Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has been elected president of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, securing 167 votes out of 174 cast by member states in a secret ballot.

Her election was welcomed by the Western European and Other States Group (WEOG), which praised Baerbock’s expertise in international law and multilateral diplomacy, highlighting “active role as an advocate for UN principles.” Baerbock was the first woman nominated for the post by WEOG for the post and the fifth woman in the assembly’s 80-year history to hold the position.

As president, Baerbock will preside over the assembly’s plenary meetings, guide discussions, enforce rules of procedure, grant the right to speak, and announce respective decisions. The 80th session will open on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at UN Headquarters in New York.

Annalena Baerbock served as Germany’s Foreign Minister from December 2021, to December 2023, as part of the cabinet led by chancellor Olaf Scholz. She was Germany’s first female foreign minister and a leading figure of the Green Party (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen).