National sovereignty can co-exist with multilateralism: UNGA President Espinosa

UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa said she strongly believes that national sovereignty can co-exist with the principles of multilateralism, without which problems like migration and climate change cannot be addressed.

She said that the countries can defend their national interest, but at the same time they can remain open and generous to understand the need for collective action on certain key issues.

"We live in a paradox. On the one hand, we see certain voices that are reclaiming national sovereignty and looking at national interest as if these principles could not co-exist with multilateralism," Espinosa told PTI in an interview here.

"I am a strong believer that both can coexist. You can defend your national interest and at the same time be open and generous to understand that there is a need for collective action on certain key issues," she said.

She asked as to how one can solve the issue of migration without having a multilateral approach.

"Can you address the issue of climate change without addressing it from a collective responsibility perspective. It's impossible," she said.

Espinosa said her call is that "we can really look at both issues and converge, defend national interest and belong to the international community in a responsible way."