Ioannis Ghikas is leading Greece’s efforts to play a significant role in international diplomacy, in an era of complex global challenges and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
How does Greece view its role within the United Nations, particularly in promoting international peace and security?
Greece sees itself as a strong advocate for international peace and security within the framework of the United Nations. As a founding member of the UN, Greece’s participation stems from the immense losses it suffered during World War II, including the devastation of its population and infrastructure. The UN was, and remains, central to Greece’s belief in collective security and the prevention of future conflicts. Greece is committed to ensuring that atrocities like those of World War II, when we lost 10% of our overall population, including the vast majority of our Jewish community in the Holocaust, are never repeated and that future generations can live in peace and stability. We are determined to continue to work hard to achieve this.
Through its membership in the UN, Greece has sought to bridge divides, positioning itself between North and South, and leveraging its memberships in NATO and the European Union (EU). The EU in particular is the world’s greatest and most successful experiment in effective reconciliation, cooperation and coexistence, and we are proud to be part of the European family. Imagine what the situation today in Eastern Europe and the Balkans would be without the EU. More generally, Greece actively supports multilateralism and emphasizes the need for collective enforcement of international laws, norms, and UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions to foster global stability. Ensuring greater respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes is the only way forward. Unfortunately, the shadow of the Cold War and the conflicts that it directly or indirectly created still lie heavily on all of us. A particularly painful example is the invasion and occupation of Cyprus in 1974. Adherence to UNSC resolutions could have prevented not only this but other conflicts, including those in the Balkans and the Caucasus, for which the invasion of Cyprus was a negative precedent, not to mention the outrageous and tragic ongoing aggression of Russia against Ukraine.
Can you elaborate on the key priorities and initiatives that Greece is currently advancing at the UN?
Greece’s primary focus at the UN is to promote the rule of law and adherence to UN principles, particularly in conflict prevention and resolution. It has long advocated for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions as a means to reinforce peace and security globally. Greece argues that failures to uphold these resolutions set negative precedents that can destabilize entire regions, as witnessed in the Balkans and other post-Soviet conflicts. Greece’s diplomatic stance calls for reinforcing the UN’s multilateral system to ensure collective compliance with international laws and norms as a means to prevent future conflicts.
We were recently elected with 184 votes to the Security Council, starting in January 2025. We aim to promote six major goals: peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law, women, peace and security, children in armed conflicts, and of course, as a seafaring nation, maritime security, which is under particular threat at the moment. We intend to contribute as much as possible to the end of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which remains an incredibly dangerous example of revisionism and irredentism, as well as to the containment and resolution of the war in Gaza and the reestablishment of peace and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of the two-state solution.
We actively participate in promoting global peace, in cooperation with our partners and Allies in the EU and NATO. Despite being a smaller country in global terms, Greece leverages its EU membership to contribute significantly to global stability, particularly through ‘soft power’ diplomacy. In fact, the EU has emerged as the principal champion of multilateralism, peace and security worldwide, and Greece is fully engaged in promoting our common goals in this respect. We were, for example, instrumental in promoting EU enlargement to the Balkans and Eastern Europe, and we remain committed to fully integrating the Western Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine.
We are also candidates for the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2028-2030. Within the HRC we are strong advocates for women’s rights, gender issues, rule of law, freedom of expression, and the other fundamental priorities in the field of human rights. Human rights, democracy, and respect for international law are the principal vectors for achieving a more just and equitable international order, and greater prosperity and security for all regions.
We are of course also active, either directly or through the EU, within the other international organizations in Geneva. For example, within the WTO we advocate using global trade as a vector to reduce global emissions, fight deforestation, and reinforce labor rights in low-income countries. Trade can be a powerful tool in this regard.
What initiatives is Greece leading or supporting at the UN that emphasize the importance of cultural preservation and intercultural dialogue?
As a country, we are deeply committed to the preservation of cultural heritage and intercultural and interfaith dialogue. One of our important initiatives is collaboration with China and other countries to protect cultural heritage sites from the effects of climate change. Greece has worked on registering the most vulnerable cultural sites worldwide and coordinating international efforts to preserve them. This initiative reflects Greece’s broader commitment to safeguarding global cultural legacies, a natural extension of its own historical treasures and sensitivities.
Greece’s role in the Olympic movement is significant, and the power of the Olympic movement to promote human rights, combat racism, and promote understanding, coexistence, and non-discrimination, was recently highlighted during the Paris Olympics, which were the most inclusive and unifying games in memory.
Greece has been an advocate for sustainable development. Can you discuss Greece’s contributions to the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Greece’s economic transformation, especially in the energy sector, positions it as an example of how countries can align national development with the SDGs. Despite suffering a severe economic crisis that saw its GDP shrink by 25% and its public debt soar to over 200% of GDP, Greece has recently made significant strides in its recovery. By focusing on energy reform, particularly through the expansion of renewable energy, Greece has revitalized its economy while advancing its climate goals. This shift has reduced Greece’s reliance on fossil fuels, created a domestic renewable energy industry, and lowered its public debt significantly, from over 200% to less than 160% of GDP in five years, all while improving the quality of life for its citizens. We expect the ratio of public debt to GDP to decrease to 133% percent by 2028.
Our commitment to the SDGs is clear, both on a national and EU level. While acknowledging that progress toward the SDGs has been slower than desired, Greece emphasizes the importance of continued efforts. By sharing its experience of economic recovery and energy transformation, Greece aims to provide a model for other countries, particularly in the developing world, showing that sustainable development is not only achievable but can lead to significant economic and social improvements.
Greece’s participation in the UN reflects its commitment to promoting international peace, security, and justice, grounded in its historical experiences and modern capabilities. By advocating for the rule of law, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, Greece plays a positive role in advancing the principles of the UN Charter and the SDGs. Through collaboration with its EU partners and the broader international community, Greece seeks to ensure that multilateralism, collective security, and sustainable development remain at the forefront of global efforts for peace and stability.
Greece, due to its history, is widely accepted and respected. We are not a former colonial power. In fact, we fought for centuries for our independence and, because of the Cyprus issue, we were a leader in the decolonization movement since the 1950s. We know what it means to be the subject of aggression and occupation and to be constantly on guard to preserve our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have coexisted with the Muslim world for over 1500 years and we have strong bridges of understanding, particularly with the Arab world. In fact, our unique cultural heritage and exchanges with most parts of the world allow us to build bridges and gain acceptance where others would find it difficult. There are millions of Greeks of the Diaspora living and working in just about every country in the globe, and they serve as bridges with people in all regions and our best goodwill ambassadors.