80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly is taking place in New York, with a focus on global conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine.
Opening of the Assembly
- The session began on 9 September, with the high-level general debate starting on Tuesday at UN headquarters in Manhattan.
- Following tradition, Brazil speaks first, followed by the United States. This custom has been in place since 1955.
Key Issues and Meetings
Amidst heightened international tensions, discussions are expected to focus on:
- Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
- Russia's war in Ukraine.
Significant meetings include:
- A meeting chaired by France and Saudi Arabia to build support for Palestinian statehood.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's participation in debates and meetings.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's discussion with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on strategic cooperation.
International Representation
Several major world leaders are absent, with delegations representing their countries:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin is absent; Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov leads the delegation.
- Premier Li Qiang represents China, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is represented by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Notable Attendees and Developments
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the assembly for the first time since 1967.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends the debate following Iran's suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Qatar's Emir attends following recent Israeli attacks.
Theme and Objectives
The theme for this year is "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," emphasizing unity amidst global divisions.
Annalena Baerbock, serving as president of the session, highlights the importance of renewing and strengthening the UN's role in fostering international cooperation.