Mexico advocates at the UN for a renewed multilateral system and sovereignty without subordination
Before the United Nations General Assembly, the government of Mexico emphasized the urgency of renewing the international body to ensure the fulfillment of its fundamental mandate: to protect humanity from armed conflict. During his speech, Roberto Velasco, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, stressed that global cooperation must be based on mutual respect and the absence of subordination between nations.
Velasco highlighted that, under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum which began in October 2024, the country has achieved a reduction of nearly 51% in the daily average of intentional homicides. This progress, according to the official, is the result of a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes addressing structural causes, the use of intelligence, institutional strengthening, and a greater state presence, ruling out the use of force as the sole solution.
Sovereignty is not measured in armies or material resources. All nations, all peoples, are worth the same before the law.
Roberto Velasco, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
Focus on human rights and migration
Mexican participation at the UN headquarters also served as a platform to advocate for the protection of citizens abroad. Velasco held key meetings with high-level international officials to address critical issues:
- Human Rights: Meeting with Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner, to follow up on the agenda regarding disappearances and analyze the deaths of Mexican citizens in United States detention centers.
- Migration: Meeting with Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), focused on promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration flows.
These statements occur in a context of diplomatic tension, following recent accusations that labeled Mexico as the epicenter of drug trafficking, in response to which the country reaffirmed that independence in its foreign policy requires that international law prevail over force.
Towards a future with female leadership
Globally, Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to the two-State solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict, the recognition of the Palestinian State, and its rejection of the embargo against Cuba. Likewise, the country is promoting the UN80 Global initiative, in conjunction with Norway, to strengthen the organization’s mediation capabilities in the face of current polarization.
Finally, regarding the succession of the UN Secretary-General, Velasco called for considering a paradigm shift in the organization’s leadership. The Mexican representative maintained that it is the right time for a woman to hold the Secretary-General position, marking a clear stance on the necessary evolution within the United Nations structure.
