Traore said rebuilding international trust required an end to what he described as state support for terrorist groups.

“For the Confederation of Sahel States, restoring trust necessarily means an immediate end to state support for terrorism. Terrorism cannot continue to be an instrument of the foreign policy of certain powers,” Traore said.

He did not name the states he was referring to but alleged that terrorist groups were receiving hidden support.

“Behind the terrorist’s murderous arm, there are hidden forms of support, including from states, driven by the desire to regain lost advantages and privileges,” he added. “Silence in the face of such actions is no longer prudence; it is serious complicity.”

Traore also defended the decision by AES countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court , pointing to what he described as “selectivity and politicisation.”

“We accept impartial and objective scrutiny. However, we reject political trials. Yes to respect for the law. But we reject its instrumentalisation <...> International justice ? Yes. Selective justice? No,” he argued.

Turning to slavery and colonialism, the Burkina Faso foreign minister called for historical recognition to be followed by further action.

He said recognition “must pave the way for truth, memory, reparations and a genuine transformation of international relations inherited from slavery and colonialism.”

Traore also addressed Burkina Faso’s security situation, saying more than 74% of the country’s territory was now under control. Security forces continue operations against militants and criminal groups.

The UN General Assembly brings together 193 member states, with this year’s session held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Palestine and colonialism

Sugiono said stronger institutions alone would not protect multilateralism unless countries defended the principles supporting them.

“International law must be upheld consistently, sovereignty must be respected, and colonialism must be brought to an end,” he said.

He described violations of international law in Gaza and the West Bank as reminders of the period before the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the four Geneva Conventions of 1949.

Sugiono connected Indonesia’s position to its own struggle for independence.

“Indonesia knows what it means to struggle against colonialism, to struggle in a world where international law was weak and might was right,” he said.

Indonesia reaffirmed its support for Palestinian self-determination and an independent, sovereign state based on the two-state solution.

“Palestine is not only a question for one region,” Sugiono said, describing it as a test of whether the multilateral system could defend its founding principles and act when required.

Reforming multilateralism

Sugiono said the UN remained indispensable but needed to become more representative, agile and capable of delivering results.

“The answer to imperfect multilateralism is not less multilateralism. The answer is stronger and better multilateralism,” he said.

He also called for reform of the international financial architecture to provide developing countries with greater support and policy space.

Resilience from national to regional level

Sugiono argued that stronger multilateralism begins with countries capable of meeting their populations’ needs. He identified food security , energy, education, healthcare, employment and industrial development as foundations of national resilience.

“At the heart of our resilience are our people ,” he said.

He presented ASEAN as a regional model in which countries with different political systems and interests continue to maintain dialogue.

“We do not always agree, but we have made a conscious choice to stay together,” Sugiono said.

Security Council role

Indonesia is seeking a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for 2029–2030 under the theme “Fostering Unity, Advancing Peace .” The candidacy places Indonesia’s criticism of the international system alongside a commitment to participate more directly in its reform.

Sugiono said Indonesia would maintain dialogue, defend international law and convert shared responsibilities into practical cooperation if elected.

“Because resilience is not simply about surviving the storms, it is about having the strength to keep moving forward together,” Sugiono said.

“Every day, they try to murder our people, particularly in our historic homeland in Judea,” Netanyahu said. “There are thousands of attempts per year on families, peaceful families driving along the roads.”

His comments come amid international criticism of settler violence . According to UN figures cited in the supplied material, 23 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,100 injured in settler attacks in the West Bank since the start of 2026. More than 1,600 attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties or property damage were recorded between January and August.

Several European countries have also announced measures targeting goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The UK additionally accused Israeli settlers of “ethnic cleansing”, a characterisation Israel rejected as “outrageous”, while responding with measures including an order to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem.

France , Canada and several other European countries have introduced similar measures on settlement goods, although critics have argued that the restrictions cover only a small proportion of Israeli exports.

Hundreds of Jewish protesters gathered in the area, with one group rallying against antisemitism while Orthodox Jewish anti-Zionist demonstrators held a separate protest.

Footage showed arguments and gestures being exchanged across police barricades, while some demonstrators confronted each other at close range.

NYPD officers moved between the rival groups as pro-Israel protesters carried signs reading 'End global antisemitism now' and 'Stop antisemitism now'.

On the other side, Orthodox Jewish anti-Zionist protesters displayed posters featuring Netanyahu and the words ‘Wanted for crimes against humanity’, alongside other anti-Zionist messages.

Protesters Raise Antisemitism Concerns

"Of course there is a rise in anti-Semitism. You only have to look at all the figures," said protester Marilyn, arguing that Jewish community members no longer felt safe on the streets.

