This week kicks off the high-level part of the U.N. General Assembly, when world leaders meet to discuss the world’s most pressing problems. It is the 80th year of the gathering, and comes at a difficult time for the organization, with wars raging globally and a budget crisis internally. Yet it remains a big stage, with more than 140 world leaders and senior officials and delegations converging on New York.
The General Debate, which will start on Tuesday, is the main event, when representatives from each member state will speak on various issues.
Beyond the main debate, there are other events the world may be keeping tabs on:
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On Monday, Palestinian statehood is due to take center stage at a conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal said on Sunday that they now formally recognized Palestinian statehood, and France has announced its intention to do so.
Also, the Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on the recent incursion by Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace.
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On Tuesday, the Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on the war in Gaza and the security situation in the Middle East (scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern) and another on Ukraine (scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern).
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On Wednesday, leaders are expected to gather for a climate summit to present commitments to tackle climate change and discuss solutions.
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On Thursday, leaders are expected to discuss artificial intelligence.
The high-level gathering also offers world leaders opportunities for one-on-one meetings. António Guterres, the U.N. secretary general, has expressed interest in meeting with President Trump. The Russian foreign minister may meet with his U.S. counterpart as well, after diplomatic efforts between Moscow and Washington last month seemed to do little to slow the war in Ukraine.
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of some of the speakers to watch out for.
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Following a decades-long tradition, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is set to open the comments from member states. This month, Jair Bolsonaro, the country’s former president, was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for overseeing a failed coup plot after losing the 2022 election. Mr. Trump had urged Brazil to drop the charges, and Mr. Lula has vowed not to bend to U.S. pressure.
Mr. Trump is to come next, speaking on behalf of the United States, following convention for the host country to speak second. It is not known what he will say, but he could touch on topics including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, two conflicts he has pledged to end, so far without success; an escalating immigration crackdown at home; and a wave of tariffs intended to protect American industries that has alarmed trading partners around the globe.
The General Assembly is expected to hear from the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in addition to leaders from Jordan, Qatar and Egypt. Israel conducted an airstrike in Qatar this month that targeted Hamas officials, a move that drew outrage from some Arab leaders.
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The post As U.N. General Assembly Gathers, Here’s What to Watch For appeared first on New York Times.
