UN (AP) – Many leaders say a lot about many topics that are important to them, for their region, the world, that is what the UN General Assembly always produces annually.
And every year, a certain voice controls it. Here, The Associated Press takes the opposite approach and spotlights some thoughts from leaders who may not capture headlines and airtime on Friday, the fourth day of the 2025 general debate.
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“When we lose the shared truth, our communities, our nation, our world society lose our center of gravity. …Slowly, over time, we descend to political tribalism. We cultivate alternative realities and can’t understand each other…and then we doubt each other.
– Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados
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“Bhutan is trying to provide not only spiritual events but also diplomatic and cultural contributions to world peace. For Bhutan, in these disturbed times, the voice of a small Himalayan nation may help cultivate the great causes of peace for all humankind.”
– Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay talks about the global peace prayer festival his country hosts in November
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“The civilized discourse, softened by perseverance and calm, has given way to the enthusiasm of languages that have been cried out on the continents and the sea, perhaps, to satisfy the naturalist longings of those who, despite their fortune, consider them to be misunderstood by griefs by some dark and hidden powers.”
– Ralph E. Goncalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and Grenazin
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“The obvious ignorance of the UN General Assembly decision by some of its strong members undermines the reliability and validity of the UN.”
– Samuel Nutosokone Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho
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“We don’t want to share intimate thoughts and feelings with our children with AI chatbots. … Just as society once set solid rules for smoking, drinking and wearing, we now have to face today’s challenges equally and clearly.
– Greek Prime Minister Kiliakos Mitotakis
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Thursday:
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“Refugee hosts should not be a bargain for debt. Uganda should not be expected to borrow money to care for a population that fled the conflict.”
– Jessica Alpo, Vice President of Uganda
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“Millions of lives have already been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, so we cannot afford to lose any more conflict.”
– Mswati III, King of Eswatini
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“In Palau, “ng di sengsongd e mrecherchii a klengoes” – “By putting banded mall twigs together, you can bring the pot to a boil.” This wisdom reminds us that even the smallest among us can promote meaningful change when united and determined. ”
– Sanger Whips Jr., president of Palau
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“They usually have the brunt of anxiety, so women must always be involved in discussions about conflict and peace.”
– Mohammed BS Jarow, Vice President of Gambia
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“If you’re thinking, “There’s another European, who only talks about European issues,” I assure you. it’s not. If the 80 years of the United Nations have taught us anything, then it means that all the big issues are closely related. ”
-Dick Schuf, Dutch Prime Minister
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Wednesday:
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“A small state is not inherently small. Our sovereignty is equal, our responsibility is the same. Leadership is not the loudest voice in the room. It is the clearest voice for justice.” –
– Julius Maada Bio, president of Sierra Leone
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“Rules shape the behaviors that are adhered to by the majority of international stakeholders. They provide the basis for accountability and enforcement, even if they are infringed. Rules are the voices of reason used in international relations. They are the best defense against the strongest rules. A world without rules, time without rules returns to middle age.”
– King of Spain, Don Felipe VI
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“Because of lack of vision and ideals, institutions rarely fail, more often they drift unrelated when they don’t adapt, they hesitate to act, and when they lose their legitimacy.
– William Rut, president of Kenya
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“Atrocities win. We can’t continue this.”
– Ara Karis, President of Estonia
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“Peace is more than silence the guns. It requires preventing new wars and breaking the cycle of violence from the past.”
– Croatian President Zoran Milanovic
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Tuesday:
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“The United Nations must be a true unity of the nation… We are all really good together.”
– Jennifer Garlings Simmons, President of Suriname
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“Our international order is slowly eroding by the irresponsible actions of people who should know well. The world is turning into a much more dangerous place. I’ve seen this.”
– Gitana Nausda, President of Lithuania
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“Not for the first time, development on earth has made us question the value and usefulness of the words in capturing the magnitude of the crisis, and yet speaking about it shows our acceptance of the situation and abandonment of our humanity.
– King Abdullah II of Jordan, the situation in the Middle East
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“K culture connects people all over the world… The success and spread of K culture proves that universal empathy is possible.”
– Lee Jae Myung, President of South Korea
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“We are fighting a war that causes death and destruction when we should fight poverty.”
– Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
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