The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East - the main focus of President Radev's speech to the UN General Assembly

From the rostrum of the UN General Assembly, President Rumen Radev called for supporting multilateral diplomacy and international law. In his speech before the highest world forum on September 25, he stressed that threatening international peace and security undermines development and the rule of law in the global context.

Among the important highlights of the speech of Bulgaria’s President to world leaders was the need for deep reforms in the UN Security Council and the full mobilization of the entire international community to achieve the goals of peace and security on a global scale. All the more so against the backdrop of the increasingly escalating war in Ukraine and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, Rumen Radev also focused on Bulgaria's contribution to the sustainable development goals.

The Head of State stressed that Bulgaria addresses the 79th session of the General Assembly with determination to promote multilateral diplomacy and to seek workable solutions on the basis of the United Nations Charter. The international order forged at the UN is facing a threat, the President said, stressing that blatant threats to international peace and security are undermining the achievement of sustainable development and undermining the foundations of the rules-based international order.

"Two and a half years ago, the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and from the outset Bulgaria strongly condemned this war, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, immense suffering and destruction. Every day of this war increases the risk of an escalation in its intensity and territorial scope and poses a huge threat to international peace and security. The secondary effects of the war are already seriously affecting the economies and social systems of a number of countries," President Rumen Radev said.

That is why, in the President's words, the international community should seek ways that lead to de-escalation and dialogue and any diplomatic effort that seeks a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter and international law should be supported.

The Head of State highlighted the significant increase in instability in the Middle East region following the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent hostilities, which have led to a significant deterioration of security in the region, which also has global dimensions. The President also pointed out that the consequences of this military conflict - tens of thousands of civilian deaths and injuries in Gaza, the destruction of vital infrastructure and the mass displacement of people - cannot be forgotten.

"We call for an immediate ceasefire, free access to humanitarian convoys and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. We are deeply concerned by the latest developments in Lebanon, which create a qualitatively new and dangerous dimension to the conflict and increase the risk of its regional escalation," the Head of State added.

That is why Rumen Radev called for restraint from the use of force and for the exercise of reason so that the spiral of violence and human suffering is brought to an end. Rumen Radev identified the development of a world without a nuclear threat as an objective of critical importance for the international community at a time of ongoing destabilisation of many regions. A record number - of more than 1,200 media from around the world are following the forum.

Later tonight, the President will have an official meeting with NATO Secretary General Antonio Guterres. And then he and his wife, Dessislava Radeva, will be guests at the traditional dinner given by the U.S. President in honour of heads of state and government.