Dan Jorgensen Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, reiterated its support for “all meaningful efforts to stop Russia’s aggression in Ukraine,” including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace formula for a just peace. He said Denmark wants full responsibility for the Russian Federation’s war of illegal aggression, including criminal liability and reparations under international law. The international community must not allow the irresponsible actions of one Member State to derail and destroy collective efforts to find common solutions to common problems. Denmark firmly supports Ukraine and its right to defend its territory, as “Russia’s blatant disregard for the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter” is a tragedy. Confidence in multilateral cooperation depends on universal respect for the rules that underpin them and accountability for their violations.
He stressed that developing countries need a staggering $3.9 trillion in funding by 2030 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For more than 40 years, Denmark has met the United Nations goal of providing at least 0.7% of gross national income to development assistance. But he noted that this increase would only cover 10 percent of the funding gap, “even if we all meet the UN target of 0.7.” Meanwhile, Denmark increased grant-based climate finance to record levels this year, doubled contributions to the Green Climate Fund next year, and set a target for developing countries to contribute to climate finance by 2030. The plan is to triple the amount. Additionally, the world needs to: By better leveraging the vast potential of international financial institutions, development banks must raise trillions of dollars for climate action and the SDGs. He also called on the world’s biggest emitters to reduce carbon emissions, phase out fossil fuels and commit to renewable energy. The world needs to scale up adaptation efforts to address the loss and damage caused by climate change. Especially for the poorest and most vulnerable people who have contributed the least but have suffered the worst.
He said the Security Council needed to be more representative, transparent and accountable at the United Nations. Such reforms include limiting the use of self-regulatory veto powers and increasing accountability through the General Assembly. Denmark is actively engaged in such discussions, especially as a candidate for his 2025-2026 board of directors. Furthermore, as a major contributor to the Peacebuilding Fund and a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, Denmark reaffirmed that peacebuilding and conflict prevention are among its most valuable areas. Efficient tools in the United Nations toolbox. “It is our generation’s duty to put the world back on track,” he urged. “Ending the cycle of mistrust and division that undermines our ability to act collectively.”