The United Nations General Assembly is a bustling stage for global leaders, and this year proved no exception, marked by urgent calls for aid, shifting geopolitical stances, and crucial debates on emerging threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an impassioned address, appealing for more military aid to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression. His speech, delivered on Wednesday, was underscored by stark warnings about the accelerating evolution of military technology, suggesting the world is entering an unprecedented era of arms race. He directly linked Russia’s invasion to this dangerous trend, stating, “We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history,” and asserted that only Russia was to blame. Zelensky also highlighted the threat posed by unchecked artificial intelligence, calling for immediate global regulations, as “a few years from now may be too late.” He argued that decisive action now, including providing weapons and applying pressure to end the conflict, would be “cheaper” for nations than the long-term costs of inaction, citing Ukraine’s need to protect children in underground bunkers and global ports needing defenses against advanced drones. This emphasis on military solutions starkly contrasted with the General Assembly’s traditional focus on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts. Zelensky further reinforced that international rules often fail, and a nation’s survival in wartime depends on “friends and weapons.”
Adding layers of complexity to the assembly’s agenda were the much-anticipated appearances by the presidents of Iran and Syria.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the assembly for the first time since a recent 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States. He condemned both nations, accusing them of a “great betrayal of diplomacy” through their attacks on Iran during ongoing negotiations with Washington. Pezeshkian also firmly stated Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear development, reiterating that the nation has “never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,” a stance echoed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. However, he criticized European countries for pursuing snapback sanctions via the Security Council, deeming it a measure that undermines diplomatic efforts. Iran’s appearance comes at a critical juncture, as it faces potential reimposed UN sanctions from Britain, France, and Germany if no breakthrough is achieved in nuclear negotiations. The country’s economy is already under strain, with its currency depreciating, and a full-scale meeting between Iran’s president and the U.S. president remains off the table, despite encouragement from some Iranian political figures to break a 47-year diplomatic taboo.
Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, made his global debut, the first Syrian leader to address the assembly since 1967. Having led opposition forces that toppled the Assad family, al-Shara is expected to outline his domestic policies on ethnic and tribal violence and foreign policies concerning Israel and the West. He previously expressed openness to a security agreement with Israel but cautioned against “heavy-handed policies” and “airspace violations and provocations” that risk regional expansion.
Beyond regional conflicts, two other pivotal global issues took center stage: artificial intelligence and climate change. The Security Council met to discuss AI’s potential threat to world peace, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres advocating for a global watchdog to regulate the technology. Concurrently, Guterres hosted a climate summit where member states prepared to present their 2035 emissions-reduction targets ahead of the COP30 conference in Brazil. European Union Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra affirmed that, despite former President Trump’s repudiation of climate action, the world is not slowing its efforts. He noted that other major economies continue to advance their greenhouse gas reduction goals, even as Europe navigates its own internal debates and complex dependencies, such as accelerating its ban on Russian liquefied natural gas while wary of China’s dominance in clean energy technologies.
Former President Trump’s own shifting stance on the Russia-Ukraine war was a significant talking point. After previously urging Ukraine to consider territorial concessions, Trump surprisingly declared that Ukraine could “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” citing Russia’s “BIG Economic trouble.” While Ukrainians expressed gratitude for this apparent U-turn, many remained cautious and skeptical, reflecting past inconsistencies in his pronouncements. Zelensky himself admitted to being “a little bit” surprised by the strength of Trump’s new position, and noted that Russia’s perceived dishonesty towards Trump might have influenced the change. Despite the shift, the long-term realism of Ukraine reclaiming all lost territory remains a subject of debate, with Ukrainian commanders acknowledging they are often outmanned and outgunned. The Ukrainian leader delivered his speech as tensions between Europe and Russia are high, after Russian fighter jets and drones entered the airspace of Romania, Poland and Estonia, three NATO members.
Meanwhile, Spain’s King Felipe VI, the first leader to speak, passionately defended the United Nations as “indefensible and irreplaceable.” He also drew attention to the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the famine, starvation, and forced displacement as “abhorrent acts that… shame the entire international community,” and emphasized Spain’s critical stance on Israel’s military conduct in the region.
The assembly served as a vivid demonstration of the interconnected and turbulent state of global affairs, with leaders grappling with ongoing conflicts, technological advancements, and existential environmental challenges.