UNGA president calls for UN reform amid rising global crises

Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), issued a stark warning that crises in any part of the world can now impact global food and energy prices, giving rise to an urgent need for institutional reform at the UN.

Baerbock visited China from April 29 to 30. In an interview with China Media Group during the visit, the UNGA president emphasized the interconnectedness of global challenges.

"The most important job for the President of the General Assembly is to defend the Charter and its principles, standing up for peace and security, sustainable development and human rights, and making sure that if we have violations, we speak up, because we know if not everybody is playing to the rules anymore, it harms everybody around the world," Baerbock said.

"We see it currently, for example, with the Strait of Hormuz and the war going on in the Middle East. It can be thousands of kilometers apart from other regions, but the effects are being felt everywhere. So, a crisis happening in one part of the world means in an interconnected world that the effects are being seen everywhere -- food prices, energy prices," she added.

Reflecting on the UN's 80th anniversary, Baerbock called for a renewed commitment to its values and principles.

"We have the 80th Session of the General Assembly, so this means 80 years since the creation of the United Nations. Normally, it would be a time for celebration, but given the global challenges, it is especially a time for re-commitment to the values and principles and reforming the United Nations," she said.

The widespread recognition of a need for such reform has led to a concerted effort to revitalize key UN organizations and double down on development goals.

"Because after 80 years, this house of diplomacy needs an update and refresh. So, we are in the midst of a deep reform called UN80 -- making the UN more efficient, more agile, and especially the work on the ground of the different agencies, like the World Food Program, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, more coherent, (so) that we can really deliver for the people on the ground because we promised them with a Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda in 2030, that we will ensure education for every girl and every boy, that we bring people out of poverty, and that we have access for clean drinking water for everybody. And this is the promise we have to keep," said the UNGA president.

The UN80 Initiative, introduced in March 2025, focuses on identifying efficiencies and improvements within existing frameworks, reviewing how member states' requests are carried out, and exploring changes to the agency's structure.

UNGA president calls for UN reform amid rising global crises

According to the Guangxi Emergency Management Department, a rescue helicopter evacuated one patient and family members from Dieshi Village of disaster-hit Hengzhou City to the urban area for treatment on Saturday morning.

As of noon Saturday, the helicopter had completed 15 sorties totaling 18 hours and 6 minutes of flight time. The crew conducted aerial surveys over reservoirs and townships in Hengzhou, as well as districts in Guigang.

A total of 2,764 items of emergency supplies and medicine were airdropped to township governments and villages.

So far, two patients and their family members have been evacuated.

In Guigang City, five counties and districts have been affected by persistent heavy rainfall and flooding starting from early July, triggered by Typhoon Maysak, the 10th typhoon of the year.

All temporary shelters are now operating in an orderly manner, providing food, medical services and supplies.

At the No. 3 Junior High School of Qintang Street, the shelter has received a total of 640 visits from displaced residents and emergency rescue personnel since it opened on July 6.

Currently, about 190 residents and 280 rescue personnel remain at the shelter.

In addition to basic necessities, the shelter has set up a basic medical service point and a psychological counseling room to meet the diverse needs of those taking shelter.

"They provided toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, quilts and pillows, as well as donated supplies including clothes," said Huang Xueqi, a resident sheltered at the school.

"We have a place to stay, food and clothing. Everything is well arranged. This flood has been devastating, but we must stay strong. We are deeply grateful for their help," said Qiu Lijian, another resident.

"The shelter has medical teams to give residents physical checkups and psychological counseling. We also set up a temporary classroom for charging devices to help people stay connected. Our supply storage room has received donations from caring enterprises across the country, so we have enough supplies. We have also prepared special items for vulnerable groups, such as baby formula and diapers. We can fully meet the living needs of those staying here," said Bi Haojun, a faculty member at the school.

Local authorities said shelters in Guigang will continue to provide resettlement services, daily necessities and supplies, with relief efforts dynamically adjusted based on residents' return and recovery progress, to ensure that the basic needs of flood-affected residents are met and they get through the flood season safely.

Helicopters airdrop supplies, evacuate sick people as Guangxi weathers rainstorm, floods