UNITED NATIONS — The 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) commenced Tuesday against a backdrop of escalating global tensions and ongoing conflicts, with world leaders gathering to address pressing international issues. As the annual meeting opened, Thailand’s representative emphasized the need for political will to tackle global challenges.
Global Turmoil Sets Tone for Assembly
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his preview of the “State of the World” address, warned that the world is “heading off the rails” and requires decisive action to course-correct. He highlighted the proliferation of conflicts, threats to global security, widening inequalities, and the urgent need to address climate change.
This global situation is becoming intolerable and unsustainable. He stressed the need for “tough decisions” to get the world back on track, underlining the gravity of the current global situation.
“We can’t go on like this,” the secretary-general said in an alarming state-of-the-world address as he opened the annual high-level gathering of the U.N.’s 193 member nations.
Guterres said the world is in “an era of epic transformation” facing challenges never seen before, with geopolitical divisions deepening, the planet heating and wars raging in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere with no clue how they will end.
“We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world,” Guterres told presidents, prime ministers and ministers in the vast General Assembly hall.
But he stopped short of saying hope was gone. “The challenges we face,” he said, “are solvable.”
Thailand’s Call for Political Solutions
Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, delivered a statement at the concurrent Summit of the Future, emphasizing Thailand’s perspective on building a common global future. Key points from Thailand’s address included:
- The necessity of political will to address common global challenges
- Promotion of Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as a sustainable development model
- Calls for action against transnational crimes, including illicit drugs and cybercrime
- Advocacy for UN reform, particularly of the Security Council, to better represent developing countries
- Emphasis on youth empowerment in shaping the future
Minister Sangiampongsa expressed hope for a future where everyone is protected and able to prosper, underlining the importance of collective action in achieving this vision.
Summit of the Future: Charting a Path Forward
The Summit of the Future, held alongside the UNGA, adopted the Pact for the Future, which includes a Declaration on Future Generations and a Global Digital Compact. This summit aims to:
- Accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
- Shape the future direction of the United Nations
- Enhance the UN’s ability to address current and future challenges
- Reaffirm the importance of multilateralism with the UN at its core
Thailand has been an active participant in this process, contributing inputs to the Pact and organizing activities to raise public awareness about the UN and the summit.
As world leaders continue to convene in New York, the international community watches closely, hoping for concrete steps towards addressing the myriad challenges facing the globe. The emphasis on political solutions, as urged by Thailand, underscores the critical role of diplomacy and cooperation in navigating the complex landscape of international relations.
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