Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoBERLIN / PEACEKEEPING MINISTERIAL PRESSERS
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: BERLIN / PEACEKEEPING MINISTERIAL PRESSERS
TRT: 09:06
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 14 MAY 2025, BERLIN, GERMANY
1. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres walks up to the rostrum
2. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“With almost 200 German peacekeepers now serving in our ranks, I am especially pleased to be here so soon after the new government took office, and I look forward to building on our partnership in the time ahead. The commitment of the German government and the German people themselves is strongly reflected in this ministerial meeting on the future of peacekeeping.”
3. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius and Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul at the dais
4. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“UN peacekeeping operations are a cornerstone of the United Nations. Each and every day, peacekeepers are hard at work in trouble spots around the world, protecting civilians caught in the line of fire, maintaining ceasefires, keeping lifesaving humanitarian aid flowing and building the foundations of peace in countries shattered by conflicts. Many have paid the ultimate price over the years, 4400.”
5. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius and Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul at the dais
6. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Let me be clear, peacekeeping operations today are facing massive challenges, increasing the dangers that our brave peacekeepers already face. A record number of conflicts, deepening division and mistrust, terrorism and transnational crime, and the targeting of peacekeepers through drones, improvised explosive devices, and even social media.”
7. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius and Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul at the dais
8. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems. It is absolutely essential that all members respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time. At the same time, we are moving forward on an ambitious review of peace operations, including peacekeeping, but also the peace enforcing missions that are becoming more and more necessary.”
9. Wide shot, journalists
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, Germany:
“I decided to no longer comment on the words of others, but only on actions. And I think this is a good course of action. So, so far, we have not been seeing a willingness by Vladimir Putin to come to Istanbul and to have a cease fire, even for a few days to send a message. And I think that says more than any press statement. So, we should measure him by his actions, not his words.”
11. Wide shot, audience
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Johann Wadephul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Germany:
“Our position is clear. We fully support Ukraine. Ukraine is fully ready to negotiate a cease fire and then also peace agreement. So now it is Russia's turn. Russia needs to come to the negotiating table.”
13. Wide shot, audience and journalists in the room
14. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“I believe that it is extremely important in a moment like this that the international law prevails. The day we abdicate about defending international law, we are paving the way for chaos all over the world. On the other hand, the UN is ready to provide whatever support the parties if the parties agree, would ask the UN to do.”
15. Wide shot, ministers and the Secretary-General leaving the podium
16. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz
17. Wide shot, SOUNDBITE (English) Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, Germany:
“I talk to Antonio Guterres about how we can further expand the campus in Bonn. The United Nations has a great interest in seeing that happen. Bonn has, meanwhile, become one of the biggest campuses of the United Nations in the world. We know no partner, not even Germany can fill the gap left by others with regard to contributions made. However, Germany, I want to assure you, will continue to be one of the most important contributors. Together, we are pushing for reform of the United Nations. And I pledged our support for this initiative to the Secretary General here today, which he will undoubtedly explain in detail to us. Our engagement for and in U.N. peacekeeping missions is a central element of our responsibility.”
18. Med shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, Germany:
“Germany will continue to contribute with military, police and civilian personnel to U.N. missions. We would also like to assume political responsibility in the United Nations. And that is why we have announced our candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council for the period 2027 and 2028. We are doing this because we believe in the United Nations.”
20. Med shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, Germany:
“The Secretary-General and I also discussed the diplomatic efforts under way toward setting up establishing a peace in Ukraine. We both agree that what we need to see now is an unconditional cease fire, and it is on that basis that then talk can talks can begin about a lasting peace.”
22. Med shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres
23. SOUNDBITE (English) Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, Germany:
“We both work to ensure that such talks can be initiated quickly. We will increase our pressure on Russia to at long last expressed their readiness to negotiate. And as agreed with our partners in Kiev, the European Union will quickly get off the ground its 17th package of sanctions. Germany has given its approval to that today.”
