Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. President.
We commend China for convening this timely debate, and we welcome His Excellency, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and all other distinguished ministers joining us here today.
Let me also thank the Secretary-General for his important analysis and recommendations.
Mr. President,
The United Nations was built on a promise. That relations between nations would be governed by law, not by force.
That promise is under pressure today. And this Council bears under the Charter a particular responsibility to respond.
Denmark has been part of this organisation from the very beginning. Our commitment has not wavered. But commitment must be accompanied by candour – about what is working and what must change.
Mr. President, allow me to make four points.
First, multilateralism works.
For eight decades, the United Nations has brought together our nations to work towards our shared goals.
Together, we have prevented and resolved conflicts around the world. More than 2 million peacekeepers, over seven decades, have protected civilians and supported political processes. We have created programmes to reduce poverty and hunger; to protect human rights, eradicate disease, mitigate climate change, and to advance gender equality.
We have worked to uphold and expand international law, and pursue accountability for international crimes.
While much remains to be done, let me be clear: when multilateral cooperation faces headwinds, the answer is not retreat. It is renewed investment and political commitment.
That means implementing the agreements that we make – from the Pact for the Future to the 2030 Agenda. It also means meeting our financial obligations in full and on time.
Second, Mr. President,
Upholding the Charter means upholding all of it – by all of us.
This includes sovereign equality and territorial integrity – for all states, without exception.
With this in mind we are compelled to express our deep alarm at Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. During the past days, we have witnessed a new and appalling level of aggression by Russia, including intensified attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Charter calls for the peaceful settlement of disputes and the general prohibition of the use of force. These are cornerstones of the system we built.
The Charter is equally a human rights document. Article 1 is unambiguous: promoting respect for human rights is a core purpose of the United Nations. For all individuals, without exception. A Charter selectively applied is a Charter undermined.
When international crimes are committed, accountability must follow. For states as well as for individuals. Denmark's support for the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice is unconditional. We know that impunity is one of the principal drivers of recurring conflict. Ending it is essential to sustaining peace and preventing recurring atrocities.
Mr. President, my third point,
We must not be afraid to rethink our tools. This is especially necessary for UN peace operations.
Denmark firmly believes that UN peace operations remain an indispensable tool. Around the world, the blue helmet represents hope in the darkest corners of conflict.
But we must also recognise that the nature of conflict has changed. Threats are more complex, actors more fragmented, and political solutions harder to reach.
The Security Council must lead the way in developing fresh, bold thinking.
We need peace operations that can respond faster, adapt more effectively, and draw on the resources required to succeed. We must also invest far more in prevention. Above all, we need the political resolve to act on the evidence before us.
Finally, Mr. President, my fourth point,
UN80 represents a historic opportunity for systemic reform to create a more agile, efficient and effective UN. Bringing the system safely into a new era is not easy, but requires difficult prioritisations and political resolve.
Denmark also supports fundamental Security Council reform: we wish to see more members in both categories, including permanent seats for underrepresented regions, and we wish to commence text-based negotiations.
Equally important is who will lead this Organisation into this new era and continue the reform process launched by the Secretary-General. How we select that person matters, and Denmark continues to call for a structured, credible and robust selection process guided by transparency and inclusivity.
Mr. President, in closing,
The United Nations was built on a promise. That promise is worth fighting for. Worth reforming for. And worth investing in.
Denmark's commitment to the United Nations was firm 80 years ago. It remains so today. And it will remain so tomorrow.
I thank you.
