ANNALENA BAERBOCK, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, said the world currently is an ecosystem of quick headlines and slogans that paint it black and white, creating an ‘us versus them’ divide.  This division lies at the foundation of the “worst extremes that humankind has ever seen” — the world wars and the Holocaust.  The United Nations, she continued, provides a countermodel through its Charter, urging the international community to accept the humanity of everyone.  It also guarantees all countries the right to determine their own destiny, governed by an order void of divisive nationalism.  Living up to these principles, however, demands hard work, empathy, solidarity and a search for common ground.  “It also means that we have to face the dilemma that the values of the Charter can at times appear to contradict each other,” she said.

Recalling the 7 October 2023 Hamas’ attacks and persisting holding of over 100 hostages, including her countrymen — among them women and children  — she encouraged that the situation should not only be looked at from individual perspective and collective history, but through the universality of humanity “in order to overcome this vicious circle of hate”.  Because the rights of Israelis and Palestinians do not cancel each other out, Germany remains committed to Israel’s security and right to self-defence.  At the same time, it is working tirelessly “to end the hell for the children of Gaza”, as lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians will only be possible with lasting security for one another.  Hence, Germany’s efforts for a hostage deal, represented by “the Biden plan which was endorsed by the Security Council”, she said, announcing her recent participation with other countries to call for an immediate 21‑day ceasefire along the Blue Line.

“Because the ability to learn from past mistakes makes societies stronger”, she noted, her country is addressing its colonial past more thoroughly, the restitution of artefacts being a crucial matter.  This is what is influencing its important reconciliation process with Namibia with the aim of uniting for a better future.  On the Russian Federation’s aggression in Ukraine, she urged Member States to call upon President Vladimir Putin to cease attacks and approach the negotiation table “not only for our security, but also in your own interest”.  She announced Germany’s action towards a reform of the Security Council and the global financial architecture, lamenting that it is “totally unjust that at the two most important international financial institutions, there are only Europeans and Americans at the top”.  “We need our institutions to be accepted by all of us.  And for that, they need to represent all of us,” she stressed.  She further called for the emergence of the first female Secretary-General of the United Nations.