제78차 유엔 총회 각국 정상 연설(General Debate 2023)

"세계 모든 국가가 상생하기 위해 국제사회가 강력히 연대하고, 유엔이 그 중심에 서야“

0921. 대통령실 홈페이지 / 제78차 유엔총회 기조연설

https://gadebate.un.org/sites/default/files/gastatements/%5Bvariable%3Acurrent_session%5D/kr_en.pdf

총회의장님, 사무총장님, 각국 대표 여러분, 데니스 프란시스(Dennis Francis) 제78차 총회의장님의 취임을 축하합니다. 또한 세계평화와 번영을 위한 안토니우 구테레쉬 사무총장님의 헌신에 경의를 표합니다. 

올해는 6.25전쟁 정전 70주년을 맞는 해입니다. 공산 전체주의 세력(communist totalitarian forces)의 침략을 받아 나라의 운명이 벼랑 끝에 몰렸던 대한민국은, 유엔군의 참전에 힘입어 극적으로 자유를 지켜낼 수 있었습니다. 대한민국에 대한 무력 침공을 세계평화에 대한 도전으로 간주하고, 안전보장이사회를 소집하고 참전 결의를 채택하는 데 주도적 역할을 한 트뤼그베 리(Trygve Lie) 초대 유엔 사무총장님의 용단은 지금도 한국 국민의 뇌리에 깊이 남아있습니다. 지난 70년간 전쟁의 폐허를 딛고 자유민주주의와 시장경제를 꽃피워온 대한민국은, 이제 유엔 헌장이 표방하는대로 “더 많은 자유 속에서 사회적 진보와 생활수준의 향상을 촉진”하기 위해 국제사회에 책임있게 기여하고자 합니다.

이번 제78차 총회의 주제는 ‘신뢰 회복과 글로벌 연대 재촉진’입니다. 2년째 지속 중인 우크라이나 전쟁은 국제사회의 가치와 이념의 분열을 심화시켰습니다. 또한, 코로나 팬데믹이 야기한 경제적 타격이 우크라이나 전쟁으로 더욱 증폭돼, 글로벌 경제는 위축되고 세계 도처에서 식량과 에너지 위기가 초래되었습니다. 어려운 시기일수록 약자가 겪는 고통은 더욱 커지기 마련입니다. 오늘날 전례 없는 글로벌 복합위기 속에서 안보는 물론, 경제, 기술, 보건, 환경, 문화 등 모든 분야에 걸쳐 국가 간 격차가 커지고 있습니다. 이러한 격차를 줄이고 세계 모든 국가들이 상생해 나가기 위해서는 국제사회가 강력히 연대해야 하며, 유엔이 그 중심에 서야 합니다. 저는 오늘 이 자리에서 개발 격차, 기후 격차, 디지털 격차, 이 세 가지 분야의 격차 문제를 제기하고자 합니다.

지구상에는 아직도 일상생활에 필요한 인프라를 제대로 갖추지 못한 나라가 많습니다. 식수와 용수를 처리하여 공급하는 상하수도 체계, 전기를 공급하는 에너지 설비, 몸이 아플 때 치료받을 수 있는 의료보건 시설, 이러한 기본적인 인프라가 제대로 갖춰지지 않으면 발전은 불가능합니다. 개발격차를 해소하려면 재원과 기술 역량을 가진 국가들이 책임 있는 역할을 해야 합니다. 대한민국은 공적개발원조(ODA)를 과감하게 확대해 나갈 것입니다.  한국 정부는 올해의 긴축 재정 기조에도 불구하고 내년 ODA 정부 예산안 규모를 40% 이상 확대하였습니다. 이에 따라, 내년 한국의 ODA 예산은 2019년 대비 2배 이상의 규모가 될 것입니다. 확대된 ODA 자금을 활용, 수원국의 수요에 맞는 맞춤형 개발협력을 추진하겠습니다. 특히, 수원국들이 사회, 경제적으로 스스로 도약할 수 있는 역량을 갖추도록 교육훈련 분야에 대한 ODA를 적극 추진해 나갈 것입니다. 1년의 교육훈련이 10% 가량의 소득 증대를 가져오며 이러한 효과는 저소득층과 여성에게 더 크게 나타난다고 합니다. 우리는 이런 효과를 전 세계에 확산시켜 나가야 합니다.

기후위기는 국가 간 경제 격차를 더욱 악화시키고 인류의 지속가능발전을 제약하는 또다른 도전 요인입니다. 올해 7월 우리는 지구의 기후관측 사상 가장 더운 여름을 경험했습니다. “끓는 지구(boiling earth)”로 인해 폭염뿐 아니라 폭우, 태풍과 같은 극한기후가 이제 일상이 되었습니다. 기후변화는 농업과 수산업의 지정학적 변화를 가져와 식량취약국의 위기를 더욱 가중시킵니다. 대한민국은 기후위기 취약국들이 탄소 배출을 줄여나가면서 청정에너지로의 전환을 가속화할 수 있도록 그린 ODA를 확대할 것입니다. 대표적으로 녹색기후기금(GCF)에 3억불을 추가 공여할 것입니다. 녹색기후기금에 대한 국제사회의 적극적인 재정 기여를 기대하며, 기후 격차 해소를 위한 국제사회의 의지가 결집되어 실질적인 행동으로 이어지기를 바랍니다. 대한민국은 탄소중립 목표 달성을 앞당기기 위한 현실적인 대안으로 재생에너지뿐만 아니라, 원전, 수소와 같은 고효율 무탄소에너지(CFE : Carbon Free Energy)를 폭넓게 활용할 것이며, 이를 기후위기 취약국들과 공유함으로써 그들에게 이 혜택이 돌아가게 할 것입니다. 이를 위해 무탄소에너지에 관한 국제공동연구를 추진하고, 민간의 기술혁신과 투자를 촉진하고자 합니다. 나아가, 대한민국은 무탄소에너지 확산을 위해 전 세계 누구나 참여할 수 있는 오픈 플랫폼인 ‘CF연합(Carbon Free Alliance)’을 결성하고자 합니다.

다음으로, 대한민국은 우리의 강점인 정보통신기술(ICT)을 활용하여 디지털 격차를 줄이는 데 선도적 역할을 하고자 합니다. 지금은 디지털의 고도화로 모든 문화와 산업이 디지털 기반으로 전환되고 있습니다. 디지털 격차는 곧 경제의 격차를 의미합니다. 따라서 디지털 격차의 해소는 글로벌 사우스 문제의 해결을 용이하게 할 것입니다. 한국은 디지털 보급과 활용이 미흡한 나라들의 디지털 전환을 지원하여 이들 국민들이 교육, 보건, 금융 서비스에 보다 쉽게 접근할 수 있도록 할 것입니다. 저는 작년 9월 뉴욕대에서, 그리고 지난 6월 파리 소르본대학에서 AI와 디지털에 대한 공정한 접근과 디지털의 안전한 사용이 보장될 때 디지털 문화가 더욱 발전할 수 있음을 강조한 바 있습니다. 또한 디지털 윤리 규범을 논의하고 제시하기 위한 국제기구를 유엔 산하에 설치할 것을 제안하였습니다. AI와 디지털의 오남용이 만들어 내는 가짜뉴스의 확산을 저지하지 못한다면, 우리의 자유가 위협받고, 자유민주주의에 기반한 시장경제가 위협받고, 우리의 미래 또한 위협받게 될 것입니다. 대한민국은 디지털 질서의 바람직한 미래상을 구현하기 위한 디지털 권리장전을 조만간 제안할 것입니다. 한국 정부는 유엔 내 국제기구 설립을 지원하고, AI 거버넌스 구축의 구체적 방향을 제시하고자 <AI 글로벌 포럼>을 개최하고자 합니다. 아울러 유엔이 추진 중인 <AI 고위급 자문기구>와 긴밀히 협력하여 전 세계 전문가들 간의 소통과 협업의 네트워크를 제공하고자 합니다.

의장님, 사무총장님, 각국 대표 여러분, 국제평화와 안전 없이 우리는 어떠한 발전과 번영도 이룰 수 없습니다. 저는 지난 7월 키이우 방문 시 국립아동병원에서 치료받는 어린이들의 애처로운 눈망울을 보았습니다. 전쟁의 첫 번째 희생자는 어린이이며, 이들은 다름 아닌 우리의 미래입니다. 한국 정부는 <우크라이나 평화 연대 이니셔티브> 공약에 따라, 안보, 인도, 재건 분야를 망라한 포괄적 지원 프로그램을 이행해 나갈 것입니다. 또, 2주 전 G20 정상회의에서 밝혔듯이, 내년에는 3억불을 공여하고, 추가로 20억불 이상의 중장기 지원 패키지를 마련하여 우크라이나의 재건을 적극 도울 것입니다. 

