Developing Countries Urge Action on Poverty and Inequality at UN Amidst Global Crises
Amidst the ongoing global crises such as the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, rising food prices, and the worsening climate emergency, developing countries are pushing for faster action on poverty and inequality at the United Nations. The annual meeting at the U.N. General Assembly comes at a critical juncture in history, with analysts and diplomats considering it to be the most fraught and dangerous period since the Cold War.
The focus of developing countries at the U.N. is the two-day summit aimed at generating action by world leaders to achieve the 17 global goals by 2030. These goals include ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring quality secondary education for all children, achieving gender equality, and taking urgent action to combat climate change. Unfortunately, at the current rate, none of these goals will be achieved.
The high-level meetings during the U.N. General Assembly will also discuss pandemic prevention and universal healthcare. However, there are concerns that key global players may not be fully present to address the demands of developing countries, as only U.S. President Joe Biden will be attending in person from the five powerful veto-wielding nations on the U.N. Security Council. This has raised concerns among developing-country diplomats who require significant funding to implement their demands.
While some European leaders are skipping the General Assembly due to various reasons, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to garner significant attention, given the ongoing war in his country and his presence at the U.N. Biden’s speech will also be closely watched for U.S. views on Ukraine, China, and Russia.
The United Nations is facing growing challenges due to global divisions between the West, Russia, and China, as well as the rise of regional and like-minded groups that are shaping a multipolar world. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizes the importance of coming together for real, practical solutions and calls for the reform of multilateral institutions to address current global issues.
The U.N. summit on the 17 global goals is considered the most significant event of the week apart from one-on-one meetings between world leaders. However, with the multitude of crises, there is a concern that sufficient attention and political will may not be generated to find solutions.
In conclusion, developing countries are urging faster action on poverty and inequality at the United Nations amidst global crises. The focus is on achieving the 17 global goals by 2030, but there are concerns about the level of commitment from world leaders and the ability to address the pressing issues faced by developing nations. The U.N. General Assembly takes place during a critical juncture in history, with global divisions making it increasingly difficult to foster peace and security. The need for practical solutions and reforms in multilateral institutions is paramount in addressing the challenges faced by the world today.
