Latest news with #AnnalenaBaerbock
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UN assembly elects Germany's ex-foreign minister as next president after Russia demands secret vote
Annalena Baerbock addresses the United Nations general assembly after getting elected as president (AP) UNITED NATION: The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy," which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president, she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue." Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. "I am grateful ... the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy, and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the UN's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be "Better Together," stressing that the world is "walking on a tightrope of uncertainty" in very challenging times. The birth of the United Nations on the ashes of World War II "reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before," she said. "And it is up to us to take up these challenges." Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the UN's primary mission, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," remains unaccomplished. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only "conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality" but divisions and mistrust. "Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow," he said. "This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges."
Times of Oman
an hour ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Germany's Baerbock elected as UN General Assembly head
Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the UN General Assembly after a vote on Monday in New York. She received 167 votes in a secret ballot, with Chairman Philemon Yang making the announcement on Monday. Baerbock was the only candidate to run and expressed her gratitude for her election, saying she wanted to be an "honest broker" for the General Assembly. Baerbock is due to be inaugurated for the role, which is largely ceremonial, on September 9, shortly before the General Assembly's annual meeting. Her term as president will last for one year. She is the fifth woman to hold the post since the UN was founded almost 80 years ago. All 193 UN member states are represented in the General UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock hopes to oversee some big changes in her new role. DW's Ines Pohl sat down with Baerbock in New York City to outline her plans to reform the organization. Ukrainian UN envoy hopeful of Baerbock's influence to stop war The Ukrainian representative to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk, has told DW that he is hopeful new UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock will be able to use new position to bring an end to the war. "Her record as a foreign minister, personally contributing to the support of Ukraine, also saw Germany as the second biggest, ally of Ukraine in this war," Melnyk told DW. "I am confident that Annalena Baerbock will pursue the goal of consolidating democratic forces [in Ukraine], strengthening the United Nations, but also helping Ukraine to defend our independence." Russia has repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions to condemn the it attempt to annex parts of Ukraine. However, Melnyk is hopeful that with Baerbock at the helm, she could help ensure the UN charter is upheld. "We think that the General Assembly could play a special role," he added. "Especially in this historic moment. We believed that Annalena Baerbock would be capable to consolidate the support within this important democratic organ. "We are happy to have a president that understands why the UN charter and why international law should be protected and upheld to to stop the war. This war shall be finished on the principle of UN charter, which is territorial integrity and sovereignty."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
UN assembly elects next president from Germany
The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body, in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. The 44-year-old got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy", which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue". Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. "I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," Baerbock said on Monday. The assembly, which is the UN 's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body, in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. The 44-year-old got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy", which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue". Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. "I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," Baerbock said on Monday. The assembly, which is the UN 's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body, in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. The 44-year-old got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy", which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue". Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. "I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," Baerbock said on Monday. The assembly, which is the UN 's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body, in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. The 44-year-old got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received seven votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: "Ms Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy." Polyansky accused her of having pursued an "anti-Russia policy", which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue". Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. "I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favour of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times," Baerbock said on Monday. The assembly, which is the UN 's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza.
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
UN Assembly Elects Germany's Ex-Foreign Minister as Next President after Russia Demands Secret Vote
The Associated Press Annalena Baerbock of Germany addresses the United Nations General Assembly after she was elected as president of the 80th session of the body, Monday, June 2, 2025. UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received 7 votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying: 'Ms. Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy.' Polyansky accused her of having pursued an 'anti-Russia policy,' which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be 'able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue.' Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. 'I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favor of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times,' she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the U.N.'s most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the U.N. Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the United States on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be 'Better Together,' stressing that the world is 'walking on a tightrope of uncertainty' in very challenging times. The birth of the United Nations on the ashes of World War II 'reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before,' she said. 'And it is up to us to take up these challenges.' Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the U.N.'s primary mission, 'to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,' remains unaccomplished. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only 'conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality' but divisions and mistrust. 'Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow,' he said. 'This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.'
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
UN assembly elects Germany's ex-foreign minister as president
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly elected Germany's former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock to be the next head of the 193-member world body in a secret-ballot vote demanded by Russia. Baerbock got 167 votes, almost double the 88 votes needed to win, while high-ranking German diplomat Helga Schmid received 7 votes as a write-in and 14 countries abstained. Germany had nominated Schmid for the assembly presidency but replaced her with Baerbock after she lost her job as the country's foreign affairs chief in the recent election. The decision drew some criticism in Germany. When Baerbock appeared before the assembly to discuss her candidacy on May 15, Russia's deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky lashed into her, saying, 'Ms. Baerbock has repeatedly proved her incompetence, extreme bias and lack of understanding of the basic principles of diplomacy.' Polyansky accused her of having pursued an 'anti-Russia policy," which he said gave Russia reason to doubt that as General Assembly president she would be "able to act in the interests of peace and dialogue.' Baerbock brushed off Russia's request for a secret ballot. 'I am grateful … the overwhelming majority of member states have voted in favor of my candidacy and I'm looking forward to work with all member states together in these challenging times,' she said. Baerbock will replace current assembly president Philemon Yang, a former prime minister of Cameroon, at the start of the 80th session in September. She will preside over the annual gathering of world leaders in late September and anniversary events marking the founding of the UN in 1945. The one-year presidency of the General Assembly rotates by region. The assembly, which is the UN's most representative body, has taken the spotlight in reacting to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. That's because any action by the UN Security Council has been blocked by the veto power of Russia on Ukraine and the US on Gaza. Baerbock said in her acceptance speech that the theme of her presidency will be 'Better Together,' stressing that the world is 'walking on a tightrope of uncertainty' in very challenging times. The birth of the UN on the ashes of World War II 'reminds us: We have lived through difficult times before," she said. "And it is up to us to take up these challenges.' Baerbock pointed to more than 120 armed conflicts around the world today as another reminder that the UN's primary mission, 'to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," remains unaccomplished. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Baerback will take the presidency as the world faces not only 'conflicts, climate catastrophe, poverty and inequality' but divisions and mistrust. 'Aid and development funding are drying up, and our institutions and structures still reflect the world of yesterday, not a vision of tomorrow,' he said. 'This is a moment for us to unite, to forge common solutions, and to take action to confront these challenges.'
