Argentina’s Milei sharply criticises UN during General Assembly address

Argentine President Javier Milei has launched a sharp criticism of the United Nations, calling the organisation “useless” and accusing it of failing to fulfil the principles on which it was founded.

Milei made the remarks during Argentina’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He argued that the UN had moved away from its original objectives involving international law, sovereignty, human rights and peaceful cooperation.

Milei also accused international institutions of failing to effectively address terrorism and human-rights abuses.

During his speech, he strongly defended Israel and criticised what he regards as unequal treatment of the country within international institutions.

Those claims represented Milei’s assessment of the UN’s record rather than independent findings about the organisation.

The Argentine president also reiterated his country’s claim over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, and called on the United Kingdom to resume negotiations over sovereignty.

Argentina’s government said Milei told the General Assembly that the islands remain a “national cause” for the country.

The United Kingdom maintains that the islanders have the right to determine their own political status. Argentina disputes the application of that principle to the sovereignty dispute.

Milei’s speech comes during the UN General Assembly’s annual high-level week, which is bringing world leaders to New York for discussions on international security, development, climate and other global issues.