Diplomacy is the way to address global challenges, Brazil tells General Assembly

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told the General Assembly on Tuesday that the UN needs to become a “temple of peace” once again, as it confronts one of the most critical periods in its 80-year history.Opening this year’s General Debate, the President – known to all as Lula – expressed his indignation at the widespread attacks taking place on multilateralism worldwide.According to the Brazilian leader, more effective diplomacy is the only way for collective challenges to be successfully addressed.He said the organization's credibility has been weakened due to paralysis of the Security Council, the use of veto powers and growing geopolitical tensions.“We are all held hostage by the inaction of the Security Council” he said, stressing that Brazil has spoken out against the use of veto power by permanent members in the chamber since the first general assembly meeting in 1946. World of conflictThe Brazilian leader recalled that the previous year had seen the highest number of armed conflicts registered since the Second World War.He called for regional conflicts to be contained before they escalate into “tragedies of global proportions”.Turning to the conflict in the Middle...