and expressed regret about the "impasse" in the Gaza Strip and Palestine, saying it was "prolonging the suffering" of millions of civilians.
Costa told the UN General Assembly that the organization must remain "at the center of the multilateral system," despite pressures from geopolitical polarization, financial constraints and institutional shortcomings.
"The answer is not withdrawal. The answer is to reform, renew and reinvest," he said, reiterating the EU's demand for comprehensive Security Council reform to make it more "effective, inclusive, democratic and accountable."
Costa also stressed the need to uphold international law and protect international judicial institutions.
"Following and defending international law is not an option. It is our responsibility," he said.
Costa said the EU supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and would defend "their independence, integrity, and their ability to fully carry out their mandate."
He also described threats and attacks against the ICC, its officials and staff as "unacceptable," adding that accountability "cannot depend on political expediency."
Turning to Gaza, Costa said, "We regret the current impasse in Gaza and, more broadly, in Palestine, which prolongs the suffering of millions of civilians."
He reaffirmed the EU's support for a two-state solution, describing it as the only way to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East, with Israel and an independent, democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security.
On Russia's war against Ukraine, Costa said Moscow had repeatedly threatened the security of EU member states "over the past twelve months" and must put an end to the "dangerous escalation."
"The international community must do its utmost and use all of the tools available to it to bring an end to this war and to create the conditions for negotiations for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace," he said. "This war must end."
The council chief also addressed Iran, calling for the ceasefire to be "fully respected" and for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to be preserved "unconditionally and without hindrance."
"It is essential that Iran is never allowed to acquire nuclear weapons," he said, adding that the security of countries across the region must also be ensured.
Costa also called for an "accountable, transparent and regulated" global architecture for artificial intelligence, saying AI must "serve humanity, not control it."
"The AI industry cannot be regulated by a few major global companies," he added.
Costa also announced that the EU, alongside Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, India and Kenya, had launched Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity (P4M), an open platform aimed at defending common principles and developing practical solutions. He invited all UN members to join the initiative and endorse its declarations.
On development, he warned that the 2030 Agenda is "at risk," citing a widening financing gap, worsening climate crisis and geopolitical divisions, and said the Sustainable Development Goals by 2027 should become a "turning point" to pick up the pace.
