The United Nations marked a milestone on September 22, 2025, as world leaders gathered in New York to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the organization's founding. The special session at UN headquarters, set against a historic backdrop, was more than just a ceremonial nod to the past—it was a clarion call for renewed commitment to the principles and promise of the UN Charter, especially amid mounting global challenges.
The theme for this year’s commemoration, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights,” resonated throughout the halls of the General Assembly. According to Xinhua, the one-hour session was a blend of reflective speeches and urgent appeals, underscoring the need for unity in an era marked by conflict, hunger, climate chaos, and eroding trust in multilateral institutions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set the tone with a somber warning: "The UN's guiding principles are under assault as never before," he said, referencing the host of crises confronting the world. Guterres didn’t mince words about the need for reform, highlighting key initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the UN80 process. "To meet these challenges, we must not only defend the United Nations, we must strengthen it," he declared. His message was clear—only collective action and a revitalized UN could address the complex threats of the 21st century.
Presiding over the session was Annalena Baerbock of Germany, President of the 80th General Assembly. Baerbock emphasized that the UN’s eighth decade comes at a pivotal moment. She urged, "We must choose the right path; to show the world that we can be better together." For Baerbock, “better together” was more than a slogan—it was a hard-won truth and a commitment for the next 80 years.
Distinguished speakers brought diverse perspectives to the gathering. Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf called for honest reflection and actionable commitments. "Commemoration without candor is unaffordable," she noted, urging leaders to prioritize the protection of civilians and the empowerment of youth. Former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland delivered a sobering assessment of the world’s progress on sustainable development, stating, "More than 80 percent of Sustainable Development Goals are off track." She stressed the UN’s indispensable role in advancing climate action and gender equality.
Renowned journalist Maria Ressa, meanwhile, sounded the alarm on the growing threat of disinformation and artificial intelligence. She described an "information Armageddon" and called information integrity the "mother of all battles." Ressa’s words echoed a broader concern among delegates: that the very foundations of democracy and global cooperation are at risk if truth and trust cannot be restored.
The commemorative session was just the beginning of an intense week of diplomacy, debate, and decision-making. As reported by UN News and other outlets, the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annual General Debate ran from September 23 to 29, 2025. Heads of state and government took the podium to outline national priorities, address urgent crises, and reaffirm their countries’ commitment to multilateralism. In keeping with tradition, Brazil opened the debate, followed by the United States as host nation. The European Union, represented by President António Costa, delivered its statement on September 25, reflecting Europe’s active engagement throughout the High-Level Week.
Several side events added depth and urgency to the proceedings. On September 22, the SDG Moment brought together global and national leaders to demonstrate how just and inclusive transitions are accelerating progress, even in the face of daunting challenges. The same day featured a High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aiming to catalyze coordinated international action toward a two-state solution. The 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women was also observed, with governments and civil society reflecting on achievements and ongoing challenges in advancing gender equality.
The packed agenda continued with a Climate Summit on September 24, ahead of COP30 in Brazil. Here, world leaders presented new national climate action plans and explored the benefits of a clean energy era. The Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy reviewed progress on sustainable financing and cooperation with international financial institutions. On September 25, leaders met to set a new vision for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being, while the launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance addressed the growing importance—and risks—of artificial intelligence in global affairs.
September 26 was marked by calls for renewed momentum towards nuclear disarmament on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The month’s end saw a high-level plenary meeting on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, aiming to sustain international attention and propose concrete steps for a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
China’s presence was especially notable this year, with Premier Li Qiang arriving in New York on September 22. According to Xinhua, Li’s agenda included attending the general debate, participating in a high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative, and meeting with Secretary-General Guterres and other world leaders. China’s foreign ministry emphasized that Li would elaborate on China’s views regarding the international landscape, major global issues, and the work of the United Nations. The visit, officials said, aimed to "renew the founding mission of the United Nations, reaffirm commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and revitalize the UN's authority and vitality."
The European Union, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to a multilateral system based on international law and human rights. The EU’s priorities for the 80th General Assembly, adopted in June, included advancing reforms, strengthening the UN’s peace and security architecture, and addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The EU Council stated that, "at a time when the global rules-based order is under strain, [the EU] remains a predictable, reliable and credible partner, committed to a just green transition, the 2030 Agenda, and a stronger United Nations able to deliver for peace, development and human rights."
As the 80th anniversary commemorations drew to a close, the sense of urgency was palpable. The challenges facing the United Nations—and the world—are daunting, but the week’s events underscored a shared determination to confront them together. Whether through reform, renewed commitments, or bold new initiatives, the message from New York was unmistakable: the only way forward is together.