German Chancellor Angela Merkel waits for the arrival of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for talks at the Chancellery in Berlin, Sept. 18, 2020. (Odd Andersen/Pool Photo via AP)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:16 AM PT – Tuesday, September 22, 2020
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling to reform the United Nations. In a pre-recorded address to the General Assembly Monday, the chancellor called for increased unity among member states.
Her remarks came after Germany joined a list of nations seeking to increase multilateralism when it comes to global issues, including the coronavirus pandemic.
“I wish the United Nations and its members the courage, stamina and sense of community that are required in order to tackle these shared tasks together,” said the chancellor.
Merkel went on to call for the expansion of the Security Council, which is a branch of the UN tasked with ensuring international peace and security.
“The United Nations must continue to develop in order to be in a position to master the global challenges of the 21st Century,” she stated. “Germany stands ready to continue to shoulder responsibility and would be pleased to do so in an expanded Security Council.”
Watch Chancellor Angela Merkel’s full speech at the event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the @UnitedNations. ???⤵️
And read it here➡️ https://t.co/tU8q0wSLyW pic.twitter.com/M17nn7DswO
— German Mission to UN (@GermanyUN) September 21, 2020
Her remarks came as the UN marked its 75th anniversary with a series of General Assembly meetings at its headquarters in New York. On Monday, ambassadors from key UN members states praised the organization’s work in preventing wars, protecting human rights and delivering humanitarian assistance worldwide.
The UN was founded back in 1945 to prevent a potential third world war. Diplomats have said the UN has many achievements to show for 75 years of its work, but there’s still more to be done.
“The declaration also states our world is not yet the world that our founders envisaged 75 years ago…it is plagued by growing inequality, poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, terrorism, insecurity, climate change and pandemics,” stated Brenden Varma, spokesman for UN General Assembly president. “Our challenges are interconnected and can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism.”
Diplomats warn, however, several UN members have not cooperated with international partners in good faith, which has resulted in regional conflicts in the past few years.
The #UN75 draft declaration that’ll be adopted in less than 2 hrs says: “There is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No other global organization gives hope to so many people.” Couldn’t agree more. pic.twitter.com/ZRFOovolco
— Brenden Varma (@brendenvarma) September 21, 2020
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