24. Med shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres
25. SOUNDBITE (English) Friedrich Merz, Chancellor, Germany:
“Hamas continues to hold hostage Israeli and German hostages, and they have to finally be at long last released. This needs to be negotiated. I shared my concern about the developments in Gaza with the Secretary-General, against this background, as I did earlier with the Israeli prime minister and Israeli president, the humanitarian situation on the ground is traumatic. The people there urgently need humanitarian aid and the people in Israel and in the Palestinian territories also need to be provided with a political perspective that gives them hope for peace. Therefore, the federal government continues to stand by the position that a two-state solution is what is necessary in the long run.”
26. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Germany is a pillar of multilateralism, a strong and generous supporter of the United Nations, the voice of peace and the champion of human rights, a committed leader in the fight against climate change and an essential partner for peacekeeping, peace building and the humanitarian needs demonstrated, not least by your hosting of the UN peacekeeping ministerial meeting, that it was an exceptional success. Germany is a leader in the humanitarian response in Lebanon and Syria and strongly engaged in Sudan, including most recently co-host of the recent conference in London. German diplomacy particularly active in addressing the two biggest challenges that affect peace in Europe and the Middle East. The situations in Ukraine and Gaza.”
27. Med shot, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz
28. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Of course I'm concerned. When we had the largest contributor to the United Nations and in general to development and humanitarian cooperation, drastically reducing their contributions and with the level of uncertainty about the future developments in relation to assess the contributions of the UN. But the solution is, of course, not to ask Germany to replace the first donor. The solution is to make sure that the international community explains the first donor, that they must abide by their obligations. But the UN will not collapse.”
29. Wide shot, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz shaking hands
“Peacekeepers are hard at work in trouble spots around the world,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at Berlin ministerial, urging urgent action on funding and security.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday called on Member States to bolster political and financial support for peacekeeping operations, warning that UN missions face escalating threats and liquidity crises.
Speaking at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Berlin, Guterres said, “UN peacekeeping operations are a cornerstone of the United Nations. Each and every day, peacekeepers are hard at work in trouble spots around the world, protecting civilians caught in the line of fire, maintaining ceasefires, keeping lifesaving humanitarian aid flowing and building the foundations of peace in countries shattered by conflicts.”
The high-level gathering, hosted by Germany, brought together more than 130 countries, with 74 making new pledges to support peace operations. Guterres underscored the significance of Germany’s leadership: “With almost 200 German peacekeepers now serving in our ranks, I am especially pleased to be here so soon after the new government took office, and I look forward to building on our partnership in the time ahead.”
He emphasized the growing risks to peacekeepers, pointing to evolving conflict environments. “Let me be clear that peacekeeping operations today are facing massive challenges… terrorism and transnational crime… and the targeting of peacekeepers through drones, improvised explosive devices, and even social media.”
Financial strain is compounding operational risks, he warned. “Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems. It is absolutely essential that all members respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his country’s role in global peace and security efforts. “Germany will continue to contribute with military, police and civilian personnel to U.N. missions. We would also like to assume political responsibility in the United Nations. And that is why we have announced our candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council for the period 2027 and 2028.”
On the war in Ukraine, Merz and Guterres expressed support for a ceasefire. “The Secretary-General and I also discussed the diplomatic efforts under way toward setting up establishing a peace in Ukraine. We both agree that what we need to see now is an unconditional cease fire,” Merz said.
Previously today (14 May) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed the call for negotiations, stating, “Ukraine is fully ready to negotiate a cease fire and then also peace agreement. So now it is Russia's turn.” Defence Minister Boris Pistorius added, “So far, we have not been seeing a willingness by Vladimir Putin to come to Istanbul and to have a cease fire, even for a few days to send a message.”
On Gaza, Merz said the humanitarian situation was “traumatic,” and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid and a political horizon for both Palestinians and Israelis. “The federal government continues to stand by the position that a two-state solution is what is necessary in the long run.”
Guterres praised Germany’s support for UN operations and its broader diplomatic efforts. “Germany is a pillar of multilateralism, a strong and generous supporter of the United Nations… and an essential partner for peacekeeping, peace building and the humanitarian needs.”
The Secretary-General is expected to meet with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday before departing for Iraq, where he will attend the League of Arab States Summit.
