The United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week is set to commence on Tuesday in New York, attracting numerous diplomats and world leaders to the UN headquarters for an array of speeches, meetings, and negotiations. This year’s gathering arrives at a pivotal juncture, as the UN gears up for a leadership transition with Secretary-General António Guterres concluding his term at year-end. The agenda prominently features discussions on artificial intelligence, ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian strife.

Key Meetings and Discussions

On the opening day, United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with leaders from Persian Gulf Arab states to deliberate on the forthcoming phase of the conflict with Iran. In conjunction, a high-level briefing for the Board of Peace—which aims to manage the reconstruction of Gaza—is also slated for Tuesday. Additionally, France plans to convene a meeting aimed at reinforcing discussions on a two-state solution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation, following recognition of the State of Palestine by France and other Western nations during last year’s assembly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to connect with Trump in New York, mirroring their interactions from the previous year. High-ranking officials, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have previously met with both Zelensky in Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Furthermore, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is anticipated to engage with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as reported by Russian state media.

In a noteworthy development, Trump is anticipated to formalise an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would secure US control over Greenlandic security. Specific details about the agreement, including distinctions from existing arrangements, remain vague, although the US presently maintains a significant military presence on the island.

Attendees and High-Profile Speeches

Over 130 heads of state and government are likely to be in attendance, with the composition of leaders expected to send varied signals to the UN. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is poised to deliver one of the opening addresses on Tuesday, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to speak on Thursday. A significant point of interest is whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a surprise appearance, given his planned visit to Washington during the assembly.

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez will mark her UN debut on Thursday and is anticipated to meet Trump prior to her speech. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is also slated to address the assembly on the same day, although due to a visa denial from the Trump administration, he is expected to deliver his remarks via video.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly travelling to New York to join the General Assembly proceedings. Despite tensions between Iran and the US, the latter has permitted Iran’s core delegation to attend, albeit with specific travel limitations and restrictions on luxury purchases due to ongoing US sanctions. Notably, Pezeshkian’s attendance is significant considering Iran’s current military engagements with the US.

Anticipated Themes and Financial State

This year’s assembly will also serve as a notable venue for discussions on artificial intelligence, a priority for Guterres throughout his tenure. His final press conference before the General Assembly was largely centred on this technology, and a conference addressing digital cooperation involving industry leaders is scheduled for Monday. The UN Security Council plans to meet on AI on Wednesday, with the US also hosting a related event on the same day.

Financially, the UN enters this General Assembly in a more stable condition compared to the previous year, which was marked by a severe budgetary crisis owing to funding threats from the US. Ahead of the assembly, the US government has sent $827 million towards UN dues, which, while a small portion of the total $4 billion owed, represents a significant step to prevent imminent financial challenges. Nonetheless, discussions regarding the UN’s relevance and efficacy in addressing global issues will likely dominate the discourse during the week.

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