UNGA opens amid global crisis

The 81st UN General Assembly convenes as global conflict reaches its highest point since 1945. The theme, 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation,' signals deep anxiety about the organization's ability to deliver.

Unresolved wars plague the UN

Russia's war in Ukraine and the war in Sudan remain unresolved. A February conflict between the US and Israel against Iran left Tehran threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

Security Council deadlocked

Russia and China vetoed a US bid this month to continue independent sanctions monitoring on Iran's nuclear program, exemplifying the gridlock paralyzing the Security Council.

Guterres era concludes this year

Secretary-General António Guterres completes 10 years at the helm at year's end. Diplomats are anxiously watching how the Security Council will manage the selection process to replace him.

Rahman calls for real reform

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, the new General Assembly president, says the UN is making only cosmetic changes. He wants member states to embrace deeper structural reforms.

“We're dealing with superstructure, not changing the underlying logic of this place.”

Key leaders address the assembly

About 120 world leaders will speak during the general debate. Notable speakers include British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, plus French President Emmanuel Macron's farewell address.

Germany's absence signals concern

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled his scheduled Wednesday speech. Germany's moves are closely watched as the UN's second-largest financial contributor for nearly a decade, counterbalancing US funding cuts.

Xi Jinping skips New York

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend, choosing instead to meet Trump in Washington. Xi has only attended the general debate once, in 2015.

Trump's muscular approach falters

Trump's go-it-alone foreign policy has exposed limits. His tariff leverage backfired with Canada, and diplomats question why the world's strongest military achieved little seven months into the Iran war.

Trump's Board of Peace underperforms

Members of Trump's Board of Peace, launched as a potential UN rival, will be in New York with little to show for its original mandate of peacebuilding in Gaza.

US forced to pay UN arrears

A looming deadline forced the US to pay $725 million toward the regular budget and $102 million for the UN Support Office in Haiti to avoid losing its General Assembly vote. An unpaid balance of $4.2 billion remains.

Trump puts UN on a diet

The Trump administration describes shrinking the UN budget as putting the organization on a diet. Yet diplomats question how the US can demand the UN focus on peace and security while cutting contributions.

Trump's compressed UNGA schedule

Trump arrived Monday and will depart after his Tuesday address, holding only a handful of bilateral meetings with Zelensky, Burnham, Takaichi, and Persian Gulf leaders before heading to Washington.

Sanctioned leaders seize the moment

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, granted a last-minute US visa, will use the high-level week for extensive bilateral meetings and diplomatic outreach.

AI dangers dominate sidelines

AI industry leaders are expounding on the dangers of artificial intelligence, fueling panic in Washington. Nigeria, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, and Mexico are hosting events on autonomous weapons and AI governance.

Ukraine pushes for continued support

The Ukrainian mission organized a full program for President Volodymyr Zelensky. He will lead the sixth summit of the International Crimea Platform ahead of his Wednesday address to spur allies into continuing support.

Abbas addresses remotely again

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will address the General Assembly remotely Thursday after the US extended a visa restriction for a second consecutive year, despite the 20-point Gaza plan envisioning greater PA involvement.

Secretary-general race remains open

Seven candidates remain in the race to replace Guterres, with no consensus candidate and no formal deadline. A third straw poll on September 18 convinced one candidate to withdraw but clarified little.

Permanent members hold veto power

The Security Council's five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US, have veto power over any candidate. A successful candidate needs backing from nine council members and at least four of the 10 elected members.

Member states play the long game

Most member states will support whoever the permanent members agree on, aiming to get on the right side of the next secretary-general and plant appointees in the next UN administration.

“They're not going to kick up a fuss over a matter of principle, well, certainly not publicly.”