Foreign Minister says Germany will stay engaged after losing United Nations Security Council seat

Germany’s Foreign Minister, speaking on behalf of the federal government, described his country’s failure to win a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as “a real disappointment” and a “bitter defeat,” but said Germany will continue to engage globally for peace and security.

"Es ist klar, das Ergebnis ist eine echte Enttäuschung und es ist eine herbe Niederlage," the Foreign Minister said, adding that Germany had presented a strong offer and had been prepared to make a substantial contribution to the Security Council’s work. He said Germany entered the contest late and faced an "intense competition," but that "wir haben alles gegeben" ("we gave everything").

The minister framed the result in part as a consequence of Germany’s positions on key international issues. "Da ist unsere felsenfeste Unterstützung für die Ukraine," he said, and added that Germany had opposed allowing Russia "such a voice at the table of the Security Council." He also said Germany must continue to shoulder a "special responsibility" toward Israel even while offering criticism of specific policies of the current Israeli government.

Despite the loss of a seat, the minister pledged continued effort to support a functional multilateral order. "Deutschland wird sich auch weiterhin außerhalb des Sicherheitsrates weltweit für Frieden und Sicherheit und für eine handlungsfähige UN engagieren," he said, and promised that Berlin would back necessary efficiency and reform efforts at the United Nations and support the incoming secretary-general in that work.

He announced a near-term diplomatic trip to Mexico, saying he would travel the next day to "ausloten, wie wir unsere wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit weiter ausbauen und stärken können" (explore how to expand and strengthen economic cooperation). On whether he would draw personal consequences from the result, the minister said a thorough analysis in Berlin was required but that early reactions in parliament had expressed gratitude to his team; he said he had "nothing" to reproach himself for but welcomed discussion and scrutiny.

When asked whether Germany would apply again at the first available slot, referenced in the exchange as seat 353, the Foreign Minister said the normal rotation for candidacy is an eight-year cycle and indicated Germany is likely to remain with that timetable.

The exchange closed after the minister reiterated thanks to his staff and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to active foreign policy work and international engagement.