Russia faced embarrassment at a recent high-profile UN summit in New York when its attempt to delay the adoption of a significant pact aimed at revitalizing the organization failed. The Russian delegation argued that the pact represented western interests and sought to defer the vote. However, their request was overwhelmingly rejected by a vote of 143 to 7, with 15 abstentions.
The move by Russia was criticized by several countries, including members of the African Union and Mexico, highlighting Moscow’s lack of support. The pact, which was intended to be a collective effort at UN renewal and a personal legacy for UN secretary-general António Guterres, was backed by a majority of countries.
Some of the key points of contention for Russia included issues of national jurisdiction and language on sexual and reproductive health rights. However, with their attempt to derail the pact unsuccessful, Guterres emphasized the importance of the document in restoring multilateralism and addressing 21st-century challenges.
The pact, spanning 26 pages and 56 recommendations, outlined reforms for the UN security council, governance of artificial intelligence, phasing out of fossil fuels, and nuclear disarmament, among other issues. While the document received praise for its intent to revive multilateralism, some critics pointed out its lack of new specifics.
Despite opposition from certain western countries, the pact still represents a significant step towards addressing global challenges and promoting cooperation. The rejection of Russia’s attempt to delay the adoption of the pact underlines the international community’s commitment to advancing multilateralism and finding solutions to pressing global issues.
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