World Leaders Gather in New York for Annual United Nations Summit

Serdar HocamAuthor & Editor

As the United Nations General Assembly high-level week begins, Secretary-General António Guterres will deliver the opening address of the final summit of his tenure.

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What to know as world leaders converge at the United Nations this week

World leaders are gathering at United Nations headquarters in New York for the annual General Assembly high-level week amidst a period of deep uncertainty.

Secretary-General Guterres's Final Summit

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will chair the General Assembly for the final time this year, as his term ends at the end of the year. Guterres will kick off the events by delivering the opening address on Tuesday morning, followed by a busy schedule.

Critical Speakers and Leaders' Schedule

Following Tuesday's opening remarks, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and President Trump will take the podium. The busy schedule will continue until September 28, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled to speak on Wednesday.

Guterres's Priority Goals at the Summit

Secretary-General Guterres will undertake diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and declare a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine.

Status of Palestinian and Israeli Leaders

Because Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's visa was denied by the Trump administration, Abbas will deliver his remarks via videoconference on Thursday morning. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak at the podium on Thursday.

Absent Leaders and New Figures

While approximately 120 leaders and high-level representatives will attend the summit, the leaders of India, Germany, South Africa, and Chinese President Xi Jinping will not participate. Following the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez will appear at the UN for the first time.

Security Council and Search for a Successor

The United Nations Security Council continues its ongoing process to determine a new name to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres before the end of the year.