UNGA President Baerbock calls for stronger multilateral cooperation during India visit
By R Anil Kumar
New Delhi, April 28, 2026. “The United Nations, multilateralism, and international law are under direct attack,” the President of the United Nations General Assembly said on April 28, 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, 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.
‘Just peace’ can’t be found by joining organisations that charge fees: UNGA President defends UN system
Ms. Baerbock cautioned against ‘unilateral use of force’ while arguing that member states of the UN can mobilise themselves for an institutional action against a state that is accused of genocide by bringing the matter to the UN Security Council
‘Just peace’ cannot be achieved by seeking membership in organisations that charge a joining ‘fee’, said Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) in response to a question on the Board of Peace for Gaza Strip started by U.S. President Donald Trump in January. Speaking to journalists in New Delhi, Ms. Baerbock cautioned against ‘unilateral use of force’ while arguing that member states of the UN can mobilise themselves for an institutional action against a state that is accused of genocide by bringing the matter to the UN Security Council.
“Because every country, no matter how big or small, how powerful or rich has a seat at the table, because you will not find just peace for anybody in the world if you have to pay the fee to join it. We are witnessing growing geopolitical tensions, increasing fragmentation, and pressure on the three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, development, and human rights,” said Ms. Baerbock in response to a question regarding her position on the creation of the Board of Peace by President Donald Trump of the United States.
The visit to India is part of a broader trip to Asia, with further engagements in China from April 29 to 30.
