NEW YORK, September 23, 2025 – The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Debate opens in New York on Tuesday, with a keynote speech by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to UN officials, “President Trump’s address will set the tone for the week-long deliberations.”
Other high-profile leaders billed to speak on the first day include Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and French President Emmanuel Macron. A UN spokesperson confirmed that “the speeches will begin at 9 a.m. (1300 GMT).”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock are also scheduled to deliver remarks. Organizers emphasized that “their messages will highlight the urgent need for multilateral solutions to global crises.”
A special session of the UN Security Council on the Ukraine war is also expected, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance. Diplomats at the UN noted that “Zelensky’s presence will bring added urgency to discussions on peace and security.”
Over 150 heads of state and government are expected to address UNGA in the coming days, with the Middle East conflict, the war in Ukraine, and global security challenges dominating the agenda. Observers explained that “the UN’s precarious finances and the shifting geopolitical role of the United States under Trump will also be closely watched.”
Nigeria’s Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, is among world leaders in New York, having arrived ahead of Tuesday’s opening session. A statement from Nigeria’s mission to the UN clarified that “Shettima is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the high-level global event.” GMTNewsng
