“Germany is a trusted partner”

Mr Beutin, you took up the role of Germany’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in August 2025. What goals did you set yourself?
Speaking from my experience and my beliefs, I can say that – contrary to what other voices would have us believe – we need more multilateralism, not less. Over the coming four years, I hope to play my part in ensuring that Germany continues to be a committed supporter of the UN. This includes peace and security, where Germany has pledged to take on greater responsibility, but also Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals. This year, Germany holds the chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, a body which advises the UN to help stabilise countries in the aftermath of conflicts. The German Government is also campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in 2027/28. The whole government is involved in our candidacy, with the Federal Foreign Office playing a very special role, naturally. In New York, my role is to make the vote a success for Germany. 

The world is in crisis mode. What opportunities and challenges do you see for the UN?
The United Nations is under huge financial and political pressure. The partial withdrawal of the USA from UN programmes and organisations, the ongoing block on Security Council action in key areas, and efforts by Russia to undermine the prohibition on the use of force: all this is fraying the legitimacy of the organisation and its fundamental values. Yet at the same time, all member states know that the UN and its member states must change to cope with the reality of the 21st Century. The German/Namibian-led drafting of the Pact for the Future in 2024 made this very clear, as does the UN General Assembly which is meeting right now in late September 2025. It is an opportunity. In March 2025, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres used his UN80 initiative to present major reform proposals to make the UN more effective and better equip it to deal with the challenges of the future.

Do you think there is a need for concrete reforms?
Yes, and it’s not a new phenomenon. For years Germany has been calling for a reform of the Security Council. We want more permanent seats for Africa, Asia and Latin America, along with more non-permanent seats to provide a more just reflection of the world in the 21st Century on this central UN body. We must change ourselves and the UN in other areas, too: humanitarian aid, for example. The funds that we and others make available to UN aid agencies are no longer enough to deal with the many crises and the people they affect. We are working with the UN to use these funds in a more long-term way and, most importantly, to deliver aid at a local level.

How do you assess Germany’s role within the UN?
The UN cannot survive without the political and financial engagement of its member states. Germany is the second-largest contributor across the entire UN system and one of the largest donors in the area of humanitarian aid. Germany is home to 38 UN agencies, while 27 UN offices are based on the UN Campus in Bonn alone. We stand for respect towards other people, the perspectives of other member states, and the UN Charter. Our commitment to promoting the climate, human rights and development is underpinned by the principle of justice. For over 50 years we have been contributing our expertise and experience to peace work, one of the central pillars of the UN. For the first time in the 80 since the creation of the UN, the General Assembly is chaired by a German woman. That, too, goes to show that Germany is utterly committed to the United Nations. We are a reliable partner and a powerful voice for Germany and Europe here in New York.