UN to fight for its own survival at General Assembly

The UN will use its 81st General Assembly, starting Tuesday, to appeal for its own survival amid attacks, funding cuts, and a credibility crisis, with institutional defense as the central message. The US, responsible for over 20% of UN funding, has cut contributions and programs since President Donald Trump returned to office. Countries like Israel, Russia, and the US have ignored Security Council resolutions, while Secretary-General António Guterres blames "enormous geopolitical division" for the paralysis. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will open the debate, defending multilateralism. An article in "Foreign Affairs" proposes a leaner UN focused on core functions like conflict mediation and humanitarian aid, ahead of a leadership transition.