Thu Sep 26 15:03:06 UTC 2024: ## World Leaders Sound Alarm at UN General Assembly Amidst Global Crises

The third day of the UN General Assembly’s annual high-level debate saw world leaders address multiple flashpoints and volatile crises in the Middle East and beyond. The escalating conflict in Palestine dominated discussions, with a wave of condemnation directed at Israel for its actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

**Palestine: Calls for Accountability and Ceasefire**

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, delivered a scathing indictment of Israel, accusing the country of carrying out a “full-scale war of genocide” in Gaza. He highlighted the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, with over 40,000 killed and thousands trapped under rubble. Abbas condemned the US for obstructing ceasefire resolutions at the Security Council and accused them of supplying Israel with weapons used to kill civilians. He demanded immediate sanctions against Israel and the return of all displaced Palestinians, warning that “we will not allow a single centimetre of Gaza to be taken.”

Several other leaders echoed calls for an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution, with many condemning Israel’s actions as “genocide” and expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Iraq, and Lebanon, along with the President of the European Council, joined in calling for an end to the violence and the release of hostages.

**Beyond Palestine: A Global Symphony of Crises**

Beyond the Middle East, leaders from various countries raised alarm over a multitude of pressing issues:

* **Sudan:** The Sudanese President, Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, blamed a group of rebels for the ongoing war in his country, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity, including ethnic cleansing and genocide. He called for the UN to shoulder its responsibility in protecting developing countries from external interference.
* **Yemen:** The Yemeni President, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, called for a “collective approach to support the Government of Yemen” and ensure implementation of resolutions prohibiting the flow of Iranian weapons. He criticized the Houthis for hijacking planes, attacking oil facilities, and issuing racist orders and laws, and urged the international community to take firm policies to push them towards peace.
* **Haiti:** The President of Haiti, Edgar Leblanc Fils, painted a grim picture of his country’s unprecedented security crisis, with people afraid to send their children to school. He called for the transformation of the current UN mission into a peacekeeping operation and for the implementation of just reparations for the country’s historical injustice.
* **Climate Change:** Leaders from small island developing states, including those from Fiji, Palau, and Mauritius, expressed deep concern over the existential threat of climate change, urging for swift action to reduce emissions and provide financial support for vulnerable nations.
* **Security Council Reform:** Many leaders called for comprehensive reform of the Security Council, highlighting its lack of representativeness and effectiveness in addressing contemporary global challenges. They specifically called for permanent seats for African countries, Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany.

**A Call for Multilateralism and Cooperation**

Overall, the General Assembly debate underscored the urgency of tackling global crises through collaborative action and multilateralism. Leaders urged the international community to strengthen the UN system, address inequality and financial imbalances, and promote diplomacy and dialogue over violence and conflict. While the road to a more peaceful and just world remains fraught with challenges, the collective call for action and collaboration offered a glimmer of hope for a better future.

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