This week the General Debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened, with one leader’s speech after another. We look back at a week in which AI governance, the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, and UN reform were major focal points, through the headlines.
“I want to raise the abduction issue and the need for UN reform”: Prime Minister Takaichi leaves for the US ahead of the UN General Assembly; a meeting with President Trump is also planned, possibly to align views on China
From the editors: This article conveys the stance Japan’s prime minister takes into the General Assembly’s General Debate. UN reform is cited alongside the abduction issue, and attention focused on what Japan would appeal for in a multilateral forum.
Guterres, in his final General Assembly address, calls for AI regulation and UN reform | Infoseek News
From the editors: The article reports that in his last General Assembly speech as Secretary-General, he called for AI regulation and UN reform. It is a headline that reminds us once again that the UN system itself, which supports the front lines of international cooperation, is being called into question.
UN expert panel sounds the alarm over “doomsday” talk about AI risks
From the editors: The UN expert panel seems to have raised a pointed question about how AI risks are discussed. As civil society, we also want to watch whether the technology debate is open to everyone, including people in developing countries.
Macron warns of a world reverting to “the law of the strong,” urges respect for international law and the UN Charter (AFP-Jiji)
From the editors: This is a speech calling for respect for international law and the UN Charter. For NGOs working in conflict zones, whether international humanitarian law is upheld is a matter directly tied to the safety of their work.
Zelensky says Russia will also face “a hard winter” without a ceasefire, urges stronger diplomacy at the UN
From the editors: The article reports that he called for stronger diplomacy at the UN. With winter approaching, the need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine grows, so the movements of aid organizations deserve attention.
Some 80 countries issue joint statement at the UN demanding reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, condemning Iran and the Houthis
From the editors: The headline says about 80 countries called for the resumption of maritime traffic. Disruptions to logistics and energy readily affect people’s lives in developing countries through food prices and other channels.
Many delegates walk out of Netanyahu’s UN speech, calling him a “moral coward”
From the editors: The article reports that many delegates walked out during the speech. It seems to be a scene that clearly showed the divisions in the international community over the situation in the Middle East.
UN fails to agree on declaration on infectious diseases; US and EU opposed
From the editors: The article reports that a UN declaration on infectious diseases failed to reach agreement. For NGOs working in the health field, this is news to watch closely for what happens next with the framework for international cooperation.
Argentine president criticizes the UN in his UN speech, calling it a “useless organization” that only fattens an arrogant parasitic class (AFP-Jiji)
From the editors: There was also a speech that harshly criticized the UN itself. Whether one agrees or not, it is a development worth noting for understanding how the role and legitimacy of the UN are treated in each country’s politics.
High school students perform calligraphy at a shrine praying for peace and disaster-area recovery, timed with the UN’s “World Peace Day” (Okayama)
From the editors: This is an initiative by high school students in Okayama timed with the UN’s International Day of Peace. It is one form of citizen-level international cooperation that connects an international commemorative day to local, everyday activities.
Headlines belong to the respective news outlets and sources (copyright remains with each). Please read the full articles at the linked pages. The “From the editors” comments were written by the NGO Network Japan editorial team based on the headlines.