UNGA 2022: What to expect at the General Debate

The 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the world’s biggest annual diplomatic event, is due to start on September 20, with an opportunity for representatives from all 193 member states to weigh in on global issues.

"We're going to be hearing a huge amount from western leaders about what they're trying to do to tackle the global food crisis," Richard Gowan, a UN analyst with the International Crisis Group, told The National.

"In response, we will be hearing a great deal from the African group, in particular, about the need for more assistance.

"Underlying a lot of these meetings, I think, will be a huge amount of tension between western countries and representatives of the Global South.”

Years of growing discord among some of the powerful member states have undermined the UN as a platform for peaceful resolution of political disputes.

“You can't fix the pandemic, you can't fix climate, you can't fix hunger or terrorism without everybody getting around the table,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Likened to diplomatic 'speed dating', UN General Assembly gives the world's top diplomats a chance to meet in person. The assembly has played host to a number of famous moments over the years. AP
Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi famously addressed the UNGA for more than 90 minutes in 2009. Photo: UN
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said in 2006 that he could smell sulphur in the UN chamber after George W Bush spoke, likening the US leader to the 'Devil'. Photo: UN
Mr Bush at UNGA in 2005. Photo: UN
The UN Headquarters in New York. Residents of the Big Apple brace themselves for two weeks of traffic chaos as UNGA takes place. EPA
South Korean ambassador to the UN Cho Hyun speaking in the chamber. Reuters
Cuban leader Fidel Castro addressing the General Assembly. Photo: UN
Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005. Photo: UN
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, addresses UNGA. Photo: UN

"I think it's also important to note that even though there are deep divisions within the council, the work of the UN continues.”

Another issue that will be discussed and championed by the US during the assembly is UN Security Council reform.

"During this month's General Assembly, President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and I plan to consult broadly on our individual and collective responsibilities under the UN Charter, including critical questions around reform of the Security Council and other UN organs," Ms Thomas-Greenfield said.

"The Security Council should better reflect the current global realities and incorporate more geographically diverse perspectives."

The structure of the Security Council goes back to 1945 when the five countries that won the Second World War — China, France, the UK, US and the Soviet Union — assumed permanent memberships with powers of veto.

Mr Gowan said the US initiative was “a clever way of putting China and Russia on the spot, because we all know that the countries that are most allergic to the ideas of Security Council reform are Russia and China".

"China especially, because they worry that any council reform could lead to Japan gaining more influence in the organisation," he said.

Looming just as large as the political dramas are the deadly consequences of global warming.

The severity of climate change has been on full display in the lead-up to the General Assembly, with wildfires raging across Europe, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan and severe droughts in the horn of Africa.

“Because of the conflict in Ukraine and other crises, climate has kind of been pushed aside, when in fact, this is an opportunity to take the courageous steps," Mr Dujarric said.

"There were promises made in Glasgow. They were promises made in Paris for money, for adaptation, for energy transition that has just not come forward."