World leaders are gathering at the United Nations headquarters in New York City this week for the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
All eyes will be on the general debate podium from September 24 to 30, when dozens of leaders will use what has been called the world’s largest diplomatic platform to highlight the issues that matter most to their countries.
This year’s UNGA comes as tensions flare in the Middle East, the UK prime minister pushes to secure a Brexit deal by the end of October, and as demands grow for governments to take greater action to combat climate change.
Here’s a look at the general debate schedule and some key things to watch for.
Wednesday’s speakers
During the general debate, leaders or country representatives are allotted 15 minutes to address the Assembly, but they are notorious for going over time.
Here’s a look at the tentative speaker schedule for Day 2. The schedule is subject to change.
Morning session
The morning session begins at 9am local time (13:00 GMT).
- Ukraine
- Romania
- Iraq
- Eswatini
- Liberia
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Republic of Palau
- Georgia
- Central African Republic
- Colombia
- Seychelles
- Mauritania
- Estonia
- Guinea
- Zambia
- Chad
- Honduras
- Australia
- Fiji
Afternoon session
The afternoon session begins at 3pm local time (19:00 GMT).
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Kenya
- Namibia
- Panama
- Togo
- Costa Rica
- Libya
- Ghana
- Lithuania
- Ireland
- Mali
- Kiribati
- Zimbabwe
- Kuwait
- Armenia
- Czech Republic
- Andorra
Key things to watch for
A US-Iran showdown
The stage is set for a US-Iran showdown this week as the leaders of both countries address the General Assembly and put forward their competing visions of security in the Middle East.
The US, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the UK and France blame Iran for this month’s attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Iran has denied responsibility for the attacks, which were claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In his address on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said “no responsible government should subsidise Iran’s bloodlust”.
“As long as Iran’s menacing behaviour continues, sanctions will not be lifted. They will be tightened,” he said. But he also told UNGA that the US “is ready to embrace friendship with all who genuinely seek peace and respect.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to address the Assembly on Wednesday.
Although it’s unlikely the pair will meet on the sidelines, Trump has not ruled out a meeting.
“Nothing is ever off the table, completely, but I have no intention of meeting with Iran and that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” Trump said earlier this week. “I’m a very flexible person, but we have no intention. It’s not set up.”
Iranian officials have said a meeting is only possible if Trump is “ready to do what is necessary” by exchanging sanctions relief for “permanent monitoring of Iranian nuclear facilities”.
On Tuesday, European countries met with the US and Iranian leaders separately on the sidelines of UNGA, hoping to help defuse the heightened tensions.
More climate actions
A major theme over the past week has been climate action – or inaction, according to many climate advocates. Days after millions of young people marched worldwide demanding a greater response to climate change, more than 60 leaders met on Monday for the Climate Action Summit.
Advocates will continue their protests and actions throughout the week.
The first world leader to address the UNGA was Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been heavily criticised for his economic and environmental policies as fires continue to burn in the Amazon. It was his first UNGA appearance and, he stressed the new for global powers to respect Brazil’s sovereignty.