About this Summary
This summary was created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to help readers quickly understand the key points of the article.
It has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication. For complete information and full details, please read the full article.
- Donald Trump is expected to address the assembly and hold meetings, including talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Macron said he and Trump discussed a possible moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure and agreed on strengthening Ukraine’s air defences.
- The race to replace António Guterres continues, with seven candidates; Rebeca Grynspan led Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in the latest informal Security Council poll.
- The agenda also includes Gaza, Greenland and Arctic security, while Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, tariffs and security issues.
The UN General Assembly 2026 opens in New York on Tuesday, with world leaders gathering for the annual high-level debate amid major international crises.
The war involving Iran and the wider Middle East, Russia’s war in Ukraine, energy security and the rapid development of artificial intelligence are expected to feature prominently in formal discussions, bilateral meetings and diplomatic talks.
US President Donald Trump is at the centre of international attention as he prepares to address the General Assembly and hold a series of meetings with world leaders.
The gathering is also taking place amid economic tensions involving the United States and as the UN begins the process of selecting a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres.
Trump meets Macron over Ukraine
Trump began his diplomatic meetings in New York by meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, with Ukraine and the Middle East among the main issues discussed.
Following the meeting, Macron said the two leaders had discussed initiatives for a possible moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure by Russia and Ukraine.
He described their talks as “very good” and “very constructive” and said they agreed on the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.
Trump is also expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Russia is expected to be represented in New York by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Race for the next UN secretary-general
The UN General Assembly 2026 is also taking place as the race to succeed António Guterres enters a key stage.
Seven candidates are seeking the position. Rebeca Grynspan, former vice-president of Costa Rica and current head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), narrowly led Guyana’s UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in the third informal Security Council poll.
Grynspan received nine positive votes, compared with eight for Rodrigues-Birkett.
The Security Council will eventually recommend a candidate to the 193-member General Assembly, which will formally appoint the next secretary-general.
The selection process is expected to continue during the coming weeks.
Energy security under scrutiny
Energy security is another major issue at this year’s gathering, against the backdrop of continuing disruption to oil and gas supplies in the Middle East.
The Trump administration has proposed a $5 billion contribution to an investment fund aimed at helping Middle Eastern countries rebuild energy infrastructure damaged during the conflict with Iran and reduce their reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed PACT fund – the Partnership for Allied Trust and Construction – would reportedly seek an additional $5 billion from eight regional partners: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and Jordan.
The proposed fund would therefore reach $10 billion if the contributions go ahead.
Iran dominates diplomatic agenda
Iran is expected to be one of the central issues at the UN General Assembly 2026.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are in New York for the gathering, while attention is focused on whether Trump could meet Pezeshkian on the sidelines.
Such a meeting could open a channel for discussions on the conflict, although there has been no confirmation of a formal Trump-Pezeshkian meeting.
Trump is expected to address Iran in his General Assembly speech, alongside issues including freedom of navigation, maritime security and his administration’s approach to reforming the UN.
The United States has also announced plans for tougher sanctions against countries that allow Iranian aircraft to refuel or undergo maintenance.
Palestinian issue remains central
The Palestinian issue remains another major focus of the General Assembly.
The US has again denied visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other senior Palestinian officials. The General Assembly, however, approved Abbas’s participation through a recorded video address.
France, Canada and the UK are also holding a meeting focused on the two-state solution, while further discussions on Gaza and the humanitarian situation are scheduled during the high-level week.
The humanitarian situation, shortages and difficulties in delivering essential supplies remain among the issues expected to feature in discussions on Gaza.
Greenland and Arctic security
The US, Denmark and Greenland are also expected to sign a new security agreement concerning Greenland and the Arctic in New York.
The proposed arrangement is expected to strengthen US military cooperation and presence in the region while maintaining Danish sovereignty over Greenland.
The agreement comes after months of international attention over Trump’s interest in Greenland and its strategic importance for Arctic security.
Trump-Xi meeting
The wider US diplomatic agenda will extend beyond New York, with Trump also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trade and tariffs, the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, Taiwan and the security implications of artificial intelligence are expected to feature in discussions.
The UN General Assembly therefore brings together several of the key geopolitical and economic issues currently shaping international diplomacy.
Also read: Christodoulides backs multilateralism at UN summit
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
