Ex-Foreign Minister: Baerbock now officially President of the UN General Assembly

Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is now officially President of the UN General Assembly. The 44-year-old Green politician was sworn in in New York in her new office. With one hand above the original Charter of the United Nations, Baerbock promised, among other things, that she would work exclusively in the interest of the United Nations. UN Secretary General António Guterres said that he is looking forward to working with Baerbock “and continuing to find global solutions for global problems”.

Baerbock’s predecessor Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon, had previously been adopted. “Madame, carry the general assembly to new heights,” said Yang to Baerbock – and then officially handed over the wooden hammer, with which sessions are opened and closed, among other things, and tried the Baerbock. The first session as President was on the program for the 44-year-old in the further course of the day, and she also wanted to give a speech.

“Show why this organization is still important”

“I am grateful and feel very honored that I will be heading for the UN General Assembly in the coming year,” said Baerbock to journalists and journalists in New York. “To be sworn in on the original Charter reminds us of what the world can achieve together, but if you look towards Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan or Haiti, we will also remind you of how often we have already failed to make promises.”

The UN would be under financial and political pressure and were on a crossroads. “Our task in this 80th session is to show eight billion people why this organization is still important.”

In June, Baerbock was chosen with an overwhelming majority and despite a Russian disruption. The 44-year-old Green politician, who was Federal Foreign Minister until May, is only the fifth woman in this office. The term is one year.

The top position is primarily given to protocol importance-it should not be confused with the role of UN General Secretary António Guterres. As President, Baerbock will lead the meetings of the General Assembly, among other things, and determine the processes and agenda items-among other things at the UN General Assembly with state guests from all over the world at the end of September. However, the decisions of the General Assembly often have more symbolic value and are considered a worldwide mood.