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.”
Addressing MEPs, Annalena Baerbock called on the EU to stand firm amid geopolitical upheaval, conflict and crises. She encouraged the EU to defend truth and democracy against the use of mis- and disinformation as a tool of power politics, warning that online deepfakes systematically targeting women pose a threat to democratic and open societies.
She underlined Europe’s responsibility to stand united in safeguarding the international rules-based order, recalling the EU’s decisive and unified response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine four years ago. Europe’s voice was heard globally, she said; and today, the world is calling on the EU to forge cross-regional alliances to protect and uphold the UN Charter and international law.
Welcoming new trade agreements with Mercosur and India, as well as additional EU funding for the African Continental Free Trade Area, Baerbock described global economic engagement as a long-term investment in global prosperity and security.
She also asked for strong EU support for the UN80 reform process as the United Nations faces an existential liquidity crisis, calling on the EU to lead by example by paying its dues on time, advancing reform proposals, and engaging in overdue debates on international financial reform to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments to the Global South. Reaffirming her commitment to gender equality, Baerbock demanded EU member states actively support the nominations of women in the selection of the next UN Secretary-General – highlighting that in 80 years, the position has only been held by a man.
Background
Elected as President of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 September 2025, Annalena Baerbock has set out her “Better Together” vision for the organisation, which calls for unity in the face of global crises. The priorities for her presidency include implementing the UN80 reform agenda, strengthening the UN’s effectiveness, advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and promoting an inclusive General Assembly with strong engagement of civil society and youth, and a clear commitment to gender equality.
Annalena Baerbock is the fifth woman to preside over the United Nations General Assembly. She served as Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs from December 2021 to May 2025, and was a member of the German Parliament from 2013 to June 2025. From 2018 to 2022, Baerbock served as co-chair of the Green Party.
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