Overview

• Annalena Baerbock took the oath at UN headquarters and received the gavel from predecessor Philemon Yang to open the 80th session.
• She will preside over meetings, manage procedures and agendas, and is set to chair her first session and deliver opening remarks tonight.
• Baerbock won the post in June by overwhelming vote after a Russia-requested secret ballot and becomes the fifth woman to hold the office.
• She lists UN reforms, Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and gender equality as priorities, pledging a more transparent role in the 2026 secretary‑general selection process.
• Early tests include planned moves by several countries to recognize a Palestinian state during the late‑September General Debate and continued financial strain tied to US cuts under President Trump.