북한의 핵과 미사일 프로그램은 대한민국 평화에 대한 직접적이고도 실존적인 위협일 뿐 아니라, 인태지역과 전 세계 평화에 대한 중대한 도전입니다. 세계평화의 최종적 수호자여야 할 유엔 안보리 상임이사국이 다른 주권국가를 무력 침공해 전쟁을 일으키고, 전쟁 수행에 필요한 무기와 군수품을 안보리 결의를 정면으로 위반하는 정권으로부터 지원받는 현실은 자기모순적입니다. 이러한 상황에서 안보리의 개혁이 필요하다는 의견이 폭넒은 지지를 받게 되는 것입니다. 또, 북한이 러시아에 재래식 무기를 지원하는 대가로 WMD 능력 강화에 필요한 정보와 기술을 얻게 된다면, 러시아와 북한 군사 거래는 우크라이나뿐만 아니라 대한민국의 안보와 평화를 직접적으로 겨냥한 도발이 될 것입니다. 대한민국과 동맹, 우방국들은 이를 좌시하지 않을 것입니다.

총회의장님, 사무총장님, 각국 대표 여러분, 나라마다 군사력의 크기는 다르지만 우리 모두가 굳게 연대하여 힘을 모을 때, 그리고 원칙에 입각해 일관되게 행동할 때, 어떠한 불법적인 도발도 차단할 수 있을 것입니다. 대한민국은 2024-25년 안보리 이사국으로서 유엔 회원국 여러분들과 긴밀히 협력하면서, 세계평화를 진작하고 구축하는 데 책임있는 역할을 수행해 나갈 것입니다. 우리의 미래세대에게 정의와 법치가 살아 숨쉬는 국제질서, 그리고 지속가능한 자유, 평화, 번영을 물려주는 것은 오늘 이 자리에 함께한 우리 모두의 역사적 책무입니다. 대한민국은 유엔과 함께 이러한 책임을 기꺼이 떠맡을 것입니다.

각국 대표 여러분, 대한민국은 국제사회에 책임있는 기여를 다하기 위해 2030년 부산 엑스포를 개최하고자 합니다. 70여 년 전 공산 세력의 무력 침공을 받아 한반도의 대부분이 점령당했을 때, 대한민국 자유의 마지막 보루 역할을 한 도시, 6.25 전쟁의 폐허에서 세계 제2의 환적항으로 발돋움하면서 “한강의 기적”을 이끈 도시 바로 이 부산이 없었더라면 오늘날의 대한민국은 존재하지 않았을 것입니다. 대한민국은 이제 유라시아 대륙과 태평양을 연결하는 관문인 부산에서 2030년 엑스포를 개최함으로써 글로벌 책임국가의 역할을 적극 수행하고자 합니다. 그동안 이루어 낸 성장과 발전의 경험을 국제사회와 널리 공유함으로써 대한민국이 국제사회로부터 받은 도움을 돌려드리고자 합니다. 1851년 런던 엑스포는 산업혁명 엑스포였습니다. 1900년 파리 엑스포는 문화 엑스포였습니다. 1962년 시애틀 엑스포는 우주시대를 여는 엑스포였습니다. 2000년 하노버 엑스포는 환경 엑스포였습니다. 2030년 부산 엑스포는 연대의 엑스포가 될 것입니다. 대한민국 정부의 국정과 외교의 기조는 자유와 연대입니다. 그 연장선상에서, 2030년 부산 엑스포는 세계 시민이 위기와 도전을 함께 극복하면서 자유를 확장해 나가는 연대의 플랫폼을 제공할 것입니다. 부산 엑스포는 세계 각국의 역사, 문화, 상품, 그리고 미래 비전을 공유하는 축제의 공간이 될 것이며, 세계 시민의 자유, 평화, 번영에 크게 이바지할 것입니다. 감사합니다.

2023.09.21 20 September 2023UN Affairs

President Yoon Suk-Yeol of Republic of Korea on Wednesday said that if Russia helps the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) enhance its weapons programmes “the deal will be a direct provocation” and Seoul and its allies “will not stand idly by”.  In his address to the UN General Assembly’s annual debate, President Yoon referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to the DPRK and underscored that any deal struck between those two countries will “threaten the peace and security of not only Ukraine, but also the Republic of Korea.” It is paradoxical, he said, that Russia, “a permanent member of the UN Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates UN Security Council resolutions.” Against this background, “the call for reform of the Security Council should receive broad support,” President Yoon stated.

Ongoing crises; geopolitical divides

Reminding UN Member States that the world is faced with multifaceted global crises of an unprecedented scale, Mr. Yoon said divides among countries are expanding across various areas, including security, economy, technology, health, environment and culture. He added: “The war in Ukraine that has been going on for two years has deepened the division in values and ideologies within the international community.”  Additionally, the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, causing a contraction in the global economy and leading to food and energy crises in many parts of the world. According to Mr. Yoon, “In difficult times, it is the vulnerable who suffer more.”

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Biden, the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (0919)

THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. President, Mr. Secretary general, and my fellow leaders, about a week ago I stood on the other side of the world in Vietnam on soil once bloody with war. And I met a small group of veterans, Americans and Vietnamese, who wit- - and I wa- - I watched an exchange of personal artifacts from that war - identification cards and a diary.  It was deeply moving to see the reaction of the Vietnamese and American soldiers.
A culmination of 50 years of hard work on both sides to address the painful legacies of war and to choose - to choose to work together toward peace and a better future.  Nothing about that journey was inevitable.  For decades, it would have been unthinkable for an American president to stand in Hanoi alongside a Vietnamese leader and announce a mutual commitment to the highest level of countries partnership.  But it’s a powerful reminder that our history need not dictate our future.
With a concerted leadership and careful effort, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal.
So let us never forget that.  When we choose to stand together and recognize the common hopes that bind all humanity, we hold our hands the power - in that power to bend that arc of history.
My fellow leaders, we gather once more at an inflection point in world history with the eyes of the world upon all of you - all of us. 

As president of the United States, I understand the duty my country has to lead in this critical moment; to work with countries in every region linking them in common cause; to join together with partners who share a common vision of the future of the world, where our children do not go hungry and everyone has access quality healthcare, where workers are empowered and our environment is protected, where entrepreneurs and innovators everywhere can access opportunity everywhere, where conflicts are resolved peacefully and countries can chart their own course.
The United States seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people because we know our future is bound to yours.  Let me repeat that again: We know our future is bound to yours.
And no nation can meet the challenges of today alone.
The generations who precede us - preceded us organized this body, the United Nations, and built international financial institutions and multilateral and regional bodies to help take on the challenges of their time.
It isn’t always perfect - it wasn’t always perfect.  But working together, the world made some remarkable and undeniable progress that improved the lives of all people. 
We avoided the renewal of global conflict while lifting more than 1 billion people - 1 billion people - out of extreme poverty.

We together expanded access to education for millions of children.
We saved tens of millions of lives that would have otherwise have been lost to preventable and treatable diseases like measles, malaria, tuberculosis.
HIV/AIDS infections and deaths plummeted in no small part because of PEPFAR’s work in more than 55 countries, saving more than 25 million lives. 
It’s a profound testament to what we can achieve when we act together when we take on tough challenges and an admonition for us to urgently accelerate our progress so that no one is left behind, because too many people are being left behind. 
The institutions we built together at the end of the second world war are an enduring bedrock of our progress, and the United States is committed to sustaining them. 
And this year, we’re proud to rejoin UNESCO.  But we also recognize that to meet the new challenges of our decades-old institutions and approaches, they must be updated to keep peace [pace] with the world.
We have to bring in more leadership and capability that exists everywhere, especially from regions that have not - have not always been fully included.  We have to grapple with the challenges that are more connected and more complex.  And we have to make sure we are delivering for people everywhere, not just somewhere.   Everywhere.
Simply put, the 21st century - 21st century results are badly needed - are needed to move us along.  That starts with the United Nations - starts right here in this room.

