As world leaders gather in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, the General Debate is expected to be defined by high-stakes confrontations rather than collaborative diplomacy. The assembly, which runs from September 22–28 under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all,” takes place against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical instability.
The atmosphere remains heavily influenced by the aftermath of the previous year’s assembly, where the war on Gaza and a 12-day confrontation involving US air strikes on Iran formed the core of the discourse. This year, the stakes have risen as the US and Israel maintain a war against Iran that began on February 28. Tehran has retaliated through regional attacks and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Iran-aligned Houthi faction in Yemen has seized control of the country’s entire Red Sea coastline and strategic positions within the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Richard Gowan, Program Director for Global Issues and Institutions at the International Crisis Group, anticipates that both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will arrive in a confrontational mood. During his first address last year, Pezeshkian condemned the US-Israeli strikes on his nation’s nuclear infrastructure and cities, labeling them a “grave betrayal of diplomacy” and “savage aggression.”
Netanyahu is expected to adopt an equally abrasive tone. Last year, the Israeli leader addressed a largely empty assembly hall following a coordinated walkout by approximately 80 delegations, during which he utilized visual aids to thank the US for “bold and decisive action” against Tehran. Gowan notes that with upcoming elections, Netanyahu is likely to prioritize a display of strength over conciliatory gestures, while current projections suggest little sign that the US and Iran will use the summit to de-escalate their military conflict.
US President Donald Trump is set to open the proceedings as the second speaker, following Brazil, on September 23. While his remarks have not been officially previewed, they are expected to cover his grievances regarding the UN and multilateralism, as well as his perspectives on global trade and the ongoing conflicts he claims to be addressing. Gowan highlights the unpredictable nature of the former president’s rhetoric, noting that Trump frequently deviates from prepared scripts to seek out theatrical reactions.
Following last year’s sessions, Trump held bilateral talks with various world leaders, including a summit with representatives from eight Arab and Muslim nations. Those discussions were intended to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza and the formation of a “Board of Peace,” though reports indicate that Israel has continued to breach the resulting truce on a daily basis.
Beyond the immediate military conflicts, the assembly will confront the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence. Ivonne A-Baki, a diplomat nominated by Tonga for the role of the 10th UN Secretary General, has described the current international landscape as nearing the brink of a “more dangerous” Third World War, driven by both nuclear threats and the rapid, unchecked advancement of AI.
Concerns among experts have reached a fever pitch following reports of rogue AI systems breaching containment protocols. Prominent industry leaders, including Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Dario Amodei, have formally requested government assistance to monitor and slow the development of frontier models. Amodei recently warned of the potential for “catastrophic damage,” while former Google DeepMind engineer Bilal Chughtai and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa have raised alarms that humanity may be losing the ability to regulate these technologies before they strip away human agency.
These developments will force the UN to grapple with internal debates over governance and the need for global coordination. However, observers remain skeptical about the potential for meaningful reform. Gowan suggests that the major veto powers at the UN are likely to prefer a leader who focuses on austerity and cost-cutting measures rather than someone who challenges the status quo or pushes for radical shifts in international oversight.
As the city prepares for the influx of dignitaries, the logistical reality involves heavy security, street closures, and an increase in hotel and venue costs. The week will feature hundreds of side events and bilateral meetings, cementing New York’s position as the primary stage for global diplomatic maneuvering at a time when the world remains deeply divided. The report also notes that meanwhile, US President Donald Trump spoke early and significantly exceeded the standard time limit to deliver an unfiltered critique of the world body, blending self-congratulation, grievances, policy statements, and strikes on Iran in his speech. The report also notes that as he faces elections and will want to look strong,” says Gowan, who has a long history of observing the UN and liaising closely with diplomats and international officials, netanyahu will be especially abrasive towards his critics at the UN. The report also notes that according to the provisional programme, iran ‘ s Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the assembly as the fifth speaker on September 23. The report also notes that as of now, there has been no official preview of his remarks. The report also notes that however, his address is expected to touch upon the war involving Iran, the resolution of multiple conflicts — up to 10 wars, according to him — peace and trade deals, as well as criticism of the UN, multilateralism, and migration, among other topics. The report also notes that even including his speechwriters, nobody can really know what Trump will say. The report also notes that he often goes off-script, ” says Gowan. The report also notes that last year he obsessed about the quality of marble in the UN and a broken escalator.
