On Tuesday, the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, urged the EU to firmly support the United Nations and uphold the international rule-based order amidst ongoing global crises.
Welcoming Annalena Baerbock, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “80 years on from the founding of the United Nations, this is a moment to renew our commitment to multilateralism as a force for good in the world – one that keeps us safer, freer and better off. In a more uncertain world, we need to double down on our commitment that cooperation and dialogue between nations delivers better results than confrontation.”
In her address to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Annalena Baerbock emphasised the importance of the European Union’s steadfastness amid ongoing geopolitical challenges, conflicts, and crises. She underscored the necessity for the EU to actively defend truth and democracy, particularly against the manipulation of misinformation and disinformation as instruments of power politics. Baerbock highlighted the alarming trend of online deepfakes, which disproportionately target women, asserting that this issue poses a serious threat to democratic and open societies.
Baerbock reaffirmed Europe’s responsibility to maintain unity in safeguarding the international rules-based order, recalling the EU’s decisive and coordinated response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago. “Europe’s voice was heard globally,” she remarked, pointing out that the international community is now calling upon the EU to cultivate cross-regional alliances to uphold the UN Charter and international law.
She expressed support for new trade agreements with Mercosur and India, as well as for increased EU funding for the African Continental Free Trade Area, framing global economic engagement as a long-term investment in worldwide prosperity and security.
Furthermore, Baerbock called for robust EU backing of the UN80 reform process, noting the United Nations is currently facing an urgent liquidity crisis. She urged the EU to demonstrate leadership by promptly fulfilling its financial obligations, advancing reform proposals, and engaging in critical discussions on international financial reform to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and honour commitments to the Global South.
In a firm commitment to gender equality, Baerbock called on EU member states to actively support the nomination of women for the position of the next UN Secretary-General, emphasising that, in 80 years, the role has been held exclusively by men.
Elected as President of the United Nations General Assembly on September 9, 2025, Annalena Baerbock has introduced her “Better Together” vision, focusing on unity in tackling global crises. Her presidency’s priorities include implementing the UN80 reform agenda, enhancing effectiveness, advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and promoting an inclusive Assembly engaged with civil society and youth, while remaining committed to gender equality.
Baerbock is the fifth woman to lead the Assembly, having served as Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs from December 2021 to May 2025 and as a member of the German Parliament from 2013 to June 2025. She was also co-chair of the Green Party from 2018 to 2022.
