Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 22, 2026 UN
Speaking to the Danish parliament on Thursday, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said the world is experiencing a period of dangerous turbulence in which the foundations of the international order, enshrined in the UN Charter, are under threat.
Amina Mohammed stressed that states are increasingly undermining the institutions they built after World War II, warning of the risk of "eroding the foundations" that have underpinned decades of peace and development.
The Deputy Secretary-General thanked Denmark for its steadfast support of multilateralism, calling it a "humanitarian power" and one of the most staunch defenders of human rights. She noted that it is precisely such states that uphold the UN Charter today, when major powers increasingly act from a position of strength.
The Threat to International Law and the Rise of "Dangerous Nostalgia"
In her speech, Mohammed recalled that threats to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states have once again become a reality, and that some countries, "with a dangerous nostalgia," are attempting to redefine borders and rules by relying on force. She cited a speech by Kenyan Ambassador Martin Kimani, who warned of the risks of returning to the "logic of empires."
According to her, the UN Charter is "not a restaurant menu," and states cannot pick and choose which norms to adhere to and which to ignore. Mohammed emphasized that it is precisely small countries—such as South Africa and Gambia—that today demonstrate the greatest integrity in defending international law.
Development as an investment in the world
The second part of the UN Deputy Chief's speech was devoted to sustainable development. Mohammed recalled that the world has achieved significant progress in recent decades, from reducing poverty to lowering maternal mortality. However, geopolitical tensions and economic crises are leading to stagnation or even regression.
Mohammed pointed to a stark imbalance in global spending: in 2024, the total global military budget reached a record $2.7 trillion, while the annual funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals stands at $4.2 trillion. "The money is flowing in the wrong direction," she noted, adding that growing inequality threatens global stability.
UN Reform: Resetting the System
The third key point of Amina Mohammed's speech was the need to reform the United Nations itself. The Under-Secretary-General stated that "the apparatus of international cooperation is outdated," and its "software" is long overdue for a "reboot."
Mohammed spoke about the UN80 initiative, which the Secretary-General presented to Member States for discussion. This initiative calls for a comprehensive modernization of the UN system—from humanitarian affairs to peacekeeping and security—with the goal of making it more flexible and effective in the face of limited resources and growing challenges.
"Countries face challenges that don't fit neatly into separate categories. They are interconnected, and the solutions must be similar," she emphasized.
Concluding her speech, the Deputy Secretary-General drew a historical parallel with Christiansborg, the Danish parliament building that burned down twice and was rebuilt each time. "The UN, too, was born from the ashes to say 'never again,'" she emphasized.
Today, she said, the world once again faces a choice: allow the principle of "might makes right" to destroy the international order or demonstrate political will and renew the multilateral system.
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