(NEW: Paragraphs for Germany’s profile supplemented by the United Nations)
New York (dpa-AFX)-Despite a Russian disruptive maneuver, the former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has been voted the next president of the UN General Assembly with an overwhelming majority. The 44-year-old Greens politician received 167 votes in a secret coordination of the United Nations’ largest committee for enforced secret coordination-14 member states abstained. In contrast, seven other countries in New York spoke out for the original German candidate Helga Schmid.
In her acceptance speech, Baerbock said that she wanted to lead the committee as a “honest mediator” and one of the strength: “My door will always be open to everyone.” With a view to the numerous crises worldwide, she said: “We have lived through difficult times before. And it is up to us to accept these challenges.” After their choice, the huge hall of the General Assembly on the East River was born up in Manhattan, sheer applause.
Only fifth woman on the post
The top position is primarily given to protocol importance – it should not be confused with the role of UN General Secretary António Guterres. The official inauguration is on September 9, shortly before the UN General Assembly with state guests from all over the world.
Guterres agreed to Baerbock his full support and emphasized her political experience as a German Foreign Minister. “And let’s not forget the historical importance of being the fifth woman who was elected President of the General Assembly,” said the 76-year-old Portuguese.
High office with little power
As President, Baerbock will lead the meetings of the general assembly and set processes and agenda items. With these tasks, the 44-year-old could at least have a limited influence on decision-making processes behind the scenes, such as that of the next general secretary in the coming year. Baerbock’s direct connection to outside ministers worldwide should help – the heads of the UN ambassadors in New York.
In comparison to the general assembly, the 15-person applies UN Security Council With the five veto paves as much more powerful. It can issue resolutions binding under international law. The decisions of the General Assembly, on the other hand, often have more symbolic value and are considered a worldwide mood.
Germany wants to strengthen role in the United Nations
The occupation of the post with a well -known politician can be seen in the context of German foreign policy: While the United States tends to avert the multilateral system and also from democratic partners, Berlin wants to play a greater role in the coming years and strengthen its international profile.
Germany has applied for a non-independent seat in the UN Security Council for the years 2027 and 2028. In addition, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had vehemently promoted Diplomats at his meeting with UN chief Guterres in Berlin for the expansion of the UN location in Bonn if UN agencies had to leave New York for cost reasons.
Choice with Russian disruptive maneuvers
Before Baerbock election, Moscow, contrary to the customs, had requested a secret coordination of the largest UN committee with 193 member countries. Usually the general assembly seals personal details without opposing candidates by acclamation, i.e. in consensus and without formal choice.
Instead, there was a coordination with voices on which only Baerbock’s name stood, in which it was also possible to abstain or add another name. As usual, some delegations did not coordinate on Monday. Baerbock accepted the Russian procedure externally: it was the right of every state to apply for a secret vote.
In the past few weeks, Russia had made no secret of the fact that Baerbock considers it to be an unsuitable candidate and assumed her “blatant bias”. Baerbock, as Foreign Minister to Russia, had driven a tough course in the course of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and thus kept targeting Moscow.
The German top diplomatin Schmid, which was also accepted by Russia, was originally intended for the office of President of the UN General Assembly. Baerbock was criticized for her late candidacy after the lost federal election.
Taking office in times of crisis
Baerbock begins the new office in times of great challenges: “The United Nations – the Center of the Multilateral System – are under enormous pressure. Politically and financially,” she said. In particular, the US government’s cuts under Donald Trump lead to painful cuts in the world organization. Baerbock announced that reforms are promoted and wanted to use the resources of the general assembly as efficiently as possible.
As the focus of her term, she had mentioned the UN Sustainability Goals, the fight against the climate crisis and the gender equality. The new job in New York is seen as a possible start of an international career for Baerbock, which has a master’s degree in international law./Scb/dp/mis