Andorra's Espot Urges UN Charter Respect, Backs Ukraine and Palestine Solution

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, urged respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and humanitarian principles in his final address to the 81st UN General Assembly, framing global challenges as a profound crisis of trust among states, between institutions and citizens, and within the international community.

Speaking in New York, Espot warned that relativizing international commitments, violating the UN Charter, or banalizing attacks on civilians undermines not only peace but also faith in global order. He issued an unambiguous condemnation of any aggression breaching a state's sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing solidarity with Ukraine in its protracted war against Russia and advocating a negotiated two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition as the path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

Espot highlighted rising attacks on civilians worldwide, calling the statistics "not only dramatic but morally unacceptable," with states often responsible for violations they should prevent. He stressed multilateralism and dialogue as the only way to address shared threats, declaring that "no nation can save itself alone" and that "what unites us is stronger than what divides us."

On climate change, he insisted mountains must move from the periphery of international agendas, serving as freshwater reserves for hundreds of millions, biodiversity havens, and key indicators of global warming—issues acutely felt in territories like Andorra. Espot also addressed technological shifts, praising artificial intelligence's potential while cautioning it must expand opportunities rather than inequalities, protect human rights, and strengthen democracies. He defended cultural and linguistic diversity, rejecting digital homogenization that marginalizes minority languages.

Drawing on Andorra's history of peace through pacts, Espot reaffirmed commitments to the 2030 Agenda and called for UN reforms to reflect modern realities and foster shared responsibility. The UN, he said, remains essential as a forum for legitimate interests and collective action.

Prior to the address, Espot attended the 6th International Crimea Platform, reiterating support for Ukraine and international law's role in peace. He joined a high-level roundtable hosted by Finland's president on leveraging existing mechanisms for global cooperation. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor took part in the 4th Climate Mobility Summit, focusing on adaptation in mountain areas, and held bilateral talks with counterparts from Grenada, Rwanda, India, and Thailand. Espot praised UN Secretary-General António Guterres for leadership through recent crises and voiced hopes for Andorra's future association with the European Union.