Heads of state and government and dignitaries from over 140 countries have convened in New York City for the 79th UN General Assembly amid the tumult and chaos that has gripped the world, with conflict and war rearing in seemingly every corner.
The annual meeting got off to a start on September 10, 2024, under the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.’ The UNGA79 will come to an end on September 30, 2024.
Meanwhile, Israel rains firepower on Lebanon and as Palestinians remain voiceless, China conducts inter-continental ballistic missile test in the increasingly tense South China Sea, the Sahel wrangles with waves of coups, Sudan’s deadly war shows no signs of slowing down, Egypt delivers arms to Somalia, and the Russia-Ukraine war threatens to turn into the Russia-NATO war.
No wonder then that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the state of the world as “unsustainable.”
“Working together we can find solutions. That requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems. It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions,” he said while opening the general debate.
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Philemon Yang, president of the 79th UNGA session, echoed the sentiments and called for an immediate ceasefire in all conflict settings.
The ongoing general debate is characterized by an unusual level of division among world leaders, with little coming in the way of consensus for solutions towards ending the global governance vacuum that is birthing conflicts across continents.
There was, however, overwhelming support for the condemnation of Israel’s continued attacks and complete undermining of human rights in Palestine. Of the African nations in attendance, only Malawi saw fit to side with Israel. Kamuzu Banda, a former leader of Malawi, reportedly enjoys a special relationship with Israel.
South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, on the other hand, did not mince words when condemning Israel’s actions. He equated its acts and policies with the system of apartheid that ruled South Africa until the 1990s.
“We South Africans know what apartheid looks like and we will not remain silent and watch as apartheid is perpetrated against others in Gaza; as Israel continues its collective punishment of the Palestinians,” said Ramaphosa.
He called for the support and endorsement of South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“The torment of the people of Gaza continues unabated. More than 40, 000 Palestinians have been killed. Homes, hospitals and schools lie destroyed. Famine and disease stalk the streets. This cannot but shock our collective humanity. The violence the Palestinian people are being subjected to is a grim continuation of more than half a century of apartheid. The only lasting solution is the establishment of a Palestinian State that will exist side by side with Israel with East Jerusalem as its capital,” said Ramaphosa.
His comments were well received by the first-ever Palestinian delegation to the UNGA, which attended with observer status.
Ramaphosa made similarly strong and direct statements about the conflicts raging elsewhere on the globe.
“Our moral conscience further demands that we exert every effort to bring peace to the DRC, to Sudan, to Yemen, to Ukraine and to the troubled Sahel region. We must realize the aspirations of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination,” he said.
The ANC leader called for reforms to the UN Security Council.
“It must become more inclusive so that the voices of all nations can be heard and considered. International law cannot be applied selectively. No one state is more equal than any other,” said Ramaphosa.
Making his last speech to the UNGA as US President, Joe Biden defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. He argued that Israel has the right to “defend itself” but also called for de-escalation.
The President also spoke about the need for multilateral solutions to solve global crises, and to uphold international principles and norms, including those enshrined in the Charter of the UN.
Despite Washington’s position, several countries condemned Israel’s actions. The leaders of Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Colombia, South Africa and the Maldives were among the strongest voices.
The Emir of Qatar said those still defending Israel’s right to self-defense were “complicit.”
Many denounced the UN Security Council’s inaction over the war on Gaza and underscored the urgent need for its reform, with the leaders of Sierra Leone calling for two veto-carrying permanent seats for African nations.
A few weeks ago, Linda Thomas Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN, stated that Washington is in favor of granting Africa two non-permanent seats on the Council. Many have criticized the comments as a half-hearted ruse to shore up support from black voters in the upcoming US election.
Ethiopia’s delegation to the assembly includes Foreign Minister Taye Atskeselassie, Education Minister Berhanu Nega (Prof.), Science and Technology Minister Belete Mola, Health Minister Mekdes Daba and new Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Nebiat Getachew. PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD), did not attend the UNGA.
Taye, who served as Ethiopia’s permanent representative to the UN before taking the helm at the Ministry, is an expert in the culture of UN systems. He seems to be more focused on bilateral dialogues with delegates from other countries at side events. The Minister has conducted these meetings with counterparts from China, Algeria, and South Sudan, as well as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Building & Political Affairs and Assistant Secretary for African Affairs of the US State Department on the margins of UNGA 79.
