By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America – On Tuesday 23 September 2014, more than 140 heads of state and government gathered in New York City for the 69th annual United Nations general assembly. With the current state of world affairs this year’s agenda took on new crises, including the rise of Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria, the Ebola outbreak, and the ongoing civil strife between Ukraine and Russia. However, traditional topics such as nuclear weapons and climate change were also discussed.
On Wednesday, the United Nation Security Council convened at a special session chaired by United States President, Barack Obama, in order to reach an international agreement regarding disarming ISIS. The agreement seeks to sever the flow of funds and weapons to extremist groups. Thus, straining the rapid development of extremist groups such as ISIS.
In addition to addressing the concerns regarding security issues in the Middle East, United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, focused on the U.N. Climate Summit. Kerry states that it is “absolutely imperative” for the world to curb the impact of climate change immediately.
Additionally, the Ebola outbreak in Africa was a highly discussed matter at the summit. Last week, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution addressing the rapid spreading of Ebola, calling it an “international peace and security threat.” The resolution called for field hospitals to be set up in outbreak areas, along with all U.N. member nations to provide assistance in the form of qualified staff and supplies.
Since the first case of Ebola was discovered, it has claimed the lives of more than 2,7000 individuals. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, stated at a recent press conference, “Ebola is an exponential crisis that demands an exceptional global response.” President Obama also addressed the issue at the summit, and asked world leaders to provide more assistance in the form of funds and medical aid to the affected countries.
For more information, please see the following:
NEW YORK TIMES – President Obama to Address U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday – 23 Sept. 2014.
TIME – UN General Assembly Kicks Off in New York City – 23 Sept. 2014.
US NEWS – Obama Tackles ISIS, Ebola, and a Nuclear Iran at U.N. General Assembly – 24 Sept. 2014.
WALL STREET JOURNAL – Transcript: Obama’s Address to the United Nations General Assembly – 24 Sept. 2014.
