UNHQ by Nishat Mirza- The UN Civil Society Town Hall held at UN Headquarters marked an important moment for reaffirming the role of “We the People” in global governance. H.E. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, delivered a powerful message: the multilateral system can only be protected and renewed if civil society is fully and meaningfully engaged. She emphasized that the United Nations does not belong solely to governments—it belongs to people, and civil society is essential to keeping multilateralism alive, credible, and responsive.
In her remarks, President Baerbock underscored the core principles of international law, stressing that no country can take another by force and that violations of these principles threaten global stability. Referencing current geopolitical tensions, including the situation involving Denmark and the United States, she reaffirmed that the UN Charter remains the foundation of peace and cooperation. She also highlighted that every country—regardless of size or power—has an equal seat at the international table, a principle that civil society plays a vital role in defending and amplifying.
Addressing UN reform, the PGA spoke candidly about the need to reform the organization’s financial systems, mandates, and structures, while remaining firmly anchored in the values and principles of the UN Charter. She made it clear that such reforms cannot be achieved by Member States alone. Civil society organizations bring grassroots knowledge, lived experience, and accountability, all of which are necessary to ensure that reforms are not only technical, but transformative and people-centered.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Town Hall was President Baerbock’s historic call for civil society participation in the consultation process for the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, with interviews expected to take place in late April. Civil society was invited to submit questions for the candidates, particularly across the UN’s three core pillars: Peace and Security, Climate Change, and Human Rights. This step toward transparency and inclusion was widely welcomed as a concrete expression of the UN80 Initiative and the #BetterTogether vision.
Participants from civil society emphasized that meaningful engagement must go beyond symbolic inclusion. True participation requires consistent dialogue, youth leadership, and intergenerational collaboration, ensuring that future generations help shape the UN they will inherit. Voices from the room also called for UN80 reforms to institutionalize civil society engagement across decision-making processes. The Town Hall made clear that a stronger, more legitimate United Nations depends on listening to, learning from, and partnering with civil society—because only by working better together can the UN meet today’s global challenges.
