‘Do not submit to a world ruled by brute force,’ Denmark urges world leaders at UN

She stressed that the UN is "as essential as ever," even as conflicts intensify, extreme poverty grows, and respect for international law and norms erodes.

Since 1945, she noted, "more than a billion people have been lifted out of poverty," life expectancy and living standards have risen, and a global web of economic, political, and cultural ties has taken shape - proof, she said, of the UN's central role.

"As the world changes, so too must the UN," Ms. Lassen said, citing divisions in the Security Council.

"Too often, the Council is divided, unable or unwilling to act…The costs of inaction are felt across the world."

She called for expansion of the Security Council and reform of the international financial system to create "a system that delivers for all."

Peace, climate and reform

Turning to global conflicts, the Danish Ambassador described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as "a catastrophe of unbearable scale", stressing that the two-State solution "remains the only solution to lasting peace."

On Ukraine, she said the "horrific and illegal war of choice" could end tomorrow "if only Russia wanted it to." She added the conflict's wide-ranging impact - from supply chain disruptions to global inflation - extend far beyond the battlefield.

She also highlighted suffering in Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, urging Member States to address humanitarian crises with urgency.

Climate change, she warned, is a defining challenge: "In a world of competing crises, climate change and its impact remain real."

She noted that in 2024, more than 90 per cent of new power added to the world's grid came from renewable energy, but said further action is essential to reduce emissions and accelerate a just energy transition.

Call for unity

Quoting Nelson Mandela - "it always seems impossible until it is done" - Ambassador Lassen urged nations to rekindle cooperation and solidarity.

"By working together, we got here," she said, echoing the General Assembly President's theme Better Together.

"By working together, we can rise to today's challenges - for people and for the planet."