Denmark and the United Nations: What you need to know

United Nations Regional Information Centre | 14 July 2025 

UN IN DENMARK: 1,396 UN international civil servants are based in Denmark (2023) or just over 4% of the 33,580 UN staff members active in Europe. UN City Copenhagen comprises two campuses with a total of 2,000 employees. Campus 1 opened in 2013 and houses 1,600 employees from 108 different countries working in 10 different agencies. Campus 2 is home to UNICEF Supply Division with 400 employees and is the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world.

When the UN family convened for its bi-annual meeting under the leadership of the Secretary-General earlier this year it was appropriate that the venue was Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. 

Denmark, a founding member of the UN and current member of the Security Council has for decades been a vocal supporter of multilateralism. In addition, it is an important contributor to the UN, its programmes, funds and specialized agencies. Indeed, the venue of the meeting of the Chief Executive Board, UN City, has become a hub for the Sustainable Development Goals.

But what does the United Nations represent for Denmark, and what does Denmark mean for the UN? At a time when international cooperation faces growing budget pressures, it’s worth revisiting some key facts and figures to reflect on this historic partnership.

ACTIVE MEMBER AND GENEROUS CONTRIBUTOR

SECURITY COUNCIL: Denmark serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the biennium 2025-2026. Denmark, with its population of only 6 million, punches above its weight. Its five successful runs for a non-permanent seat in the Council equal Egypt with a population of 115 million. Furthermore it surpasses Indonesia which, with a population of 286 million, has served four times in the Council.

LARGE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Denmark is one of the largest – and most punctual – financial contributors to the UN. As of 23 January 2025 Denmark had paid its 2025 contribution to the UN regular budget ($18 million) in full.

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: In 2024 Danish Official Development Assistance (ODA) amounted to 21,9 billion Danish kroner or $3.2 billion.

CHAMPION OF ODA: The Danish government has a budget adjustment mechanism which ensures that ODA spending averages a 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio over a three-year period. Denmark is a member of an exclusive club of countries that have met the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance. “It is a good club. We invite others to join,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark´s Foreign Minister said in the general debate of the UN General Assembly in September 2024.

PRIVATE SECTOR: Although Danish Official Development Assistance (ODA) dropped slightly below the 0.7% target of GNI in 2022, it increased again in 2024. However, instead of directly funding aid organizations a larger part will be lent to the private sector through a Danish institution for investment in developing countries.

THE UN, AN IMPORTANT CHANNEL:  The UN and its agencies are an important channel for Denmark’s official development assistance (ODA) and humanitarian aid. 9% of Denmark´s ODA goes to UN agencies, programmes and funds.

TOP FIVE: UNDP received in 2024 4,29% of the Danish aid budget ($129 million), OHCHR 3,8% ($115 million), UNICEF 3,32% ($100 million), WFP 2,46% ($74 million) and UNFPA 2,29% ($69 million).

UNDP TOP CORE DONOR: In 2025 Denmark renewed its partnership with UNDP, through a contribution of $53,3 million.

HUMANITARIAN AID: Denmark was the 15th largest humanitarian aid donor in 2024.  Denmark´s humanitarian aid increased 2023 to 2025 from $379.5 million to $408.9 million according to OCHA.

SECOND BIGGEST SUPPLIER TO THE UN

PROCUREMENT CHAMPION: Denmark is the second biggest provider globally of procurement to the UN and tops the list of major contracts ($900.5 million). The value of Danish procurement for the UN is estimated at $1.04 billion (2023). It amounts to 4,18% of  total UN procurement.

Two Danish companies, Danoffice (#4, $192.7 million) and Atea (#6, $112 million), are among the top ten largest procurement suppliers to the UN. In Europe the top two procurement suppliers, Scan Global Logistics, ($139 million) and Danoffice IT ($123 million), are Danish.  A third company, Kuehne + Nage five, ($89 million) also features in the top five.

The UN Organisations that Danish companies have provided services for include UNICEF ($270.4 million), UNDP ($192.5 million), UNHCR ($141.8 million), UNOPS ($132.1) and WHO ($92.3 milllion).

DENMARK AT THE UN- THE UN IN DENMARK

DANES AT THE UN: In 2023, the UN workforce comprised 493 Danish citizens spread across various entities and countries. They include senior officials, such as Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme. Ib Petersen is the Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Jens Wandel is a Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Reforms and an adviser on the UN80 Initiative. Mogens Lykketoft, former Foreign Minister of Denmark, was the President of the 70th UN General Assembly.

50,000 UN PEACEKEEPERS:  More than 50,000 Danes have served in UN peacekeeping missions through the years. Currently, however, it contributes only 11 personnel. Denmark pays 0,55% of the UN Peacekeeping budget, or around $31 million.

UN IN DENMARK: 1,396 UN international civil servants are based in Denmark (2023) or just over 4% of the 33,580 UN staff members active in Europe. UN City Copenhagen comprises two campuses with a total of 2,000 employees. Campus 1 opened in 2013 and houses 1,600 employees from 108 different countries working in 10 different agencies. Campus 2 is home to UNICEF Supply Division with 400 employees and is the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world.

UN PRESENCE: The 10 UN agencies resident in UN City vary in size and mandate.  They are: the Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Gender Equality entity (UN Women) the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF), the European Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)  and the world headquarters of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

From Copenhagen to Greenland

LEGACY OF COPENHAGEN: The Danish capital has hosted important UN conferences, such as COP15, the UN Climate Conference (2009), The United Nations World Summit for Social Development (1995) and the Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference (May, 2025).

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE: Denmark features eight registrations on UNESCO World heritage lists: Viking-Age Ring Fortresses, Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church; Roskilde Cathedral, Kronborg Castle, Wadden Sea, Stevns Klint, Moravian Church Settlements, the par force hunting landscape in North Zealand. In addition, no fewer than three belong to Greenland: Ilulissat Icefjord, Kujataa Greenland: Norse and Inuit Farming at the Edge of the Ice Cap, Aasivissuit – Nipisat. Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea.

ARCTIC/INDIGENOUS DIMENSION: Denmark is active in Arctic diplomacy on behalf of Greenland and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

UN AND DANISH ROYAL HOUSE: The Danish Monarchy and the United Nations have a strong and active relationship, with the royal family frequently engaging with the UN on various levels. King Frederik X and Queen Mary recently hosted a dinner for UN leaders at Kronborg Castle. Prior to his accession King Frederik X served at the Danish mission to the UN in New York. Queen Mary has also been a vocal advocate for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She recently became a patron of the “10 Million Safer Births Initiative” in partnership with UNFPA and the Maternity Foundation.

SUPPORT FOR THE UN 

HIGH SUPPORT FOR UN: A majority of Danes have a favourable opinion of the UN. Denmark topped an international Pew Research Center survey in 2020, when 80% said they had a favourable opinion of the world organisation. The support was even higher among 18-29 year old, or 86%.

…AND FOR DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE: 58% support Danish international development cooperation according to a 2023 poll, with 12% opposed. While the opposition is steady, support has dropped from 63% to 58% in three years.

The original article appeared here.