Madam President,

Thank you very much.

Germany fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.

Mr Secretary-General,

We thank you very much for your steadfast leadership, your continued commitment, your guidance and your clarity throughout your tenure and this morning.

Our multilateral system is facing unprecedented challenges. Violations of the UN Charter are on the rise.

And we must fight this trend. Our history shows that we can tackle the most pressing global challenges best through international cooperation and within a functional international order with the United Nations at its core.

The questions which should guide us are: How can we restore trust? How can we ensure that the rules we all agreed on are respected? And do we have the right structures to address the challenges of the present and the future?

Three short points on this:

Firstly – we should implement the Pact for the Future and put a strong focus on UN reform. In the Pact, that Namibia and Germany had the honor to co-facilitate, our Heads of State and Government recognized that “our deeply interconnected challenges” can only be addressed collectively, and pledged to uphold international law and the Charter’s principles. And therefore, within the UN80 process, we should place a strong focus on structural changes that make the UN fit for purpose and ensure these goals.

Secondly – let us learn from the many successes of the United Nations, and build on what has worked well. I would like to mention two short things:

• In many, many countries, the UN has helped to provide accountability and made a lasting contribution to peace and stability. Some former recipients of UN stabilization efforts now share these experiences with others. Just by way of example, and I would like to commend these countries, we are delighted that Sierra Leone just concluded a successful non-permanent membership on the Security Council, and we are looking forward to Liberia’s term on the Council.
• And as I chair the Peacebuilding Commission, and have the honor to chair it, I would like to underline that many countries are actively engaging with the PBC to support each other, share national prevention strategies and showcase how they stabilized their own countries. We do have the instruments that we need.

Thirdly – Let us show solidarity with those in need. And the UN is at the forefront of this: In humanitarian assistance as well as in peace and security. And our efforts in Haiti underscore this: Where common will prevails, bold action can be taken, as the Security Council decision establishing the Gang Suppression Force shows. And Germany will support this very much, we have committed 46 million USD to the Trust Fund.

Madam President, Mr Secretary-General, colleagues,

This organization has been founded not to further individual causes, but a common interest – let’s work for that.

Thank you very much.