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lengths, the veto and criteria for participation—but “Superficial adjustments will not
these can be structured to ensure accountability
and trust. This approach, combined with a matrix suffice. The world needs systemic
management system across the UN, could restore change. We have the knowledge.
confidence in the Security Council and the rest of
the system, making it a true guarantor of peace. We have the plans. We have the

resources. We know what needs to
Speaking about structures, one last,
but unfortunately, increasingly relevant be done. The past has shown that
consideration: If the US Administration
continues with its cascade of attacks on and when there is the will, remarkable
subversion of the United Nations, the rest of things are possible.”
the world will very soon need to rethink the
venue for its Headquarters. One cannot imagine
that it can remain in New York under these
circumstances. help rebuild trust in collective action.
Superficial adjustments will not suffice. The Denmark, facing its greatest existential risk
world needs systemic change. since the Second World War, is today better
We have the knowledge. We have the plans. We placed than many to understand the imperative
have the resources. We know what needs to be of collective action. It would be really impactful
done. The past has shown that when there is the if that understanding could be leveraged to build
will, remarkable things are possible. stronger collaborative partnerships with like-
What is missing today is greater, sustained and minded countries, beyond the Nordics and the
operationalized will. EU. Successful small and midsize states binding
Political will. Institutional courage. And public together can have an outsized influence on the
engagement. forward positive movement of our world.
I do not believe that the current fragmented
Governments cannot do this alone. Nor reality of our world can continue for too long.
can International Organisations. They need We are globally at a moment in history where we
support—from parliaments, from cities, from must all find ways to work collectively, integrate
science, from business, and from citizens. our efforts, strengthen partnerships and break
A good example of the way forward is the city of down constraining silos as we have never done
Geneva. As the operational heart of the United before. If we do not, we will not make it. And by
Nations, International Geneva embodies and we, I mean humanity. The interlocking present
proves what collaborative multilateralism can and future existential catastrophies facing the
achieve when diverse actors work together. It’s world can only be addressed, and hopefully
quite an extraordinary ecosystem that touches solved, if we confront them together.
every human being on this planet, every single We are at a crossroads.
day, including everyone in this room.
Only renewed, effective multilateralism can One path leads toward fragmentation,
address today’s massive existential risks. But nationalism, and unmanaged decline. The other
declarations are not enough. Implementation is leads toward a collaborative, integrated, and
and will be everything. forward-looking multilateral system—capable
Only renewed, effective multilateralism can of safeguarding peace, sustainability, and human
address today’s massive existential risks. But dignity.
declarations are not enough. Implementation is
and will be everything. The future is not predetermined. It depends on
That is where each of us comes in. our choices, our courage, and our willingness to
Parliaments translate the global into the local act together for the world we, and our children,
and the local into the global. Young people bring want to live in.
urgency and innovation. Women’s participation
and leadership are accelerating and indispensable. The fate of humanity is, quite literally, in our
Science must have a permanent seat at policy collective hands.
and decision-making tables. And all of us must Thank you very much.

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