Source: Global Times

¡°We must make it clear that international cooperation is not naive and childish,¡± according to CNN, the UN Secretary-General.by GuterresIn the opening speech of the general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly on the 23rd, he said that international cooperation is a pragmatic move. "No country can stop a pandemic alone, no army can stop the temperature from rising, and no algorithm can repair broken trust." Guterres said, "The principles of the United Nations are under attack". The New York Times said that US President Trump pointed the finger at the United Nations in his subsequent speech, claiming that he had solved many conflicts, but the United Nations did nothing. Some foreign media said that, like the first presidential term, Trump is still skeptical of multilateral organizations. Guterres' call for "strengthening the role of the United Nations" comes at a time when the international community is facing a series of challenges, from geopolitical crises such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli issue to frequent extreme weather and increasing poverty and hunger. The Washington Post said that world leaders gathered at the United Nations to try to make this turbulent planet "go hand in hand", but observers may hear all kinds of arguments that the world is dividing. However, the British "Observer" article on the 23rd said that the United Nations is still the key to the international order and can provide a unique communication platform for all 193 member states.

On September 23, local time, the 80th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly opened in New York, USA. UN Secretary-General Guterres, Brazilian President Lula and US President Trump spoke on the same day.

Trump delivered a 50-minute speech

As usual, the first country leader to speak in the general debate at the UN General Assembly was Brazil¡¯s President Lula. The New York Times said on 23rd that Lula has sharply criticized the violation of sovereignty and the arbitrary use of sanctions, stressing that ¡°our sovereignty and democracy cannot be negotiated¡±. Reuters said Lula said that recent ¡°unilateral attacks¡± on Brazil¡¯s institutions, economic and judicial systems are unacceptable. The report said that this is basically an indirect response to U.S. foreign policy. The New York Times said that when it comes to climate issues, Lula said developing countries face climate risks, while wealthy countries enjoy a higher standard of living because of 150 years of using fossil fuels.

The second appearance was Trump. CNN said he first proclaimed his achievements, saying ¡°This is indeed the golden age of the United States.¡± The New York Times said that Trump would address the United Nations in his speech, saying that what the latter did was just ¡°hard words¡± and ¡°less words¡± and the settlement of conflicts around the world had to be done by him. Then he also mentioned the Iranian nuclear issue, the Russian conflict, the Gaza war, illegal immigration, climate change, etc. The New York Times said that Trump¡¯s speech gradually turned into a series of boundless complaints, including criticism of the mayor of London. He also accused the Brazilian government of ¡°unfair political persecution¡± of former President Boris Johnson. The report said Trump¡¯s speech lasted about 57 minutes, mainly about why the United Nations and other

The Washington Post said on Monday that Trump's "America's Priority" philosophy has been difficult to coordinate with the United Nations' commitment to joint decision-making on a global scale. The Associated Press recalled that since his return to the White House, Trump has significantly cut U.S. foreign aid spending, announced the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization, ended participation in the activities of the UN Human Rights Council, and ordered a full review of the U.S. membership in "all intergovernmental organizations" and in all international conventions and treaties.

According to CNN, after his speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump held a bilateral meeting with Guterres. He softened his tone, saying that "this time he was a little excited" because he experienced escalator and teleprompter failure in the UN building. Trump said that the United States "supports the United Nations 100%" and "I think the potential of the United Nations is amazing".

Trump sets new record in speech.

More than 1,600 bilateral meetings

According to the Washington Post, almost all UN Member States participate in the general debate. At present, the published list of speakers includes 89 heads of state, 43 heads of government, 10 vice presidents or deputy prime ministers, and 45 foreign ministers and other ministerial officials. The New York Times stated that Ukrainian President Zelensky is expected to deliver a speech on the 24th and will "almost certainly" talk about Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine. On the same day, Syrian regime leader Ahmed al-Sharaa may complete his "UN debut". Palestinian President Abbas is expected to deliver a video speech on the 25th, and Israeli Prime MinisterNetanyahuThe start date is 26th morning.

According to reports, in addition to the general debate, the Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on 23rd to discuss the war in Gaza and the security situation in the Middle East respectively, as well as a meeting to discuss Ukraine. On 24th and 25th, world leaders are scheduled to hold climate summits and meetings to discuss artificial intelligence respectively. In addition, the UN website shows that there are more than 1,600 bilateral meetings planned in the near future.

¡°This week¡¯s United Nations is a confrontation between Trump and Netanyahu with the world on the Palestinian issue.¡± The Times that the theme of recognizing the State of Palestine will be central during this week¡¯s UN General Assembly. The high-level international conference on peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and implementation of the ¡®Two-State Plan¡¯ led by France and Saudi Arabia was held on 22nd. According to the New York Times, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and other countries announced that they will recognize the State of Palestine and that we must pave the way for peace.¡±

Trump clashes with the world over the Palestinian issue

Guterres said on 22nd that recognizing the State of Palestine is a right of the latter, not a gift. At present, 152 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have recognized the State of Palestine. The New York Times said that with strong support from Africa, South America, and Asian countries, recognizing the efforts of the State of Palestine is both symbolic and could have potential economic consequences for Israel. There are international law experts who say that countries that have established formal relations with Palestine will have to restrict some trade activities with Israel.

The Russian-Ukrainian conflict was another of the topics of concern during the UN General Assembly. On 22nd, the UN Security Council held an emergency public meeting on Estonian allegations of Russian aircraft violations of its airspace. Russia and Western nations were in a fierce confrontation. According to the British Guardian on 23rd, Zelensky said on social media, ¡°We are doing everything we can to stop the war.¡± He plans to attend more than 20 meetings and is expected to meet with Trump. But the New York Times said that more than three years after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out, the topic¡¯s presence on the UN General Assembly agenda gradually declined.

"I think the United Nations is the best thing we have right now"

The Washington Post said on 23 January that the United Nations has welcomed the UN High-Level Week in an unprecedented shortage of funding. This is largely due to the fact that after Trump took office in January this year, the United States has almost stopped paying membership fees, and there are still debts for 2024. funding is not the only problem the United Nations faces. The war in Gaza, the conflict in Russia and other difficult conflicts are just a few of the many crises that have led to escalation.

The Financial Times published an article on the 23rd saying that Malloch Brown, a former administrator of the United Nations Development Program, said that as the United States gradually fades out, China and the rising global South countries are seeking to play a greater leadership role and emphasizing the vitality contained in the United Nations General Assembly.

Ankson, a former UN official, said some countries no longer see the UN as an indispensable way to national interests or foreign policy goals, but Miliband, chairman of the International Rescue Committee, said that in dozens of low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia, the UN is still seen as a ¡°legitimate channel for international cooperation and problem solving.¡±

Guterres said on the 22nd that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter "are under unprecedented attack", war, hunger, climate change and so on are severely testing the global governance system, "to address these challenges, we must not only defend the status of the UN, but also strengthen the role of the UN."