SAEDNEWS: The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is set to kick off on September 9.
Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will serve as president of the 80th UN General Assembly, succeeding Philemon Yang. Her election has sparked debate, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryablov warning that her previous policies as Germany’s top diplomat could negatively influence the session’s agenda, according to TASS.
The session’s High-Level Week General Debate, scheduled for September 23-27 and 29, will be a central event, featuring speeches from representatives of 195 delegations.
This year’s UN General Assembly unfolds amid a serious financial crisis for the organization. Several member states have failed to pay their budget assessments, creating funding shortfalls. The United States, the largest UN donor, owes approximately $3 billion, while China, the second-largest donor, has suspended payments until the end of the year.
The resulting financial strain has forced the UN to reduce spending, freeze recruitment, and cut humanitarian programs, including aid for children and refugees. In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the UN80 initiative, aiming to cut the budget by 20%, potentially eliminating 6,900 jobs by 2026.
Despite calls from the US to streamline UN operations, funding cuts—including the withdrawal of about $1 billion previously approved in July 2025—are complicating the organization’s ability to maintain key programs. UN sources warn that these measures, initiated during the Donald Trump administration, threaten peacekeeping missions and humanitarian aid, raising concerns among member states.
As the UN General Assembly convenes, all eyes are on how Baerbock’s leadership and the ongoing financial crisis will shape the body’s agenda and the future of its global initiatives.
