This week, the United Nations General Assembly begins its high-level segment, drawing world leaders together to confront humanity’s most urgent challenges. As the assembly marks its 80th year, it navigates a complex landscape of global conflicts and internal financial strains. Nevertheless, it remains an indispensable platform, bringing over 140 heads of state, senior officials, and numerous delegations to New York for crucial discussions.
The cornerstone of the assembly, the General Debate, is set to commence on Tuesday. During this key event, representatives from every member state will deliver their perspectives on a wide array of global matters.
Beyond the primary debate, several other significant events are slated throughout the week, capturing global attention:
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On Monday, the issue of Palestinian statehood will be a central focus at a conference jointly hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. Following suit, Australia, Britain, Canada, and Portugal have already announced their formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, with France also indicating its intention to do so. Additionally, an emergency session of the Security Council is anticipated to address the recent intrusion of Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace.
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On Tuesday, the Security Council has scheduled two crucial meetings: one to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader security landscape in the Middle East, and another dedicated to the situation in Ukraine.
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On Wednesday, global leaders will convene for a vital climate summit. They are expected to outline new commitments to combat climate change and explore collaborative solutions.
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On Thursday, a high-level discussion on artificial intelligence is on the agenda for participating leaders.
This prestigious gathering also provides a crucial venue for bilateral meetings among world leaders. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has indicated his desire to meet with President Trump. There’s also the possibility of a meeting between the Russian and U.S. foreign ministers, especially after recent diplomatic attempts to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine yielded limited progress.
Below is a daily overview of some of the key speakers and their anticipated focus.
**Tuesday, September 23**
In a long-standing tradition, **Brazil’s** President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is scheduled to deliver the opening address from member states. This comes just after the sentencing of former President Jair Bolsonaro to over 27 years in prison for a failed coup attempt following the 2022 election. President Lula has firmly stated he will not yield to any U.S. pressure regarding these charges, despite earlier urgings from Mr. Trump.
Following convention, **United States** President Mr. Trump will speak next, representing the host nation. While his exact remarks are unknown, he is expected to address critical issues such as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, both of which he has vowed to resolve. Other potential topics include the intensifying immigration measures domestically and a series of tariffs aimed at bolstering American industries, which have caused concern among international trading partners.
The assembly will also hear from **Turkish** President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, alongside leaders from **Jordan**, **Qatar**, and **Egypt**. These speeches follow a recent Israeli airstrike in Qatar targeting Hamas officials, an incident that provoked strong condemnation from several Arab nations.
Additionally, **France’s** President Emmanuel Macron will address the chamber. He is actively spearheading a diplomatic initiative to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, aiming to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution with Israel.
In the afternoon, President Karol Nawrocki of **Poland** will speak, particularly after his nation expressed serious concerns regarding a recent infiltration by Russian drones.
Also scheduled to speak is Claudia Sheinbaum, **Mexico’s** groundbreaking first female president. Her administration faces considerable pressure from Mr. Trump to align with American trade interests and intensify efforts against drug cartels.
**Wednesday, September 24**
**Ukraine’s** President Volodymyr Zelensky is slated to speak, with his address undoubtedly focusing on Russia’s ongoing invasion of his nation. Despite expressing cautious optimism after an August meeting with Mr. Trump, a direct encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin remains out of reach, and Moscow has intensified its drone assaults.
**Iran’s** President Masoud Pezeshkian is confirmed to attend, as announced by his political adviser on social media. His participation follows a June conflict with Israel that significantly impacted his country’s military leadership.
Wednesday will also mark the anticipated U.N. debut of **Syria’s** new president, Ahmed al-Shara, who rose to power after a rebel coalition under his leadership successfully overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad in December.
**Thursday, September 25**
Despite the Trump administration’s denial of visas to **Palestinian Authority** President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation, the General Assembly resoundingly voted to allow Palestinian representatives to participate virtually, including a pre-recorded address from Mr. Abbas. This comes as Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City exacerbates a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread hunger gripping the enclave.
Prime Minister Kamil Idris of **Sudan** is also expected to speak on Thursday, according to Sudanese media. His nation has been embroiled in a devastating civil war for the past two years.
**Friday, September 26**
**Israel’s** Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to open Friday morning’s speeches. He is currently navigating significant disagreements with his nation’s military leadership regarding his war strategy in Gaza. This conflict has also intensified his international isolation and fueled domestic political opposition.
Following Netanyahu will be Premier Li Qiang of **China**, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of **Britain**, and **India’s** Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar. The once-strong relationship between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Trump has noticeably cooled in recent months.
A representative from **Nepal** is also expected to deliver remarks. This comes after widespread violent protests this month led to the collapse of the government. Sushila Karki, the nation’s first female chief justice, has since taken on the role of interim prime minister. While the previous prime minister had planned to attend, it remains uncertain who will now represent Nepal.
**Saturday, September 27**
**Canada’s** Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to speak on Saturday. He recently met with Ms. Sheinbaum to strategize an “action plan” for addressing Mr. Trump’s tariffs. **Russia’s** Foreign Minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, is also anticipated to speak during the first half of the day. The Kremlin continues to demand its own “security guarantees” as a precondition for ceasing hostilities in Ukraine.
**Venezuela’s** Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, is slated to address the Assembly on Saturday. His speech comes amidst a significant deployment of U.S. naval forces near Venezuelan waters. Washington has intensified its rhetoric regarding drug cartels, conducting lethal strikes on suspected smuggling vessels and labeling President Nicolás Maduro a terrorist-cartel leader. In response, Mr. Maduro has consistently accused the United States of attempting to overthrow his government.
**Monday, September 29**
To conclude the week’s proceedings, representatives from **Afghanistan**, a nation where the Taliban regained control four years ago, and **South Sudan** are expected to deliver remarks. The specific individuals who will represent each country remain unconfirmed.