As Manhattan’s annual UN General Assembly high-level week (known simply as UNGA) comes to a close for another year, here’s a snapshot of what made news and what to watch moving forward.
Companies show up. Outside of the UN Headquarters, the private sector played a key role in driving activity and convening high-level side events. Microsoft, led by their new Vice President of UN Affairs, hosted the World Woman Future Forum. Google, IBM, Meta, and others partnered with Foreign Policy to host a Tech Forum. SAP’s CEO Christian Klein participated in Goals House to drive SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) action and announced a new pilot program with UNICEF for youth skills training.
Focus on Ukraine. From a high-level Security Council meeting that included a walkout by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to a standing ovation in the General Assembly for President Zelensky, the ongoing war in Ukraine dominated conversation throughout the week.
Notable meetings. Face-to-face meetings were back in full swing this year, as Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the first meeting between leaders of the two countries in 14 years. Other notable bilats occurred between China and Australia, U.S. and the Philippines, and Brazil and Russia.
Tension on climate. Widening divisions in the climate debate were on full display. While UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Alliance of Small Island States pushed for “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable nations, U.S. Envoy for Climate John Kerry publicly and privately expressed opposition – a tension that is anticipated to emerge again during COP27 where loss and damage is a priority agenda item.
Funding commitments. Among the highest numbers, President Biden announced $2.9 billion to combat global food insecurity, and the Gates Foundation and its partners committed $1.27 billion to advance the SDGs. However, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria fell short of hitting its $18 billion replenishment target as the UK and Italy delayed their pledges.