UNGA 80’s “High-level Week 2025”
Posted on September 29, 2025 by Ali Tuygan
September 29, 2025
The High-level Week 2025 is now behind us. As expected, there was no progress on any of the major questions confronting the world. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi chose to skip the high-level session. The former virtually addressed the meeting on climate change. And President Putin’s travels remain restricted by the ICC War Crimes Warrant.
Many speakers were critical of the UN and its failure to reform, as if the organization has an independent personality beyond the collective will and responsibility of its members.
The highlight of the High-level Week was President Trump’s address to the General Assembly.
According to the White House, “President Trump delivered a powerful rebuke to the destructive globalism that has fueled endless conflict and chaos around the world. During the address, President Trump was unapologetic in proclaiming American strength as he unveiled a bold vision for sovereign nations to unite against the true threats of terrorism, unchecked migration, biological warfare, and loss of cultural identity.”[i]
In fact, Mr. Trump declared his “MAGA” project an already accomplished fact with strong references to America’s economic and military might. He lectured the world.
Brazilian President Lula’s address to the General Assembly was characterized by the US response to the conviction of Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro. Mr. Lula most notably said:
“There is a clear parallel between the multilateralism crisis and the weakening of democracy… The aggression against the independence of the Judiciary branch of power is unacceptable. This interference in domestic affairs is aided by a subservient far right, who is nostalgic for past hegemonies. False patriots plan and publicly promote actions against Brazil. Peace cannot be achieved with impunity. A few days ago, and for the first time in 525 years of our history, a former head of state was convicted of attacking the democratic rule of law. Before the eyes of the world, Brazil sent a message to all aspiring autocrats and those who support them: our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable. We will continue as an independent nation and as a people free from any type of guardianship.” (emphasis added)
Regarding Gaza, he said that the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas are indefensible from any angle, but nothing justifies the ongoing genocide in Gaza, adding, “There, under tons of rubble, are buried tens of thousands of innocent women and children. International Humanitarian Law and the myth of the ethical exceptionalism of the West are also buried there.” He added that this massacre would not have happened without the complicity of those who could have prevented it. He also expressed his admiration to the Jews who, inside and outside Israel, oppose this collective punishment.”[ii]
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, in an indirect reference to Trump tariffs, said that unprecedented trade policy volatility, unilateral trade practices, and economic coercion have a detrimental impact on many nations. He called for Security Council reform. He drew attention to an increasing reliance on unilateral military action in contravention of international law and growing global consensus that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.[iii]
The “High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of Two-State Solution” met under the co-chairmanship of France and Saudi Arabia. The statement issued following the meeting said that the time has come for the international community to move from words to deeds.[iv] It welcomed recent recognitions of the Palestinian state. It called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, exchange of prisoners, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It reiterated that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza, disarm. and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority. It commended the historic commitments made by President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed support for him.
The number of countries that have recognized the State of Palestine has now reached 157, representing 81 percent of the UN membership.
However, on September 21, one day before the conference, Prime Minister Netanyahu was unequivocal in rejecting whatever they intended to achieve. He said, “I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the terrible massacre on October 7th, 2023: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism. And I have another message for you: It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River.”
Last Friday, Mr. Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly. His flight to New York took a longer air route to circumvent complications linked to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him.
As foreseen by many, he addressed an empty hall, following the walk-out of scores of delegates in protest. He delivered a defiant, combative speech, but was right on the mark when he said, “I believe that in the coming years, the Middle East will look dramatically different.”
[i] https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/09/at-un-president-trump-champions-sovereignty-rejects-globalism/
[ii] https://www.gov.br/planaltocompetitivos/en/follow-the-government/speeches-statements/2025/09/president-lula2019s-speech-at-the-opening-of-80th-un-general-assembly
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