The head of state leads the Bulgarian delegation and represents our country within the 79th session of the UN General Assembly
Last year's main priority, which was discussed at the UN General Assembly to strengthen the security environment, has not only not been achieved, but the debate is now taking place in the context of interconnected global crises. To the ongoing and escalating war in Ukraine is now added the war in the Middle East with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, migration, forced displacement of people, the global food crisis and the fight against global terrorism. This was stated by President Rumen Radev to journalists in New York. The head of state leads the Bulgarian delegation and represents our country within the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the theme of which is: "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”
As challenges to international security, the head of state also pointed to transnational organised crime, climate change and the risks associated with the development of artificial intelligence. Rumen Radev also emphasised the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who stated in his address today that the world cannot continue in this way any longer and deep reforms in the UN are necessary.
Bulgaria has its significant role with the participation, support and generation of many initiatives. First and foremost is the necessary comprehensive reform of the Security Council. We need to expand the participation category. We need a fairer regional representation, the president pointed out. Therefore, according to Rumen Radev, Bulgaria supports the provision of an additional seat in the Council for the Group of Eastern European countries.
The head of state highlighted the participation of our country in common efforts to find important solutions to achieve a more accessible and secure world in the conditions of modern technological challenges and developing digitisation. As an example of this, the president pointed to the joint initiative between Bulgaria and the USA to achieve the safety of all systems based on artificial intelligence.
Among other initiatives in which Bulgaria actively participates, President Radev singled out the eradication of poverty and the problem of water resources, which has been particularly topical for Bulgaria in recent months.
As a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2024-2026, Bulgaria focuses on the fight against discrimination, anti-Semitism, hate speech, as well as the empowerment of women, gender equality, child protection and the protection of media freedom and the safety of journalists. A current topic for Bulgaria, where we are observing growing self-censorship , the president also pointed out.
Asked to comment on the possibility that on October 10 a proposal will be made for Bulgaria to become a member of the Schengen area by land as well, the head of state reminded that Bulgaria has long fulfilled all the technical criteria for Schengen membership.
My position is clear. A series of governments are working on this topic - ex officio and regular. It is high time. To recall the diplomatic and technical efforts we have made. I hope this all works out. Above all, for the understanding of all member states that the protection of the external border of the EU is a commitment of all countries, not only those that have a common border, the president also said, emphasising the efforts of the interim government with Prime Minister Galab Donev to the launch of the pilot project for guarding the Bulgarian border in partnership with Austria.