The office of UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock held a Civil Society Town Hall on January 29, 20026. The theme ““BETTER TOGETHER: The Role of Civil Society in Strengthening the United Nations in Fragmented Times,” echoes the President’s theme for her tenure during the 80NS session of the General Assembly.
President Baerbock, the first woman from the Western European group to hold this office, stressed that the UN requires civil society participation, particularly during this time of ongoing crisis, conflict, and direct violations of the UN Charter.
The Town Hall featured a general speech by Baerbock, two rounds of scripted questions and answers, and time for questions from the floor. Key topics discussed included the upcoming Secretary-General selection process which will feature dedicated spaces for civil society input, and various reform initiatives under UN80 addressing finance, mandates, and structures. Stakeholders raised concerns about grassroots participation, youth engagement, Afghanistan’s education crisis, gender parity in AI development, climate action, and antimicrobial resistance. Baerbock emphasized that meaningful participation of civil society goes beyond token inclusion, advocating for diverse voices in decision-making processes. The session highlighted the interconnection of UN pillars—peace, development, and human rights—and the necessity of civil society expertise in addressing global challenges.
It is important for faith-based NGOs, such as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Loreto Generalate, and our partners in mission, to be active in shaping the UN we desire for a world we desire. Following Baerbock’s advice, I encourage our network around the world to engage with government leaders at national levels, discuss UN reform, advocate for a strengthened and responsive international system based on international law, and provide recommendations for the changes we wish to see. We need to defend the UN Charter, fight again on issues related to women, peace and security, and fight for human rights.
Autor: Sarah Rudolph, CJ
