UNITED NATIONS — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commenced what may be his final visit to the United Nations, concluding a series of engagements with the organization during a turbulent four years marked by the resurgence of war in Europe and various crises across the Middle East.
As the U.N. Security Council faces unprecedented divisions, Blinken is presiding over two meetings of this influential body on Thursday. These sessions are set to steer clear of discussions concerning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine or the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, where the U.S. has often found itself at odds with permanent members such as China and Russia, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
In a move aimed at fostering some degree of agreement among member states, Blinken is overseeing Security Council discussions that will address artificial intelligence and the humanitarian situation in Sudan, a country currently experiencing severe crises that have not garnered sufficient international attention.
During the AI session, Blinken emphasized to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other high-level attendees that their participation highlighted the significance of the topic under discussion.
Blinken’s engagement with the Security Council has been ongoing since March 2021, shortly after he assumed his position with the Biden administration. Over the years, he has taken part in numerous Security Council meetings, including one that took place just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Each September sees Blinken attending the U.N. for the annual General Assembly, where world leaders unite.
The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among its 15 members, and this month it falls to the United States, which organizes various events around its own chosen themes. Countries holding the presidency often utilize the platform to discuss key issues, with many high-ranking officials participating in these discussions.
Regarding the absence of topics like Ukraine and the Middle East, the U.S. has found that its calls for condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have repeatedly been blocked by both Russia and China. This has contributed to U.S. officials perceiving any session focused on the invasion as likely unproductive, especially with the potential upcoming leadership change in the U.S.
The U.S. has also distanced itself from focusing on the Middle East, where it has long viewed itself as isolated within the Security Council while supporting Israel against widespread condemnation. In contrast, the U.S. chose to prioritize discussions on artificial intelligence due to its leadership role in global AI development, reinforced by a recent Stanford University index. In March, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution on the matter, driven by U.S. initiatives, to promote the responsible use of AI worldwide.
On the topic of Sudan, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, referenced last year’s conflict that erupted between rival military factions, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis that demands more attention. The violence has resulted in substantial loss of life, displacing millions, and creating dire food shortages affecting large portions of Sudan’s population.
State Department representative Vedant Patel underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that the U.S. intends to collaborate with U.N. partners to highlight the crisis, establish humanitarian corridors, and push for a political resolution.
As for interactions with Russia, Blinken has represented U.S. interests during several sessions at the Security Council surrounding various issues from the war in Ukraine to the conflict in Gaza. However, aside from pointed exchanges during debates, direct meetings with Russian diplomats have been scarce. Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were last in the same venue earlier this month in Malta yet did not engage in conversation. Their last brief interaction occurred during a G20 foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi in March 2023.
In summary, Blinken’s current visit signifies critical discussions at the U.N., focusing on both technology and pressing humanitarian crises while navigating a complex geopolitical landscape.
