MANHATTAN, New York – AS conflicts rage on in Ukraine and the Middle East, the United Nations has once again come under sharp criticism for failing to fulfill its core mandate of ensuring global peace and security.
The latest rebuke came from Suriname’s newly elected President, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly. She argued that, despite its decades-long existence, the UN has been “unsuccessful in avoiding conflicts, wars and violations of human rights” – principles enshrined in its founding charter.
The devastation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel have displaced millions, fueled famine, and worsened human suffering.
"In several other countries and regions for instance in the Middle – East we have witnessed unspeakable terror at the hands of terrorist organizations. At this moment there are increased occurrences of grave violations of human rights and more specifically the rights of children for example in Gaza,” she told the Assembly.
Geerlings-Simons warned that the return of war to Europe and the deepening crisis in the Middle East are not isolated. She noted that even the Caribbean, long considered a “Zone of Peace,” is facing growing instability.
“It is with heightened concern that we noted the Secretary General’s recent briefing of the Security Council Meeting, on the situation in Haiti, mentioning that ‘the Haitians are enduring a perfect storm of suffering,'" she said.
While reaffirming Suriname’s position, the president insisted that conflicts should be resolved primarily through dialogue.
“We remind the international community that Latin America and the Caribbean are proclaimed as a Zone of Peace," she said.
“Madam President, we should reflect and ponder on the role and effectiveness of the Organization for the next 80 years. What do we have to change, what needs to be done differently? The United Nations will only be successful if all nations are committed to the implementation of those matters, we agree upon and the resolutions we adopt."
She stressed that the UN’s success depends on the willingness of all nations to honor their commitments.
The president also reminded delegates that the world has drastically changed since the UN was created in 1945, emphasizing that the poor nations have now become powers "who can’t be ignored any longer”.
