Madam President, Distinguished Colleagues,

Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.

In May 1945, eighty years ago, the guns fell silent in Europe. The war was over, but the continent lay in ruins. From the rubble of that devastation, a new world began to take shape.

The war, unleashed by Nazi Germany, caused immeasurable suffering, in Europe and beyond. That legacy of pain, destruction, and loss will forever be tied to my country’s name. We carry this burden with humility and a moral responsibility, and we accept it without hesitation.

The United Nations was born out of this catastrophe. And today, in this chamber, on behalf of Germany, I bow my head in remembrance of the millions who perished – men, women, and children from countless nations and communities, both soldiers and civilians alike. We mourn them. We remember them. And we ask for forgiveness – knowing well that the horror inflicted can never be undone.

The crimes of the Nazi regime have no parallel. The murder of six million Jews in the Shoah; the war crimes in Eastern Europe; the mass persecution and killings of Roma and Sinti, LGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, political dissidents, and all those who dared to speak up, or simply be or act different – these atrocities will forever mark our history.

Germany has embraced its responsibility for these crimes and will continue to do so. Our nation’s history compels us to keep memory alive – not only through words, but through action. Especially now, as the number of survivors grows ever smaller, the duty of remembrance – and the duty of vigilance – is ours.

Crucially, remembrance must be paired with justice. The Nuremberg Trials, held in the immediate aftermath of the war, marked a turning point in international law. For the first time, political and military leaders were held individually accountable for crimes against humanity. Nuremberg laid the foundation for transitional justice and for the development of modern international criminal law. It established the principle that those who commit atrocities cannot count on impunity.

Germany continues to uphold that principle. Today, we stand firmly behind international justice mechanisms – from our strong support for the International Criminal Court, to our contributions to special tribunals and international accountability efforts. We believe that justice is not only a matter of the past, but a pillar of peace, reconciliation, and deterrence in our world today.

Madam President,

For my country and its people, the end of the war was a day of liberation. It was a turning point for Germany, spiritually and politically – a call to face our past, not to suppress or shy away from it – and to build a democratic identity rooted in human dignity and human rights.
1945 was not just an end – it was a beginning. A beginning of international cooperation. Of rules replacing brute force. Of nations choosing peace and collaboration over vengeance and confrontation.

The decades following 1945 unfolded in ways few could have imagined:

France, Poland, and our neighboring nations that suffered severely under German occupation, are Germany’s closest partners and friends today.

From a continent reduced to rubble, a peaceful and united Europe began to take shape, committed to democracy, economic integration, and collective security.

In an act of extraordinary courage and humanity, Israel reached out to Germany only two decades after the Shoah, forging diplomatic relations that have led to 60 years of partnership.

In 1973, both German states were admitted to the United Nations as proud members of this organization.

And in 1990, a reunified Germany returned to the world stage, fully sovereign and supported by the very nations that had once been its enemies.

These milestones in German history should serve today as a reminder and a message of hope: That the deepest trenches can eventually be overcome. Even after the darkest of times, forgiveness, reconciliation and the restoration of trust are possible – if they are grounded in the full and unreserved acknowledgement of the crimes committed. Only on this basis will peace and prosperity become a reality.

That is why Germany’s commitment to the United Nations and the maintenance of international peace and security is unwavering. “Never again” means never again alone, never again indifferent – but always vigilant.

It means defending the principles of international law, supporting those who face injustice, and building bridges across divides.

It means standing up – together – for dignity, humanity, and peace.

It also means speaking up when historical facts are purposefully distorted or misused for political ends – particularly when such narratives are invoked to justify the use of force against a sovereign state. We must not allow history to be weaponized.

Madam President,

“Never again” is not only a commitment for Germany. It is a universal obligation – one that binds us all. An obligation to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. To protect civilian lives and defend the vulnerable. To uphold the dignity of every human being. And to safeguard the principles of the United Nations Charter for all, including future generations.

Thank you.