Palestine, Haiti, Myanmar among crises highlighted at UNGA80
UNGA Hall in the UN Headquarters, New York, New York (Wikimedia)
Marking the eightieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly took place between September 9 and September 29, 2025. In attendance were representatives from all 193 Member States and over 100 heads of state.
During an interview, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the need for an international community in an increasingly globalized society and encouraged leaders to “turn the tide” on world crises, such as climate change and the conflict in Gaza.
“I am not optimistic nor pessimistic, I am determined,” said Gueterres. “We must build hope and never give up until our objectives are achieved.”
Palestine
Perhaps the most highly anticipated conversation at UNGA 80 was that on the question of a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine, where a two-year-long war has claimed over 60,000 lives.
On September 12, 2025, the UNGA adopted a resolution endorsing the two-state solution, with 142 out of 193 Member States voting in favor of the resolution. Expectedly, the United States and Israel vetoed the resolution, alongside eight other countries. Twelve nations abstained from the vote. The resolution proposes a requirement for the disarmament of Hamas and the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states.
Addressing the assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, arguing that Israel “will not allow you to shove a terrorist state down our throats.”
Discussing further military action in Gaza, PM Netanyahu stated, “The final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of 7 October again and again. That is why Israel must finish the job.”
Haiti
Haitian representative Laurent Saint-Cyr underscored the growing instability in Haiti following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
Ever since, Saint-Cyr noted, “thousands of children have been deprived of their fundamental right to education. Thousands of young people are condemned to despair. Hundreds of women and girls have been raped and they will forever carry the scars of this violence in their bodies.”
“It is a war between criminals who want to impose violence on the social order and an unarmed population struggling to preserve human dignity,” he noted.
The UN Security Council’s deployment of a security force into Haiti has done little besides secure Haiti’s main airport and reopen some roads. The force is reliant entirely on voluntary contributions, which, according to Saint-Cyr, are not enough.
With support from the United States and Panama, Haiti calls for the creation of a stronger Gang Suppression Force to resolve the current state of anarchy. Additionally, the country is requesting reparations from France, “not in a spirit of revenge, but with a concern for justice and truth,” according to Saint-Cyr. This demand comes in response to the 150 million gold franc “ransom” France ordered from Haiti in exchange for its independence in the early 19th century. The French National Assembly has acknowledged the country’s wrongdoing and is currently in diplomatic negotiations with Haiti.
Myanmar
Also of immediate importance to the Assembly is the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar. Since a military coup in 2021, the predominantly Muslim Rohingya community in Myanmar has been faced with physical and sexual violence, starvation, mass displacement, and more.
Secretary-General Guterres has urged three steps to alleviate the crisis: protection of civilians, guarantee of humanitarian access, and encouragement of investment.
“The solution to this crisis lies ultimately in Myanmar,” argues Guterres’s office, demanding peace and full citizenship for the Rohingya population.