UN Security Council: Germany’s candidature for a non-permanent seat
UN Security Council chamber in New York
(picture-alliance/dpa)
The UN Security Council is the centrepiece of the international peace order. As an internationally respected partner, as an important actor in the United Nations and as the organization’s third-largest contributor, Germany is seeking a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2011/12. Reform of the Security Council remains a major goal of German foreign policy.
Our candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Сouncil for the period 2011-2012 is the logical consequence of the Federal Government’s global engagement.
At the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century the Security Council will still be facing major challenges. Germany is seeking a non-permanent seat for the period 2011/12 in order to be able to make a responsible contribution towards meeting these challenges.
The elections will take place in the autumn of 2010 during the 65th session of the General Assembly.
The non-permanent seats are allocated proportionally to the regional groups. Germany belongs to WEOG (Western European and Others Group), which has two seats.
Portugal and Canada, as well as Germany, are standing as candidates for these two upcoming vacancies.
In 2011/12 Germany wants
to pick up from its previous commitment and again be a reliable partner,
to live up to its own calls for greater openness,
to support initiatives which seek lasting solutions with a view to fostering peace and security,
to do its utmost to ensure economic and social equality, because the only safe world is a fair world, and
to wholeheartedly dedicate itself to mastering global challenges such as climate change, the scarcity of resources and food crises.
Germany’s previous stints on the Security Council
The Security Council bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Germany has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council four times already, most recently in 2003/04. At that time the Iraq conflict was triggering difficult discussions in the Security Council too.
Effectiveness and transparency were and still are the guiding principles for Germany’s engagement in the United Nations, and particularly on the Security Council.
In 2003/04, during Germany’s Presidency, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1540 with a view to preventing non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore, a debate was initiated on how a responsible private sector can play a key role in preventing conflicts and consolidating peace.
Pushing ahead with Security Council reform
Reform of the Security Council remains a major German policy goal. The Federal Government is convinced that the Security Council should reflect today’s world, not the world as it was back in 1945. Major countries of the South should shoulder responsibility as permanent members.
But those countries which make the biggest contributions towards achieving the UN’s goals should be represented as permanent members. The Federal Government therefore wants to see a reform of the Security Council that will make Germany a permanent Council member, as part of a root-and-branch reform of the UN.
Germany’s engagement in the United Nations
The central mandate of the United Nations, safeguarding peace and security, has been the focus of German foreign policy for many decades. Germany supports the United Nations on conflict prevention, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Security and development are inextricably linked. Ensuring fair conditions for all in the wake of globalization is a key aspect of German development policy. In the 21st century more people than ever before are suffering as a result of scarce resources. Germany tries to alleviate their distress, and is, for instance, the world’s second-largest donor of development assistance.
The UN Millennium Agenda provides the framework for Germany’s efforts to improve the situation of developing countries worldwide. Germany actively supports the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, such as halving the number of poor people worldwide, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by the year 2015.
Further important elements of Germany’s policy on the UN include strengthening international law, defending human rights and protecting the global environment. Over the past ten years Germany has substantially extended its international engagement and shouldered increased international responsibility.
Last updated 06.10.2009
