Despite our
aspirations to create a more just and peaceful world,
atrocities continue to take place. Every day we witness
expressions of the darker side of human nature:
thousands of innocent civilians besieged on a mountain
in northern Iraq by heavily armed extremists; a Syrian
dictator who bombs and starves his own people,
leaving more than 10 million people in need of urgent
humanitarian assistance; the persecution of people
because of their religious or political beliefs, their
gender or sexual orientation; disrespect for national
borders, challenging the basic principles on which our
rules-based international order is built; climate change
causing great risks to human health, global food security
and economic development and to the natural resources
on which so much of our prosperity depends; and a
world of more than 7 billion people with an increasing
demand for key resources and an unsustainable pattern
of consumption and production.
The challenges we face are complex. There are
no simple solutions. What is required of us is strong,
collective international action, not only to manage
the crises and conflicts of today but to prevent the
crises and conflicts of tomorrow. I am a true believer
in international cooperation and in the virtues of the
United Nations, but as the world changes and we are
faced with new challenges, we must find new ways to
adapt.
I am also confident that we will adapt, but only if
we have a strong United Nations, and only if we act
together. As Member States each one of us must fulfil
our obligations under the Charter. That is our common
commitment and our shared responsibility. I see three
challenges where we, the United Nations, should act
and should act now. Urgency is key.
First, we need stronger international cooperation
and action on peace and security. Secondly, we have to
reach an ambitious international agreement on climate
change next year in Paris. Thirdly, we have to agree on
the post-2015 agenda for sustainable development.
Of the three challenges, the first is international
peace and security. This past year, we have seen the
rise of a violent and intensifying conflict fuelled by
extremism, in particular the horrific and brutal terrorist
organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL). ISIL represents a distorted political ideology
that must be confronted, degraded and defeated by the
entire international community, including, of course,
countries in the region. As we are gathered this week,
the States Members of the United Nations are sending a
clear message that we utterly condemn ISIL’s cowardly
acts of terror and that we are unified in our firm
resolve to oppose and confront its violent and extremist
ideology. Let it be clear that we are determined to
support the Iraqi Government in protecting its people.
Denmark will stand up for our common values as
enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and Denmark
will support the victims of ISIL’S atrocities. We are
taking part in the humanitarian relief efforts in northern
Iraq, and we will continue our active contribution to the
international efforts to support Iraq in the fight against
ISIL. To stop the advance of ISIL, it is imperative to end
the flow of foreign fighters and financing from outside.
That indeed is a common obligation. It is also critical
that we address the root causes of violent extremism
and improve the conditions in Syria that ISIL has been
able to exploit.
The humanitarian situation in Syria continues to be
of great concern. Though progress is difficult, we must
spare no effort to seek a political solution leading to a
transition from the current regime. There will always
be a risk that political transition will be exploited by
violent extremists. Still, history shows that democratic
and inclusive Governments, open societies and a
fundamental respect for human rights remain the only
viable path towards stability, security and prosperity
for our citizens.
Bringing an end to the violence in the region will
require a sustained and comprehensive contribution
from every one of us. The successful removal of
Al-Assad’s chemical weapons clearly demonstrated
what can be achieved when we join forces in decisive
international action. A coalition of Denmark, Norway,
Russia, China, Finland, the United Kingdom and the
United States effectively secured and destroyed those
horrendous weapons of war.
Our united response is also required against another
growing threat. The Ebola epidemic has become a severe
humanitarian, social and economic crisis for countries
in West Africa. If we fail to act now, it may develop into
a global health crisis, impacting millions of people. If
so, we will not only be confronted with a health crisis
but also with a threat to international peace, prosperity
and security. It is very clear that this challenge cannot
be tackled by any one nation alone. That is why we
must all lend our support. The United Nations and its
Member States have a common responsibility to bring
Ebola under control.
Ebola is not just a regional challenge; it has now
become a global crisis. Denmark is committed to that
cause. We have already contributed to the international
response, including the United Nations humanitarian air
service, and we will now increase our support. Today,
I can announce that Denmark will provide a maritime
transport capacity to the United Nations. With that,
we will support the construction of needed housing
facilities for the international health personnel in the
affected areas. We will provide additional funding to
the World Health Organization. As the situation evolves,
we will stand ready to consider additional steps.
The global community is based on international law.
That law must be respected and not blatantly violated, as
we have seen done in the past year. We have witnessed
an unacceptable foreign intervention in Ukraine.
