“Attacks on sovereignty, arbitrary sanctions, and unilateral interventions becoming the rule: Brazil’s

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday said the world is witnessing the conservation of international order marked by “repeated concessions to power players, attacks on sovereignty, arbitrary sanctions, and unilateral interventions becoming the rule.”
Brazil traditionally delivers the first address at the General Assembly debate.
Opening the high-level debate, Lula began, “Madam President of the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary-General, dear heads of state and government and representatives of the member states gathered here. This should be a time to celebrate the United Nations. Created at the end of World War II, the UN symbolises the highest expression of peace. And today, however, the ideals that inspired its founders in San Francisco are under threat as never before.”
He delivered a wide-ranging speech that underscored the threats to multilateralism, democracy, and global peace.
“Multilateralism is at a new crossroads. The organisation’s authority is in check. We are witnessing the conservation of an international order marked by repeated concessions to power players, attacks on sovereignty, arbitrary sanctions, and unilateral interventions becoming the rule,” Lula stated. He warned of “a clear parallel between multilateralism’s crisis and the weakening of democracy.”
Referring to Brazil’s own struggle, Lula said, “Even under an unprecedented attack, Brazil chose to resist and defend its democracy, regained 40 years ago by its people after two decades of dictatorial governments.”
Lula also indirectly slammed US President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs and sanctions on the South American country following the conviction of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup in the country after his party lost the 2022 polls. Trump has also imposed sanctions on the wife of the judge who presided over Bolsonaro’s trial.
-TIN Bureau