193 countries will meet in the UN General Assembly in New York. From 2025, a German will become president: Helga Schmid has been at the highest diplomatic level for many years.
The top German diplomat Helga Schmid is apparently to become President of the UN General Assembly in New York starting next year. The German government has nominated the 63-year-old for the high office at the headquarters of the United Nations, the Foreign Office told the dpa news agency.
Since no opposing candidates are usually expected for the position, Schmid's appointment for one year from the beginning of September 2025 is considered certain.
Schmidt currently OSCESecretary General
Schmidt is Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). She is “one of the most experienced German top diplomats, well connected and highly respected internationally,” the Foreign Office said. She has steered the OSCE through the difficult past years. Schmid was previously Secretary General of the European External Action Service in Brussels.
Schmid played a leading role in the negotiations on the nuclear agreement with Iran, which was concluded in 2015. The continued existence of the agreement has been extremely precarious since the US withdrawal.
In 2015, Schmid was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class. One of her sponsors, former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (Greens), valued the diplomatic skills and perseverance of the woman, who was born in Dachau, Bavaria. In her early years, Schmid worked in the German embassy in Washington and as an advisor to Fischer's predecessor Klaus Kinkel (FDP).
Involved in negotiations on nuclear deal
With Schmid, a diplomatic heavyweight would assume the role of chair in the 80th session. However, compared to the office of UN Secretary-General, this is often perceived as largely ceremonial – the job is to represent the UN member states as a whole and to deliver one of the first speeches at the annual meeting of heads of state and government.
In view of the number of serious wars in recent years, the UN General Assembly has gained importance as a global barometer of sentiment. However, the 15-member UN Security Council, with its ability to pass legally binding resolutions, is considered to be significantly more powerful.
According to the Foreign Office, Schmid would be only the fifth woman to chair the UN General Assembly in the United Nations' 75-year history. The actual election will not take place until June 2025 by the largest UN body itself.
