German foreign policy takes a multilateralist approach. We want to find sustainable and future-oriented responses to the issues of our time. That is not possible without functioning international cooperation with clear rules and agreements. The United Nations General Assembly week in New York is the key venue and the right time for this. Even if it is often arduous and we had hoped for more.

Especially at the current time when Germany is a non-permanent member of the Security Council, we are called upon to play our part: we have to work on solutions to acute crises. However, we will also focus on the topics we regard as crucial: climate and security, disarmament, protection of international humanitarian law and crisis prevention must be put on the international community’s agenda. In Syria and in the Gulf, in Yemen, in the Sahel region and in the Sudan, we need an understanding on peaceful cooperation and de-escalation. We will work towards this end.

I consider the alliance for multilateralism event to be a key part of this week. Together with my counterparts from France, Mexico, Ghana, Chile, Singapore and Canada, I am hosting a side event with colleagues from around the world. We will present various exemplary initiatives: this network, indeed the United Nations, stand for multilateralism in practice.

Germany is a member of the Security Council and one of the biggest contributors to the United Nations’ budgets. We provide one of the largest voluntary contributions to crisis prevention, humanitarian assistance and official development cooperation. Germany is one of the major European troop providers for UN peace missions. This, too, shows that Germany supports the United Nations, that it is helping to shape the future and shouldering responsibility.