As she closed the 80th session’s general debate, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that the United Nations remains “the house of diplomacy and dialogue” in a divided world, urging nations to convert the week’s momentum into concrete action on peace, climate change and institutional reform.
For six days, 189 Member States spoke from the iconic green marbled podium – including 124 heads of states and government, underscoring both the gravity of today’s global challenges and the possibilities of collective action.
“If this high-level week is an indication, this house is fulfilling that purpose – the United Nations is still relevant,” Ms. Baerbock told the Assembly. “The test is whether we act.”
Protracted conflicts dominated the debate – from Gaza to Ukraine to Sudan – prompting repeated calls for urgent steps to protect civilians and stem violence.
Ms. Baerbock stressed that the Charter’s centrality to resolving disputes peacefully and warned of the cost when it is ignored.
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“When bombs fall on civilians, when famine is used as a weapon, when sovereignty is trampled by force, it is the credibility of this Organization that is at stake,” she said, urging that diplomatic momentum translate into tangible measures for Gaza.
She reiterated the call for “an immediate ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid for civilians, [and] the immediate release of the remaining hostages,” as well as renewed push for a two-State solution.
Delegations also sounded alarm on climate change and the ticking deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Dozens of delegations spoke on the impacts of climate change and the ticking clock we face in delivering on the SDGs by 2030,” the Assembly President said. “That clock does not stop while we are here in this room.”
“It’s happening now. The climate crisis won’t stop if you deny it,” she continued, noting one positive sign: “Last year alone investment in renewable energy amounted to $2 trillion.”
Still, she warned, “we are still not as far as we need to be and financing is the clear obstacle.”
Institutional reform was also a recurring theme. Ms. Baerbock pointed to the Secretary-General’s proposals as a concrete pathway to strengthen the UN’s ability to deliver.
She said the Secretary-General’s report on implementing new mandates, his revised budget and other reform proposals “offer us a concrete pathway to make this institution better, stronger, more effective, fit for purpose.”
“This is not only about trimming budgets; it is about strengthening delivery. It is about priorities.”
Story was adapted from UN News.
