‘No ordinary session’: Baerbock opens UN General Assembly with call for courage and reform

On 9 September, Annalena Baerbock, former foreign minister of Germany, opened the 80th session of the UN General Assembly with a powerful call for courage and reform. Taking her oath on the original 1945 UN Charter, she became only the fifth woman to ever hold the position of General Assembly President. 

During her address, Baerbock acknowledged the grim realities of a world facing multiple crises. She cited the pain felt by millions, from children starving in Gaza and Afghan girls banned from school to Ukrainian families fleeing violence and Pacific Islanders losing their homes to rising seas. 

"Our world is in pain, indeed," she stated. "But imagine how much more pain there would be without the United Nations." 

Baerbock highlighted the UN's essential role in humanitarian aid, noting that millions depend on agencies like UNICEF, WFP, and WHO. She emphasized that the General Assembly must "deliver on its commitments" and promised to serve all 193 members equally, acting as a "bridge builder" to ensure every voice is heard. 

Her priorities for the year include implementing the UN80 reform agenda, guiding the selection of the next Secretary-General, and advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights. 

Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Baerbock and urged Member States to show the same resolve that led to the UN's founding 80 years ago. He concluded, "The United Nations provides the place. The Charter provides the tools. But nothing can happen without this Assembly – all of you – working as one." 

Baerbock’s presidency comes at a critical time for the UN. The Assembly will oversee the implementation of the Pact for the Future and prepare for the selection of the next Secretary-General, all while navigating ongoing global conflicts. 

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