On Monday, the United Nations elected former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock as President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, serving from 2025 to 2026.
Baerbock, 44, who was the sole candidate, becomes the fifth woman to preside over the General Assembly the UN’s primary policy-making body which marks its 80th anniversary this year.
She previously served as Germany’s Foreign Minister from 2021 until March 2025, when Germany formally nominated her for the presidency of the General Assembly.
Her term will begin on September 9, just ahead of the Assembly’s high-level general debate. She will serve for one year.
In his remarks following her election, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the complex global context in which Baerbock will assume her role.
“President-elect Baerbock, you take on this responsibility at a time of profound uncertainty for the multilateral system,” Guterres said. “Conflicts, climate crisis, poverty, and inequality continue to threaten global stability.”
He pointed to rising global mistrust, stalled progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and decreasing international aid and development funding. “Our institutions still mirror a world that no longer exists,” he added.
Calling for renewed unity and collective action, Guterres described Baerbock’s stated theme Better Together as a timely and motivating call to action for global cooperation.
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He highlighted Baerbock’s commitment to issues including peace, development, institutional reform, and transparency, noting her substantial diplomatic and governmental experience.
“The fact that she is only the fifth woman to hold this position also carries significant historical weight,” he said.
Guterres also commended outgoing General Assembly President Philemon Yang of Cameroon for his effective leadership during the 79th session.
“From the outset, you led with wisdom and vision, beginning with the Summit of the Future,” Guterres said, noting Yang’s efforts on key global challenges and his advocacy for Africa’s development potential.
Baerbock follows in the footsteps of previous notable leaders, including Nigeria’s Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, who held the presidency from 2019 to 2020. He was the second Nigerian to do so, after Joseph Garba (1989–1990).
