With the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, this international organization returns to the spotlight. To what extent has its credibility affected outstanding issues such as Palestine, Kashmir, Syria and Yemen, and to what extent countries feel that their role is indispensable despite all the criticism directed at them?
To address the most prominent outstanding international issues, the program "Min Washington" (2023/9/21) hosted political figures who explained the most prominent points that the United Nations succeeded in achieving, as well as the difficulties it faced in Kashmir, Syria and Yemen.
On the importance of the organization's role, Al Jazeera's Washington correspondent Murad Hashem quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as stressing the centrality of the organization's role in the political aspect or challenges, disasters and humanitarian issues, but did not deny that his powers in dealing with international issues are limited.
Guterres believes that internal decisions remain in the hands of states, and the organization is only an arena to ensure international multilateralism diplomatically so that countries resolve their differences and prevent or contain crises, although this organization does not always succeed in achieving this.
The outstanding Kashmir issue
On the Kashmir issue, Pakistani Foreign Minister Jalil Gilani stressed that this issue is one of the most important issues facing his country as it is a source of permanent disagreement with India, and it is the longest unresolved dispute on the agenda of the UN Security Council.
He pointed out in remarks to "From Washington" that despite the multiple resolutions of the Security Council demanding an impartial settlement to determine the aspirations of the people of Kashmir, it has not been implemented and adhered to, pointing out that it is a sad story, as he described it, especially in light of the involvement of Indian forces in human rights violations inside Kashmir.
The Pakistani minister also likened Kashmir to prison because he considered that those living under "Indian occupation" do not enjoy any political rights, pointing out that most political leaders are arrested, and therefore stressed that it is the responsibility of the Security Council to ensure that its resolutions are implemented by the Indian side, which does not abide by them.
In comparing the Kashmir issue to Palestine, Gilani argued that there is a denial and denial of justice for both the people of Kashmir and the people of Palestine.
Syria and Yemen
Regarding the Syrian issue, the UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, explained that the humanitarian and economic situation is very dangerous in this country before the political, pointing to reports proving malnutrition in children as well as the situation of refugees outside the country.
On the political level, he noted in statements to "From Washington" that over 12 years of war and conflict, political issues have not been resolved, stressing that political progress necessarily requires the cooperation of major international powers, including America, Russia and Turkey, and this is what requires finding a comprehensive political solution to the crisis.
On Yemen, US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said there were positive moves, including that 18 months after the truce and de-escalation in the country, commercial flights were organized from Sana'a airport and some prisoners were released last April.
Lenderking also considered that among the positive points achieved was the visit of the Houthis to Riyadh, considering it a very promising development, and stressed that personal communication between the parties to the conflict is important after a large period of war and shooting.