At the United Nations, U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned the purpose and effectiveness of the organization during a speech at the General Assembly. He highlighted issues such as a broken escalator at the UN building and a malfunctioning Teleprompter, linking them to a funding crisis partly caused by delays in U.S. contributions.
Trump claimed to have resolved seven conflicts since taking office, suggesting that the UN had failed to do so. However, some disputes, including the tensions between India and Pakistan, have not been fully resolved as claimed by Trump.
Following his speech, Trump expressed full support for the United Nations in meetings with UN Secretary General António Guterres. The UN’s mission, as articulated by its second secretary general Dag Hammarskjöld, aims to prevent global conflicts and safeguard human rights through diplomatic means outlined in the UN Charter.
The UN General Assembly, comprising 193 member nations, convenes annually to address global issues through diplomatic dialogue. While not legally binding, its recommendations reflect member states’ collective opinions. The Security Council, a more powerful body within the UN, makes binding decisions enforced by its permanent members with veto power.
The broader UN system includes specialized agencies and organizations, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, working towards fulfilling the UN’s mandates and providing humanitarian aid worldwide. Peacekeeping missions, authorized by the General Assembly and Security Council, are crucial in maintaining global security and stability, particularly in conflict zones across Africa and the Middle East.
