Thank you, Madam President,

Germany is grateful to Denmark and Pakistan for convening this open debate, and I would like to thank Ms Kandiah Thompson for her briefing.

When the Security Council is united, it is capable of great things. When it is inefficient, however, or even paralyzed, it weakens faith in the United Nations and neglects its duties towards Member States and all civilian populations, including those in wars and conflicts.

Working methods are not procedural housekeeping. They shape whether this Council can actually deliver on its mandate.

I would like to make four specific points.

First: The ongoing deadlock of the appointment of chairs and vice-chairs of subsidiary bodies is unacceptable. The fact that eight months have elapsed without a solution is nothing less but damaging, not only for the reputation of the Security Council, but for the United Nations as a whole.

Filling these positions for sanctions committees and other subsidiary bodies is essential for the Council to implement its own decisions and deliver on its mandate.

We commend the tireless efforts by the E10 to push for a solution, and we call on those permanent members who block an agreement to show a minimum amount of flexibility and lift the blocking as soon as possible.

Second: Responsibilities in the Council must be shared more fairly.

A Council with an agenda covering all regions of the world should not let a handful of its members hold all the pens.

Elected members bring regional perspectives, political legitimacy and often first-hand experience of the conflicts to the table.

Germany therefore encourages more co-penholderships, including between permanent and elected members.

And I want to highlight: the E10 should harness their collective strength. When elected members join forces, they can help bridge divisions and bring forward solutions.

In this context, a word beyond working methods: The fundamental question of Security Council reform remains as pressing as ever — and Germany continues to advocate for an expansion of the Council, as proposed by the G4, including the support to the Common African Position.

Third: Listening to different perspectives does not weaken the Council. It makes its decisions better.

States that find themselves directly affected by a situation must have the opportunity to be heard. Rules 37 and 39 give us the tools for this. We ought to apply them fairly and consistently.

Germany continues to advocate for the Council to tap into expertise from civil society, in particular women and youth, and from other parts of the UN system, including the Peacebuilding Commission.

The need for close and efficient cooperation applies in particular to the Council’s relationship with the General Assembly. Certainly, the most pressing and current matter that affects all Member States is the selection of the next Secretary-General. Making this process as inclusive and transparent is possible - and this is in the interest of the entire UN membership.

Finally, on the veto:

The veto is foreseen by the Charter, sure. But using the veto carries enormous responsibility.

When this Council is unable to take action in the face of serious violations of international law, its credibility suffers profoundly.

Germany therefore supports all efforts to limit the use of the veto, including the French-Mexican initiative on the suspension of veto powers in cases of mass atrocities.

Madam President,

The world does not expect the Security Council to see eye to eye on everything. But people do expect it to function and live up to the fundamental responsibility the UN Charter has entrusted it with.

They expect the Council and its members to listen, to discuss and then, importantly, to take decisions, and to implement them.

I thank you.