World leaders convene at UN General Assembly amid Gaza, Ukraine wars

World leaders are convening on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly against backdrop of war, divisiveness and debate over a Palestinian state.

In his opening address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned world leaders that humanity has entered “an age of reckless disruption and relentless human suffering.”

Touching on the conflict in Gaza, Guterres said that nothing justified the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, and nothing justifies the collective punishment of Gaza’s residents.

He said that what is needed now is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages.

Guterres added that aid budgets were “wreaking havoc” as he opened the organization’s annual meeting of world leaders, painting a dark picture of the world order.

“But development aid cuts are wreaking havoc. They are a death sentence for many. A stolen future for many more,” he said without mentioning the United States, responsible for many of the cuts, whose president will speak shortly after Guterres.