Diplomacy and Drama: What to Expect at the UN General Assembly

World leaders can breathe a sigh of relief as the UN’s notorious escalator has been successfully repaired just in time for the year's biggest diplomatic gathering, according to outgoing United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Speaking at his final press conference ahead of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres assured reporters that additional measures were taken to prevent any mechanical mishaps following last year's incident involving US President Donald Trump.

This year’s overarching theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all,” sets the stage for a packed agenda. As the “General Debate” begins on Tuesday, the proceedings will address major global issues, including the rise of emerging AI models and the impending departure of Guterres at year-end.

Dealmaking and Meetings

The high concentration of global officials makes the UNGA a crucial hub for sidelines diplomacy. US officials report that Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Gulf leaders to discuss the next phase of the war with Iran, alongside a briefing for Trump’s Board of Peace. Meanwhile, France will convene a follow-up discussion on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following previous recognitions of the State of Palestine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to meet with Trump in New York, continuing a diplomatic thread following separate talks in Kyiv and Moscow involving US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is slated to meet with US Secretary_of_State Marco Rubio. On the economic and territorial front, Trump is anticipated to sign an agreement with Denmark and Greenland ensuring permanent US control over Greenlandic security.

Who’s Speaking?

The speaker lineup often sparks notable reactions, such as past walkouts during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address or laughter during Donald Trump's speeches. A central question remains whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping will make a surprise appearance in New York, given his concurrent state visit to Washington.

Other high-profile speakers include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas—who will likely address the chamber via video after being denied a visa by the US administration—and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose attendance comes despite ongoing combat with the United States. Meanwhile, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez is set for her UN debut ahead of a meeting with Trump.

The event also marks final appearances for figures like French President Emmanuel Macron and António Guterres, with discussions around Guterres's successor already underway following an informal Security Council straw poll showing Costa Rica’s former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan with a narrow lead.

Technology and Finances

Artificial intelligence dominates a significant portion of the agenda, with Guterres dedicating much of his final press briefing to the technology. Discussions will feature tech industry figures, diplomats, and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt at a conference on “Digital Cooperation,” alongside dedicated meetings hosted by the Security Council and the US.

On the financial front, the UN enters this General Assembly on steadier ground after receiving $827 million in dues from the US government, alleviating the severe budget crisis and imminent financial collapse it faced earlier in the year.