How the UN General Assembly Changed the World

Source: United Nations (video statements)

From its founding in 1945 to today, the General Assembly has been at the centre of the UN’s story: navigating Cold War tensions, decolonization, apartheid, global crises and the push for reform. UN expert Richard Gowan looks back at how the Assembly evolved and why, eight decades on, it remains the world’s main forum for nations to make their voices heard.

00:00 — The UN is born – In 1945, 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to create the United Nations — with hopes for international law, human rights and a new era of cooperation.
01:20 — The General Assembly takes centre stage – The Security Council was quickly divided by Cold War tensions, while the General Assembly became a key forum for debates on Palestine, Korea and other global crises.
01:39 — Suez and the first peacekeeping mission – The 1956 Suez Crisis put the General Assembly to a major test — and led to the creation of the UN’s first peacekeeping operation.
02:44 — Decolonization changes the UN – As countries gained independence in the 1960s, the General Assembly grew rapidly and became a powerful forum for newly independent nations to challenge the established powers.
03:25 — The fight against apartheid – The Assembly made apartheid in South Africa a major issue, passing resolutions against the system and eventually suspending South Africa’s participation.
04:03 — A new era after the Cold War – The end of the Cold War opened a less confrontational period, giving Member States new opportunities to work together and debate the future of the UN.
04:52 — The push for UN reform – At the turn of the millennium, the General Assembly became an important forum for discussions on reform — including changing the composition of the Security Council and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
06:52 — Why the General Assembly still matters – From Khrushchev and Arafat to Gaddafi, the Assembly has always been part diplomatic forum, part global stage. Today, leaders still come to make their voices heard on the major issues of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVb_tPfp9FU

“Something specially theatrical about this space”

Source: United Nations (video statements)

From its founding in 1945 to today, the General Assembly has been at the centre of the UN’s story: navigating Cold War tensions, decolonization, apartheid, global crises and the push for reform. UN expert Richard Gowan looks back at how the Assembly evolved and why, eight decades on, it remains the world’s main forum for nations to make their voices heard.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jE1rexQhvOw

Eight Decades of the UN: The General Assembly

Source: United Nations (video statements)

From its founding in 1945 to today, the General Assembly has been at the centre of the UN’s story: navigating Cold War tensions, decolonization, apartheid, global crises and the push for reform. UN expert Richard Gowan looks back at how the Assembly evolved and why, eight decades on, it remains the world’s main forum for nations to make their voices heard.

00:00 — The UN is born – In 1945, 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to create the United Nations — with hopes for international law, human rights and a new era of cooperation.
01:20 — The General Assembly takes centre stage – The Security Council was quickly divided by Cold War tensions, while the General Assembly became a key forum for debates on Palestine, Korea and other global crises.
01:39 — Suez and the first peacekeeping mission – The 1956 Suez Crisis put the General Assembly to a major test — and led to the creation of the UN’s first peacekeeping operation.
02:44 — Decolonization changes the UN – As countries gained independence in the 1960s, the General Assembly grew rapidly and became a powerful forum for newly independent nations to challenge the established powers.
03:25 — The fight against apartheid – The Assembly made apartheid in South Africa a major issue, passing resolutions against the system and eventually suspending South Africa’s participation.
04:03 — A new era after the Cold War – The end of the Cold War opened a less confrontational period, giving Member States new opportunities to work together and debate the future of the UN.
04:52 — The push for UN reform – At the turn of the millennium, the General Assembly became an important forum for discussions on reform — including changing the composition of the Security Council and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
06:52 — Why the General Assembly still matters – From Khrushchev and Arafat to Gaddafi, the Assembly has always been part diplomatic forum, part global stage. Today, leaders still come to make their voices heard on the major issues of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVb_tPfp9FU

How the EU Is Fixing Customs for Online Shopping

Source: Council of the European Union (video statements)

Six billion parcels enter the EU every year and on paper, you’re the one responsible for their customs duties and safety checks. The EU is overhauling its outdated customs system, making online platforms the ‘importer of record’ and merging 27 national customs authorities into one. Here’s how the EU’s customs reform will change how you shop online.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Hdfv8xRWEKE

Canada, EU Kids Act and SOTEU: EU News of the Week

Source: European Commission (video statements)

Europe is setting out its next chapter. During this week’s State of the European Union address, President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the direction for a stronger, more independent Europe, including a proposal to deepen ties with Canada and open the door for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member.

Also this week: new proposals to protect children online. The EU KIDS Act would keep children under 13 off social media, allow supervised mini accounts from 13 to under 15, and require stronger safety-by-design protections for users under 18.

Catch up on the key EU news, and watch our SOTEU highlights video for the bigger picture on what comes next.

For more information, check out our news snippets:
– Canada to Join the EU? First Associate Member Explained – Canada to Join the EU? First Associate Member Explained | SOTEU 2026
– Ursula von der Leyen Proposes EU Ban on Social Media For Under 13 – https://youtube.com/shorts/fCqoI54nT7Q?feature=share
– What the President’s speech here: https://youtu.be/RfYjukF1Pe8?list=PLUpJ6NR3ffB8&t=599

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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NJsjWmoypSc

Why Are There Almost No Nuclear Tests Anymore?

Source: United Nations (video statements)

For decades, nuclear weapons were tested around the world. Since the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) opened for signature in 1996, that era has changed dramatically. This video, tied with its 30th anniversary being marked during the United Nations high-level week, shows how thanks to the CTBT, a global network of more than 300 monitoring stations can detect the telltale signals of a nuclear explosion anywhere on Earth. Discover how science, technology and diplomacy are helping turn the norm against nuclear testing into law.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zymzmOtdzFk

Is AI Biased Against Women? We Put It to the Test.

Source: United Nations (video statements)

We asked AI to show us a CEO… then a secretary.
The results highlight a much bigger issue.

A new UN Women report warns that artificial intelligence can reinforce gender stereotypes and existing inequalities if gender equality isn’t built into AI from the start. Studies cited in the report found gender bias in 44% of AI systems tested, with more than one in four showing both gender and racial bias.

Watch to learn why experts say building better AI for women means building better AI for everyone.

🔗 Learn more from UN Women: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/media-advisory/2026/06/ai-is-already-rewriting-reality-for-billions-of-people-it-is-getting-women-wrong

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cRjsOctcYkQ

UK UK support for countries most affected by the climate crisis | International Development Committee

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

Should the UK be doing more for the countries most affected by the climate crisis?

The Foreign Secretary recently stressed that this government is serious about its global leadership on development and climate.

However, the International Development Committee’s new report indicates that the government is cutting corners on its climate finance commitments.

Greater urgency and substantial investment are needed if the UK is to sufficiently support the poorest climate-vulnerable countries.

Learn more about the committee’s new report here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/98/international-development-committee/news/217927/government-cutting-corners-on-international-climate-finance-commitments-as-el-nino-approaches

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HAwoX2rEh7c