Germany Federal Foreign Office - 01 June 2026 - Federal Foreign Office logo Federal Foreign Office Speech 01.06.2026- Statement by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the 84th plenary meeting of the UN-General Assembly – “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution” Resolving crises requires staying power. Success is often the product of patient and devoted mediation, which today is needed more than ever before. For three years now, a brutal war has been raging in Sudan. It has resulted in the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time with millions of people suffering. To help end this suffering, we convened representatives from 55 countries at the Berlin Sudan conference in April. Together, we mobilised 1.7 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance for Sudan, including 270 million dollars from Germany alone. Sudanese civil society agreed on a Joint Call to End the War. States and international organisations reached agreement on the Berlin Principles to guide a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This same spirit of sustained engagement has guided us in other crises. Haiti is facing a collapse of public security and a dramatic humanitarian situation. A Haitian-led political process is needed so that stability can return. Germany is among the largest donors supporting sustained efforts for peace and stability. Libya faces prolonged conflict marked by repeated breakdowns of ceasefire agreements. At the Berlin Conferences, Germany helped bring key international, regional and Libyan stakeholders together within the framework of the United Nations. Not to impose solutions from the outside, but to create a space for diplomacy. Madame President, The aggression against Ukraine must stop. Last week Russian drones hurt civilians in Romania. I condemn the ongoing Russian attacks against Ukraine and the war’s implications for all other countries. International law must be respected by all. I could go on with many more examples. But I would instead like to recall a promise. A promise we made when Germany joined the United Nations: to work towards peace and stability. A promise that we keep. Our contributions to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation efforts are making a difference. We are convinced that resilient civil societies and strong institutions are essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and for building lasting peace. We are also convinced that peace processes must be designed from the outset to be inclusive, with the effective participation of women and respecting the perspectives of young people. We share the stance that the then UN Secretary-General U Thant expressed sixty years ago: “My conviction stands undiminished that the United Nations remains the best instrument by which nations may co-operate for the development and peace of their people.” Therefore, we must support the United Nations with continued financial and political commitment. And we must make it more effective! Recently – here at the General Assembly – we witnessed that, together, we can make progress on climate justice. At the initiative of Vanuatu, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that sent a strong signal: Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also a matter of international responsibility and law. We proudly supported this initiative. Excellencies, friends, As you know, Germany is once again seeking a seat on the Security Council for the 2027-2028 term. We are doing so with a clear sense of responsibility. And we hope for your valuable support for our candidacy. We stand ready to continue to contribute to conflict prevention, mediation and humanitarian action – not alone, but together with our partners. We are ready to deliver! Thank you very much.

 

Federal Foreign Office Speech 01.06.2026

Federal Foreign Office Speech 01.06.2026 Statement by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the 84th plenary meeting of the UN-General Assembly – “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution” Resolving crises requires staying power. Success is often the product of patient and devoted mediation, which today is needed more than ever before. For three years now, a brutal war has been raging in Sudan. It has resulted in the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time with millions of people suffering. To help end this suffering, we convened representatives from 55 countries at the Berlin Sudan conference in April. Together, we mobilised 1.7 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance for Sudan, including 270 million dollars from Germany alone.  Sudanese civil society agreed on a Joint Call to End the War.  States and international organisations reached agreement on the Berlin Principles to guide a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This same spirit of sustained engagement has guided us in other crises.  Haiti is facing a collapse of public security and a dramatic humanitarian situation. A Haitian-led political process is needed so that stability can return. Germany is among the largest donors supporting sustained efforts for peace and stability.  Libya faces prolonged conflict marked by repeated breakdowns of ceasefire agreements. At the Berlin Conferences, Germany helped bring key international, regional and Libyan stakeholders together within the framework of the United Nations.  Not to impose solutions from the outside, but to create a space for diplomacy.  Madame President, The aggression against Ukraine must stop. Last week Russian drones hurt civilians in Romania. I condemn the ongoing Russian attacks against Ukraine and the war’s implications for all other countries. International law must be respected by all.  I could go on with many more examples.  But I would instead like to recall a promise.  A promise we made when Germany joined the United Nations: to work towards peace and stability.  A promise that we keep.  Our contributions to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation efforts are making a difference.  We are convinced that resilient civil societies and strong institutions are essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and for building lasting peace.  We are also convinced that peace processes must be designed from the outset to be inclusive, with the effective participation of women and respecting the perspectives of young people. We share the stance that the then UN Secretary-General U Thant expressed sixty years ago:  “My conviction stands undiminished that the United Nations remains the best instrument by which nations may co-operate for the development and peace of their people.”  Therefore, we must support the United Nations with continued financial and political commitment.  And we must make it more effective! Recently – here at the General Assembly – we witnessed that, together, we can make progress on climate justice. At the initiative of Vanuatu, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that sent a strong signal: Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also a matter of international responsibility and law. We proudly supported this initiative.  Excellencies, friends, As you know, Germany is once again seeking a seat on the Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.  We are doing so with a clear sense of responsibility. And we hope for your valuable support for our candidacy.  We stand ready to continue to contribute to conflict prevention, mediation and humanitarian action – not alone, but together with our partners.  We are ready to deliver! Thank you very much.

Resolving crises requires staying power. Success is often the product of patient and devoted mediation, which today is needed more than ever before. For three years now, a brutal war has been raging in Sudan. It has resulted in the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time with millions of people suffering. To help end this suffering, we convened representatives from 55 countries at the Berlin Sudan conference in April. Together, we mobilised 1.7 billion dollars in humanitarian assistance for Sudan, including 270 million dollars from Germany alone.  Sudanese civil society agreed on a Joint Call to End the War.  States and international organisations reached agreement on the Berlin Principles to guide a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This same spirit of sustained engagement has guided us in other crises.  Haiti is facing a collapse of public security and a dramatic humanitarian situation. A Haitian-led political process is needed so that stability can return. Germany is among the largest donors supporting sustained efforts for peace and stability.  Libya faces prolonged conflict marked by repeated breakdowns of ceasefire agreements. At the Berlin Conferences, Germany helped bring key international, regional and Libyan stakeholders together within the framework of the United Nations.  Not to impose solutions from the outside, but to create a space for diplomacy.  Madame President, The aggression against Ukraine must stop. Last week Russian drones hurt civilians in Romania. I condemn the ongoing Russian attacks against Ukraine and the war’s implications for all other countries. International law must be respected by all.  I could go on with many more examples.  But I would instead like to recall a promise.  A promise we made when Germany joined the United Nations: to work towards peace and stability.  A promise that we keep.  Our contributions to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and mediation efforts are making a difference.  We are convinced that resilient civil societies and strong institutions are essential for addressing the root causes of conflict and for building lasting peace.  We are also convinced that peace processes must be designed from the outset to be inclusive, with the effective participation of women and respecting the perspectives of young people. We share the stance that the then UN Secretary-General U Thant expressed sixty years ago:  “My conviction stands undiminished that the United Nations remains the best instrument by which nations may co-operate for the development and peace of their people.”  Therefore, we must support the United Nations with continued financial and political commitment.  And we must make it more effective! Recently – here at the General Assembly – we witnessed that, together, we can make progress on climate justice. At the initiative of Vanuatu, the General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that sent a strong signal: Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also a matter of international responsibility and law. We proudly supported this initiative.  Excellencies, friends, As you know, Germany is once again seeking a seat on the Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.  We are doing so with a clear sense of responsibility. And we hope for your valuable support for our candidacy.  We stand ready to continue to contribute to conflict prevention, mediation and humanitarian action – not alone, but together with our partners.  We are ready to deliver! Thank you very much.