In my address to this body last year, I announced the United States would support expanding the Security Council, increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members. The United States has undertaken serious consultation with many member states.  And we’ll continue to do our part to push ref- - more reform efforts forward, look for points of common ground, and make progress in the year ahead.  We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus on the Council.  We need more voices and more perspectives at the table.
The United Nations must continue to preserve peace, prevent conflict, and alleviate human suffering.  And we embrace nations stepping up to lead in new ways and to seek new breakthroughs on hard issues.
For example, on Haiti, the Caribbean Community is facilitating a dialogue among Haitian society.
I think President Ruto of Kenya’s - I thank him for his willingness to serve as the lead nation of a U.N.-backed security support mission.  I call on the Security Council to authorize this mission now.  The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer.
The United States is working across the board to make global institutions more responsive, more effective, and more inclusive.
For example, we’ve taken significant steps to reform and scale up the World Bank, expanding its financing to low- and middle-income countries so it can help boost progress toward meeting the Sustainable  Development Goals and better address interconnected challenges like climate change and fragility.
Under the new president of the World Bank, change is already taking root. 
Last month, I asked the United States Congress for additional funds to expand World Bank financing by $25 billion.  And at the G20, we rallied the major economies of the world to mobilize even more funding.  Collectively, we can deliver a transformational boost to World Bank lending. 
And because the multilateral development banks are among the best tools we have for modern- - mobilizing transparent, high-quality investment in developing countries, reforming these institutions can be a game-changer. Similarly, we’ve proposed making sure developing countries have a strong voice and representation at the International Monetary Fund.
We’re going to continue our efforts to reform the World Trade Organization and preserve competition, openness, transparency, and the rule of law while, at the same time, equipping it to better tackle modern-day imperatives, like driving the clean-energy transition, protecting workers, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. And this month, we strengthened the G20 as a vital forum, welcoming the African Union as a permanent member.
But upgrading and strengthening our institutions, that’s only half of the picture.  We must also forge new partnerships, confront new challenges.
Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, hold both enormous potential and enormous peril.  We need to be sure they are used as tools of opportunity, not as weapons of oppression.
Together with leaders around the world, the United States is working to strengthen rules and policies so AI technologies are safe before they are released to the public; to make sure we govern this technology - not the other way around, having it govern us.
And I’m committed to working through this institution and other international bodies and directly with leaders around the world, including our competitors, to ensure we harness the power of A- - artificial intelligence for good, while protecting our citizens from its most profound risk.
It’s going to take all of us.  I’ve been working at this for a while, as many of you have.  It’s going to take all of us to get this right.
In every region of the world, the United States is mobilizing strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose, collective action to bring new approaches to our shared challenges.
Here in the Western Hemisphere, we united 21 nations in support of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, launching a region-wide approach to a region-wide challenge to better uphold laws and protect - protect the rights of migrants.

In the Indo-Pacific, we’ve elevated our Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia to deliver concrete progress for the people of the region on everything from vaccines to maritime security.
Just yesterday, after two [years of] consultations and diplomacy, the United States brought together dozens of nations across four continents to establish a new Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation so that the coastal Atlantic countries can better cooperate on science, technology, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development.
We’ve brought together nearly 100 countries in a global coalition to counter fentanyl and synthetic drugs to reduce the human cost of this affliction.  And it is real.
And as the nature of the terrorist threats evolve and the geography expands to new places, we’re working with our partners to bring capabilities to bear to disrupt plotting, degrade networks, & protect all of our people.
Additionally, we convened the Summit for Democracy to strengthen democratic institutions, root out corruption, and reject political violence.
And in this moment where democratically-elected governments have been toppled in quick succession in West and Central Africa, we’re reminded that this work is as urgent and important as ever.
We stand with the Ac- - with the African Union and ECOWAS and other regional bodies to support constitutional rule.  We will not retreat from the values that make us strong.  We will defend democracy - our best tool to meet the challenges we face around the world.  And we’re working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to people’s lives.
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment addresses the enormous need and opportunity for infrastructure investment in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Through strategic, targeted public investments, we can unlock enormous amounts of private-sector financing.
The G7 has pledged to work with parties to collectively mobilize $600 billion in infrastructure financing by 2027.  The United States has already mobilized more than $30 billion to date.
We’re creating a race to top with projects that have high standards for workers, the environment, and intellectual property, while avoiding the trap of unsustainable debt.
We’re focusing on economic corridors that will max- - maximize the impact of our collective investment and deliver consequential results across multiple countries and multiple sectors.
For example, the Lobito Corridor will extend across Africa from the western port of Angola to the DRC to Zambia, boosting regional connectivity and strengthening commerce and food security in Africa.
Similarly, the groundbreaking effort we announced at the G20 connect India - to connect India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel will spur opportunities and investment across two continents.
This is part of our effort to build a more sustainable, integrated Middle East.  It demonstrates how Israel’s greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace between Isr- - the Israelis and Palestinians - two states for two people.
Now, let me be clear: None of these partnerships are about containing any country.  They are about a positive vision for our shared future.
When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent.  We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.  I’ve said, “We are for de-disking, not decoupling with China.”
We will push back on aggression and intimidation and defend the rules of the road, from freedom of navigation to overflight to a level economic playing field that have helped safeguard security and prosperity for decades.  But we also stand ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts. 
Nowhere is that more critical than accelerating the climate crisis - than the accelerating climate crisis.  We see it everywhere: record-breaking heatwaves in the United States and China; wildfires ravaging North America and Southern Europe; a fifth year of drought in the Horn of Africa; tragic, tragic flooding in Libya - my heart goes out to the people of Libya - that has killed thousands - thousands of people.
Together, these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof the world.
For one day - for one day [from day one], my administration, the United States, has treated this crisis as an existential threat from the moment we took office not only for us but for all of humanity.
Last year, I signed into law in the United States the largest investment ever, anywhere in the history of the world to combat the climate crisis and help move the global economy toward a clean energy future.
We’re also working with the Congress to quadruple our climate financing to help developing countries reach their climate goals and adapt to climate impacts.
And this year, the world is on track to meet the climate fund - the cli- - the climate finance pledge that - made under the Paris Agreement: $100 billion to raise collectively.  But we need more investment from the public and private sector alike, especially in places that have contributed so little to global emissions but face some of the worst effects of climate change, like the Pacific Islands.
The United States is working directly with the Pacific Islands Forum to help these nations adapt and build resilience to climate impacts, even as we lead the effort to build innovative, new partnerships that attack the global challenges from all sides.
From the First Movers Coalition, which is mobilizing billions of private-sector community - in the private-sector commitments to creating a market demand for green products in carbon-intense sectors like concrete, shipping, aviation, and trucking; to the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate, which is bringing farmers into the climate solution and making our food supply more resilient to climate shocks; and the Global Methane Pledge, now endorsed by more than 150 countries, which expands our focus beyond our carbon emission targets to reduce the potential greenhouse gases in our atmosphere by 30 percent in this decade: It’s all within our capacity.
We need to bring the same commitment and urgency and ambition as we work together to meet the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030.  These goals were adopted at the United Nations in 2015 as a roadmap for improving lives around the world.
But the hard truth is: For decades of progress, the world has lost ground these past years in the wake of COVID-19, conflicts, and other crises. 
The United States is committing to doing its part to get us back on track. 
All told, in the first two years of my administration, the United States has invested more than $100 billion to drive development progress in bolstering food security, expanding access to education worldwide, strengthening healthcare systems, and fighting disease.  And we’ve helped mobilize billions more in the private-sector investments.
But to accelerate our forward progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, we all have to do more.  We need to build new partnerships that change the way we tackle this challenge to unlock trillions of additional financing for development, drawing on all sources.  We need to fill the gaps and address the failures of our existing system exposed by the pandemic.
We need to ensure that women and girls benefit fully from our progress.
We must also do more to grapple with the debt that holds back so many low- and middle-income countries.  When nations are forced to service unsustainable debt payments over the needs of their own people, it makes it harder for them to invest in their own futures.
And as we work together to recover from global shocks, the United States will also continue to be the largest single-community donor - country donor of humanitarian assistance at this moment of unparalleled need in the world.
Folks, cooperation, partnership - these are the keys to progress on the challenges that affect us all and the baseline for responsible global leadership.
We don’t - we don’t need to agree on everything to keep moving forward on issues like arms control - a cornerstone of international security.
After more than 50 years of progress under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Russia is shredding longstanding arms control agreements, including announcing the suspension of New START and withdrawing from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.
I view it as irresponsible, and it makes the entire world less safe.
The United States is going to continue to pursue good-faith efforts to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction and lead by example, no matter what else is happening in the world. This year, we’ve safely destroyed at least - the last chemical munitions in the U.S. stockpile, fulfilling our commitment toward a world free of chemical weapons.
And we condemn the DPRK’s continued violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions, but we are committed to diplomacy that would bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
And we’re working with our partners to address Iran’s destabilizing activities that threaten regional and global security and remain steadfast in our commitment that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.
Now, even as we evolve our institutions and drive creative new partnerships, let me be clear:    Certain principles of our international system are sanc- - sacrosanct.
Sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights - these are the core tenets of the U.N. Charter, the pillars of peaceful relations among nations, without which we cannot achieve any of our goals.
That has not changed, and that must not change.
Yet, for the second year in a row, this gathering dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts is darkened by the shadow of war - an illegal war of conquest, brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbor, Ukraine.
Like every nation in the world, the United States wants this war to end.  No nation wants this war to end more than Ukraine.
And we strongly support Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution that delivers just and lasting peace.
But Russia alone - Russia alone bears responsibility for this war.  Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.  And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because the - Russia’s price for peace is Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory, and Ukraine’s children. Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. 
But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States [U.N. Charter] to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected-  If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure- I’d respectfully suggest the answer is no. 
We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.
That’s why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.  (Applause.)
It’s not only an investment in Ukraine’s future, but in the future of every country that seeks a world governed by basic rules that apply equally to all nations and uphold the rights of every nation, no matter how big or how small: sovereignty, territorial integrity.  They are the fixed foundations of this noble body, and universal human rights is its North Star.  We cannot sacrifice either.
Seventy-five years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights captured a remarkable act of collective hope - and I say that again - collective hope - drafted by a committee representing different regions, faiths, philosophies, and adopted by the entire General Assembly.  The rights contained in the declaration are elemental and enduring. And while we still struggle to uphold equal and inalienable rights of all, they remain ever steady and ever true.

