UNITED NATIONS — At the United Nations, leaders gathered amid dire warnings of a potential conflict that could escalate in the Middle East, impacting international relations grounded in multilateralism — the collaborative approach of global nations. Following intense discussions, leaders returned home to face an increasingly contentious landscape, not only in the Middle East but globally.
Expectations for significant breakthroughs during the annual U.N. General Assembly were low, and this year’s proceedings proved particularly somber. There appears to be no resolution in sight for ongoing crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, with rising Israeli military actions in Lebanon complicating the situation further.
U.N. Secretary-General’s Antonio Guterres’ stark reminder that multilateralism is “on the brink” contributed to the overarching sense of despair. His observations were echoed by several leaders who noted the failures to address climate change, disparities between wealthy and poorer nations, and the unregulated rise of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems.
General Assembly President Philémon Yang characterized the weeklong meeting as “particularly tumultuous,” citing the ongoing violent conflicts as a primary concern.
“This is not an exhaustive list of crises impacting U.N. member states,” Yang remarked, pointing to a broad consensus that multilateralism, a pillar of the United Nations established in 1945, needs immediate revitalization to effectively tackle contemporary global challenges.
During the assembly, an alarming juxtaposition occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed a desire for peace while Israeli forces conducted airstrikes around Beirut.
Yang highlighted the “extremely dramatic escalation” of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, suggesting that this could ignite a wider conflict in the Middle East. “As we speak, peace in the Middle East hangs delicately by a thread,” he warned.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted that this year’s discussions occurred during an exceptionally critical period globally, underlining that the world does not pause for the general assembly.
Among the few positives, the establishment of a “Pact for the Future” was embraced by Guterres and various leaders. This outline seeks to unify the 193 U.N. member nations to confront pressing issues such as climate change, technological advancements, and rising inequality.
The commitment to this pact challenges nations to turn intentions into tangible actions, although its implementation remains uncertain. Yang stated his office has initiated an “awareness-raising campaign” to promote adherence to the pact.
Burundi’s foreign minister, Albert Shingiro, expressed concerns over an international community that often operates in isolation but noted that the consensus around the Pact for the Future suggests that multilateralism is not yet extinct.
From the perspective of smaller or less influential nations, the U.N. requires reform to become truly effective. Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, emphasized the need for developing nations to have a voice in decision-making processes, acknowledging widespread disillusionment with institutions that fail to act meaningfully.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus advocated for a unified global vision targeting zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions, urging worldwide efforts to empower young entrepreneurs rather than relegating them to job seekers.
During the assembly, representatives from 190 countries made their voices heard, with several high-profile leaders participating, raising the total number of engagements significantly compared to usual assembly procedures. In a notable shift, the Security Council convened multiple times during this session in response to ongoing global crises.
Despite the prevailing concerns, some leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, invoked a sense of hope, reflecting on humanity’s success in overcoming previously daunting challenges and asserting that “Things can get better. We should never forget that.”
