"We must do everything possible to avoid a great fracture and maintain the universal system, continue a multipolar world with strong multilateral institutions and a global respect for international law," said former president of Chile Michelle Bachelet in her final farewell address to the United Nations. 

Her term officially ends as its High Commissioner on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Bachelet also stressed that her mandate has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as well as by the challenges of climate change, and most recently the economic uncertainty due to the increase in food and fuel prices due to the crisis in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian conflict "has increased polarization and tensions," lamented the outgoing High Commissioner, who also recalled the rise in recent years of protest movements around the world that "demanded an end to structural racism, corruption and abuse of power."

She said the defense of human rights "is not a simple task, but it is the only one that will lead us to a future in which peace, development, equality and justice overcome war, inequality and discrimination."

On Wednesday, the United Nations Human Rights Council held a preparatory meeting for its 51st session in September and October, a large part of which was devoted to honoring the High Commissioner for her work.

"We would have liked her to keep another term in her position, we are going to miss her, but as a consolation we are left with the certainty of knowing that she will continue to make history wherever she is," said the Council's rotating president for 2022 and Argentine Ambassador Federico Villegas.

Bachelet leaves office without a designated successor despite her saying that numerous leaders have put themselves forward for candidacy. The position will temporarily pass to Jordan's Nada Al-Nashif, deputy high commissioner.