UN General Assembly Convenes as War and Crises Take Centre Stage

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Tuesday (2<0xE2><0x80><0xAF> Sept), amid rising global tensions caused by the Iran war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy volatility, and concerns regarding the future of the world organisation.

The meeting of world leaders in New York takes place as various diplomatic efforts face deadlocks. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world is entering an era of profound uncertainty.

“World leaders will gather at the UN in an era of profound uncertainty. At the same time, powers are shifting. The world is changing. And our institutions must change with it,” said Guterres.

Trump is expected to use his speech to assert that his leadership has directly confronted various international issues. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated that Trump will highlight how his administration has handled complex problems across various parts of the world.

Alongside the sessions, Trump is also scheduled to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. He will also meet leaders and senior officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss the Iran war and attacks by Iran-backed rebel groups against Saudi Arabia.

The Iran War and Energy Pressures

The war between the US and Iran is expected to be one of the primary issues in the meeting. The conflict, which has lasted nearly seven months, is expanding and impacting regional energy security.

Oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have begun to improve in recent weeks after commercial vessels received US Navy escorts. However, oil flows remain far below pre-war levels. Brent crude prices are hovering around $100 per barrel, compared to approximately $70 before the war.

Saudi Arabia previously closed a pipeline that served as an alternative for oil disrupted in the Gulf region. This move was made after the pipeline was attacked by Iran-backed militants in Iraq. Meanwhile, the Houthi group based in Yemen has also increased the risk to oil tankers around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Qatar and several other mediators are attempting to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated that mediators face a “profound deficit of trust” between the two parties.

“What we want to say is, ‘Listen, this will end at the negotiating table.’ We can sign a deal now or 10 months from now. The only difference is the number of deaths and the destruction we see,” said al-Ansari.

Zelenskyy Pushes for Energy Ceasefire

Amidst the UN meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump to discuss a proposed ceasefire regarding Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The meeting takes place as airstrikes by both sides continue to escalate. Ukraine is concerned that Russia will again target power plants and heating facilities ahead of the winter season.

Zelenskyy stated that after speaking with Trump via telephone on Sunday (20<0xE2><0x80><0xAF> Sept), there is “diplomatic momentum” and ideas regarding de-escalation measures.

“Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will be followed by commensurate de-escalation measures from our side. A solution is possible,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Trump previously stated that Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to attack energy targets. However, the agreement did not last long after Russia attacked fuel stations in Kyiv and Ukraine attacked Russian oil refineries.

According to someone familiar with the discussions, Trump requested that Zelenskyy halt attacks on Russian oil refineries as part of a de-escalation effort.

However, Kyiv is reluctant to halt attacks unilaterally. Ukraine views attacks on the Russian oil industry as one way to pressure Moscow to return to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, Trump criticised the impact of the war on the Russian oil industry. “Russia has unfortunately lost control of its diesel oil industry due to the war with Ukraine,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He later added, “This foolish and never-ending war with Ukraine must end.”

The Future of the UN and the World Order

Beyond the wars, the future of the UN itself is a concern at this year’s meeting. Several diplomats and officials speaking to the Associated Press described the state of the world as increasingly unstable compared to the previous year.

Former US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said the organisation is at a critical juncture. “The UN is truly at a turning point. There is no doubt. Last year the situation was bad. This year is not much better,” he said.

One issue resurfacing is the reform of the UN Security Council. Russia stated that the number of permanent members should be expanded, but the veto power held by the current five permanent members must be maintained.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia supports Security Council reform alongside the expansion of permanent membership.

“At the same time, we believe that the institution of permanent members of the Security Council, as well as the veto power, are essential elements of the overall structure of the United Nations,” said Peskov.

This statement differs from the call by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who desires the abolition of permanent membership and the veto power. Erdogan has long criticised the Security Council structure, arguing it does not reflect the international community and is unable to make decisions swiftly.

Amidst these various differences, world leaders…