The United Nations is celebrating its 75th anniversary, celebrating the mantra that “multilateralism is not a choice, it is a necessity” – despite the fragility of international cooperation in the coronavirus epidemic.
The anniversary began on Monday at the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) of the Global Body, where leaders and delegates from around 200 countries usually meet collectively to hear about world problems and to provide a number of solutions.
Instead, with COVID-19 still restricting global movement, only one representative from each of the 193 UN members would be allowed, and only one already in the United States.
Everyone else, including at least 160 heads of state, must attend via videoconference.
Here are the latest updates:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly is going viral. [Eskinder Debebe/UN Handout via EPA]
20:00 GMT – What is the value of the United States in the UN?
Although the United States has played a key role in the foundation of the United Nations, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s acceptance of it is a “temporary touch” and will, said PJ Crowley, the former assistant secretary of state for public affairs. Go back to a more traditional foreign policy that goes forward.
“This is one of the fundamental differences between Democratic regimes that believe in multilateralism and Republican regimes, which see multilateralism as a barrier,” Crowley told Al Jazeera from his home in Alexandria, Virginia.
“If we look at the Biden administration, we are going to revive America’s traditional approach to the United Nations. However, the background is clearly a significant conflict with Russia and significant competition with China.
So in terms of a well-functioning Security Council – even though the Biden administration is more structured in its approach – it is clear how important these key power ties play in moving the UN forward. “
19:00 GMT – President Ghani says Afghanistan faces many chaos
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has highlighted five “drivers of chaos” his country is dealing with at once.
These include the coronavirus epidemic, the extraordinary war, global terrorism, climate change and the unprecedented eruption of inequality.
“Despite the many challenges we face, we have a clear and urgent priority, and that is a ceasefire,” he said.
“I want this opportunity to call on every member of the General Assembly and the P5 to assist us in achieving the ultimate status of sovereign, united and democratic Afghanistan with peace in the region itself.”
“How our collective will for a democratically stable and prosperous Afghanistan can overcome the confusion and uncertainty that defines our world today,” he said.
18:35 GMT – The Venezuelan leader has invited the United Nations to oversee the election
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has invited the United Nations to oversee his upcoming national elections.
“We invite the Secretary-General of the United Nations to send a technical commission along with the electoral process for a new parliament and a new national assembly. December 6, “Maduro said in a record speech played at UN headquarters.
“You can trust Venezuela,” he said. “We have built that new world without empires, without domination over our people. The 21st century belongs to our people. Long live the United Nations system. Our organization has been here for 75 years.”
17:50 GMT – ‘We are responsible for each other’: President of the European Council
Charles Mitchell, President of the European Council, urged the international community to look to the future and imagine what the world would be like for decades if no action was taken to address its many problems.
“Has the vast land really become habitable for the human race? Will great forests be preserved? Is access to water guaranteed, or will it be a source of conflict or lead to wars? Mitchell said in a speech marking the 75th anniversary of the UN.
“Above all, will the struggle against every human dignity, personal freedom, and all forms of discrimination be weaker or stronger? “
He said. “ Intelligence and empathy “together are the force of positive change between nations.
“Today I am renewing the pledge of multilateralism on behalf of the European Union … our speeches are not enough. “
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US re-imposes sanctions on Iran, world disagrees | Inside Story |
17:30 GMT – Trump defies UN sanctions on Iran
President Donald Trump has said he is imposing sanctions on Iranians for violating the UN arms embargo and has demanded that US allies enforce it.
Trump’s contempt comes on the same day that the United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary with calls for greater international cooperation with the virtual summit.
The Trump administration says it is imposing sanctions on 27 individuals and organizations under a UN resolution, including the Iranian Ministry of Defense, its nuclear energy company and Venezuelan left-wing leader Nicolas Maduro.
17:00 GMT – Macron of France calls UN ‘collapsing’ foundations
Citing climate change and citing the coronavirus epidemic, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for nations to work together again.
Macron lamented the state of the United Nations: “Our partner house is in chaos, our foundations are breaking.”
“Connection wars, the use of chemical weapons and mass detention are all taking place without punishment, “he said.” Our international system is being held hostage by rivals. It is weakened by its inability to prosecute the individuals responsible for this abuse. “
James Base of Al Jazeera said that Macron was focused on the multilateralism of his foreign policy, “trying to bring the world together again.”
Live: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Tani #UNGA Addressed on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the UN.
Follow the latest updates: https://t.co/CW0aMZnZyB https://t.co/DRfNLzCfu3
– Al Jazeera News (JAJENews) September 21, 2020
16:15 GMT – The ruler of Qatar reiterates the country’s commitment to multilateralism
In the recorded video message, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al He reiterated his country’s commitment to work with and support the UN to “achieve the desired goals”.
“We reaffirm Qatar’s firm position in supporting and formulating the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter,” Sheikh Tamim said.
“We emphasize the need to implement the political declaration adopted today by promoting multilateralism and prevention diplomacy, respecting the sovereignty of the states and treating them equally, and resolutely addressing the use of force in international relations … [and] Finding solutions to long-standing crises and conflicts based on international law. “
Live: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the gathering #UNGA Address marking the 75th anniversary of the UN
Follow the latest updates: https://t.co/CW0aMZnZyB https://t.co/0HKDdlFvcD
– Al Jazeera News (JAJENews) September 21, 2020
16:00 GMT – Turkish president calls for Security Council reform
Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for an “equal representative” for the UN Security Council (UNSC).
“In order to strengthen the UN system, we must first reform the Security Council,” Erdogan said, adding that the current structure of leaving seven billion people at the mercy of five permanent members of the Council was “not fair” but “sustainable”.
“We cannot overcome today’s challenges through structures designed for the needs of the previous century,” he said.
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UNGA75 keeps world leaders at home to go virtually like COVID-19 |
15:00 GMT – Trump will address the UNGA on Tuesday
US President Donald Trump did not address the UN’s 75th anniversary event in a pre – recorded video on Monday.
Trump is listed as the first speaker on the UN agenda of member states for the event. Instead, U.S. Acting Deputy Representative to the UN Chert Norman Chalet spoke in the General Assembly Hall.
“For the Trump administration, this anniversary is an important moment to recognize the many achievements of the United Nations, but with clear eyes and with a new determination to fulfill the purpose for which this important organization has served,” she said.
Al Jazeera’s diplomatic correspondent James Base said Trump’s “eyebrows were raised” due to the lack of an address.
“People are asking whether this is a deliberate snob or an indication of how important the UN is to its priority list,” he said, speaking from outside the UN headquarters in New York.
14:00 GMT – UN chief calls for international cooperation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for more international cooperation in the face of global challenges at an event marking the 75th anniversary of the World Body.
“Today we have a surplus of multilateral challenges and a deficit of multilateral solutions,” Guterres said.
“Climate disaster is looming; biodiversity is collapsing; poverty is rising again; hatred is spreading; geopolitical tensions are rising … and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought global vulnerabilities. We can tackle them together.”
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