World Leaders Gather in New York for 81st UN General Assembly

UN News

A previous session of the UNGA.

As the U.S. war with Iran nears the seven-month mark and the Russian war with Ukraine drags on in its fifth year with no end in sight, world leaders will meet in New York City on Tuesday as part of the annual United Nations General Assembly. 

The high-stakes meeting comes as President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week in Washington and as concerns are escalating about uncontrolled artificial intelligence.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the organisation. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

The UNGA also makes key decisions for the UN, including:

- Appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council
- Electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council
- Approving the UN budget

The Assembly meets in regular sessions from September to December each year, and thereafter as required. It discusses specific issues through dedicated agenda items or sub-items, which lead to the adoption of resolutions.

Sitting arrangements in the General Assembly Hall change for each session. During the 81st Session (2026-2027), Morocco will occupy the first seat in the Hall, including in the Main Committees (followed by all the other countries, in English alphabetical order).

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened on 8 September 2026. The first day of the high-level general debate is Tuesday 22 September, under the main theme ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all'.

Among the key issues expected to dominate discussions are ongoing wars and international crises, particularly conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as efforts to strengthen international cooperation and restore confidence in multilateral institutions.

World leaders are also expected to address climate change, rising sea levels, sustainable development, artificial intelligence and its impact on societies, and the global energy transition. The UN has also placed renewed emphasis on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing international cooperation on development.

The future leadership of the United Nations is also expected to be discussed as member states begin the process of selecting the organisation's next Secretary-General. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, is due to complete his second term at the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has travelled to New York to participate in the General Assembly meetings. According to his schedule, he is expected to hold meetings with US President Donald Trump and other heads of state and government.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also expected to attend the high-level meetings in New York, accompanied by a high-level delegation.



PUKMEDIA