Overshadowed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and a number of other crises, the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly begins this Tuesday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres agreed in advance that the almost 150 heads of state and government, who are meeting in full presence for the first time in three years, are ready for an “immense task”: it is not just about saving the planet that is “literally on fire stands”, but also to cope with the stubborn corona pandemic.
The trouble spots and climate catastrophes as well as growing poverty and inequality must also be addressed. Guterres also pointed to the lack of access to finance, which is making it difficult for developing countries to recover from a crisis the world has not seen in a generation. The world is in “great danger”.
In his speech at the start of the general debate, Guterres will deliver a “sober, substantial and solution-oriented situation report” on a world “in which geopolitical divisions put us all in danger,” said UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric. “There will be no whitewashing in his utterances, but he will offer reasons for hope.”
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and its consequences will be at the top of the agenda for many in the general debate. Russia’s war of aggression is not only seen as a threat to the neighboring country’s sovereignty, but has raised concerns about a nuclear disaster at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Russian-held territory in south-eastern Ukraine. However, diplomats in New York do not expect a breakthrough in efforts to bring about peace this week.
Nine months after taking office, it is the Chancellor’s first visit to the UN. His speech on Tuesday evening (local time; after midnight German time) will be all about the Ukraine war. Scholz wants to clearly name the attack as a breach of international law and counter Russian propaganda. Diplomatic initiatives are not to be expected from him in New York. As far as the issue of arms deliveries is concerned, Scholz should stick to his line of not wanting to send any battle tanks to Ukraine.