Gaza at the UN - but what is the rest of the world saying? World Reframed Episode 11
The headlines focused on different perspectives on the conflict in the Middle East, and the loudest voices, as usual, were from the G7.
While much of the international media focused on the escalator that finally stopped Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a sparsely filled auditorium at the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA), there was a lot more going on.
Because for the majority of the world—the rest of the world—this year’s UNGA wasn’t just about speeches. It was about demanding overdue recognition, fair representation, and a voice in how global affairs are managed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful speech—only to be greeted by an awkward truth: most of the room had walked out.
Over 50 countries staged a coordinated walkout during his address, many in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Despite his attempts to command the spotlight, Netanyahu’s words were drowned out by the silence of empty seats.
And this wasn’t the only moment that revealed cracks in the UN’s foundations.
Palestine: excluded but not forgotten
For the first time since the Oslo Accords, Palestine’s delegation was blocked from attending. The US denied visas to President Mahmoud Abbas and over 80 officials, citing “national security concerns.” But for many observers, this was more about political control than security.
The response? A General Assembly vote - 145 countries in favour - allowing Abbas to send a pre-recorded video message instead. That video played to a room that listened closely. Ironically, in trying to silence Palestine, the U.S. only amplified its message.
A high-level parallel conference on Gaza ran alongside the UNGA. Leaders from Spain, the EU, Qatar, and the UAE pushed for urgent humanitarian action and statehood. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez even called for full UN membership for Palestine, accusing Israel of committing genocide.
G7 catch up
France, Australia, Canada and the UK finally did something they had talked about for years. But long after most countries had already acted. The recognition of a Palestinian State is now almost universal, but the military and economic might of the US still serves to counterbalance almost every other nation.
The UN Security Council: Still Stuck in 1945?
Another major talking point was the outdated structure of the UN Security Council.
Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai and Kenya’s President William Ruto both pushed for Africa to get a permanent seat at the table. Their argument is hard to dismiss: 54 African countries, over a billion people, and still no real power in the most important decisions the UN makes.
The Security Council was created in the aftermath of WWII to give the victors the most say. The US, UK, France, Russia, and China all have veto power. Everyone else? They rotate through 2-year terms with no veto and limited influence.
Groups like the L.69 (which includes countries from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America) and the African-led C-10 have been calling for reform for decades. But, as usual, those in power are reluctant to share it.
Rising frustration
That frustration is reaching a boiling point—especially as the U.S. repeatedly uses its veto power to block any criticism of Israel, despite widespread support for accountability among other nations.
Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, struck a powerful chord with a message that stood out for its clarity and compassion. His speech went viral across Global South social media platforms.
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We are of different race, religion and nationality, but we gather as a human family.
He ended his speech with greetings from multiple religions, called for unity across borders and beliefs, and raised the alarm about climate change - a concern echoed by many leaders, but mostly ignored in mainstream headlines.
'Yes, we're still talking about climate change'
For countries across the Global South, climate change isn’t a future threat - it’s a daily crisis.
Brazil’s President Lula promised sustainable stewardship of the Amazon. Meanwhile, the President of the Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, represented island nations already on the frontlines of climate disaster. His message? The biggest polluters must do more.
In the Global North, climate change often feels like a distant concern. But for many nations, it’s already changing everything—from food security to migration to national survival.
Beyond the headlines
Sure, Trump grabbing headlines for tripping on an escalator or making vague pronouncements about Ukraine might dominate the news cycle. But the real work—and the real frustration—was elsewhere.
Global South leaders raised the alarm on long-term structural problems:
- Debt traps
- Climate disasters
- New forms of economic colonialism through trade, tech, and education systems
While the West remains stuck in cycles of geopolitical drama and military posturing, much of the world is asking: where is the solidarity? Where is the fairness?
And perhaps more importantly—who really gets to shape the future?
World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.
ISSN 2978-4891
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
