Pedro Sánchez: "It is time to confront fear with more democracy, and inequality with more justice"

Barcelona

Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, received leaders from 21 international delegations in Barcelona, most of them headed by their respective leaders, from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, within the framework of the 4th Meeting 'In Defence of Democracy'. There, he called for reinforcing joint action on a global scale to protect and strengthen democratic systems in the face of current challenges.

"Democracy cannot be taken for granted," stated Pedro Sánchez during his address at the plenary session of this key meeting, during which he appealed to the responsibility of all countries to defend and protect the values of democracy, multilateralism, and respect for the rules-based international order.

The session focused on three priority areas: the defence of institutions and multilateralism; digital technologies and the fight against disinformation and extremism; and the promotion of social justice against inequality. The President of the Government of Spain called on the assembled leaders, a growing political community united by shared values, to take action, reiterating that "democracy is not only defended, but strengthened and perfected every day."

On the first issue, the defence of multilateralism, Pedro Sánchez emphasised the need to renew the system to adapt it to the 21st century, making it more effective and efficient, more transparent and democratic, more inclusive and representative. He therefore called for the renewal of the United Nations to adapt to this reality and for it to be led, for the first time in its history, by a woman. "It's not just a matter of justice, it's a matter of credibility," he stressed.

On digital governance, he stressed the need to establish rules of the game that ensure technology is a tool for progress and not an element of division and dependence. In this regard, President Sánchez highlighted the launch in Barcelona of the Roundtable on Digital Democracy as the materialisation of the commitment made to exchange experiences and coordinate actions to improve digital governance, a shared concern. "The internet knows no borders, and therefore, either we move forward together or no one will. Either we establish common rules or they will be imposed on us, because the digital space is either democratic or it will cease to exist," he stated.

Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Tackling inequality is one of the priority areas of action, and for this reason, the president pointed out, "our democratic agenda is also the agenda of social justice." In his remarks, he emphasised the incompatibility of inequality with the distribution of resources and opportunities that strong and healthy democracies represent, and that it is also a breeding ground for extremism. President Sánchez reiterated his commitment to cohesion and equal opportunities; to the participation of young people; to gender equality; and to more inclusive societies.

During the meeting, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, held several bilateral meetings. In his meeting with the President of the Republic of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, they discussed their bilateral relationship and the global challenges facing the world. Both leaders shared the need to defend democracy and multilateralism in a context of instability.

Also in Barcelona, he had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, a meeting in which they highlighted the many shared perspectives between their governments, such as the architecture of social cohesion on a global scale and the fight against climate change.

He also met with the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, with whom he discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation in a context marked by wars and instability, as well as the possibility of coordinating initiatives among those who place the defence of democracy at the heart of their policies.

During the day, he held other bilateral meetings with leaders present at the summit, such as the President of the United Mexican States, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Non official translation