The day began at 11:00 am with the closing session of the eightieth session. During the ceremony, outgoing President Annalena Baerbock of Germany reviewed her term, which was marked by deep geopolitical divisions, the need for institutional reforms, and a renewed commitment to international cooperation.
He acknowledged that although few processes were concluded unanimously, the resolutions approved by an overwhelming majority demonstrated that geopolitical tensions, far from fragmenting the organization, ended up unifying the vast majority of member states.
During its 80th session, the General Assembly carried out:
• 18 high-level meetings.
• 116 formal plenary sessions.
• 317 resolutions approved.
Key themes included global governance of artificial intelligence (AI), accelerated action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) four years from the 2030 target, and institutional reform driven by the UN80 Initiative.
Regarding the development agenda, Baerbock used a sports metaphor: "The World Cup reminds us that we should never give up before the game is over. Seventeen goals, pursued with unity and determination, can change the world."
Opening of the 81st session: A new leadership to restore trust
At 3:00 pm, after taking his oath of office, Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh formally assumed the presidency of the 81st session.
Under the motto "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all," Rahman made it clear that he will drive the organization's adaptation to the new times: "We have a situation where trust is in deficit. This is not 1945. This is the 81st session. The world has moved on, the organization must move on, and I will help in that process."
Key priorities of Khalilur Rahman's presidency
• Peace, security and justice for all: Silence the guns and amplify the voices of the vulnerable.
• Accelerating the SDGs 2030: Sustainable development where no one and no country is left behind.
• Climate resilience: Protecting the planet through effective environmental agreements.
• Human rights and protection: Priority focus on humanitarian action and the protection of refugees and migrants.
• Innovation and inclusion: Governance of artificial intelligence, digital transformation and protection of future generations.
• Renewed multilateralism: Deep reform of the UN and inclusive global governance.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the achievements of the outgoing president and welcomed Mr. Rahman in a context he described as "tumultuous," marked by the risk of nuclear escalation, persistent poverty, and climate chaos.
Guterres noted that among the immediate tasks of this period is the selection process for the next Secretary-General, whose term will begin in January 2027.
Addressing the Assembly for the last time at the opening of a session as Secretary-General, Guterres emphasized: “Rebuilding trust in the multilateral system is the defining challenge of our time. Through diplomacy, dialogue, and collaboration, this Assembly can rebuild the trust that is missing from our geopolitics today and ensure that the people of the world inherit a healthier and more peaceful future.”
With the adoption of the work agenda and the formation of the Credentials Committee, the General Assembly formally began the deliberations that will shape the international diplomatic agenda for the coming year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equatorial Guinea: Official Web Page of the Government.
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