Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to Denmark. Welcome to Kronborg Castle. Welcome to the home of Hamlet.

It was within these storied walls that Shakespeare set one of his most enduring tragedies. And as we look at the world today, I am reminded of Claudius’ sombre words: “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions”.

A few years ago, you, Mr. Secretary-General, spoke of “a world, plagued by a perfect storm on a number of fronts”.

Climate change and extreme weather events are becoming more intense, and political ruptures are on the rise.

In times of upheaval and uncertainty, it is easy to lose one’s bearing. To focus overly on the here-and-now.

Yet, in order to navigate the present and pave the way for a better future, we need something more. We need a compass. In today’s troubled world, the United Nations stands as such a compass.

As a founding member, Denmark remains strongly committed to the values, principles and aspirations of the UN Charter. They remain as relevant today as they were 80 years ago.

Moreover, the broad range of agendas, that we associate with the United Nations – peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, climate action, gender equality – are as urgent as ever.

To move forward, the world needs more, not less, international cooperation.

Over the years, Queen Mary and I have witnessed first-hand the vital difference the UN makes in the lives of people in need and vulnerable communities across the globe.

From refugee camps to conference rooms, we have seen an impressive commitment to finding solutions. To making things work. Moving negotiations forward. Never giving up. Even under very difficult circumstances.

And that is our compass: A pragmatic commitment to balancing what is doable in the short term with what is desirable in the long term.

Mr. Secretary-General, in your New Year’s address, you urged us to “never lose sight of progress and potential”.

Even in times of turbulence, the world continues to make progress. And even where progress is hard to find, potential remains. You called it: “hope rooted in action”.

Let us raise a toast – to the men and women of the United Nations, in the field and at headquarters. Thank you for reminding us that no sorrows, not even in battalions, can keep us from hoping and acting for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Skål. Cheers.

(Det talte ord gælder)