Udenrigsudvalget 2023-24
URU Alm.del
Offentligt
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Statement by Denmark at the 79
th
Session of the General Assembly of the
United Nations, General Debate, XX September 2024
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished Delegates,
Friends, Colleagues,
The high-level week is a welcome reminder that the vast majority
of nations – large and small – do seek global unity.
That the division we talk so much about is only sought by the few.
This gives me hope.
Yet, as we open the 79
th
General Assembly, we cannot close our
eyes for the fact that conflicts and war are raging across the world.
Mr. President,
It is utterly unacceptable that a permanent member of the Security
Council continues to violate the most basic principles of the UN
Charter.
Wars of aggression and altering borders is – and should remain – a
thing of the past.
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An imperial practice that has no place in the 21
st
century.
Denmark will persist to stand by Ukraine. And to support a just
and lasting peace.
The Summit on Peace, that was held in Switzerland in June,
clearly showed that there is strong global support for peace based
on the UN Charter.
We must all use our influence to further the cause of peace. But it
must be a peace that does not reward the aggressor for his brute
use of force. Otherwise we set a very bad precedent. Otherwise we
undermine the principles on which the UN was founded..
Mr. President,
Almost a year has passed since Hamas’ horrendous attacks on
Israel 7
th
October. The cruelty and the barbarity, we witnessed that
day, was shocking. I think none of us are able to comprehend the
shock and trauma this day has caused upon Israel and which will
forever symbolize the darkest chapter of the country’s history.
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The terrorism of Hamas sparked a downward spiral of human
suffering and regional instability. The humanitarian situation in
Gaza is catastrophic and the human suffering unbearable.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced all over the
region. There is a very real risk of an all-out regional war. Which
would affect all of us.
This must end now. A cease fire is urgently needed. All parties
should exercise restraint and contribute to de-escalation.
And then we should start thinking about the future. Not tomorrow
or next week, but right now. The current horrible situation may
also contain the seeds of a new beginning. A new beginning
leading to a just and lasting peace for all, unleashing the potentials
of the whole region. Allowing everybody to see a future for
themselves and their children. Breaking with the vicious circle of
violence that has lasted much too long.
Such a more promising future can only be based on the two-state
solution. We all need to work together to create the conditions for
that two-state solution to materialize.
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By building the capacity of the Palestinian Authority to take on
the role of legitimate and effective government in the future
Palestinian State. By stabilizing the West Bank. And by already
now start preparing for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.
I call on all parties to make such a development possible. To the
benefit of the people of Israel and Palestine. To the benefit of the
whole region and the world at large.
Mr. President,
We often talk about Ukraine and Gaza in these halls. But sadly,
people are dying and suffering from conflict in many other
countries.
I am deeply concerned with the continued fighting in Sudan. And
the humanitarian consequences for the civilian population.
More than 10 million people have been displaced.
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In Sudan there is an urgent need for political dialogue. And for
putting a halt to the conflict.
As there is in Yemen, Haiti, Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, The
Democratic Republic of Congo. The list tragically goes on.
And in the wake of our collective inability to stop the wars – the
respect for international law, is slowly undermined.
Mr. President
As a small country, Denmark is conscious that our safety and
security depend on international rule of law.
The respect for basic UN principles – sovereign equality,
territorial integrity and political independence for all states – is
fundamental to international peace and security.
As we uphold these principles, the respect for human rights and
international humanitarian law must be at the core.
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Denmark is a strong supporter of the international justice system
and the work and independence of the ICC [I-C-C] and the ICJ [I-
C-J].
The ICJ [I-C-J] has an important role in the peaceful settlement of
disputes. And the ICC [I-C-C] is crucial for the global fight
against impunity.
Without respect for international law, we are looking at a world
where might makes right and brute force rules.
This is very dangerous.
Mr. President,
I began by stating that the vast majority of nations – luckily – seek
unity and international cooperation.
Earlier this week – in the Pact for the Future – we all reaffirmed
our commitment to the UN Charter. And we outlined a clear
direction towards a transformed system of global governance.
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The existing system has enabled nations to lift people out of
poverty. To eradicate diseases. And to advance better education
for children around the globe. Big achievements.
But after almost 80 years of service, that system is in need of a
serious update.
Mr. President,
It is urgent to reform the international financial architecture. It
needs to be more representative. More effective.
Denmark supports a stronger representation of African countries
in the Bretton Woods Institutions. We agree that global financial
safety nets must support all countries, including the poorest, when
a major crisis hits.
This should not be dependent on voluntary donor contributions.
We agree that all countries – on an equal basis – must be subject to
independent, transparent, and accurate credit ratings.
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We agree that we need to find sustainable solutions to the high
levels of debt faced by many countries. Debt treatment through the
Common Framework needs to be accelerated.
All creditors and lenders should act transparently. And concessional
financing be made available. The Multilateral Development Banks
have mobilised billions already through reforms.
But reforms need to deepen to move from billions to trillions.
Looking forward – towards the Financing for Development
Conference in Spain next year, COP29 and beyond – reform
tracks must be made tangible.
Solutions should be developed not just for the future. But also for
the present.
I wish to praise Barbados for suggesting concrete actions to help
fix some of the systemic errors of the International Financial
Architecture.
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We are happy to support the Bridgetown initiative. And we are
proud to work alongside Barbados on greening international
financing.
We encourage others – including the UN and the international
financial institutions – to work together. To be bold and to achieve
the necessary progress on reform of the international financial
architecture.
Mr. President,
While we reform for a more just financial architecture, we need to
sustain levels of development assistance to the poorest countries.
Commitments made should be honoured.
Denmark remains a member of a club that is far too exclusive: The
club of countries that meet the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent
of our Gross National Income for Official Development
Assistance.
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It is a good club. We invite others to join.
In April this year, African Heads of State met in Nairobi to call for
an ambitious replenishment of the World Bank’s International
Development Association [forkortes IDA].
We have decided to respond to that call.
Denmark intends to increase our contribution to IDA [I-DA] with
40 per cent. For the IDA21 [I-DA twenty-one] replenishment, we
will contribute with 479 million US dollars.
We encourage all – current and new donors – big and small – to
help us reach an ambitious replenishment.
Mr. President,
In June this year, Denmark was proudly elected to the UN
Security Council for the period of 2025-2026.
I was present – and voting – here in this grand hall that day.
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I wish to thank member states for the strong show of confidence
and support.
It will be an honour to serve on the Council.
As we look forward to our membership, I cannot help but wish
that the Council were in better shape: More accountable, more
effective, more transparent and above all, more inclusive and
representative.
The world needs a Security Council that reflects the world of
today. That is able to respond to the security concerns of people
all around the globe.
To Denmark, it is evident that this calls for an expansion of the
Council. We wish to see both more permanent and more elected
members. And we wish to limit the use of the veto.
Both aspects are long overdue.
Mr. President
Time is of the essence.
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The year 2030 – that once seemed like a distant dot on the horizon
– is now only six years away. Yet, only 17 per cent of the SDGs
are on track to be realised. And we are far from on track to fulfil
our climate targets.
The accelerating climate crisis must be met with accelerating
climate action. We need more ambitious reductions. More support
for climate change adaptation. And we need to speed up – and
scale up – climate financing.
No country can solve these global challenges alone. And no
country is too small – or too big – to contribute.
Everyone is needed.
As a long-standing and dedicated supporter of global cooperation,
Denmark will continue to do our part: We will deliver on promises
made. And we will push for more ambitious targets. And for
concrete actions.
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For the present – and for the future.
Thank you.