State of…

…the UN
For over a decade now, every September, the world – represented by most of their leaders – gathers in New York to pronounce the United Nations dead!! This year, all 193 member states turned up to deliver the diagnosis in person!! And why not?? The evidence looks persuasive with the Security Council – comprised of the veto-power heavyweight states like the US, China and Russia with a few token “others” but which call the shots – barely agreeing even on a meeting agenda without them checking whether agreement might compromise their sovereignty!!
At this year’s conclave, according to the local rag – The New York Times – account, even artificial intelligence made the peace and security agenda!! They had two of the heads of the largest AI companies explaining what’s going on in that esoteric area!! Maybe they were assured that the machines ain’t gonna take over soon, as they had confessed a couple of weeks ago??? But the message from the big boys was reassuringly familiar – global rules are an excellent idea – provided somebody else follows them.
Then came the speeches. Trump threatened Iran with annihilation from the UN podium, then Iran’s president – protected by the American Secret Service!! – addressed the same gathering, and their representatives met on the side-lines!! Only at the UN could two adversaries exchange threats in public and then find a room to chat for two hours!! In the meantime, where else could the majority of the countries in the world who have condemned the genocide in Palestine have the opportunity to express their opinion in person – before Netanyahu – by walking out!!
The meeting may’ve achieved little, but its absence might have achieved considerably more – negatively!! Now, critics call the UN a talking shop – but when leaders have stopped talking, a shop that keeps the lights on and the door open ain’t no small thing!! Meanwhile, UN workers still deliver food and other relief – albeit underfunded – for crises the speeches haven’t settled.
We’ve got our own reasons to ignore the funeral notices – not least that the UN’s principal judicial organ – the ICJ – is about to deliver judgement on the Venezuela Border Controversy!! We may argue about what Venezuela’s gonna do after the judgement, but we cannot assert the institution has vanished while seeking the judgement of its court!! And then Carolyn might run the UNGA!!
OK…the UN can’t make the powerful behave – and the powerful know it!! Yet each year they return to its podium to be heard, its corridors to bargain, and its agencies when catastrophe strikes. Perhaps the UN should put a sign over the General Assembly entrance – “Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. Delegates, please take your seats.”!!

…our representation
After six years at the helm of our dear Mudland, we’ve gotten used to Pressie’s inexhaustible energy to be here, there and everywhere!! But some may say that’s on his own stomping ground – where he’s au fait with the local issues he’s addressing in his massive development programme!! But how would he perform on the big stage – among so many world leaders – including President Trump, who doesn’t mince words in telling it like it is!!
Well, even his worst critics have gotta admit that Pressie kept up his whirlwind, frenetic pace at the UN – including using the opportunity to woo business leaders at the prestigious Harvard Club and President Trump at his Shield of the Americas meet!! At the UNGA, he highlighted our dizzying social and economic progress while urging Venezuela to support the ICJ settlement!! Promoting bold reforms to make the UN “fit for purpose” amid escalating global crises – he promoted Carolyn’s suitability for the Secretary General!!
Then hosting a Guyanese-NY meet-and-greet!!

…frenemies??
Now while Pressie was working the US circuit, he couldn’t have missed the Kamla and Delcy rapprochement that extended to warm embraces and diplomatic armistices!!
And here your Eyewitness thought Kamla was gonna hold the fort against Devious Delcy in Caricom!!