While addressing the assembly, Taye reiterated the need to reform the UNSC and grant Africa better representation.
He noted that Africa is the only regional group without a permanent seat on the Council. The Minister characterized this as the missing puzzle piece for multilateralism and collective security. UNSC reform should address years of dashed hopes and aspirations for equality, Taye stressed.
The Ethiopian delegation’s main purpose, however, was to participate in the Summit of The Future Interactive Dialogue.
Pact of the Future
The two-day Summit of the Future concluded this week as part of the assembly. It focused on the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.
World leaders have also endorsed the Pact of the Future, which charts the course for a better future for global governance and towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This year, the urgency of our task cannot be overstated. Countries are falling behind in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With just five years to go, less than 18 percent have been met. Meanwhile, the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but here now, ravaging ecosystems and dismantling the livelihoods of entire communities,” said Philemon Yang during the summit.
The preamble of the Pact of The Future, a lengthy document approved by this summit, makes mention of profound global transformation and existential risks.
“If we do not change course, we risk tipping into a future of persistent crisis and breakdown. We believe that there is a path to a brighter future for all of humanity, including those living in poverty and vulnerable situations. This will require a recommitment to international cooperation based on respect for international law, without which we can neither manage the risks nor seize the opportunities that we face. This is not an option but a necessity,” it reads.
The Pact of the Future prioritizes international peace and security, sustainable development and financing for development, science and technology innovation, digital cooperation, as well as reforms in global governance.
The Pact is particularly concerned with the “increasing and diverse threats to international peace and security”, which it says include the “growing risks of a nuclear war.” It calls for a redoubling of efforts to end impunity and ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
It urges most developed countries to live up to their commitment to commit up to 0.9 percent of gross national income towards official development assistance and assistance to least developed countries. The Pact also calls for improved assistance to countries in debt distress in managing volatility in international food markets.
It criticizes the “slow pace of progress” in addressing climate change, and calls for the implementation of universal coverage under a multi-hazard early warning system by 2027.
All in all, the Pact of the Future covers close to 70 major global targets under four major pillars: SDGs, peace and security, global governance, and science, technology and innovation.
“It seems Guterres wanted to leave behind his own legacy, by launching it before his term ends,” says Constantinos Berhutesfa (PhD), a former AU and UN official who has been closely following the assembly.
“I don’t think the Pact of the Future is very different from the SDGs. Under the current world context and situations, which are highly divided and polarized, it is impossible for world leaders to come to one table and reach a consensus,” argues Constantinos.
He observes the US-led world order that has reigned supreme since the end of the Second World War, and particularly following the Cold War, has come under threat from a new global south bloc led by China and Russia.
The new bloc is moving to expand multilateralism outside of the US and Europe-led venues, such as the UN, and Washington does not want to lose its position in global politics, argues Constantinos.
“I do not expect any new major decision or outcome from this UNGA summit. One of the slight changes we’ll probably see is that the global tone is down to denounce Ukraine. Instead, more and more nations have denounced Israel during this summit,” he said.
Constantinos foresees granting Africa seats on the UNSC will hardly have an impact in a world where ‘might makes right.’
“They are promising a lot for Africa. Whatever number of seats and veto power Africa might have in the UNSC, it will not be helpful for Africa. Even to execute its veto power, a nation needs power. For instance it is usually the US who exercises its veto power. This is because America has the power. Even if Africa has the veto power and stands against the US, it will be America that uses its power. America invaded Iraq without UNSC approval. Still, UNSC membership is a pivotal power center in global governance,” he said
Constantinos notes that several conflicts continue unabated in Africa and beyond because the UNSC does not act. In Africa, war and crises are tearing through Sudan, Libya, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
He observes increased involvement by foreign mercenary groups, while Egypt’s military aid to Somalia threatens to spark another conflict in the Horn.
Outside of Africa, Constantinos notes tensions in the South China Sea involving Taiwan and the US Navy, while Israel steps up its military offensive in Lebanon.
“Under all these conflicts ravaging the world, I am highly skeptical that the Summit of The Future will bring any positive change,” he said.
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