“Lebanon is on the brink of collapse,” warned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. This came as Israel launched new attacks against Hezbollah targets following a particularly deadly day.
“We should all be alarmed by this escalation,” he insisted in front of world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.
“Lebanon must not become a new Gaza,” Antonio Guterres further urged, describing the situation in the Gaza Strip as a “perpetual nightmare that threatens the entire region.”
“Nothing can justify the actions of Hamas on October 7. I have already said that. But nothing can justify inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian people,” the Portuguese stated, to applause from the General Assembly.
“The international community must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire,” Mr. Guterres continued.
“Defensible level of impunity”
The UN Secretary-General also condemned the “horrific violence” in Sudan, the war “at the heart of Europe,” in Ukraine, and other conflicts elsewhere in the world such as in the Horn of Africa.
“The degree of impunity in the world is politically indefensible and morally unacceptable. Some allow themselves to trample international humanitarian law,” denounced Antonio Guterres.
“Gender inequality persists”
According to the UN Secretary-General, “the rise in inequalities is another factor of instability” and “despite years of fine speeches, gender inequality persists.” “Less than 10% of the speakers at the General Debate (of the 79th session of the UNGA) are women,” he lamented.
Mr. Guterres also noted that Africa “still does not have a permanent seat” on the UN Security Council and that “change is necessary.” In this regard, the Pact for the Future adopted on Sunday ahead of the UN General Assembly paves the way for reform of the Security Council.
The global financial architecture stemming from the Bretton Woods agreements, which date back 80 years, is no longer suited to the current world and must be reformed, the Portuguese also argued.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva then kicked off the General Debate. US President Joe Biden is expected to speak at the General Assembly podium for the last time of his term right after.