Andrzej Duda spoke at the UN forum. “A global priority”

Andrzej Duda delivered a speech at the United Nations forum as part of a session that focused on infrastructure, but also on the broader context of this issue, i.e. ensuring security and a platform for development. The president began by noting that the world is facing many global crises that have a significant impact on infrastructure systems.

Andrzej Duda at the UN headquarters. “The goal should be to prevent crises, not just react to them.”

He referred to the experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, climate change and natural disasters, which cause disruptions in supply chains, blockages of transport routes, affect energy insecurity and limited availability of safe telecommunications services, all of which affect societies and economies.

– I am deeply convinced that many of these challenges can be faced and reduced by building a network of regional infrastructure connections. It is a key instrument for building resilience, which is a critical task to ensure global development. Our goal should be to prevent crises, not just react to them, Andrzej Duda emphasized.

Andrzej Duda on the “clear signal”. “A global priority”

The President expressed pride that Poland initiated and led negotiations on the General Assembly resolution “Building global resilience and promoting sustainable development through regional and interregional infrastructure connections.” – This supra-regional initiative of Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, El Salvador, Estonia, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania was jointly promoted by over 80 countries representing all regions. Adopted by the General Assembly by consensus, it formed the basis of our meeting today, said Andrzej Duda.

– The resolution sends a very clear signal to the entire UN system and the private sector that investing in high-quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure is a universal global priority. More importantly, it demonstrates our deep commitment to sustainable development and dialogue with the countries of the Global South, he added.

The President about the Three Seas Initiative. “We are the engine of the European economy”

Later in his speech, Andrzej Duda emphasized the importance of the Three Seas Initiative, which “has become the basic platform for regional efforts aimed at increasing the connection network in our part of Europe.” – Our joint actions have contributed to the security and economic prosperity of the European Union, mainly through various infrastructure projects and improved regional connections. The members of the Three Seas Initiative are among the fastest growing in the EU. We are the engine of the European economy and an excellent location for investment in these unstable times, he said.

The President of Poland also emphasized that Central and Eastern Europe was particularly affected by the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine. – It is the Three Seas infrastructure that has enabled us to move away from Russian energy sources. The increased number of regional connections helped us avoid the worst consequences of this war, concluded Andrzej Duda.