The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly is set to commence in New York, gathering leaders from member states for a week of diplomatic discussions. Headed by Cameroonian Philemon Yong and opened by Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the Assembly will see 133 heads of state and government in attendance.
The traditional order of speeches will have Brazil followed by the USA, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking third, focusing on the situation in Gaza. With crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Haiti on the agenda, leaders are expected to address pressing issues such as the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and compliance with UN resolutions.
The main theme of this year’s Assembly is “Leaving no one behind: Peace, sustainable development and human dignity,” reflecting the need for reform in the UN Security Council and international financial structure. The Future Summit will also tackle climate change, Sustainable Development Goals, antimicrobial resistance, and nuclear disarmament.