United Nations leaders bemoan global turmoil as the General Assembly turns 80

NPR • January 18, 2026 • world

Key Points:

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) celebrated its 80th anniversary in the same London Methodist hall where it first met after World War II, reflecting on its founding goal of promoting international cooperation to prevent conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted current global challenges, including wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, increased military spending, and underfunding of U.N. agencies due to many countries, including the U.S., failing to meet financial commitments.
The event underscored tensions within the international system, with U.S. actions such as withdrawing from multiple U.N. agencies and criticisms of military operations by various countries, signaling pressures on the U.N.'s principles and effectiveness.
U.N. General Assembly President