Focus on Ukraine Commands Attention at UN Assembly; Does It Overshadow Other Global Concerns?

As the conflict in Ukraine and its President take the limelight at the United Nations gathering this week, the plight of developing nations striving for rapid action on poverty and inequality is also seeking attention. This marks the first comprehensive assembly of global leaders since the interruption of international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.

This year’s United Nations General Assembly convenes at a particularly tense and divisive moment in history, one that some diplomats and analysts describe as the most perilous since the Cold War era. They attribute this to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a move that further strained the relations among major powers. Additionally, the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, inflation in food prices, escalating global conflicts, a deteriorating climate crisis, and the international community’s failure to adequately address issues like poverty, hunger, and gender inequality contribute to the complexity.

For the nations still in development, the primary focus is on the UN’s two-day summit beginning on Monday. This summit aims to galvanize world leaders into action to meet 17 ambitious, but lagging, global goals set for realization by 2030. These objectives range from eradicating extreme poverty and hunger to ensuring high-quality secondary education for all children, achieving gender parity, and combating climate change urgently. The current trajectory suggests that none of these goals will be achieved on schedule.

Several other high-level discussions on topics like pandemic mitigation and universal healthcare are also on the agenda.

Last week, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, described the present as a “critical juncture in human history.”

A Surge of Leaders, but Not All

The annual high-level session of the 193-member General Assembly starts on Tuesday with speeches scheduled from the leaders of 145 countries. This elevated number is indicative of the multiplicity of global crises and the absence of effective action. This year, President Joe Biden will be the lone leader from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to attend in person. This has led to private discontent among diplomats from developing nations, as the absence of other key global figures could potentially hamper the implementation of plans requiring billions of dollars.

Recent global meetings, such as last month’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg and the G20 meeting in New Delhi, have seen a mix of participation from leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, both are conspicuously absent from this week’s UN proceedings, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres argues that the physical presence of world leaders is secondary to their willingness to make firm commitments on global objectives. Richard Gowan, the UN director of the International Crisis Group, suggests that the situation within the United Nations is increasingly challenging due to rising tensions among major powers.

The Dominant Narrative

Amidst the absenteeism of these four leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is poised to capture increased attention as the Ukrainian conflict enters its 19th month with no resolution in sight. The stances of both Biden and Zelenskyy on matters concerning Ukraine, China, and Russia will be keenly observed.

Guterres points out the difficulties of maintaining a broad focus beyond Ukraine, given the existing divisions among global powers and the increasing multipolarity that complicates the United Nations’ foundational mission of fostering global peace and security.

In sum, this year’s General Assembly takes place at a time when the need for collaborative, real-world solutions has never been more pressing. Yet, the limitations of existing multilateral institutions necessitate reforms to better reflect the realities of the current global landscape.

Contributions to this report were made by Aamer Madhani. Chief U.N. correspondent for the AP, Edith M. Lederer, has more than five decades of experience in covering international affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about United Nations General Assembly

More about United Nations General Assembly

• United Nations General Assembly Official Website
• Understanding Ukraine Conflict: A Comprehensive Guide
• Overview of UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• Antonio Guterres’ Statements and Press Releases
• Information on the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council
• Recent Developments in International Diplomacy
• Climate Change and Global Goals: A Critical Examination
• Comprehensive Review of Pandemic Prevention Measures
• Global Inequality: Current Status and Future Directions
• Report on Global Food Prices and Hunger