Annalena Baerbock warns of weakening international law at UN

Annalena Baerbock has issued a warning against the weakening of international law and institutions as her term as President of the United Nations General Assembly concludes. During her final press conference marking the end of the 80th session, the former German Foreign Minister emphasized that international law serves as a “life insurance policy” for states reliant on multilateralism.

Baerbock called for significant UN reforms, specifically advocating for increased African representation within the Security Council and a more transparent process for electing the next UN Secretary-General. She also urged for a reduction in bureaucracy and a more decisive defense of international institutions by their supporters. Despite ongoing conflicts and deadlocks in the Security Council, she noted that member states in the General Assembly have remained “more united than divided.”