What to know from the UN: Ukraine doesn’t want the world to forget, and attention turns to Lebanon

Ukraine president VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, at the podium, implored world leaders not to give in to calls for a ceasefire that doesn’t guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty. “When some propose alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles, it not only ignores the interests and suffering of Ukrainians who are affected by the war the most, it not only ignores reality, but also gives Putin the political space to continue the war,” Zelenskyy said. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Here’s your daily guide to what’s going on at the United Nations this week, day by day: From the podium French President EMMANUEL MACRON told the U.N. General Assembly that “Israel cannot, without consequence, just expand its operations to Lebanon.” He urged Israel to cease the escalation, and Hezbollah to cease missile launches to Israel. “Panama today is the new border of the United States,” Mulino said, noting that the migrants crossing his country are seeking a better life in the U.S. “I ask you to see the magnitude of what is happening because we feel like we don’t have the international support we are due.” On the sidelines The chance of a ceasefire proposal to try to stop fighting between Israel and Lebanon took up a lot of oxygen behind the scenes on Wednesday. At the session, French Foreign Minister JEAN-NOEL BARROT said later in a meeting of the Security Council that France was working with the U.S. on a proposal for a 21-day ceasefire. Climate moment In a special high-level summit to address the impacts of rising seas, small island nations pleaded for the survival and insisted on their sovereignty despite overflowing oceans. Sea level rise “threatens the well-being of our peoples’ cultures, food security and livelihoods,” said Samoan Prime Minister FIAME NAOMI MATA’AFA, speaking for 39 small island nations. Marshall Islands President HILDA HEINE and others said even if their lands are submerged, their nations should still be recognized, asking the world not to “rig the map and try to erase us with a pencil… sovereignty ultimately rests with our people, not in distant diplomatic centers.” U.S. Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN said the United States is committed to counter — or at least adapt to — rising sea levels that pose an existential threat to many coastal communities around the world. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine addresses the the Summit of the Future, in the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) Voices you might have missed “Globalization has failed in its mission to bring prosperity to people.” —XIOMARA CASTRO, president of Honduras ___ “In this emerging global order, we must ensure the United Nations remains at the forefront of global governance. With the necessary resources and resolve, the UN can ensure a future of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity.” —MOHAMED IRFAAN ALI, president of Guyana ___ Island nation leaders warned about sea level rise in the most dire and personal terms. “Our future is uncertain,” Fiji President WILIAME KATONVIERE said. “Will our children and their children have a place to call home?” And Maldives President MOHAMED MUIZZU said: “An emergency is upon us, threatening our way of life. Our fight to live on will survive.” Something you might not know Leaders’ speeches take a variety of forms and are delivered in a variety of languages — some rendered on plain paper, others on elaborate letterhead. Taken collectively, they represent the words and ideas of an entire governed world — and the politics and maneuverings that come with leading, or helping to lead, one of the nations of Earth. One notable number Number of speakers scheduled at a last-minute, evening Security Council session on conflict between Israel and Lebanon: 24 Quotable “Colleagues, I’m often asked which one issue keeps me up at night. Ambassador to the United Nations LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, speaking to the Security Council ___ “Annihilation may bring military success but not political or moral victory. If security systems take over every political decision you forfeit your option to negotiate.” —MIRJANA SPOLJARIC EGGER, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross ___ “Rising seas mean a rising tide of misery. And that will bring us peace.” —Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, to leaders at the General Assembly Up next Palestinian President MAHMOUD ABBAS is scheduled to speak Thursday morning and Israel’s Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU on Friday. – This Summarize was created by Neural News AI (V1). Source: https://apnews.com/d7ce6a436259604f6ae20ff0424cef49