More than 140 world leaders are gathering in New York this week for the U.N. General Assembly’s annual debate. As the UN turns 80, the focus is on urgent global challenges — wars, climate change, and fast-moving technology — and on whether the organization can still prove its relevance.
Nearly 90 heads of state, 43 heads of government and one crown prince will step up to the iconic green marble podium starting Tuesday. They’ll pitch their visions for how to end conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, contain Middle East tensions, tackle the climate crisis, and grapple with artificial intelligence. Looming in the background is the UN’s financial strain — worsened by US aid cuts and other nations reconsidering their contributions — sharpening debates about whether the institution born from World War II can still deliver.
Here are the storylines to watch this week:
TWO-STATE SOLUTION CONFERENCE STIRS SHARP DIVIDES
The week opened with a France and Saudi Arabia-led conference pressing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several European countries — France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco — confirmed recognition of a Palestinian state, joining the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal, which acted over the weekend.
But the US and Israel boycotted, warning that recognition rewards Hamas and complicates efforts to free hostages and halt fighting. On the ground, Israel has intensified operations in Gaza and expanded settlements in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, long opposed to Palestinian statehood, threatened more unilateral steps.
TRUMP RETURNS TO THE UN STAGE
President Donald Trump is back at the General Assembly for the first time since starting his second term. His Tuesday morning speech will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike. Trump has already pulled the US from the World Health Organization, quit the UN Human Rights Council, and ordered a review of American involvement in international bodies.
“There are great hopes for it, but it’s not being well run, to be honest,” Trump told reporters last week, previewing a message likely to challenge the UN while hinting at further funding cuts. UN officials fear a blow to budgets from Washington, the largest donor, just as humanitarian crises demand more resources.
WORLD POWERS REAFFIRM CLIMATE PLEDGES
More than 110 world leaders will speak at a special UN climate summit on Wednesday, designed to get nations to strengthen their required but already late plans to wean themselves from coal, oil and natural gas that cause climate change. Dozens of business leaders are in New York networking in various conferences aimed at greener and cleaner energy.
The nations of the world were all supposed to come up with new five-year plans for curbing carbon emissions by February, leading into the Brazil negotiations. But only 47 of the 195 nations — responsible for less than a quarter of global emissions — have done so. UN officials said they really need to be submitted by the end of this month so experts can calculate how the world is doing in its emission reduction efforts.
The world’s biggest emitter, China, and another top polluter, the European Union, are expected to announce their plans or rough sketches of their plans this week.
HIGH STAKES APPEARANCES FROM IRAN AND SYRIA
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to speak Wednesday, just as a deadline looms that could snap back UN sanctions over alleged violations of the 2015 nuclear deal. His government faces growing European frustration and a fragile economy that would suffer further under renewed penalties.
Later that day, Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa will make his debut on the world stage. Al-Sharaa took power after Bashar Assad was ousted in December and has been trying to rehabilitate ties abroad. Once associated with groups linked to al-Qaida, he will be watched warily in Washington and other capitals. His speech marks Syria’s first appearance at this level in nearly six decades.
DIPLOMACY BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT
As always, the speeches tell only part of the story. The real action often unfolds over quiet dinners, receptions, and one-on-one meetings in Manhattan hotels and private clubs. More than 1,600 bilateral meetings are already on the UN schedule, covering everything from trade disputes to peace talks and tentative efforts to normalize ties between rivals.
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With inputs from Associated Press