By Theresa Münch and Khang Mischke
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday said the United Nations is “under outright attack,” amid concerns that US President Donald Trump might be planning to establish a rival organization to the global institution.
“Since the beginning of this year, it has become even more clear that we are not all singing from the same songbook any more, and due to this, more and more member states hesitate when circumstances demand principled conviction,” Baerbock said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“The UN is not only under pressure, but under outright attack,” the former German foreign minister said.
She noted that all 193 member states have a seat and a vote in the General Assembly – “no matter how rich or strong [they are]” – and described the United Nations Charter as “the world’s common life insurance”.
Trump, who recently unveiled the make-up of his so-called Board of Peace that is set to oversee reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, has faced criticism over the body’s charter.
Critics say the document, which it is believed Trump will sign in Davos on Thursday, outlines ambitions to expand the board’s remit to engage with conflicts and crises beyond Gaza, in what is perceived to be an undisguised challenge to the UN.
In comments to dpa on Tuesday evening, Baerbock stressed that the Board of Peace, which Trump is set to chair himself, has been given a clear mandate on Gaza by the UN Security Council, whose resolutions are binding under international law.
“The vast majority of countries know that international peace is their life insurance policy and that global rules are also necessary for the success of their economies and development,” Baerbock, who served as German foreign minister from 2021 to 2025, stressed.
She said that if “some countries” were now trying to pursue their interests by force, “this cross-regional alliance – despite all the differences that otherwise exist – must, purely for self-protection, take a clear stand against this and defend the international rules-based order.”
source: dpa
