“As a response to the growing revisionism, polarization, and unilateral actions worldwide, our candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term is guided by the motto "Dialogue-Diplomacy-Democracy" (3Ds). We are committed to strengthening the rules-based international order and promoting the merits of dialogue, diplomacy, and democracy.”
JOURNALIST: What was the main message you brought to New York and the world during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly?
G. GERAPETRITIS: In an ever-changing international environment, Greece pursues a multifaceted foreign policy based on International Law and firmly advocates the purpose and fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
I conveyed to all my interlocutors that we are determined to work closely with our EU partners, neighbors, allies, and friends to create conditions for the prosperity and security of our nations, our region, and the world.
Greece is a pillar of stability in a region where some of the most pressing problems prevail: Conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean, the MENA region, the Sahel and the Balkans, the refugee issue, human trafficking, and terrorism.
It is safe to say that world affairs are increasingly becoming more complicated. New challenges arise: Climate change, aggressiveness in international relations, large migratory flows, public health emergencies, and food crises. These challenges demand concerted efforts both at a regional and a global scale.
Our main message at the UN General Assembly was that unilateral actions lead nowhere. We must get back to basics: Dialogue, Democracy, and the Rule of Law. Forging a more deliberative, representative, and participatory global governance, regulating global challenges, building on global solidarity, and considering the needs of future generations should become the keywords in today’s international policymaking.
JOURNALIST: Greece has announced its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. What exactly motivated that decision? Could you elaborate on the pillars that Greece has highlighted for its candidacy, particularly focusing on the promotion of a peaceful settlement of conflicts, addressing the link between climate change and security, and upholding respect for international law? And how do you intend to promote these pillars?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Greece is a founding member of the United Nations, whose primary purpose is maintaining international peace and security.
Our candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term is guided by the motto "Dialogue-Diplomacy-Democracy" (3Ds) as a response to the growing revisionism, polarization, and unilateral actions worldwide. We are committed to strengthening the rules-based international order and promoting the merits of dialogue, diplomacy, and democracy.
Our UNSC candidacy has six priorities: The Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, The Respect for International Law and the United Nations Charter, Women, Peace and Security agenda, Climate change and security, Children in armed conflicts, and Maritime Security.
Greece, if elected, will cooperate with all UN Member States, seeking to employ a wide array of tools for the prevention and resolution of international disputes, including addressing the root causes of conflicts. We also support the implementation of the Secretary General's Our Common Agenda, to improve the effectiveness of the UN–centered multilateral system in crisis and conflict response.
Climate change is an existential threat with immense consequences: Food insecurity, water scarcity, epidemics, health risks, displacement, and instability. Therefore, it poses a serious threat to international security and prosperity. As a member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, Greece supports advancing the UN’s response to these risks and promoting enhanced cooperation, systematically mainstreaming climate and environmental issues into the UN Security Council’s regular work.
Being a maritime nation by tradition and the world’s leading ship-owning country, Greece attaches great importance to maritime security and respect for the International Law of the Sea. Illegal activities at sea, such as piracy, terrorist acts, arms trafficking, human trafficking of migrants, and Illegal Unregulated Unreported (IUU) fishing, constitute major maritime security threats.
Greece will further promote the implementation of UNCLOS as the sole legal and institutional framework governing the world’s oceans and seas. In 2024, we will host the 9th “Our Ocean Conference” in Athens on all the significant issues concerning oceans and seas, including ocean health and security, climate change, biodiversity loss, over-fishing, and marine pollution.
JOURNALIST: As part of its candidacy, Greece has emphasized the importance of addressing climate change within the context of international security. Could you discuss how Greece envisions integrating climate change concerns into the Security Council's agenda and what specific initiatives you plan to advocate for? And what would you like to see happen on an international level to fight climate change? And how do you see the role of the Arab states, especially Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia in the fight against climate change and the transition to a greener world?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Climate change affects enormously Greece and the entire Mediterranean region. This summer, we were struck by the effects of the climate crisis, first by wildfires and then by floods. This obliges us to act on a national and global level.
We consider green transition a key element of the fight against climate change. Greece is on track to meet the national target of 80% electricity production from renewables in 2027. We are strongly committed to implementing the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda and will prioritize achieving their goals.
During his address at the UNGA, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled two climate-related initiatives, one regional and one global. The regional initiative involves Greece's proposal for the EU Med 9 countries to prioritize short-term adaptation efforts to combat climate change. The other initiative is establishing a "global climate adaptation alliance," which will serve as a forum for cooperation on knowledge-sharing regarding innovative technology for predicting and modeling extreme weather events. Additionally, Greece will advocate for including this alliance in the agenda for the upcoming COP28 gathering in the United Arab Emirates.
Our efforts to become an energy hub, connecting the wider region with European markets and promoting energy diversification and autonomy, are underway.
In this context, we explore prospects for cooperation with the Arab world, including the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, which have led the way in green projects and renewable initiatives. Greece aspires to become the “bridge” between the Middle East and Europe in energy interconnection.
A couple of days ago, Greece and Saudi Arabia agreed to set up a jointly-owned company to link their power grids. This joint scheme is tasked with examining the commercial viability of the power interconnection. This is the first step of our joint plan to supply Europe with green energy.
JOURNALIST: One of the pillars of Greece's candidacy is the commitment to promoting the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Many ongoing conflicts on the Security Council agenda are in the Arab world (Syria, Libya, Yemen, Palestine…) How does Greece plan to leverage its position on the Security Council to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peaceful resolutions for these conflicts? And do you agree with many member states that that Arabs and Africans (who also have a number of files on the Security Council agenda) should have a seat at the council?
G. GERAPETRITIS: Let me start with your last question. The UN Security Council is the world’s leading body for maintaining international peace and security. We consider the impulse of reform understandable and the Arab inspirations legitimate. Greece will contribute to the intergovernmental talks on the UN Security Council reform to enhance the Council’s efficiency, transparency, effectiveness, and accountability.
Greece maintains strong and enduring relationships with all Arab countries and works closely with the Arab League. In addition, in the margins of UNGA, I had the opportunity to hold a productive meeting with the Golf Cooperation Council Secretary General, and I am very much looking forward to attending the EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting in Oman.
Greece is determined to facilitate initiatives to promote cooperation between the EU and the Arab world. Last April, for example, we organized a meeting of European Special Envoys on Syria in Athens with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy Geir Pedersen.
October 7, 2023