India, EU and Five Partners Back UN Reform in Joint Declaration on Multilateralism

India, the European Union and five other initial co-sponsors issued a joint declaration on Monday pledging to strengthen international cooperation and reform multilateral institutions as they warned of growing conflict, polarisation and pressure on international law.

The declaration, titled A Joint Commitment to Multilateralism, International Law, Peace and Prosperity, names Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, India and Kenya as its initial co-sponsors. It commits the signatories to work together on peace, sustainable development, human rights and shared prosperity.

Image from UNHighLevelWeek: Via: @DrSJaishankar

The signatories expressed concern about violations of international law and the increasing use of coercion, protectionism and threats or force. They also warned that economic interdependence was being used as a source of leverage, disrupting trade, supply chains, investment and development finance. The declaration did not name any country in connection with those concerns.

The statement stated support for the UN Charter and principles including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force. It called for a multilateral system that is more effective and representative, and said the signatories would work to strengthen the United Nations. 

Addressing the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism Summit on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, "Multilateralism will be best served when international law, rules and norms are scrupulously observed. For multilateralism to forge ahead, its advocacy and its practice must both be strengthened. Reformed multilateralism is therefore essential. More participative deliberations and more transparent decision-making are both overdue."

A pleasure to join @eucopresident António Costa in co-chairing the Partners for Multilateralism, International Law, Peace & Prosperity (P4M) Summit. Took the opportunity to:

✅ Stress the essentiality of multilateralism today to preserve the spirit of international cooperation… pic.twitter.com/0AWJjijNDt

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 22, 2026

Meanwhile, the co-sponsors also identified climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and the rapid development of artificial intelligence as challenges requiring stronger cooperation. They backed more resilient global supply chains, reform of the multilateral trading system and improvements to the international financial architecture, while reaffirming commitments under the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The declaration proposes regular exchanges open to partners from all regions to support dialogue and practical cooperation. It sets out shared priorities, but gives no timetable or specific institutional reform proposals.