Ambassador Anita Pipan, Acting Director-General for International Law and Multilateral Affairs, presenting Slovenia's priorities to the diplomatic corps. |Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

The Slovenian delegation to the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, taking place from 22 to 26 September 2026 in New York, will be led by Prime Minister Janez Janša and also include Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tone Kajzer. The Minister of Health, Dr Tadej Ostrc, and the Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Polona Rifelj, will attend high-level events on health and the environment taking place in parallel.

Slovenia is entering the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which is being held under the theme 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All' as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2026–2028, the UNICEF Executive Board for the period 2025–2027, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the period 2026–2029 and the Statistical Commission for the period 2024–2027.

Acting Director-General Pipan emphasised that Slovenia has traditionally advocated effective, rules-based multilateralism with the UN at the core. This approach is based on the idea that peace and security, sustainable development and human rights are inextricably linked and mutually supportive, while also respecting international law and the objectives and principles of the UN Charter.

Addressing the assembled ambassadors and representatives of embassies based in Ljubljana, she informed them that during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Slovenia would strive to advance its priorities within the following key thematic areas: international peace and security; democracy, freedom and human rights; prosperity and sustainable development; and effective tackling of global challenges and fostering confidence in the UN.

Slovenia will advocate respect for international humanitarian law and protection of civilians, especially women and children. It will champion respect for international law and accountability for the most serious international crimes, as well as the strengthening of international judicial mechanisms. The country will also call for the strengthening of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control regimes, paying particular attention to cybersecurity and the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Ukraine remains a key priority. Slovenia will continue to support the establishment of a just and lasting peace that is acceptable to Ukraine, based on the UN Charter and international law, and continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine and ensure accountability for the crimes committed.

As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Slovenia will uphold the universality, inalienability, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights, and continue to champion these efforts. The country will promote equal rights for men and women, as well as the protection of the rights of women and girls, human rights and the environment, rights of the child, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, human rights education and the rights of minorities.

Slovenia will support the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In areas where it has expertise, Slovenia will emphasise the link between climate change, peace, security and human rights. Priorities include sustainable water resource management and strengthening international cooperation on water issues in the context of sustainable development and conflict prevention.

Slovenia will also support reforms aimed at making the UN more effective, inclusive and representative. Particular emphasis will be placed on implementing the Pact for the Future, conflict prevention and strengthening the peace-building architecture.