Director-General's remarks at the Roundtable “Regional Economic Integration of the EAEU: Outcomes of 10 Years and Prospects for Partnership”

Roundtable “Regional Economic Integration of the EAEU: Outcomes of 10 Years and Prospects for Partnership”
Thursday, 2 October 2025 at 3.00 p.m.
Room V, Palais des Nations

Excellencies, 
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for this roundtable, held as part of the Eurasian Economic Union Days. I extend my sincere thanks to the Eurasian Economic Commission and its Board Chairman, H.E. Mr. Bakytzhan Sagintayev, for convening this timely and important event.

We meet at a moment of profound global uncertainty. Armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the accelerating impacts of climate change continue to test the resilience of our economies and societies. Inequalities persist, while emerging technologies offer both opportunities and risks. This moment calls for a renewed spirit of partnership — because only together can we shape a sustainable future. Cooperation is not optional; it is essential.

This year marks a decade since the founding of the Eurasian Economic Union — a milestone that invites both reflection and ambition. Over the past ten years, it has evolved into a dynamic integration platform, connecting markets, driving inclusive growth, harmonizing digital policies, and fostering common approaches in key sectors such as energy, industry, and transport.

One of the most tangible outcomes of this integration has been the remarkable growth of intra-Union trade and the establishment of unified markets. The results speak for themselves: internal trade turnover has more than doubled, rising from USD 45.6 billion in 2015 to nearly USD 98 billion in 2024.

Another area of transformative progress is digital integration. The launch of the Integrated Information System for mutual data exchange has laid the foundation for a truly digital single market. This system now facilitates seamless coordination in customs, taxation, and statistics across Member States — reducing administrative burdens and enhancing transparency.

These achievements remind us that regional cooperation, while complex, can deliver real and lasting benefits for citizens and economies.

This anniversary also coincides with another milestone: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. For eight decades, the UN has stood as a beacon of multilateral cooperation. Last year, Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, along with the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. These landmark commitments aim to strengthen international cooperation, safeguard digital rights, promote inclusive governance, and ensure long-term sustainability for generations to come.

International Geneva plays a pivotal role in translating these aspirations into action. As a hub for diplomacy, innovation, and multistakeholder dialogue, Geneva brings together governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to co-create solutions and monitor progress. From digital governance to humanitarian coordination, Geneva’s institutions are instrumental in operationalizing the Pact for the Future and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Turning these commitments into reality requires not only global cooperation but also robust regional integration. Regional frameworks can advance prosperity and resilience, while global institutions provide the common standards and mechanisms that connect regions to one another.

The United Nations and the Eurasian Economic Union already share a history of constructive engagement. Let me give you a few examples:

•    The Eurasian Economic Union’s digital agenda—adopted in 2016 and focused on interoperable platforms, e commerce, and inclusive digital transformation — reflects principles that were later echoed in the Global Digital Compact. 
•    Green labeling and circular economy initiatives—such as reducing waste and encouraging product reuse—are being replicated in other regions by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Industrial Development Organization, promoting sustainable practices such as plastic recycling and electric cars battery reuse.
•    In partnership with the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Union promotes risk-informed decision-making, and enhances transboundary coordination to mitigate climate-related and industrial hazards.

Allow me to add a personal reflection. Before joining the United Nations, I had the privilege of serving as Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission. I know firsthand how complex regional integration can be — balancing national priorities, negotiating compromise, and turning commitments into action. But I also know how powerful it can be. When regional integration works, it strengthens economies, expands opportunities, and builds trust among countries. The Eurasian Union’s first decade has demonstrated this potential. The challenge now is to build on those foundations for the decade ahead.

Today’s roundtable is not only a moment of reflection but also a springboard for future collaboration. It is an opportunity to assess achievements, to learn from experience, and to identify where cooperation can be deepened — both within the region and with the United Nations system.

The United Nations Office at Geneva stands ready to support these efforts — by facilitating dialogue, connecting expertise, and building bridges between regional initiatives and global frameworks.

Crises remind us of our vulnerabilities. But they also remind us of our shared capacity to act, innovate, and cooperate. If we seize this moment, regional cooperation can be a powerful force for progress for the wider international community.

Let us use these two anniversaries —10th anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Union and 80th anniversary of the United Nations — to chart a bold course forward.

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently stated: “The 80th anniversary of the United Nations is a moment to renew our commitment to multilateralism and solidarity. The future will be shaped by cooperation — not confrontation.”

I wish you a stimulating and productive discussion.

Thank you.