Africa: General Assembly President urges Europeans to “stand” with the United Nations
The President of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday appealed to Europe to protect the rules-based international order, defend truth in the face of fake news and other lies, and support UN reform.
In a Key address In her speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Annalena Baerbock reiterated her call to support multilateralism amid “difficult times” globally.
She noted that just 40 days into 2026, the world has already witnessed crises around Venezuela, Iran and Greenland, in addition to ongoing devastation in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere.
The international system “under attack”
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“The international system is not only under pressure, it is under attack,” she told lawmakers.
“We are facing a new and more troubling kind of crisis: conflicts that do not even take place under the pretext of self-defense or respect for international law, but are often carried out in clear defiance of it.”
She warned that at a time when the world desperately needs cooperation and the United Nations, “powers – even those with a special responsibility to protect peace and security – are withdrawing from it or even attacking it directly.”
Protecting the United Nations Charter
Ms. Baerbock recalls that four years ago, when she was German Foreign Minister, she addressed the General Assembly and called on the United Nations to defend peace in Europe when Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine.
“Today, I’m coming as well President of the General Assembly To Europe, calling on Europe to stand by the United Nations because The world needs the United Nations. But now, the United Nations and its principles enshrined in the Charter need the world, too“, referring to all continents.
“You need to form a Transregional alliance To protect, defend and champion the Charter and the rules-based international order that benefits us all individually and collectively.
Defending the truth
First and foremost, the EU must stand up for truth in a world where it is not possible “Fake news, lies, misinformation and disinformation” are everywhere.
“Defending the truth means we cannot negotiate the facts, and we cannot move forward in the hope of avoiding tariffs,” she added.
Ms. Baerbock admitted that standing up for the truth is “easier said than done, especially when faced with blackmail, coercion or threats and intimidation.”
European unity on Ukraine
“No one can do it alone,” she stressed, highlighting the collective action of the European Union in this regard.
“Four years ago, Europe saw 100,000 soldiers gathered on the Ukraine border, and they were paralyzed,” she said. “No one would have imagined that the European Union, which was described as ‘too slow, too bureaucratic, too divided’ would unite over the weekend.”
The invasion began on Thursday, and by Monday morning “the EU had collectively passed one of the largest sanctions packages ever recorded because it responded as one, with conviction and purpose.”
“The world is calling”
But Europe did not act alone, as indicated by late-night calls and appeals made to other countries around the world.
“Today, my dear colleagues, the world is calling. It’s not just about Greenland, it’s also about Latin America and Africa. Again, it is about the international peace system, and again it is about United Nations Charter“, she said.
He added, “The United Nations needs Europe, and I am counting on your response to be clear and resounding: Yes, we will be there for our peace, for the sake of the international peace system, and for the sake of the United Nations.”
Support UN reform
The association president said The United Nations also needs Europe to “reform it, make it better, make it more effective and efficient.” Although the 80-year-old organization is not perfect, she insisted that the world would not be better off without it.
“Imperfection is an opportunity to strengthen and refine, not to diminish and tear down,” Ms. Baerbock said.
“We cannot allow those who weaponize failures or setbacks to use existing shortcomings or duplicity as justification to demolish everything we have built, nor can we allow exclusive clubs to assume responsibilities for world peace.”
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Lead by example
The United Nations is “also dealing with an existential liquidity crisis.” With some Member States not paying their assessed contributions – either late, or at all, for years.
She noted that UN financial rules also require that any “unspent” budgeted funds be returned to member states, even if they were never received in the first place.
“If the European Union wants to preserve and strengthen the United Nations, the European Union must lead by example,” she said. This includes paying dues on time and in full and suggesting ways to… Fix that Kafkaesque financial rule of paying back money that’s never received“.
Likewise, the European Union must step up its efforts when it comes to choosing the next Secretary-General, “one might wonder how in eighty years the United Nations has not chosen a woman to hold its highest office, despite the presence of four billion potential candidates on the face of the Earth.”
