PEDRO SÁNCHEZ PÉREZ-CASTEJÓN, President of Spain, reaffirming support for international accountability mechanisms and the fight against impunity, said that his country is a defender of institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.  This consistent position “leads us to say the same thing in Ukraine, in Gaza, and in any other place”, he said.  Noting the pressures confronting the multilateral system, he said this is hindering the interlinked aspirations for peace, democracy, and development.  Stressing that democracy is the most advanced form of social and political organization that humanity has created in history, he said: “peace without democracy is the peace of jails”, while democracy without development or progress is a precursor to autocracy.  It has been 31 months since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s aggression not only against the Ukrainian people but against the entire international community.  Inviting all countries to support Ukraine’s Peace Formula, he said Spain will increase its humanitarian funding and will focus on recovery and reconstruction in that country.

The unbearable spiral of devastation in Palestine has now spread to Lebanon, he observed, stressing the importance of humanitarian assistance, with UNRWA as a key actor on the ground. Noting the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion establishing the illegality of the occupation of Palestinian territories, he added that Spain recognized the State of Palestine on 28 May.  In 1949, a Spanish man, Pablo de Azcárate, served as the first representative of the UN mediation mission in Palestine.  Noting that Mr. Azcárate was in exile from his own country, unable to return due to the dictatorship, he said his notes from that mission are filled with bitterness at the catastrophe he foresaw.  Noting the presence of Spanish troops in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), he said that in Western Sahara, he will continue to support the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy.  Also noting that the Indo-Pacific has become a center of gravity, he called for respect for the basic principles of international law, such as freedom of navigation at sea.  The European project is as an example of hope, he said, adding that in December 2020, Spain and the United Kingdom reached a bilateral understanding regarding Gibraltar.

Highlighting democratic backsliding around the world, he said that a global reactionary agenda is gaining ground amid distrust in institutions.  “Democracy is battling for its survival,” he said, adding that it cannot aspire to win this battle “with one hand tied”.  Noting the spread of lies, hoaxes, and hatred, he said that it is no longer enough to proclaim the moral superiority of democracy; instead the international community must acknowledge mistakes and work towards “internal rejuvenation”, by enhancing transparency and accountability, and by making citizens feel that democracy is “something that belongs to them … something alive.”

He also stressed the importance of tackling the climate emergency without succumbing to despair.  Noting that science has the solutions for this, he called on the international community to eliminate fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy.  More than half the electrical energy produced last year in Spain came from renewable sources, he said.  Data shows that progress is possible, he said, adding “let us honor our responsibilities by looking ahead without fear and with hope.”