THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s former foreign minister, has been elected President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming the first woman from Western Europe and only the fifth woman overall to hold the position.
Baerbock was elected with overwhelming support, securing 167 votes in a secret ballot at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday. Her closest rival, Helga Schmid—also from Germany—garnered just seven votes, with 14 delegations abstaining.
At 44, Baerbock is among the youngest ever to assume the role. Her appointment comes at a turbulent moment for the international community, with escalating global conflicts, stalled progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and the looming selection of a new UN Secretary-General.
In her acceptance speech, Baerbock pledged to act as an “honest broker and unifier” for all 193 UN Member States. Under the theme “Better Together,” she outlined three core priorities: increasing the UN’s effectiveness, accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and transforming the General Assembly into a more inclusive and representative forum.
She also emphasized the importance of diversity, gender equality, multilingualism and meaningful engagement with civil society and youth, calling for a UN “that embraces everyone.”
Baerbock takes over at a time when the General Assembly is increasingly seen as a vital platform for global dialogue and accountability, particularly with the Security Council often gridlocked on issues like Ukraine and Gaza. The “Veto Initiative” adopted in 2022 has bolstered the Assembly’s relevance, ensuring debates on topics blocked by permanent Council members—China, France, Russia, the UK and the US—receive priority attention.
Addressing the upcoming UN80 initiative, launched earlier this year by Secretary-General António Guterres, Baerbock urged bold reforms, warning against reducing the exercise to mere cost-cutting. “We need a strong, agile and purpose-driven UN that delivers on peace, development and justice,” she said.
Current Assembly President Philemon Yang and Secretary-General Guterres welcomed her election, highlighting her record in multilateral diplomacy and expressing confidence in her ability to steer the UN through complex global challenges.
The 80th session of the General Assembly officially opens on 9 September 2025. It is expected to play a central role in shaping the future of global governance, including preparations for selecting the next Secretary-General.
Adira Kallo
