On September 9, at the United Nations headquarters (New York, USA), President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ms. Annalena Baerbock officially opened the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly with the theme "Marching forward together: 80 years and beyond for peace, development and human rights".
In her opening speech at her first plenary session, Ms. Baerbock said: 80 years - longer than the average life expectancy of a person. Normally this is an occasion for celebration, but do we really want to celebrate?".
Ms. Baerbock raised a series of current challenges: Gaza children are hungry, Afghanistan girls are not allowed to go to school, Darfur women are subjected to violence, the Pacific island nation is threatened with drowning, and 808 million people are still living in poverty. The United Nations was created to save humanity from hell. This is the time for action for the 8 billion people, she stressed.
She affirmed that the world still needs the United Nations, the only organization that gathers all countries and has the ability to act at the global level. This year is an opportunity to adapt, reform and build the United Nations that we need for the next 80 years - for the generations of our children and grandchildren. This is the time to prove to the 8 billion people that this organization is still necessary.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that 80 years ago, the founders of the United Nations imagined a global organization that could not only prevent war, but also address poverty, disease, and inequality.
That effort is built by the world, for the world, based on the United Nations Charter, the General Secretary said, noting that the Charter does not self-implement but requires countries to overcome their own interests and rebuild trust through cooperation and solidarity.
Mr. Guterres also cited the Treaty for the Future adopted last September as a boost to the multilateral system and the values that have shaped the United Nations since its inception. His message: "We cannot solve all global problems here, but together we can come to a solution to bring humanity closer to a better, equal and peaceful world".
The United Nations General Assembly Summit Week will last from 22-30 September.
