Espot bids farewell to the UN with a call for Andorra’s association with the EU

Andorra’s head of government, Xavier Espot, has advocated a future for Andorra linked to the European Union as an associated state during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. 

In his eighth and final speech to the organisation as head of government, he defended international cooperation as essential to tackling global challenges and called for greater protection for mountain regions.

Delivered in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly, the speech also addressed the protection of children in armed conflicts and the risks artificial intelligence poses to languages with fewer speakers.

Espot advocates Andorra’s association with the European Union

Andorra’s relationship with the EU featured in the address, with Espot linking the country’s future to its participation in international institutions.

“Faced with the great challenges of our time, no nation can save itself alone. That is why the future of Andorra and all other nations lies within the United Nations and, I hope one day, in our case, also within the European Union as an associated state.”

Espot s’acomiada de les Nacions Unides i defensa l’associació amb la UE pic.twitter.com/mQ1O4eUpYm

— La Veu Lliure (@laveulliure) September 24, 2026

With these words, Espot brought his support for association with the EU to the UN podium, as the process remains a central issue on Andorra’s political agenda.

He framed this ambition within a broader defence of multilateralism and international law, which he considers essential tools for addressing challenges that no country can resolve on its own.

Mountains as a global climate priority

Protecting mountain ecosystems was another central theme of the speech. Espot called for these regions to stop being treated as a secondary concern in international discussions on global warming.

The head of government recalled this summer’s extreme heat and major wildfires, stressing that the importance of mountains extends far beyond their scenic value.

“Mountains can no longer remain on the sidelines of the international climate agenda because they are much more than a landscape: they are freshwater reserves on which hundreds of millions of people depend, havens of exceptional biodiversity and a particularly revealing indicator of the effects of global warming.”

Espot highlighted Andorra’s role in championing mountain regions, following the country’s hosting of this year’s global meeting of the Mountain Partnership.

According to RTVA, he also pointed to the country’s efforts to increase renewable energy production and advance its energy transition.

Protecting children in armed conflicts

During his address, Espot called for peaceful solutions to the conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine and Lebanon, paying particular attention to their impact on civilians.

He stressed the need to protect children and explained that Andorra has increased its contribution to the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.

Espot defensa l’agenda 2030 a l’ONU perquè “el lloc on una persona neix no determini les seves oportunitats” pic.twitter.com/RPJL5sT85c

— La Veu Lliure (@laveulliure) September 24, 2026

The principality has also strengthened its support for UNICEF programmes and is participating in negotiations on a future convention on crimes against humanity, with particular emphasis on protecting children.

A warning about AI and minority languages

Artificial intelligence also featured in the speech. Espot acknowledged the opportunities offered by the technology while warning of its potential effects on democracy and cultural diversity.

In particular, he called for digital development to safeguard languages with fewer speakers.

“The digital revolution must not lead to cultural homogenisation that condemns languages with fewer speakers to invisibility.”

The head of government argued that global digital governance must incorporate respect for multilingualism, cultural diversity and equal access to knowledge, issues Andorra has made priorities during its diplomatic engagements at the United Nations.

A farewell after eight years representing Andorra

Espot closed his address with a farewell message after eight years bringing Andorra’s voice to the United Nations General Assembly.

He described representing the principality in New York as an “honour and a privilege” and stressed the contribution small states can make to the international community.

“The greatness of a nation is measured neither by its size nor by its economic or military weight, but by the strength of its values and its willingness to contribute to the common good.”