In a wide-ranging speech to the German Parliament, UN Secretary-General António Guterres saluted Germany’s leadership and praised the country as a pillar of multilateralism.
“The world needs Germany – and Germany needs the world,’’ the Secretary-General, speaking in German, told lawmakers assembled in the Reichstag, the seat of Parliament.
Lawmakers warmly applauded the Secretary-General’s speech, which he delivered in person, and gave him a standing ovation at the end. In addition to lawmakers, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the German President, the Foreign Minister and other senior German officials were present for Parliament’s final session of 2021.
During his half-hour speech, which was broadcast live, the Secretary-General described the long list of grave issues that the world faces including: climate change, biodiversity loss, the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment, poverty, famine, gender inequality among others.
Germany currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Council, and the Secretary-General commended Germany’s role “for helping to secure pandemic relief for struggling European economies.’’
With a number of European countries currently under severe restrictions due to COVID-19 and struggling economically, the Secretary-General also expressed appreciation for Germany’s role in helping develop and finance vaccine therapeutics.
He also expressed gratitude for German support in efforts to bring peace to Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Sahel and eastern Ukraine.
“Around the world, Germany is a vital ally in our push for peace,’’ Guterres said.
Germany currently holds one of rotating seats on the UN Security Council and has been active in drawing the Council’s attention to the growing threat of global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gases.
Having articulated the challenges that the world faces, the Secretary-General closed his remarks on an optimistic note and a call for greater international collaboration.
“In this season of hope, I see seeds of hope,’’ he said. “We can triumph over adversity. Together.’’
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