Annalena Baerbock Elected President of UN General Assembly’s 80th Session

KATHMANDU: Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has been elected President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, securing 167 votes in a secret ballot held on Monday. Write-in candidate Helga Schmid, also from Germany, received seven votes, while 14 delegations abstained.

Baerbock becomes the first woman from the Western European and Others Group to hold the post and the fifth woman overall to lead the General Assembly since its founding. At 44, she is also one of the youngest leaders ever elected to the role. Her election comes at a pivotal time, with the international community grappling with ongoing conflicts, slow progress on development goals, financial pressures, and preparations for the selection of the next UN Secretary-General.

In her acceptance speech, President-elect Baerbock pledged to serve as “an honest broker and a unifier” for all 193 Member States. Embracing the theme “Better Together,” she outlined three core priorities for her presidency: enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN, accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and transforming the General Assembly into a “truly inclusive forum.”

Baerbock emphasized the importance of unity, diversity, and equal representation, stating, “This is the place where all nations come together, and where every country has a seat and a voice.” She also underscored the need to promote gender equality, multilingualism, and greater engagement with civil society and youth.

The presidency of the General Assembly rotates annually among five regional groups. Baerbock’s election marks a significant moment for gender representation and leadership within the UN system.