Prior to becoming President of the United States, Donald Trump put the United Nations on notice stating that “things will be different after Jan. 20th.”
Exactly a year later, according to the Secretary General, things internationally aren’t going as planned. In fact, Mr. Guterres stated that the crises of the world are deepening. In addition, the leader of the UN also compared climate change to nuclear weapons, and mentioned that nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise.
Over the last several months the United States and the United Nations have clashed over international decisions. The largest breaking point in decades between the two was in fact Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Following Trumps announcement, the UN rebuked the recognition of Jerusalem by voting 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, for a resolution demanding that the United States rescind its Dec. 6 declaration on Jerusalem, the contested holy city.
Nevertheless, The United States President responded again by cutting millions of dollars in aid to the United Nations, and took names of the countries who rebuked the US.
Just as the last day of 2017 began the Secretary General issued the following statement depicting the world in 2018;
“Dear friends around the world,
Happy New Year.
When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace.
Unfortunately – in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse.
On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not issuing an appeal. I am issuing an alert — a red alert for our world.
Conflicts have deepened and new dangers have emerged.
Global anxieties about nuclear weapons are the highest since the Cold War.
Climate change is moving faster than we are.
Inequalities are growing.
We see horrific violations of human rights.
Nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise.
As we begin 2018, I call for unity.
I truly believe we can make our world more safe and secure.
We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values.
But we can only do that together.
I urge leaders everywhere to make this New Year’s resolution: Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals.
Unity is the path. Our future depends on it.
I wish you peace and health in 2018. Thank you. Shokran. Xie Xie. Merci. Spasiba. Gracias. Obrigado. “
