In his inaugural address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2024, Keir Starmer, the newly elected British Prime Minister, outlined his vision for the United Kingdom's return to "responsible global leadership." This marks a significant moment for the Labor Party, which secured a decisive victory in the July 2024 election, ending over a decade of Conservative rule.
Starmer emphasized the UK's commitment to addressing climate change and revitalizing its international development efforts. This aligns with the UN's long-standing focus on environmental issues, which gained prominence following the 1992 Earth Summit. The Prime Minister's stance reinforces the UK's 2019 pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating continuity with previous climate commitments.
The British leader called for immediate ceasefires in various conflict zones, including Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and Sudan. These regions have faced prolonged instability, with the Gaza Strip under blockade since 2007 and Sudan grappling with conflicts since its 1956 independence. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in 2014 and escalated in 2022, remains a pressing concern for the international community.
Starmer expressed worry about the state of global peace institutions, describing them as "underfunded, under pressure, and outpoliticized." He highlighted the deterioration of arms control and non-proliferation mechanisms, systems that have been in place for decades. This observation is particularly relevant given the UK's role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council since 1945 and a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which opened for signature in 1968.
"We will also change how the UK does things. Moving from the paternalism of the past towards partnership for the future — listening a lot more, speaking a lot less."
The Prime Minister outlined a shift in the UK's foreign policy approach, emphasizing partnership and increased listening. This change comes in the context of the UK's evolving international role following its departure from the European Union on January 31, 2020. Starmer also promised to offer "game-changing British expertise" to other nations, leveraging the UK's involvement in over 13,000 treaties and international agreements.
Starmer's commitment to restoring the UK's focus on international development is noteworthy, considering the controversial 2021 decision to reduce the country's aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of Gross National Income. This pledge aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015, which aim to address global challenges by 2030.
The Prime Minister concluded his address by rejecting fatalism and pledging to work towards positive change in an increasingly complex world. As the UN General Assembly continues its regular session, which typically runs from September to December, Starmer's speech sets the tone for the UK's renewed engagement with global issues under Labor leadership.