Without reform of institutions – including the UN Security Council – problems and interests cannot be addressed effectively, Guterres said. The status quo is not a solution: “It is about reform or rupture,” said Guterres. The UN Secretary-General identified deep divergences between the greatest economic and military powers, between East and West and between rich states and developing countries.
“We are increasingly close to a major disruption in economic and financial systems and commercial relations”, he warned. “Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are increasing. And we can’t seem to come together to respond.”
Call for common solutions
The United Nations is increasingly concerned about the confrontation between the West and Russia, the rivalry between the US and China, and the inequalities between rich and poor societies – fragmentation would make the global community dysfunctional and cooperation largely impossible .
Portal/Mike Segar UN Secretary-General Guterres called for reforms in international institutions in his speech
Guterres called on heads of state and government to find solutions together; international structures must be renewed and reflect the current world. “Commitment has become a dirty word,” said the 74-year-old. However, statesmanship rather than standstill is needed – and “global commitment”.
Biden: Reform the UN Security Council
A total of 140 heads of state and government will deliver speeches to the UN General Assembly. US President Joe Biden spoke on Tuesday, calling on the international community to unite. “No nation can overcome today’s challenges alone.” He made it clear that “history does not have to dictate our future” and recalled his recent visit to Vietnam – a former US war enemy.
Guterres for reform of the Security Council
UN Secretary-General Guterres spoke in favor of reforming the Security Council at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In his speech, Biden defended giving economically weaker countries more voice and weight in international institutions. He again spoke out in favor of reforming the Security Council and adding more permanent and non-permanent members. “We must be able to break the impasse that often impedes progress and blocks consensus in the Council,” he warned. “We need more voices and more perspectives at the table.”
The UN General Assembly in New York has begun
This year’s UN General Assembly kicked off in New York. The war in Ukraine, other conflicts around the world, of course the climate crisis and the fight against poverty will dominate the debate – as will reform of the UN itself.
The United States has worked across the board to make international organizations more responsive, effective, and diverse. This also applies to reforms of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. The G-20 states have also just decided to include the African Union (AU) in their group.
Schallenberg supports calls for reform
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), who is participating in the general assembly with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, welcomed Biden’s push for Security Council reform. The Minister of Foreign Affairs identified a “certain dynamic” in this issue.
“Russia believes the world is getting tired”
Biden called on the international community to show solidarity with Ukraine – for its own protection: “If we allow Ukraine to be dismembered, will the independence of any nation be secure?” Biden said. Only Russia is responsible for the war and only Russia has the power to end it immediately.
Portal/Kevin Lamarque The US president called on the international community to show solidarity with Ukraine
“Russia believes that the world is getting tired and allowing it to brutalize Ukraine without consequences,” he warned. If basic international principles are abandoned “to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said.
Kidnapped children: Zelensky talks about “genocide”
For the first time since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally participated in the UN General Assembly. In his speech, he accused Russia of threatening many other states with its aggression. Moscow is not only attacking Ukraine militarily, but also using instruments other than weapons – “and these things are used not only against our country, but also against yours,” Zelensky said.
“Russia is using food prices as a weapon,” he warned. “The effects extend from the Atlantic coast of Africa to Southeast Asia.” Moscow is also using energy as a weapon to weaken governments in other countries.
Zelensky warned that Moscow’s threat to use nuclear weapons was not the scariest thing about the war. And the conflict is far from just about Ukraine. He accused Russia of genocide over the abduction of Ukrainian children. “These children are being taught to hate Ukraine in Russia and all ties with their families are being severed,” Zelensky said in New York. “This is clearly genocide.”
Lula asks for dialogue
The Brazilian head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, called for an end to the Russian war of aggression through “dialogue”. In his speech he complained that “a lot has been invested in weapons and little in development”. “We need to work to create space for negotiations.” No solution will be permanent “if it is not based on dialogue”. So far, the Brazilian president has not initiated military support for Kiev nor supported sanctions against Moscow.