Is the UN useless?
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 22 September 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised Palestine as a state ahead of high level meetings at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this week. But as the votes and debates continue, little seems to change outside the diplomatic bubble. We discuss with a former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN what relevance the organisation still holds.
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Guest: Mark Malloch-Brown, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producer: Taryn Siegel.
Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/britain-recognise-palestine-state-9fz0pvq87
Clips: United Nations, ABC, Getty, Clinton Presidential Library, The Economic Times, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Global News.
Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com
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Transcript
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| 2:01.4 | From The Times and the Sunday Times, this is the story. I'm Luke Jones. |
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