At the UN General Assembly (UNGA), representatives from Iran, Syria, and Kenya have drawn attention to how war, injustice, and systemic inequality continue to obstruct development for large parts of the world's population. The remarks come four decades after the United Nations formally recognised development as a fundamental human right — a milestone that critics say has done little to close the gap between wealthy and struggling nations. The discussion underscores growing frustration among developing countries that global economic structures remain skewed against them, with conflict-affected states facing particularly severe barriers to progress.