Tag : grasping

United Nations: World leaders begin their high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday under the dark clouds of global polarisation, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, food and energy crises, economic problems and natural disasters grasping for silver linings of hope. "A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges", is the theme of the meeting encapsulating the problems and promises. Looking at solutions - especially the intractable deadlock at the Security Council - reform of the Security Council is expected to get renewed attention during the meeting. It will be high on India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's agenda when he meets with leaders from around the world and when he participates in two meetings focused on the reforms. Giving the efforts a boost, the US has signalled that President Joe Biden will present new ideas for moving the stalled reform process forward and hold wide consultations about it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not attending the meeting this year and Jaishankar is scheduled to speak for India on Saturday. About 150 heads of government or state are expected at the meeting formally known as the general debate of the Assembly that is held amid high security. Setting the mood for the meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his opening address to the assembled presidents, prime ministers, royalty and ministers is expected to outline the problems but also signal optimism. His Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "You can expect the Secretary-General to deliver a sober, substantive and solutions-focused report card on the state of our world where geopolitical divides are putting all of us at risk." "There will be no sugar coating in his remarks, but ...