G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on the margins of UNGA79
Statement by H.E. Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
25 September 2024, New York
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We thank the G20 Presidency, Brazil for opening up the G20 format and inviting us to this significant meeting. This clearly strengthens multilateralism.
Challenges ahead us are tremendous: climate change, global hunger, food insecurity; humanitarian crises; and wars of aggression.
We must continue fulfilling the sustainable development goals and strengthen the global stance on international rule-based order.
Adapting our economies is key to climate change mitigation. Estonia will soon adopt a Climate-resilient Economy Act – a framework that will set targets for our whole economy in line with becoming climate neutral by 2050. We have already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60% since 1990.
With the decisions of the last COP in Dubai – the world has many more pathways towards reaching the Paris Agreement`s goals.
Estonia also supports developing countries, especially the most vulnerable small island-states through government funded environmental projects. We also promote green technologies and solutions in business diplomacy and development cooperation.
As a resilient and innovative nation, Estonia sees the green transition as the next big opportunity for building a better environment globally. Hopefully the World Clean-up Day, a grass-root initiative which started in Estonia, and which is now marked on the UN calendar as the 20th September, inspires further actions alike.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Middle East clearly show that it is a time to reform UN institutions. Important to review and strengthen the General Assembly’s role and action, especially in the maintenance of international peace and security. Also it is time for the Security Council to guarantee that the right of veto is not abused.
Despite the efforts made this year, let us not forget the difficult challenges we still face ahead. We have to act, but effectively, therefore we must unite our thoughts and synergy in different progressive coalitions and processes. We cannot replace the multilateralism, with the UN and the Charter at its centre.