World Leaders reflect on hopes and needs of their people at UNGA

by Andrea Canepa, GSAS ‘13

RightsNews writer Andrea Canepa with the Prime Minister of Libya

The General Debate of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) took place in New York from September 21 to September 27 of 2011. The current GA Session, presided over by H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser from Qatar, centered on the theme: “The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means.” During the debate, world leaders took the floor to give a vivid recollection of the milestones that took place since they last met in the GA Hall, and to envision what is to come in the future. This writer, an MA candidate in the Human Rights program at Columbia, attended the UN General Debate as part of her responsibilities as an adviser on human rights issues at the United Nations.

Most spectators waited attentively for the classic moments associated with the UNGA: security madness as the President of the United States enters the UN compound, kings and queens dazzling the spectators with their lavish traditional ensembles, and of course, the annual media frenzy following President Ahmadinejad’s speech.

This year, the highlights of the general debate went far beyond such moments, and fell nothing short of historic. New leaders took the floor to speak of revolutions and the quest for independence as facts and not ideologies. Female leaders made their voices heard among their male counterparts. Overwhelming concern was expressed with outbreaks of violence in the Middle East and commitments were made to those suffering in the Horn of Africa as a result of one of the worst famines in modern history.

Women in Politics

When H.E. Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, stressed the critical importance of gender equality in her remarks to the General Assembly, she reminded world leaders that, “Women are not a minority, [we] are half of humanity.” President Rousseff’s moving speech was proof of gender equality moving forward, as she is not only the first female president of Brazil, but also the first female president to open the general debate in UNGA’s history. Three other female heads of state stood at the iconic marble podium that morning among other women leaders who spoke in the following days, conveying hope to women around the globe. This was signified not only in the content of their remarks, but also by the very fact that they were able to stand there to deliver them.

New Leaders Take the Floor: South Sudan

Just one year ago “the prospect of a referendum in South Sudan was in doubt,” stated President Barack Obama, yet “the international community overcame old divisions to give South Sudan self-determination and last summer, a new flag went up in Juba.” The independence of South Sudan has been a major topic of discussion in the past months at the UN. President Obama’s introduction of the topic in this year’s general debate was followed by a plethora of mentions and congratulatory words for South Sudan from heads of state representing every region of the world. The much-awaited moment when President Salva Kiir addressed the Assembly on behalf of the newest country in the world was welcomed by representatives from every region. President Kiir called the opportunity to speak from the GA podium another significant “milestone” for his young nation. Wearing his cherished cowboy hat, reportedly a gift from President George W. Bush, and proudly looking at the audience, he spoke of the hardships of the past, the admirable resilience of his people, and their high hopes for the future of the Republic of South Sudan. President Salva Kiir placed special importance in thanking South Sudan’s “many friends in this hall” and the United Nations for their efforts and support towards their independence. Upon closing, the new leader vowed that South Sudan “would become an active member of the family of nations, making its contribution to fostering world peace and prosperity for the benefit of all humankind.”

The Arab Spring and Libya

As dramatic events and changes continue to take place in the Middle East and Northern Africa, world leaders recalled the particularly relevant theme of this year’s debate. Heads of state invoked the principles of democracy and urged all actors in the region to act responsibly, to hear the voices of their people and to avoid violence. Multiple presidents also expressed their concern with the developments in Syria and Yemen, calling for dialogue and peaceful means to resolve the situation unfolding in these, among other countries. Many also took the floor to speak about the lessons learned from the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions, and to commend the levels of participation and civic action taken by youth around the world.

On that regard, one of the most unforgettable moments of this year’s general debate was a direct result of an inspiring success story from the Arab Spring: Libya. The Libyan intervention this year was nothing short of monumental. The historical nature of this transition was palpable even before the Prime Minister of the National Transitional Council of Libya, H.E. Mahmoud Jibril, began to speak. Libya was next on the list of speakers, and for the 1st time in decades, this did not translate into Colonel Al-Qadhafi’s turn to take the floor. The Prime Minister walked to the podium, took a firm stance there and looked up at the audience. These few seconds, it seemed, allowed him to absorb the general recognition and support for the Libyan revolution expressed by the great majority of the audience. It seems nearly impossible to believe that only two years ago Al-Qadhafi stood at the same podium and tore apart the Charter of the United Nations, shocking the entire audience as he challenged the basic principles of the UN . A few months ago, the world still wondered whether the far-fetched dream of revolution in Libya would succeed. Today, however, Prime Minister Jibril stood solemnly behind that very podium to pay tribute to the victims of the revolution and to thank the international community on behalf of his people for responding to their pleas, for “reaching out [to help] the hands that reached out to them.” He concluded by saying “the world did help us,” and for that, he expressed his utmost gratitude for all states, regional organizations and the United Nations for helping Libya throughout this difficult time.

The leaders of South Sudan and Libya also urged the international community to continue their generous support, stating that the work in their countries was far from done, and deeming international assistance critical for their transition from post-conflict states into stable societies capable of developing in order to fulfill the expectations of their people, their regions and the world.

Palestinian Statehood?

The Palestinian intervention during this year’s UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) was probably the most anticipated event of the session, and their delegation rose to the occasion and delivered a heartfelt speech which produced a standing ovation—an act this hall rarely sees. The atmosphere, a mixture of respect and celebration, was reflected in every corner of the packed forum. The General Assembly showed solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The substantial challenges regarding the result of a vote supporting the Palestinian bid in the Security Council, and the subsequent debate over voting to elevate their observer status in the GA seemed to vanish momentarily as Mahmoud Abbas spoke. As President of the Palestinian Authority, Abbas handed his official application for UN membership to the Secretary General during his UNGA presentation. He expressed his wishes to “extend [our] hands to the Israeli Government and the Israeli people for peacemaking. I say to them: Let us urgently build together a future for our children where they can enjoy freedom, security and prosperity,” as he called for “bridges of dialogue, instead of checkpoints and walls of separation.” He then thanked the overwhelming number of heads of state who had formally expressed their support for the Palestinian bid during their interventions in this year’s general debate.

The possibility of a failed Palestinian membership bid in the Security Council was seen in stark contrast to the expected support for the bid in the General Assembly. This prospect played a central role in highlighting the need for reform within the UN system. Almost all delegations called for renewed negotiations on the system-wide reform process. A multitude of presidents and prime ministers discussed the inherent need to make the UN better reflect the principles of democracy and the realities of today.

Famine in the Horn of Africa

The spotlight of this year’s general debate was also placed on the devastating humanitarian crisis ravaging the Horn of Africa. Members of the African Union were among those who called most passionately for further assistance to the countless vulnerable communities facing famine and severe malnutrition. Emphasis was placed on the long-term support needed to combat this crisis, as heads of state highlighted the complex link between climate change, conflict and political and economic instability in the current situations of Somalia and other affected countries.

During the Debate, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called upon the global leaders gathered at the UN to “shape the world of tomorrow.” This year’s UNGA made it evident that while world leaders may give us great insight on the past, present and future of nations, it is indeed the people who are shaping the world of today and tomorrow.

Published in RightsNews Volume 30, no. 1, November, 2011.
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