Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 14, 2026 UN
At an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Annalena Baerbock, President of its 80th session, delivered an impassioned speech in which she warned of unprecedented threats to the global order. She said that 2026 has begun "in a context where happiness in the world is clearly in short supply," from events in Venezuela to tensions in Iran.
Baerbock stated that multilateralism is experiencing a "moment of truth," and the United Nations is under pressure. Nevertheless, she emphasized, the world needs the UN more than ever – to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, protect the rights of girls in Afghanistan, and work to end the war in Ukraine.
"The world needs the UN, but the UN also needs the world."
The General Assembly President called on Member States to demonstrate leadership and more vigorously defend the UN Charter. She emphasized that the system is not collapsing overnight, but is "crumbling piecemeal," recalling the unprecedented event in December, when, for the first time in 30 years, a traditional resolution concerning the allocation of UN emergency humanitarian assistance was withdrawn from the vote.
Baerbock called on countries to create a broad interregional coalition in support of international law and the principles of the Charter. She also invited delegates to symbolically reaffirm their commitment to these principles by signing a commemorative document commemorating the Charter's 80th anniversary.
Compromise should not turn into concessions
According to Baerbock, striving for consensus is important, but it should not lead to the "erosion of the foundations" of the Organization. If unanimity is impossible, then "a strong majority in the General Assembly is not a failure, but a demonstration of resolve."
UN-80 Initiative
A significant portion of her speech was devoted to reform of the United Nations system within the framework of the UN80 initiative. Baerbock noted that decades of accumulating mandates and expanding structures had led to overburdening and duplication of functions. She called for "a careful trimming of the system, with scissors, not a chainsaw."
The President of the General Assembly thanked States for their progress in revising mandates and emphasized the need to eliminate the "heavy burden" of outdated tasks. She also supported the Secretary-General's efforts to achieve profound institutional transformation.
Baerbock pointed to the UN's chronic financial crisis, emphasizing that no reforms will help if states do not pay their dues on time.
Security Council reform and the election of a new Secretary-General
Baerbock emphasized that the UN Security Council also needs to be updated, as its inability to act undermines trust in the entire system. She announced that a series of interviews with candidates for the post of Secretary-General will be held in April and called on countries to nominate qualified candidates, with a particular focus on women.
"History will remember the path we chose."
Concluding her speech, Baerbock emphasized that the current moment is crucial for the future of multilateralism. She called on states to demonstrate integrity and courage: "Citizens are not coming to save multilateralism—they have entrusted it to you."
According to her, the choice of the next Secretary-General, the scale of reforms, and fidelity to the Charter will be the criteria by which the world will assess whether the Organization has met the challenges of the era.
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