Luc Frieden Reaffirms Luxembourg’s Commitment to the UN at General Assembly

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden delivered a speech that underscored both the fragility of the current international order and the enduring importance of multilateralism.

Drawing on history, Frieden reminded delegates that after World War II, the Allied powers sought not only military victory but also the creation of a system designed to “end war itself.” The United Nations, he said, embodied that ambition for peace, justice, and freedom. Yet today, he warned, “the last few years have seen an unprecedented erosion of international norms and violations of humanitarian law. The international order is at breaking point. Too few defend it. Too many have lost faith in it.”

For Luxembourg, the UN remains a cornerstone of global cooperation. Frieden described it as the highest expression of humanity’s collective ambition: “Words, not weapons. Diplomacy, not warfare. Solidarity, not confrontation.” He stressed that war represents the ultimate refusal to compromise, while the United Nations stands for “the formidable power of reconciliation.” Still, he noted, the institution cannot succeed on its own—it depends on the commitment of its member states.

Addressing specific crises, Frieden called for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine that respects the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian access for civilians, and the release of all hostages, emphasizing Luxembourg’s recent recognition of Palestine and its support for a two-state solution.

The Prime Minister expanded his vision beyond conflict, highlighting the urgent need to advance human rights, education, hunger eradication, and cultural preservation, as well as to push forward long-overdue reforms of the UN system.

Luxembourg, he reminded the Assembly, remains one of the world’s largest per capita contributors to development aid and a consistent champion of multilateral cooperation. “The United Nations can continue to count on Luxembourg,” Frieden concluded, invoking the spirit of San Francisco where the UN Charter was signed. “In word and in deed.”

Read More : Address by Luc Frieden at the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly - The Luxembourg Government

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