"I live in New Jersey. I've had cars stop and say obscenities to me, and people are being attacked for wearing a Star of David. Of course, there's a tremendous rise in anti-Semitism, and our mayor in New York is fanning the flames," she claimed.

Another pro-Israel demonstrator, Ben Akselrod, called on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to release his administration's promised plan to tackle antisemitism.

"As previously promised to release a report on how to combat anti-Semitism. And he said he would release it before the High Holidays. It is now after the High Holidays. I appreciate that he often says New York should be a place for all New Yorkers, including Jewish New Yorkers. But you have to do more than just rhetoric. I want to see the plan for how things work."

Akselrod said antisemitism had been increasing for years and argued that the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the war that followed had accelerated the problem.

Mamdani said on September 9 that confirmed hate crimes across New York City had risen 16 percent during the first eight months of 2026, while antisemitic hate crimes were up 9 percent.

Netanyahu Visit Raises Security Tensions

Security around the UN has been tightened as Netanyahu visits New York for the General Assembly.

Mamdani had previously pledged during his mayoral campaign to seek Netanyahu's arrest over the International Criminal Court warrant against the Israeli leader.

In July, however, Mamdani acknowledged that New York City did not have the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant.

Rodríguez stressed that the conditions leading up to the election would be crucial, arguing that “an election must be a solution, not a generator of irreconcilable conflicts”.

On foreign policy, she called for stronger cooperation with the United States and thanked President Donald Trump for his willingness to restore diplomatic ties. She said both governments were discussing cooperation on energy, security and economic issues.

Rodríguez also reaffirmed Venezuela's claim over the Guayana Esequiba territory and called for renewed negotiations with Guyana. She also addressed Venezuelans living abroad, saying the country should become one “that many will want to return to”.

He also called for stronger UN institutions, greater resources for the International Criminal Court and renewed efforts towards nuclear disarmament.

Sanchez urged tighter regulation of social media and artificial intelligence, arguing that protecting future generations should take priority over the interests of what he called “tech oligarchs”. His government has separately pushed for stronger global rules governing AI and greater accountability for technology companies.

Turning to Spanish foreign policy, Sanchez highlighted Madrid's opposition to wars of aggression, its arms embargo on Israel and its refusal to commit to spending five per cent of GDP on defence.

He also addressed the migration crisis in Ceuta, saying security could be maintained without treating migrants as enemies or abandoning international law and human rights . His government has previously acknowledged the severity of the crisis while stressing the protection of human life and migrants' rights.

“Delcy Rodríguez does not represent us,” protester Andrés Velásquez said, accusing the government of neglecting problems at home, including struggling hospitals and declining wages.

Lawyer Lurys Elena Medina also criticised US President Donald Trump over Rodríguez's presence in New York, questioning Washington's engagement with the Venezuelan leader amid the country's economic and social difficulties.

Rodríguez's appearance marks the return of a high-level Venezuelan delegation to the General Assembly following significant changes in relations between Caracas and Washington.

She became acting president after US forces captured Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026. The two countries later announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular ties in March.

Rodríguez arrived in New York on Monday, saying her UN agenda would focus on respect, cooperation and dialogue among nations. She is also scheduled to meet Trump during her visit.

He also called for reforms to the UN and the global financial system, saying developing countries face high borrowing costs, rising debt and limited access to affordable financing.

Ndejembi announced Tanzania's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2029-2030.

Turning to Gaza , he called for the protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian aid while reaffirming Tanzania's support for a two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination.

“The UN must not merely reflect on the balance of power, but serve as a platform for justice , solidarity and progress,” he concluded.

Mamdani has previously criticised Netanyahu over the war in Gaza and explored whether New York could enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him, before acknowledging that the city lacked that authority. The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has since called for Mamdani’s arrest, while protests are expected in New York as the UN General Assembly opens its 81st session on 22 September.

The resolution nevertheless passed overwhelmingly. Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said longstanding cartographic distortions had helped minimise Africa's perceived size and contributed to an unbalanced view of world geography.

The measure promotes greater use of equal-area maps, including the Equal Earth projection, which preserve the relative size of continents more accurately than the centuries-old Mercator projection.

Dussey said the initiative was not directed against any country or cartographic tradition, but aimed at encouraging projections that better reflect the true proportions of continents.

The African Union has backed the campaign through its "Correct the Map" initiative, arguing that maps can influence how countries and continents are perceived globally.

