World leaders are set to gather next week in New York for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine top of their agenda, as well as increasing Western recognition of a Palestinian state and nuclear tensions with Iran.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters that “geopolitical divides are widening, conflicts are raging, impunity is on the rise, and our planet is overheating.” He added that international cooperation is under unprecedented pressure.
This year’s session will place particular focus on U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, 23 September. During his second term, Trump’s cuts to U.S. foreign aid have sparked global humanitarian crises and raised questions about the future of the UN. While describing the organisation as having “great potential,” he has called for it to get its “act together” and has maintained a cautious stance towards multilateral cooperation.
Leaders will also turn their attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territories. Global hunger monitors have warned that famine has already begun and could spread further by the end of the month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the General Assembly on Friday, 26 September.
Ahead of the speeches, a summit hosted by France and Saudi Arabia will aim to build momentum towards a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France have pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will participate via video after being denied a US visa.
In addition, the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, will feature on the Assembly’s agenda. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are expected to speak, while Russian President Vladimir Putin traditionally does not attend.
Diplomats indicate that the UN Security Council is likely to hold meetings on both Ukraine and Gaza during the high-level session. Last-minute diplomacy is also expected over Iran’s nuclear programme, as Tehran seeks to prevent the reinstatement of all UN Security Council sanctions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are scheduled to attend in New York.
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