LONDON, September 26 (IPS) - As the high-level opening week of the UN General Assembly unfolds, with heads of states delivering often self-serving speeches from the UN’s podium, the organisation is undergoing one of its worst set of crises since its founding 80 years ago. This year’s General Assembly – ostensibly focused on development, human rights and peace – comes as wars are raging across multiple continents, climate targets are dangerously being missed and the institution designed to address these global challenges is being hollowed out by funding cuts and political withdrawals.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday marked the UN’s 80th anniversary with a call for world leaders to defend multilateralism, reject “Cold War” thinking and step up cooperation in the face of global turmoil.
World leaders have thrown their weight behind the first-ever United Nations global political declaration tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health together.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados on Friday told world leaders the survival of small States and global peace depends on preserving a rules-based international system.
A resolution to extend sanctions relief to Iran under a 2015 nuclear deal failed to pass in the UN Security Council on Friday.