<p>More than ever, speakers at this year's Assembly focused on unity amid crises. However, contradictions such as America's nationalist policies and the UN's functional weakness in crises highlighted the erosion of the multilateral system. Common themes, from the situation in Gaza and peace to artificial intelligence, were present in the speeches. Side events, centered on the "Better Together" motto, stressed the need for immediate member action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, the absence of concrete commitments, such as a new UN budget, demonstrated that these positions were largely symbolic despite the leaders' candor. Although the UN, on the cusp of its 80th anniversary, has an opportunity for reform through global consensus, geopolitical rivalries—such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza—overshadow the formation of a new order and the revival of multilateralism. This article seeks to review the most significant topics and analyze the outcomes of this year's General Assembly.</p> <p><br /><b>1. Multilateral Cooperation and UN Reform</b> <br />Most leaders, including the UN Secretary-General and even the United States, pointed to the crisis of multilateralism and the UN's deviation from its true mandate. Given the reduction in US-allocated funding, such as the cessation of support for UNESCO and the Human Rights Council, and the paralysis of the Security Council, speakers discussed the need to "reimagine" the UN. Without a definitive decision for the future, discussions such as a 20% reduction in staff to increase efficiency were proposed, though even this was challenged. Arguably, most speakers expressed concern about the future impacts of geopolitical competition between the US and China, yet they offered no solution to strengthen or "reimagine" the UN, the most important symbol of multilateralism.</p> <p><br /><b>2. Global Peace and Security</b> <br />With global conflicts at their highest level since World War II, leaders referenced crises such as Haiti (where armed gangs control 90% of the capital), Gaza, and Myanmar (the Rohingya crisis). Trump's speech focused on supporting UN peacekeeping operations (e.g., South Sudan), but the prohibition on the presence of Mahmoud Abbas (President of the Palestinian Authority) and the invitation extended to Netanyahu highlighted the human rights contradictions within Western systems. The common theme in discussions on international peace and security, such as the need for new peace missions and nuclear disarmament, was noted as lacking real progress due to disputes within the Security Council.</p> <p><br /><b>3. Climate Change and Sustainable Development</b> <br />The climate meeting on the sidelines of this year's Assembly, held on September 24, included participation from the leaders of Spain, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, alongside international organizations and climate activists, featuring an opening speech by the Secretary-General. In this meeting, leaders presented national plans and commitments toward the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C target. Common themes in the speeches included the transition to clean energy and cooperation to combat climate-induced pandemics. Despite progress in clean technologies, US policies, including the reduction of clean energy subsidies, have created challenges. Nonetheless, leaders emphasized the urgency of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.</p> <p><br /><b>4. AI Governance and the Military Application of Technology</b> <br />The "Global AI Dialogue" on September 25 can be considered an innovative topic at this year's summit. Leaders focused on "inclusive and responsible governance" in the realm of artificial intelligence. Concerns were expressed regarding the pace of advancements (rapid progress without regulation) and the US-China competition. Africa was noted as a region with digital potential, but its lag in research and data highlights the need for cooperation. This theme symbolized how technology is being integrated into peace and development.<br />Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, raised the issue of an AI arms race and the need for global regulations on autonomous weapons, which was a novel perspective given Ukraine's direct experience with war. Ukraine, due to the war with Russia (since 2014), is one of the first countries to practically confront AI-based weapons and autonomous drones on the battlefield. In his speech, Zelenskyy pointed to Russia's extensive use of combat drones and AI-enhanced cyber-attacks. Consequently, from the perspective of experts, his warnings appeared credible and tangible. His distinction from other leaders, who discussed AI in non-military terms, was that the military consequences of this technology seemed more tangible and immediate. His description of "AI weaponry" as a "double-edged sword" and the "need to prevent an arms race" was notable to experts. While leaders like Emmanuel Macron of France or S. Jaishankar of India spoke about the need for inclusive AI governance, Zelenskyy specifically called for immediate action to regulate autonomous weapons and AI-based drones. He proposed that the UN must create new frameworks to prevent the military misuse of AI, a sentiment that resonated in the Global AI Dialogue on September 25.</p> <p><br /><b>5. Gender Equality, Human Rights, and Human Development</b> <br />The 30th-anniversary meeting of the Beijing Conference on Women (September 22) emphasized women's empowerment and gender equality. Common themes included health (prevention of non-communicable diseases), education (due to reduced aid and the risk of an additional 6 million children being out of school by 2026), and resilient economies (the biennial summit for Financing for Development). Leaders focused on reducing inequalities and the role of youth in intergenerational cooperation.