UNGA President calls for stronger multilateral cooperation during India visit

“The United Nations, multilateralism, and international law are under direct attack,” the President of the United Nations General Assembly said on Tuesday, warning of rising geopolitical tensions and increasing strain on the international system.

The remarks were made during a press briefing at UN House in New Delhi, part of a day-long visit focused on strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges. 

H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock, who is presiding over the 80th session of the General Assembly, said pressures are mounting across the UN’s three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights.

She stressed that no country can address today’s interconnected global challenges alone, citing climate change, global health crises such as COVID-19, and the economic impact of conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and disruptions to key trade routes.

“Complying with international law and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals is in the interest of all,” she said.

Earlier in the day, she held bilateral talks with India’s External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, focusing on strengthening cooperation on global priorities and multilateral engagement. She described India as an important partner.

She also met representatives of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to discuss governance and regulation of artificial intelligence.

In meetings with the United Nations Country Team in India and representatives from Bhutan, she discussed efforts to strengthen delivery at the country level under the UN80 reform process.

In an interview with UN News Hindi, she said that while multilateralism is under pressure, the United Nations remains indispensable as the only universal platform where all countries can address global challenges. She also highlighted the importance of Security Council reform, the role of the Global South, and the ongoing process to select the next Secretary-General.

Beyond official engagements, Baerbock paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and visited Humayun's Tomb.

 

The visit to India is part of a broader trip to Asia, with further engagements in China from April 29 to 30.