Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session on Monday, securing 167 votes out of 188 ballots cast. She will assume the role in September 2025, succeeding Cameroon's Philemon Yang.
Baerbock emphasized her commitment to unity during her acceptance speech, pledging to act as "an honest broker" for all 193 member states. "As president of the General Assembly, I will engage in trust-based dialogue with all members," she declared, highlighting the urgency of addressing global conflicts and stalled Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Baerbock’s "Better Together" vision as a critical rallying cry amid rising geopolitical tensions and climate challenges. He noted the historic nature of her election, making her only the fifth woman to hold this position since the UN’s founding in 1945.
The 80th session faces mounting pressure to revitalize multilateral cooperation, with Guterres warning that current institutions "reflect the world of yesterday." Baerbock, a Greens party co-chair from 2018–2022 and Germany’s foreign minister until 2025, brings expertise in international law and climate diplomacy to the role.
Her election comes as the UN grapples with over 120 active conflicts and lagging progress on poverty reduction. Analysts will watch how Baerbock leverages her experience to navigate complex negotiations ahead of key summits on financing development and climate adaptation.
