Kingdom of Denmark, 2014

Despite our

aspirations to create a more just and peaceful world,

atrocities continue to take place. Every day we witness

expressions of the darker side of human nature:

thousands of innocent civilians besieged on a mountain

in northern Iraq by heavily armed extremists; a Syrian

dictator who bombs and starves his own people,

leaving more than 10 million people in need of urgent

humanitarian assistance; the persecution of people

because of their religious or political beliefs, their

gender or sexual orientation; disrespect for national

borders, challenging the basic principles on which our

rules-based international order is built; climate change

causing great risks to human health, global food security

and economic development and to the natural resources

on which so much of our prosperity depends; and a

world of more than 7 billion people with an increasing

demand for key resources and an unsustainable pattern

of consumption and production.

The challenges we face are complex. There are

no simple solutions. What is required of us is strong,

collective international action, not only to manage

the crises and conflicts of today but to prevent the

crises and conflicts of tomorrow. I am a true believer

in international cooperation and in the virtues of the

United Nations, but as the world changes and we are

faced with new challenges, we must find new ways to

adapt.

I am also confident that we will adapt, but only if

we have a strong United Nations, and only if we act

together. As Member States each one of us must fulfil

our obligations under the Charter. That is our common

commitment and our shared responsibility. I see three

challenges where we, the United Nations, should act

and should act now. Urgency is key.

First, we need stronger international cooperation

and action on peace and security. Secondly, we have to

reach an ambitious international agreement on climate

change next year in Paris. Thirdly, we have to agree on

the post-2015 agenda for sustainable development.

Of the three challenges, the first is international

peace and security. This past year, we have seen the

rise of a violent and intensifying conflict fuelled by

extremism, in particular the horrific and brutal terrorist

organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

(ISIL). ISIL represents a distorted political ideology

that must be confronted, degraded and defeated by the

entire international community, including, of course,

countries in the region. As we are gathered this week,

the States Members of the United Nations are sending a

clear message that we utterly condemn ISIL’s cowardly

acts of terror and that we are unified in our firm

resolve to oppose and confront its violent and extremist

ideology. Let it be clear that we are determined to

support the Iraqi Government in protecting its people.

Denmark will stand up for our common values as

enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and Denmark

will support the victims of ISIL’S atrocities. We are

taking part in the humanitarian relief efforts in northern

Iraq, and we will continue our active contribution to the

international efforts to support Iraq in the fight against

ISIL. To stop the advance of ISIL, it is imperative to end

the flow of foreign fighters and financing from outside.

That indeed is a common obligation. It is also critical

that we address the root causes of violent extremism

and improve the conditions in Syria that ISIL has been

able to exploit.

The humanitarian situation in Syria continues to be

of great concern. Though progress is difficult, we must

spare no effort to seek a political solution leading to a

transition from the current regime. There will always

be a risk that political transition will be exploited by

violent extremists. Still, history shows that democratic

and inclusive Governments, open societies and a

fundamental respect for human rights remain the only

viable path towards stability, security and prosperity

for our citizens.

Bringing an end to the violence in the region will

require a sustained and comprehensive contribution

from every one of us. The successful removal of

Al-Assad’s chemical weapons clearly demonstrated

what can be achieved when we join forces in decisive

international action. A coalition of Denmark, Norway,

Russia, China, Finland, the United Kingdom and the

United States effectively secured and destroyed those

horrendous weapons of war.

Our united response is also required against another

growing threat. The Ebola epidemic has become a severe

humanitarian, social and economic crisis for countries

in West Africa. If we fail to act now, it may develop into

a global health crisis, impacting millions of people. If

so, we will not only be confronted with a health crisis

but also with a threat to international peace, prosperity

and security. It is very clear that this challenge cannot

be tackled by any one nation alone. That is why we

must all lend our support. The United Nations and its

Member States have a common responsibility to bring

Ebola under control.

Ebola is not just a regional challenge; it has now

become a global crisis. Denmark is committed to that

cause. We have already contributed to the international

response, including the United Nations humanitarian air

service, and we will now increase our support. Today,

I can announce that Denmark will provide a maritime

transport capacity to the United Nations. With that,

we will support the construction of needed housing

facilities for the international health personnel in the

affected areas. We will provide additional funding to

the World Health Organization. As the situation evolves,

we will stand ready to consider additional steps.

The global community is based on international law.

That law must be respected and not blatantly violated, as

we have seen done in the past year. We have witnessed

an unacceptable foreign intervention in Ukraine.

