German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected calls to reduce Germany's funding for the United Nations after the country failed to secure a seat on the powerful UN Security Council.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to Mexico City on Thursday, where he met Mexican counterpart Roberto Velasco, Wadephul said Germany should remain as committed to the United Nations as it has been in the past. He also noted that Germany's decisions on funding levels ultimately rest with parliament.
Wadephul said the UN remained the decisive international institution for promoting peace, human rights and international security, adding that Germany would continue to be fully engaged within the UN system. There is no institution with greater legitimacy than the United Nations when it comes to resolving crises and conflicts, he added.
Wadephul's comments came after Manfred Pentz, the state minister for international affairs in the German state of Hesse, suggested that Germany could consider reducing its financial contributions to the United Nations following its failed Security Council bid.
Germany lost Wednesday's election in the UN General Assembly to Austria and Portugal. The country has previously served six terms on the Security Council, most recently in 2019-20. It was the first time Germany had failed in a bid for a non-permanent seat on the 15-member council.
The Security Council comprises 15 of the 193 UN member states. Five nuclear powers and victorious nations of World War II are permanent members and hold veto power: The United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France. Other states take turns occupying the remaining 10 non-permanent seats for two-year terms.
