Fierce UNGA debates highlight the timeliness and relevance of Global Governance Initiative

 

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2025. Photo: AFP

 The General Debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)'s 80th Session opened on Tuesday local time at UN headquarters in New York. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, a moment that should have been celebratory. Yet, judging from the very first day, words such as "disagreements" and "disputes" dominated public opinion. The Washington Post noted that beyond the financial strain because of the refusal of the US to make any payments to its regular budget, the UN is facing "crises that have caused deepening divisions." In his address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres bluntly stated that "multipolarity without effective multilateral institutions courts chaos" and stressed that "international cooperation is not naiveté." Behind these divisions lies the deficit in global governance and the urgent need for reform and improvement.

Amid the heated discussions at this year's UNGA, the international community once again witnessed a direct clash between two approaches to governance. On one side lies the logic of hegemony and unilateral action, which treats multilateral mechanisms as mere tools of power; on the other stands the path of genuine multilateralism, grounded in sovereign equality, solidarity, and cooperation. What international media have described as a "fierce debate" at the UN reflects a sobering reality: Outdated governance models can no longer address global challenges. The current international system suffers from three major shortcomings - serious underrepresentation of the Global South, erosion of authoritativeness, and urgent need for greater effectiveness - making systemic reform both urgent and imperative.

If one were to distill the hopes, expectations, and questions voiced by representatives at the UNGA, they would converge on a defining question of our time: What kind of global governance system should be built, and how can it be reformed and improved? 80 years ago, nations drew lessons from the ruins of World War II, founded the UN, and embarked on a new experiment in global governance. Over the past 80 years, the UN has adopted more than 40,000 resolutions and decisions, building a system of rules for global governance and helping to maintain overall peace in the world, which is no small feat. The successful experience is evident: Effective global governance does not come from the "protection of a world police," but from broad consensus on peace, democracy, development, cooperation, and win-win outcomes, as well as principles such as peaceful coexistence, collective security, the democratization of international relations, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The more these consensuses and principles are strengthened, the smoother coordination and cooperation among the international community, especially major powers, will become, and the greater the role the UN will be able to play. Conversely, when these principles are undermined, the UN's role is constrained. Therefore, the key to addressing today's many hotspot issues is not "whether the UN is still needed" as some claim. In fact, the more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more important it is to uphold the UN's authority, to reaffirm its founding mission, and to renew the commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. This year's General Assembly saw the denial of the UN's role, the rejection of multilateralism, and the dismissal of the current international order expressed by a few countries, which sparked wide controversy and even "shock," underscoring that peace and development remain the mainstream aspirations of the international community.

The international community must work together to ensure the UN keeps pace with the times. Reform, however, is not about tearing everything down and starting anew, but about making the UN more adaptable to the needs of today's world. The China-proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI) comes at a critical moment when acts of great-power bullying are causing serious harm and severely undermining multilateral mechanisms such as the UN. It offers China's solutions for enhancing and improving global governance. The core concepts of adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions are in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, resonating with the common expectations of the vast majority of countries. The initiative focuses on innovation and improvement, enhancing the effectiveness and implementation of the current international system and mechanisms, so that they better reflect changes in the international landscape and situation, respond more promptly and effectively to global challenges, and better safeguard the common interests of all countries. 

Currently, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, severely impacting international development cooperation and weakening the momentum of global economic growth. To address the many contradictions and problems we face today, we should maintain a focus on development, fully promote growth, and work together to expand the development pie. The four global initiatives proposed by China has gained increasing international resonance precisely because it accurately addresses the strong desire of the international community for peace, development, and cooperation. 

In a world filled with uncertainty, adhering to multilateralism and promoting the development of a global governance system toward a more equitable and reasonable direction is not only the shared responsibility of the international community but also an essential pathway to building a community with a shared future for humanity. This righteous path has gathered the collaborative efforts of more and more countries.

