They said it: Leaders at the UN, in their own words
Two weeks after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in Utah, several of the world leaders including those from Serbia, Paraguay and Ukraine, referenced the conservative activist’s slaying — and some of the divisive outpouring of reaction to it — as evidence of deeper fissures in global society as the U.N. General Assembly is held this week.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Many leaders saying many things about many topics that matter to them, to their regions, to the world: That’s what the U.N. General Assembly invariably produces each year.
And each year, certain voices dominate. Here, The Associated Press takes the opposite approach and spotlights some thoughts from leaders who might have not captured the headlines and airtime on Tuesday, the first day of the 2025 General Debate.
The United Nations must be a genuine unity of nations…. We are all really better together.
Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Our international order is being slowly eroded by the irresponsible actions of those who should know better.
The world is turning into a much more dangerous place. We have seen this before.
Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Not for the first time, developments on the ground have made me question the worth and utility of words in capturing the magnitude of the crisis.
Yet, not speaking about it would signal acceptance of the situation and abandonment of our humanity — and that, I will not do.
K culture is connecting people all over the world … the success and spread of K culture prove that universal empathy is possible.
South Korea President Lee Jae Myung addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
South Korea President Lee Jae Myung addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
We are fighting wars that cause death and destruction when we should be fighting poverty.
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
