UN Assembly Sessions in NYC: Peace Initiatives & Resolutions

The annual sessions of the United Nations in New York City, especially the high-level meetings of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), have been marked by intense debates on global conflicts and collective calls for peace. As the UN commemorated its 80th anniversary in 2025, leaders emphasized the founding vision of the UN: “One Charter, one vision, one promise: that peace is possible when humanity stands together”. Over the past two years, from the war in Ukraine to turmoil in the Middle East, UN sessions have tackled crises with an urgent focus on peaceful resolutions. Below is a general analysis of recent UN sessions (up to October 6, 2025), what was discussed and what peace-related resolutions were adopted, and how these efforts align with the global quest for conflict resolution and peace.

War in Ukraine: UN Stands Firm on Principles of Peace

One of the most prominent issues in recent UN sessions has been Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. With the UN Security Council paralyzed by vetoes, the General Assembly invoked the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism to take up the crisis. In an emergency special session in March 2022, an overwhelming majority of 141 countries voted to “deplore” the invasion and demand a full Russian withdrawal. This landmark resolution, adopted on 2 March 2022, reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, signaling unprecedented global unity – only 5 states voted against (including Russia).

World leaders continued to press for a just peace in Ukraine during subsequent UN gatherings. On 23 February 2023 – nearly one year into the war – the General Assembly again adopted a resolution upholding the principles of the UN Charter “underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine”. This resolution passed with 141 votes in favor to 7 against (with 32 abstentions), reflecting broad support for ending the conflict in line with international law. The resolution demanded Russia’s withdrawal and echoed calls to respect Ukraine’s independence and borders.

However, by the third year of the war, cracks in international consensus had begun to show. In a General Assembly session marking the war’s third anniversary (February 2025), member states considered two rival resolutions on Ukraine’s future – one drafted by Ukraine and allies, and another by another bloc of states. Both texts were adopted, but each received only 93 votes in favor (less than half of the UN membership) amid a large number of abstentions. The Ukrainian-backed resolution condemned Russia’s aggression and demanded full respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but notably the United States and Russia both voted against it, an unprecedented divergence from the prior unity. A “Path to Peace” resolution with a more general call for a lasting peace (initially introduced by the U.S.) also passed with 93 votes for, 8 against, and 73 abstentions after being amended. The U.S. itself abstained on the final version of its resolution due to those amendments, underscoring growing diplomatic complexity. These parallel resolutions in early 2025 revealed a fundamental split in approaches to the Ukraine conflict, as some countries pushed for unequivocal condemnation of aggression while others sought a more cautiously worded call for peace.

Even the UN Security Council managed to act in a limited way on Ukraine in 2025. In a rare show of unity, the Council adopted Resolution 2774 (2025) with 10 votes in favor and 5 abstentions (none against), avoiding a veto. Although not as forceful as Kyiv’s supporters hoped, this was the first Security Council resolution on the war to pass, focusing on humanitarian and peace principles. The overall message from UN sessions remained clear: most nations repeatedly urged respect for the UN Charter and an end to the war, even as political rifts made consensus harder to attain by 2025. The early overwhelming votes (141 in favor) in 2022–2023 gave way to more divided votes in 2025, indicating the challenges ahead in forging a unified path to peace in Ukraine.

Middle East Crisis: Calls for Ceasefire and a Two-State Solution

Another central focus of recent UN sessions has been the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, especially the war in Gaza that erupted in 2023. With the Security Council deadlocked (the United States vetoed resolutions on the crisis, and Russia also vetoed a rival draft), UN member states turned to the General Assembly to demand action. In a historic emergency special session on 27 October 2023, the General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” in Gaza, to be followed by a cessation of hostilities. The resolution passed with 120 countries in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions, despite opposition from Israel and the United States. While non-binding, this overwhelming vote was a barometer of global opinion, signaling widespread demand for a halt to the violence. “Voting against the resolution means approving this senseless war,” cautioned Jordan’s foreign minister in the debate, as images in the General Assembly hall showed 120 green votes in favor of the truce. Voting results displayed in the UN General Assembly Hall on 27 October 2023, when 120 nations voted for an immediate “humanitarian truce” in Gaza (non-binding resolution).

As the Gaza conflict continued, the General Assembly built on that initial plea for a truce. On 12 December 2024, it went further – adopting a resolution for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages, and affirming support for UN humanitarian efforts. This time 153 countries voted in favor, a larger majority than in October, reflecting growing global urgency to end the bloodshed. The December resolution – coming after over two months of war – was a strong moral statement by the international community, even though it remained non-binding due to the stalemate in the Security Council. Observers noted that several countries shifted their stance between the October and December votes, with more nations moving to “yes” on the ceasefire call, signaling increased pressure for peace. The United States continued to vote “no” (as did Israel), but some of its close allies like Canada, Japan, and Australia changed from abstaining in October to voting “yes” in December, citing the intolerable humanitarian toll in Gaza. The General Assembly’s voice, though not legally enforceable, amplified a global expectation that the warring parties silence their guns in favor of dialogue and humanitarian relief.