</p> <p><b>Europe, the Ukraine Issue, and the Struggle for Revitalizing Its Position</b><br />One of the prominent features in the speeches of European leaders was the focus on "European unity and strategic autonomy" in the face of external threats. European leaders, particularly from the European Union, emphasized Europe's role as an independent actor in a multipolar world. Emmanuel Macron stated that the world is "falling apart" and Europe must respond with greater cooperation and unity, while Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), in contexts related to the General Assembly, spoke of "battle lines for a new global order based on power" and stressed that Europe must "fight for its place." This characteristic indicates a transition from Europe's traditional soft-power and norm-setting approach toward a more hard-power stance, focusing on defense, technology, and a resilient economy. Furthermore, many speeches pointed to the crisis of multilateralism and described the UN as a tool for strengthening European unity, albeit with criticism of its weakness against great powers like Russia and China.</p> <p><br />Several European leaders, such as Macron of France, Olaf Scholz of Germany, Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Pedro Sánchez of Spain, Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and even Sergey Lavrov of Russia (although Russia holds a different perspective), delivered speeches with common and convergent themes. They shared common rhetoric in support of Ukraine and in criticism of Russia. Nearly all European leaders (excluding Russia) emphasized the necessity of military and financial support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy warned that the world is in "the most destructive arms race in history" and that a strong alliance is needed to stop Russia. Macron called Russia's actions a threat to all people of Europe and emphasized European unity. Scholz and Meloni also focused on strengthening European defense to counter the Russian threat.</p> <p><br />Nevertheless, Eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine adopted a stricter stance, emphasizing strong military defense and further sanctions, while Western European countries like France and Germany maintained a more cautious position regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, placing more emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation. These common points indicate Europe's effort to present a unified voice against global challenges, especially in the context of security and development.<br />Italy and the United Kingdom focused on domestic economic policies and migration control, whereas France emphasized Europe's economic independence from the US and China. This difference in priorities indicated that Southern European countries (Italy, Spain) were more focused on migration and the economy, while Northern countries prioritized technology and defense. While Zelenskyy and Meloni emphasized alliance with the US, Macron and Scholz defended Europe's "strategic autonomy."</p> <p><br /><b>Africa: A Reflection of Continental Solidarity</b><br />A prominent feature in the speeches of African leaders was the emphasis on historical justice and increasing Africa's influence in global institutions. Referring to the continent's 1.5 billion population and its role in UN peacekeeping operations, African leaders stressed the need to reform unjust structures like the Security Council. South Africa deemed the current structure of the Security Council "illegitimate" and demanded permanent African representation, while other African leaders called this a "historical injustice." This common approach presents Africa as a key player in the multipolar world and reflects continental solidarity and a persistent critique of Western powers as part of these countries' foreign policy.</p> <p><br />The theme of reforming global institutions and multilateralism was also common among African leaders. They voiced an urgent demand for a permanent African seat on the Security Council and a reduction of veto power, emphasizing Africa's role in half of all Security Council agendas, such as the conflicts in Sudan and the Congo. On international peace and security, African leaders' speeches included references to regional conflicts (Sudan, Congo, the Sahel region) and global crises (Gaza, Ukraine), condemning the ethnic cleansing in Gaza and referencing South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).</p> <p><br />African leaders also labeled climate change and climate justice as an "existential threat" that harms Africa disproportionately to its small share of carbon emissions. They emphasized the demand for full investment in the Loss and Damage Fund and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. African leaders criticized the "weaponization of trade" and called for sustainable financing for development goals, stressing the biennial Financing for Development summit. They also pointed to Africa's role in AI governance, given its young workforce of 1.4 billion by 2050, and expressed concern over reduced global health funding, which exacerbates climate-induced pandemics. A notable commonality in the speeches of African leaders was solidarity with Palestine, an emphasis on the two-state solution, and a comparison of Palestinians with Africans regarding anti-colonial history, presenting a human rights-oriented face of politics and governance on the continent.