Speech by President of the Government at residence of Spanish Ambassador to United Nations

New York (United States)

Thank you very much, Mr Ambassador.

I remarked to the Ambassador, and to my wife as well, that the first time I came into this residence of the Spanish Ambassador to the United Nations, I was 25 years old, somewhat lost, wandering my way around the world, trying to work here in New York and enjoying this wonderful city. At that time, Carlos Westendorp, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, was the Ambassador to the United Nations. And well, by chance I was invited to a reception and once here I walked over to him and had the chance to speak with him. I already had certain political inclinations at that time and, in the end, we stayed after all the other guests had gone, talking for quite a while about politics in Spain and politics in Europe.

And what I could never have imagined is that this talk would lead, two or three years later, one day in Brussels - which is where I was then - to a call from Carlos Westendorp, who was then the United Nations High Representative in Bosnia, to join his cabinet team. Hence, to some extent, Mr Ambassador, it all started here.

But anyway, I will always be grateful to Carlos and to the diplomatic corps, consequently, for the opportunity he gave me, aged 28, to work for the United Nations, although it was not on a United Nations mission, but rather in what was created back then, which was the post of United Nations High Representative to implement the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia, and to be able to see firsthand, not only that country and also the people of that country, but also to be able to see the work of the United Nations first hand.

Since then, I have been someone - from a political perspective - that strongly supports multilateralism and organisations such as the United Nations. I believe that today, after hearing some speeches that deny globalisation and multilateralism and embrace other more nationalistic values, it is very important that there are figures we create to ensure that there are no borders for many of the challenges we face in the 21st Century, and that we need to strengthen such institutions and organisations as the United Nations.

Of course, for me it is a source of pride, Mr Ambassador, that there are - I believe you said 258 to me -Spanish officials working at the United Nations. I would like this number to be higher and, moreover, to see them in more senior positions. I am sure that you are in positions of enormous responsibility. And I can assure you that, to the extent of our possibilities, we are going to try and do whatever we can to ensure that there are more Spaniards in positions of responsibility at the United Nations. I think that this is a matter pending as a country, not as a government, but as a country, and I believe that this is a matter that we must resolve once and for all.

Because I believe that Spanish society, the public servants who are here representing us, at least in national terms, at the United Nations, we share many values and much of the agenda that right now the Secretary-General of the United Nations is implementing.

Personally, for example, when I listen to the Secretary-General of the United Nations speak or the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations speak about the gender equality agenda, well, I think that was the same agenda as Spain's.

Talking about migration or a respectful approach to human rights on such a complex issues as migration, well, I think that is the same agenda as Spain's, as Spanish society's.

Or when we speak, for example, about climate change and about so many things that you are working on each day, and which we are also trying to make a reality in Spain. Hence, what I want to say to you is that Spain's commitment to multilateralism and, hence, your government's commitment, is absolute, and the approach we take is to try and strengthen the presence of Spain and of its public servants on a great many rungs on the ladder of this multilateralism, of these institutions that represent the whole United Nations system.

And, above all, give you my heartfelt thanks for the work you are doing. I believe you are the best ambassadors of Spain. And consequently, you not only have my respect, but also my esteem. And to a certain extent, I am also somewhat jealous. Because you are here, in the United Nations, in New York and I am sure that, in the end, although this city is tough, I am sure that you are enjoying it and, above all, enjoying your work.

One of the things that I often take away from my political experience is that, unfortunately, there are very few people in the world that can do what they like. But I am convinced that many of you are doing what you like and that is always a true gift given to us by life. So, let's enjoy this.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretary for Communication)

Non official translation