Marc Schmitz, President of the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ), had the privilege to attend on the 9th of September 2025 the official opening of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), presided over by H.E. Annalena Baerbock. The session, under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” marks not just an anniversary, but a moment of reckoning and a renewed pledge toward global cooperation.
The day began with the closing of the 79th session, as the outgoing President, H.E. Philemon Yang, handed over the gavel – a symbol of authority and continuity – to H.E. Annalena Baerbock. In doing so, the United Nations reaffirmed both its traditions and the urgency of renewal.
Baerbock’s opening address did not shy away from stark realities. She asked whether the world can truly celebrate while suffering abounds — “parents in Gaza watching their children starve, Afghan girls banned from school, women in Darfur hiding their daughters from being raped, Pacific Islanders watching seas rise” among the litany of crises she mentioned. Yet, she insisted this is more than a moment for reflection: it is a moment for action.
From what was heard at the opening, several themes emerged that are especially relevant for institutions like UIHJ, which are rooted in rule of law, human rights, and justice.
President Baerbock stressed impartiality and bridge-building: she committed to serving all 193 Member States equally, guided only by the UN Charter. In her view, the legitimacy of the UN depends on its ability to act as a platform where all voices are heard and no state is left behind.
The theme “Better Together” is not celebratory alone; it is a call to convert commitments into measurable progress. Baerbock called on leaders to turn promise into practice — for example, to deliver on human rights, development, peace, and environmental protection.
Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the UN Charter is not self-executing: it requires action from member states, not just words. He called for renewed faith, collaboration, and reinvestment — especially in functions of the UN that are under strain, whether due to funding, institutional capacity, or evolving global threats.
The 80th UNGA is setting an expectation: that this anniversary year isn’t just about reflecting on the past, but about charting a path forward.
For UIHJ, that path includes engaging with UN reforms (such as those in the “Pact for the Future” and the “UN80” agenda) to ensure judicial officers have voice and agency in global processes, but also strengthening alliances with member states, civil society, and other international actors to protect human rights, especially of the most vulnerable.
Promoting rule of law is not merely a concept, but a lived reality, ensuring that laws are not only on books, but enforced fairly, transparently, and accessibly.
Marc Schmitz, President of the UIHJ, left the opening session with renewed conviction: that multilateralism, though imperfect, remains indispensable and that unity is not a slogan but a strategy.
