UN General Assembly session begins as world leaders gather in New York

The annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has officially begun in New York City, United States. Around 130 heads of state and government are taking part in this year’s high level session to share their countries’ views and messages with the world.

Diplomatic circles were busy on the first day with speeches and bilateral meetings among world leaders. Mr. Donald Trump, President of the United States, tops the list of speakers on the first day. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, and Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, are also among the major world leaders addressing the General Assembly today.

One of the key highlights of this year’s session is seen as the first face to face meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This will be Mr. Burnham’s first formal conversation with Mr. Trump since taking office as Prime Minister. Ahead of the meeting, Mr. Burnham expressed hope that the two countries would find common ground to work together despite various policy differences, given the strategic nature of their relationship.

Alongside the formal session, informal diplomatic meetings and greetings among leaders have already begun outside UN headquarters and at various locations across New York. Last night, Mr. Macron was seen in a private conversation with Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Mr. Burnham and Mr. Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, were seen walking through Central Park discussing important matters.

Important decisions on the world’s ongoing crises and climate change may come out of this year’s session. The world’s attention is now on New York, focused on the speeches and high profile meetings of world leaders at the United Nations.