# Annalena Baerbock academic appointment and UN term > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/annalena-baerbock-academic-appointment-at-columbia > Updated: 2026-09-10T08:29:55.000Z. Sources: 65. Developments: 6. Annalena Baerbock, the former German Foreign Minister and outgoing President of the UN General Assembly, has been appointed to an academic role at Columbia University in New York. Starting this autumn, Baerbock will serve as a ‘Professor of Professional Practice’ at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). This is a full-time, three-year position designed for practitioners rather than a traditional research-based academic post. In this capacity, she will also act as Co-Director of the ‘Master of Public Administration in Global Leadership,’ a ten-month program designed for executives with at least ten years of experience. In Germany, the appointment has sparked significant discussion regarding the leadership of the Green Party. Following the 2025 federal election, the party transitioned into the opposition, prompting internal debates about its ability to maintain public visibility and media presence without high-profile figures such as Baerbock and former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck. On September 8, 2026, Baerbock officially concluded her one-year term as President of the UN General Assembly, handing over the gavel to her successor, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. During her tenure, Baerbock focused on UN reforms to address bureaucratic inefficiencies and overlapping mandates, aiming to involve all 193 member states to prevent the Security Council’s veto powers from unilaterally dictating direction. Reflecting on her term, she noted that Russia had actively sought to prevent her election and described facing significant opposition, disinformation campaigns, and sexist attacks. In her final remarks, Baerbock warned against the weakening of international law, describing it as a ‘life insurance policy’ for states reliant on multilateralism. She advocated for increased African representation within the Security Council and a more transparent process for electing the next UN Secretary-General. She also noted that despite Security Council deadlocks, General Assembly member states have remained ‘more united than divided.’ ## Claims - Baerbock's term as President of the UN General Assembly officially ends on September 8. (disputed by 8 sources) - Annalena Baerbock is officially handing over her role as President of the UN General Assembly to Khalilur Rahman on September 9. (disputed by 2 sources) - Baerbock criticized the UN Security Council for a lack of transparency in the search for a new UN Secretary-General. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Baerbock faced disinformation campaigns, including false claims regarding her personal life. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Annalena Baerbock stated that being prominent, opinionated, and feminine triggers specific reactions from some people. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Baerbock claimed that social media algorithms are programmed to favor hate and abuse to increase engagement. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Annalena Baerbock will become a professor at Columbia University in New York. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Baerbock previously served as the President of the UN General Assembly. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Baerbock intends to teach a Master's course titled 'Global Leadership'. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Baerbock stated she understands 'masculine power games' in relation to the criticism she has faced. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Baerbock proposed that the UN General Assembly should have more influence by having the Security Council nominate multiple candidates. (corroborated by 3 sources) - One must not be afraid of opposition, otherwise such offices are not for one in stormy times. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Annalena Baerbock warns of weakening international law at UN As her term ends, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock warns against weakening international law and calls for UN reforms, including more African representation in the Security Council. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-warns-of-weakening-international-law-at-un ### 2026-09-08: Annalena Baerbock concludes term as UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock has completed her term as President of the UN General Assembly, handing leadership to Khalilur Rahman while calling for urgent institutional reforms. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-departs-un-general-assembly-presidency ### 2026-09-04: Annalena Baerbock criticizes UN Security Council transparency As her UN General Assembly presidency ends, Annalena Baerbock has criticized the Security Council's lack of transparency in selecting the next UN Secretary-General, calling for greater member state involvement. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-concludes-un-general-assembly-presidency ### 2026-09-02: Annalena Baerbock to join Columbia University after UN presidency Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is transitioning from her UN General Assembly presidency to a professorship at Columbia University, addressing online criticism regarding her new role. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-responds-to-criticism-over-columbia-university-role ### 2026-08-26: Annalena Baerbock to teach at Columbia University Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will join Columbia University this autumn as a Professor of Professional Practice and co-director of a global leadership master's program. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-appointed-professor-at-columbia-university ### 2026-08-24: Annalena Baerbock to join Columbia University as professor Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will join Columbia University as a Professor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership following her term as UN General Assembly President. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/annalena-baerbock-to-join-columbia-university-after-un-term --- Cite as: Annalena Baerbock academic appointment and UN term. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/annalena-baerbock-academic-appointment-at-columbia