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World leaders are gathering in New York to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly against the backdrop of one of the most complex periods in recent decades. The high-level debate will begin on Tuesday.
The main agenda items will include the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, artificial intelligence, climate change and the selection of a new UN secretary-general. The UN, founded in 1945 with 51 members, now has 193 member states. The Holy See and the State of Palestine, as well as the European Union, may address the General Assembly as observers.
The theme of the 81st session, which began this month, is “Restoring trust, reigniting global solidarity: delivering for people and planet.”
Order and length of speeches
By tradition, Brazil delivers the first speech among member states. According to UN officials, the tradition dates back to the organization’s early years. At that time, while other countries were hesitant to speak, Brazil agreed to go first.
The United States is the second speaker because it hosts the UN headquarters in New York. Heads of state usually speak first, followed by other senior officials and lower-ranking representatives.
Leaders are voluntarily asked to observe a 15-minute limit for their speeches. However, some speeches have lasted considerably longer. In 1960, Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s speech, which lasted about four hours and 30 minutes, was among the longest. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi spoke for more than 90 minutes in 2009.
Key agenda items
Artificial intelligence
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said warnings about artificial intelligence cannot be ignored. He has called on countries at the forefront of AI development to establish “common safeguards.”
According to Guterres, technological development is advancing faster than understanding of its risks, requiring genuine international cooperation and coordinated global efforts.
Iran
Iran will also be among the main topics of discussion. President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to address the General Assembly on Wednesday. His trip to New York had initially been uncertain because of visa issues involving the Iranian delegation.
The US Department of State later announced that Washington would allow the main Iranian delegation to attend the event in line with its obligations as host country. Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to receive visas.
Ukraine
The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting on Ukraine. Russia’s veto power as a permanent member of the Council limits the body’s ability to take action over the war.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. However, it remains unclear whether he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to speak on Saturday.
Israel and Palestine
The war in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict will also occupy a prominent place on the agenda. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will not attend the event in person because the United States has not reissued his visa. The General Assembly has allowed him to address the body by video link for a second consecutive year.
Selection of a new UN secretary-general
The UN has begun the process of selecting Antonio Guterres’s successor after his second five-year term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
The Security Council must recommend a candidate to the 193-member General Assembly. To do so, the Council’s five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — must agree on a nominee.
Sudan
More than 14 million people have been displaced by the war in Sudan, which began after a power struggle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. The crisis has become one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s army and head of state, is expected to address the General Assembly on Thursday.
Climate change and other security issues
Climate change will also be a major topic in leaders’ speeches and meetings. As efforts continue to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, small island states and countries most affected by climate change are expected to renew their calls for action.
August 2025 was the first month since November 2025 in which the global average temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In addition to Ukraine and the Middle East, the General Assembly will discuss other conflicts and security challenges. The United States is reportedly ready to give the UN another year to support African peacekeepers in Somalia.