Fundamental principles of national sovereignty and
non-interference have been disrespected. The recent
ceasefire is an important step on the only viable way
forward, namely, a political solution. Yet, we have
to see Russia’s commitment to a political solution
demonstrated in action, not only in words. Throughout
the conflict Russia’s self-proclaimed support to the
peace process has been in stark contrast to realities on
the ground.
We remain fully committed to a political solution
that respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and
sovereignty. Respect for international law and human
rights should always be at the very core of peace
and development, as should the rule of law and good
governance. That is why Denmark strongly supports
bold and significant new steps in the United Nations,
such as the Secretary-General’s recent Rights Up Front
initiative.
This year also marks the thirtieth anniversary of
the adoption of the United Nations Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment. Together with Chile, Ghana,
Indonesia and Morocco, Denmark has launched a
long-term initiative for the universal ratification and
implementation of that Convention. We have made
significant progress, but we also need to do more to
protect men and women in all parts of the world from
torture and ill-treatment.
My second point is about the need to advance our
collective answer to the challenges posed by climate
change. Earlier this year I had the privilege, together
with the Premier of Greenland, of hosting a visit by
the Secretary-General to Greenland. We travelled
together by dog sleigh on the receding ice, and we
heard the stories told by the local population about how
the changes are affecting local livelihoods. Climate
change is painfully visible in the Arctic. That is beyond
discussion. Let there be no illusion that climate change
will have only regional impacts. The changes will affect
each and every one of us on this planet. That is why
ambitious action is required of us now. One crucial step
would be a binding global agreement to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions in Paris next year.
Since 2010, Denmark has dedicated $350 million
to climate action. This year alone, we will commit
more than $100 million. But Governments cannot do
this alone. We need to engage the private sector and
other partners to commit to action and ensure adequate
climate finance and foster innovation and green
solutions. Some still might fear that the green transition
will limit economic growth. That is not necessarily
so. For example, the Danish economy has grown
by 40 per cent since 1990, while our total emissions
have decreased by 20 per cent in that same period. In
other words, it is possible to de-link economic growth
from increased emissions. At the Secretary-General’s
Climate Summit yesterday, world leaders expressed
their commitment to address those issues. Now is the
time to deliver on that commitment.
The third and final area where Denmark sees an
urgent need for action is on the post-2015 agenda for
sustainable development. As stated by the Secretary-
General: “Ours is the first generation that can wipe
poverty from the face of the Earth” (A/68/PV.5, p. 1).
That is not a message based on wishful thinking. It
is based on the facts. It is within our reach and it has
to be done. Over a 20-year period, from 1990-2010,
700 million people have been lifted out of extreme
poverty. Child mortality has been reduced by almost
50 per cent. Ninety per cent of children in developing
regions now attend primary schools. That represents
truly historic progress. But still we need to do more.
The Millennium Development Goals were
formulated almost 15 years ago, and the world has, as
we know, developed rapidly since. Clearly, the new
set of sustainable development goals must address
and integrate the economic, social, and environmental
dimensions of development.
Another important factor is to ensure women’s
empowerment, gender equality and the rights of women
and girls. That includes sexual and reproductive health
rights. In too many places those fundamental rights are
still not observed. Women and young girls must have
the right to decide freely whether they want to have
children, when, how many, and with whom.
All young people must have access to proper
education. Two hundred years ago, compulsory
education was introduced in my country. Education for
the many and not just for the few has been a primary
driver in transforming Denmark into a democratic and
prosperous nation. Education has also been a driver of
gender equality, and still is. That is one aspect of the
post-2015 agenda that is particularly close to my heart.
I have been very proud to be one of the Secretary-
General’s Champions for his Global Education First
Initiative. One of our key priorities must be to ensure
quality education also for the most disadvantaged
groups and in the most vulnerable countries.
As we look at the global landscape today, insecurity
is sadly on the rise. We all know who is paying the
highest price. Today for the first time since the Second
World War, more than 50 million people throughout
the world have been displaced owing to conflict and
violence. Far too many of those people are children.
We need a United Nations that can help mediate,
prevent and resolve armed conflicts and promote
universal respect for human rights. We need a United
Nations that is committed to act against climate change.
And we need a United Nations that can help deliver
sustainable development for all and provide effective
assistance to countries suffering from the Ebola virus.
But the United Nations can do nothing without the
collective political will of all of us, its Member States.
The world needs a United Nations that adapts to new
challenges and reflects the changing global political
realities. Denmark supports a reformed Security Council
that fulfils its primary purpose and responsibility when
peace and security is threatened. We need a United
Nations based on the strong values and obligations
enshrined in the United Nations Charter. More than
ever, we need a United Nations that acts.