The 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially opened on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, ushering in a milestone session under the theme 'Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.'
In her inaugural address, UNGA President Annalena Baerbock highlighted the urgency behind the anniversary: while 80 years is cause for reflection, global crises—from famine in Gaza to climate threats in the Pacific—remind us that celebration must give way to action. 'Where is the United Nations, which was created to save us from hell?' she asked, calling for renewed solidarity.
Baerbock cited stark figures to frame the challenges ahead:
- 808 million people still trapped in extreme poverty
- Afghan girls denied access to education
- Rising sea levels threatening island communities
Despite these daunting realities, Baerbock argued that no other institution brings all nations together on a global scale. 'It is a moment to show eight billion people why this organization still matters,' she said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added historical perspective, recalling the UN’s founding aspiration as a 'global-problem-solving body' tasked with preventing war and tackling poverty, hunger and inequality. He underscored that the UN Charter 'provides the tools,' but demands member states move beyond national interests through collaboration and trust.
As part of a packed high-level week from September 22 to 30, world leaders will converge for events including:
- General Debate
- High-level Meeting on the UN’s 80th Anniversary
- Sustainable Development Goals Moment
- Climate Summit
- Global Dialogue on AI Governance
With courage and fresh commitment, the UNGA’s 80th session aims to chart a course for the next eight decades of multilateral progress.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
