Trump Returns to the Spotlight at U.N. General Assembly

This week, global decision-makers convene in New York for a United Nations General Assembly that is brimming with salient issues and critical discussions. This gathering is marked notably by the re-emergence of U.S. President Donald Trump onto the public stage, tension-fraught situations in Gaza and Ukraine, increasing acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood by Western nations, and escalating nuclear-related concerns with Iran.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set the tone stating, ‘We find ourselves navigating seas rougher than ever before.’ Inked into the week-long itinerary are discussions and orations from close to 150 leaders of states or governments and numerous other ministers from its 193-member nations. Guterres highlighted the multitude of challenges facing the international community, from an expanding geopolitical divide and strife-ridden territories to mounting climate dissent and weakening global partnerships.

Undeniably at the forefront of discussions at this year’s 80th General Assembly is Trump, who once proposed a sharp cutback in U.S. contributions to the U.N. He ended American involvement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and also halted financial assistance to the Palestinian aid organization UNRWA and the U.N’s cultural entity, UNESCO. Furthermore, Trump has indicated plans to withdraw the U.S. from both the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization.

While acknowledging the U.N.’s ‘tremendous potential,’ Trump emphasized the need for the organization to adopt reforms. His cautious regard toward international consortiums, a defining trait during his first term (2017-2021), remains quite prominent. Trump also criticized the U.N. for not assisting his peace-brokering efforts in ongoing global quarrels.

“The U.N. has impressive peace mediation endeavors … yet we lack persuasive measures,” remarked Guterres. He emphasized that the U.N. Security Council, the only branch authorized to sanction, has unfortunately been stuck in a stalemate over issues in Gaza and Ukraine because of the veto ability of U.S. and Russia.

Guterres posits that the United States, possessing both persuasion and coercive powers, could work in tandem with the U.N. to induce potentially successful peace negotiations. As he succinctly stated, ‘The combination of these two powers could be an effective path to ensure progress in peace processes.’

Guterres and Trump are likely to officially meet for the first time since Trump resumed his presidency at the beginning of this year. This encounter will occur amidst the escalating Israeli-Hamas warfare in the Gaza Strip that now approaches its two-year anniversary. The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian region is deteriorating, and a global famine watchlist warns of the potential spread of hunger by month’s end.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to deliver his address to the General Assembly at the end of the week. In preparation for the plenary sessions starting on Tuesday, a congregation of world leaders will hold meetings on Monday. The summit’s objective is to invigorate discussions on the two-state resolution, regarding Israel and Palestine.

However, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won’t be attending these dialogues physically. Instead, he will provide his input remotely. Another pivotal matter on the U.N. agenda is the enduring conflict in Ukraine initiated over three years ago by Russia.

The General Assembly will receive addresses from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who usually does not attend the perennial U.N. session, will not be making any special exceptions this year

The U.N. Security Council, whose role pivots around ensuring global peace and security, plans to conduct meetings on both the matters of Ukraine and Gaza during this high-impact General Assembly session. The Security Council’s discussions are expected to be deeply reflective of the palpable tensions present in the global climate.

Announced plans for urgent diplomacy concerning Iran’s nuclear program are also expected to occur in New York as a response to Iran’s attempts to avert the reinstatement of all U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran by the date of September 28th. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are anticipated attendees at the United Nations.