Eighty-one years ago, the United Nations had emerged as a body whose main objective was to prevent another world war.

Every year, the podium in New York witnesses world leaders address the most pressing issues. This September marks the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

It is important to have the leaders of the world fly in to attend the September diplomacy at the UN headquarters in New York City.

The theme for this year’s UNGA is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.” The theme is clearly timely as trust in the UN has been dwindling and many members have been calling for reform.

Secretary-General António Guterres, opened the general debate, pointing out that “The fault lines in our world are widening. The cracks have become canyons.” Guterres, whose term is ending in December this year, focused mostly on the role of power in the international arena. Humanity’s future he said, hinged on four tests: “Our future will be shaped by how we address four great tests of power,” he said, “war, inequality, climate change and artificial intelligence.

“Across all four tests, the decisive issue is power,” he said, stressing that the UN’s existence mattered because “power requires rules” and “humanity needs a place where power answers to principle.”

US President Donald Trump’s 37-minute address touched on important issues. On Iran, he said, a deal was possible post-mid-term elections in his country. Another alternative, he said was to “annihilate the Islamic Republic.”

The Cuban delegation walked out when Trump referred to the country as a ‘failed state.’ He also stated that “Communism will never be coming to America, but freedom will be coming to Cuba.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian reminded his audience that the United States and Israel had imposed a war on his country when they attacked Iran earlier this year. President Pezeshkian held up photos of children killed in strikes led by the US and Israel. He said that Iran had “only defended” itself. “We are not terrorists. Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country,” he said. While he highlighted the impact of the US-Israel attacks on Iran, he also said, “We did not bend the knee; we did not bow our heads; we responded, but we did not hit civilian populations.”

On Iran’s nuclear programme, he stated, “We will not bow our head and give up what is our right.” He said Iran didn’t want a nuclear weapon, but wants to keep its civil nuclear programme.

Secretary-General António Guterres opened the general debate, pointing out that “The fault lines in our world are widening. Cracks have become canyons.”

He highlighted what he described as double standards among powerful states, contrasting the scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities with Israel’s nuclear capability and actions in Gaza. He noted that Iran had been attacked while engaged in negotiations and continued to face sanctions. “Israel kills but Iran is subject to sanctions,” he said.

He concluded by saying that his country was ready for dialogue: “We are ready for dialogue and diplomacy and negotiations without accepting the language of force,” he stated.

President Recep Tayyip Erdo an of Türkiye reminded the audience that “the world is bigger than five,” pointing at the UN Security Council reforms, which currently has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. “Let’s recognise that a system in which the will of more than 190 countries is subject to the whims of five countries is neither fair nor capable of fully establishing trust,” he said. Speaking of the UN, established 81 years ago, he recalled that the purpose of the UN was to maintain peace and security. He referred to Gaza as “most inhumane, most embarrassing concentration camp of our time.”

With many leaders highlighting what they described as ‘Israeli atrocities’ at the UNGA, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani termed what is happening in Gaza as a “genocide in every sense of the word.” He said that “there can be no real talk of a just international order as long as Palestine remains a blind spot within it.”

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, reminded the audience of the dismantling of the Geneva Conventions. He said that “there cannot be peace without justice.” He asked world leaders: “Do we want to live under this state of affairs – with a return to the law of the jungle – or do we want to live in a civilized international society?”

Argentinian President Javier Gerardo Milei, delivered a sharp critique of the UN, which he said had “become a useless organisation.”

“It only serves to feed a cast of fatally arrogant parasites disguised as well-meaning bureaucrats,” he stated.

Then there were those who took the podium like Alexander Stubb, the president of Finland, to suggest ‘remedies for a world in disorder.’ He said that the world needed to return to the rule of law, uphold humanitarian principles and use responsible, dignified language. This, he said, was a recipe to “avoid polarisation, strengthen trust and listen to others.”

The writer, a journalist and communications professional, is the manager at the Centre for Excellence in Journalism, IBA, Karachi. She can be reached on X:@mariaamkahn.