Speech by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany at 'Summit of the Future Global Call', Berlin, 12 September 2024

Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we find ourselves in a world that feels more divided, more polarised, and more uncertain than it has for a long time.

The international order as we know it is facing tremendous challenges.

For some countries this statement holds promise. The promise that the tables are finally turning.

Others are worried - and that does not just include Western democracies.

International law is being violated.

Russia's imperialistic war of aggression against Ukraine might be the most brazen example. But it's not the only one by far.

Nuclear proliferation poses growing threats.

All while climate change and its consequences question the very foundations of the way we live.

So, today, we are facing a fundamental question:

How can we reflect the power shifts our world is experiencing? And at the same time maintain international order in the 21st century?

For me, the first part of the answer is this:

Any effective international order needs to reflect the world's multipolarity.

Countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas have growing populations and economies. Hundreds of millions of people globally have lifted themselves out of poverty and joined the global middle class.

They have every right to the same level of prosperity, participation and global influence that citizens in Europe and North America enjoy.

So, I deeply believe: There is no global order without fair representation and participation.

As co-facilitators for the Pact for the Future, we, Namibia and Germany, have been guided by this principle.

We have been working tirelessly to forge the best possible consensus.

Over almost a year of tough negotiations, Namibia and Germany have chosen an inclusive approach, not least through our engagement with civil society and other stakeholders.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our friends from Namibia for this excellent cooperation that brought our two nations even closer together.

Our collaboration also shows what we can achieve when two partners from different corners of this planet, with different goals but shared principles, join hands.

Thank you, President Mbumba, my friend Nangolo , for your cooperation, trust and friendship.

Colleagues,

After multiple rounds of negotiations the good news is: an overwhelming majority of countries in the world agree on the goals that humanity should be striving for:

We want a world that is safe, peaceful, just, equal, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous. A world in which human wellbeing, security, dignity and a healthy planet are assured.

In less than two weeks, the Summit of the Future - and the Pact we want to conclude there - will present a unique opportunity to take an important step towards this goal.

With the Pact for the Future, we want to:

• commit to cooperation and partnerships, despite conflicts and challenges.

• We want to restore trust in our shared institutions.

• And we want to agree on concrete actions for our common future.

We will reaffirm our joint commitment to the UN Charter, to international law, to the 2030 Agenda, to the Paris Agreement, and to the protection of human rights.

And we will commit to advancing the essential institutional reforms of the international system, particularly the UN Security Council and the International Financial Architecture.

The Pact for the Future will also enable the UN to better deliver on its core tasks.

But agreeing on the Pact for the Future presents an even greater opportunity - one that goes beyond individual goals we all pursued during the negotiations.

The Pact offers us the chance to change the narrative of division, polarisation and uncertainty.

It offers us the chance to show the world that cooperation still yields results.

That multilateralism is alive.

That global solidarity exists.

I know that, even now, when we can see the finishing line ahead of us, there are still some differences to bridge in the ongoing negotiations.

Speaking for Germany, I can assure you that we are deeply committed to doing just that.

And I encourage all of you to help us.

There is little to lose, but so much to gain.

• Together, we can advance the sustainable transformation of our economies and tap into the potentials of renewable energy.

• Together, we can unlock the necessary financial resources, including through bigger, better and more effective Multilateral Development Banks and more effective debt relief, building on the G20 Common Framework.

• Together, we can ensure that every corner of the world gets fair access to technological advances like AI.

• And together, we can reform global governance to better reflect today's world and ensure more appropriate representation.

I am looking forward to seeing you in New York in less than two weeks!

As the Secretary-General has repeatedly reminded us, we stand at a crossroads between breakdown and breakthrough.

I am sure that we will make the right choice.

Now it is up to all of us to seek compromise and to show the world that there is much more that unites us than divides us.

President Mbumba and I are grateful for your support. And now we are thrilled to hear your expectations.

Thank you!

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