Annalena Baerbock introduced her priorities throughout an off-the-cuff dialogue with Member States held on Thursday at Headquarters in New York.
If chosen, she is going to solely be the fifth woman to steer the UN’s principal policy-making organ and most consultant physique, comprising all 193 Member States who elect a brand new president yearly, rotating amongst regional teams.
“As President, if elected, I’ll serve all 193 Member States – massive and small. As an sincere dealer. As a unifier. With an open ear. And an open door,” she stated.
No time for despair
The UN turns 80 this 12 months and Ms. Baerbock famous that the anniversary comes because the Group faces quite a few existential challenges.
Some 120 conflicts are raging worldwide in locations resembling Gaza and Ukraine, achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is off-track, and the world physique itself is below heavy strain financially and politically.
Her imaginative and prescient is grounded within the theme “Higher Collectively” which she weaved all through her remarks, arguing that is no time to despair.
“These crises and challenges weigh heavy upon us because the worldwide group. However additionally they present the United Nations, our United Nations, is required greater than ever earlier than,” she stated.
Making the UN ‘match for objective’
She added that the UN must be “match for the long run” and “match for objective” – her first precedence.
She pointed to the Pact for the Future, adopted by Member States final 12 months, which laid the groundwork to revitalize multilateralism, turbocharge the SDGs, and adapt the UN system to twenty first century challenges.
She stated to maximise its affect, implementation should be linked to the UN80 Initiative. Launched in March by Secretary-General António Guterres, the plan requires main reforms to chop prices and enhance effectivity.
Ms. Baerbock stated if elected General Assembly President, she would place robust emphasis on making certain that the views of all areas and teams are heard within the main reform course of.
Delivering for the world’s individuals
Her second precedence highlighted the necessity for a UN that delivers outcomes. “Folks should really feel that our work makes an actual distinction of their day by day lives,” she stated.
She pressured the necessity for shut cooperation with the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Fee in selling a extra peaceable world.
“You can not maintain lasting peace with out making certain that there isn’t a scarcity of meals, that folks have jobs, that kids go to high school, that girls are protected,” she stated.
She additionally plans to interact with Member States on reforming the monetary system, along with giving particular emphasis to the local weather disaster – “one of many biggest threats of our time.”
A really inclusive UN
Ms. Baerbock’s third precedence requires a UN that’s actually inclusive and embraces everybody, which incorporates partaking with civil society and particularly younger individuals.
“The United Nations is there to serve its individuals. And constructing a greater future is barely potential by partaking with the generations to come back,” she stated.
“Our work doesn’t finish in New York, Geneva, Nairobi or Bonn. However we have to convey our discussions and outreach nearer to the individuals.”