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Zelenskyy says Russia's Security Council veto undermines world body

19 September 2023UN Affairs/젤렌스키 총회

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine told world leaders in the UN General Assembly that alongside its ongoing nuclear threat, Russia is also weaponizing essentials like global food and energy markets, and using them “not only against our country, but all of yours as well.” Since the start of the war, Ukrainian ports in the Black and Azov seas were blocked by Russia and its ports on the Danube River targeted by drones and missiles, he said. “It is a clear Russian attempt to weaponize the food shortage on the global market, in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of the captured territories.”

As scary as nukes / The impact of that weaponization could be seen from Africa to South-East Asia, he said.  “Nukes are not the scariest thing now. Mass destruction is gaining momentum. The aggressor is weaponizing many other things … things that are being used not only against our country but also yours as well,” he said, adding: “There are many conventions against weapons but none against weaponization … of global food supplies and energy.” President Zelenskyy further said that while Russia undermines the Black Sea Initiative, Ukraine continues to support it to ensure food security globally, having launched a temporary sea corridor from its ports and working to preserve land routes for grain exports.

Hatred doesn’t stop at one country / He added that Russia was conducting mass kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children, making it a clear case of genocide. In Russia, he continued, the children are taught to hate Ukraine and all ties broken with their families. “When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there,” he said. The Ukrainian leader also said that he will present a Ukrainian peace formula at the Security Council on Wednesday to serve as a framework to end aggression on terms set by the victimized country in an open manner. Urging unity among countries President Zelenskyy said that while Russia is “pushing the world to the final war”, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after this Russian aggression, “no one in the world will dare to attack any nation.” “Every nation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land,” he said.

---20일 안보리 /젤렌스키----

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called for expanding the UN Security Council and reforming the right of veto granted to its permanent members, in his first in-person address around the iconic horseshoe table. “Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one: Russia. That is to the detriment of all other UN Members,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.

Viable reform process / World leaders and Foreign Ministers attending the annual debate in the UN General Assembly packed into the Security Council chamber for the meeting, which focused on upholding the UN Charter through effective multilateralism in the context of the war in Ukraine, now entering its 20th month. The Charter is the UN’s founding document and codifies the major principles of international relations, including the sovereign equality of States and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations. “We should recognize that the UN finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations,” Mr. Zelenskyy told the Council.

Tweet URL / "World leaders are seeking new platforms and alliances that could reduce the disastrous scope of problems - the problems that are met here within these walls with rhetoric, rather than real solutions; with aspirations to compromise with killers, rather than to protect lives." 

Reform and representation / The Ukrainian President said he was confident that the UN Charter can work effectively for the sake of peace and security globally. “However, for this to happen, the years-long discussions and projects on UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform,” he added. “And it should not be only about representation here in the Security Council. The use of veto power, that is what requires the reform.” He said the right of veto “should not serve those who are obsessed with hatred and war” and that the General Assembly - which comprises all UN Member States - “should be given real power to overcome the veto.”

Early warning mechanism / Mr. Zelenskyy said he has welcomed proposals to expand the Security Council to reflect current realities. Fifteen countries sit on the Council, five of which – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – are permanent members who have the power to veto any resolution or decision. Ten non-permanent members are elected to serve for two-year terms. “Ukraine considers it is unjust when billions of people do not have their permanent representation in the Security Council,” said Mr. Zelenskyy.

UN commitment to Ukraine / UN Secretary-General António Guterres underlined full commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in his remarks to the meeting. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world,” he said. “All this comes at a time when cooperation and compromise for multilateral solutions are needed more than ever, to tackle challenges from the climate crisis to unprecedented levels of inequality to disruptive technologies,” he added.

Dialogue, diplomacy and peace / Mr. Guterres said the UN has been clear in condemning the war, which began on 24 February. He recalled that the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukraine, and a another rejecting its efforts to annex Ukrainian territory. The Secretary-General also outlined the brutal toll of the conflict, including relentless attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, tens of thousands killed or injured, shocking human rights violations, and millions now in need of aid and protection. “This war is already causing limitless suffering. Its continuation risks further perilous escalation,” he warned. “There is no alternative to dialogue, diplomacy, and a just peace.”

Fully respect UN Charter: Russia / The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, as the country holds the rotating Council presidency this month. At the outset, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzya, questioned why President Zelenskyy was allowed to speak ahead of representatives of countries that are on the Council, and why North Macedonian Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani, who is the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), was invited. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke in the Council chamber on behalf of Russia, saying his country continues to insist on all provisions of the UN Charter being respected and applied in their entirety, not selectively. “This includes the principle of the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention in their domestic affairs, respect for territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.

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23 September 2023/ SERGEY V. LAVROV

Russia’s Foreign Minister told the UN General Assembly on Saturday that a new world order is being born through a struggle between a neocolonial minority and a “global majority” seeking to end decades of Western domination. Sergey Lavrov said power was slipping through the hands of the old order, dominated by Washington, which has long rejected the principle of equality. Americans and Europeans “make all sorts of promises…and then just don’t fulfil them”, he told delegates. Quoting President Vladimir Putin, he said the West was “truly an empire of lies” which even during the battle against Nazism in World War Two, had plotted an offensive against their Soviet allies. Soviet and then Russian leaders “were given concrete political assurances regarding the non-expansion of the NATO military alliance to the east”, which turned out to be pure deception. Washington and Brussels have ceaselessly sought to expand their interests and alliances to subordinate the Global South and East, rejecting Russia’s desire for mutual security guarantees, he stated. 

West’s ‘hybrid war against our country’ / Turning to Ukraine, he said the West had “continued its ongoing militarisation of the Russophobic Kyiv regime”, brought to power via a “bloody coup” in 2014 and took that opportunity to “wage a hybrid war against our country.” The aim since then, has been the strategic defeat of Russia he argued, with the US-led offensive now stretching into outer space and disinformation online. Mr. Lavrov said it was “obvious” that its creation of subordinate alliances was “targeted against Russia and China” in a bid to sabotage more “inclusive” regional forums. He said even in terms of culture, the anti-colonial “global majority” has had enough of the Western “yoke” and attacks on their religions, traditional values and sovereignty. He saw Russia and China as defenders of a new multipolar architecture – the ascendent world order – and now the West is doing all it can to block it.