The "intense collisions" during the 80th session of the UNGA represent a profound inquiry from the times regarding global governance. The Eastern wisdom and practical pathways embodied in the GGI provide a clear direction for addressing the global governance deficit. While the transformation of the global governance system may be fraught with challenges, historical experience demonstrates that ideas aligned with the common interests of the majority of countries and in tune with the trend of peaceful development will ultimately gain widespread recognition and translate into real momentum.

Ways to make meetings work, What to do about pointless meetings; Relaxation techniques

 

If a meeting does not make sense, can you call it into question to save time for something else? — Photo: Zacharie Scheurer/dpa-tmn/dpa

Spending the whole day in meetings that distract you from your actual work can be a major source of stress and frustration.

However, many companies find it difficult to move away from a meeting culture that has developed over the years.

"This is the way we've always done it," people often say. How do teams get out of this trap?

"There is no magic formula, unfortunately, for how to change a bad meeting culture or routine," says Teresa Stockmeyer, a trainer and consultant for team development.

There are, however, lots of small adjustments that can be made - provided that at least some of the people taking part in the meetings want to.

If a team decides they want to break out of existing meeting structures, there are various steps that can be taken, Stockmeyer says.

Structure your meetings

This includes setting and sharing the goal and agenda of the meeting beforehand. The number of participants should be limited and there should be a moderator that leads the meeting.

Ideally, the moderator should also make sure the meeting doesn't go over the given time. It may also be a good idea to take notes. "This means everyone gets the information, even if they don't attend," says Stockmeyer.

Be proactive

If you're frustrated with unnecessary meetings, have the courage to tackle the issue. Stockmeyer's advice is to not simply put up with meetings that feel unproductive and pointless.

It's better to question a meeting and get feedback from your team members to see if they feel the same way.

Being proactive also involves asking before a meeting what input or expertise is expected. A team can work together to visualise what purpose a meeting currently serves and agree on whether this purpose will or should continue to be served by having a meeting.

Get regular feedback

Stockmeyer advises carrying out a quick evaluation after each meeting, which will help you find out what is working well and where there is room for improvement.

The 'kill all meetings' experiment

If you want to go for a more radical approach, you could try the "kill all meetings" experiment for one to two weeks.

Stockmeyer advises "ruthlessly clearing" your calendar and, if necessary, the team calendar. This allows you to quickly see where there is a lack of communication, and where it is not needed.

Another way of reducing unnecessary meetings is to ask yourself some questions: "Which meetings or summaries would I need if I was coming back from a three-week holiday?" or "Which meetings or summaries could I do without if I was away for three weeks and I would still be able to carry out my tasks upon returning?"

Wrong goals: Why we keep having pointless meetings

However, there are a number of reasons why we hold on to unnecessary meetings. According to Stockmeyer, this often has to do with the veiled, sometimes unconscious goals of meetings.

For example, meetings may secretly serve the purpose of social interaction or self-promotion or presenting one's status instead of discussing business matters.

Teams may stick to meetings for no real reason, because they are thought to bring structure to the working day and strengthen a sense of belonging and motivation.

However, the opposite often turns out to be the case. Instead of structuring the working day, it is fragmented by constant meetings - "especially if meetings are poorly timed or are held too frequently," Stockmeyer says.

And instead of fostering team spirit, employees can feel like they have to be in meetings all the time. Especially when people who have little to contribute are invited - just to meet the need of "including everyone in meetings, and not excluding anyone." – dpa

Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to lower stress

Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org › in-depth › art-20045368

Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to lower stress ; Slow heart rate. Lower blood pressure. Slow breathing rate. Improve digestion. Control blood sugar ..

10 Best Ways To Relax After A Stressful Day - Simply Earth Blog

RON95 patrol subsidy, M'sians to get up to 300l of RM1.99 RON95 - a 6 sen drop from RM2.05 a month from Sept 30, 2025

The RON95 subsidy retargeting is a key piece of the government’s efforts to repair its finances after nearly three decades of budget deficits.

