UN General Assembly: an indispensable beacon in uncertain times

Despite fierce criticism from the US, the UN remains an indispensable institution for Belgium that is needed now more than ever. During the General Assembly in September 2025, Belgium made its voice heard clearly and established numerous contacts. After all, our country’s security and prosperity begin beyond our borders.

This year, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York received noticeably more media attention. That was likely due to expectations that several Western countries - including France, the UK and Belgium - would recognise the Palestinian state, with or without conditions.

An anniversary on a sad note

But it may also have had something to do with the UN’s 80th anniversary this year, which is, moreover, an anniversary on a sad note. A major stumbling block is the stance of the US. As the largest donor, it has halted considerable funding and withdrawn from organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNESCO, the UN body that recognises historical sites as world heritage. In his speech, US President Trump spoke dismissively of the UN, calling it a money-guzzling and rather useless organisation.

Pact for the Future

It is no secret that the UN is facing challenges. Last year, we reported that the General Assembly had led to the adoption of a Pact for the Future. This outlines a series of action points aimed at making the UN more fit for purpose - better equipped to meet current needs.

For instance, the UN Security Council and certain other UN bodies should be reformed to better reflect the current global balance of power. Efforts have been underway for some time to make the sprawling UN system with its many institutions function more effectively and avoid overlap.

The Pact for the Future has already inspired follow-up at the climate summit in Baku and the financing conference in Sevilla. In early November 2025, a crucial world summit on social development will take place in Qatar, which we will report on later.

Multilateralism

Let there be no doubt about it: for Belgium and the EU, the UN remains essential. As a relatively small country, we realise better than anyone that we need a global order based on rules and agreements. Without the UN and multilateralism (i.e. seeking solutions to global challenges through international dialogue) the law of the jungle prevails. And countries like Belgium are the first victims of that. Dialogue and cooperation must take precedence over polarisation and conflict.

It is fair to say that today, the security and prosperity of Belgians and of our country begin beyond our borders. And that is without even mentioning the many challenges that no country, no matter how powerful or wealthy, can tackle alone: climate disruption, health, food security…

Extremely useful

The UN General Assembly also remains an extremely useful event. We may know it mainly as the occasion when heads of state and government briefly address the world. This gives insight into the key priorities of each country’s foreign policy and opens the door to new connections.

Yet the General Assembly is much more than that. The very fact that heads of state, government leaders and ministers gather in one place during the High-Level Week offers an unparalleled opportunity for exchanges. Nowhere else can high-level politicians meet so many counterparts in such a short time, even from countries with which they are not on the same page. These encounters range from chance meetings to pre-arranged appointments. There are also opportunities to connect with CEOs of major companies, UN agencies and civil society. Numerous smaller summits also take place. All these contacts are all the more important in a world that feels increasingly unstable, where we need to seek new ties with reliable partners.

And we should not overlook the many side events: events on specific themes organised by countries in the margin of the General Assembly. Even though they take place ‘in the margin,’ it is there that our diplomacy can fully flourish. These gatherings offer countries a unique platform to highlight their priorities, forge strategic partnerships, and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.

That is why our country also invariably organises a number of side events. This year, for instance, we hosted a high-level event on the protection of the high seas (BBNJ) and co-chaired a call to protect Palestinian children (see box).

Positive outcome

That explains why several Belgian dignitaries travelled to New York again this year to represent our country: Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and International Cooperation Maxime Prévot, Minister of Justice and the North Sea Annelies Verlinden, and Queen Mathilde in her capacity as advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They were joined by our Directors-General for Development Cooperation and Multilateral Affairs, along with a few other senior officials—all with packed agendas.

In the end, the outcome looks positive for our country. Belgium has clearly made its voice heard on a range of pressing contemporary issues such as the question of Palestine, Ukraine, women's rights, climate disruption, the position of the International Criminal Court, the fight against organised crime, the protection of children in armed conflicts, and the protection of biodiversity in the high seas.

As Minister Prévot put it: “We must continue to stand up for international law and dialogue, but we cannot keep letting ourselves be knocked around like a pinball.” That is the stance we stuck to as much as possible in New York.