Lula criticizes UN and defends reform in speech at General Assembly

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) made the opening speech of the general debate of the 81st edition of the United Nations General Assembly (UN) on Tuesday (22). At the time, the Brazilian president defended national sovereignty, criticized the imposition of tariffs, wars, defended the PIX, the reform of the UN Security Council and said that Brazil "does not fit in anyone's backyard".

This is the tenth time that Lula opens the General Debate of the Assembly. Since first occupying the rostrum in 2003, he has said this is the most critical moment for the United Nations. The speech of the Brazilian president comes in a context of growing geopolitical tensions and questions about the effectiveness of the organization.

UN fails to prevent wars

Lula was emphatic in pointing out the deficiencies of the UN. The UN is failing in one of its highest missions: to rid humanity of the scourge of war. Its credibility has never been so low. Its ability to protect the most vulnerable – those who have no army or arsenal – has never been so small,” he said.

The president noted that 2025 had the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II. Trillions of dollars finance a new arms race, and geopolitical tensions threaten to turn regional confrontations into a conflagration of global proportions. Lula’s criticism adds to a chorus of leaders who question the UN’s ability to mediate contemporary conflicts.

Security Council under attack

The Brazilian president did not spare the Security Council. "We are all hostages of the immobility of a Security Council that does not fulfill its role. In 1946, already at the first session of this Assembly, Brazil warned of the high price that the international community would pay for the right of veto. This original vice of the UN Charter has conferred on the great powers the privilege of nonsense,” he said.

Lula added that to this “original sin” now adds a deep leadership crisis. The defense of the reform of the Security Council is a historic flag of Brazil, which demands a permanent seat in the body. The president’s speech reinforces the Brazilian position that the current structure does not reflect the geopolitical reality of the 21st century.

Defense of sovereignty and PIX

In an excerpt focused on domestic politics, Lula defended national sovereignty and cited the PIX, Brazilian instant payments system. He said Brazil "does not fit in anyone's backyard", in an apparent response to external pressures. The source did not detail the exact context of the mention to the PIX, but the speech signals resistance to foreign interference in internal affairs.

The president also criticized the imposition of tariffs, without specifying which countries or products were the target of criticism. The mention comes in a scenario of global trade disputes, in which Brazil seeks to expand its markets and avoid protectionist barriers.

Personal trajectory and achievement

Lula made reference to his personal trajectory to legitimize his position. "Someone who fought against a military dictatorship and defended his country against a coup d'état. It is the conviction of a worker elected three times president and who removed Brazil from the Hunger Map,” he said. The speech refers to his biography and the social policies implemented in his previous mandates.

The president also mentioned that Brazil recognized the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the most serious crime against humanity and approved the most accurate representation of the world map. These actions, according to Lula, reflect the country’s commitment to historical justice and scientific precision.

Conflict in Gaza and criticism of Netanyahu

Lula approached the conflict at Oriente Médio with harsh criticism of the government of Israel. “Generations of Palestinians will bear the pain and trauma left by the genocide carried out by the Netanyahu government against women and children in Gaza. Israeli civilians have paid the price of radicalism and intolerance for Hamas' terrorist acts," he said.

The Brazilian president’s speech echoes previous positions, in which he had already compared the situation in Gaza to a genocide. The mention of Hamas also acknowledges the suffering of Israeli civilians in an attempt to balance. The issue is sensitive and has generated divergent international reactions.

Next steps and global impact

Lula’s speech at the UN comes at a time of reconfiguration of global alliances and questioning of multilateral institutions. The defence of Security Council reform and the criticism of the UN must have an impact on the other leaders present in the General Assembly. The source did not detail whether there would be bilateral meetings or immediate unfoldings.

For the Brazilian reader, the president’s speech reinforces the country’s position on the international scene and signals foreign policy priorities. The Boca no Trombone portal will continue to monitor the developments of the General Assembly and its impacts for Brazil and the world.

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