President Ursula von der Leyen was in New York this week to participate in the UN General Assembly.
European Council President António Costa, High Representative / Vice-President Kaja Kallas and nine other College members were also present, making clear the EUs commitment to multilateralism and to the UNs role in an rules-based international order.
Throughout the week, the President held several bilateral meetings, including with US President Donald Trump, and she took part in events focusing on the two-State solution in the Middle East, Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, the safety of social media for kids, and climate action and renewable energy.
On Monday, she addressed the Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. President von der Leyen reiterated her commitment and highlighted Europes contribution to a stable Palestinian Authority thanks to an unprecedented financial package worth €1.6 billion. She said: “Ending the war might not be enough, if there is no pathway to peace. If the prospect of two States is no longer viable. And as we speak, the two-State solution is being undermined. This cannot be. Because the only realistic peace plan is based on two States.”
The President also addressed a conference in support of efforts to bring back home the tens of thousands of Ukrainian children that have been abducted by Russia: “They are not statistics. Each and every one is a child. And behind every abduction is a family in torment,” she said. She announced that the EU will join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and will host a high-level international conference on the matter.
At the same time, the EU is supporting children in Ukraine and President von der Leyen announced €200 million for the provision of meals in Ukrainian schools.
On Wednesday, the President addressed a conference on protecting children in the digital age together with Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The President stressed the risks to which children are exposed online, including cyber-bullying, encouragement of self-harm and online predators. She commended Australia on its unprecedented minimum age law and said that she will convene a panel of experts to assess next steps in Europe, “so that even online – and especially online – kids can be just that: kids.”
Over the past days, President von der Leyen also underlined the EUs commitment to addressing climate change and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, while at the same time drawing the benefits the clean transition and renewable energy offers. She took part in the UN Climate Summit, the Global Renewables Summit and an event on the ‘Scaling up renewables in Africa campaign. The President spoke of the progress that has been made since the Paris Agreement and the challenges ahead.
She spoke of how the EU is working with the rest of the world to reach for ambitious climate and energy goals.
“The energy transition should be at the heart of our international agenda,” the President said addressing world and business leaders. “Through Global Gateway, we will mobilise €300 billion by 2027. In the Caribbean, hydrogen technologies are stabilising renewable power supply. In Kenya, we are investing €3.4 billion in climate and nature projects, to support the governments goal of 100% clean power by 2030. These are just a few examples, but our approach is simple. As we share the same interests and ambitions, we want to work together with you.”
As the world prepares to meet in Brazil for the COP30 this year, President von der Leyen expressed her confidence and commitment to multilateralism and the possibilities of the clean transition.
A strong bilateral agenda
President von der Leyen also took the opportunity to meet several world leaders and exchange on the EUs bilateral relation with partners around the world.
On Tuesday, she met US President Donald Trump. They discussed the need to cut Russias revenues from fossil fuels and Europes plan to turn the page on them by 2027.
They also touched on Russias recent incursions into European airspace. “These are clear attempts to test our response: Europe is speeding up its defence efforts to strengthen its eastern flank. It must act as a shield for both Europe and NATO,” President von der Leyen said after the meeting.
The following day she met Chinas Premier Li Qiang, with whom she raised Europes concerns regarding export controls, market access, and overcapacity. She also reiterated the EUs request for China to use its influence to help bring and end to the killing in Ukraine and bring Russia to the negotiating table.
President von der Leyen also met the Presidents of Angola, Guatemala, Mozambique, South Africa, Switzerland and Syria.
More information
Speech by President von der Leyen at the Global Renewables Summit (22 September)
Speech by President von der Leyen at the conference on the return of Ukrainian children (23 September)
Statement by President von der Leyen following the meeting with US President Trump (23 September)
Speech by President von der Leyen at the high-profile event Protecting Children in the Digital Age (24 September)
Statement by President von der Leyen with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (24 September)
Statement by President von der Leyen following her meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (24 September)
Speech by President von der Leyen at the United Nations Climate Summit (24 September)
Interventions by President von der Leyen at Global Citizen NOW on the ‘Scaling up renewables in Africa campaign (24 September)
