Macron Urges Global Unity at UN, Warning Against Return to ‘Law of the Jungle’

POLICY WIRE — United Nations, United States — French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark appeal on September 22, 2026, urging global leaders to reaffirm their commitment to international law and the United Nations framework to prevent a descent into what he described as a resurgent law of the jungle.

Delivering his final address to the UN General Assembly as president, Macron challenged the international community to decide whether to embrace a civilized global society or succumb to a primitive state of nature. He warned against the rhetoric of defeat, which he argued is fueling the abuse of power by empires and threatening the sovereignty of nations.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Macron advocated for a double moratorium on strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure. Following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 21, the French leader condemned the destruction of civilian assets as a new era of barbaric acts.

Macron also directed sharp criticism toward the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, questioning the credibility of the international community if it remains passive. He described the current situation as a spectacle that shames everyone, noting that claims of peace have failed to facilitate necessary humanitarian aid deliveries.

Turning to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, Macron proposed a collaborative approach to prevent nations from becoming vassals to dominant powers like the U.S. and China. He called for the pooling of investment capabilities to develop an open-source, cutting-edge AI model that would be shared globally rather than controlled by a single entity.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)