Here is a detailed summary of the BUDI95 RON95 petrol subsidy for Malaysians, effective September 30

PUTRAJAYA: The price of RON95 petrol has been reduced to RM1.99 per litre, from RM2.05 per litre, effective Sept 30, through targeted subsidies under the Budi Madani RON95 (BUDI95) programme.

The good news was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday (Sept 22) at his monthly meeting with staff of the Prime Minister's Department.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said all Malaysian citizens with a valid driving licence are eligible for the RON95 subsidy and based on data from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the National Registration Department (JPN), it is estimated that more than 16 million people are eligible to receive the subsidy.

"These benefits and privileges are given as an appreciation and recognition of the spirit of National Day and Malaysia Day, as well as to honour all Malaysians.

"Starting Sept 30, non-citizens and large companies will no longer be eligible for the subsidy, as it is meant solely for personal use. They will have to pay the non-subsidised price of about RM2.60 per litre, while Malaysian citizens will continue to enjoy the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre," he said.

Malaysians, he said, are eligible to receive a monthly BUDI95 of 300l, but e-hailing drivers can apply for a higher ceiling.

He added that, as a gesture of appreciation, police and military personnel will begin enjoying the RM1.99 per litre price from Saturday (Sept 27), ahead of the official implementation date, while the B40 group, who are recipients of the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR), will start enjoying the subsidised price from Sunday (Sept 28).

This is to allow the public to gradually adapt to the new RON95 subsidy mechanism, he said.

Anwar said that, similar to the Basic Rahmah Contribution (Sara), no registration is required for BUDI95. Malaysians only need to use their MyKad to enjoy the subsidised price.

MyKad reader machines will be installed at shops and petrol pumps to help reduce the risk of congestion.

In this regard, he reminded the public to ensure their MyKad chips are functioning properly and that they hold a valid driving licence.

"Only citizens with a valid driving licence are eligible to receive the subsidy. So, for those who have yet to renew their licence, please do so immediately.

"Just like Sara, this is an appreciation initiative. It does not matter what your income level or position is - we are extending the blessing and benefit of this RON95 subsidy to all Malaysians.

"Some may criticise that even the super-rich are entitled to it, but this is our way of recognising and appreciating Malaysian citizens," he said.

For those who are digitally literate, Anwar said there are alternative payment options such as Touch'n Go and oil company applications like Petronas' Setel, which eliminate the need to use MyKad for every transaction.

He said Malaysia is the only country in the world bold enough to reduce fuel prices for its people despite the current uncertain global economic situation.

"Currently, the price in Saudi Arabia is RM2.61 per litre, and that is one of the largest oil-producing countries in the world. In comparison, petrol prices are RM3.22 per litre in Indonesia, RM4.22 per litre in the Philippines, RM5.68 per litre in Thailand, and RM9.02 per litre in Singapore.

"Of course, Singapore is not an oil producer, but I want to emphasise that even among oil-producing nations, Malaysia remains among the lowest... the only one slightly lower than us is Brunei," he said.

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• Nine Padu data sharing applications approved for policy and subsidy rollout, says Amir

New Covid-19 variant found

 

Pakar kesihatan turut memberi amaran bahawa kanak-kanak antara golongan lebih berisiko mengalami komplikasi serius jika dijangkiti varian XFG Covid-19. — Gambar hiasan

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in Malaysia, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).

He said the XFG variant accounted for 8.2% of the 43,087 accumulated Covid-19 cases reported in the 35th epidemiology week (ME 35/2025).

He said the new variant was detected by the Health Ministry through genomic surveillance to track the spread of variants.

“The latest genomic surveillance data shows that 34% of the reported cases are of the NB.1.8.1 variant, followed by JN.1 (18.1%), XEC (13.3%), XFG (8.2%) and others (21.0%),” he posted on his X account yesterday.

