HRH Prince Salman Calls for UN Reform and Urgent Global Action at UN General Assembly

Mahir Haneef

editor@newsofbahrain.com

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, delivered a powerful speech at the 79^th session of United Nations General Assembly, urging the global community to address growing geopolitical challenges through comprehensive reform of international institutions.

Reflecting on the creation of the UN after the horrors of World War II, Prince Salman, who delivered the speech on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, emphasized the organization's role as a pillar of global stability. However, he warned that the world now faces even more complex and unpredictable challenges, including environmental crises, health threats, and conflicts that undermine international peace and security.

“We are at a more dangerous time, with revolutionary technologies and environmental challenges that transcend borders. The international systems created to uphold order are under strain,” HRH stated in the speech during the High-Level General Debate, calling for the UN to evolve to meet today’s geopolitical realities.

Prince Salman highlighted ongoing global conflicts, pointing to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have died. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. He also expressed concern about the continuing conflict in Ukraine and rising tensions in the South China Sea, warning that these conflicts threaten global stability.

In a significant appeal, Prince Salman called for wide-ranging reforms at the UN, including its Security Council, to better reflect the geopolitical landscape. He also urged for a united global front to govern the development of artificial intelligence, warning that technology, if left unchecked, could exacerbate global divisions rather than promote peace and prosperity.

The Crown Prince reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to multilateralism, citing its recent security and prosperity agreement with the United States as a model for regional and global cooperation. He stressed that partnerships based on mutual respect and shared goals are key to promoting peace and stability.

Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, continues to advocate for peaceful coexistence and regional harmony. The Kingdom recently launched the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and called for an international peace conference on the Middle East.

Prince Salman concluded by emphasizing that today’s challenges, though daunting, can be overcome through collective action and a renewed commitment to multilateralism, urging world leaders to uphold the international order and protect future generations.

"We must reaffirm our shared responsibility to uphold human dignity and protect the international order. The challenges before us are not insurmountable if we act with unity and determination," HRH concluded.