In the twenty-first
century, old distinctions between North and South, and
developed and developing countries are beginning to
lose their meaning. We are witnessing significant shifts
in the geopolitical balance, in population dynamics
and in economic power between Member States. As
documented in this year’s United Nations Human
Development Report, many developing countries
are experiencing faster economic growth. Emerging
economies now produce the majority of the world’s
goods and services, and three quarters of the world’s
economic growth is said to depend on their dynamism.
Today, emerging economies and middle-income
countries are an important part of reshaping the global
economy. In a globalized world, with dramatic shifts of
power and influence, a strong United Nations is more
relevant than ever before. We need the United Nations,
with its unique legitimacy and its universal membership.
We need a United Nations that can contribute to global
challenges with common solutions. We need a United
Nations that reflects the changing political landscape,
including through a reformed Security Council. Above
all, we need a United Nations that can help to mediate,
prevent and resolve armed conflicts. For the United
Nations to be able to contribute effectively to resolving
armed conflicts, it is crucial that the Security Council
show leadership and prove that it can fulfil its primary
purpose and responsibility of cooperating to resolve
international crises and to promote universal respect
for human rights.
Today, the total number of people uprooted by
conflict or persecution is close to 45 million, the
highest level in 18 years. That illustrates the human
suffering and costs of conflict, which we must do our
utmost to prevent and resolve. An integrated approach
to preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, peacekeeping
and the prevention of atrocities is crucial. The cure for
armed conflict and instability is to invest in democratic
structures that protect civilians and their human rights
and contribute to socioeconomic progress. In recent
years, the Security Council has increasingly integrated
the rule of law, human rights and the protection
of civilians into its mandates for United Nations
peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions. That is an
encouraging development that Denmark supports fully.
Denmark agrees with the Secretary-General that
building societies that are resilient to crimes of atrocity
increases the prospects of long-term peace and stability.
The unacceptable human suffering in Syria is a tragic
reminder of the consequences when no early action to
prevent crimes of atrocity is undertaken. Advancing
the primary responsibility of States to protect their
populations should be a concern for all Governments.
The responsibility to protect is consistent with existing
obligations and international human rights law,
humanitarian law and refugee law, which are binding
on all States. Denmark calls on Member States to join
the global network of responsibility-to-protect focal
points, which works to integrate the prevention of
atrocities in national policies, and to engage with other
Member States and regional organizations in order
to build capacity and cooperation before crises and
conflicts break out.
At the same time, we must ensure accountability
for human rights violations and for crimes of atrocity
in the past. The perpetrators of those crimes must be
brought to justice. While the Security Council last
Friday took an important step to address the crisis in
Syria, Denmark reiterates its call on the Council to refer
the case of Syria to the International Criminal Court.
Sexual violence in conflict is one of the most
persistent injustices in the world today, and often one
of the most neglected. We must combat sexual violence
as a method of warfare. Likewise, we must promote the
participation of women in peacebuilding and in social
and economic recovery. Denmark strongly believes
that no durable peace can be attained without the full
and equal participation of women in peacekeeping and
peacebuilding processes.
Building sustainable peace and long-term stability
remains one of the most difficult challenges for the
international community and the United Nations.
But the investment is well worth it. We must support
country-led and country-owned transition strategies
in building paths towards resilient societies. Conflict
and violence have devastating effects on development.
The complex situation in fragile States represents
perhaps the greatest challenge to combating poverty, as
low-income fragile States are those most off-track in
terms of reaching the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). It is therefore essential that the central roles
of State-building and peacebuilding be duly reflected
in the post-2015 framework.
The New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States,
led by the g7+ countries, provides peacebuilding
and State-building goals that call for a global effort
to strengthen people’s security, to reduce violence,
to increase people’s access to justice, to generate
employment and to improve livelihoods. We urge that
the experiences and lessons learned from the New Deal
become a source of inspiration for discussions on the
post-2015 development framework.