‘Coercive measures’ / The Russian Foreign Minister decried US-led use of unilateral sanctions and “coercive measures”,  defending Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and others, while Washington continues its effort to “Ukrainize” the international agenda. He said it was time for full reform of “global governance architecture” including UN-led international financial mechanisms and the United Nations’ key bodies – together with what he said was a Secretariat biased in favour of capitals in NATO and the European Union. Mr. Lavrov spoke up for Security Council expansion to include Asia, Africa and Latin America. He said reform needed to be based on a new, balanced consensus, giving the example of the BRICS bloc of economic powers – set to expand beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.

Avoid ‘large scale war’ / Mr. Lavrov closed his case with an appeal for compromise, saying “humanity is at a crossroads…It is in our shared interest to prevent a downward spiral into large scale war.” He invoked the Secretary-General’s call for world leaders to meet and negotiate in the spirit of compromise at this year’s UN General Assembly, “when designing our common future for our common good.” “This is an excellent response to those who divide our world up into democracies and autocracies and dictate their neocolonial rules to others”, he concluded.

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19 September 2023/기시다 후미오

Japan's policy on North Korea remains unchanged. Japan seeks to normalize its relationship with North Korea, in accordance with the JapanDPRK Pyongyang Declaration, through comprehensively resolving the outstanding issues of concern such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues, as well as settlement of our unfortunate past. From the perspective of opening up a new era together, I would like to convey my determination to meet with President Kim Jong-un face to face at any time without any conditions, and would like to hold high-level talks under my direct supervision to realize a summit meeting at an early time.

International law is there for the benefit of weaker states. Together, under the ‘rule of law’, Japan would like to protect the right of vulnerable nations and peoples to live in peace, in order to safeguard and strengthen 'human dignity'. However, even to this day, Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, is infringing upon international law and the ‘rule of law’. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world. The situation, which the General Assembly has repeatedly condemned as a violation of the UN Charter and human rights, must be rectified as soon as possible and the nuclear threat must be ended.

In March of this year, I announced a new plan for FOIP, a free and open Indo-Pacific. Based on the principles of freedom, the rule of law, inclusiveness, openness and diversity, Japan will work with countries that share a vision of a world where diverse nations coexist and prosper together.

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22 September/파키스탄 총리

As tensions between global powers continue to escalate with the rise of new and old military and political blocs, “geo-politics is resurging when geo-economics should be at the top of the international agenda, the Prime Minister of Pakistan told the UN General Assembly on Friday. Addressing the Assembly’s annual general debate, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, said, “the world cannot afford Cold War 2.0,” because there are a raft of challenges facing humankind that can only be addressed through global cooperation.

Multiple shocks / Indeed, a series of external “shocks” – COVID-19, climate change and conflict – have devastated developing economies, reversed decades of progress, and left hunger and poverty in their wake, he said, and his own country is a “prime illustration” of these shocks. “The epic floods of last summer submerged a third of our country, killed 1,700 and displaced over eight million people, destroyed vital infrastructure and caused over $30 billion in damage to our economy,” he said. Considering these formidable challenges, especially for nations facing debt distress, the Prime Minister stressed the urgency of implementing the SDG Stimulus package. He also called for the expansion of concessional lending by multilateral development banks and urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments for climate finance.

‘Development depends on peace’ / Mr. Kakar emphasized the fundamental role of peace in fostering development and expressed Pakistan’s desire for peaceful and productive relations with all neighboring countries, including India. “Kashmir is the key to peace between Pakistan and India,” he said, noting that India “has evaded implementation of the Security Council resolutions that call for the ‘final disposition’ of Jammu and Kashmir to be decided by its people through UN-supervised plebiscite.” “The UN Security Council must secure the implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir [and] the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) should be reinforced,” he added, calling on global powers to convince New Delhi to accept Pakistan’s offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons. The Prime Minister also said that peace in Afghanistan is a strategic imperative for Pakistan, voicing concerns over rights of women and girls in that country.

Counter all terrorists / Mr. Kakar stressed the imperative of countering all forms of terrorism, including far-right extremism and State-sponsored terrorism, while addressing the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, injustice, and foreign occupation. He proposed the establishment of a committee within the General Assembly to oversee the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.

Religious intolerance / The Prime Minister also voiced concerns over the rise of Islamophobia and highlighted Pakistan’s efforts, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to combat the issue. He proposed several measures to combat Islamophobia, including the appointment of a Special Envoy and the creation of an Islamophobia Data Center.

Strengthened global cooperation / Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Kakar highlighted the importance of multilateralism within the framework of the United Nations and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing global cooperation. To build and sustain peace, today and in the future, “it is vital to reduce power rivalry and tensions”, he said, while adhering to the UN Charter and implementing Security Council resolutions.

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22 September/네타냐후

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel is at the cusp of a “dramatic breakthrough”: a historic peace deal between his country and Saudi Arabia. “Such a peace will go a long way in ending Arab-Israeli conflict and will encourage other Arab States to normalize their relations with Israel,” he said, adding that it will also enhance prospects of peace with the Palestinians. The agreement, he emphasized will “encourage a broader reconciliation between Judaism and Islam, between Jerusalem and Mecca, between the descendants of Isaac and the descendants of Ishmael.”

‘Genuine peace’ with Palestinians / Peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia will truly create a new Middle East, the Prime Minster continued, noting that as the circle of peace expands, a real path towards “genuine peace” with Palestinians can finally be achieved. However, there is a caveat: Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas “must stop spreading the horrible anti-Semitic conspiracies” against the Jewish people, and that the Palestinian Authority must stop supporting and glorifying terrorists.

A ‘visionary corridor’ / In his address, Prime Minister Netanyahu also said that a corridor stretching across the Arabian Peninsula and Israel, connecting India with Europe was announced by US President Biden, Indian Prime Minister Modi and European and Arab leaders at the recently held G20 Summit. The “visionary corridor” would facilitate trade, communication and energy connectivity for the benefit of over two billion people, he said. For centuries, Israel was invaded by empires passing through it in their campaigns of plunder and conquest elsewhere, “but today, as we tear down the walls of enmity, Israel can become a bridge of peace and prosperity between these continents,” Mr. Netanyahu added.

Fly in the ointment / The Israeli Prime Minister went on to note that there is a “fly in the ointment … the fanatics ruling Iran will do everything they can to thwart this historic peace.” He denounced Iran for its terrorist acts, including through proxies, threatening international shipping, holding foreign nationals as hostages, killing and arresting many of its own citizens, and supplying drones and missiles that “bring death and destruction to innocent people in the Ukraine.” “Yet the regime’s aggression is largely met by indifference in the international community,” he said, stressing: “To stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This policy must change. Sanctions must be snapped back.” 

The AI revolution / In his address, Prime Minister Netanyahu also highlighted the development of artificial intelligence (AI), noting that while it offered immense benefits for humanity, it also posed grave dangers. The world’s leading nations, however competitive, must address these dangers collectively and quickly, he urged, emphasizing that “we must ensure that the promise of an AI utopia does not turn into an AI dystopia.” He also noted his country’s role, “just as Israel’s technological revolution provided the world with breathtaking innovations, I’m confident that AI developed by Israel will once again help all humanity.”

Blessings of a new Middle East / Prime Minister Netanyahu concluded his remarks, stating “bring forth the blessings of a new Middle East that will transform lands once written with conflict and chaos, into fields of prosperity and peace.” 

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21 September 2023UN Affairs /Han Zheng 중국 부총리

The international community must move away from “power politics” by embracing the burgeoning multipolar world, with the UN at its core, the Vice-President of China said in his address on Thursday to the General Assembly. “China is firm in supporting the international system with the UN at its core,” and opposes hegemony, power politics, unilateralism, and a Cold War mentality, Han Zheng reiterated. He stressed that China “will never practise hegemony,” and that “a small number of countries have arbitrarily imposed illegal and unilateral sanctions,” severely undermining the harmony and stability of international relations. Mr. Han encouraged the international community to jointly resist such acts. He emphasized that China “will never practice hegemony.” Mr. Han also highlighted China’s status as the only permanent member of the UN Security Council to pledge no first use of nuclear weapons and called for the maintenance of security in both traditional and non-traditional domains.

