World leaders are converging in New York this week for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, one of the largest diplomatic events on the global calendar. From September 24 to 30, heads of state, government officials, and diplomats from across the globe will come together to address some of the most pressing crises, conflicts, and challenges facing the international community.
This year’s General Assembly will be opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and chaired by Cameroonian President Philemon Yong. With at least 133 heads of state and government, three vice presidents, 80 deputy prime ministers, and 45 ministers expected to attend, the gathering promises to be a critical moment for international diplomacy.
In a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1955, Brazil will deliver the first speech, followed by the host country, the United States. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will speak in the third row on the opening day, addressing the Assembly for the 14th time. Erdoğan is expected to focus on the situation in Gaza and call on member states to take a firm stance against Israeli military actions.
Crises Take Center Stage
The meeting comes at a time of escalating crises around the world, with conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Haiti likely to dominate the discussions. Gaza, which the UN has previously described as “hell on earth,” is expected to be a central topic. Leaders will discuss ceasefire efforts, Israel’s violations of international law, and the immense challenges of delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to address the General Assembly on the morning of September 26, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the afternoon, ensuring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a focal point of debate.
Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, and the deteriorating situation in Haiti are also expected to receive considerable attention. These crises reflect the deepening geopolitical divides and the urgent need for solutions that advance peace and human dignity, a sentiment echoed by many leaders.
Global Themes: Peace and Sustainable Development
This year’s theme, “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations,” underscores the broad agenda of the Assembly. In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Guterres stressed that the current global order is failing to serve the needs of all nations, warning that reforms are needed to address today’s challenges. “Today’s global order simply does not work for everyone. In fact, I would go further and say: it’s not working for anyone,” Guterres noted.
As part of this broader theme, the Assembly will discuss the long-standing issue of Security Council reform and the international financial architecture, with many calling for changes that would make these institutions more responsive to contemporary global challenges. This push for reform aims to better address growing inequalities and inefficiencies in global governance, particularly as the world grapples with emerging threats such as climate change and economic instability.
Ahead of the high-level week, a “Summit of the Future” is being held on September 22-23. This summit focuses on adapting international institutions to tackle present-day issues more effectively, while a high-level meeting on rising sea levels will focus on global climate change action. Consultations on topics such as antimicrobial resistance, sustainable development goals, and nuclear disarmament are also expected to feature prominently during the Assembly.
Notable Moments in General Assembly History
The UN General Assembly, which first met in 1946, has seen many iconic moments over the decades. Leaders are expected to limit their speeches to 15 minutes, but history has shown that many do not adhere to this guideline. Among the most famous examples is Cuban President Fidel Castro’s record-breaking 296-minute address in 1960. More recently, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi delivered a 100-minute speech in 2009, where he dramatically tore a page from the UN Charter.
Other notable moments include former Soviet Union President Nikita Khrushchev’s famous outburst in 1960, when he banged his shoe on the table during a session, and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s 2006 speech, in which he called then U.S. President George W. Bush “the devil.” New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also made headlines in 2018 when she attended the Assembly with her three-month-old baby, a symbol of modern leadership and family inclusivity.
General Assembly sessions often see moments of high drama, with delegations walking out in protest during speeches they find offensive or politically charged. For example, in 2017, then-U.S. President Donald Trump famously declared that the U.S. would “totally destroy North Korea” if necessary, a comment that reverberated through the hall and sparked diplomatic outrage.
An Opportunity for Global Diplomacy
As the 79th session of the UN General Assembly begins, the world watches to see how leaders will address the growing list of challenges and how diplomatic efforts might shape the future. With crises from Gaza to Haiti demanding immediate attention, the session promises to be a defining moment for global cooperation in an increasingly polarized world. The high-level discussions will serve as an opportunity for world leaders to signal their commitment to peace, sustainable development, and reform in an era of growing international uncertainty.–News Desk