The process of establishing the post-2015
development agenda should result in a single universal
framework with one set of goals that can unite the world
in a strong effort to eradicate extreme poverty, promote
sustainable development and ensure all people the
right to a better life. Denmark welcomes the outcome
document of the High-level Meeting of the General
Assembly on the Realization of the Millennium
Development Goals and other Internationally Agreed
Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities
(resolution 68/3), adopted last week, which provides a
first important step towards that vision.
At the same time, unfinished business from the
MDGs must figure prominently in the post-2015
development agenda. The focus should be on ending
extreme poverty in one generation while promoting
sustainable development in all its dimensions. The
empowerment of women and girls and access to basic
services, such as health and education, must not drop
off the agenda. On the contrary, we must commit to
doing more to close those gaps.
Denmark is committed to shouldering its share of
collective responsibility. In 2012, Denmark provided
0.83 per cent of its gross national income as official
development assistance, and it has been fulfilling the
international target of 0.7 per cent since 1978. Also, we
are strengthening our efforts to work in partnership with
private business and other non-State actors to increase
investments in developing countries, especially in
Africa.
As also highlighted by the Secretary-General and
the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development
Agenda in their reports, a new, coherent post-2015
framework must be firmly anchored in human rights
as universal values and enablers for sustainable
development. Such a framework must build on the core
principles that underpin the international human rights
framework, namely, participation, accountability,
transparency and non-discrimination. It must address
the human rights of all groups in our societies and pay
special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples.
We are losing ground when it comes to inequality
within countries where we see a widening gap between
rich and poor people. The 1.2 billion poorest people
account for only 1 per cent of world consumption, while
the billion richest consume 72 per cent. Inequalities
and their underlying causes must be addressed in the
post-2015 development agenda in order to effectively
eradicate extreme poverty, underpin socioeconomic
progress and prevent instability.
Gender-based discrimination, including the denial
of the rights of women and girls, remains the single
most widespread driver of inequalities in today’s world.
For Denmark, it is critical that gender equality and
sexual and reproductive health and rights be reflected
in the post-2015 agenda. That was also underscored by
the High-level Panel report.
Macroeconomic policy is essential in addressing
inequalities. Equitable socioeconomic progress and
a fair distribution of resources are important for
developed and developing countries alike.
Scientific evidence, as just presented by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, makes it
clear that climate change has become a threat multiplier.
More frequent natural disasters impact on the most
vulnerable people and add another layer to fragility,
inequality and instability. Unsustainable production and
consumption increase the stress on natural resources
and ecosystems. The level of carbon dioxide emissions
today is 46 per cent higher than the 1990 level. The
United Nations and its Member States must promote
innovative technologies and new solutions to water,
food and energy scarcity, deforestation and high carbon
emissions. Jointly, we must push the transformation to
a green economy.
Green growth is necessary if we are to deal
effectively with increased demands for resources over
the next 15 to 20 years as the global population grows.
Green growth is about opportunities for all, not about
obstacles for some. The access to and management of
energy and water resources are two important elements.
Governments cannot do it alone. We need active
involvement and a close partnership with the private
sector, including businesses and private foundations, as
well as with civil society and public institutions.
We welcome the Secretary-General’s invitation to
a summit in September 2014 that will serve to maintain
the momentum of the climate negotiations. It is crucial
to set an ambitious international agenda for tackling
the consequences of climate change. Denmark’s long-
term energy policy goal is clear: our entire energy
supply should be covered by renewable energy by
2050. Denmark stands ready to support a global agenda
towards limiting global warming to 2° Celsius. Our
contribution to the Secretary-General’s Sustainable
Energy for All initiative is part of that support, including
the establishment of an energy efficiency hub in the
new United Nations City in Copenhagen. Denmark will
also work for an ambitious and operational outcome of
the the third International Conference on Small Island
Developing States, to take place in September 2014.
At the country level, Denmark supports a United
Nations that can inspire change and deliver concrete
results that will benefit populations, strengthen their
confidence in political processes and pave the way for
long-term stability and development.
