EU Observer (11 June 2025)

Colombe CAHEN-SALVADOR

The United Nations has elected a genocide-enabler, Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, as the next president of the General Assembly. 

Unless the UN changes course on Gaza before she takes office, and unless countries show solidarity by seeking the unprecedented step of removing her from the presidency, this may be the moment the United Nations buries itself too deep to be saved.

Last Monday (2 June), Baerbock was elected to preside over the General Assembly’s 80th session, which begins in September 2025 and lasts one year.

While this role is mostly ceremonial, it carries the power to shape negotiations on global crises and influence public discourse. More than this, the president of the General Assembly symbolizes what the United Nations stands for, and what direction it is heading towards.

That direction is a disgrace.

Many now believe the UN has lost its purpose and should be abolished. This moment confirms it for even more. I have witnessed it myself. Running a global political movement - Atlas - that challenges unfair and undemocratic UN processes, I used to hear from people that the UN was broken, but still necessary and in need of reform.

Now I regularly hear a different message: burn it down.

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