UN Affairs

Women vendors sell fresh vegetables at a market in Limuru, Kenya.
FAO/Luis Tato

Food’s a human right, not just ‘a commodity to be traded’: Guterres 

23 September 2021

Every day, hundreds of millions of people go to bed hungry. Three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Two billion are overweight or obese and yet 462 million, are underweight. Nearly a third of all food that is produced, is lost or wasted.  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

‘The adolescence of humanity is coming to an end’, declares UK Prime Minister

22 September 2021
Europe

In his speech to the high-level debate at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that it is time for mankind to grow up and take responsibility for the damage we are inflicting on the planet.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg (on screens) of Norway addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

International community must harness momentum created by triple crises and act, says Norway

22 September 2021
Europe

Norway Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, said on Wednesday the world is contending with three crises at the same time: a climate crisis, a health crisis, and an economic crisis. 

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Viet Nam addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Pandemic ‘warning bell’ exposed inequalities, governance gaps, says Viet Nam President

22 September 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten lives and livelihoods globally, the President of Viet Nam told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that his nation is “vigorously” combating the virus, protecting its people, sustaining economic growth and leaving no one behind.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (on screens) of Kenya addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Vaccines for all key to building back better after COVID-19: Kenyan President

22 September 2021
Africa

Equitable global access to vaccines must be at the core of efforts to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

President Nicolás Maduro Moros of Venezuela addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UNTV screen grab

Venezuela demands the end of sanctions and urges leaders to build a ‘new world’

22 September 2021

President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday said his country was the victim of a “fierce campaign” of permanent and systematic aggression through economic and financial sanctions coming from the United States and its allies.

President Kersti Kaljulaid of Estonia addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

‘Through the tears, solutions for a better society have sprung up’: Estonian President

22 September 2021
Europe

The President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, lauded the world’s embrace of online services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, in her high-level General Debate speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly session.

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

King of Saudi Arabia says peace is top priority for his country 

22 September 2021
Middle East

The King of Saudi Arabia, Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, said on Wednesday that promoting peace is his Kingdom’s top priority in international affairs. 

Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Support developing countries with climate mitigation: Bosnia and Herzegovina

22 September 2021

Financial support will be critical if developing countries are to meet global climate goals, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, said in the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.  

 

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (on screens) of the Philippines addresses the general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Philippines President urges world to ‘reverse course’ on inequality 

21 September 2021
Asia Pacific

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines urged on Tuesday all United Nations Member States to reverse course on inequality, saying the issue will define humanity’s future.