We condemn the indiscriminate violence that
we witness in Syria. Not only does it harm civilians
in the most tragic way, it also undermines regional
stability as a whole. With the conflict in Syria, we are
confronted with a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented
proportions. Last month the world witnessed a further
escalation of the conflict with the horrendous chemical
attack in Ghouta. Denmark strongly condemns all use of
chemical weapons, and we are convinced that a strong
international reaction is required. It is crucial that those
responsible for that grave violation of international law
be brought to justice and that future use of chemical
weapons be effectively prevented.
From the very outset of the tragedy in Syria,
Denmark has emphasized the need for a political
solution to end the human suffering. We welcome the
adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2118
(2013), on the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.
Denmark continues to strongly support the efforts
towards the “Geneva II” conference.
In Egypt, an already fragile situation has worsened
significantly over the past months, during which
tragic events have led to a heavy loss of civilian
lives. Democracy and dialogue must return. Progress
in Egypt can come about only through a peaceful,
inclusive process. Many challenges still lie ahead
with regard to the implementation of the road map for
a return to democratic and civilian rule in Egypt. We
urge the Egyptian authorities to accept the support
of the international community for that process. The
United Nations can play an important role in supporting
respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Progress in the Middle East peace process remains
critical for improving regional stability. Denmark
welcomes the United States initiative aimed at resumed
direct negotiations. All parties must now truly seize
the opportunity for peace and work constructively for a
sustainable two-State solution.
In Afghanistan, we welcome the process towards
full national ownership, which is crucial for the long-
term future of the country. Afghan authorities are
taking over still-greater responsibility for security
and institutions. There is, however, a clear need for
a continued, strong political commitment from the
international community in order for Afghanistan
to succeed in that goal. The Afghan Government
and its international partners must live up to the
July 2012 Tokyo declaration on partnership for self-
reliance in Afghanistan. Denmark will remain a strong
partner to Afghanistan on its way to democracy and
improved livelihoods. The United Nations assistance
to Afghanistan in managing the transition process,
including the upcoming electoral processes, will be
essential now and in the years to come.
Peace and security in the Sahel region have lately
been challenged by violent extremism, the presence of
armed groups, the expansion of transborder organized
crime and increasing environmental and climate-change
pressures, which jeopardize development gains.
Denmark supports the implementation of the United
Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel. Throughout
the Sahel, the influence of civil society on national
and international decision-making warrants attention
in order to deepen and consolidate the ongoing
stabilization and peace efforts.
Together with the United Nations, the African
Union and African and international partners, Denmark
is committed to supporting the efforts in Mali and the
Sahel to facilitate reconciliation through inclusive
dialogue and the active engagement of civil society.
We also support the United Nations Multidimensional
Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali as a strong
United Nations peacekeeping Mission.
Somalia’s New Deal Compact will be crucial for
reconciliation and peacebuilding and will set the
priorities for the next three years. It is important that
peace and development be dealt with in an integrated
way, and that there be mutual commitment to develop
and follow up on the Compact for Somalia. We welcome
the explicit use in the Compact of the peacebuilding
and State-building goals from the New Deal Compact,
and the strong ownership by Somalia to implement the
principles of the New Deal.
The unregulated and irresponsible international
trade in arms has had devastating effects. Earlier this
year, the General Assembly made history by adopting
the Arms Trade Treaty. Denmark supports the swift
entry into force and effective implementation of the
Treaty. Denmark is committed to assisting States, on
their request, to meet their obligations under the Treaty.
We once again call upon Iran and the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea to comply with international
law and the relevant Security Council resolutions. We
welcome all efforts to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear
programme.
The United Nations is more relevant than ever at
a time when strong multilateral cooperation is needed
to cope with global challenges that transcend national
borders. No country can confront those challenges
on its own. Seen from the perspective of Denmark as
a small State, the United Nations could and should
inspire change and help States take action when moving
forward towards 2015 and beyond.