From 23 to 29 September, Heads of State and Government address the United Nations General Assembly, raising topics of global importance on behalf of Member States. The debate, chaired by Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly at its 80th session, focuses on the theme: 鈥淏etter together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.鈥 in any of the six official UN languages鈥攁nd if you're curious about how it all works, our walks you through the traditions, timing, and the voices that shape the world stage.
General Assembly
United Nations Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres speaks with UN News in the lead-up to the 80th General Assembly High-level week. The Interview was conducted by Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
UNGA80 marks the 80th session of the General Assembly and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, where world leaders gather at the high-level week in New York to discuss global issues.
After selecting a High-Level Advisory Body on AI and establishing a comprehensive Digital Compact, the UN continues to push the boundaries of virtual AI engagement. On 25 September, it is convening a significant High-level informal meeting to launch the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. This , part of the General Assembly High-Level Week 2025, brings together Member States, Observers, UN specialized agencies, and diverse stakeholders to explore key dimensions of inclusive and accountable AI governance and to share their expectations for the first Global Dialogue in 2026.
Following the presentation of his , lays out his during a briefing to the UN General Assembly on 15 January at 10 am (EST).
From 24 through 30 September, Heads of State and Government will address the General Assembly raising topics of importance to the Member State. in any of the six official languages! Chaired by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session, the debate will this year focus on the theme "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations".
Opening on 10 September 2024 at 3pm (local time in New York), the 79th session of the General Assembly will be presided by His Excellency Philemon Yang. The overarching theme for the session will be 鈥淯nity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone, everywhere鈥. It will be marked by high-level meetings, such has the Summit for the Future, a plenary on addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise and the commemoration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, among other events.
The preamble to the United Nations Charter brought to life a new organization for countries to maintain international peace, build friendly relations, and solve global challenges, known as multilateralism. International agreements like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the on climate change are examples of successful multilateralism. The United Nations General Assembly, which meets annually, provides a forum for countries to address shared challenges and foster unity. For example, the upcoming Summit of the Future aims to breathe new life into the multilateral approach, proposing a "Pact for the future" to strengthen the international system.
Following the presentation of his annual report, Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres lays out his priorities for 2024 during a briefing to the UN General Assembly on 7 February at 10am (EST). See the event on .
His Excellency Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session, will open the on 19 September at 9am (local time in New York). This year, the debate will focus on the theme 鈥淩ebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all.鈥 Member States are invited to address the General Assembly - it鈥檚 an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism. , check the live blog and join the conversation #UNGA!
The 2023 SDG Summit (18-19 September, New York) kicks off the UN General Assembly High-level Week, a pivotal moment when world leaders converge to address global challenges. With the Agenda for Sustainable Development at midpoint, this summit will propel accelerated actions for the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN's vision for a better world by 2030. The summit will respond to the impact of multiple and interlocking crises the world faces, and it aims to rekindle hope and optimism. It is a moment to recommit to a vision of the future that ensures no one is left behind.
The General Assembly opens its 78th session on 5 September, at 3pm local time in New York. The President, his Excellency Dennis Francis, of Trinidad and Tobago, will guide the workings of the General Assembly under the overarching theme of 鈥色库TV, prosperity, progress and sustainability鈥. The 78th session will focus on the sustainable development goals, 鈥渙bjectives whose successful accomplishment would open up the possibilities of a world of boundless opportunity, in which nations and people live in harmony with each other and in harmony with nature.鈥
As the enters its third day, Heads of State and Government from around the world continue to outline their priorities and concerns, reinforcing the Secretary-General鈥檚 call for urgent, concerted action to address the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges. The annual event is an opportunity for the world鈥檚 nations to come together to surmount global, interconnected challenges through solidarity and multilateralism. The General Assembly鈥檚 debate started on 20 September and will continue through 26 September. the debate live and join the conversation #UNGA!
The of the UN General Assembly, which offers Member States the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and discuss world issues, opens on 20 September at 9 a.m. in New York and will take place through 26 September. Heads of State or Government may elect to either deliver their statement live from the podium in the General Assembly Hall, or have a delegate introduce their pre-recorded statement. the debate live and join the conversation #UNGA!
Words not weapons. That鈥檚 the fundamental idea at the heart of the UN. Humanity can only survive, humanity can only thrive through cooperation, not conflict. And that鈥檚 why the UN exists. The UN General Assembly is the only time that almost every world leader gathers in the same place 鈥 at UN HQ in New York in September. But there is so much that goes on behind the scenes. It鈥檚 like global diplomacy speed dating. World leaders come in, they talk to each other for a few minutes, they get to know each other. They exchange ideas. They talk through their differences. And that鈥檚 when negotiations can happen and progress can be agreed.