2023-09-22 20:03:47
Isolated Russians, Belgians on all fronts, a debate on the place of women at the UN… L’Echo lifts a corner of the veil behind the scenes of the annual United Nations meeting.
If there is one image that sums up the high mass of the United Nations, which brought together 140 world leaders in New York this week, it is the sidelining of representatives of Russia, treated as pariahs for the war of invasion waged in Ukraine. The isolation was evident from the Security Council meeting, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was able to speak for the first time since the start of the war. “Behind the scenes, the Russians fought for several days to prevent Zelensky from speaking”confides a diplomat on condition of anonymity.
“It’s okay, we’re just suffering from isolation.”
In the first minute of the Security Council, Russian representative Vasily Nebenzia attempted a final pass to block Zelenskybefore cashing a blistering response from the President of the Security CouncilAlbanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. “Stop the war, and President Zelensky will not speak once more”, he said. The tone was set.
In the corridors of the UN, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was not leading the way. “Everything is fine, we only suffer from isolation,” he quipped during a tête-à-tête with the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Abu al-Gheit, the echoes of which came back to us.
The noted absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping increased this isolation. “If Russia is isolated, it is also because China is not there,” explains a diplomat.
By ignoring the General Assembly, Xi Jinping also weakened the legitimacy of the UN. A worrying reality. “Xi Jinping wants to break the hegemony of the United States. He did not come to the UN, nor to the last G20,” continues this diplomat. “If the UN loses its role as an international hub, it poses serious existential questions.”
Belgians on all fronts
“There was no question of half the Belgian government ending up in New York.”
Vincent Van Quickeborne (Open Vld) was anything but isolated. We saw the Minister of Justice and the North Sea host, on Wednesday, a conference on the High Seas Protection Treaty, with the energy that characterizes it. He took a selfie with one of the sponsors of the meeting, actress Sigourney Weaver, then hug with another Hollywood star, Jane Fonda. Enough to forget a certain “pipigate” whose story has obviously not crossed the Atlantic. The High Seas Treaty is considered a step forward, in which Belgium actively participated.
The Minister of Development Cooperation, Caroline Gennez (Vooruit), was also on all fronts. Development is one of the pillars of the UN and meetings on the subject have abounded. “The sustainable development goals are a priority for Belgium. Access to health care, the fight once morest global warming, gender equality, eradicating poverty. This is the heart of our action“, said a diplomat.
This did not prevent the controversy linked to “racist comments” attributed to the president of Vooruit, Conner Rousseau, is mentioned in certain conversations. A moment of embarrassment, quickly forgotten.
Precious encounters
The Belgian delegation was led by the Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo (Open VLD). At a reception on Tuesday evening, in the presence of the elite of the Antwerp and New York diamond circles, he took at the forefront of the battle for an embargo on Russian diamonds. The challenge for the Prime Minister was to rally the sector, on the eve of a seemingly inevitable sanction.
The rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel was at the heart of many conversations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, following a meeting with Biden in New York, the possibility of “a historic peace agreement” between the two countries.
Alexander De Croo was also able to clarify things with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, during a meeting which lasted twice as long as expected. “These events demonstrate the usefulness of the annual UN meeting, a place where everyone can meet and talk to each other“, says the diplomat.
Belgium was represented by five ministers at the UN, Vice-Premier Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS) also being present. It comes to us that Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi (Ecolo) would have liked to be there. But, according to a well-informed source, “there was no question of half the Belgian government ending up in New York.”
Rapprochement
The rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel was at the heart of many conversations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, following a meeting with Biden in New York, the possibility “of a historic peace agreement” between the two countries. At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assured Fox News that his country and Israel were “getting closer every day” to the normalization of their relations.
Bad news for Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi, who spoke at the UN forum of a “stab in the back of the Palestinians“. However, Saudi Arabia has just launched a peace initiative between Israel and Palestine with which Belgium is associated.
Women on the front lines
The real question is whether a woman will one day hold the post of UN Secretary General.
If there is one debate that raged this week behind the scenes at the UN, it was the one concerning the place of women in the institution. Friday, out of the thirty leaders called to speak, barely three were women. A misery, when the UN has made gender equality a priority.
The recurring question is whether a woman will one day serve as UN secretary general, which has never happened before. The race is on, the renewal taking place in 2026. Several favorites emerge, including deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed.
This makes us think thatUrsula von der Leyen, seen exercising in Central Park on Thursdayhas still not given any signal regarding its future intentions.
New York blues
The UN meeting does not not the business of Manhattan residents. Traffic jams, surge of thousands of diplomats and journalists, security checks – until the jamming of GSM when Joe Biden’s convoy passes.
All this does not prevent the hotel sector from making nice profits, with hotel rooms increasing up to 800-900 dollars per night for a few square meters during the week. Something to soothe the blues of New Yorkers.
The summary
- Russia appeared isolated in New York, so much so that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov complained regarding it during a meeting with the Arab League.
- Belgium was present on all fronts, Vincent Van Quickenborne assures the show.
- The debate is rising behind the scenes on the place of women at the UN.
- New Yorkers, invaded by thousands of diplomats and journalists, are the losers of the week. With the exception of the hotel sector.
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