World leaders, including heads of state and government, are due to gather in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, which will be a historic geopolitical point in the organisation as it commemorates its 80th anniversary.
The annual debate, themed this year “Together, we are stronger: 80 years and counting for peace, development, and human rights,” will attempt to address the most pressing global crises and reaffirm the UN’s commitment to encouraging a peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future, as articulated by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. But with geopolitical divisions have been deepening, the question looms: can the UN survive today’s polarised politics?
The General Assembly, a platform for 193 member states, opens its most important sessions on Tuesday, September 23, with a formal address by its president, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, followed by Guterres. Brazil traditionally speaks first, a custom since 1955, followed by the United States, the host nation. Leaders, including US President Donald Trump, returning to the global stage since his January 2025 inauguration, and Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Shara, making his debut, will share their perspectives. Each speaker is allotted 15 minutes, though adherence to this rule can vary. Fidel Castro’s 269-minute speech in 1960 remains the record.
United Nations at 80 – more divided than ever
Tensions are palpable at this special session. The US’s decision to cancel visas for the Palestinian delegation, including leader Mahmud Abbas, has heated up the controversy, and typifies ongoing disputes over representation. Other than the main debates, leaders will engage in bilateral meetings and forums, such as a French-Saudi initiative for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. The gender gap continues, with only 29 countries led by women, according to UN Women, which estimates gender parity in global leadership is 130 years away.
The UN faces calls for some form of reinvention amid budget cuts and geopolitical gridlock. Guterres has proposed over $500 million in reductions for 2026 and targeted a 15.1 per cent decrease in resources and 18.8 per cent in labour costs. The veto power of the Security Council’s permanent members, the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France, continues to stall action on crises like Israel’s Gaza offensive and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite criticism from leaders like Trump, the UN does actually retain some public support, with 60 per cent global approval and 57 per cent in the US, according to Pew Research.
As this year’s Assembly opens, the world watches to see if the UN can bridge divides and remain an amicable representation of global cooperation. Can it adapt to modern conflicts, or will polarised politics threaten its relevancy? The answer will shape its next 80 years.
