Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, will be present in New York City to participate in the proceedings of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Her visit is scheduled from September 22 to 26, during which she will be available for media interviews. Throughout her stay, Callamard plans to hold meetings with high-ranking officials within the UN system, focusing on critical issues facing the organization.
A Critical Juncture for the UN
Callamard emphasized that the United Nations stands at one of its most dangerous turning points since its establishment more than eight decades ago. She described a world burdened by genocide, wars, climate collapse, and widening inequality. According to her statement, there is also a surge in anti-rights movements and an unprecedented expansion of corporate influence. Furthermore, she pointed to an unregulated race to deplete resources in order to develop increasingly advanced artificial intelligence systems.
The Secretary-General noted that the Security Council remains paralyzed while powerful states continue to undermine the role and effectiveness of the UN through intense political, financial, and diplomatic pressures. Consequently, she argued that the next Secretary-General must be a staunch defender of international law. This individual must be prepared to confront aggressive and authoritarian powers that seek to subvert international forums. The incoming leader should be ready to resist geopolitical pressures, condemn atrocities regardless of the perpetrators, and engage constructively with civil society.
Callamard stressed that the role should not be limited to managing compromises or resulting from deals struck behind closed doors among powerful forces. Instead, the next Secretary-General must possess firm conviction and the necessary expertise to defend human rights and the UN Charter effectively.
Upcoming Events and Reports
On September 24, Callamard will speak at a side event hosted by Amnesty International, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The event is scheduled from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Japan Association, Murase Room, located at 333 East 47th Street. The session is open to the media, and registration is required.
Additionally, on September 21, Amnesty International will publish a briefing report detailing human rights violations against artisanal gold and cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report highlights how the M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda, continues to commit these abuses. Callamard will be present to discuss these violations and their implications for global trade and supply chains.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
