United Nations General Assembly faces crisis of multilateralism

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has highlighted a growing crisis in multilateralism, as national leaders utilized the forum to justify violence and issue threats rather than promote peace.

During the high-level session, Donald Trump discussed a ‘big decision’ regarding whether to ‘annihilate’ Iran and asserted that ‘to the victor belong the spoils’ in reference to US control over Venezuelan oil. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a walkout by dozens of delegates after labeling those who condemn the situation in Gaza as ‘moral cowards.’

The bellicose tone of the speeches suggests a shift away from a rules-based international order. Powerful states are increasingly withdrawing from or defunding international institutions, opting instead for transactional deal-making and the formation of rival, informal groupings. This fragmentation occurs as global challenges such as the climate crisis, economic inequality, and impunity for conflict-related atrocities continue to mount.