World leaders convene at the UN General Assembly, with Gaza taking center stage for discussions
The United Nations General Assembly's 80th session is set to commence next week in New York, with a host of pressing global issues on the agenda.
Among the top concerns are the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The UN Security Council will hold meetings on both regions during the high-level session, as global hunger monitors have warned that famine has already begun in Gaza and could spread further by the end of the month.
In an effort to build momentum towards a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, France and Saudi Arabia have announced plans to hold a summit before the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will participate via video after being denied a US visa.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are expected to speak during the session, as the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, remains a contentious issue.
Iran's nuclear tensions are also a significant concern, with Tehran seeking to prevent the reinstatement of all UN Security Council sanctions on its nuclear programme. Last-minute diplomacy is expected over Iran's nuclear programme, and the Assembly's agenda includes diplomatic discussions regarding the issue.
The international community is under unprecedented pressure, according to Guterres, who stated that geopolitical divides are widening, conflicts are raging, impunity is on the rise, and the planet is overheating.
In an attempt to address these challenges, several Western nations have pledged to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France have made such commitments, joining a growing chorus of voices calling for a two-state solution.
The upcoming session will also witness the participation of several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, 23 September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the General Assembly on Friday, 26 September.
However, the future of the UN is being questioned due to Trump's cuts to U.S. foreign aid, which have sparked global humanitarian crises. The Russian President Vladimir Putin traditionally does not attend the UN General Assembly.
Despite these challenges, the UN General Assembly remains a crucial platform for global diplomacy, where leaders gather to address the world's most pressing issues and chart a course towards a more peaceful and sustainable future.
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