Addressing the Danish Parliament on Thursday, she described the Charter as the world’s “moral compass” and called for renewed commitment to multilateralism grounded in solidarity, human dignity and international law.
Mohammed said the erosion of global norms had become increasingly evident, with fundamental principles under attack even as the world confronts rising conflict and geopolitical division. She highlighted recent Security Council and General Assembly resolutions affirming Ukraine’s sovereignty and backing a two‑State solution for Israelis and Palestinians as examples of the Charter “brought to life”, but warned that these foundations were now under strain.
“Dangerous nostalgia is what’s threatening international cooperation now, the belief that the rule of law can be bent to the whims of a strong arm,” she said. Smaller nations, she argued, were now “holding the line on the Charter” because they understand that rules must protect the vulnerable to protect everyone.
“You either stand up for a rules‑based order, or you pay the price of ignoring it. Yesterday, the price was Venezuela; tomorrow it may be Greenland,” she warned.
Turning to development, Mohammed said geopolitical tensions were jeopardising hard‑won progress in poverty reduction, child and maternal health, and girls’ education. She noted that global military spending hit a record $2.7 trillion last year, while basic development financing faces a $4.2 trillion annual shortfall.
Trade wars, shrinking civic space, and rollbacks of women’s rights were further hindering global progress.
Criticising what she called the “Davos echo chamber”, she pointed to widening inequality, with billionaire wealth rising by $2 trillion last year while half the world’s population holds just two per cent of global wealth.
Mohammed urged countries to back ongoing UN reforms under the UN80 Initiative, aimed at making the organisation more effective and better equipped to meet modern challenges. She called on Denmark and others to “lead the charge” in supporting a revitalised UN capable of delivering on the Charter’s promise.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
