The United Nations General Assembly under the shadow of increasing crises; Why are the heads of most world powers absent this year?

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): This year's meeting of the representatives of 193 UN member states, which is against the background of the war in Ukraine, new political crises in West Africa and Latin America, the spread of the new wave of corona virus, economic instability, increasing inequality and natural disasters. It is taking place in the form of devastating earthquakes, floods and destructive fires. The issue of "restoring trust and reviving global solidarity in order to accelerate the necessary measures to achieve the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan and achieve peace, prosperity, progress and a sustainable environment for all the people of the world" has been one of the main themes.

 

The heads and representatives of the 48 member countries of the United Nations have not participated in the 2023 meeting. Although the presence of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the President of Brazil who returned to power, as well as the first speech of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the United Nations General Assembly attracted some attention, apart from Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who Prohibited from attending international meetings, the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be felt at the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

 

Because, among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only Joe Biden, the President of the United States, was present at this year's meeting.

 

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron was a constant presence at the United Nations General Assembly during his presidency, but this year, on the pretext of the imminent visit of Charles III, the King of England to France, and the meeting with the Pope during his visit to Marseille, he has to leave the United States. Rishi Sunak, who could experience his first appearance as a representative of the British people in the guise of the Prime Minister of this country, refused to travel to New York due to his tight work schedule.

 

According to Euro News, in addition to the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the heads of several major countries and emerging world powers, like Mr. Putin, have preferred to send their foreign ministers this year. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, used the excuse of being tired of hosting the leaders of the G20 member states, and the President of Mexico apparently could not make room for a trip to the United States in his work schedule.

 

However, German Chancellor Olaf Schultz, the EU's top power, as well as European Council President Charles Michel, representing the EU, which is a UN observer, are participating in this year's General Assembly.