World leaders are converging at United Nations headquarters on the East River in Manhattan, New York for what promises to be one of the most consequential annual gatherings in recent memory.
Representatives of every UN Member State, there are 193 of them, and other organizations get to deliver speeches at the organization's general debate in the grandeur of the storied General Assembly Hall, as a series of high-level meetings are held on key issues facing humanity.
With the weight of global crises from war and climate change to gender inequality and the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence, this high-level week is more than just tradition - it is a vital moment for humanity to reflect, recommit, and reimagine its collective future.
The events mark the beginning of the 80th session of the General Assembly the main deliberative body of the UN, known colloquially as UNGA80, which as the name suggests marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.
Here's what to look out for during UNGA80.
General debate; speeches, speeches and more speeches
The general debate, which gets underway on 23 September, is for many the centerpiece of the General Assembly session. World leaders take to the podium in front of the gilded backdrop to the Assembly Hall to elaborate on their priorities to a global audience.
The notional and voluntary time limit for each speech to enable the efficient scheduling of 193+ speakers over a seven-day period is 15 minutes, but it is rarely faithfully adhered to.
Traditionally, Brazil speaks first followed by the United States as host country.
The new President of the General Assembly , Annalena Baerbock, only the fifth woman in the 80 year history of the UN to hold the position , will preside over the debate whose theme is: Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.
Learn more about the general debate
The two-State solution: 'Farther than ever before'
The two-State solution a proposed framework for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine which would establish two states for two peoples is "farther than ever before" according to the UN Secretary-General speaking in July 2025 .
The two-State solution predates the current conflict in Gaza which began in October 2023 following deadly terror attacks in southern Israel by Hamas .
With over 65,000 people reportedly killed in Gaza and hostages taken in Israel remaining in captivity in the territory, UN Member States will continue negotiations on the two-State solution at an international conference at UN Headquarters on Monday 22 September.
The conference is a continuation of meetings held by the UN General Assembly in July 2025, which Israel and the United States did not attend..