He added that the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in ME 35/2025 was a 49.5% drop compared with the number of cases reported in the same period last year, which was 85,297.

Dzulkefly said one death has also been reported in ME 35/2025 – a 91-year-old bedridden person – bringing the total number of deaths this year to three.

In June this year, the World Health Organisation designated the XFG variant as a “variant under monitoring” due to its high transmissibility and increased ability to evade immunity.

Dzulkefly reminded the public to continue preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, wearing face masks when symptomatic or in crowded areas and getting vaccinated, especially those in high-risk groups.

Varian baharu XFG Covid-19 dikesan di Malaysia, kanak- ...

Majoriti

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2 days ago — “Data terkini pemantauan genomik menunjukkan NB.1.8.1 masih dominan dengan 34 peratus, diikuti JN.1 (18.1%), XEC (13.3%), XFG (8.2%) dan ..

Functional cards crucial for govt aid

 

Spoilt chips: (From left) Saravanan and Batumalai showing their MyKads while waiting to replace them at UTC Selangor in Shah Alam. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

SHAH ALAM: With the government set to introduce the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy scheme at the end of this month, many Malaysians have begun checking the condition of their MyKad chips to ensure they remain functional.

Queues at National Registration Department (NRD) counters have seen not only first-time applicants and routine renewals but also individuals seeking to verify whether their cards are still in working order.

R. Saravanan, 46, who works in the private sector, said he was planning to renew his card after realising the chip was no longer functional.

“I intend to renew my IC because the chip has spoilt. To participate in government programmes, it is necessary to have a valid IC, so we must proceed with the renewal.

“These initiatives like MySara make our lives easier, so the duty to ‘repair’ is on us,” he said when met here yesterday.

For retirees such as K. Batumalai, 72, the subsidies and other cash assistance schemes make maintaining a functional MyKad even more essential.

“I have retired. The government is giving help, like the RM100 MySara, so I can use this money for myself and the home. My IC chip is also spoilt, so I am here to replace it,” he explained.

Parent Zam Azri Muhamad, 46, said he took the opportunity to confirm the status of his own MyKad while visiting NRD counters to register his son’s identity card.

“I came for my son’s IC – he’s 12 years old – but at the same time I will ask officers if they can check my IC to prepare for the RON95 subsidy rollout at the end of this month,” he said.

Lecturer Lim Wee Leek, 46, shared the same sentiment.

“I use my IC regularly, so I am confident that the chip is working well. But since I am here for my son’s IC, and if I don’t need to queue too long, I intend to ask the officers if I could check whether my IC chip is still working,” he said.

Shahida Shohairy, 44, an operations executive, said she had already updated her card in anticipation of the subsidy rollout.

“I am here for my son’s MyKad. He turned 12 recently, so it’s time for him to have his own MyKad,” she said, adding that she wants to avoid last-minute issues.

Housewife Noor Ain Abu Bakar, 35, said her family has made early preparations.

“We checked our IC chips earlier to make sure they are fine. We use them for all government initiatives, like MySara, MyKasih and others, so we already know they are in good condition,” she said.

A JPN employee at the counter reassured visitors that the process was quick.

“You can just check your IC here, and I will swipe it on the device at the counter. It is literally one swipe, which takes a second,” the officer said.

For those whose cards are damaged, the repair process involves visiting the nearest JPN office, filling in a form, submitting fingerprints, getting a new photo taken, paying the replacement fee, and waiting for the new card to be processed.

Fees range from RM10 for normal wear and tear to RM50 for negligence, while replacements due to manufacturing defects are free.

Processing takes about five working days in Peninsular Malaysia and up to 10 in Sabah and Sarawak.

Applicants will be given a temporary slip while waiting and must collect their new MyKad in person.

