When UN Elections Were Once Tainted by Trade-Offs, Cheque Book Diplomacy & Luxury Cruises… By Thalif Deen Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved.

When UN Elections Were Once Tainted by Trade-Offs, Cheque Book Diplomacy & Luxury Cruises… By Thalif Deen https://www.ipsnews.net/2026/05/when-un-elections-were-once-tainted-by-trade-offs-cheque-book-diplomacy-luxury-cruises/?utm_source=email_marketing&utm_admin=146128&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Indias_LED_Story_Highlights_How_Blended_Finance_Powers_Environmental_Action_Scarcity_of_Treatment_Ma UNITED NATIONS, May 29 2026 (IPS) - The year 2026 seems to be an eventful year at the United Nations –a new President of the General Assembly (PGA), who will officially preside over the 81st session in mid-September, plus the election and appointment of a new Secretary-General (SG) who will takeover in January 2027 after the conclusion of a 10-year tenure by the outgoing SG Antonio Guterres. When UN member states competed in elections– or sought votes for membership in the Security Council or in various UN bodies– the voting in the 1960s and 70s was largely tainted by cheque-book diplomacy — while promises of increased aid to the world’s poorer nations came mostly with heavy strings attached. Copyright © 2026 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved.