Foto: Inquam Photos / Octav GaneaRomanian President Nicușor Dan on Wednesday addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting Romania’s economic transformation and its strategic position in Europe.
Dan, a mathematician and former Bucharest mayor, became president in May 2025 after winning a presidential run-off against nationalist candidate George Simion. He ran as an independent on a pro-European platform and has advocated maintaining Romania’s close ties with the EU and NATO, as well as continued support for neighboring Ukraine.
“Our message is simple: Romania is open to business and innovation,” President Nicușor Dan said on Wednesday in New York, during Romania’s national address at the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Hotnews reported.
Dan praised the economic transformation Romania has undergone in almost four decades of democracy and a market economy.
“Millions of Romanians know from personal experience the difference between a communist system that oppressed them and stifled initiative, and the freedom of choice and democracy that rewards hard work, innovation and personal responsibility.
“This choice has transformed Romania into one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations for investment and development. Romania has aligned itself with the standards of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Leading global companies have established production, engineering, technology and service centers in my country,” Dan said.
He said Romania’s main “strategic advantage” is its people.
“Our most important strategic advantage is our people — scientists, engineers, doctors and technology specialists. They are shaping the industries of the future: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defense technologies, advanced manufacturing and robotics,” Dan continued.
Nicușor Dan: Romania is a strategic hub for trade, energy and transport
The president said “Romania is strengthening Europe’s resilience.”
“We are developing significant reserves of natural gas, critical minerals and other strategic resources, essential for securing supply chains and reducing dependence on unpredictable energy sources. Next year, we will begin extracting 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Black Sea,” Dan said.
Nicușor Dan also described Romania as “a gateway connecting Europe with the rest of the world”, citing its location at the intersection of the Danube, the Black Sea and major trade corridors.
“My country serves as a strategic hub for trade, energy and transport. Economic development is even stronger when it is built on partnership.
“Our message is simple: Romania is open to business and innovation. We are a credible and reliable partner, ready to contribute to shared prosperity,” the president said.
Nicușor Dan to attend UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine
Later on Wednesday, at 6pm Romanian time, President Nicușor Dan is also scheduled to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting focused on Ukraine.
Nicușor Dan will outline the “immediate security consequences” of the war in Ukraine for Romania and the wider region, according to statements made the previous evening by state adviser Vlad Ionescu and cited by Romania’s national news agency Agerpres.
Ionescu said Dan’s address will take place during a debate entitled “Maintenance of Peace and Security in Ukraine”, convened at the initiative of France, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council.
“The meeting is dedicated to a comprehensive assessment of the situation surrounding this conflict and its consequences for the international multilateral system, for stability and for security, including global food security.
“It is a comprehensive meeting, at which the president will, naturally, present our perspective on the immediate consequences for Romania in terms of security and beyond, as well as for the region to which we belong and for international partners affected by this conflict,” Vlad Ionescu explained.
According to the adviser, Dan is expected to stress that the war in Ukraine requires “a just and lasting settlement.”
Also on the president’s agenda on Wednesday is the sixth summit of the International Crimea Platform, entitled “A Test of Unity, a Call for Action.”