New york: President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Annalena Baerbock highlighted the dire situation faced by thousands of orphans in Gaza, who are living amidst rubble and debris, subsisting on sand and polluted water.
According to Qatar News Agency, Baerbock, in her address at the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly's 80th session in New York, urged UN bodies to take decisive action to prevent further tragedies. She emphasized that the plight of vulnerable groups, such as the women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rohingya children, calls into question the effectiveness of the United Nations.
Baerbock stressed that true leadership involves helping others, thereby strengthening nations. She posed a critical question on whether the UN has failed when its Charter principles are disregarded. She affirmed that the Charter's strength lies in member states' commitment to uphold it.
Discussing the future of the UN, Baerbock highlighted the importance of selecting the next UN Secretary-General. She noted the absence of a female Secretary-General in nearly eight decades and questioned the lack of female representation among potential candidates, emphasizing that the selection process affects the organization's credibility.
Baerbock called for reform originating from global capitals, not just New York, and urged dialogue to solve global issues in a digitized world. She asserted that sustainable peace is unattainable without sustainable development.
Concluding her speech, Baerbock reminded member states of their responsibility to uphold the legacy of past leaders and to demonstrate the UN's enduring relevance for the future.