</p> <p><br /><b>The Issue of Palestine and Gaza</b><br />One of the most prominent topics in this year's speeches was the issue of Palestine and Gaza, addressed by nearly all leaders, including those from the West and Europe. A special summit initiated by Saudi Arabia and France on the sidelines of the General Assembly must be noted, subsequent to which the United Kingdom recognized Palestine, followed by 9 other countries. Japan has also announced it will soon issue a declaration of recognition, while Denmark and the Netherlands have stated their countries will recognize Palestine at a later date.<br />At this year's General Assembly, leaders, despite geopolitical differences, largely converged on the issue of Palestine, indicating a global consensus on its urgency. Most speeches described this crisis as the "nadir of humanity."</p> <p><br /><b>Common themes in the speeches included:</b><br />• Condemnation of the humanitarian crisis and violence in Gaza, describing Israel's actions as collective punishment, systematic destruction, and a violation of human rights. Speakers condemned these actions, describing the killing of "one Palestinian child every hour" and the collapse of the health system as the "nadir of humanity."</p> <p><br />• As conditions in Gaza worsen, momentum for the formation of a Palestinian state has grown. Over 66,000 Palestinians, including civilians, military personnel, aid workers, and journalists, have been killed. Save the Children reports that over 20,000 Palestinian children have lost their lives at the hands of the Israeli military since the crisis began.</p> <p><br />• Calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access: A consensus existed on the immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.</p> <p><br />• Support for the two-state solution and recognition of Palestine: Leaders such as Lula da Silva (Brazil), Subianto (Indonesia), and Ramaphosa (South Africa) emphasized the formation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, calling it the only path to sustainable peace. Approximately 156 countries have now announced their formal recognition of an independent Palestinian state, comprising just over 80% of UN members.</p> <p><br />• Criticism of the UN's paralysis and violations of international law regarding Palestine, referencing the "complicity of silence" by great powers and emphasizing the need to implement ICJ rulings and ensure global accountability.<br />The Palestine issue was the one topic where the Global South and the West shared (more or less) common ground but differed on methods, the reflection of which was witnessed in the global isolation of the "Quds occupying regime" on the international stage and in the General Assembly.</p> <p><br />Despite the general consensus, some differences existed, primarily stemming from the political positions and relations of each country with Israel. This included the level of condemnation and the terminology used, such as the use of the word "genocide" and accusing Israel of war crimes, versus the use of the term "systematic destruction." Proposals were also put forth, including: dispatching 20,000 peacekeepers to Gaza (by Indonesia), Egyptian and US mediation (presented by Qatar), and a request to form an international protection force for Palestinians (by Colombia).</p> <p><br />Leaders from Jordan and Brazil linked the Palestinian issue to regional matters, emphasizing the threat of a "Greater Israel" to its neighbors (Lebanon, Syria) and the protection of holy sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Meanwhile, Trump, in his speech, ignored this volume of condemnation against Israel's anti-human actions and criticized countries for recognizing Palestine. While the United States proposed that Gaza be placed under an international protectorate supervised by an international monitoring body, European and Arab countries support a committee of Palestinian technocrats endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.</p> <p><br />The peak of the isolation of the Quds occupying regime and the US on the world stage was displayed when the delegations of more than 50 countries walked out during Netanyahu's speech. The leaders of Colombia and Algeria accused the US of "complicity in genocide," while European leaders focused on recognizing Palestine without imposing sanctions.</p> <p><br />Despite this volume of support and attention, a duality of words and action persists at the state level. This level of criticism and attack, coupled with inaction by countries, is nothing but rhetoric without tangible action and represents the same "complicity of silence" that allows the crisis to deepen. Despite this value collapse of the international system, the US solidified its role in ending this crisis. The lack of real economic pressure, such as an arms embargo on Israel or cutting US financial aid to Tel Aviv, has meant that Gaza, in its most dire state, continues to witness over 661 deaths in just one week and the killing of one child every hour.</p> <p><br />After a week of high-volume diplomatic activity at the UN, ambiguity remains as to how and when justice will be established in the Palestinian issue and when we will witness a halt to the genocide of Palestinians and the occupation of their land. The issue of Palestine and Gaza has created a model of impunity for occupying forces. Only through the formation of international cooperation and convergence, centered on Islamic and independent countries and the UN, can this issue move beyond the ICJ and activate enforcement mechanisms such as Security Council sanctions.</p> <p><br /><b>Mohammad Javad Shariati, Senior Expert at the Center for Political and International Studies</b><br /><b>(Responsibility for the content of this article rests with the author and does not reflect the views of the Center for Political and International Studies.)</b></p> <p></p>