UN General Assembly Keynote Speech Opens... World Leaders Gather in New York After 3 Years

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Leaders from around the world, facing unprecedented complex challenges such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, global inflation, and economic slowdown concerns, have gathered in New York for the first time in three years to attend the United Nations General Assembly, often called the "Super Bowl of Diplomacy."

The UN began the high-level week, the highlight of the 77th UN General Assembly, at its New York headquarters on the 20th (local time). Through the General Debate, which runs until the 26th, heads of state, prime ministers, ministers, and other top officials from UN member countries will deliver keynote speeches representing their nations.

The General Debate is a time when no specific theme is set, and leaders express their opinions on current issues and concerns. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, speeches and meetings were held virtually, but this year, in-person sessions have resumed. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is granted a special exception to participate via virtual speech this year.

By tradition, the Brazilian representative is the first speaker during the General Debate. Previously, no country wanted to be the first to speak, so Brazil volunteered, which has since become customary. Following this, the President of the United States, where the UN headquarters is located, usually speaks second, but this year the order has changed. President Joe Biden will speak on the 21st, a day later than scheduled, due to his attendance at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in London, UK, the previous day.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the UN General Assembly for the first time, will deliver his speech as the 10th speaker in the morning session. President Yoon is expected to deliver a message themed on freedom and solidarity.

The speaking order during the General Debate is assigned in the sequence of heads of state (presidents or monarchs), heads of government (prime ministers), vice presidents, deputy prime ministers, crown princes, and foreign ministers. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to speak 15th in the afternoon session on the same day. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are also listed as speakers on the first day.

In the case of China, where Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi will attend instead of President Xi Jinping, the speech is scheduled for the penultimate day, the 24th. North Korea's turn is on the last day of the General Debate, the 26th. Ambassador Kim Song to the UN is expected to speak, as last year. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not attend this General Assembly.

The main topic of this year's UN General Assembly is undoubtedly the Ukraine crisis. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the ongoing war continues to impact global security and the economy. Leaders of NATO member countries, including the United States, are expected to sharply criticize Russia, citing the global security instability and negative economic effects caused by the Ukraine crisis. Recently, the US-China rivalry for hegemony has expanded into an anti-American bloc including Russia.

Additionally, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights, and the food crisis are also expected to be major topics.

UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, in his speech on the first day of the General Debate at the UN headquarters in New York, said, "The world is in great distress. Divisions are deepening, and inequality is growing," warning of food and energy crises caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Secretary-General Guterres first addressed the food issues caused by the war, stating, "There is enough food this year, but distribution is the problem. If the fertilizer market does not stabilize, next year's problem will be food supply itself." He added, "It is essential to remove all remaining barriers to Russian fertilizer exports," warning, "If we do not act now, the global fertilizer shortage will spread to a global food shortage."

On the same day, Secretary-General Guterres diagnosed the current situation as "living costs soaring, trust collapsing, inequality exploding, and people getting hurt" due to the war, saying, "We are stuck in a massive malfunction of the international community." He also criticized multilateral forums like the Group of Twenty (G20) for being "trapped in the snare of geopolitical division." He presented the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and officially requested the imposition of a windfall tax.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.