NextFin news, World leaders from nearly 150 countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, September 19, 2025, marking the opening of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The assembly aims to address a series of urgent global crises including ongoing conflicts, climate change, economic inequality, and the governance of emerging technologies.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the session by highlighting the multiplicity of global challenges. He described the world as facing a "global crisis" characterized by escalating conflicts, geopolitical divides, growing inequality, and climate change risks that threaten to surpass the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit. Guterres called on world leaders to "turn the tide" through international cooperation, peace negotiations, climate commitments, financial reforms, and governance of artificial intelligence.
Among the key issues on the agenda is the escalating conflict in Gaza and the broader Middle East. A high-level conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of a two-state solution is scheduled for Monday, September 22. The UN and Palestinian representatives emphasize the urgent need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and the release of hostages. The US vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday, September 18, underscoring the complexity of diplomatic efforts.
Other conflicts, including the war in Sudan and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, are also focal points. Secretary-General Guterres stressed the importance of a united and effective Security Council to hold parties accountable and prevent the normalization of war as a means to resolve disputes.
Climate change is a central theme of the assembly. The UN will host a Climate Solutions Summit where member states are expected to present new climate action plans aligned with the 1.5-degree target. Guterres warned of the risk of irreversible damage if emissions are not drastically reduced, particularly affecting vulnerable regions such as Small Island Developing States and Africa.
The governance of artificial intelligence (AI) is another priority. The UN will facilitate a global dialogue on AI governance to ensure that AI technologies support sustainable development goals, reduce inequality, and prevent misuse such as autonomous weapons and amplification of hate speech.
Economic and financial reforms are also on the agenda. The assembly will host a summit involving international financial institutions and heads of state to discuss reforms of the global financial architecture, which currently reflects post-World War II realities. The goal is to increase justice, equality, and resource mobilization for developing countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, are attending the assembly. Sharif is expected to participate in the Palestine peace conference and hold bilateral meetings, while Yunus will address Bangladesh’s national statement and participate in discussions on Rohingya refugees, youth, and peacekeeping.
The 80th UNGA session is described by the Secretary-General as occurring in "turbulent — even uncharted — waters," with the assembly serving as a critical platform for diplomacy, negotiation, and reaffirmation of multilateralism amid global crises.
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