World leaders to address UN General Assembly as Western powers recognise Palestinian state
More than 140 world leaders are set to descend on New York on Tuesday for the annual United Nations General Assembly summit – a gathering that comes as several Western powers, including France, have moved in recent days to recognise the state of Palestine. Paris formally announced its recognition on Monday. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
The annual high-level gathering at the UN General Assembly this week will see more than 140 world leaders descend upon New York City in an effort to secure global peace and security despite growing divides on how to do that.
Nearly 90 heads of state, 43 heads of government and one crown prince are among the dignitaries to appear on the UN stage beginning on Tuesday to make their case for how to bring an end to regional conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, while addressing the growing climate crisis and the dangers posed by the rapid development and use of artificial intelligence.
Looming over the week-long summit is the internal financial turmoil plaguing the United Nations as it celebrates the 80th anniversary of its founding, which emerged from the rubble of World War II.
Questions about the UN’s relevancy and efficiency have sharpened from supporters and critics alike. Recent US cuts to foreign assistance and the reevaluation of humanitarian contributions by other countries have forced a reckoning for the world body.
Trump to address UN as he distances US from global cooperation
US President Donald Trump will address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday as world leaders grapple with crises from Gaza to Ukraine and question whether the United States, with its “America First” foreign policy, is still prepared to play a leadership role in global affairs.
Since taking office in January, Trump has upended US foreign policy, slashing foreign aid, imposing tariffs on friend and foe alike and cultivating warmer – if volatile – relations with Russia.
At the same time he has sought, so far with only limited success, to solve some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
