World leaders from nearly every corner of the globe converged at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week for the landmark 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a gathering that unfolded against a backdrop of global upheaval. With wars raging, poverty entrenched, human rights under threat, and the climate crisis intensifying, the mood was anything but celebratory, despite the session’s hopeful theme: “Better Together: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
According to UN News, representatives from all 193 UN Member States participated in the session, which began on September 24, 2025, drawing nearly 150 heads of state, government leaders, and senior delegates from international and regional organizations. The sheer scale of attendance was a testament to the gravity of the moment—and the enduring, if sometimes beleaguered, centrality of the United Nations in world affairs.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the proceedings with a report that struck both a warning and a call to action. As reported by UN News, Guterres noted, “The world is moving towards multipolarity,” cautioning that only a robust multilateral system could prevent the kind of missteps that led to the First World War. He described the UN as a “moral compass—a force for peace, defender of international law, promoter of sustainable development, protector of human rights, and a body that turns global commitments into concrete actions.”
Guterres laid out five key choices for the international community. First, he insisted, peace must be grounded in international law. Second, the safeguarding of human rights and dignity requires implementing international commitments—especially mobilizing resources and reforming the global financial system to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Third, he pressed for climate justice and action through a just and sustainable energy transition, with green finance at the forefront. Fourth, he called on nations to harness advanced technologies and artificial intelligence for the benefit of all. Finally, he argued for a more inclusive, transparent, and modern UN, referencing the UN80 Initiative and forthcoming budget revisions aimed at enhancing accountability and efficiency.
UNGA 80 President Annalena Baerbock, as noted in the official session records, commended the organization’s achievements over the past eight decades. She reaffirmed the UN’s central role in the multilateral system and highlighted the importance of compliance with the UN Charter. Baerbock also used her platform to advocate for gender equality, notably calling for the appointment of the first female UN Secretary-General—a move that drew applause from many quarters.
Yet, the unity projected by the session’s theme was quickly tested by the divergent perspectives of world leaders. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaking immediately after the opening session, urged a reset of international priorities. According to The New York Times, Lula argued for “reducing military spending while boosting financial resources for sustainable development.” He warned, “There is a clear parallel between the crisis of multilateralism and the weakening of democracy. Authoritarianism strengthens when we do not act against arbitrary acts, when the international society falters in defending peace, sovereignty, and the rule of law. The consequences are tragic.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in his general debate speech, reflected on his nation’s postwar legacy. As reported by Kyodo News, Ishiba stated, “Japan has done all it can to achieve lasting peace in the world since the end of World War II 80 years ago.” Addressing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, he warned that “Japan would take new measures if Israel shuts the door on a two-state solution with Palestine,” and called for restraint. Ishiba emphasized the necessity of confronting history, indicating his intent to issue a commemorative statement reviewing Japan’s actions leading up to the war’s end.
But it was the speech by U.S. President Donald Trump that most starkly illustrated the deep fissures running through the international system. According to El País, Trump delivered a scathing critique of European democracies, declaring that their greatest threat “does not come from Russia and China, but from within.” He lambasted Europe’s migration policies and efforts to combat climate change, calling them a “two-headed monster” that was destroying the continent. Trump’s speech, which stretched to 58 minutes—far beyond his allotted 15—was more political rally than policy address. He railed against illegal immigration, denounced political correctness, and dismissed green energy as a “scam.”
Trump also addressed recent developments regarding Palestine, suggesting that the recognition of Palestine by several countries amounted to “a prize for Hamas” and was “a huge mistake.” He acknowledged his earlier belief that the war in Ukraine would be easy to resolve given his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, admitting, “it has not been the case.” In a rare nod to the UN’s mission, Trump reiterated his “100% support for the UN” after meetings with Secretary-General Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stating that the organization does “a fantastic job of peacekeeping.”
Reactions to Trump’s remarks were swift and varied. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, were seen on camera reacting with visible discomfort as Trump criticized Europe for continuing to buy oil from Russia and failing to impose full sanctions on India and China. Trump’s tone—combative, nationalistic, and skeptical of international cooperation—stood in sharp contrast to the session’s theme of solidarity and shared action.
The session also highlighted the shifting dynamics within the UN itself. As reported by The New York Times, countries like China and Cuba are pushing to limit investigations into human rights abuses, while others, such as Qatar and Rwanda, are offering to host UN agencies to cut costs. Russia has proposed reducing the intervention time of human rights defense groups, and China is maneuvering to secure leadership roles in technical UN committees—moves that underscore the growing competition for influence within the organization.
Despite these tensions, the 80th session reaffirmed the UN’s role as the world’s premier forum for dialogue, debate, and, at least in principle, collective action. Calls for reform were widespread, with leaders urging stronger international cooperation, greater financial mobilization—especially for green finance—and joint efforts to advance scientific and technological progress.
As the week’s debates drew to a close, the sense was unmistakable: the challenges facing the global community are unprecedented, but so too is the opportunity for renewal. Whether the world’s leaders can seize that opportunity—setting aside differences to work for peace, development, and human rights—remains an open question, but the urgency has never been clearer.
