The former foreign minister of Germany outlined her vision for the role of UN General Assembly president, pledging to make the world body more effective, inclusive, and focused on results.

Annalena Baerbock presented her priorities during an informal dialogue with member states held Thursday at Headquarters in New York.

If chosen, she will only be the fifth woman to lead the UN’s main policy-making organ and most representative body, comprising all 193 member states who elect a new president annually, rotating among regional groups.

“As President, if elected, I will serve all 193 member states, large and small. As an honest broker. As a unifier. With an open ear. And an open door,” she said.

The UN turns 80 this year, and Ms Baerbock noted that the anniversary comes as the organisation faces numerous existential challenges.

Some 120 conflicts are raging worldwide in places such as Gaza and Ukraine, achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals is off-track, and the world body itself is under heavy pressure financially and politically.

Her vision is grounded in the theme ‘Better Together’, which she wove throughout her remarks, arguing that this is no time to despair.

“These crises and challenges weigh heavy upon us as the international community. But they also show the United Nations, our United Nations, is needed more than ever before,” she said.

She added that the UN needed to be “fit for the future” and “fit for purpose”, her first priority.

She pointed to the Pact for the Future, adopted by Member States last year, which laid the groundwork to revitalise multilateralism, turbocharge the SDGs, and adapt the UN system to 21st-century challenges.

She said to maximise its impact, implementation must be linked to the UN80 Initiative. Launched in March by secretary-general António Guterres, the plan calls for major reforms to cut costs and improve efficiency.

Ms Baerbock said if elected General Assembly President, she would place strong emphasis on ensuring that the perspectives of all regions and groups are heard in the major reform process.

Her second priority highlighted the need for a UN that delivers results. “People must feel that our work makes a real difference in their daily lives,” she said.

She stressed the need for close cooperation with the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission in promoting a more peaceful world.

“You cannot sustain lasting peace without ensuring that there is no shortage of food, that people have jobs, that children go to school, that women are safe,” she said.

She also plans to engage with Member States on reforming the financial system and giving special emphasis to the climate crisis, “one of the greatest threats of our time”.

Ms Baerbock’s third priority calls for a truly inclusive UN that embraces everyone, including engaging with civil society and especially young people.

“The United Nations is there to serve its people. And building a better future is only possible by engaging with the generations to come,” she said. “Our work does not end in New York, Geneva, Nairobi or Bonn. But we need to bring our discussions and outreach closer to the people.”

(NAN)