Germany seeks greater influence in UN leadership roles

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for Germany to secure more senior posts within the United Nations, arguing that the country is underrepresented in top UN positions despite its global weight and level of engagement.

After talks with UN Secretary General António Guterres in New York, Wadephul said Germany's current staffing at the UN does not adequately reflect its political influence or its financial and international engagement.

Wadephul said that Germany's participation in the UN is not conditional on holding senior posts. He said a self-determined UN also requires acceptance of decisions that may not align with Germany's own interests.

Looking ahead, however, he made clear that Germany expects to secure its place at the UN table, both through greater representation in leadership roles and potentially by hosting additional UN agencies, including through possible relocations to the former West German capital of Bonn.

Wadephul said Guterres was very familiar with Germany and that the UN chief was receptive to Berlin's concerns, adding that he was confident Germany's position would also be understood more widely within the organization.

He said Germany remains ready to take on responsibility, citing its unsuccessful bid to lead the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

In 2024, the German government nominated foreign and development policy expert Niels Annen, a Social Democrat, to lead the UNHCR, but the candidacy failed to secure sufficient support in the UN General Assembly.

In December, former Iraqi president Barham Salih was appointed to succeed Filippo Grandi as head of UNHCR in Geneva. The agency provides assistance to millions of people worldwide who have fled persecution in their home countries.