Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 23, 2025 UN
During the UN General Assembly's general debate, Annalena Baerbock, President of its 80th session, addressed the session. She emphasized that the current meeting is taking place amid numerous crises—from wars and humanitarian disasters to climate change and technological challenges—and that only by working together can the international community overcome them.
Baerbock recalled the tragedies millions of people experience daily: from elderly Ukrainian women forced to take shelter from drones, to Haitian children afraid to go to school, and women in the Democratic Republic of Congo hiding their daughters from armed groups.
"What we definitely cannot do is allow cynics to exploit these crises to declare the UN obsolete or irrelevant. The Charter is only as strong and powerful as its member states' willingness to abide by it," she said.
Lessons from the past and hope for the future
Baerbock drew parallels with the founding of the UN after World War II, when the world lay in ruins. The signing of the Charter became a "guiding light" for entire generations, she emphasized. "The history of the Organization is not a history of easy victories, but a history of persistent efforts, undertaken again and again," the President of the General Assembly noted.
She urged states to remember that true leadership is not about imposing will, but about the ability to inspire and help others. "Helping others ultimately makes one's own country stronger," Baerbock said, recalling the WHO's role in the fight against the pandemic. Covid-19 and the importance of joint action in the face of the climate crisis.
Reform and election of the next UN chief
According to the President of the General Assembly, the Organization is currently at a crossroads. "Even the very heart of dialogue and diplomacy needs repair. Therefore, the UN80 initiative and the overall reform process are not a luxury, but a necessity," she emphasized. This means strengthening the flexibility and effectiveness of the system, as well as accelerating progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Baerbock also addressed the issue of gender equality in UN leadership. In its 80 years of existence, the Organization has never elected a woman to the post of Secretary-General. "One might wonder how it is that out of four billion potential candidates, not a single suitable one has emerged?" she said, emphasizing the need for change.
A call for joint action
In closing, Baerbock reminded everyone that the future of the UN depends on the ability of states to act together: "Can we demonstrate to people around the world that the United Nations still exists today and will exist tomorrow and for the next eight decades? Because ultimately, it is a vital necessity for all countries."
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