Fundamental principles of national sovereignty and

non-interference have been disrespected. The recent

ceasefire is an important step on the only viable way

forward, namely, a political solution. Yet, we have

to see Russia’s commitment to a political solution

demonstrated in action, not only in words. Throughout

the conflict Russia’s self-proclaimed support to the

peace process has been in stark contrast to realities on

the ground.

We remain fully committed to a political solution

that respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and

sovereignty. Respect for international law and human

rights should always be at the very core of peace

and development, as should the rule of law and good

governance. That is why Denmark strongly supports

bold and significant new steps in the United Nations,

such as the Secretary-General’s recent Rights Up Front

initiative.

This year also marks the thirtieth anniversary of

the adoption of the United Nations Convention against

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading

Treatment or Punishment. Together with Chile, Ghana,

Indonesia and Morocco, Denmark has launched a

long-term initiative for the universal ratification and

implementation of that Convention. We have made

significant progress, but we also need to do more to

protect men and women in all parts of the world from

torture and ill-treatment.

My second point is about the need to advance our

collective answer to the challenges posed by climate

change. Earlier this year I had the privilege, together

with the Premier of Greenland, of hosting a visit by

the Secretary-General to Greenland. We travelled

together by dog sleigh on the receding ice, and we

heard the stories told by the local population about how

the changes are affecting local livelihoods. Climate

change is painfully visible in the Arctic. That is beyond

discussion. Let there be no illusion that climate change

will have only regional impacts. The changes will affect

each and every one of us on this planet. That is why

ambitious action is required of us now. One crucial step

would be a binding global agreement to reduce carbon

dioxide emissions in Paris next year.

Since 2010, Denmark has dedicated $350 million

to climate action. This year alone, we will commit

more than $100 million. But Governments cannot do

this alone. We need to engage the private sector and

other partners to commit to action and ensure adequate

climate finance and foster innovation and green

solutions. Some still might fear that the green transition

will limit economic growth. That is not necessarily

so. For example, the Danish economy has grown

by 40 per cent since 1990, while our total emissions

have decreased by 20 per cent in that same period. In

other words, it is possible to de-link economic growth

from increased emissions. At the Secretary-General’s

Climate Summit yesterday, world leaders expressed

their commitment to address those issues. Now is the

time to deliver on that commitment.

The third and final area where Denmark sees an

urgent need for action is on the post-2015 agenda for

sustainable development. As stated by the Secretary-

General: “Ours is the first generation that can wipe

poverty from the face of the Earth” (A/68/PV.5, p. 1).

That is not a message based on wishful thinking. It

is based on the facts. It is within our reach and it has

to be done. Over a 20-year period, from 1990-2010,

700 million people have been lifted out of extreme

poverty. Child mortality has been reduced by almost

50 per cent. Ninety per cent of children in developing

regions now attend primary schools. That represents

truly historic progress. But still we need to do more.

The Millennium Development Goals were

formulated almost 15 years ago, and the world has, as

we know, developed rapidly since. Clearly, the new

set of sustainable development goals must address

and integrate the economic, social, and environmental

dimensions of development.

Another important factor is to ensure women’s

empowerment, gender equality and the rights of women

and girls. That includes sexual and reproductive health

rights. In too many places those fundamental rights are

still not observed. Women and young girls must have

the right to decide freely whether they want to have

children, when, how many, and with whom.

All young people must have access to proper

education. Two hundred years ago, compulsory

education was introduced in my country. Education for

the many and not just for the few has been a primary

driver in transforming Denmark into a democratic and

prosperous nation. Education has also been a driver of

gender equality, and still is. That is one aspect of the

post-2015 agenda that is particularly close to my heart.

I have been very proud to be one of the Secretary-

General’s Champions for his Global Education First

Initiative. One of our key priorities must be to ensure

quality education also for the most disadvantaged

groups and in the most vulnerable countries.

As we look at the global landscape today, insecurity

is sadly on the rise. We all know who is paying the

highest price. Today for the first time since the Second

World War, more than 50 million people throughout

the world have been displaced owing to conflict and

violence. Far too many of those people are children.

We need a United Nations that can help mediate,

prevent and resolve armed conflicts and promote

universal respect for human rights. We need a United

Nations that is committed to act against climate change.

And we need a United Nations that can help deliver

sustainable development for all and provide effective

assistance to countries suffering from the Ebola virus.

But the United Nations can do nothing without the

collective political will of all of us, its Member States.

The world needs a United Nations that adapts to new

challenges and reflects the changing global political

realities. Denmark supports a reformed Security Council

that fulfils its primary purpose and responsibility when

peace and security is threatened. We need a United

Nations based on the strong values and obligations

enshrined in the United Nations Charter. More than

ever, we need a United Nations that acts.