On 8 September 2026, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) closed its 80th session. Addressing the Assembly for the last time as its President, Annalena Baerbock (Germany) reflected on her tenure, including efforts to support UN reform, defend the UN Charter, and carry forward the process to select the next Secretary-General. Khalilur Rahman (Bangladesh), President-elect of the 81st session of the UNGA, subsequently took an oath of office, pledging to carry the UN into its ninth decade with confidence, purpose, and resolve. This was followed by the opening of the Assembly’s 81st session.

Among the achievements of the UNGA’s 80th session, Baerbock highlighted:

• The ‘Better Together’ dialogues, which underlined that while seeking consensus should always remain a priority, this should never come at the expense of progress or the UN’s values and principles;
• Advancing the governance of artificial intelligence (AI); and
• Prioritizing the UN80 reform initiative.

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In his remarks at the closing of the UNGA’s 80th session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres commended Baerbock for being “a formidable champion” of peace and security, human rights, and development – the three pillars of the UN Charter. He thanked the outgoing President of the UNGA for: her work to rebuild trust in the multilateral system and commitment to UN reform; organizing the selection process for the next Secretary-General; strengthening transparency and inclusivity; and being a powerful voice for women’s rights.

Opening the Assembly’s 81st session, UNGA President Rahman highlighted the theme, ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,’ as a means to address a “widening trust deficit in… international institutions and collective action.” Underscoring that restoring trust requires both delivery and reform, he reiterated his six priorities for the year: strengthen peace and security; accelerate sustainable development while ensuring that no country is left behind; accelerate climate action through adaptation and resilience; advance human rights; ensure inclusive technological transformation; and restore trust in multilateralism.

Speaking at the opening of the UNGA’s 81st session, the Secretary-General pledged his full support for Rahman’s agenda. He highlighted the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative as “a blueprint for action, solutions and bold reforms to carry our Organization into the future.” [Handover Report] [UN Meetings Coverage: UNGA 80 Closing] [UN Meetings Coverage: UNGA 81 Opening] [UN News Story] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on UNGA President Handing Over Secretary-General Selection to Successor]