The German public’s views on how global challenges affect us here in Germany and how they should best be addressed are a key issue in the work of the Federal Foreign Office and for me personally. I am particularly glad that so many people welcome the fact that Germany does more in this regard and invests more than other economically weaker countries. Global developments such as climate change, terrorism, digital transformation and many other factors cannot be influenced unilaterally. Wherever people attempt to do so, there is either no change or the weakest pay the price.

Multilateralism has come under pressure from critics who find compromises too laborious and who believe that things can also be achieved by going it alone. However, we need more, not less, of a multilateral order. In my opinion, we do not need new organisations or new official formats for this. Instead, we need to build on sound networks and to do concrete diplomatic teamwork. Reliability in international policy and multilateralism are not ends in themselves for us. On the contrary, they are the very bedrock of our security, prosperity and future viability. And from my talks with other Foreign Ministers, I know that many countries see this exactly the same way.

In order to lend our support to multilateralism, I have launched a campaign with my French, Canadian, Chilean and Ghanaian counterparts, which will start today with a joint video. Many other countries have already signalled their support and want to join this campaign.

#MultilateralismMatters.