Over 140 world leaders will meet at the United Nations amid global crises, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeking support against Russia’s invasion. At the same time, divisions and geopolitical tensions threaten to overshadow the assembly’s efforts to address pressing challenges, including climate change, conflict escalation, and rising inequality.
More than 140 world leaders will head to the United Nations next week at a time of myriad crises, as a starring role for Ukraine’s leader may only highlight the growing global fragmentation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who a year ago was obliged to appear virtually, will join leaders, including President Joe Biden, when the UN General Assembly formally opens Tuesday as he seeks to rally support against Russia’s bloody invasion.
But while Western powers have rallied behind Ukraine, the war has laid bare deep divisions, with some developing countries uneasy about the billions of dollars devoted to Kyiv, even as the war also affects people experiencing poverty by driving up food prices.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will kick off the week on Monday with a summit on development, hoping to keep a focus on meeting elusive goals for helping the neediest countries.
“We will be gathering at a time when humanity faces huge challenges, from the worsening climate emergency to escalating conflicts, the global cost-of-living crisis, soaring inequalities, and dramatic technological disruptions,” Guterres said of the General Assembly.
“A multipolar world is emerging. Multipolarity can be a factor of equilibrium. But it can also lead to escalating tensions, fragmentation, and worse.”
Zelensky is expected Wednesday to attend a special session on Ukraine at the Security Council, raising the possibility of a dramatic confrontation with Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member.
Despite the starring role, Zelensky “has to tread carefully,” said Richard Gowan, an expert on the United Nations at the International Crisis Group.
“If he’s too hardline, he may actually turn this opportunity into a bit of a diplomatic crisis,” he said.
An overwhelming majority of countries have voted to condemn Russia’s invasion launched in February 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who rarely come to the United Nations, will again miss this year’s edition.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
