Diplomacy is the way to address global challenges, Brazil tells General Assembly

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opened the UN General Assembly’s annual debate by calling for the organization to reclaim its role as a 'temple of peace' amid what he described as one of the most critical periods in its 80-year history. He condemned the erosion of multilateralism worldwide, attributing it to Security Council paralysis, veto misuse by permanent members, and escalating geopolitical tensions. Lula emphasized that Brazil has consistently opposed veto power since 1946, warning that inaction in the Council holds all nations hostage.

Lula highlighted the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II, urging immediate containment of regional crises to prevent global escalation. He criticized the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, stating that generations of Palestinians will bear the trauma of violence, and warned that the Middle East conflict risks becoming a 'tragedy of global proportions.' On Ukraine, he reiterated that the war has claimed lives with 'no winners on the battlefield,' calling for a diplomatic resolution.

Domestically, Lula reported progress in Brazil’s fight against hunger, adoption of anti-corruption laws, and record seizures of drugs, assets, and illicit funds. He vowed to continue combating corruption 'without exception,' asserting that no individual is above the law. On climate change, he condemned the rejection of scientific evidence, stressing that economic development must align with environmental protection to avoid irreversible damage.

The President also called for stricter regulation of large technology companies and artificial intelligence, cautioning against an unchecked technological race devoid of ethical safeguards. He concluded by reaffirming the UN’s historic contributions to decolonization, human rights, and refugee protection, urging member states to restore the organization’s political will and purpose as a 'temple of peace.'