Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for New York to participate in the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly

Prior to his departure for New York to participate in the General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement today (21 September 2026): Over the next few days, the eyes of the world will be looking to New York: a place which like no other brings people from all continents together and which for many in the world signifies hope for a life in freedom. It is a place that, even in the face of severe shocks such as the terrorist attacks 25 years ago, symbolises cohesion and the power of renewal. The place that is home to the United Nations. The countries of the world established the UN more than 80 years ago to give humanity a place from which to work for a peaceful international order after the horrors of World War Two. The prospect of lasting co-existence free from conflict has today had to yield to a mode of permanent escalation. This is not something we can and want to get used to. We have a duty to pool our strengths to turn this around. The countless talks this week provide one of the few opportunities to do so. Germany will play its part and work to overcome the distressing absence of communication ...