Conflict in Ukraine / Mr. Han outlined China’s desire for peace in Ukraine, arguing states had the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial claims of all other states. He stated that ceasing hostilities and resuming peace talks were the only way to settle the ongoing crisis. “Communication and dialogue are an important way to achieve international security cooperation,” he said. “China supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role for the early attainment of peace,” he added. Turning closer to home, he emphasized that there is only one China in the world represented by the government of the People’s Republic of China. “Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times,” he stressed, and “realizing China’s complete reunification is a shared aspiration,” and his Government will “continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort”.

Member of Global South / Stressing China’s position as a developing country, Mr. Han reiterated that development should be at the centre of the international agenda, with “win-win outcomes” that should reach every country and individual in a fairer way. Marking the tenth anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Mr. Han cited over 3,000 cooperation projects and 16,000 freight services on the China-Europe Railway Express last year as examples of the initiative’s success. Furthermore, Vice-President Han said China will remain a developing country and “natural member of the Global South,” firm in upholding their legitimate rights and interests. He reiterated China’s opposition to politicization and double standards, particularly the use of human rights and democracy as a political tool to interfere in other countries.

Climate action / Mr. Han went on to emphasize how climate change and its disproportionate impact on developing countries exacerbates development gaps between low and high-income countries and obstructs effective international cooperation. He reiterated the need to fully implement the Paris Agreement, to stop building any new coal-fired power projects abroad, and to vigorously support developing countries to build more green energy projects. He called on developed countries to do more to reduce emissions and provide developing countries with financing, technology, and capacity-building support.

“Developed countries should do more to reduce emissions and provide developing countries with financing, technology, and capacity-building support,” said Mr. Han.

“China will continue to pursue ecological conservation on a priority basis, advance green and low-carbon development, stop building any new coal-fired power projects abroad, vigorously support other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and help them build more green energy projects.”

Through Chinese modernization and rejuvenation, the country seeks to achieve harmony between humanity and nature while promoting ethical material advancement, said Mr. Han.

 

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European Council President says it’s time to put multilateralism back on solid ground

UN Photo/Laura Jarriel Charles Michel, President of the European Council of the European Union, addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s 78th session.

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21 September 2023UN Affairs/샤를 미셸 유럽 상임위 의장

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, appealed on Thursday to the international community to protect the principles of the UN Charter, reform the Organization’s governance structures and double down on efforts to fight the climate crisis. “Today, the United Nations system is sclerotic and hobbled by hostile forces. We must assume our responsibility. That means being engaged to put multilateral cooperation back on solid ground. For that, we need to: Restore trust. Resolve the most pressing problems. Repair the United Nations system.

Protecting the Charter / Trust and confidence between Member States is based on a faithful commitment to the principles outlined in the UN Charter, said Mr. Michel. Respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights are all fundamentally rooted in the agreements of the charter, he added. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, however, has shamelessly disregarded the principles of the charter and damaged the legitimacy of the UN Security Council, claimed Mr. Michel. “For the last 19 months a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia, without any shame, has been undertaking a war to conquer its neighbouring country which never threatened it in the past,” said Mr. Michel. “We need to stop the Kremlin and its deadly adventure, but it has not been even slowed in its feeling of impunity.” Mr. Michel criticized the Security Council’s veto policy, arguing that giving permanent members the right to veto sanctions against themselves “paralyzed” the council's ability to end conflict being perpetrated by one of its permanent members. He also criticized the five-state makeup of the Security Council, arguing that larger and more diverse representation in the council would add to the council’s legitimacy. “Due to its lack of representativeness, the Security Council is inexorably damaging its own legitimacy,” claimed Mr. Michel. “The United Nations, as its name suggests, is a club of nations. When we contemplate reforming the multilateral system, we consider the nation state to be its basic unit. An increase in the number of permanent members of the Security Council is inevitable. We must move beyond this status quo,” he added. 

Climate crisis / Mr. Michel also addressed climate in his delivery to the UNGA, remarking that “the world is boiling.” “We have undertaken the collective to limit heating of the planet to 1.5 degrees, and yet we know that we are far from reaching that goal and the heating of our planet will achieve 2.5 degrees between now and the end of the century. We must get back on track.” In response to the slow progress, the European Union (EU) independently raised its targets toward renewable energy. “We are calling for a tripling of renewable energy targets, with the G20 following suit, and a doubling of energy efficiency targets by 2030,” said Mr. Michel. He also emphasised the role of the EU in driving the international financing of climate action. “The international community is expected to reach the $100 billion mark for the international financing of climate action. The European Union has been a driving force, providing $26 billion in 2021, more than its share,” he said. “Natural disasters are unfolding at a dizzying pace on every continent, and most recently in Libya. Now more than ever, an international disaster fund is necessary to ensure rapid and fair assistance and strengthen our collective resilience.”

Reforming financial framework / Mr. Michel also encouraged the adoption of a robust and fair global financial framework that was “prepared for the 21 century.” “The economic and financial situation of vulnerable economies has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 crisis and by Russia’s war in Ukraine. More than 50 low-income countries have defaulted on their debts, and a dozen others could follow suit,” he said. “Whole regions of the world are deprived of access to financing, thereby not only hampering progress towards the sustainable development goals, but also increasing the risk of a debt crisis.” Mr. Michel called for a “financial shake-up” and expressed his support for the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact ‒ convened by the French President and the Prime Minister of Barbados. He argued the international community must “increase the lending capacity of international financial institutions as an essential safety net” for smaller, developing countries.

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21 September 2023UN Affairs/ 태평양 도서국

Leaders from Pacific island nations collectively rang the alarm on the relentless march of climate change, marked by rising sea levels, extreme weather events and coastal erosion, wreaking havoc and threatening the very existence of their homelands. Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Presidents of Kiribati, Timor-Leste, Micronesia and Nauru called for accelerated climate action, urging major emitters worldwide to commit to substantial reductions in emissions by 2030. These nations, while contributing negligibly to global emissions, highlighted bold ambitions to curb their own carbon footprints, exemplified by Micronesia’s pledge to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation by over 65 per cent below 2000 levels. The leaders also highlighted challenges ranging from poverty and quality healthcare, to harnessing technology and combatting corruption. With “resilience embedded in their DNA”, they urged global solidarity to combat these pressing challenges and safeguard the wellbeing of their people. 

Committed to sustainable development / President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust in multilateral cooperation and diplomacy, especially in a world facing geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and unforeseen challenges like pandemics and climate-related crises. He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and outlined programmes to implement SDGs at the national level. “To ensure sustainability and ownership of our desired developmental goals, we have engaged in extensive consultations at all levels,” he said. President Maamau also highlighted that as part of its commitment to global peace, Kirbati is working closely with the UN to engage its police in peacekeeping missions, and that it will promote empowerment of women and girls, as well as people with disabilities, elders, unemployed, youth and children. “Enhancing prosperity is essential for sustaining peace and so the government is dedicated to people-centric principles, placing citizens at the centre of our decisions and services, and promoting transparent governance,” he said.

Beware the climate-conflict nexus / President José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste drew attention to the impact of rising temperatures in worsening conflicts and violence, particularly in vulnerable States. “We need a new outlook on the climate and security nexus, which will address the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on peace, security and ensure that the quest for energy transition does not worsen the security situation in fragile countries,” he said. President Ramos-Horta pointed out that overseas development assistance (ODA) has declined continuously since the 2007 subprime crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. He highlighted that it would be a “leap forward” in international solidarity if OECD countries allocated 1 percent of national GDPs to ODA. “We would see positive effects on poverty rates, food security, access to basic health services, education, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, housing and social security, with multiplier effects on the diversification of economies, especially in agriculture,” he explained. 

We have bold ambitions / Wesley Simina President of the Federated States of Micronesia emphasized the Paris Agreement as a critical tool for addressing the climate crisis, although the current commitments under the agreement were insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a target crucial for small island nations like Micronesia. He highlighted the importance of a “fast-acting mandatory approach”, modelled after successful environmental agreements like the Montreal Protocol, to cut methane emissions and other short-lived climate pollutants. President Simina stressed the need for major emitters, both developed and developing, to commit to substantial emission reductions by 2030, peaking by 2025, in alignment with IPCC recommendations. As for Micronesia, though it has negligible global emissions, “it has bold ambitions”, he added: “By 2030 we aim to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation by more than 65 per cent below 2000 levels. By 2050 Micronesia will achieve ‘net zero’.”