UN Headquarters in New York City, US, March 4, 2025 [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

In 2025, with the conflict still unresolved, UN diplomacy took a further significant step. On 12 September 2025, during the UN’s 80th session, the General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a landmark declaration reviving the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine. Nicknamed the “New York Declaration”, this seven-page resolution outlines “tangible, time-bound, and irreversible steps” to achieve a just, lasting peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. It was adopted by 142 votes in favor and 10 against (with 12 abstentions) – a resounding show of support from the international community. France and Saudi Arabia spearheaded this effort, signaling a broad coalition from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia coming together behind a peace blueprint. The declaration calls for collective action to end the war in Gaza, a halt to violence, and a return to negotiations based on the two-state framework. It also addresses concerns on all sides: urging protection of civilians, demanding Hamas release all hostages and relinquish control of Gaza, and calling for Israel to cease actions that undermine a two-state outcome. The vote came as fighting in Gaza and the West Bank raged on, and as Israeli leaders vowed to prevent Palestinian statehood – underscoring the gap between UN ideals and on-the-ground realities. Nevertheless, the UN’s “ringing endorsement” of the two-state solution in 2025 – described as a “landmark vote” despite being rejected by Israel as “disgraceful” – injected new momentum into peace efforts. It even paved the way for a high-level conference later that month, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at formally recognizing Palestine and reinvigorating negotiations. In the words of one UN correspondent, the vote showed an “incredible amount of pushback from the international community” against continued conflict, and an attempt to “take the negotiation process forward”.

Other Peace Initiatives and Adopted Resolutions

Beyond these headline conflicts, UN sessions in New York also addressed a range of peace and security issues, producing notable resolutions and commitments. In late 2024, for example, the General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the year 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. This resolution, adopted by consensus in March 2024, was intended to encourage diplomacy, dialogue, and conflict prevention worldwide throughout 2025. The designation reflects the UN’s ongoing emphasis that building trust is key to resolving disputes peacefully – a principle that resonates in conflicts from Africa to Asia.
The UN has also kept focus on enduring peacebuilding efforts. In October 2025, the Security Council took action to address a dire security crisis in Haiti, where gang violence has spiraled. On 1 October 2025, the Council adopted Resolution 2793 (2025) authorizing a multinational security mission to support Haiti – essentially a special force to combat gangs and restore stability. This resolution established a new UN support office for Haiti and was backed by assessed contributions (as with peacekeeping missions). The mission, led by countries like Kenya, aims to help the Haitian police re-establish order – an example of the UN facilitating collective action to bring peace to a member state in crisis. While not a traditional “peace treaty,” this adopted measure is a concrete step toward peace and security for the people of Haiti.
Meanwhile, the UN continues to support peace processes in places like Colombia. During the 2025 sessions, UN officials reported progress in implementing Colombia’s historic 2016 peace accord, such as the first restorative justice sentences for ex-combatants. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča, newly appointed as the UN’s envoy in Bogotá, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to Colombia’s peace process, highlighting it as a model of a nationally-owned roadmap to lasting peace. The Security Council, which oversees the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, has been unified in supporting that peace agreement – demonstrating how a successful peace process can garner international backing.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Additionally, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security – a landmark resolution adopted in 2000 to ensure women’s equal participation in peace efforts. In an October 2025 Security Council session commemorating this, UN Secretary-General António Guterres lamented that “far too often women remain absent” from peace negotiations despite the promises of 1325. He noted worrying trends: rising conflicts and “more shocking brutality against women and girls” in war zones. Speakers urged renewed commitment to including women at negotiation tables and protecting women and girls in conflict. While this was a thematic debate rather than a new resolution, it reinforced the UN’s stance that sustainable peace requires women’s leadership and rights, aligning with the spirit of past adopted resolutions on this agenda.

Finally, the UN’s 80th General Assembly session (Sept 2025) took place under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.” Leaders used the platform to call for strengthening multilateral cooperation to tackle today’s interlocking crises. In 2024, UN member states had laid groundwork for reform by endorsing a “Pact for the Future” – a roadmap of 56 commitments to reinvigorate the UN’s role in peace and security, global governance, climate action, and more. Among these were proposals for a “New Agenda for Peace” to improve conflict prevention and peacekeeping. These forward-looking decisions, while not peace treaties themselves, set the stage for more effective peace resolutions in the future by modernizing how the UN works. In essence, the UN sessions have not only responded to active conflicts with resolutions, but also initiated reforms to better fulfill the UN’s peace mandate in its next decades.

Advancing Peace and How You Can Help

In summary, the UN sessions in NYC over the last couple of years have been filled with urgent pleas and actions for peace. They have condemned aggression and upheld international law in Ukraine. They have demanded ceasefires and revived negotiations in the Middle East. They have launched initiatives – from Haiti to global peacebuilding – to address crises and root causes of conflict. Importantly, these were the adopted resolutions and decisions, meaning they garnered enough support to pass, reflecting the collective will (if not always the unanimity) of the international community. Each resolution is a building block of hope: a signal that diplomacy and dialogue are still the preferred path to resolve disputes.

However, achieving peace on the ground remains a formidable challenge. UN resolutions, especially General Assembly ones, are often non-binding recommendations – they carry moral and political weight but rely on member states to implement them. That’s why continued public support and pressure for peace is vital. As UN Secretary-General Guterres reminded world leaders, the “seed of hope” planted with the UN’s founding requires constant nurturing. Peaceful resolutions are not achieved by diplomats alone; they succeed when people everywhere demand and support them.

As an engaged global citizen, you can add your voice and action to this cause. One way is by supporting campaigns and initiatives that promote peace, justice, and human rights. Pledge4Peace is one such platform where people-powered solutions to conflicts are put forward – and your participation matters. We invite you to join us in turning words into action. Vote on our peace campaigns at Pledge4Peace.org/campaigns and help strengthen the global call for peace. Every vote is a message to world leaders that the public expects dialogue over violence, and reconciliation over revenge. Together, in the spirit of the UN Charter, we can stand united for the promise that peace is possible when humanity stands together. 

Hero Image: The United Nations will observe its 80th anniversary as world leaders converge this week on its headquarters in New York. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images