The United Nations General Assembly this month was the first to be held after the Russian attack on Ukraine, and we fear it will not be the last.
Although it was customary in these meetings for each country to come with its own instructions and dictates, aspirations and hopes, clarifications and assurances, or complaints and demands, the war in Ukraine, in spite of that, remained overshadowed by the sessions, and the most prominent trend of most Countries condemn the attack and demand Russia to stop it and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty over its territory, at a time when international fear of an accelerating military escalation in the level of military equipment, missiles and missiles used has increased.
The UN General Assembly sessions served as a second red light, underscoring the need for Russia and China to move quickly to build their own alliance, capable of standing up to US alliances and partnerships.
The first red light appeared at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand in the middle of this month, in which Ukraine and the confrontation between the United States against Russia and China were completely absent from its final statement.
The summit statement affirmed that the OIC countries aspire to a more representative, democratic, fair and pluralistic world order, based on the universally recognized principles of international law, equality, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable common security, civilizational and cultural diversity, mutual benefit, and equal cooperation among states.
Ordinary statement in exceptional circumstances
The statement issued by the leaders of the Eight Samarkand Summit was not up to the current events concerning the two largest countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russia and China.
Despite the direct reference to the Iranian nuclear reactor crisis, and the current situation in Afghanistan, the statement is completely devoid of any direct reference to Russia, China and the United States, in contrast to the clarity of NATO statements, for example, which reveals the state of confusion surrounding countries The organization about its position on the events related to Russia and China, because of its regional and international relations outside the framework of the organization, and in particular with the United States, as mentioned in the previous article.
However, the statement expressed clearly, but with high diplomacy, the Chinese and Russian view of the United States' hegemony on the world, and its attempts to impose an international system that advances its interests and enhances its hegemony.
The provisions of the final statement of the organization revolved around 3 main themes, as follows:
First: the challenges
The axes of the statement dealt with a set of emerging variables that have become successive challenges threatening global stability, foremost of which are:
Rapid development and large-scale transformation.
Multipolarity, increased agglomeration.
The acceleration of the pace of information and digitalization and the growing gap between the countries of the world.
The inability of the current international system to face complex global challenges and threats.
Existing local conflicts and crises are increasing and new ones are emerging.
Ongoing economic turmoil in global financial markets, global decline in investment flows, instability in supply chains, increased safeguards and other barriers to international trade.
Global climate change, the Corona pandemic, and their ongoing health, economic and social impacts.
Challenges to economic growth, social well-being and food security.
Challenges facing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The statement stressed that these challenges necessitate a new approach to promoting more equitable and effective international cooperation and sustainable economic development, in a clear expression of the Chinese and Russian viewpoint, saying that "the countries of the organization aspire to a more representative, democratic, just and pluralistic world order, based on the principles of international law." universally recognized multilateralism, equality, common, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security, civilizational and cultural diversity, mutual benefit and equal cooperation among states, with a central coordinating role for the United Nations.
This is the same perception that China has always talked about on many occasions, and was clearly expressed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly when he said, “Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has acted as if it is God’s envoy on earth, and it has the sacred right.” to act with impunity wherever and whenever it wants,” and that Russia “seeks to establish a new multilateral world order, and countries that are ready to defend their interests are in fact working to create such an order.”
At the same time, the statement was keen to present the organization as an institution belonging to the international community, keen to cooperate with other countries and organizations, primarily the United Nations, and concerned with justice, equality and mutual benefit, and the establishment of a community with a shared future for humanity, and mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Second: affirmations
At the same time, the statement was keen to show the organization as an institution belonging to the international community, keen to cooperate with other countries and organizations, especially the United Nations, in a clear message to the United States and its allies, where the statement stressed that the organization's countries confirm the following:
Excluding the approaches of blocs, ideologies and confrontations to address international and regional development problems, and to confront traditional and non-traditional challenges and threats to security.
The importance of initiatives to enhance cooperation in building a new type of international relations in the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality and mutual benefit, as well as the formation of a common vision for creating a community with a shared future for mankind.
Respect the right of peoples to choose independently and democratically their political, social and economic development.
Emphasizing the principles of mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of states, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in internal affairs.
Non-use of force or threat as a basis for the sustainable development of international relations.
Commitment to a peaceful settlement exclusively to resolve differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation.
Working to further develop cooperation in the fields of politics, security, trade, economy, finance, investment, and cultural and humanitarian relations.
Strong commitment to combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, cutting off terrorist financing channels, suppressing terrorist recruitment and cross-border movement, and combating extremism.
Member states affirm the main role of the United Nations in confronting threats in the information space and creating a safe, fair and open media space, based on the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Ensure the equal rights of all countries to regulate the Internet and the sovereign right of states to manage it in their national sector.
The categorical rejection of the militarization of the field of information and communication technology.
Confirming the main role of the United Nations in confronting threats in the field of information, and welcoming the launch of a comprehensive international agreement in this regard under the auspices of the United Nations.
Calling upon the member states of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to strictly comply with the provisions of the Treaty, the comprehensive and balanced advancement of all its objectives and principles, and the strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation.
The importance of keeping outer space free of weapons of all kinds, and prohibiting the development, production and stockpiling of biological and chemical weapons, and their destruction.
Develop practical cooperation in the field of law and justice, human rights and freedoms and the promotion of justice and the rule of law.
Work to combat corruption in all its manifestations as it poses a threat to national and regional security, and call for an increase in the authority and role of the United Nations in combating corruption.
Cooperation in exchanging experiences in the field of governance and development and monitoring presidential and parliamentary elections and referendums.
Emphasize the importance of further improving the global economic governance structure, and support an open, transparent, equitable, inclusive and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system based on the principles and rules of the World Trade Organization.
Work to create a space in Eurasia (the continents of Asia and Europe) for broad, open, beneficial and equal interaction, in accordance with international law, and in light of national interests.
Third: cooperation
In addition, the closing statement of the Shanghai Summit in Samarkand called on member states to enhance cooperation among themselves in all fields: political, military, security, technology, information, economic, environmental, health, development, educational, scientific, agricultural, cultural, tourism and technical, in addition to the fields of energy, transportation, combating terrorism, disease prevention and disaster management. Emphasizing:
Advocating for a further deepening of interaction with the needs of peoples, and the improvement of their well-being.
Enhancing technical capabilities and unifying efforts to conduct joint research among the OIC countries.
Providing financial support for investment project activities, and continuing consultations on the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Development Bank and the Organization's Development Fund.
Creating an efficient and competitive transportation and technology infrastructure, and the Infrastructure Development Program for Member States has been approved.
Transition to clean and renewable energy sources, and work to expand regional electrical interconnection among member states.
Cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, environmental security, mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change, and prevention of transboundary epidemic diseases.
Attention to young people, allowing them to develop, creativity and innovation, and working to provide ways that prevent them from engaging in terrorist acts.
Active support for women's participation in the political, economic, public, social and other fields, and welcome to the Women's Forum and the Conference of Women Entrepreneurs in the organization.
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