29 Sept 2025
Day 2
The second day of the UNGA 80 General Debate, held yesterday, September 24, 2025, was
dominated by geopolitical flashpoints and a renewed focus on global crises, particularly climate
change, as the day also featured a crucial Climate Summit. The key messages from the listed
countries—Spain, Ukraine, Iran, Panama, Switzerland, Latvia, Kenya, Estonia, Argentina, Syria,
Cyprus, Finland, and Sierra Leone—reaffirmed the need for multilateralism but highlighted deep
divisions on how to achieve global goals.
Here is a summary of the key messages by topic, including the major points made by the US
President (who spoke on Day 1 but whose remarks heavily influenced the debate).
Key Messages by Topic
1. Trump and the Challenge to Globalism
While US President Donald Trump spoke on Day 1, his message of "sovereignty over
globalism" cast a long shadow over Day 2's debate. His main points, which were directly or
indirectly rebutted by many leaders:
●Climate Action: He heavily criticized "green energy" as a "scam" and called the concept
of a "carbon footprint a hoax," asserting that climate policies were designed to "inflict pain"
on industrialized nations.
●Trade: He championed punitive tariffs as a necessary tool to address unfair trade
practices by countries he claims broke the rules.
●UN and International Cooperation: He was highly critical of the UN's effectiveness,
questioning its purpose and claiming the US had to solve major conflicts ("unendable
wars") that the UN could not.
2. Peace and International Cooperation
The theme of the day was the necessity of international law and multilateralism, often as a direct
counterpoint to Trump's message.
●Ukraine (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy): Delivered a passionate address, asserting
that "We have no choice but to fight," and stressing that victory is the only path to a just
and sustainable peace. He called for unified global support, condemning Russia's
aggression as an attack on the entire UN Charter. ●Cyprus (President Nikos Christodoulides): Focused on the urgent need for a peaceful
resolution to the Cyprus problem based on UN resolutions, emphasizing respect for
international law and sovereignty against external interference.
●Finland (President Alexander Stubb): Strongly affirmed the defense of international
rules, particularly emphasizing that the foundation of a peaceful world rests on adherence
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