"Should the United States continue to violate its obligations under the MoU, Iran will no longer be bound to fulfil its obligations under the MoU," Iravani said.

He accused Washington of violating the agreement by carrying out military strikes on Iranian territory, including attacks on southern cities and several islands in the Persian Gulf on July 7 and 8.

"The United States bears full international responsibility for all legal and political consequences arising from its unlawful action," he said.

Addressing the Strait of Hormuz, Iravani said responsibility for reopening the strategic waterway and conducting demining operations rested solely with Iran under the memorandum. He warned that any attempts by external powers to establish separate arrangements would breach the agreement, delay the resumption of commercial shipping and increase regional tensions.

The United States has said its latest strikes were carried out in response to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait. Tehran has not claimed responsibility for those attacks, Viory reports.

Youssouf also highlighted Russia’s backing for reforms to the UN Security Council, including support for Africa’s long-standing demand for greater representation. The African Union is calling for two permanent seats with full rights, as well as five non-permanent seats, as part of efforts to strengthen the continent’s voice in global decision-making.

"Why did you not come to see the evidence yourself? Were you afraid the facts would not match the conclusion?" Danon said. "You caved. You caved to the pressure. You caved to the Secretary General's obsession with targeting Israel."

His remarks were interrupted by Vanessa Frazier, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, who objected to what she described as a personal attack.

"This should not be personal. I have a point of order," Frazier said. Danon responded by telling her to remain silent. "No, you will be quiet because I'm speaking now," he said, before demanding that she leave the session. Frazier refused.

"I will not walk out. We have verified evidence," she replied, accusing Danon of making "personal attacks." "You work for the UN, and you will respect the rules of the UN. We are a member state, and you work for the UN, and you will be quiet now...If you don't want to listen, go out," he retorted.

The confrontation followed the publication of a UN report on conflict-related sexual violence that added Israeli armed and security forces to a UN monitoring list over allegations involving Palestinian detainees.

Southern Asia recorded the largest net migration loss in Asia, while Western Asia remained the region’s strongest migration destination, according to migration data compiled from the UN Population Division and international migration studies .

A visual analysis published by Seasia Stats and World Visualized showed Southern Asia posting a net migration balance of -2.2 million people over a five-year average period, far exceeding outflows recorded in Eastern, South-Eastern and Central Asia .

Western Asia stood out as the only Asian subregion with positive net migration, recording a net gain of approximately 434,000 people.

Net migration measures the difference between immigrants entering a region and emigrants leaving it.

Migration experts say Western Asia’s positive migration trend is largely driven by Gulf economies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, which rely heavily on foreign labour across construction, healthcare, domestic work and technology sectors.

The World Bank and the International Organisation for Migration have repeatedly identified the Gulf region as one of the world’s largest migrant worker destinations due to higher wages and strong labour demand.

Large migrant populations from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines continue moving to the Gulf in search of economic opportunities.

Southern Asia’s large negative migration balance reflects longstanding outward migration patterns from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Economic opportunity, overseas employment, education and family reunification remain among the biggest drivers of migration from the region, according to UNESCO and UN migration reports.

India alone has one of the world’s largest overseas diasporas, with millions of citizens living and working abroad.

Eastern Asia and South-Eastern Asia also recorded net migration losses, though at much smaller levels compared to Southern Asia.

Ageing populations, slowing economic growth and changing labour markets are believed to be reshaping migration trends in countries including China, Japan and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian nations continue experiencing both outbound labour migration and growing urban migration within the region.

The International Organisation for Migration estimates there were more than 281 million international migrants worldwide in recent years, with Asia remaining central to global migration flows.

“Addressing the past injustices suffered by Africans requires rectifying Africa’s representation on the United Nations Security Council,” Youssouf said.

He also argued that meaningful historical reconciliation must include recognition of the impact of slavery and colonialism on the continent.

“Such reparations are appropriate and legitimate,” he stated.

Africa currently has no permanent seat on the UN Security Council despite representing 55 countries through the African Union. The continent currently holds three rotating non-permanent seats and has been campaigning for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats as part of wider UN reform efforts.

According to IMF data compiled by African business intelligence platform Intelpoint and visualised by World Visualized, Nigeria achieved a GDP above $100 billion in 1994, just 34 years after independence in 1960.

The ranking tracks how long African countries took to surpass the $100 billion GDP mark between 1988 and 2025, revealing significant differences in growth trajectories across the continent.

Angola ranked second, reaching the milestone 36 years after independence, while Algeria followed at 43 years. Morocco, Kenya and South Africa also featured prominently among Africa’s fastest-growing economies by long-term GDP expansion.

