Minister Calls for Global Energy Sovereignty at UN Assembly

The global community must ensure that no state can unilaterally jeopardize another’s energy security, as such actions constitute an attack on national sovereignty, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó stated at the UN General Assembly session on sustainable energy in New York on Thursday.

Addressing the assembly, Péter Szijjártó highlighted the rapidly growing global demand for electricity, driven by the electrification of transportation, the proliferation of cooling and heating systems, and accelerated digitalization. He underscored that meeting this surging demand is one of the most critical challenges of our time. Failure to secure stable energy supplies, he warned, could lead to severe economic and environmental consequences and, in extreme cases, humanitarian crises.

Minister Szijjártó stressed that

the expansion of nuclear energy is essential for providing cost-effective, stable, and environmentally conscious solutions to rising energy demands.

He emphasized that nuclear power not only addresses energy needs but also offers a platform for international cooperation, as demonstrated by Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant expansion. This project involves collaboration between companies from multiple countries, showcasing nuclear energy’s potential to bridge East-West divides.

Paks nuclear plant expansion. Photo: Facebook/Paks II. Atomerőmű Zrt.

He rejected the negative bias against nuclear energy, attributing such opposition to ideological and political motives rather than scientific reasoning. “Hungary is committed to expanding its nuclear capacity to ensure secure energy supplies, maintain low prices, protect the environment, and shield the country from the volatility of international energy markets,” he stated.

Péter Szijjártó expressed strong opposition to unilateral interference in national energy policies, calling such actions unacceptable. He emphasized that secure energy supply is a matter of national security and sovereignty.

All states must refrain from actions that endanger another country’s energy supply. Energy security is not just an economic issue; it is a fundamental aspect of national sovereignty,”

he added.

The minister condemned any unilateral actions that risk destabilizing another nation’s energy system, equating such moves to an attack on sovereignty. He urged the international community to take a firm stance to prevent such interference and protect energy security globally.

Minister Szijjártó concluded by reiterating the importance of global cooperation in addressing energy challenges. He called on nations to support sustainable and stable energy solutions while respecting the sovereign rights of states to determine their energy strategies. Hungary’s commitment to nuclear energy, he noted, exemplifies the integration of sustainability and sovereignty, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.

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