U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres Addresses Final General Assembly

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the opening of the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Guterres will attend his last high-level week as Secretary-General as his term concludes at the end of the year.

World leaders gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York amid global uncertainty. Guterres emphasized this as his last General Assembly high-level week. He provided opening remarks Tuesday morning, followed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Traditionally, Brazil speaks first at the session. The event schedule runs through September 28, featuring various global leaders and officials.

Guterres revealed his intentions to advocate for de-escalation in the Middle East and secure navigation freedoms in crucial waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. He is also advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Despite his efforts, observers do not anticipate major breakthroughs.

Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, following President Trump’s address. The U.S. State Department confirmed the Iranian delegation is smaller than previous years due to visa restrictions. Diplomatic security agents will enforce strict boundaries on their movements and purchases. Negotiations on opening the Strait of Hormuz for fertilizer have faced obstacles.

Ukraine and Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also set to speak on Wednesday. European allies aim to show support as Ukraine endures another winter of conflict. Russia continues using its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to limit U.N. involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin remains absent from the Assembly but Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to speak on September 26. Lavrov plans to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the Assembly.

Israel and the Palestinians

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been denied a visa by the Trump administration for the second consecutive year. The General Assembly voted to allow Abbas to deliver his statement via video. His speech is scheduled for Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid an election campaign, will use his time at the Assembly to defend his policies on Iran and Gaza. Protests against Netanyahu are anticipated but New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has no plans to join.

Split-screen diplomacy

While 120 leaders and representatives gather at the U.N., key figures will be absent. Leaders from India, Germany, and South Africa are not attending and will send senior representatives instead. China’s Xi Jinping is following suit by sending a video-msg again. Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group highlighted the contrast between speeches at the Assembly and high-level meetings in Washington.

Venezuela

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim leader, will address the U.N. Thursday afternoon, while Nicolás Maduro remains in U.S. custody. President Trump is expected to meet Rodríguez on the sidelines. Rodríguez discussed an oil deal with the Trump administration, which involves the Pentagon in Venezuelan oil fields. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a beneficial opportunity for both sides, with future democratic authority in Venezuela.

Race for U.N. Secretary-General

The U.N. Security Council has conducted initial straw polls for candidates succeeding Guterres. No consensus has emerged yet, but Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett are considered front-runners. By tradition, the next Secretary-General is expected from Latin America, and delegations hope for female leadership. With seven candidates remaining after Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s withdrawal, the U.S. State Department is calling for a return to basics at the U.N. The final decision process might take time, but the deadline is the end of the current term.