Stanisland Magazine

The UN strongly focused on the war in Ukraine, despite this year’s theme being centered on the Global South.

UN summits serve as the cornerstone of international diplomacy, bringing together world leaders to address global challenges. These gatherings act as catalysts for conflict resolution, cooperation on vital policies, and humanitarian responses, resulting in landmark agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and Sustainable Development Goals, addressing issues ranging from human rights to nuclear disarmament. In essence, they embody hope for global collaboration. The theme of this year’s assembly? “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity.”

However, this year’s summit took an unexpected turn as the focus shifted from discussing the economic downturn caused by increased inflation and climate change to the war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky attended the annual summit and so did key players from around the world with the common goal of finding solutions to socioeconomic decline and the UN’s climate goals. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine took center stage as the two presidents engaged in a fierce exchange, each blaming the other.

Leaders continued to focus on the war in Ukraine, with little said of the effects of climate decline

While still important, world leaders primarily chimed in to discuss the conflict in Eastern Europe, largely accusing Russia of failing to uphold international law. Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, emphasized the importance of human dignity in international cooperation, saying: said: “By shedding new light on human dignity, I believe the international community can overcome differences in regimes, in values and steadily advance towards human-centred international cooperation.” Meanwhile, Germany’s Chancellor Scholz condemned Russian imperialism in the 21st century.

Nyusi expressed concerns at this year’s summit

Meanwhile, many expressed disappointment with the lack of progress on this year’s theme. President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique pointed to the absence of trust and solidarity as a barrier to achieving the agenda’s goals. “The main reason for a lack of success for this agenda remains the absence of trust and solidarity between those who have a lot and those who have a little or almost nothing at all,” he said.

President Zelensky, looking tired and haggard in an olive-coloured military uniform, described Russia as “evil” and accused certain actors of clandestine economic dealings with Russia. He also cautioned against trusting the Kremlin, referencing the recent death of Wagner’s former leader in a plane crash. “I am aware of the attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted – ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin’s promises,” he told the summit in New York.

These discussions overshadowed the planned agenda for this year’s general assembly, with state actors choosing to focus on the outcome of the Ukraine conflict. Despite global inflation catalyzed by the war in Europe, climate change, another pressing issue, simmered in the background as Western leaders and others were slow to address it.

As we reflect on the summit’s unexpected pivot, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of the world’s challenges. From economic uncertainties exacerbated by inflation to the ever-pressing need to confront climate change, the issues discussed at the UN summit remain critically important. While the focus may have shifted temporarily, the underlying global issues persist.

This year’s summit, initially designed to address pressing economic and climate concerns, took a dramatic bend as the conflict in Ukraine seized the spotlight. Heated exchanges between global leaders and the international community’s fervent response underscore the gravity of the situation. While global leaders hoped to rebuild trust and reignite global solidarity, the challenges of achieving these goals were laid bare, with deep divisions and scepticism prevailing.

The expected pivot served as a stark reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of the world’s challenges. From economic uncertainties exacerbated by inflation to the ever-pressing need to confront climate change, the issues discussed at the UN summit remain critically important. However, they seem to lack urgency, especially in addressing the pressing needs and gravity of the situation in the global South.

While the focus may have shifted temporarily, environmental issues persist and even a year of delay can exacerbate the descent of environmental stability. It appears that leaders are more inclined to pursue matters that enhance their image or seek national approval, rather than prioritizing assistance for those in need.

Photo credit: Cia Pak