Speech to the UN General Assembly: Scholz Ambition: Respect

In his speech to the United Nations, Chancellor Scholz was concerned with much more than rhetorically punishing Russia. He proposed nothing less than a new world order.

Respect. Anyone remember? It was THE campaign word from Olaf Scholz. Now he has spoken for the first time at the United Nations. And with respect – albeit the English “respect” – he opens his speech in New York.

Behind this is a sophisticated concept that means nothing less than a new world order. One of respect, instead of the traditional power imbalance between former colonial powers and the states they afflicted.

His speech to the United Nations reflects this respect. It’s about much more than rhetorically punishing Russia for its attack. Scholz speaks of a global peace order that must prevail against imperialism and neo-colonialism. He calls for more cooperation, more partnership, more participation.

A world order of respect

Of course, it’s also about trying to keep countries in line that tend to follow the Ukraine war from afar. Those who see it as a European war and may be surprised at a certain double standard by Europeans who have apparently come to terms with the war in Yemen or Syria. But now, in the face of armed violence on their doorstep, they are deploying the entire arsenal of sanctions and arms deliveries and are campaigning for worldwide support.

But there is much to suggest that Olaf Scholz is not only looking for allies against Russia, but that he is serious about his new world order of respect. There was the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau. He has also invited India, Indonesia, Argentina, South Africa and Senegal there as hosts. In New York he speaks with the so-called Small Island Developing States and the African Group, he takes part in the food summit.

There are still many gaps to be filled for the new togetherness. Otherwise it would remain a pure counter-narrative primarily to Russia. And that would not be enough for the big goal that Olaf Scholz outlined at the United Nations. This goal requires trust. Time. Common Basic Principles. So that it’s not just a brief flare-up in times of war.