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UN Secretary-General urges unity as General Assembly prepares for 80th session, praises president-elect Baerbock
Summary
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Annalena Baerbock on her election as president of the General Assembly, warned that Sustainable Development Goals are off track and that aid is drying up, and pledged support as the body prepares for its eightieth session.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Annalena Baerbock on her election as president of the General Assembly and called for renewed unity and action as the body prepares to begin its eightieth session.
Guterres said the multilateral system faces “a difficult and uncertain moment,” listing conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality among the challenges confronting the international community. He warned that “Sustainable development goals are alarmingly off track” and that “aid and development funding are drying up,” saying the United Nations’ structures “still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow.”
The remarks came as the General Assembly nears the end of its current session and prepares to begin its eightieth. Guterres praised the outgoing presiding officer, Philemon Young of Cameroon, for his leadership and described Baerbock as bringing “a wealth of government and diplomatic experience” to her new role. He said President-elect Annalena Baerbock’s vision, “better together,” should serve as a “rallying cry” and listed her priorities as ranging “from peace and development to reform and transparency in the United Nations.”
Guterres also highlighted the historic nature of Baerbock’s election, noting that she is “only the fifth woman to be elected president of the General Assembly,” and offered his “full support” as she takes on the post. He credited President Young for leading the Assembly’s recent work, including the Summit of the Future, and for advocating for Africa’s potential.
The speech emphasized broad institutional concerns rather than specific new commitments: Guterres framed the moment as one requiring collective solutions and urged member states to work together to address funding shortfalls and stalled progress on global goals. He closed by asking delegations to “strive to live up to the values of solidarity and collaboration” that have defined the Assembly over its 80-year history.
No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
