In September, the world will witness the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, amid significant budget cuts and with the principles it upholds (multilateralism) under threat.
September is traditionally the month when delegations of heads of state and government leaders from around the world gather in New York for the UN General Assembly’s annual meetings. This year’s session begins on September 9 and marks a special milestone: the UN’s 80th anniversary during one of the most complex moments for the multilateral system.
Institutional reforms are a top priority. The UN80 Initiative, proposed by Secretary-General António Guterres, aims to modernize the UN, covering several areas—from reforming the Security Council to operational efficiency, including budget adjustments and responses to funding cuts. These reforms are seen as a way to strengthen multilateralism—the principle of cooperation among three or more countries, based on common rules and shared institutions, to solve global problems in a coordinated and inclusive manner.
This principle of cooperation is threatened by countries acting alone, ignoring agreements or common rules, or negotiating directly outside multilateral forums. This reflects a world polarized by armed conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, among others), but not only that.
Extreme events caused by climate change and inequalities fuel intolerance, and together with massive amounts of disinformation, they contribute to citizen alienation and human rights violations.
Amid Fierce Criticism and Crucial Roles
At 80 years, the UN faces criticism for inefficiency, structural aging, and various problems caused by budget cuts—especially from the US—as well as deadlocks in the Security Council. However, many analysts believe that even weakened, the UN remains a vital diplomatic platform, with specialized agencies—such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), among others—still playing crucial roles in global crises.
Kishore Mahbubani, former President of the UN Security Council, credited the UN with preventing World War III and, although wars still exist, deaths are declining in the long term, “and the world overall remains a much more peaceful place.”
Will we see concrete proposals for reforming the Security Council and the UN’s institutional functioning by the end of the 80th General Assembly (even if further rounds are needed to reach consensus)? The answer is soon to come.
A Guide to the General Assembly
What to expect from the September meetings during the 80th session in New York?
- Key moments: UNGA 80 will include the usual high-level debate with speeches from heads of state and government starting September 23. Each country will take the stage to share its worldview with peers.
- Session Presidency: Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected in June 2025 with 167 votes to preside over the 80th General Assembly session, under the theme “Better Together.”
- Defending Cooperation: The defense of multilateralism will be central, especially under Baerbock’s motto “Better Together,” opposing the growing divisions between powers and regional blocs.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs turn 10 years old, and a renewed mobilization is expected to implement the goals aligned with UN reforms and the humanitarian budget.
Source: Revista Economia & Mercado
