New York will move to the centre of global diplomacy from Monday, September 21, as heads of state and government from around the world gather at United Nations Headquarters for the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, amid heightened geopolitical tensions, ongoing wars and growing pressure on the multilateral system.
The 81st Session is being held under the presidency of Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
World leaders will begin delivering their addresses on Tuesday, September 22, with the General Debate concluding on Monday, September 28.
Major international crises dominate the agenda, particularly Iran and the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, the Palestinian issue and Sudan. Climate change, artificial intelligence governance, pandemic preparedness and discussions on the future and reform of the United Nations will also feature prominently.
This year’s General Assembly carries additional significance as it is the last to be held during the tenure of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is due to leave office at the end of 2026, while the process of selecting his successor is already under way.
Trump returns to the UN General Assembly podium
Particular attention is focused on the presence of US President Donald Trump, who is expected to address the General Assembly on Tuesday morning, September 22. In accordance with the traditional order of speakers, Brazil will speak first, followed by the United States as the host country of the United Nations Headquarters.
According to the US side, Trump will hold bilateral meetings in New York with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. He is also expected to meet the leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
The US President will also host a reception for leaders attending the gathering in New York, on the sidelines of which a brief meeting is scheduled with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Zelensky to attend in person
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend the General Assembly in person, as Kyiv seeks to keep the war with Russia and efforts towards a diplomatic resolution high on the international agenda.
Zelensky is expected to use his presence in New York to hold a series of bilateral meetings and promote Ukraine’s positions on security, the course of the war and the conditions for a potential peace process.
Russia is expected to be represented at the General Assembly by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Mahmoud Abbas again denied visa
The Trump administration has decided not to allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to travel to New York for a second consecutive year.
Washington has expanded visa restrictions on officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization, citing, among other issues, efforts by the Palestinian leadership to “internationalise” the conflict through proceedings before international courts.
The Palestinian Authority rejects the US justification and argues that the decision undermines diplomatic efforts.
Following the visa denial, the United Nations has made provisions for the Palestinian President to participate remotely, allowing him to address the General Assembly without being physically present in New York.
Pezeshkian in New York under strict restrictions
Unlike the Palestinian delegation, the United States has decided to allow the Iranian delegation to travel to New York. The delegation includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Washington has cited its obligations as host country of the United Nations Headquarters. However, the Iranian delegation will be smaller than in previous years and will be subject to strict restrictions.
The movements of Iranian officials will effectively be limited to the UN Headquarters, Iran’s Permanent Mission, the residence of Iran’s Permanent Representative and JFK Airport. Restrictions have also been imposed on the purchase of luxury goods.
Heightened security measures in New York
High-Level Week represents one of the largest and most complex annual security operations carried out in New York City.
From Sunday, September 20, thousands of police officers will be deployed around UN Headquarters and other locations, supported by heavily armed teams, counterterrorism units, K-9 units, bomb squads, aerial assets and specialist anti-drone teams.
The operation is being conducted jointly by the New York Police Department, the US Secret Service, the FBI, the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and other federal and local agencies.
From September 20 to 26, temporary flight restrictions will be in force within a two-nautical-mile radius of UN Headquarters, including restrictions on unauthorised drones.
Extensive and rolling road closures, traffic restrictions and hundreds of motorcades carrying foreign delegations are also expected. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has said there is currently no specific and credible threat against the General Assembly or New York City.
Cyprus issue
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that no meeting in a 3+1 or 5+1 format is planned on the sidelines of the General Assembly, noting that “there is still a lot of work to be done.”
At the same time, he stressed that the United Nations remains determined to move the process forward and convene a new meeting once the necessary conditions are in place for it to be successful.
President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides will be in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly. According to the Cypriot Presidency, he will hold meetings with both Guterres and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín, alongside a series of other bilateral contacts.
Beyond the major geopolitical crises, the week will include a series of high-level thematic meetings.
Events focusing on the right to development and climate action and a just transition will take place on September 23, followed by a high-level meeting on sea-level rise on September 24 and a meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response on September 25.
A meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action will take place on September 28.
Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA)
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