UN General Assembly elects vice presidents for the eightieth session amid US objections

The United Nations General Assembly convened on June 2, 2025, to address key agenda items related to the election of the 80th President and the vice presidents of the assembly. The meeting began with a reminder that the president-elect will take an oath of office during the final plenary meeting of the 79th session, as outlined in resolution 70.

Following this, the assembly proceeded to draw lots to determine which member state would occupy the first seat in the assembly hall for the upcoming session. The Secretary-General conducted the drawing, and Niger was selected to occupy this position. The assembly will follow an English alphabetical order for seating arrangements, consistent with established practices.

Next, the assembly moved to the election of the vice presidents for the 80th session. The president noted that the election of vice presidents would occur after the chairpersons of the six main committees are elected, ensuring the representative character of the general committee. The assembly agreed to proceed with the election without objection.

The election process was outlined, specifying that 21 vice presidents would be elected from various regional groups: six from African states, five from Asia-Pacific states, one from Eastern European states, three from Latin American and Caribbean states, one from Western European and other states, and five from the permanent members of the Security Council. The assembly noted that a secret ballot would be unnecessary since the number of candidates matched the number of available seats.

The candidates were announced, and since they corresponded to the number of seats, they were declared elected. The newly elected vice presidents include representatives from Andorra, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cabo Verde, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Timor Leste, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

However, the representative of the United States raised a point of order, stating that the U.S. dissociates from the reelection of Venezuela's representative, citing non-recognition of Nicolás Maduro's government.

The assembly concluded its consideration of the agenda item regarding vice presidents and announced that subsequent meetings of the six main committees would take place immediately following the adjournment of this meeting to elect their respective chairpersons. This will complete the constitution of the general committee for the 80th session in accordance with the rules of procedure.