New York: Europe and the Arabs
Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly opened its annual high-level general debate, preceded by a speech by the Secretary-General in which he reviews the various situations in the world and the work of the United Nations, before the President of the General Assembly opens the debate for world leaders to deliver their speeches.
In numbers, this year, 76 heads of state, 4 vice presidents, 2 crown princes, 42 heads of government, 9 vice heads of government, 54 ministers, a deputy minister, and 6 representatives of countries are scheduled to speak during the general debate, which will be held between September 24 and 30. Of the 194 speakers, only 19 are women.
Morocco.
Aziz Akhannouch, head of the Moroccan government, confirmed that his country is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter. He stressed Morocco's commitment to reaching a final political solution to the conflict over Western Sahara "on the basis of the autonomy initiative exclusively and within the framework of the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the Kingdom."
He said that "the firm and growing support of many countries for Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and for the Moroccan initiative for autonomy constitutes a clear message to other parties and to the United Nations that the time has come to move towards a political solution on this basis through a series of roundtables and in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council."
Bahrain
The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said that the systems designed to support the international order are under pressure 80 years after their formation, adding that as the threats and challenges facing humanity collectively evolve, the United Nations "must evolve as well."
Prince Salman said that his country supports calls for reforming the United Nations to ensure that it reflects "current geopolitical realities," adding that this reform must be comprehensive and driven by consensus, and include all decision-making bodies, including the Security Council.
Security Council and High-level Meeting on Ukraine
On the first day of the General Assembly's high-level general debate, the United Nations Security Council held a high-level meeting on Ukraine in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said civilians continue to pay the price for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which “clearly violates” the UN Charter’s stipulation that all states must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or independence of any state, and that international disputes must be settled by peaceful means.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need for the international community to immediately end the violence and establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and put an end to what he described as Israel’s “desperate barbarism” in Lebanon before it spreads to the entire region and the world.

He said that “Israel has been defeated in Gaza and no amount of barbaric violence will restore the myth of its invincibility.” He added that Israel’s “blind state terrorism” in Lebanon in recent days cannot go unanswered.
On his country’s relations with the international community, he said that the opportunity is available to enter a new era that begins with acknowledging Iran’s security concerns and cooperating on common challenges. In order to build a better world, Pezeshkian said that Iran stands ready to strengthen meaningful economic, social, political and security partnerships with world powers and its neighbors on the basis of equality.

Qatar.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said that the ongoing “brutal war” in Gaza fired a “mercy bullet” at international legitimacy and caused serious damage to “the credibility of the concepts on which the international community was founded after the Second World War.”
He added that the war in Gaza “is not a war in the known and common concept of war in international relations, but rather a crime of genocide with the latest weapons against a people besieged in a concentration camp from which there is no escape.”
Sheikh Tamim explained that the victims, including children and women, are suffering in a way that cannot be ignored, and continued: “We oppose violence and attacks on innocent civilians by any party, but after a year of war and with all that has been committed in it, it is no longer possible to talk about Israel’s right to defend itself in this context without getting involved in justifying the crime.”

South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the violence against the Palestinian people was “a grim continuation of more than half a century of apartheid perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people”. He added that 11 months after the Hamas attack, which his country condemned, Israel was still imposing “collective punishment” on the people of Gaza, adding that “the suffering of the people of Gaza continues unabated”.

“We South Africans know what apartheid looks like. We lived apartheid. We suffered and died under apartheid. We will not stand by and watch apartheid being perpetrated against others”, he added.

Jordan
The United Nations is facing a crisis that “strikes at the core of its legitimacy, threatening to undermine global trust and moral authority”, Jordanian King Abdullah II warned, referring to the growing crises that are threatening international peace and security.

“The United Nations is under attack, both physically and mentally. For nearly a year, the blue UN flag flying over shelters and schools in Gaza has failed to protect innocent civilians from Israeli military bombardment,” he said.

King Abdullah said UN aid trucks stand idle, just miles away from starving Palestinians, noting that “humanitarian aid workers who proudly carry the logo of this institution are being targeted and attacked, and the decisions of the International Court of Justice are being defied and its opinions ignored.”

Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Israel’s stance had once again shown that it was necessary for the international community to develop a mechanism to protect Palestinian civilians. “In an environment where Security Council Resolution 2735 is not being implemented, coercive measures against Israel should be on the agenda,” he added.

Erdogan said: “Just as the coalition of humanity stopped Hitler 70 years ago, the coalition of humanity must stop (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu and his murder network. We believe that the General Assembly’s authority to make recommendations on the use of force, as found in the 1950 Uniting for Peace resolution, should certainly be taken into account in this process.” United States
US President Joe Biden said his country is determined to prevent a wider war in the Middle East that “engulfs the entire region,” adding that a diplomatic solution between Lebanon and Israel remains “the only path to lasting security and to allow the people of both countries to return to their homes on the border safely.”
He told the General Assembly that he faced a difficult decision over the summer about whether to run for a second term, adding: “As much as I love my job, I love my country even more. I have decided, after 50 years of public service, that it is time for a new generation of leadership to lead my country forward. My fellow leaders, let us never forget that some things are more important than staying in power. They are your people.”
President of the General Assembly.
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang, called for joint action “for the peace and well-being of our citizens.” He stressed the need not to divert essential resources to military stockpiles, “fueling an arms race not seen since the Cold War era.”
In his remarks, he renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the unconditional release of all hostages, and for all parties to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.
Secretary-General
In his annual address on the work of the United Nations, the Secretary-General assessed the world’s most pressing challenges, stressing the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to address impunity, worsening inequality and rising uncertainty.
The Secretary-General spoke about situations around the world, including in Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan, and the challenges associated with climate change, artificial intelligence and discrimination against women. He called for action to advance justice and address inequality.