Politics
In September, New York City becomes the center of global diplomacy as heads of state and government and senior officials from around the world gather at the United Nations headquarters to attend the General Assembly’s annual high-level gen
In September, New York City becomes the center of global diplomacy as heads of state and government and senior officials from around the world gather at the United Nations headquarters to attend the General Assembly’s annual high-level general debate. This year, amid growing geopolitical tensions and interconnected crises, world leaders will address a wide-ranging agenda at the gathering. The agenda includes international conflicts and security, climate change, preparedness for future pandemics, rising sea levels, the fight against racism, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The high-level week of the 81st session of the General Assembly is taking place at a time when disagreements among countries are deepening in several parts of the world and pressure on the multilateral system is increasing. The new session, which began earlier this month, is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh. “Restoring Trust, Managing the Transformation: Delivering for All” is the central theme of the session.
The general debate of the General Assembly will begin on September 22 and is considered the most important event of the high-level week. For several days, heads of state and government and senior representatives from the United Nations’ 193 member states will address the world from the General Assembly’s iconic green-marble podium. Their speeches will provide the world with an indication of the priorities and concerns of different countries. Conflicts, economic challenges, humanitarian crises, climate change, development, and emerging technologies are expected to be among the main topics of the addresses. A significant portion of the diplomatic activity will take place behind closed doors, where hundreds of bilateral and multilateral meetings will give world leaders a rare opportunity to meet allies, partners, and even leaders of rival countries in the same location.
Before the start of the general debate, world leaders will participate on September 18 in the annual “SDG Moment,” a gathering that will review progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Less than five years now remain before the 2030 deadline set for achieving these goals. Therefore, development-focused meetings during the high-level week will also present practical solutions to challenges that can be adopted on a large scale and implemented in other countries and regions.
On September 23, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a high-level meeting of world leaders to discuss climate action and the process of ensuring a just transition toward environmentally friendly energy. Against the backdrop of continued global warming, key topics will include accelerating the transition to renewable energy, moving away from fossil fuels such as oil, increasing climate finance for developing countries, and ensuring better support for populations already affected by climate change. The following day, September 24, world leaders will focus on the issue of rising sea levels, one of the most serious consequences of global warming. For many people living in small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas, rising sea levels have become a serious threat to homes, infrastructure, and freshwater resources. The meeting aims to promote international cooperation and mobilize global support and resources for the countries most severely affected.
On September 25, heads of state and government will review the experiences and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic demonstrated how quickly a disease outbreak in one region can develop into a global emergency. It also exposed significant inequalities in access to vaccines, medicines, and other essential medical resources. At the meeting, world leaders will consider ways to strengthen health systems, improve preparedness for emergencies, and ensure a more equitable global response to future health crises.
Another important meeting will be held on September 23 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, adopted by the General Assembly. The declaration established the principle that development is not merely about economic growth, but also places fundamental importance on public participation, equal opportunities, equality, and justice. On September 28, the United Nations will mark the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. It is an important global framework for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of prejudice. The occasion will provide an opportunity to review the progress made so far and consider why discrimination against people continues to persist in different parts of the world.
Nuclear Disarmament
The series of activities will conclude on September 29 with a high-level meeting held on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear disarmament has been among the most important issues on the United Nations agenda since the organization’s early years. However, nearly eight decades later, nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat to global security. The United Nations considers the total elimination of nuclear weapons its highest priority in the field of disarmament.
This year’s high-level week of the General Assembly is taking place at a time when international cooperation is under severe pressure. From armed conflicts and climate change to growing economic and social inequalities, the world faces numerous challenges that no single country can resolve alone. In recent days, UN Secretary-General António Guterres drew attention to the opening words of the organization’s Charter, noting that it does not begin with “We the Powerful” or “We the Victors,” but with “We the Peoples”—meaning all of us, united by the shared belief that when we stand together, we are safer, stronger, and more humane.
The 81st session of the General Assembly will also be the final session for current UN Secretary-General António Guterres. His second and final five-year term will end on December 31 this year. The process of selecting his successor has already begun. The new Secretary-General will take office on January 1, 2027, and will inherit a United Nations facing numerous complex challenges. These same issues will be at the center of the attention of world leaders during the General Assembly’s high-level meetings.
