At the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York in September, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz officially announced Germany’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027-2028. On the Security Council, Germany wants to focus on climate, security and conflict prevention, thus building on previous mandates. In doing so, Germany will centre its attention on African states and will also prioritise these issues as Chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission in 2025.

Germany shoulders responsibility in the United Nations

Germany is engaged in the United Nations – financially, conceptually and in terms of personnel and is firmly committed to multilateral solutions. Together with Namibia, for example, we conducted intensive negotiations over many years which resulted in September 2024 in the adoption of the Pact for the Future with the consensus of all UN member states. This Pact gives the international community a shared handbook for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and for managing important issues that affect all of our lives and futures, for instance artificial intelligence, intergenerational equity and UN reform.

As the second-largest contributor to the UN system, Germany has been a reliable partner to the UN for more than fifty years. Germany contributes military, police and civilian personnel to peace missions around the world. While more than 30 UN organisations with over 1000 staff members are based in Germany – in Bonn, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and other cities.

Germany’s engagement is based on a firm conviction: global issues can only be solved globally. The rules-based international order with the Charter of the United Nations and international law are the indispensable foundation for this. That applies to tackling climate change as much as it does to shaping the digital transformation, dealing with artificial intelligence and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Climate change as a global threat to peace and security

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to international peace and security today. Germany is promoting innovative approaches in order to advance climate action in the UN in cooperation with partner states. With Nauru as Co‑Chair of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security and with Tuvalu on combating rising sea levels. Since 2022, Germany has provided at least six billion euro per year for the public funding of climate projects around the world.

Countering terrorism, small arms and weapons of mass destruction

Germany is tackling both the causes and the effects of crises and conflicts through its global projects. The fight against hunger, poverty and inequality is a key part of Germany’s multilateral engagement for peace and security. Germany is making further important contributions through efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, eliminate small arms, as well as clear mines in conflict areas. Moreover, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Germany wants to focus more attention on the risks in cyberspace and outer space, on digitalisation and the new technologies.

Empowering women and young people in peace processes

Fostering inclusive peace processes is one central focus of Germany’s engagement for peace and security. The equal participation of women is key to the success of peace processes. For women play a vital role in resolving conflicts durably and creating more stable societies. Furthermore, Germany is working to ensure that the voices of young people as well as disadvantaged groups are listened to more.

Learn more about Germany’s candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council

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