Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
A compass does not change with the weather. It helps you find the way; in fair weather as well as in storm.
Eighty-one years ago, the world gave itself a compass. We named it the United Nations Charter. It has helped us stay the course, even when the seas have been anything but calm.
It has pointed us toward a world of equal rights, self-determination of peoples and territorial integrity of all states, large and small.
Toward a rules-based international order.
The progress has been real. More than a billion people lifted out of poverty. Standards of living transformed. Colonial empires brought to an end. Independent nations emerged. Peoples gained the right to shape their own future.
That progress was made possible because we kept consulting the compass. Because, we stayed the course.
Today, it seems we are losing our way.
Wars and conflicts are at the highest level since World War II. Extreme poverty is on the rise. Extreme weather and climate-related disasters are hitting record highs. Mistrust, polarisation and divisions are growing, both among states and within societies.
Even the most basic principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, are violated with impunity.
To get back on track, we must turn our attention to the compass.
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Excellencies,
Respect for the Charter, for human rights, for international law, is not a courtesy we extend when convenient. These are binding obligations we all agreed to. Respecting them is the precondition for international peace and security.
We see this clearly in Ukraine. Russia's illegal war of choice could end tomorrow, if Russia withdrew to its own territory and stopped trying to redraw borders by force.
The vast majority of UN member states and the UN Secretary General support calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine.
It is the only basis for good-faith talks aimed at a just and lasting peace in line with international law, including the UN Charter. Ukraine has been offering this for a year now.
Denmark's support for Ukraine will remain steadfast. This is not only a matter of helping Ukraine defend itself. It is a matter of defending the universal principles upon which this Organisation was built.
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Excellencies,
In Sudan, the war continues to inflict immense human suffering.
Millions are displaced. Famine has been confirmed. And the international community has been warned of mass atrocities over and over again, but has failed to act. The responsibility for this horrific war lies in the hands of the warring parties. Yet, it is fuelled by outside actors and permitted by international inaction.
We must act now to prevent further mass atrocities against the Sudanese people. We must put our political will and weight behind a stronger demand for peace and accountability.
The warring parties must come to the negotiation table. Engage in dialogue. And agree on a much-needed truce.
Denmark fully supports the Quintet’s efforts to advance a civilian-led political process and welcomes the improved coordination among mediators.
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Excellencies,
In Syria, the fall of the brutal Assad-regime offers a historic opportunity to build a brighter future for all Syrians. Denmark is committed to supporting the people of Syria in a Syrian-led and owned transition. It is a glimpse of hope in a troubled region.
And a stark contrast to the destabilizing actions of Iran, whose consequences are felt far beyond the region.
Denmark’s position remains clear: Iran must never be allowed to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. We strongly support continued diplomatic efforts to restore effective international verification of Iran’s nuclear programme. And we deeply regret the unwillingness of a few Council members to acknowledge that sanctions measures have been reinstated in full accordance with Security Council resolution 2231.
At the same time, we urge Iran to comply fully with resolution 2817. Cease attacks against countries in the region and refrain from any actions or threats that
undermine freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Excellencies,
Last year, this Assembly endorsed the New York Declaration – a roadmap toward the two-state solution. A path to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
Since then, the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict has been endorsed by the Security Council. Now it must be implemented in full. We call on all parties to stay committed to the plan.
Yet in Gaza, civilians continue to pay the price. Far more must be done to secure humanitarian access and long-term peace.
And in the occupied West Bank, settler violence and settlement expansion threaten the daily lives of Palestinians – and undermine the prospects for a future Palestinian state. This has to stop.
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Excellencies,
As an elected member of the Security Council, Denmark strives to ensure that the Council fulfils its mandate.
At times, we succeed. This June, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2823 [Twenty-eight twenty-three] on accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers – led by Denmark and Pakistan, and backed by a record 153 member states. A clear signal of commitment to the safety and security of the brave men and women who serve under the UN flag.
And a clear demonstration that the Council can still come together and speak with one voice.
Too often, however, the Security Council is blocked by geopolitical divisions. Unable to act. Meanwhile, the costs of inaction are felt by civilians across the world as the disrespect for international humanitarian law is allowed to fester.
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Excellencies,
Our collective inability to halt the killings, suffering, and injustices in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and beyond, must not prompt us to surrender to a world ruled by brute force.
On the contrary, it must inspire us to work harder to sustain and strengthen the structures, instruments and mechanisms, we have built over the past 81 years.
To Denmark, this includes maintaining our firm support for the ICJ and ICC as core international justice institutions. This year, Denmark nominated its first-ever candidate for judge at the ICC, reaffirming our unwavering support for the Court at a critical time.
It also means continuing to meet the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent of GNI for official development assistance.
For more than 45 years, Denmark has consistently delivered on this goal. We do so, not as an act of altruism, but because it is in our shared interest: It creates jobs, opportunities and hope where people live, allowing them to build a future at home, increasing stability and mutual prosperity. We call on fellow member states to join us.
At the current juncture, however, sustaining an order with the UN at its core, means working for reform. Reform is how we keep this Organisation fit for the world we live in.
Denmark continues to call for fundamental Security Council reform: we wish to expand the Council with more members in both categories, including permanent seats for underrepresented regions. And we wish to commence text-based negotiations. Only then can we begin to redress historical injustices.
Denmark also strongly supports the UN80 reform process. We applaud the results so far and call for ambitions to be raised. We must strive to build a more efficient and inclusive UN.
A UN that delivers better – on its core mandates, and on the ground, where it matters most.
To enable this, we call on all UN Member States to meet their financial obligations to the UN. In full and on time.
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Excellencies,
Let’s be real. We need the UN, not for the sake of the UN, but in order to address challenges that face us all.
Because no single country can manage climate change, global health threats, or the governance of emerging technologies on its own.
The climate crisis makes the point starkly. We see it in droughts and wildfires. In record-breaking heat. And in the growing pressure on food, water and energy accessibility and security.
The challenge before us is no longer a lack of solutions. We have the solutions. We know what is required. Now we need to deliver.
Therefore, COP31 must be a COP of implementation. Turning ambition into action and real-world results. Delivering on the objectives of the Paris Agreement and its 1.5-degree Celsius temperature goal.
With only four years left to 2030, we must also be honest about where we stand with the Sustainable Development Goals. Both in terms of achievements and challenges. Let’s make the upcoming SDG Summit a turning point. 2030 must not be a missed deadline.
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Excellencies,
This year, we will be selecting a new Secretary-General. Denmark thanks the outgoing Secretary-General Guterres for a decade of dedicated service to this Organisation – often under exceptionally difficult circumstances.
The next Secretary-General will take over an organisation under strain and under scrutiny.
To bring the UN safely into the future, we must select a person who can work to restore global trust in the UN and among its member states.
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Excellencies,
In closing, I am happy to inform you that last week - in this very building - Denmark, Greenland and the United States signed an agreement on security, which strengthens the defence of Greenland, the NATO area and the American continent. The agreement is good for Greenland, for Denmark, for the USA, and for NATO and Europe.
Progress can still be made, when we consult the compass.
I thank you.