By ARFA YUNUS

Related stories:

• ‘Subsidy mechanism could pose challenges’

370,000 landowners in Penang to pay more

 

Overdue revision: Penang will increase quit rent in the state at the beginning of next year. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

This means they will be paying an additional 16sen per square metre following the state's decision to revise the quit rent rate which has not been reviewed for 31 years. To minimise the financial burden on the people, a 32.5% tax rebate will be provided next year, followed by a 20% rebate in 2027 and 2028.

370,000 landowners in Penang to pay more | The Star

370,000 landowners in Penang to pay more | The Star

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/09/20/370000-landowners-in-penang-to-pay-more#:~:text=This%20means%20they%20will%20be,rebate%20in%202027%20and%202028.

GEORGE TOWN: Come Jan 1, about 370,000 land title owners in Penang will face an increase in their quit rent rate of between 29% and 200%, a move that has raised eyebrows.

This means they will be paying an additional 16sen per square metre following the state’s decision to revise the quit rent rate which has not been reviewed for 31 years.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/09/20/370000-landowners-in-penang-to-pay-more#:~:text=This%20means%20they%20will%20be,rebate%20in%202027%20and%202028.

More heavy rain and flooding expected in Oct, says MetMalaysia

 

Weather watch: MetMalaysia staff monitoring a weather forecast display. — AZMAN GHANI /The Star

PETALING JAYA: The heavy rains and deadly Sabah floods and landslides have already claimed 13 lives.

But meteorologists warn that this could only mark the start of a more dangerous monsoon season.

There is likely to be worse weather ahead as Malaysia transitions from the southwest to the northeast monsoon.

“Thunderstorms and heavy rains are on the horizon in October. 

“From mid-November, the northeast monsoon will bring continuous rainfall, affecting the east coast of the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak,” Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip says.

He noted that these weather patterns will particularly affect the western and inland regions of the peninsula, as well as western and central Sarawak and western Sabah, with the most intense activity occurring in the afternoons and early evenings.

Hisham warned that low-lying and riverbank areas could see flash floods.

“Climate change is causing more frequent and extreme weather events, including heavier rainfall and severe thunderstorms accompanied by hailstorms and tornadoes.

“It’s essential to understand our climate patterns and plan travel to avoid high-risk areas during adverse weather,” he said.

Climatologists anticipate wetter and more extreme weather in the coming months due to climate change and the La Nina phenomenon.

Dr Fredolin Tangang of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia highlighted a report from the US Climate Prediction Centre, which predicts a more than 70% chance of Pacific Ocean cooling between October and December.

“This will lead to high atmospheric moisture during the northeast monsoon starting mid-November, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather,” he said.

Tangang noted that global warming exacerbates these conditions by increasing the atmosphere’s moisture capacity, causing more and heavier rain.

He warned that the La Nina effect, combined with global warming, is likely to persist, heightening the risk of extreme rainfall, floods and landslides in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Proper maintenance of drainage systems is crucial to manage the increased rainfall,” he added

Meteorologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah also predicted heavier rainfall due to La Nina.

“Although currently in an ENSO-neutral state, forecasts indicate a weak La Nina this winter, suggesting above-average rain during the northeast monsoon,” he said.

The inter-monsoon transition is expected around October to November as the southwest monsoon weakens.

Azizan said the recent heavy rainfall in Sabah was due to a westerly southwest wind and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) interacting with a cyclonic low pressure north of the Philippines.

“The wet phase of the MJO should end by this weekend, providing relief to Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) reported the end of the southwest monsoon, which began on May 10, has caused some areas to see daily rainfall of over 80mm.

Eastern Sabah is likely to see more thunderstorms and heavy rain, at least until Sept 22.

Squall lines capable of producing severe weather are also expected in western Peninsular Malaysia, western Sabah, and northern Sarawak during early mornings, with thunderstorms likely in other regions during afternoons and evenings.

Nadma director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said that the agency was fully prepared, especially after the minor earthquake in Segamat, Johor, and the heavy rains in Sabah.

By MARTIN CARVALHO

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New Covid-19 variant found

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