Stand united for ‘the right things’ / President Russ Joseph Kun of Nauru also stressed the urgency of climate action and transition from fossil fuels. Highlighting the potential of deep seabed minerals, particularly polymetallic nodules, as a key solution for that shift, he called on the International Seabed Authority to regulate the responsible use of these minerals to ensure its benefits for all humankind while protecting marine ecosystems. “As a Big Ocean State, a healthy productive and resilient ocean is a pillar upon which our future rests,” President Kun said, urging international support to ratify and implement the landmark BBNJ high seas treaty, promote sustainable fisheries, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. President Kun reiterated the need for the global community to work together to create a safe and just world for all, leaving no country behind, adding: “I would like to share what time has taught me. Our community – Nauru, the Pacific, the small islands, the international community – is more robust when we stand united … but we must stand united for the right things, the important things, and the hard things.”

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‘Reform or rupture’ says Guterres, calling for multilateralism to be remade for the 21st century /19 September /안토니오 기테라스

Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday warned the world is “becoming unhinged” and underscored the United Nations’ raison d'être, to resolve global crises during times of “maximum danger and minimum agreement.” Mr. Guterres highlighted UN’s successful effort in preventing an environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea as testament to its determination and effectiveness. “When no one else could or would, UN determination got the job done,” he said. He emphasized that despite the numerous global challenges, the same spirit of determination can guide the world forward, urging leaders to remain committed to unity, peace, human rights, and sustainable development for all. “Let us be determined to … come together for the common good.”

It’s reform or rupture / Presenting his annual report on the work of the Organization, the Secretary-General stressed the need for a modernizing the multilateral system to address contemporary issues. He pointed out that while the world has evolved, international institutions have not kept pace, potentially making them part of the problem rather than the solution. He made it clear that there is no alternative to reform, stating “it’s reform or rupture.”

Pledge for peace / He reminded world leaders of the opening words of the UN Charter, emphasizing the pledge to “end the scourge of war”. “When countries break those pledges, they create a world of insecurity for everyone,” he said, stressing that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has serious implications for everyone worldwide. “We must not relent in working for peace – a just peace in line with the UN Charter and international law. And even while fighting rages, we must pursue every avenue to ease the suffering of civilians in Ukraine and beyond,” he added.

Suffering rising, support falling / The UN chief also drew attention to the human suffering resulting from conflicts and natural disasters worldwide, from Sudan to Haiti, and from Afghanistan to Myanmar. “Needs are rising and funding is drying up. Our humanitarian operations are being forced to make massive cuts,” he said, urging countries to step up funding for the UN Global Humanitarian Appeal.

Foster equality / Mr. Guterres reiterated the UN Charter’s call for promoting social progress, connecting it with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing the issue of global inequality. Africa’s allocation of more funds for debt interest than healthcare exemplified this inequity, he stressed, stressing the need for immediate steps to advancing the SDG stimulus package of $500 billion annually and alleviating financial burdens on developing and emerging economies.

Combat climate chaos / The UN chief further emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate chaos, which is breaking new records, “but we cannot afford the same old broken record of scapegoating and waiting for others to move first.” He recalled the Climate Solidarity Pact, with large emitters leading emission reductions and wealthier nations supporting emerging economies. Mr. Guterres also outlined key immediate steps, including ending fossil fuel subsidies, carbon pricing, and countries fulfilling climate financing promises. “And to all those working, marching and championing real climate action, I want you to know: You are on the right side of history. I’m with you. I won’t give up this fight of our lives,” he said.

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Courage needed to mend today’s global rifts, German leader tells UN Assembly

19 September 2023UN Affairs/숄츠

Addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that in an increasingly interdependent world, “a policy for peace must not stop on our own doorstep.” He stated, therefore, that the order of the day is not less but more cooperation among countries. “Today – especially today – we need the courage, creative energy and will to fill in the rifts. Rifts which are deeper than ever.”

A multipolar world / Chancellor Scholz stated that the modern world no longer revolves around just two superpowers, as in the Cold War era, but features multiple centers of power and influence. “Multipolarity is not a normative category but a description of today’s reality,” he said. Highlighting the importance of the United Nations in navigating this multipolar world, he said that Organization, based on its Charter’s values, is uniquely positioned to address the aspirations of universal representation and sovereign equality for all nations. Other groups and blocs, such as the G7, G20 or BRICS, as important as they are for achieving international consensus, do not possess the same universality in their representation as the UN, Mr. Scholz added.

Climate action / In his address, the German leader also underscored the urgency of addressing anthropogenic climate change as one of the world's most significant challenges. He emphasized the responsibilities of both developed and developing countries, noting that while industrialized nations bear a significant responsibility in the fight against climate change, many developing countries have also become major contributors to global emissions. “Instead of waiting for others, we all have to do more together to achieve the Paris climate goals,” he urged, noting also the need for setting clear targets at the upcoming COP28 climate conference, to be held in Dubai.

Reforms needed / Chancellor Scholz also noted the need for reforming multilateral development banks, in light of debt crisis faced by many countries and the need to mobilize resources for crucial global public goods, such as climate action and biodiversity preservation. Germany, for its part, is actively advocating for these changes and has pledged substantial support, including a groundbreaking 305 million euros investment in the World Bank, expected to unlock over two billion euros in additional loans, he said. Regarding the United Nations, Mr. Scholz stated that the Organization must adapt to future challenges, including harnessing technological innovations for the common good. He called for global discussions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and highlighted the need to enhance the UN’s representation to reflect a multipolar world, especially in the composition of the Security Council.

Peace a dream for many / Chancellor Scholz noted that for many around the world, peace is a distant dream. “Russia’s war of aggression has caused immense suffering not only in Ukraine. People around the world are suffering as a result of inflation, growing debts, the scarcity of fertilizers, hunger and increasing poverty,” he said, adding: “Precisely because this war is having unbearable consequences around the world, it is right and proper that the world is involved in the quest for peace.”

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'Peace has no losers’, Erdogan says, vowing to step up efforts to end war in Ukraine. 

19 September 2023UN Affairs/에르도안

The President of Türkiye showcased his country as an active partner on both the regional and global levels¸ and called for reform of the international institutions, during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan began his passionate and wide-ranging speech by highlighting the humanitarian crises, political conflicts, and social tensions plaguing various regions worldwide, emphasizing the difficulty in addressing these issues amid global economic problems. He expressed grave concern about the use of terrorism as an instrument in proxy wars in regions like Syria, North Africa, and the Sahel, asserting that it was undermining international security. The President also touched upon the growing threat of xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia, warning that these issues were reaching alarming levels globally. He stressed the importance of addressing these challenges for the sake of social harmony.

Source of consolation / On having expressed gratitude to the international community, including the UN, for coming to his country’s aid after it suffered a major earthquake which claimed over 50,000 lives and caused extensive destruction in February 2023, Mr. Erdogan noted, that “the friendship shown to our country on that very dark day … was an important source of consolation.” Acting in the same spirit, Türkiye, he added, mobilized extensive help to Libya, where 12,000 people lost their lives with thousands still unaccounted for after the recent devastating storms and floods.

War has no winners / Presenting his country as an active international player, President Erdogan outlined multiple contacts Türkiye had developed with lands both near and far. The country’s relations span the whole world from China and South Asia to Africa and Latin America, but the main scope of attention is on its neighbouring region. Referring to the ’war on Europe's eastern borders’ President Erdogan said, “Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, we have been endeavouring to keep both our Russian and Ukrainian friends around the table with the thesis that war will have no winners and peace will have no losers,” the Turkish President said. He stated readiness to step up efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue based on Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. In this context he highlighted the Black Sea Initiative launched together with the UN, which aimed to prevent a global hunger crisis by facilitating the transport of grain through the Black Sea to global markets. Lamenting the fact that the initiative was no longer in operation, he mentioned a new plan new plan whereby another. Some 1,000,000 tonnes of grain will be released to the countries in dire need around the world.

Need of reform / Mr. Erdogan spoke of the need of the reform of the United Nations, expressing the idea that the institutions established after the Second World War no longer reflect today's world. “The world is bigger than five,” he said referring to the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. Advocating for reform, he noted that “the Security Council has ceased to be the guarantor of world security and has become a battleground for the political strategies of only five countries.” He urged a re-evaluation of the current international institutions to better reflect the realities of today's world. He spoke also about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the need to eradicate hunger and poverty. “We find it difficult to accept hunger as an issue, as an unsolved problem, here in the 21st century,” said the President, urging all countries to demonstrate a strong will to realize Sustainable Development Goals.

