Will world leaders convening in New York address mass atrocities and conflicts?

World leaders are gathering for the United Nations General Assembly in New York where a multitude of crises are unfolding around the world. From Israel and Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Myanmar and Ukraine, civilians are suffering due to conflicts fueled by inaction and ongoing weapons supplies.
In Israel, Western states provide arms enabling the offensive in Gaza, while in Sudan, external powers sustain a brutal internal conflict through arms sales. The UN must take action to restrict weapons supplies to save lives.
Various measures can be taken, such as cutting off arms to warring parties in conflict zones, restricting jet fuel to Myanmar’s military, and extending arms embargoes in Sudan. Establishing civilian protection missions and enforcing arrest warrants against perpetrators of atrocities are also crucial steps.
Despite challenges in the UN Security Council, international solidarity and principled leadership have the capacity to overcome obstacles. Recent cases, such as South Africa’s case against Israel and Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, demonstrate the power of international cooperation in holding perpetrators accountable.
The UNGA has introduced new procedures to increase accountability for Security Council permanent members and efforts are underway to enforce ICJ decisions on occupied territories. This year’s UN theme of “Leaving no one behind” highlights the need for collective action to promote peace, sustainable development, and human dignity.
As world leaders gather at the UNGA, it is imperative that they prioritize the protection of civilians and take concrete steps to address ongoing crises worldwide.

Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com