For Respect, Justice, Peace: Foreign Minister Wadephul at the UN General Debate in New York

When representatives of the 193 UN member states gather for the annual General Debate, the eyes of the world are on New York. Once every year, world leaders travel to the United Nations to discuss their priorities and to find common solutions to current crises. Germany places great importance on the UN General Debate and its commitment to multilateral engagement.

The UN headquarters and the streets of Manhattan along the East River are all hustle and bustle. The General Assembly – in this year’s 80^th anniversary session – remains the most important global forum, convening leaders from all corners of the world for international coordination and diplomacy.

In his speech to the General Assembly, Foreign Minister Wadephul underlined Germany’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council: “At this time of crises, we have set ourselves three key objectives. These have been at the heart of Germany´s work at the United Nations for decades and summarize our Security Council bid today: Justice. Peace. Respect. That is Germany’s offer to each and every nation in the United Nations. It is an offer to listen, to cooperate, to find solutions.”

A focus of the General Debate was the UN80 reform launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Germany supports the ambitious reform agenda, as emphasized by Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan: “Germany is playing a key role in managing and shaping the UN reform process to ensure that the United Nations is well prepared for the huge global challenges. We need the United Nations now more than ever. All people everywhere in the world benefit from a strong UN – that builds peace, reduces poverty and drives sustainable development.”

Peacebuilding, supporting local civil society in their fight against extremism, combatting climate change and its implications for peace and security, reforming the UN to reflect the realities of the 21^st century: Germany is addressing global challenges – during the High-Level Week in New York and beyond.