The Security Council is the most important organ of the United Nations for guaranteeing peace and security worldwide. Germany is taking up a non permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the sixth time – but the expectations placed in us have never been higher. We are well prepared and keen to take on this challenge.

As a member of the Security Council, we will focus on helping to resolve crises. We also want to put our own issues on the agenda. For example, the Security Council must address the fact that climate change could become a security problem in many parts of the world. We intend to work to ensure that women play a bigger role in preventing and managing conflicts and that women and girls are better protected from sexualised violence in conflicts. International humanitarian law must be strengthened and humanitarian aid workers better protected. We also intend to provide fresh impetus for the difficult issue of nuclear disarmament and arms control.