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Germany in the United Nations

Taking Responsibility for Global Peace and Security

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annlena Baerbock visits Gao, Mali the of ground-based and airborne reconnaissance capabilities.

Facts & Figures

The German House in New York. In the foreground the UN Flag is waving.

50 Years

Germany has a track record of reliable support and leading contributions to the entire UN system over the past 50 years. We have served in almost every United Nations body.

Police officer standing with his back turned towards the camera.

20 UN peace missions

Germany has participated in more than 20 UN peace missions in all parts of the world – supporting through expertise and mediation, and providing financial resources.

United Nations sign

$5.000.000.000

Germay is the second-biggest contributor to the United Nations, providing over five billion US dollars to the UN system in 2023 alone.

The United Nations SDG coloured Ring

0.7% of GDP

As a staunch supporter of the 2030 Agenda, Germany repeatedly surpassed the international target of providing Official Development Assistance equalling 0.7 percent of the Gross National Income.

The exterior of the UN Campus Bonn main building.

33 UN Entities

Germany hosts more than 30 UN organisations, most of them in the UN City Bonn, and has seconded thousands of professionals to the UN.

Four Peacekeeper awards.

7.500 trained UN peacekeepers

Germany supports training centers in Africa where 7.500 UN peacekeepers have been trained over the past 3 years alone.

6 terms on the Security Council

Germany has gathered experience as an elected member of the Security Council on six occasions.

Embassy Sign

225 missions abroad

Germany has a network of 225 diplomatic and consular missions all over the world – building alliances and working with our partners on peace and security.

58% Women

58% of the German United Nations staff are female.

Timeline

Germany in the UN: A Unique Story

1952

Germany is divided into two states: West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany – FRG) and East Germany (German Democratic Republic – GDR). The FRG attained an observer status in the United Nations in 1952 and the GDR in 1972.

1973

On 18th September, the FRG and the GDR officially joined the United Nations as the 133th and 134th Member States.

The Commission on Human Rights,

1975

The Federal Republic of Germany was elected to the Commission on Human Rights.

Sculpture of The Knotted Gun also known as “Non-Violence” in front of the UN Headquarter in New York.

1977-1978

The Federal Republic of Germany held its first seat as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council.

President of the General Assembly Rudiger von Wechmar (FRG), shaking hands with Maître Alioune Blondin Beye, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali.

1980-1981

The Western German Diplomat Rüdiger von Wechmar was elected President of the General Assembly. The GDR became non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

hree segments of the "Berlin Wall" at the North Garden of UN Headquarters.

1990

Following reunification, East and West Germany were succeeded by a single, unified Germany in the United Nations.

Paper stating in Germany: United Nations Security Council, Federal Republic of Germany.

1996-1997

Reunified Germany was elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan giving a speach. The UN Flag is waving next to him.

2006

The UN Campus in Bonn was inaugurated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Two hands holding together a green young plant

2011

Germany organized the first ever Security Council debate on security risk of sea-level rise and food security and led the first Presidential Statement on Climate and Security.

United Nations Security Council

2019-2020

Germany's fifth term on the UN Security Council focused on regional conflicts, prevention, climate security, human rights, and Women, Peace and Security.

Flags of the United Nations, the European Union and Germany.

2023

Guided by the theme “Uniting for humanity”, Germany celebrated 50 years in the United Nations.

Logo "Summit of the Future"

2024

Germany and Namibia are co-facilitating the UN Summit of the Future, leading to the adoption of a global Pact for the Future.