To begin with, Minister Wadephul recalled the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the collective resolve of its member states to maintain peace in the aftermath of the Second World War. In this context, he openly acknowledged Germany’s historical responsibility for the war and stressed the country’s enduring commitment to upholding an international order based on rules and cooperation.

Moreover, he highlighted that his newly assumed mandate will prioritize strengthening bilateral partnerships and supporting the core principles of the UN Charter — particularly at a time when, as he noted, global peace appears more fragile than at any point since the end of the Cold War.

Subsequently, the German Foreign Minister identified key areas of ongoing conflict, citing prolonged crises in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as well as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which he denounced as a blatant violation of international law. In response, Wadephul underlined Germany’s unprecedented investments in its national and regional security.

At the same time, he reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for multilateral cooperation, asserting that peace and security can only be achieved through collective efforts. He also reiterated Germany’s strong backing of the United Nations and called for structural reforms aimed at delivering tangible results for populations across the globe.

In relation to peacekeeping operations, Minister Wadephul paid tribute to the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, acknowledging their courage and dedication. In this regard, he outlined three strategic priorities for enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions: first, greater agility and adaptability to swiftly respond to changing conflict dynamics; second, strong local ownership to foster trust with host governments and communities; and third, a robust yet efficient financing model to ensure long-term sustainability.

Additionally, he advocated for a modular approach to mandate design, clearly defined transition strategies from the outset, strategic communication to counter disinformation, and streamlining of bureaucratic processes to avoid overlap and inefficiency.

In conclusion, Minister Wadephul appealed to the founding spirit of the United Nations and the shared responsibility of member states to actively invest in peace. He reaffirmed that Germany remains a reliable partner in promoting peacekeeping operations, which he described as essential instruments of the multilateral system.

Finally, he urged the international community to advance pragmatic reforms that will equip peacekeeping missions to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. Quoting the UN Charter, he closed his remarks with a clear message: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

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