The findings highlight how resource wealth, population growth, industrialisation and economic reforms have shaped Africa’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.

Nigeria’s rise to a $100 billion economy was driven largely by oil exports, rapid urbanisation and its growing population, which is now estimated by the United Nations to exceed 220 million people.

As Africa’s largest oil producer for decades, Nigeria benefited heavily from petroleum revenues during the late 20th century, helping finance infrastructure, banking expansion and import-driven consumer growth.

Economic analysts say Nigeria’s large domestic market also gave it advantages unavailable to many smaller African economies.

Despite repeated currency crises, inflation shocks and governance challenges, the country remains one of Africa’s largest economies by nominal GDP alongside South Africa and Egypt.

The International Monetary Fund has projected continued medium-term growth for Nigeria, supported by services, telecommunications, financial technology and a fast-expanding digital economy.

Angola reached the $100 billion threshold in 2011, approximately 36 years after independence from Portugal in 1975.

The country experienced one of Africa’s fastest economic expansions during the 2000s, largely due to booming crude oil exports and rising Chinese investment after the end of its civil war in 2002.

At its peak, Angola became one of China’s largest African oil suppliers, helping fund large-scale infrastructure reconstruction projects including roads, railways and housing developments.

However, economists note that Angola’s heavy dependence on oil left the economy vulnerable to global commodity price swings, particularly during the 2014 oil market collapse.

Algeria and Morocco both ranked among the continent’s fastest economies to surpass a $100 billion GDP.

Algeria crossed the mark in 2005, driven largely by hydrocarbon exports. The country possesses some of Africa’s largest natural gas reserves and remains a major energy supplier to Europe.

Morocco reached the milestone in 2008 after decades of gradual industrial diversification and export-oriented growth.

Unlike several oil-dependent economies, Morocco expanded sectors including automotive manufacturing, phosphates, renewable energy and tourism.

The country has increasingly positioned itself as a manufacturing and logistics hub connecting Europe and Africa through major infrastructure projects such as the Tangier Med port complex.

Kenya became one of the newest African economies to exceed a $100 billion GDP, reaching the threshold in 2019.

The East African nation has built a reputation as one of the continent’s leading technology and financial centres, anchored by Nairobi’s role as a regional commercial hub.

Kenya’s economy has benefited from growth in mobile banking, agriculture, transport and digital services .

Ghana reached the $100 billion benchmark in 2025, according to the IMF-based Intelpoint analysis, highlighting the growing economic significance of West Africa beyond Nigeria.

The country has expanded rapidly over the past two decades through gold production, oil exports, cocoa trade and services growth.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia crossed the threshold in 2022 after roughly 81 years, despite never being formally colonised apart from a brief Italian occupation during the 1930s and 1940s.

Ethiopia recorded some of the world’s fastest growth rates during the 2000s and 2010s, powered by state-led infrastructure investment, manufacturing expansion and agricultural reforms.

However, conflict, debt pressures and foreign exchange shortages have recently slowed momentum in Africa’s second-most populous country.

Europe: 77.2 years

Europe boasts the highest life expectancy, with an average of 77.2 years. Countries like Spain, Italy, and Iceland have some of the highest life expectancies globally. This region is projected to approach 83 years by 2050.

Northern America: 76.9 years

Northern America, comprising the United States and Canada, has a life expectancy of 76.9 years. The United States has a life expectancy of 76.1 years, while Canada's is 81.1 years. By 2050, the continent is expected to be attaining 94 years.

Australia and New Zealand: 76.5 years

Australia and New Zealand have a combined life expectancy of 76.5 years. Australia's life expectancy is 75.6 years, while New Zealand's is 80.5 years. Australian and Oceanian elders are given a lifespan of 82.1 years in 2050.

Latin America and the Caribbean: 75.5 years

Latin America and the Caribbean have a life expectancy of 75.5 years. Countries like Chile, Costa Rica, and Cuba have made significant progress in increasing life expectancy. Interestingly, this region aims at 80.6 years by 2050.

Asia: 73.5 years

Asia's life expectancy is 73.5 years, with notable variations across countries. Japan has one of the highest life expectancies globally, at 87.2 years, while Afghanistan's is 64.1 years. By 2050, Asia's life expectancy is expected to approach 80 years.

Africa: 63.5 years

Africa has the lowest life expectancy, at 63.5 years. While some countries like Mauritius and Seychelles have made significant progress, others like the Central African Republic and Chad continue to face challenges. With the withdrawal of many health aids supported by USAID, the figures are likely to decline. The UN, however, sees a leap by 5 years in 2050.