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Biden says ‘when we stand together’, we can tackle any challenge

19 September 2023UN Affairs/바이든

The territorial integrity and human rights that form the foundation of the UN must be collectively defended, United States President Joseph Biden said on Tuesday. Yet, for the second year in a row, the annual debate at the UN General Assembly is “darkened by the shadow of war, an illegal conquest brought without provocation by Russia” against Ukraine, he said, expressing strong support for Kyiv. “Russia alone bears the responsibility for this war…and has the power to end it immediately,” he emphasized, asking whether the independence of any nation is secure “if we allow Ukraine to be carved up”. “We have to stand up to this aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,” he said, stressing that the US, together with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom. “It’s not only an investment in Ukraine’s future but in every country.”

Bending arc of history / At the outset, he recalled a recent trip to Viet Nam, saying it would be “unthinkable” for a US President to stand in Hanoi announcing a mutual commitment, following a painful legacy of war. “Our history need not dictate our future,” he said. “With a concerted leadership, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal. When we choose to stand together, we hold in our hands the power to bend the arc of history.” 

‘Our future is bound to yours’ / The US seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable future for all people because “we know our future is bound to yours,” he said. “No nation can meet the challenges of the day alone.” To meet new challenges, old institutions must be updated, bringing in leadership from regions that have not always been included to address such issues as Security Council reform and investment in developing countries. “Twenty-first century results are badly needed to move us along,” he said. “That starts with the United Nations, right in this room.” The UN must continue to preserve peace and prevent conflict and must also govern the benefits and challenges of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), he said.

Regional relations / Highlighting ongoing developments across regions, he pointed efforts to support a just and lasting peace, with two States for Israelis and Palestinians. Turning to US relations with China, he said Washington seeks “to responsibly manage” bilateral competition “so it does not tip into conflict”, he said, adding that “we are for de-risking, not decoupling” with Beijing. 

Climate crisis / The climate crisis needs critical attention, he said, pointing to tragic flooding in Libya alongside historic drought and deluge at a time when the world is still dependent on fossil fuel. For its part, the US has treated this threat as an existential crisis since that start of his Administration, including new laws and initiatives. “This year, the world’s on track to meet the climate finance pledge made under the Paris Agreement: $100 billion to raise collectively,” he said, “but we need more investment on public and private sector, especially in places that have contributed so little to global emissions.”

Global goals / To accelerate global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “we all need to do more,” he said, pledging Washington’s commitment. On security issues, he said the US destroyed the last of its chemical weapon stockpile in 2023. Meanwhile, Russia is “shredding” long-standing arms control agreements, he added. Condemning the DPRK’s continued violations of Security Council resolutions, he encouraged diplomacy to resolve outstanding issues. In terms of Tehran’s destabilizing activities that threaten regional and international security, he said “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Power is 'in our hands’ / The Universal Declaration for Human Rights was adopted 75 years ago, but attention is still needed to tackle discrimination. However, the power is “in our hands” to forge a safer, more sustainable world for all through partnerships and collective hope, he said. “At this inflection point in history, we’re going to be judged by whether or not we live up to the promises we made to ourselves, to each other,” he said. “Will we find within ourselves the courage to do what must be done, to defend the tenets of the UN?” he asked. “There’s only one answer to that question. We must, and we will. Let’s do this work together. Let’s bend the arc of history for the good of the world. It’s in our power to do it.”

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Brazil’s Lula da Silva 'Armed conflicts are an offense to human rationality,' tells UN Assembly 19 September 2023UN Affairs

Speaking at the annual debate of the UN General Assembly in New York, Brazil’s President Lula da Silva lamented growing global inequalities and discussed his country’s role spearheading climate change diplomacy within the Global South.

Global inequalities / The world is becoming increasingly unequal, according to Mr. Silva. Immersed in a world of intersecting crises, including COVID-19, security, racism, intolerance, and stable access to food and clean water, more must be done to ensure that inequalities do not continue to grow. “The ten richest billionaires have more wealth than the poorest 40 per cent of humanity,” said Mr. Silva. “The destiny of every child born on this planet seems to be decided while they’re still in their mother’s womb. The part of the world where their parents live, and the social class their family belongs to, will determine whether or not that child will have opportunities throughout life,” he added. Unequal access to safe and secure food and water, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities all exacerbate inequalities and have amplified by growing geopolitical tensions, according to Mr. Silva.

Climate chaos on our doorsteps / Brazil has quickly become a leader among the Global South for coordinating climate diplomacy. Mr. Silva emphasized the need for urgent, comprehensive international cooperation to avoid a worsening climate crisis. “It knocks on our door, destroys our homes, our cities, our countries, kills, and imposes suffering and losses on our brothers,” said Mr. Silva. “It is the vulnerable populations in the Global South who are most affected by the loss and damage caused by climate change.” Brazil hosted the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) summit in August, where eight South American nations met to discuss rainforest protections and the climate crisis. Additionally, Brazil has decreased deforestation of the Amazon by 48 per cent and has become a leader in the transition to renewable energy, with 87 per cent of Brazil’s electric power coming from renewable sources. “In Brazil, we have already proven once, and will prove again, that a socially fair and environmentally sustainable model is possible. We are at the forefront of energy transition, and our matrix is already one of the cleanest in the world.” Mr. Silva plans to meet with US President Joe Biden at the UNGA on Wednesday to address the climate crisis.

Geopolitical tensions / As tensions grow between China and the United States, and as war continues to rage in Ukraine, Mr. Silva said his Government has avoided explicit support for Beijing, Moscow, or Washington. Brazil has refused militarily backing Ukraine, but is joined by a number of nations condemning Russia’s attack and calling for peace talks. “Armed conflicts are an offense to human rationality. We know the horrors and suffering produced by all wars. Promoting a culture of peace is a duty for all of us,” he said. Brazil has also been critical of the UN Security Council’s ability to effectively prevent conflict from spreading across the globe. “The Security Council has been progressively losing its credibility. This frailty is the specific result of actions from its permanent members who wage unauthorized wars or regime change. Its paralysis is the most eloquent proof of the urgent need to reform it, which will bring it greater representation and efficacy.”

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23 September 2023UN Affairs /사우디 외교장관

All nations must honour the UN Charter, including the non-use of force and respect for human rights, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Saudi Arabia told the UN General Assembly on Saturday. Describing the national vision for 2030, Faisal bin Farhan Al Furhan Al-Saud said it centred on promoting development for future generations and empowering women and young people by developing their creativity. Human rights are of utmost importance, he said, adding that Saudi Arabia has adopted laws to protect its citizens and is also working on building a better future in the Middle East. 

Security hinges on cooperation / Regional security requires a just solution to the Palestinian issue, allowing for an independent State, he said, condemning all unilateral measures that violate international law. Riyadh is also assisting in efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and finding a peaceful solution in Yemen. Turning to other security concerns, he called for de-escalating the crisis in Sudan, and supported the withdrawal of all foreign forces in Libya. With regards to Afghanistan, he said that country should not become a haven for terrorist organizations, calling for stepping up regional and international aid to assist in alleviating the suffering of the Afghan people. Turning to the war in Ukraine, he said the world should “spare no effort to find a peaceful solution”. Raising concerns about nuclear weapons, he said their elimination is essential. “Security and stability are not possible without cooperation and coordination between States to prevent an arms race to acquire these destructive weapons,” he stressed. Underlining national efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, he warned against a rise in Islamophobia and attacks on Muslims. In this vein, he welcomed the position adopted by the Human Rights Council on combating religious hatred.

Climate action / The stability of the global energy market is key to economic growth. For its part, Saudi Arabia is striving to meet the needs of consumers and producers on a global level while working with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Riyadh is also promoting climate adaptation measures and working towards reducing emissions, he said, calling for a gradual transfer to clean energy. However, national and regional circumstances related to sustainable development must be considered. Noting the launch of the ‘Green Saudi Arabia’ and the ‘Green Middle East’ campaigns to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life, he said Riyadh is using the circular economy approach towards carbon neutrality, having doubled its contributions to this goal. In addition, efforts are under way to promote better governance of water resources. “We also have an ambitious policy towards the future,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia will host the forthcoming Expo 2030 in Riyadh. “We’ll focus on prospects for a future focused on technology and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will be an excellent opportunity to promote projects with universal impact that can foster cooperation to find solutions through innovation, inclusiveness, and sustainability.”